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. *** Friday Night Update - QB Chris Chandler (Chi) has officially been named the starter this week. 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. *** Friday Night Update - QB Ray Lucas (Mia) has practiced all week with his sore back. He will start on Sunday. 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. *** Friday Night Update - QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) practiced on Friday and will start as expected with his sore knee. 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. *** Saturday Night Update - QB Rob Johnson (TB) remains the backup behind Brad Johnson. Jon Gruden hinted that he almost made a change this past 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. *** Friday Night Update - QB Steve McNair (Ten) was able to practice on Friday and is expected to start. *** Saturday Night Update - QB Steve McNair (Ten) said he feels a lot better than this time last week. He will start on 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. *** Friday Night Update - Arizona's HC Dave McGinnis has named Thomas Jones the starter this week. McGinnis also stated that Marcell Shipp will also get plenty of looks and that he may go with the hot hand during the game. This is as bad of a RBBC as it gets. If Shipp outplays Jones and does not fumble, expect him to start next week. 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. *** Friday Night Update - RB Brandon Bennett (Cin) does not appear on the injury report, but is expected to be a game-time decision with his injured toe. 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. *** Friday Night Update - RB Jamel White (Cle) is expected to miss at least one more week besides this one with his shoulder injury. *** Friday Night Update - RB James Jackson (Cle) will be the team's third down back this week. 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. *** Friday Night Update - RB Najeh Davenport (GB) is expected to play this week despite a sore knee. 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). *** Friday Night Update - RB Edgerrin James (Ind) made it through Thursday and Friday practices and will start this week. James Mungro will spell him. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Edgerrin James (Ind) had no un-necessary tightness after practicing on Friday. He will start, but is expected to split carries with james Mungro this week. *** Friday Night Update - RB Ricky Williams (Mia) is dinged up with multiple ailments including a sore ankle. He is expected to play through these ailments and the pain that comes from having Ray Lucas as your QB. *** Friday Night Update - FB Charles Stackhouse (NYG), despite being listed as probable on the injury report, will likely be a game-time decision. *** Saturday Night Update -FB Charles Stackhouse (NYG) was downgraded to questionable on Friday's injury report. He remains a game-time decision. *** Friday Night Update - RB Dorsey Levens (Phi) practiced this week and is expected to play as usual despite an injured hand. 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. *** Friday Night Update - RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) was upgraded to probable on the Friday injury report. 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. *** Friday Night Update - Backup RB Terell Fletcher (SD) will not play this week. RB Shaun Alexander (Sea) has an injured left arm. He is expected to split carries with Maurice Morris this week. *** Friday Night Update - RB Maurice Morris (Sea) aggravated his hamstring in practice and may not be able to go on Sunday. If he cannot play, WR Kevin Kasper would return kickoffs. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Maurice Morris (Sea) remains a gametime decision. 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. *** Friday Night Update - RB Marshall Faulk (StL) was unable to practice on Friday, but is not ruled out of playing on Monday. He remains a game-time decision. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Marshall Faulk (StL) was unable to practice on Saturday and now looks as if he will be rested this week. Lamar Gordon will start in his place and Trung Canidate will also get some reps. HC Mike Martz has not ruled out a miracle, but he seems inclined to not want to risk further injury with Faulk. The fact that they are playing the Bears (who they believe they can beat even without Faulk) appears to be entering into the equation. 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. *** Friday Night Update - RB Stephen Davis (was) believes he is nearly fully healthy for this week. He will start, but Kenny Watson will also get some carries. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* 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. *** Friday Night Update - WR Frank Sanders (Ari) missed practice on Friday with his sore Achilles. He is expected to start on Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - WR Shawn Jefferson (Atl) sat out practice Thursday and was limited in practice on Friday. He will be a game-time decision. WR Brandon Stokley (Bal) is expected to miss this week's game with an injured foot. *** Friday Night Update - WR Brandon Stokley (Bal) has been ruled out of this week's game. *** Friday Night Update - WR Isaac Byrd (Car) suspects he has a hernia. He is expected to play this weekend. 