Talks continue, as Kiam makes bid for extension

Efforts continued yesterday toward resolving the confused ownership of the New England Patriots after Fran Murray rejected Victor Kiam's bid for a 30-day extension to buy out his minority partner.

The deadline for Kiam, who owns 51 percent of the team, to make a $38 million payment to buy out Murray passed without resolution Thursday. But a spokesman for the NFL said discussions were continuing, mainly by telephone.

* REDSKINS: Washington may activate tight end Don Warren today for tomorrow's game. Warren, who missed the first six games with a broken fibula he suffered in training camp, has been practicing this week and says he's ready to go.

* STEELERS: Quarterback Bubby Brister was upgraded from questionable to probable for Monday night's game against the Giants.

Brister, who didn't practice earlier in the week because of a strained knee ligament, said he is "100 percent sure" he will play Monday.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh probably will fine troubled running back Tim Worley for skipping practice for two days earlier in the week, team president Dan Rooney said.

Worley, who is on injured reserve, received permission to skip the workout yesterday, but he did not report for rehabilitation on Wednesday or Thursday.