Hi Folks,

As always, we'll keep you on top of everything you need to know with our
Players In The News.

Let's jump to it.

Joe Bryant
Owner  www.footballguys.com




Bye Week Notice: Remember that Buffalo, Carolina, New England,
and NY Jets players are all on bye this week.



Quarterbacks

QB Jeff Garcia (Cle) is coming off the worst statistical game of his NFL
career (a 0.0 rating against the Cowboys).

QB David Carr (Hou) did not practice on Wednesday due to stomach illness,
but he is expected to start as usual this weekend.

QB Tommy Maddox (Pit) will miss 6 weeks with an injured elbow.  Ben
Roethlisberger will start in place of Maddox.  Brian St. Pierre will be
the team's #2 QB.

QB Neil O'Donnell (FA) has declined a request by the Steelers to return to
the NFL as the team's backup QB.

QB Drew Brees (SD) suffered a light concussion in week two but was able to
participate in the team's walkthrough on Monday and practice on Wednesday.
He expects to start as usual this weekend.

QB Ken Dorsey (SF) will again start for the team this weekend as Tim
Rattay has not recovered from his injured shoulder and did not practice on
Wednesday.  Note that when Rattay is healthy, he is not a lock to regain
the starting job.

QB Patrick Ramsey (Was) will likely start this weekend to allow Mark
Brunell more time to recover from the hamstring injury that was suffered
in week two.



Running Backs

RB Warrick Dunn (Atl) did not practice on Wednesday due to a sprained
knee.

RB Dee Brown (Cle) has been released by the team.

RB Lee Suggs (Cle) did not fully participate in Wednesday's practice
session.  Suggs has yet to take any contact as he attempts to return from
a neck stinger.  The release of fellow RB Dee Brown could mean that Suggs
is nearing a return to action.

RB Richie Anderson (Dal) practiced on Wednesday and expects to play this
weekend.

RB Julius Jones (Dal) will miss at least two months and could be placed on
the IR list with a broken shoulder.

RB Quentin Griffin (Den) is still the man in Denver.  HC Mike Shanahan
stood behind Griffin, saying he didn't want to overemphasize the fumble.
Overall, he has been pleased with the way Griffin has handled the ball.
"It wasn't somebody getting stripped, which is a big difference," Shanahan
said. "He'll be fine." Griffin doesn't appear to be in any danger of a
reduction in playing time. "I'm not concerned at all," Shanahan said.

RB Garrison Hearst (Den) did not practice on Wednesday but still hopes to
play this weekend.

RB Olandis Gary (Det) has been released by the team.

RB Najeh Davenport (GB) did not practice on Wednesday and could easily sit
another week to let his hamstring fully heal.

RB Tony Hollings (Hou) did not practice on Wednesday (he merely ran on the
sidelines) and could sit another week with his injured knee.

RB Ran Carthon (Ind) has the perfect first name for an RB.  Plus, he has
been signed the Colts off the Cowboy's practice squad.

RB Edgerrin James (Ind) said on Monday that he plans to play this weekend,
but he did not practice on Wednesday.  He is nursing a hamstring injury
and is questionable to see action against the Packers. At the very least,
it looks like Dominic Rhodes will get a few more carries.  If James can
not go, Rhodes will start with James Mungro as the team's backup RB.

RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (Jac) practiced on Wednesday and hopes to return
to action this weekend.

RB Priest Holmes (KC) did not practice on Wednesday and could sit this
weekend due to his injured ankle.  Derrick Blaylock is expected to start
for the team if Holmes does sit. Larry Johnson will also likely see
action.

RBs Robert Edwards & Brock Forsey (FA) worked out for the Miami Dolphins.

RB Lamar Gordon (Mia) practiced on Wednesday and should start this weekend
despite an ailing back.

FB Rob Konrad (Mia) did not practice on Wednesday and will likely miss
another week with an infection in his thigh.

FB Jamar Martin (Mia) has been re-signed by the team.

RB Travis Minor (Mia) is still out with an injured ankle.

RB Sammy Morris (Mia) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

RB Michael Bennett (Min) is improving and was able to practice on
Wednesday, but he will likely sit this weekend as it looks like Moe
Williams will be able to go.

RB Moe Williams (Min) practiced on Wednesday and should be able to play
this weekend.

RB Kevin Faulk (NE) has rejoined the team after spending two weeks with
family in Louisiana (following the passing of his mother).  When he left,
Faulk was nursing an injured knee.  The status of that knee is not fully
known.

RB Ki-Jana Carter (NO) has been re-signed by the team.

RB Deuce McAllister (NO) did not practice on Wednesday and (even though he
is only listed as questionable for this weekend) will likely miss 4 to 5
weeks with a partial ligament tear in his ankle.  Aaron Stecker will start
in place of McAllister with Ki-Jana Carter getting some carries as well.

