Players in the News

QB Kelly Holcomb (Cle) has a hairline fracture in his leg but could still play this weekend. However, he did not run (actually, he could barely walk) on Wednesday and looks very far from being able to recover in time to play on Sunday. Further, it appears that his left ankle is also bothering him and (according to Holcombe) felt worse than the fractured leg. Tim Couch will get the start if Holcomb can not go.

QB Joey Harrington (Det) dislocated a finger last Sunday. He had it popped back into place and returned to the game.

QB David Carr (Hou) was not on the field for the first time in franchise history as the final minutes ticked away last Sunday. Carr was icing his calf but said he could have played. He is expected to play this weekend.

QB Mark Brunell (Jac) needed five stitches to close a wound on his elbow. He did not practice on Wednesday and is listed as questionable. There is a very good chance that Byron Leftwich will get the start for the team this weekend.

QB Brian Griese (Mia) is nearing a return from his toe injury and might even be the team’s #3 QB next weekend.

QB Daunte Culpepper (Min) has three cracked bones in his back. Officially, his injury is ‘multiple transverse process fractures’. The injury is normally a two week recovery, but Culpepper (widely known as a very quick healer) hopes to be able to practice on Friday. If he can not go, Gus Frerotte (who finished last Sunday’s game) will get the start.

QB Brooks Bollinger (NYJ) may get on the field before Chad Pennington does. There are rumors that if the team falls to 0-5 then Vinny Testaverde may sit in order for the team to get a good look at the rookie Bollinger.

QB Tom Brady (NE) had a sore elbow on Monday but is expected to start this weekend.

QB Rich Gannon (Oak) will continue to be the team’s starting QB. When asked if he would consider playing backup QB Marques Tuiasosopo for a few series, head coach Bill Callahan replied, "No. No. No. We've got confidence in Rich right now. That goes without question." That said, there are many ‘media-types’ that believe Gannon has lost confidence in himself.

QB Jeff Garcia (SF) is expected to play this weekend despite suffering a groin injury in last Sunday’s game.

QB Steve McNair (Ten) experienced some swelling in his injury knee after Sunday’s game, but the team believes the knee is no longer a problem. Also he practice on Wednesday with his fingers wrapped. Of course, he is still expected to play this weekend.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Running Backs

FB Harold Morrow (Bal) is still day-to-day with his elbow injury and has been ruled out for this weekend.

RB Musa Smith (Bal) is still out with his knee injury and is likely a week away from being placed on the injured reserve list (which would put him out for the year).

FB Phillip Crosby (Buf) broke his fibula last Sunday and will be out for some time.

RB Travis Henry (Buf) injured his ribs last Sunday. Early rumors had him missing a few weeks of action, but Henry said on Wednesday that (despite being too sore to practice) he would play this weekend. If Henry does not return to practice soon, look for practice squad RB Ken Simonton to be elevated to the active roster.

RB Sammy Morris (Buf) had hernia surgery on Monday and will miss 2-3 weeks. Joe Burns looks to be the team’s primary backup RB.

RB Corey Dillon (Cin) injured his groin (and blames the condition of the field in Cincinnati) during last Sunday’s game. He did not practice Wednesday but is expected to play this weekend.

RB Rudi Johnson (Cin) should be able to play this week despite his leg injury.

RB Mike Anderson (Den) injured his knee last Sunday against the Raiders. At first the team feared the worst, but he felt better by the game’s end. Anderson was able to practice on Wednesday and will start if Clinton Portis can not go.

RB Clinton Portis (Den) re-aggravated his sternum in last Sunday’s game. There is a good chance that he’ll miss this weekend’s game, but with Mike Shanahan in control deciphering what’s going on in Denver is extremely tricky. It does seem certain that there is concern over this injury and the possibility that it could nag at Portis for the remainder of the season.

RB Najeh Davenport (GB) did not practice on Wednesday with his injured hamstring but is expected to be able to go this weekend.

RB Tony Fisher (GB) was able to practice on Wednesday despite his groin injury and expects to play this Monday. He has surpassed Najeh Davenport and is the team’s #2 RB.

FB Nicolas Luchey (GB) hopes to play this Monday after missing last week with his calf injury.

RB Domanick Davis (Hou) missed last Sunday’s game with his groin injury and could miss this weekend as well.

RB Tony Hollings (Hou) played fairly well last Sunday in his first action of the season.

RB Edgerrin James (Ind) missed practice on Monday and Wednesday with a sore back. Tony Dungy said he is 50-50 for playing this weekend. If James can not go, it looks like a RBBC will be instituted with Ricky Williams, James Mungro, and possibly Dominic Rhodes (who has yet to see action this season) all getting some action.

RB Michael Bennett (Min) is still rehabbing and is eligible to come off the PUP list on November 2^nd.

RB Doug Chapman (Min) has missed a couple of games with his ankle injury but should be able to play this weekend.

