Williams rushed for 119 yards and scored three touchdowns last night as the Dolphins beat the Carolina Panthers, 24-17, in Charlotte, N.C., for their fourth win in six games.

A day after learning that Brown is lost for the season, the Dolphins (5-5) continued their surge following an 0-3 start behind Williams. The 2002 league rushing champion had a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game for the first time in his career.

It was enough to beat the Panthers (4-6), who got 122 rushing yards from DeAngelo Williams. But Jake Delhomme's streak of three games without an interception ended, and he couldn't lead a late comeback bid.

Brown was placed on injured reserve Wednesday because of a foot injury, and Miami didn't use the Wildcat formation until the second quarter. It coincided with the Dolphins' first touchdown - Chad Henne's 14-yard pass to Williams, who wrested the ball away from linebacker Na'il Diggs.

Vikings. Minnesota signed coach Brad Childress to a contract extension, nine games into what is shaping up as a promising season.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. ESPN.com cited anonymous sources in reporting that the extension would carry through the 2013 season. The former offensive coordinator for the Eagles was hired in 2006 and is in the fourth year of a five-year, $10 million deal.

Broncos. Chris Simms took the snaps with Denver's starters again, making it likely he'll start for the Broncos against San Diego on Sunday in place of Kyle Orton.

Orton has not practiced since spraining his left ankle last Sunday at Washington.

Simms has not started a game since Sept. 24, 2006, when he played for Tampa Bay and was battered so badly by Carolina, he needed emergency surgery to remove his spleen.

Bills. Firing coach Dick Jauron was merely the start of a major overhaul that Buffalo owner Ralph Wilson is prepared to conduct this off-season to make his team a contender again.

Outlining his plans in a telephone interview, Wilson said he is open to going after a high-profile coach and warned that no position on his team is safe.

Jauron was fired Tuesday and replaced by defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

The team signed quarterback Brian Brohm off the Green Bay Packers' practice squad, giving the 2008 second-round draft pick out of Louisville a two-year contract.

Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger said Pittsburgh's biggest loss of the season was his fault. The Steelers (6-3) are trailing the 7-2 Bengals in the AFC North after losing to Cincinnati, 18-12, and the quarterback took the blame.

"You know what? I had a bad day. Everyone in here's had a bad day. I flat-out had a bad day and it's going to happen sometimes," Roethlisberger said. "It's just unfortunate that when the quarterback has a bad game it affects the whole offense. That's why you can't afford to have too many bad games."

Colts. Dallas Clark needs one catch to break John Mackey's franchise record for career receptions by a tight end (320). It is likely to happen in Mackey's old stomping grounds when Indianapolis plays in Baltimore on Sunday.

Patriots. A Massachusetts panel has given approval to use $9 million in federal stimulus funds for a pedestrian bridge sought by the owner of the New England Patriots.

Browns. Representatives from the NFL players' union met with Cleveland players, but it was not prompted by complaints about coach Eric Mangini's practices.

Offensive lineman Hank Fraley, the Browns' player representative, said Wednesday's meeting centered on the collective bargaining agreement and safety concerns.

Dungy takes lead. Tony Dungy will lead a new NFL advisory forum that will meet with players about league policies, programs and issues that affect their lives on and off the field. Dungy, who retired as coach of the Colts after last season, is a special adviser to commissioner Roger Goodell.

Teaming with Obama. Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees and Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu filmed a public service announcement with President Obama that will be televised during the league's Thanksgiving games.

The 90-second spot shows Obama and the NFL stars playing touch football with local children on the White House lawn.

The commercial promotes the league's Play 60 campaign, which encourages physical activity to combat childhood obesity, and the president's community service initiative United We Serve.

Noteworthy. Redskins running back Clinton Portis will miss his second straight game as he recovers from a concussion, coach Jim Zorn said. Washington visits the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. . . . Detroit's home game against the Cleveland Browns will be blacked out on Detroit-area television on Sunday. Detroit (1-8) has sold out only two of its five games this season. . . . Reggie Bush has missed two practices this week as New Orleans tries to rest the running back's sore left knee. . . . St. Louis defensive end C.J. Ah You has been lost for the season with a knee injury, coach Steve Spagnuolo said. . . . After missing the first nine games of the season with a severe hamstring strain, New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross is poised to make his 2009 debut on Sunday against Atlanta.

Stefanie Spielman, wife of former NFL and Ohio State star Chris Spielman, died after a lengthy battle with cancer, the former player said.