RB Mike Cloud (NYG) may yet replace Dayne as the team's short yardage
back.  Last season as a Patriot, Cloud converted on six of nine short
yardage conversions (2 yards or less for a TD or first down).  However,
Cloud needs to be active to get on the field.  Last week, Cloud was
deactivated as HC Tom Coughlin decided depth was needed at other
positions.

RB Ron Dayne (NYG) practiced on Wednesday and hopes to play this weekend
despite a calf injury.

RB LaMont Jordan (NYJ) has been the subject of trade rumors (with Dallas,
Oakland, and Tampa Bay as possible destinations).  However, GM Terry
Bradway maintains that Jordan will remain a Jet for the entire 2004
season.  Of course in NFL circles, that kind of statement is often
followed by a trade being completed within the week so we'll stay on top
of this.

RB Justin Fargas (Oak) practiced on Wednesday and should be able to play
this weekend.  If Fargas is active, Amos Zereoue will likely not be.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) rested his injured toe on Wednesday but will
still play this weekend.

RB Kevan Barlow (SF) bruised his ribs in week two but was expected to
start as usual this weekend.  However, Barlow slightly sprained his MCL
and did not finish practice on Wednesday.  He says he fully expects to
start week three.

RB Shaun Alexander (Sea) looked fine after the week two game and should
fully participate in practice this week.



Wide Receivers

WR Anquan Boldin (Ari) is still out with his injured knee.

WR Travis Taylor (Bal) did not practice on Wednesday and is still likely 2
to 3 weeks away from returning from his groin injury.

WR Daryl Jones (Chi) has been released by the team.

WR Peter Warrick (Cin) did not practice on Wednesday in order to rest his
shin.  He is expected to play as usual this weekend.

WR Randal Williams (Dal) practiced on Wednesday but still may not return
to action this weekend.

WR Az-Zahir Hakim (Det) did not practice on Wednesday in order to rest his
thigh, but he expects to play this weekend.

WR David Kircus (Det) has been released by the team.

WR Kendrick Starling (Hou) has been released by the team.

WR Troy Walters (Ind) is still out with a fractured arm.

WR Eddie Kennison (KC) did not practice on Wednesday and should sit this
weekend with a bad hamstring.  Dante Hall will likely get the start.

WR Samie Parker (KC) did not practice on Wednesday and should sit this
weekend with a bad hamstring.

WR Joe Horn (NO) practiced Wednesday and is expected to play this weekend
despite a knee sprain.

WR Jamaar Taylor (NYG) practiced on Wednesday and hopes to return to
action this weekend.

WR Jerry Rice (Oak) caught zero passes in week two for the first time
since December of 1985, but he has a new streak going.  He and HC Norv
Turner spent their second consecutive Monday meeting behind closed doors.

WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

WR Cedrick Wilson (SF) did not practice on Wednesday, but he hopes to go
on Thursday and play this weekend.

WR Joey Galloway (TB) is still out with a groin injury.

WR Tyrone Calico (Ten) still is not practicing and could miss another
game.



Tight Ends

TE Todd Heap (Bal) did not practice on Wednesday and will miss likely 2 to
4 weeks with a sprained ankle.  Dan Wilcox is expected to get the start.

TE Steve Heiden (Cle) did not practice on Wednesday and will likely sit
this weekend.

TE Chad Mustard (Cle) has been re-signed by the team.

TE Kellen Winslow, Jr. (Cle) will miss 8 to 10 weeks with a broken leg.
Aaron Shea will start for the team.

TE Jason Witten (Dal) has a bruised jaw but will play this weekend. It's
reportedly not nearly as bad as the broken jaw he suffered last year where
he only missed one game.

TE Matt Murphy (Hou) has been added from the practice squad to the active
roster.

TE Dallas Clark (Ind) did not practice on Wednesday to rest his injured
thigh.  He is expected to play this weekend.

TE Kyle Brady (Jac) did not practice on Wednesday but could resume
practicing this week after missing the first two regular season games with
an injured finger.  That said, he will most likely not play this weekend.

TE Kris Wilson (KC) is still out with a broken ankle.

TE Jermaine Wiggins (Min) will miss 2 to 3 weeks with a broken hand.
Wiggins was filling in for the injured Jim Kleinsasser.  That leaves TE #3
Richard Owens as the team's primary TE.

TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) still is not all the way back to game condition.
He also said he is adjusting to an unaccustomed role. "They have me doing
some things I'm not used to doing, like blocking in the backfield and
stuff," he said. "It'll come. I just haven't really practiced it. We'll
see how it goes."

TE Roland Williams (Oak) did not practice on Wednesday but could play this
weekend.