RB Tiki Barber (NYG) ‘might’ be given some breaks soon as the team does not want to wear him out. Says head coach Jim Fassel, “He’s carrying the ball a lot now. He's carrying it and I may have to give him a little more of a rest. I don't want it to get to where he's beat down."

RB Tyrone Wheatley (Oak) may see a bit more action in the coming weeks. There is a good deal of talk that the team (while struggling in the air) may try to become a more physical running offense. That could mean more action for Wheatley.

RB Verron Hayes (Pit) may miss this weekend with his sprained knee. That means Amos Zereoue will handle the 3^rd down duties for the team.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) was given a day off on Wednesday and did not practice.

RB Marshall Faulk (StL) broke two bones in his hand and will miss the next 4-6 weeks. While out, Faulk will have surgery on a nagging knee injury. Note that the surgeons discovered a good deal of damage in the knee during the operation and put the recovery time at 3-5 weeks for the knee.

RB Lamar Gordon (StL) will be the team’s starting RB while Faulk is out.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Wide Receivers

WR Anquan Boldin (Ari) is expected to practice and start this weekend with his tailbone injury.

WR Larry Foster (Ari) was able to practice on Wednesday after missing two games with his ankle injury.

WR Bryan Gilmore (Ari) is still nursing his knee injury but was able to practice on Wednesday. The team hopes he’ll be able to play this weekend after missing the last two games.

WR Bryant Johnson (Ari) will continue to start alongside fellow rookie Anquan Boldin.

WR Kevin Kasper (Ari) has missed the last two games with his back injury and will likely sit out this weekend as well.

WR Jason McAddley (Ari) will miss 3-4 weeks with his hamstring injury.

WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Cin) will likely miss another week with his hamstring injury.

WR Dennis Northcutt (Cle) has a broken rib. He did not practice on Wednesday.

WR Shawn Jefferson (Det) injured his ribs against the Vikings last Sunday and could miss this weekend’s game.

WR Bill Schroeder (Det) has a knee injury and could sit this weekend.

WR Donald Driver (GB) was out of synch last week (even though he did start this game). He should practice all week and be in a better groove this Monday.

WR Robert Ferguson (GB) re-aggravated his knee injury last Sunday. His status is not fully known at this time.

WR Brandon Stokley (Ind) will most likely miss this weekend with his hamstring injury. He still has not played this season.

WR Troy Edwards (Jac) was signed by the team.

WR D’Wayne Bates (Min) did not play last Sunday with an ankle injury but should be able to go this weekend. However, he did test out his ankle Wednesday and was not able to push it much at all.

WR Randy Moss (Min) is experiencing back spasms and will sit out practice until Friday (if he even practices then). Head coach Mike Tice expects Moss to play. "Oh, he'll play," Tice said. "Are you kidding me? I'm not going to be without two of my best players. I might already be without one of them (referring to Culpepper)."

WR David Patten (NE) may not play this weekend due to his knee injury.

WR David Boston (SD) was sent home on Wednesday for disciplinary reasons after a morning meeting with head coach Marty Schottenheimer. There is no word as to the reason (or reasons), but the team says Boston ‘hasn’t been meeting the team’s expectations on some of the team’s guidelines’. It is believed that Boston could receive some sort of team suspension on Thursday.

WR Reche Caldwell (SD) is still out with his wrist injury and will miss the next two months.

WR Tim Dwight (SD) suffered a knee sprain. He was not able to practice on Wednesday.

WR Marvin Minnis (TB) was signed by the team. The recently re-acquired Charles Lee was cut to make room for Minnis.

WR Taylor Jacobs (Was) has been out with a bruised pancreas but should see his first action of the season this weekend, but he will do so as the #5 WR.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Tight Ends

TE Brian Kozlowski (Atl) may miss this weekend’s game with a leg injury that was suffered against the Buccaneers.

TE Matt Schobel (Cin) did not practice on Wednesday and will likely miss this weekend’s game with his hamstring injury.

TE Wesley Walls (GB) rested his hamstring and sat out last weekend’s game. He hopes to be able to play this Monday. However, he only partially practiced on Wednesday and is obviously still bothered by the hamstring.

TE Stephen Alexander (SD) missed Wednesday’s practice and is again an unknown for this weekend.

TE Frank Wycheck (Ten) is still out with headaches stemming from his week one concussion. In Wycheck’s absence, Erron Kinney has been starting while Shad Meier has seen considerable action as well.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Place Kickers & Special Teamers

KR/PR Eddie Drummond (Det) sprained his MCL and ankle last Sunday and will be out 3-10 weeks. Az-Zahir Hakim should take over the PR duties while Avon Cobourne should assume the KR spot.

KR Ronney Jenkins (Oak) has an ankle injury. His status for this weekend is not fully known.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Offensive Linemen

G Leonard Davis (Ari) missed Wednesday’s practice and will likely sit this weekend with his ankle injury.

G Terrence Metcalf (Chi) will likely be able to play this week after missing time with his broken finger.

