Players in the News

QB Mike McMahon (Det) could see action before the season ends. " We' d like to see him play," HC Steve Mariucci said. " He deserves to play. He' s a good quarterback. It' s not because we' re disappointed with Joey at all. It' s because it would be good to see a backup quarterback get some snaps."

QB Brett Favre (GB) says he will return for the 2004 season.

QB David Carr (Hou) practiced on Wednesday and should start this weekend.

QB Mark Brunell (Jac) has been named a team captain for this week' s home finale. It is all but certain that this will be Brunell' s final home game as a Jaguar. It' s too bad he won' t be the starting QB.

QB Kerry Collins (NYG) did not practice on Wednesday and should miss another week (and could be done for the year) with his injured ankle.

QB Jesse Palmer (NYG) will most likely remain the team' s starting QB for the remainder of the season.

QB Vinny Testaverde (NYJ) says he wants to return in 2004 as the Jets #2 QB, but he will retire rather than stick around as the #3.

QB Drew Brees (SD) will remain as the team' s starting QB after passing for a career high 353 yards in week 15. That' s the definition of a no-brainer.

QB Jeff Garcia (SF) is " definitely" wanted as the team' s starting QB in 2004 according to HC Dennis Erickson. Of course Garcia' s $9 million price tag will likely need to be renegotiated.

QB Jason Gesser (Ten) took the vast majority of the snaps in Wednesday' s practice.

QB Steve McNair (Ten) is still nursing ankle and calf injuries (he did not practice on Wednesday), but he may be forced into action this weekend with this loss of Billy Volek. McNair is improving but looks like yet another game-time decision this weekend. The team is also trying to work a deal to bring back veteran QB Neil O' Donnell, but the Titans are bumping hard against the salary cap.

QB Billy Volek (Ten) has been lost for the season with a ruptured spleen.

QB Tim Hasselbeck (Was) will remain the team' s starting QB for the remainder of the season.

Running Backs

FB George Layne (Atl) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list.

RB Stephen Davis (Car) is hobbled by an ankle injury and will rest this week (he did not practice on Wednesday). The team will likely hold him out for this weekend (and possibly in week 17 as well) to get him closer to 100% for the playoffs.

RB William Green (Cle) has not officially been suspended for the remainder of the season, but HC Butch Davis says Green will not play again this year.

RB Clinton Portis (Den) did not practice on Wednesday, but the team hopes he' ll be able to get some work in by Friday. According to Portis, his status will be determined on game-day. " We' ll test it out on Sunday. If I can go I' ll be out there giving it all I' ve got," Portis said. " I' d love to play. I' d love to go out there and out-perform Edgerrin."

RB Olandis Gary (Det) did not play last week (he wasn' t even active) as the Lions finally got Artose Pinner some game action. As long as Pinner stays healthy, Gary might not see the field the rest of the season.

FB Rob Konrad (Mia) is out due to a concussion. Obafemi Ayanbadejo will get the start.

RB Ricky Williams (Mia) bruised his left shoulder in Monday night' s game but is expected to start as normal this weekend.

RB Michael Bennett (Min) will play this weekend according to HC Mike Tice. Of course Tice said the same thing a week ago and Bennett sat on Sunday.

RB Onterrio Smith (Min) has a strained hamstring but is expected to play this weekend.

RB Moe Williams (Min) has been playing despite torn cartilage in his left knee. He is expected to play this weekend.

RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) took his normal Wednesday off but is expected to play this weekend.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) has a sore toe but says he will play this weekend. In related news, HC Marty Schottenheimer says Tomlinson is the greatest RB he has ever seen. In his 27-year pro football career, Schottenheimer has played and worked with the likes of Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, and Marcus Allen. That' s stellar company.

RB Kevan Barlow (SF) will get another start this weekend as Garrison Hearst is still recovering from his injured knee.

RB Garrison Hearst (SF) ran some on Wednesday but did not practice. There is a chance that he could see action this weekend.

RB Darian Barnes (TB) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his injured ankle.

FB Cecil Martin (TB) has been signed by the team.

