Sales to stop for diet pill

Drug maker reacts to NFL complaint

The makers of an over-the-counter weight-loss pill have suspended sales following accusations the product contains but does not list an ingredient banned by the NFL.

"We've received notice of the problem with the NFL," the makers of StarCaps said in a statement released by e-mail Thursday. The statement added that the company is "taking all necessary steps to ensure that our customers receive product that is safe and effective."

Saints players Jamar Nesbit and Deuce McAllister say they tested positive for Bumetanide after using StarCaps. Nesbit, who filed suit against StarCaps this week, and McAllister are under investigation by the league for taking a diuretic, considered a masking agent for steroids.

While suspending new shipments, the company stopped short of issuing a recall.

StarCaps attorney Marc Ullman, with the firm Ullman, Shapiro & Ullman in New York, said a recall would be premature until the company received results from lab tests that should be completed in a week or two.

FALCON UNDERGOES SURGERY: Atlanta Falcons rookie left tackle Sam Baker underwent successful back surgery on Thursday.

"I'm happy to have the procedure behind me," Baker said in a statement. The Falcons released no details on the procedure and have not announced a timetable for Baker's return.

WITTEN FIGHTING BROKEN RIB: Cowboys tight end Jason Witten feels every breath he takes because of a broken rib. Sleeping is difficult, and doctors have told him that it could be three or four weeks before his side will feel any better.

Yet, Witten still hopes to play Sunday against the NFC East-leading and rival New York Giants.

During the early portion of practice open to reporters, Witten was in shorts and doing conditioning drills on the side with a team trainer. It was the second day in a row he didn't practice.

RASH OF INJURIES FOR COLTS: Tony Dungy thought the Colts might finally be close to full strength this week. Not so fast.

As Bob Sanders and Joseph Addai practiced for the second straight day, Dungy announced Thursday that Indianapolis' injury rash has hit another starter: Cornerback Marlin Jackson will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

"He did significant damage to the knee, and I'm not exactly sure, but it's probably going to involve some surgery," Dungy said before practice.

A few hours later, the Colts placed Jackson on injured reserve and re-signed cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, who has played in four games with Indy this year.

RAVENS ON INJURED RESERVE: The Baltimore Ravens placed reserve cornerback Derrick Martin on injured reserve Thursday.

Martin said he may need shoulder surgery. In August, he tore sutures in his shoulder stemming from an offseason surgery. The former sixth-round draft pick from Wyoming was suspended for the season-opener for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

Rookie kicker Steve Hauschka was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad to take Martin's spot.

BACK IN PRACTICE: Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch practiced Thursday for a second straight day after sitting out Monday night's 31-21 win over Indianapolis. The Titans (7-0) also had defensive end Dave Ball and running back Quinton Ganther back at practice after both suffered concussions against the Colts.