Players in the News

QB Anthony Wright (Bal) impressed the Ravens so much last Sunday that he could remain as the team’s starting QB even when Kyle Boller returns from injury.

QB Chris Chandler (Chi) underwent an MRI on his injured shoulder which revealed a sprain. He is currently listed as day-to-day and will be re-evaluated on Wednesday. HC Dick Jauron says that Chandler would continue as the team’s starting QB if healthy. If Chandler is not healthy, Kordell Stewart would step in as the starter.

QB David Carr (Hou) is recovering and could return this weekend after missing last Sunday’s game with his sprained throwing shoulder.

QB Byron Leftwich (Jac) could see the bench soon. HC Jack Del Rio says he is considering sitting his struggling rookie in favor of David Garrard.

QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) has regained his role as the team’s starting QB and will start on Thanksgiving Day against the Cowboys.

QB Rohan Davey (NE) has moved past Damon Huard and is now the team’s backup QB.

QB Aaron Brooks (NO) is expected to start as normal this weekend despite re-aggravating his injured knee.

QB Jeff Garcia (SF) hopes to return to the starting lineup this weekend. According to HC Dennis Erickson, he will do so if he can “move around normally”. It looks like the Wednesday practice is the key. If Garcia looks “normal” on Wednesday, he’ll likely get the start.

QB Matt Hasselbeck (Sea) is expected to start as normal this weekend despite his injured shoulder.

QB Marc Bulger (StL) is still the team’s starting QB despite struggling the past few weeks.

QB Steve McNair (Ten) has not been ruled out of action this weekend, but he should miss practice all week. He will rest and treat his calf all week and looks like a game-time decision. It doesn’t look good, but this is Steve McNair that we’re talking about. If McNair can’t play, Billy Volek (who looked good in relief last Sunday) will get the start.

QB Patrick Ramsey (Was) is still not healthy and could miss another week. Tim Hasselbeck played well last week so the team will not rush Ramsey back.

Running Backs

RB Emmitt Smith (Ari) is expected to return to action this weekend, but he will be the team’s backup RB behind Marcel Shipp.

RB Warrick Dunn (Atl) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with ligament tear in his left foot. Obviously, this gives T.J. Duckett a huge boost in value. FB Justin Griffith should also get some looks in the running game.

RB Travis Henry (Buf) did not suffer a setback while playing last Sunday and looks like he will continue to start as normal.

RB Corey Dillon (Cin) is expected to return to the starting lineup this weekend, but Rudi Johnson will also see considerable action as well.

RB Clinton Portis (Den) has a sore heel and is expected to start as normal this weekend.

RB Artose Pinner (Det) has been added to the 53-man roster. He might play on Thanksgiving Day, but he likely will wait until December 7^th to make his pro debut. Given the current state of the Lions running game, Pinner will likely at least be given a shot to produce when completely healthy. However, he is still not completely healthy. His leg still tires after long practices..

RB Michael Bennett (Min) looks like he’s ready to resume the role as the team’s primary RB. He will start again this weekend and should get the majority of carries.

RB Onterrio Smith (Min) is nothing more than a kick returner now that Michael Bennett has returned from injury.

RB Moe Williams (Min) is no longer the team’s primary RB, but he will still receive some touches.

RB Ki-Jana Carter (NO) could miss some time with his injured toe. With Carter out, James Fenderson is the team’s backup RB.

RB Charlie Garner (Oak) is improving, but it looks like Tyrone Wheatley will continue as the team’s primary RB (at least as long as Wheatley continues his strong play).

RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) admitted on Monday that this could be his final NFL season.

RB Ladell Betts (Was) is expected to return to practice this week and play this weekend after missing the last four games with a fractured forearm.

Wide Receivers

WR Sam Aiken (Buf) underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee and could miss the remainder of the season.

WR Eric Moulds (Buf) is already battling his injured groin and tweaked his hamstring last Sunday ad well. Moulds is valiantly playing through the groin injury, but his battered body is not allowing him to perform at a high level. He simply needs rest.

