Quarterbacks in the News

 

*** Friday Night Update � QB Michael Vick (Atl) despite a great matchup this week against the Browns could be rested (only play the first half) if the Eagles beat the Giants on Saturday.This game will only have meaning for the Falcons if the Giants upset the Eagles.Also expect Vick to run less if this happens (Just a cautionary note for those in fantasy championships this week).

 

QB Randy Fasani and QB Chris Weinke (Car) will battle for the #2 QB job. What a great lead story, huh?

 

QB Chris Chandler (Chi) suffered the fifth concussion of his career. He practiced on Tuesday and could easily sit this weekend as the team will be cautious with him. If Chandler doesn�t play, Henry Burris will get the start.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Chris Chandler (Chi) was able to practice Thursday and will likely start this weekend.

 

*** Friday Night Update - The Bears have done an about face and it appears that Henry Burris will start this week. Chris Chandler appears in the updated injury report as doubtful.

 

QB Brian Griese (Den) injured his knee in last week�s game and was replaced by Steve Beuerlein. The big news is that even if Griese is healthy enough to play this weekend, Beuerlein will get the start. This is just a good old-fashioned benching. Griese is out. Beuerlein is in.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Brian Griese (Den) will be the teams backup (behind Steve Beuerlein) QB this weekend.

 

*** Friday Night Update � ESPN�s Len Pasquarelli stated that the Broncos are ready to cut Brian Griese in the offseason despite the huge salary cap problems it could create.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Brett Favre (GB) says he may retire if Green Bay wins the Super Bowl this year. Why do I think Favre would miss the game just a bit?

 

QB David Carr (Hou) has been sacked more than any QB in NFL history (73 and counting).

 

QB Mark Brunell (Jac) suffered a hamstring injury last week and was very sore on Monday. If he can�t go this weekend, David Garrard will get the start. This is terrible news for other Jacksonville skill position players.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Mark Brunell (Jac) did not practice on Thursday and is a dreaded game-time decision.

 

*** Friday Night Update � QB Mark Brunell (Jac) was able to practice on Friday, but still may not play.With a record of 6 and 9, the team may opt to play David Garrard.Either way, this is not the QB you want to play this week against what has been a tough Indianapolis defense as of late.

 

QB Koy Detmer (Phi) is still not healthy enough to start so A.J. Feeley will again take snaps for the team.

 

QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) is out of his boot but will definitely not start this weekend. There still is a chance he�ll be ready for the playoffs.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) is able to run and throw but is far from assured of playing even in the playoffs.

 

QB Tommy Maddox (Pit) may miss this weekend after injuring his ankle in last Monday�s game.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Tommy Maddox (Pit) is expected to be upgraded to probable on the Friday injury report.

 

*** Friday Night Update � QB Tommy Maddox (Pit) practiced on Thursday and Friday and will start for the Steelers.

 

QB Trent Dilfer (Sea) no longer needs crutches, but his Achilles injury will keep him sidelined until training camp of next season.

 

QB Marc Bulger (StL) suffered a spinal cord injury last week and will need about two months to recover. The injury is not career-threatening.

 

QB Jamie Martin (StL) replaced Bulger in last weekend�s game but bruised his knee in the game. Martin had fluid drained from his knee and may not be able to play this weekend. If Martin sits, Scott Covington will get the start.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Jamie Martin (StL) was too sore to practice Thursday but still expects to start this weekend.

 

QB Brad Johnson (TB) missed last Monday�s game with a bruised back. There�s a chance he�ll miss this weekend�s game as well. If Johnson sits again, there is no definite word on whether Shaun King or Rob Johnson will get the start.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Brad Johnson (TB) took a few scout team snaps in Wednesday�s practice but is unlikely to play this weekend.

 

*** Friday Night Update � QB Brad Johnson (TB) bought all of the offensive and coaches players (50 people in total) 13 inch LCD TVs at the tune of $1,100 each as a surprise Christmas present.Warren Sapp, who did not get a TV, was lobbying for one since he has played as an offensive blocker in goal line formations.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Rob Johnson (TB) has assumed the role of #2 QB and will start this weekend if Brad Johnson can�t play.

 

QB Steve McNair (Ten) is still ailing in several places. It�s likely that he will not play a full game this weekend as the team has already clinched their playoff berth.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Steve McNair (Ten) did not practice on Thursday but will likely get some action in during Friday�s session.

 

Running Backs in the News

 

RB Marcel Shipp (Ari) has signed a four-year deal with the team for $8 million. Obviously, the team has faith in him as a feature runner.

 

RB Bob Christian (Atl) suffered yet another concussion in last week�s game. His career may be over.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB T.J. Duckett (Atl) was able to practice Thursday but may not be able to play in this weekend�s game.

 

RB Dee Brown (Car) suffered a shoulder injury in last week�s game.He may not be able to play this weekend.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Dee Brown (Car) has not hit the practice field yet this week, but the team still expects him to be able to play this weekend.

 

RB Corey Dillon (Cin) left last week�s game with an elbow injury but will likely play this weekend.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Corey Dillon (Cin) did not practice Thursday but still is expected to play this weekend.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Emmitt Smith (Dal) needs 38 rushing yards to reach the 1000-yard mark for the 12th straight season. This would break the record of 11 straight seasons (which is held by Emmitt Smith).

 

RB Clinton Portis (Den) bruised his kneecap in last week�s game but it does not appear serious.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Ricky Williams (Ind) will likely miss this weekend�s game with his ankle injury.

 

RB Fred Taylor (Jac) injured his ankle in last week�s game but is expected to play this weekend.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Fred Taylor (Jac) practiced Thursday and is expected to start this weekend.