RB Ladell Betts (Was) was limited in Wednesday' s practice and should sit this weekend with his injured forearm.

RB Trung Canidate (Was) did not practice on Wednesday. He is listed as questionable, but it looks like he' ll sit again this weekend.

Wide Receivers

WR Chad Johnson (Cin) has been fined $10,000 for holding up a sign after scoring a TD last Sunday. The sign read: " Dear NFL: Please don' t fine me again." Doh!

WR Terry Glenn (Dal) had a noticeable limp at Wednesday' s practice, but HC Bill Parcells expects him to play this weekend.

WR Brandon Stokley (Ind) has passed Troy Walters and is now the team' s #3 WR.

WR Matthew Hatchette (Jac) has been re-signed by the team.

WR Marc Boerigter (KC) did not practice on Wednesday and should sit this weekend with his injured ankle.

WR Deion Branch (NE) did not practice on Wednesday but is expected to play this weekend despite his injured hand.

WR Troy Brown (NE) came out of the week 15 game fine and is not even on this week' s injury report.

WR Joe Horn (NO) has been fined $30,000 by the NFL for his WR-phone home celebration. WR Michael Lewis was fined $5,000 for taking part.

WR Michael Lewis (NO) strained his shoulder last Sunday night (hopefully not picking up the goal post padding) but is expected to play this weekend.

WR Donte' Stallworth (NO) played last Sunday for the first time in a month and came out of the game fine. He is expected to play again this weekend.

WR Ike Hilliard (NYG) did not practice on Wednesday and should miss another week (and could be done for the year) with his injured knee.

WR Wayne Chrebet (NYJ) is still suffering migraines and other post-concussion ailments almost six weeks after his season-ending concussion. He believes he will play in 2004 but has not made a final decision.

WR Tim Brown (Oak) was excused from Wednesday' s practice for an undisclosed reason.

WR David Boston (SD) practiced on Wednesday and should play this weekend.

WR Terrell Owens (SF) did not practice on Wednesday but is expected to play this weekend.

WR Tai Streets (SF) did not practice on Wednesday but is expected to play this weekend.

WR Isaac Bruce (StL) is hobbled by an ankle injury and will rest this week. The team is game-planning as if Bruce will be available (he says he feels good and will be ready to go). He is not expected to practice until Saturday. If Bruce does not play, the team will count on Dane Looker and Mike Furrey to fill the void.

WR Laveranues Coles (Was) did not practice on Wednesday. He has played nearly the entire season with a stress fracture in his foot. He will continue playing but will wear a cast for 1-2 months after the season is over.

WR Taylor Jacobs (Was) did not practice on Wednesday and could sit this weekend.

Tight Ends

TE Desmond Clark (Chi) did not practice on Wednesday due to his turf toe injury.

TE Dustin Lyman (Chi) has been lost for the remainder of the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his bruised spleen.

TE Dallas Clark (Ind) is still out with his injured ankle.

TE Sean McDermott (NE) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his injured shoulder.

TE Marcellus Rivers (NYG) should miss another week with his injured knee.

TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) did not practice on Wednesday and should miss another week (and could be done for the year) with his injured knee.

TE L.J. Smith (Phi) should sit this weekend with his injured groin and back.

TE Stephen Alexander (SD) did not practice on Wednesday and is officially listed as questionable, but it looks like he' ll sit again this weekend.

TE Ken Dilger (TB) is expected to play this weekend after missing last Sunday with his injured hip.

Place Kickers & Special Teamers

P Eddie Johnson (Min) will likely be inactive the remainder of the season as HC Mike Tice is not pleased with his current production (the Vikings have signed Leo Araguz to handle the punting duties). Tice says Johnson still is the team' s punter of the future.

LS Brian Kinchen (NE) has been signed by the team. LS Sean McDermott has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list.

Offensive Linemen

C Pete Kendall (Ari) should sit this weekend with his injured shoulder.

G Roberto Garza (Atl) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list.

T Michael Saffer (Atl) has been signed by the team.

T Bernard Robertson (Buf) has been signed by the team.

