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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Fullback Mike Alstott is questionable for Monday night's game against the Indianapolis Colts because of a strained neck.

Coach Jon Gruden said Saturday that Alstott's status was downgraded from probable after tests didn't reveal why the six-time Pro Bowl selection's neck has been sore for "the last couple of weeks."

Asked what the tests showed, Gruden replied: "Not enough. That's why we're downgrading him to questionable and bringing in all these testers." He added that Alstott's availability probably will be determined just before kickoff.

Also, Pro Bowl middle linebacker Shelton Quarles will not play against the Colts. He's been sidelined for over a month because of a fractured left forearm and dislocated left elbow.

Quarles returned to practice last week, and Gruden is hopeful he can play next week at Washington.

New England Patriots: When Mike Cloud signed as an unrestricted free agent three months ago, the Pats knew the tailback would serve a four-game suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, but team officials were willing to wait for him.

And now the delay has ended.

The Patriots moved Cloud to the active roster, and released seventh-year veteran fullback Fred McCrary to create a spot.

Cloud, 28, returned to practice this week following his suspension.

A one-time Boston College star, Cloud began his career in Kansas City as the Chiefs' second-round choice in the 1999 draft. In four years with the Chiefs, he appeared in 56 games and started six times. Cloud had 381 yards and four touchdowns on 121 rushes and caught 11 passes for 89 yards.

He also averaged 21.3 yards on 46 kickoff returns and had seven special teams tackles.

During the offseason, Cloud was suspended by the league for testing positive after taking a dietary supplement containing a banned substance. He lost his appeal, during which he contended the supplement was mislabeled, and is now suing the manufacturer.

Green Bay Packers: The Packers activated linebacker Torrance Marshall after he completed a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Green Bay waived rookie cornerback Erwin Swiney to make room for Marshall on its 53-man roster.

The league granted the Packers a roster exemption when Marshall returned to practice Wednesday. Coach and general manager Mike Sherman had until 3 p.m. Saturday to decide whether to add Marshall to the active roster for Sunday's game against Seattle.

The third-year pro, 6-2, 225 pounds, led the Packers during the preseason with 31 tackles -- 24 solo.

The 26-year-old was drafted by Green Bay in the third round out of Oklahoma in 2001. He played in 30 games in his first two seasons, starting one.

Swiney made three tackles, deflected a pass and recovered an onside kick in three games this season.

Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press