Quarterbacks in the News

QB Michael Vick (Atl) missed practice Wednesday with flu-like symptoms. There is a chance he may miss action this weekend.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Michael Vick (Atl) practiced Thursday and is confident that he�ll be ready to go at full strength this weekend.

QB Chris Redman (Bal) is healing and looks to be ready to play this week. However, he�ll be the backup as Jeff Blake will start the remainder of the season.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Chris Redman (Bal) practiced on Wednesday. Remember though that Blake is the starter for the team.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Rodney Peete (Car) did not practice on Wednesday. The team still expects him to start this weekend.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Chris Weinke (Car) is now the #3 QB for the team behind Peete and Randy Fasani.

QB Jim Miller (Chi) will likely start again while Chris Chandler will be the backup.

QB Brian Griese (Den) is expected to return as starting QB this week.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Brian Griese (Den) has pronounced himself ready for action this Sunday.

QB Mark Brunell (Jac) lacerated and sprained the middle finger of his throwing hand.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Mark Brunell (Jac) is expected to start this weekend despite his finger laceration/sprain.

QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) is expected to start this weekend.

QB Ray Lucas (Mia) suffered a neck stinger in last week�s game. If he�s able to play, it will be as the backup QB.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Ray Lucas (Mia) is still not completely healthy. He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday but should be able to assume the role of backup QB for this Monday�s game.

QB Aaron Brooks (NO) suffered a biceps bruise in last week�s game. He says he expects to play this week, but he will be evaluated each day.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Aaron Brooks (NO) is not throwing, but he still expects to play this weekend.

QB Koy Detmer (Phi) is healing well but likely will miss another week due to his dislocated elbow.

QB Tommy Maddox (Pit) will start for the team this week.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Tommy Maddox (Pit) has been sharp in practice this week. Maddox says he feels the same as before his injury.

QB Jeff Garcia (SF) went home Monday due to illness.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Scott Covington (StL) has been re-signed by the team. He�s no more than their #3 QB.

QB Kurt Warner (StL) will miss the next 2+ weeks with a hairline fracture in his throwing hand. As Marc Bulger is still not ready to return, Jamie Martin will start for the team.

QB Brad Johnson (TB) bruised his throwing hand last week but should play this week.

QB Steve McNair (Ten) is still ailing from various injuries (toe, shin, ribs � the usual stuff). His practice will be limited again this week. As usual, McNair expects to play this weekend.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Steve McNair planned to skip practices on Wednesday and Thursday. He still expects to start on Sunday.

QB Danny Wuerffel (Was) suffered a minor head injury last week. He is slated to start this week, but Patrick Ramsey will see action before the season is over.

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Patrick Ramsey (Was) took about a fourth of the work. Steve Spurrier has mentioned the December 22 game with Houston as a possible start for Ramsey.

Running Backs in the News

RB Travis Prentice (Ari) was signed by the team.

RB Marcel Shipp (Ari) was hospitalized for a day with a virus.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Marcel Shipp (Ari) will likely start despite his stomach ailment.

RB Warrick Dunn (Atl) suffered an ankle sprain last week. He likely will have to sit this week.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Warrick Dunn (Atl) participated in practice on Thursday and has been upgraded to Questionable on the injury report.

RB Lamar Smith (Car) is out for the rest of the season after being suspended (with pay) by the team for a drunk driving arrest.

RB Anthony Thomas (Chi) broke a finger last week and will miss the remainder of the year. This makes Leon Johnson the starter for the team.

RB William Green (Cle) bruised a knee last week. He finished the game and should be OK this week as well.

RB Corey Schlesinger (Det) suffered a stinger last week.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Corey Schlesinger (Det) is improving by the day. He practiced Wednesday and expects to play this weekend.

RB James Stewart (Det) suffered a stinger last week.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB James Stewart (Det) is improving by the day. He practiced Wednesday and expects to play this Sunday.

RB Ahman Green (GB) suffered a knee bruise in last week�s game. He could easily sit this week as there is swelling in the area.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Ahman Green (GB) did not practice Wednesday and has a slim chance of playing this Sunday. If Green sits, Tony Fisher will get the start.

RB Edgerrin James (Ind) re-aggravated his sprained ankle in last week�s game. He was replaced in the game by James Mungro. He is expected to start this week.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Edgerrin James (Ind) did not practice Wednesday but is still expected to start this weekend.

RB Ricky Williams (Mia) took a blow to the thigh in last week�s game, but he should be OK for this week. Travis Minor is his primary backup.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Ricky Williams (Mia) practiced without problem on Wednesday. He�s fine for Monday�s game.

RB Moe Williams (Min) will likely miss this week with his heel injury.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Moe Williams (Min) did not practice Wednesday. If Williams can�t go, starting RB Michael Bennett will also handle the 3^rd down role for the team.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB James Fenderson (NO) missed practice Wednesday due to illness.

RB Deuce McAllister (NO) played last week but is not a certain bet to play this weekend.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Deuce McAllister (NO) practiced Wednesday.

RB Tiki Barber (NYG) should play this week despite an ankle injury.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Tiki Barber (NYG) is still expected to play despite his sore ankle.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Sean Bennett (NYG) has been released by the team.

RB LaMont Jordan (NYJ) suffered an ankle sprain. His playing status is uncertain.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB LaMont Jordan (NYJ) did not practice Wednesday.

RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) broke his nose last week. He played through the injury but will miss some practice time this week. He likely will be able to play this week.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) will wear a protective shield but is still expected to play this weekend.

RB Kevan Barlow (SF) is expected to miss another week.

