Quarterbacks in the News QB Chris Redman (Bal) appears to be at least a couple of weeks away from practicing. Jeff Blake will start in his place. QB Rodney Peete (Car) is expected to start despite a dislocated pinky on his non-throwing hand. QBs Jim Miller and Chris Chandler (Chi) are both dinged up, but one will likely start this week. Cory Sauter was added Monday, but won't provide any relief for a few weeks. Henry Burris is their #3 QB. *** Thursday Night Update - QB Chris Chandler (Chi) is expected to start again this week while Jim Miller will be the #2 QB. QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) had his cast removed, but is expected to miss the next two games. He has not started to throw yet. *** Thursday Night Update - QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) may miss a bit more time and may not return until December 9th. QB Daunte Culpepper (Min) will start this week despite being pulled in last week's game. Todd Bouman will again be waiting in case he struggles. QB Kurt Warner (Stl) could return this week, but the team will give him one more week to be closer to 100%. Marc Bulger will start again this week. QB Steve McNair (Ten) is again wearing the walking boot and will likely miss practices again this week. He was able to play with a modified shoe last week and may need that again this week to ease the pain in his turf toe. *** Thursday Night Update - QB Steve McNair (Ten) said his toe feels better and expects to play this Sunday. He took a good number of snaps on Thursday, and Jeff Fisher wants him to take more on Friday. Fisher did say McNair is farther along this week than last. Seeing as McNair played last week, expect him be on the field this Sunday. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Running Backs in the News RB Marcell Shipp (Ari) despite two costly fumbles looks like he will start over Thomas Jones who has been ineffective. RB TJ Duckett (Atl) is expected to play this week. No starter has been named and both he and Warrick Dunn are expected to get carries. *** Thursday Night Update - RB TJ Duckett (Atl) practiced on Wednesday and expects to play Sunday. RB Jamel White (Cle) might miss this week with a seperated shoulder. If he cannot go, William Green will start. *** Thursday Night Update - RB Jamel White (Cle) is out for this Sunday. William Green will get the start. RB Troy Hambrick (Dal) is expected to get more carries starting this week. RB James Stewart (Det) is expected to start as usual despite a sore knee. RB Ahman Green (GB) is expected to return to practice on Wednesday. Najeh Davenport is also expected to return to practice this week. RB Edgerrin James (Ind) status is being closely guarded. Until he practices, we believe James Mungro will start. *** Thursday Night Update - RB Edgerrin James (Ind) practiced on Wednesday (as did Ricky Williams). RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) is expected to return to the starting lineup this week. He believes he could have played last week, but the team wanted to get him closer to 100%. *** Thursday Night Update - RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) did practice on Wednesday and expects to play on Sunday. Amos Zereoue is still slated to start for the Steelers. RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) called out his team for lacking heart and then changed it slightly to lacking pride after blowing a 10 point lead to New England this week. RB Shaun Alexander (Sea) has an injured left arm. He is expected to split carries with Maurice Morris this week. RB Marshall Faulk (StL) is on crutches and is not expected to play this week. *** Thursday Night Update - RB Marshall Faulk (StL) is healing more quickly than expected. It now appears his playing status will be left as a dreaded game-time decision. Note that Faulk seems to have near-Superman ability to heal. If he can not go, Lamar Gordon will start in his place. RB Stephen Davis (Was) is expected to return to the starting lineup this week. *** Thursday Night Update - RB Stephen Davis (Was) practiced on Wednesday and expects to play on Sunday. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Wide Receivers in the News WR David Boston (Ari) is lost for the season. He is expected to undergo knee surgery next week. *** Thursday Night Update - WR Jason McAddley (Ari) filled in admirably (actually, he turned in a great effort) for Boston last week and will continue to start for the Cardinals. WR Brandon Stokley (Bal) is expected to miss this week's game with an injured foot. WR David Terrell (Chi) has been placed on injured reserve and is lost for the season. *** Thursday Night Update - WR Chad Johnson (Cin) has guaranteed another Bengals' victory this week. WR Bill Schroeder (Det) appears to have his lost his starting job to Germane Crowell. Az-Hakim is the team's other starter. *** Thursday Night Update - WR Germane Crowell (Det) will start opposite Az-Zahir Hakim when the Lions play this week. *** Thursday Night Update - WR/KR Desmond Howard (Det) is out for the year after being placed on IR. WR Qadry Ismail (Ind) is very questionable to start this week. Reggie Wayne would get the start if Qadry cannot go. *** Thursday Night Update - WR Patrick Johnson (Jac) will most likely sit again with bad abs. WR Bobby Shaw will start in his place. WR Cris Carter (Mia) will miss at least this week. There is a strong chance he will be lost for the season. *** Thursday Night Update - WR Cris Carter (Mia) now says he believes he'll miss a month or more with his kidney ailment. James McKnight will again start in Carter's place. The lawyers for WR Randy Moss (Min) continue to delay his pre-trial date stemming from the September 24th traffic incident. He is being charged with 5 misdemeanors. The New York Giants have signed WRs Herman Moore and Tony Simmons. WR Tim Carter (NYG) has been placed on injured reserve with a torn Achilles. He is lost for the season. *** Thursday Night Update - WR Sean Bennett (NYG) has been moved over from the RB position to help fill the void left by a rash of injuries to Giants WRs. *** Thursday Night Update - It is doubtful that new NYG WRs Herman Moore and Tony Simmons will know enough of the playbook to see action this Sunday. *** Thursday Night Update - WR Ron Dixon (NYG) has a small chance of playing this week. San Diego Chargers have released WR/KR Tamarick Vanover. WR Darrell Jackson (Sea) is expected to return to practice this week. *** Thursday Night Update - WR Darrell Jackson (Sea) practiced in a red jersey (off limits from hitting). There is hope he'll be ready to go November 24th. WR Keenan McCardell (TB) is expected to return to the starting lineup this week. *** Thursday Night Update - WR Joe Jurevicius (TB) is still hobbled and may sit another week. The Washington Redskins have released WR Jacquez Green. *** Thursday Night Update - WR Jacquez Green has been signed by the Lions. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Tight Ends in the News TE John Jones (Bal) is expected to return this week. *** Thursday Night Update - TE Jay Riemersma (Buf) has missed several consectutive practices. The Chicago Bears have released TE Fred Baxter. TE Shannon Sharpe (Den) will miss 2-4 weeks with his dislocated elbow. Dwayne Carswell replaces him, but look for the team to use Ashley Lelie more as well. *** Thursday Night Update - TE Roland Williams (Oak) should play this week despite suffering from turf toe. *** Thursday Night Update - TE Eric Johnson (SF) is still hurting (back) and will likely sit again this Sunday. TE Frank Wycheck (Ten) is recovering from a concussion and will need to be cleared by team doctors to play. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Place Kickers in the News *** Thursday Night Update - PK Matt Bryant (NYG) will have his old holder back this Sunday as Matt Allen will resume those duties.