G Chris Villarrial (Chi) was thought to be out for at least a month when he sprained his knee on September 7^th. However, he was able to practice on Wednesday and could see action this weekend.

T Barry Stokes (Cle) missed practice on Wednesday with his sprained ankle in a protective boot but is expected to play this weekend.

G Ray Brown (Det) may miss this weekend’s game with a chest injury that occurred last Sunday.

G Marco Rivera (GB) expects to play this weekend despite his eye injury.

G Milford Brown (Hou) is still out with his knee injury and hopes to return in mid-October.

T Adam Meadows (Ind) has the most peaceful name possible for an offensive lineman, and he should also be able to play this weekend despite his knee injury.

T Ryan Diem (Ind) will miss this weekend (and likely longer) with his sprained ankle.

T Mark Dixon (Mia) should be able to play in the October 5^th game after recovering from his ankle surgery.

C Tim Ruddy (Mia) had knee surgery Tuesday and will likely miss six weeks.

C Barrett Robbins (Oak) was inactive for the first three games but will start for the team this weekend.

G Solomon Page (SD) might miss this weekend’s game with his high ankle sprain.

T Vaughn Parker (SD) has been lost for the season after tearing his left ACL and MCL in last Sunday’s game.

G Benji Olson (Ten) was able to play last Sunday despite his knee sprain and should play this weekend as well.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Defensive Linemen

DT Ellis Johnson (Atl) may miss this weekend’s game with a shoulder injury that was suffered against the Buccaneers.

DT Aaron Kampman (GB) hopes to be able to play this Monday after missing last Sunday with his ankle injury.

DE Gary Walker (Hou) played on passing downs last Sunday to get his first action of the season. He likely will not play full-time until after the team’s bye week.

DE Dwight Freeney (Ind) did not play last Sunday with his ankle injury. His status for this weekend is not fully known.

NT Ted Washington (NE) suffered a broken leg last Sunday and will be out 4-6 weeks.

DT Henry Ford (NO) could miss this weekend with an ankle injury.

DT Johnathan Sullivan (NO) is out recovering from knee surgery and hopes to return to action in October.

DE John Abraham (NYJ) suffered a pulled hamstring in last Sunday’s game and could not finish. He was able to partially participate in Wednesday’s practice. The team hopes he’ll be able to play this weekend, but they do not know for certain.

DT Brandon Whiting (Phi) may play this week but he did not practice on Wednesday.

DE Andre Carter (SF) will play this weekend despite his strained back.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Linebackers

LB Sam Rogers (Atl) needs surgery to repair knee cartilage. However, he will wait until the season is over to have it.

LB Mike Caldwell (Car) did not practice on Wednesday and could miss another game due to his knee injury.

LB Dan Morgan (Car) practiced on Wednesday and should be able to play this week after missing last Sunday with his hamstring injury.

LB Riall Johnson (Cin) is still out with his calf injury and will likely miss two more weeks.

LB Keith Mitchell (Jac) did not play last Sunday and could miss this weekend as well due to his neck injury.

LB Eric Westmoreland (Jac) did not play last Sunday with his knee injury but hopes to play this weekend.

LB Kawika Mitchell (KC) will likely miss this weekend with his hamstring injury.

LB Mike Vrabel (NE) is out with a broken arm.

LB Jason Glenn (NYJ) has an ankle injury. His status for this weekend is not fully known.

LB Jamie Duncan (StL) is day-to-day with his ankle sprain.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Defensive Backs

S Gerald McBurrows (Atl) may miss this weekend’s game with a neck injury that was suffered against the Buccaneers.

S Kenoy Kennedy (Den) will likely miss this weekend after spraining his ankle last Sunday against the Raiders.

CB Andre Goodman (Det) is likely lost for the year after dislocating his shoulder.

CB Otis Smith (Det) hasn’t been with the team very long but will likely start this weekend with Goodman out.

CB Joseph Jefferson (Ind) will miss this weekend’s game with an injury this is listed as ‘other’. That’s got to hurt.

CB Donald Strickland (Ind) will likely miss this weekend with his groin injury.

CB Kiwaukee Thomas (Jac) did not play last Sunday and will likely sit this weekend with his groin injury.

CB James Trapp (Jac) slightly re-aggravated his ankle injury last Sunday but is expected to play this weekend.

CB William Bartee (KC) will likely miss another week with his ankle injury.

CB Dale Carter (NO) is still out recovering from surgery on his fractured eye socket and hopes to return at the end of October.

S Rod Woodson (Oak) started last Sunday despite being listed as doubtful while recovering from knee surgery. He is expected to start again this weekend.

S Brian Dawkins (Phi) is still out with his foot sprain and will miss at least 2 more weeks.

CB Bobby Taylor (Phi) will likely miss this week with his foot injury but could see action week five.

CB Fred Smoot (Was) played last Sunday after suffering a concussion in practice the week before. He is expected to play this weekend as well.