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. *** Friday Night Update - WR Rod Smith (Den) practiced on Friday with his sore ankle. He will start as expected. 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. *** Friday Night Update - WR Qadry Ismail (Ind) was able to practice on Friday, but his status is still uncertain. Even if he does play, Reggie Wayne will likely start this week. *** Thursday Night Update - WR Patrick Johnson (Jac) will most likely sit again with bad abs. WR Bobby Shaw will start in his place. *** Friday Night Update - WR Patrick Johnson (Jac) has been ruled out for this Sunday. Bobby Shaw, despite an injured toe, will start opposite of Jimmy Smith. 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. *** Friday Night Update - WR Cris Carter (Mia) was released from the hospital on Friday. He believes he can return to practice in two weeks. He will likely play on December 1st when the team plays Buffalo. 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. *** Friday Night Update - WR D'Wayne Bates (Min) will start despite a tweaked back. 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. *** Friday Night Update - WR Ron Dixon (NYG) is not expected to play this week. Daryl Jones will take his place in the starting lineup opposite of Amani Toomer. *** Saturday Night Update - The New York Giants have released newly acquired WR Tony Simmons. *** Friday Night Update - WR Laveranues Coles (NYJ) was able to practice on Friday despite a sore back. He is expected to start as usual. *** Friday Night Update - WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) left practice early on Friday with a tooth infection. He is expected to play as usual. *** Friday Night Update - WR Plaxico Burress (Pit) practiced on Friday with his tender ankle and will start as expected. 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. *** Friday Night Update - WR Terrell Owens (SF) will start despite an injured heel. *** Friday Night Update - WR Terrence Wilkins (StL) was held out of practice on Friday in hopes that he would be able to play on Monday. He is expected to play and appears on the Friday injury report as probable. WR Keenan McCardell (TB) is expected to return to the starting lineup this week. *** Friday Night Update - WR Joe Jurevicius (TB) is expected to play despite a sore knee. He practiced on Friday. *** 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. *** Friday Night Update - WR Rod Gardner (Was) is expected to start despite a shoulder injury. He practiced on Friday. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Tight Ends in the News TE John Jones (Bal) is expected to return this week. *** Friday Night Update - TE Todd Heap (Bal) was able to practice on Thursday and Friday and is expected to start as usual. He appears on the injury report as questionable with an injured knee. *** Thursday Night Update - TE Jay Riemersma (Buf) has missed several consectutive practices. *** Friday Night Update - TE Jay Riemersma (Buf) was able to do some of this week's drills and expects to play on Sunday. The Chicago Bears have released TE Fred Baxter. *** Friday Night Update - TE Aaron Shea (Cle) is not expected to be recovered from his ankle injury this week. He did not practice on Thursday. 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. *** Friday Night Update - TE Mikhael Ricks (Det) aggravated his groin and will be a game-time decision. *** Saturday Night Update - TE Mikhael Ricks (Det) practiced on Friday and will start as expected. *** Friday Night Update - TE Billy Miller (Hou) practiced on Friday. He had missed Thursday to be with his wife during the birth of their first child. He will start as expected. *** Friday Night Update - TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) was limited in practice on Friday, but is expected to start with his injured toe. This will be a weekly situation until he has surgery after the season is over. *** Thursday Night Update - TE Roland Williams (Oak) should play this week despite suffering from turf toe. *** Friday Night Update - TE Roland Willaims (Oak) was able to practice on Thursday and Friday and will play this weekend. *** Friday Night Update - TE Jeff Thomason (Phi) is expected to play despite an injured shoulder. *** Thursday Night Update - TE Eric Johnson (SF) is still hurting (back) and will likely sit again this Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - TE Eric Johnson (SF) has been downgraded to doubtful. Justin Swift will start in his place. *** Saturday Night Update - TE Eric Johnson (SF) will be inactive this week. TE Frank Wycheck (Ten) is recovering from a concussion and will need to be cleared by team doctors to play. *** Friday Night Update - TE Frank Wycheck (Ten) has not practiced all week and looks like he will not play this week. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Place Kickers in the News *** Friday Night Update - PK Neil Rackers (Cin) injured his non-kicking ankle in practice on Thursday. He is expected to be able to kick with the pain. If he cannot go, rookie Travis Dorsch would start in his place. *** Thursday Night Update - PK Matt Bryant (NYG) will have his old holder back this Sunday as Matt Allen will resume those duties.