T Adam Meadows (Ind) did not practice on Wednesday and should sit this weekend with his injured shoulder and knee.

G LeCharles Bentley (NO) is still out with his injured knee.

T Spencer Folau (NO) is out with his injured knee.

T Luke Petitgout (NYG) did not practice on Wednesday and should miss another week (and could be done for the year) with his injured back.

G Mo Collins (Oak) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his injured knee.

C Barret Robbins (Oak) is out with his injured knee.

T Marvel Smith (Pit) is still out with his injured neck. Smith has a pinched nerve and will likely sit out the remainder of the season.

T Courtney VanBuren (SD) will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his injured knee.

G Jerry Wunsch (Sea) should sit this weekend with his injured ankle.

T Kenyatta Walker (TB) practiced on Wednesday and is expected to play this weekend after missing last Sunday with his elbow infection.

Defensive Linemen

DE Raymond House (Atl) has been signed by the team.

DT Ed Jasper (Atl) should sit this weekend with his injured knee and ankle.

DE Brady Smith (Atl) should sit this weekend with his injured elbow.

DT Leonardo Carson (Dal) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his injured triceps.

DT Cedric Killings (Min) has been released by the team.

DT Sean Gilbert (Oak) should sit this weekend with his injured groin.

DT Dana Stubblefield (Oak) was excused from Wednesday' s practice for an undisclosed reason.

DT Warren Sapp (TB) partially participated in Wednesday' s practice and is expected to play this weekend after missing last Sunday with his injured foot.

DE Reinard Wilson (TB) has been signed by the team.

DT Ellis Wyms (TB) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his injured knee.

Linebackers

LB Ray Lewis (Bal) was limited in Wednesday' s practice due to his sore shoulder. " It' s feeling pretty good," says Lewis. " It is a regular season injury, nothing life threatening. I didn' t tear anything or hurt anything. Just general soreness." Obviously, Lewis will play this weekend.

LB T.J. Slaughter (Bal) has been signed by the team.

LB Adalius Thomas (Bal) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his injured elbow.

LB Dan Morgan (Car) practiced on Wednesday and should play this weekend.

LB Jim Nelson (Ind) should sit this weekend with his injured collarbone.

LB Hakim Akbar (Jac) was signed by the team off of Tampa Bay' s practice squad.

LB Deon Humphrey (Jac) has been lost for the remainder of the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his injured knee.

LB Monty Beisel (KC) is out with his injured groin.

LB Robert Thomas (StL) is still out with his injured groin.

LB Rocky Calmus (Ten) is out with his injured leg.

LB LaVar Arrington (Was) did not practice on Wednesday but should play this weekend.

Defensive Backs

S Justin Lucas (Ari) is out with his injured ankle.

S Izell Reese (Buf) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his torn left calf.

S Mike Green (Chi) did not practice on Wednesday as he has re-aggravated his injured groin.

S Idrees Bashir (Ind) practiced on Wednesday and should return to action this weekend.

CB Nick Harper (Ind) practiced on Wednesday and looks like he' ll start this weekend.

CB Ralph Brown (NYG) has been lost for the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with his injured shoulder.

CB Ray Green (NYG) has been re-signed by the team.

CB Charles Woodson (Oak) wants a big contract, nothing average at all. He believes he's earned that, and hopes the Raiders will give it to him. "I want every penny. I'm not going to keep that a secret," the four-time Pro Bowl CB said Wednesday. "Forget the average, I want to be the top." Go team!

CB Troy Vincent (Phi) should sit this weekend with his injured hip. Lito Sheppard will get the start.

CB Jason Webster (SF) should sit this weekend with his injured chest.

CB Andre Woolfolk (Ten) is out with his injured ankle.

S David Terrell (Was) should sit this weekend with his injured knee.

Coaches & All-time Greats

QB Otto Graham (Cle) passed away Wednesday at the age of 82. Footballguys offers condolences to his family.

HC Jim Fassel (NYG) has been fired by the Giants but will stay and coach the team for the remainder of the 2003 season.