RB Marshall Faulk (StL) saw some action last week but is still not fully recovered from the high ankle sprain. Still, he expects to play this week, but Lamar Gordon may get another start.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Marshall Faulk (StL) came away from last weekend�s game without suffering a set-back. Most likely, expect Faulk to play off the bench again this week. Mike Martz has stated that Faulk will likely be at less than 100% until the off-season.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Lamar Gordon (StL) will likely start despite losing his third fumble of the season last week.

RB Justin Watson (StL) was released by the team.

RB Michael Pittman (TB) strained his neck last week but expects to play this weekend.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Michael Pittman (TB) has been added to the injury report as probable but still expects to play this weekend.

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Ladell Betts (Was) will be given a much larger role in the team�s offense for the rest of the season. This will come at the expense of Stephen Davis. This is certainly bad news for Stephen Davis owners.

RB Kenny Watson (Was) suffered a minor knee injury last week.

Wide Receivers in the News

WR Frank Sanders (Ari) sprained his right foot last week. It looks like he may miss this week.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Frank Sanders (Ari) has no structural damage, but he still looks iffy this weekend. He was still wearing his walking cast on Thursday. If Sanders can�t go, Kevin Kasper will get the start opposite the rookie Jason McAddley.

WR Javin Hunter (Bal) faces suspension after testing positive for ephedrine.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Javin Hunter (Bal) is out for the next four weeks after being placed on the reserve-suspended list.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Marcus Robinson (Chi) believes this will be his last season with the team.

WR Dennis Northcutt (Cle) sprained the MCL in his right knee. He�ll looks to be out this week and maybe longer.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Dennis Northcutt (Cle) rode the bike during practice on Wednesday.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR/KR Scottie Montgomery (Den) has missed two days of practice and will most likely sit this week with a sore neck.

*** Thursday Night Update � WRs Bill Schroeder and Germane Crowell (Det) are both playing at less than 100%. Still, both are slated to start this Sunday.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Terry Glenn (GB) did not practice Wednesday but is expected to play this weekend despite his hip injury.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Patrick Johnson (Jac) is expected to practice all week and play this Sunday.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Bobby Shaw (Jac) did not practice Wednesday but is expected to play this Sunday. He may need off-season toe surgery.

WR Cris Carter (Mia) is expected to return to action this week but not in a starting role.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Cris Carter (Mia) is slated to work in the slot this week. He will not start. Carter says he is feeling fine and actually feels better than when he first attempted to play for the team.

WR D�Wayne Bates (Min) is expected to miss this week and likely longer with a back injury.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR D�Wayne Bates (Min) made it through a large portion of Thursday�s practice and has become one of those dreaded game-time decisions. For what it�s worth, Bates says he expects to start.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Kelly Campbell (Min) is expected to be able to play this weekend. If Bates is unable to go, Campbell will get the start.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Randy Moss (Min) is ten yards away from being the first player in NFL history to receive 1000 yards in each of their first five seasons.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Ron Dixon (NYG) rested his knee Wednesday and did not practice. He is expected to play this weekend.

WR Herman Moore (NYG) has retired.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Herman Moore (NYG) has expressed a desire to rejoin the team next season. He says he retired simply to open up a roster spot for the team.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Santana Moss (NYJ) did not practice Wednesday. His playing status for this weekend is not known at this time.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Hines Ward (Pit) rested his hamstring and did not practice on Wednesday. He expects to start this weekend.

WR Curtis Conway (SD) missed last week with his shoulder injury. His status for this week is not yet known.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Curtis Conway (SD) sat out practice on Wednesday and is considered day-to-day.

WR Darrell Jackson (Sea) has a bruised kidney from last week�s game. He expects to be able to play this week.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Darrell Jackson (Sea) still expects to play this Sunday.

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Keyshawn Johnson (TB) missed Thursday�s practice due to personal issues. He has filed for divorce from his wife of almost five years.

WR Kevin Dyson (Ten) is out again this week and could easily miss the rest of the season.

Tight Ends in the News

*** Thursday Night Update � TE John Jones (Bal) practiced Wednesday and should play this weekend.

TE Dustin Lyman (Chi) suffered a knee injury and is out for the year. John Davis is not completely healed from his back injury and may not be able to return this weekend.

TE Shannon Sharpe (Den) is expected to return to action this week.

*** Thursday Night Update � TE Shannon Sharpe (Den) has pronounced himself ready to play this Sunday.

TE Kyle Brady (Jac) sprained his ankle last week. It does not appear serious.

TE Jim Kleinsasser (Min) has certainly established himself as the starting TE and pushed Byron Chamberlain to the TE2 job.

*** Thursday Night Update � TE Dan Campbell (NYG) rested his ailing groin on Wednesday and did not practice. He is expected to play on Sunday.

TE Mark Bruener (Pit) is out for the year with a knee injury.

TE Eric Johnson (SF) played last week and suffered no set-backs with his back injury.

*** Thursday Night Update � TE Eric Johnson (SF) is slowing increasing his number of snaps as he returns from his back injury.

Place Kickers in the News

PK Richie Cunningham (Jac) was released by the team. Former Jet Danny Boyd was signed to replace him.

PK Wade Richey (SD) was released by the team.

PK James Tuthill (Was) was released by Washington but signed by San Diego to replace the departed Richey. Remember that Steve Christie is currently kicking for the team.

*** Thursday Night Update � PK Brett Conway (Was) has been released from the team�s Injured Reserve.

PK Jose Cortez (Was) was signed by the team to handle the kicking duties.