TE Antonio Gates (SD) has an injured foot and did not practice on
Wednesday. He hopes to go on Thursday.

TE Jerramy Stevens (Sea) did not practice on Wednesday in order to rest
his injured knee, but he expects to play this weekend.



Place Kickers & Special Teamers

PR Eugene Baker (Car) will likely continue as the team's primary PR. Note
that this position was manned by the injured Steve Smith.

KR Reggie Swinton (Det) has been re-signed by the team.

KR Lamont Brightful (Mia) has been released by the team.

KR Wesley Welker (Mia) has been signed by the team to replace the departed
Lamont Brightful.

P Mitch Berger (NO) did not practiced on Wednesday in order to rest his
groin strain but expects to play this weekend.



Offensive Linemen

C Mike Flynn (Bal) is out with a shoulder injury.

G Rex Tucker (Chi) is out with an elbow injury.

T Stacy Andrews (Cin) did not practice on Wednesday and will like sit this
weekend with a knee injury.

C Rich Braham (Cin) did not practice on Wednesday and could sit another
week.

G Larry Moore (Cin) did not practice on Wednesday and will likely sit this
weekend.

T Ryan Tucker (Cle) will likely miss 2 to 4 weeks with quadriceps strain.

G Paul Zukauskas (Cle) did not practice on Wednesday but should be able to
play this weekend.

G Andre Gurode (Dal) did not practice on Wednesday but hopes to test his
sprained knee sometime this week.

C Tyson Walter (Dal) is still nursing a sprained knee, but he expects to
play this weekend.

T Matt Joyce (Det) practiced on Wednesday and could play this weekend.

G Mike Flanagan (GB) did not practice on Wednesday in order to rest the
tendonitis in his knees, but he is expected to play this weekend.

T Damion McIntosh (Mia) will start in place of the ineffective Wade
Smith.

T John St. Clair (Mia) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

T Mike Rosenthal (Min) has been lost for the remainder of the season with
a Lis Franc injury in his foot.  Adam Haayer will start in place of
Rosenthal.

C Jason Ball (SD) practiced with the team on Monday for the first time
this season after ending his holdout late last week.

T Kwame Harris (SF) did not practice on Wednesday and will likely miss
another week with ankle and knee injuries.

C Dwayne Ledford (SF) has been re-signed by the team.

C Jeremy Newberry (SF) is still out with his injured knee.

G Chris Dishman (StL) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

G Tom Nutten (StL) practiced on Wednesday and hopes to play this weekend.

T Brad Hopkins (Ten) did not practice on Wednesday and could sit this
weekend with his injured knee.

G Zach Piller (Ten) is still out with a biceps injury.



Defensive Linemen

DE Karon Riley (Atl) practiced on Wednesday and hopes to play this
weekend.

NT Kelly Gregg (Bal) is still likely a week away from returning from his
injured knee.

DT Alfonso Boone (Chi) underwent surgery to clean out loose particles in
his knee and will miss up to a month of action.

DT Matthias Askew (Cin) is out with a knee injury.

DE Carl Powell (Cin) is out with an injured knee.

DE Courtney Brown (Cle) has been lost for the season with a foot sprain.
He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Ebenezer Ekuban.

DE Ebenezer Ekuban (Cle) did not practice on Wednesday, but he expects to
be able to fill in for the injured Courtney Brown this weekend.

DT Gerard Warren (Cle) will likely miss 2 to 4 weeks with a pectoral
strain.

DT Ellis Johnson (Den) has been signed by the team.

DE Anton Palepoi (Den) has been signed by the team.

DE Trevor Pryce (Den) will miss 4 to 6 weeks after undergoing surgery to
correct a herniated disc in his back.

DE James Hall (Det) rested his thumb on Wednesday but expects to play this
weekend.

DT Shaun Rogers (Det) rested his ankle on Wednesday but expects to play
this weekend.

DT Grady Jackson (GB) is still out with his injured knee.

DT James Lee (GB) will miss 4 to 6 weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

DE Paul Spicer (Jac) could miss the remainder of the season after surgery
to repair a broken leg.

DE David Bowens (Mia) did not practice on Wednesday but should still play
this weekend.

DT Tim Bowens (Mia) did not practice on Wednesday and should miss another
week with an injured back.

DT Larry Chester (Mia) has been lost for the remainder of the season with
a knee injury.

DT Bryan Robinson (Mia) practiced on Wednesday and should start this
weekend.

DE Jason Taylor (Mia) practiced on Wednesday and should start this
weekend.

DE Kenny Mixon (Min) has served a two-game suspension and rejoined the
team.

DE Darren Howard (NO) practiced on Wednesday and hopes to return to action
this weekend.

DT Josh Evans (NYJ) will be lost for the remainder of the season with a
back injury.

