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Players in the News
(Thanksgiving Morning Edition) Folks � First some
administrative things.
And now for some
late breaking stories prior to the Thursday games. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Quarterbacks in the News QB Chris Redman (Bal) is nearing a return to action but is likely a week away from being ready. Jeff Blake will again start for the team. QB Rodney Peete (Car) was named the starter for this Sunday. Considering the ineffectiveness of the Carolina offense, we hope you weren�t hanging on this news. QB Chris Chandler (Chi) will likely miss this week which means the elbow deficient Jim Miller will likely start for the team. *** Thursday Morning Update � QB Jim Miller (Chi) could not throw during Wednesday�s practice.� He and the team are saying that he will start on Sunday despite this condition.� Note to self: Do not play Jim Miller this week.� QB Brian Griese (Den) may be able to go this week after practicing on Wednesday. If he can not, Steve Beuerlein will again start for the team. QB David Carr (Hou) has a sprained ankle and will practice less this week. QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) has been cleared for practice. Ray Lucas will still continue to start this week however. *** Thursday Morning Update � QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) is expected to return next week. QB Koy Detmer (Phi) is out for 2-5 weeks after dislocating his elbow. He will be replaced by AJ Feely (who will be backed up by Tim Hasselbeck). QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) is out but could return for the final regular season game. QB Tommy Maddox (Pit) has been cleared to practice and could start this weekend. However, Kordell Stewart took 1st-team snaps during Wednesday�s practice so the situation is far from settled. Tom Coughlin did announce that Maddox would start. Of course, Bill Cowher doesn�t allow Coughlin to make lineup decisions for the Steelers. *** Thursday Morning Update � ESPN�s John Clayton is reporting that Kordell Stewart will start for the Steelers this week. HC Bill Cowher is not tipping his hand and both Stewart and Tommy Maddox are practicing with the first unit.� Although this could be a good matchup for whichever Steeler starts, we would advise looking elsewhere if you can.� There is also the possibility that both could see action this week (giving Tommy Maddox a few reps instead of throwing him into the fire). QB Marc Bulger (StL) is not being allowed to throw very much at all. QB Kurt Warner (StL) practiced well on Wednesday despite a sore throwing hand. Look for him to again start on Sunday. QB Steve McNair (Ten) is pretty banged up (toe and rib injuries) and may not be able to go this weekend. *** Thursday Morning Update � QB Steve McNair (Ten) did not practice on Wednesday, but still expects to practice later in the week and start on Sunday. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Running Backs in the News RB Thomas Jones (Ari) is gone for the season after being placed on IR. Marcel Shipp is the starting RB for the team. RB Anthony Thomas (Chi) will likely lose more touches to Leon Johnson. In last week�s game against Detroit, Thomas sat on the bench for the last three Chicago series. This is definitely not good news for Thomas. RB Edgerrin James (Ind) is expected (by Tony Dungy) to play this weekend despite an ankle injury. *** Thursday Morning Update � RB Edgerrin James (Ind) was unable to practice on Wednesday with his ankle injury, but expects to start on Sunday.� HC Tony Dungy commented that James will likely not be 100% the rest of the season. RB Michael Bennett (Min) has a sprained ankle but should be able to play this weekend. RB Deuce McAllister (NO) practiced without problems on Wednesday. If this continues, he�ll most likely get the start this weekend. *** Thursday Morning Update � Report from New Orleans� HC Jim Haslett (who misled reporters last week) said that Deuce McAllister practiced on Wednesday, but was limited.� Haslett further commented that he will see how Deuce feels later in the week before determining his status.� We believe he will start as expected, but it is not a sure thing. *** Thursday Morning Update � RB Dorsey Levens (Phi) missed Wednesday�s practice, but HC Andy Reid believes he will play with his sprained foot on Sunday. RB Kevan Barlow (SF) is definitely out this week (and maybe longer). Garrison Hearst should receive most of the touches at RB for the team. *** Thursday Morning Update � According to HC Steve Mariuchi, RB Kevan Barlow (SF) now looks as if he will miss 3 weeks.� He had his knee scoped and they removed soe cartilage.� Garrison Hearst will take an increased role while Barlow is on the sidelines healing. �� RB Marshall Faulk (StL) is not recovering as expected. There is a good chance he�ll have to sit another week. If so, Lamar Gordon will get another start. *** Thursday Morning Update � HC Mike Martz (StL) sounded pessimistic on Wednesday that Marshall Faulk could go this week.� He remains a game-time decision.� Marshall did not practice on Wednesday.� *** Thursday Morning Update � Lamar Gordon (StL) did not practice on Wednesday, but is expected to play on Sunday.� He appears on the injury report as probable with a concussion. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Wide Receivers in the News WR Brian Finneran (Atl) should be on the field this weekend. WR Brandon Stokley (Bal) is gone for the season after being placed on IR. WR Steve Smith (Car) has been reinstated to the team after his one-week suspension for pummeling teammate Anthony Bright. He will return to the starting lineup. WR Marty Booker (Chi) should play despite his leg injury. *** Thursday Morning Update � WR Michael Westbrook (Cin) was released by the Bengals.� He stated that he may retire.� �I am just going to go home and laugh at this whole nightmare.�� Note to Westbrook: I think the NFL will survive if you retire. WR Ed McCaffrey (Den) continues to be plagued by his neck injury but should start this Sunday. WR Bill Schroeder (Det) makes his return to the injury report with a bad hamstring but should be able to start on Thanksgiving. WR Corey Bradford (Hou) will not practice fully but will likely start this weekend. WR Patrick Johnson (Jac) should be able to return this weekend, but Bobby Shaw will likely continue to start. WR Jimmy Smith (Jac) only participated in half of Wednesday�s practice but will start as usual on Sunday. WR Cris Carter (Mia) has been cleared to practice but will not play this Sunday. James McKnight will get the start. *** Thursday Morning Update � WR Cris Carter (Mia) is expected to return to the lineup snext week. WR Curtis Conway (SD) is expected to play this weekend. WR Keyshawn Johnson (TB) has injured ribs but is expected to tough it out and start as usual this Sunday. WR Kevin Dyson (Ten) will miss a month (or maybe all season) with his hamstring injury. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Tight Ends in the News TE Alge Crumpler (Atl) is expected to play this weekend. TE John Davis (Chi) may not be able to go this Sunday due to a back injury. He is listed as day-to-day. TE Shannon Sharpe (Den) returned to the practice field Wednesday and wants to play this weekend. *** Thursday Morning Update � TE Shannon Sharpe (Den) had no setbacks after a full day of practice.� He looks like he will return to the starting lineup this week. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Place Kickers in the News PK Tim Seder (Jac) was released. The team signed Richie Cunningham to handle the PK duties. PK Jose Cortez (SF) was released. This means Jeff Chandler is a little more secure as the team�s PK. *** Thursday Morning Update � PK Jose Cortez (FA) could be given a tryout next week with the Jackson Jaguars should Richie Cunningham struggle.� Fonzie believes Richie will do just fine and is willing to jump over Al�s diner on his motorcycle should Richie fail. |