 

RB Priest Holmes (KC) wanted to play this weekend but has been declared out by the team.

 

RB Deuce McAllister (NO) will once again be listed on the injury report (this time as probable) but will definitely play again this weekend.

 

*** Friday Night Update � RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) did not practice on Thursday.With the Steelers clinching a playoff spot, he could be rested this weekend.

 

RB Shaun Alexander (Sea) has a bruised foot but is expected to play this weekend.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Shaun Alexander (Sea) did not practice Wednesday in order to let his bruised foot heal a bit, but he will play this weekend.

 

*** Friday Night Update � RB Shaun Alexander (Sea) returned to practice on Thursday.

 

RB Maurice Morris (Sea) is still out with his injured hamstring.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Marshall Faulk (StL) will start this weekend if (according to head coach Mike Martz) he �feels good�. If Faulk doesn�t start, then Lamar Gordon will likely get the nod.

 

RB Stephen Davis (Was) will miss this weekend with his shoulder injury.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Stephen Davis (Was) is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery early next week. As mentioned above, he is definitely out this weekend.

 

Wide Receivers in the News

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Frank Sanders (Ari) did not practice Thursday.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Shawn Jefferson (Atl) practiced on Tuesday and may play this weekend.

 

*** Friday Night Update � WR Shawn Jefferson (Atl) could not finish Thursday�s workout and will be a game-time decision.If he cannot go, Trevor Gaylor will start opposite of Brian Finneran.

 

WR Steve Smith (Car) bruised his elbow in last week�s game. He should be able to play this weekend.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Dennis Northcut (Cle) was limited in Thursday�s practice. His playing status for this weekend is not yet known.

 

WR Ed McCaffrey (Den) bruised his chest and hand in last week�s game but is expected to play this weekend.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR/KR Eric Metcalf (GB) has been signed by the team.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Corey Bradford (Hou) was limited in Thursday�s practice.

 

WR Qadry Ismail (Ind) left last week�s game with a concussion but should be able to play this weekend.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Qadry Ismail (Ind) will not start this weekend regardless of his health. Instead, Reggie Wayne will get the starting nod for the team.

 

*** Friday Night Update � WR Qadry Ismail (Ind) has not practiced all week and is now listed as doubtful on the updated injury report.Reggie Wayne will start opposite of Marvin Harrison this weekend.

 

WR Jimmy Smith (Jac) bruised his shoulder last weekend but is expected to be able to play this Sunday.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Johnnie Morton (KC) practiced on Thursday and expects to start this weekend.

 

*** Friday Night Update � Kansas City Chiefs said, �Yo outta here� as they released WR Yo Murphy.

 

WR Kelly Campbell (Min) may miss another week with his toe injury.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Deion Branch (NE) looks like he may be able to play this weekend after missing time with his groin injury.

 

WR Jerome Pathon (NO) missed last week but will play in the regular season finale.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Jerome Pathon (NO) did not practice on Tuesday but still plans to play this weekend.

 

*** Friday Night Update � WR Jerome Pathon (NO) did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday and will be a game-time decision.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) did not practice on Thursday and likely will not be ready to play this weekend. Freddie Mitchell is expected to start in his place.

 

*** Friday Night Update � WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) has been unable to practice all week and is not expected to play.James Thrash and Freddie Mitchell will start for the Eagles.Antonio Freeman will be WR #3.

 

WR Curtis Conway (SD) was ineffective last week with his shoulder injury. The injury will probably be no better this weekend.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Curtis Conway (SD) did not practice on Wednesday and will sit this weekend.

 

*** Friday Night Update � WR Curtis Conway (SD) missed practice on Thursday and Friday.He is not expected to play this week.

 

WR Terrell Owens (SF) did not play last week in an attempt to get healthy for the playoffs. Owens will almost certainly play at least part of this weekend�s game.

 

WR Bobby Engram (Sea) is still hurting from turf toe (he aggravated it by playing last week). He won�t practice this week and could miss this weekend�s game.

 

Tight Ends in the News

 

*** Friday Night Update � TE John Davis (Chi) has been ruled out for this week�s game.

 

*** Friday Night Update � TE Shannon Sharpe (Den) stated this week that he would likely retire if the Broncos win the Superbowl this year.Now I am no genius, but don�t you have to first make the playoffs to have a chance at a Superbowl ring?

 

*** Thursday Night Update � TE Mikhael Ricks (Det) is out this weekend with his knee injury.

 

TE Byron Chamberlain (Min) is likely out for this weekend�s game with a high ankle sprain.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � TE Cameron Cleeland (NE) will be on the field this weekend after missing two weeks with a groin injury.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � TE Daniel Graham (NE) is out for the year after being placed on injured reserve with a rib injury. The team has signed Fred Baxter.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) has taken up hurling as a 2nd sport and was sick Thursday. He did not practice as the team did not want any other players catching the virus.

 

*** Friday Night Update � TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) returned to practice on Friday and will start as expected.

 

*** Friday Night Update � TE Jeremy Stevens (Sea) expects to play this weekend, but is slowed by a groin injury.

 

Place Kickers in the News

 

*** Thursday Night Update � PK Jay Feely (Atl) was able to practice on Tuesday despite his thigh bruise. He should be able to kick this weekend.

 

PK Hayden Epstein (Min) tore his ACL last weekend and is lost for the year. Remember though that Gary Anderson is the team�s FG kicker.

 

PK Sebastian Janikowski (Oak) pleaded no contest to drunken driving. He was placed on three years probation, fined $1,292, ordered to perform community service, and must attend DUI schooling. Janikowski will most likely not be suspended by the NFL, but he will now be subject to testing under the league�s substance-abuse policy.