MINNEAPOLIS - A federal judge extended his preliminary injunction against the NFL's suspension of five players for violating the league's anti-doping policy, a move their lawyer said will let them play the rest of the season.

In his ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson asked both parties to propose a schedule by Dec. 22 for further proceedings that would lead to an eventual hearing on the merits of the case, a process that could take months. The regular season ends Dec. 28.

Kevin Williams and Pat Williams of the Minnesota Vikings and Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints were suspended last week for four games each. They tested positive during training camp for a banned diuretic, bumetanide, in the dietary supplement StarCaps.

Bumetanide can be used as a masking agent for steroids. Diuretics are also used to quickly shed weight. The StarCaps label didn't list the diuretic as an ingredient.

"The players and the union are thrilled," Jeffrey Kessler, an attorney for the NFL Players Association, told The Associated Press. Kessler said the judge's timeframe is long enough that the players can finish the season and go to the playoffs if their teams make it that far.

Kevin and Pat Williams, who aren't related, are star defensive tackles for a Vikings team that is 8-5 and in first place in the NFC North. They play Sunday at Arizona.

Cassel back at practice

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Matt Cassel returned to practice with the New England Patriots on Thursday morning after missing Wednesday's workouts following his father's death.

Cassel took part in stretching and throwing drills during the portion of practice open to reporters at San Jose State, where the Patriots are training between road games in Seattle and Oakland. He briefly left the club after his father, Greg, died Monday night in the Los Angeles area.

Although the Patriots made no announcement, Cassel seems likely to start on Sunday against the Raiders.

Jackson likely in for Vikings

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - While the Minnesota Vikings say quarterback Gus Frerotte's lower back is feeling better by the day, all signs are pointing to Tarvaris Jackson getting the start Sunday at Arizona.

Coach Brad Childress said Frerotte threw about 25 passes on the side on Thursday, but the 37-year-old did not participate in practice for the second day in a row.

Jackson again took all the snaps with the starters and is poised to make his first start in more than three months when the Vikings play the Cardinals.

"I wouldn't say it's official yet," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said, when asked if Jackson is the starter. "Gus came in feeling better today and he's making a push to still try and make it. We think he has the ability as a veteran to do it on fewer reps, so he's going to make a push, and in the meantime that he's not out there, Tarvaris will continue to go."

Frerotte was injured in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions last week after throwing his second interception of the game.

Parker wants more runs

PITTSBURGH - Willie Parker says it's not too late for the Pittsburgh Steelers to go back to being the Steelers, and that means running the ball.

First-and-long, third-and-short - to Parker, the down and distance shouldn't matter as long as the Steelers return to doing what they traditionally do best.

Traditionally one of the NFL's most-committed rushing teams, the Steelers are 23rd in the league with 1,350 yards on 373 carries. They are 10-3, lead the AFC North and can secure a first-round playoff bye with a win Sunday at Baltimore, yet are on pace for their second-worst rushing season since the 1970 merger.

With the playoffs approaching, Parker is convinced the Steelers - as successful as they've been this season despite ranking only 20th in passing and 26th in total offense - must regain their personality by being multidimensional.

"This is when you've got to pound it out," Parker said. "This is those dog days. When you go into the playoffs, the team that can run the ball is going to win."

Coach Mike Tomlin doesn't dispute that but, during a team meeting Thursday, emphasized the idea is winning, not piling up statistics that benefit one player.