WR Charles Rogers (Det) is still out with his broken clavicle.

WR Marvin Harrison (Ind) is expected to be fully healthy this weekend and start as normal.

WR J.R. Tolver (Mia) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his injured knee.

WR Randy Moss (Min) sprained an ankle last Sunday but is expected to start this weekend.

WR Michael Lewis (NO) could miss this weekend’s game with his sprained ankle.

WR Donte Stallworth (NO) looks like he will sit again this weekend with his sprained ankle.

WR Tim Dwight (SD) is still out with his collapsed lung. He might not return this year.

Tight Ends

TE Shannon Sharpe (Den) suffered a rib cartilage injury (the cartilage is separated) and may sit this weekend. He looks like a game-time decision at best.

TE Dallas Clark (Ind) could play this weekend’s game despite his strained lower back.

TE Marcus Pollard (Ind) looks like he will sit again with his injured knee.

TE Jim Kleinsasser (Min) sprained an ankle last Sunday but is expected to start this weekend.

TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) was not active last Monday night but seems to be a good bet to play this weekend.

Place Kickers & Special Teamers

KR Eddie Drummond (Det) looks like a game-time decision for Thanksgiving Day.

KR Charlie Rogers (Mia) was re-signed by the team to replace the injured Sam Simmons.

KR Sam Simmons (Mia) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his high ankle sprain.

KR Keyuo Craver (NO) will likely return kicks and punts this weekend as KR1 Michael Lewis and KR2 Donte Stallworth are both doubtful. Further, the team does not want to risk KR3 Jerome Pathon on special teams as the WR position is already dreadfully thin.

Offensive Linemen

C Jeff Faine (Cle) suffered a high ankle sprain and could be lost for the remainder of the season.

G LeCharles Bentley (NO) hyper-extended his knee once again but is expected to play this weekend.

G Kendyl Jacox (NO) is still out with his injured knee.

G Dwayne Ledford (SF) could be lost for the season with a high ankle sprain.

T Kenyatta Jones (Was) has been signed by the team.

T Chris Samuels (Was) is out with his knee injury and could miss several games.

Defensive Linemen

DE Jared DeVries (Det) did not practice on Monday and should sit on Thanksgiving Day.

DE David Bowens (Mia) has been activated from the non-football injury list.

DT Chris Hovan (Min) sprained an ankle last Sunday but is expected to start this weekend.

DT Damione Lewis (StL) is expected to practice on Wednesday and could return to action this weekend.

DE Leonard Little (StL) is expected to practice on Wednesday and could return to action this weekend.

DE Jevon Kearse (Ten) could return to action this weekend after missing last Sunday’s game.

DE Bruce Smith (Was) has tied Reggie White for the all-time sack career sack mark, but he is still not happy about his lack of playing time.

Linebackers

LB Ben Taylor (Cle) was hospitalized on Monday with staph infection in his elbow.

LB Al Wilson (Den) is experiencing a stinging sensation down his left arm that is being caused by a pinched nerve. Wilson has been bothered by the injury for weeks but says it “is getting kind of unbearable.”

LB Nick Barnett (GB) could sit on Thanksgiving Day due to the sprained ankle he suffered last Sunday.

LB Chris Claiborne (Min) will have off-season surgery on his heel and his shoulder but does not expect to miss any games this season.

Defensive Backs

CB Jacoby Shepherd (Det) was released to make room for the activation of RB Artose Pinner.

GB Darren Sharper (GB) will likely sit on Thanksgiving Day due to a bruised lung and injured ribs.

CB Aaron Glenn (Hou) will likely sit this weekend with his injured groin.

CB Dale Carter (NO) is out this weekend with his injured quadriceps.

S Brian Dawkins (Phi) could return this weekend after missing last Sunday’s game.

CB Bobby Taylor (Phi) could return this weekend.