DT Paul Grasmanis (Phi) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

DE Jerome McDougle (Phi) did not practice on Wednesday and has been
declared as day-to-day.  McDougle has said that he plans to play this
weekend.

DT Darwin Walker (Phi) did not practice on Wednesday and could sit this
weekend.

DE Adrian Dingle (SD) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

DE Eric Downing (SD) has been signed by the team.

DE Andre Carter (SF) did not practice on Wednesday and will likely miss
another week with a back injury.

DE Dennis Johnson (SF) has been released by the team.

DE Brandon Whiting (SF) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

DE Andrew Williams (SF) is still out with his fractured shin.

DE Erik Flowers (StL) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

DT Jimmy Kennedy (StL) is still out with a foot injury.

DE Leonard Little (StL) rested his knee sprain on Wednesday but should
still play this weekend.

DE Phillip Daniels (Was) is out with a groin injury.



Linebackers

LB Raynoch Thompson (Ari) did not practice on Wednesday and will most
likely miss another week with an injured knee.

LB Jamie Duncan (Atl) is out with a pectoral injury.

LB Marcus Reese (Chi) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

LB Caleb Miller (Cin) did not practice on Wednesday and will likely sit
again this weekend.

LB Boss Bailey (Det) is out with an injured knee.

LB Tony Bua (Mia) did not practice on Wednesday and should sit this
weekend with a hamstring injury.

LB Junior Seau (Mia) practiced on Wednesday and should play this weekend.

LB Carlos Emmons (NYG) practiced on Wednesday and could play this
weekend.

LB Barrett Green (NYG) did not practice on Wednesday and could sit this
weekend.

LB Sam Cowart (NYJ) will miss 4 to 6 weeks with an injured knee. Jonathan
Vilma will start in his place.

LB Napoleon Harris (Oak) practiced on Wednesday and hopes to return to the
starting lineup this weekend.

LB Sam Williams (Oak) did not practice on Wednesday and should sit this
weekend with his shoulder injury.

LB Carlos Polk (SD) has been lost for the remainder of the season with an
injured shoulder.

LB Chad Brown (Sea) is still out with a broken leg.

LB Trev Faulk (StL) did not practice on Wednesday and should miss another
week with a bad hamstring.

LB Tommy Polley (StL) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

LB Rocky Calmus (Ten) did not practice on Wednesday and is experiencing
weakness in his left leg that is related to his back injury.



Defensive Backs

CB DeAngelo Hall (Atl) is still out with a hip injury.

CB Deion Sanders (Bal) did not fully participate in practice on Wednesday
in order to rest his bad hamstring.  His status for this weekend is not
fully known.

CB Jerry Azumah (Chi) is out with a neck injury.

S Mike Brown (Chi) has been lost for the remainder of the season with a
tear in his Achilles.  Todd Johnson is expected to start in his place.

CB Charles Tillman (Chi) will likely miss 10 weeks with a fractured knee.

S Rogers Beckett (Cin) did not practice on Wednesday but hopes to return
to action this weekend.

S Kim Herring (Cin) is out with an injured foot.

CB Anthony Henry (Cle) partially participated in Wednesday's practice but
should play this weekend despite his concussion.

CB Dre Bly (Det) did not practice on Wednesday and should sit this
weekend.

CB Mike McKenzie (GB) will likely start this weekend after coming off the
bench in week two.

S Eric Brown (Hou) is out with a knee injury.

S Mike Doss (Ind) has been upgraded to questionable on the injury report,
but he was not able to practice on Wednesday.

CB Nick Harper (Ind) was excused from Wednesday's practice in order to
take care of personal matters.

CB Joseph Jefferson (Ind) is still out with a knee injury.

S Bob Sanders (Ind) is still out with an injured foot.

CB Donald Strickland (Ind) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

CB Eric Warfield (KC) was arrested on charges of drunken driving.  It is
his third such charge in the last three years.

CB Reggie Howard (Mia) practiced on Wednesday and could return to action
this weekend.

CB Patrick Surtain (Mia) practiced on Wednesday and could return to action
this weekend.

CB Frank Walker (NYG) partially participated in Wednesday's practice and
could sit this weekend.

S Vernon Fox (Oak) has been re-signed by the team.

CB Chris Kern (Oak) has been released by the team.

CB Travis Fisher (StL) is still out with an arm injury.

CB Kevin Garrett (StL) practiced on Wednesday and should play this
weekend.

CB DeJuan Groce (StL) did not practice on Wednesday and should sit this
weekend.

S Kwamie Lassiter (StL) has been signed by the team.  He will start for
Aeneas Williams (who has been moved back to CB).

S Aeneas Williams (StL) will start at CB this weekend as the team has been
decimated there by injuries.