Quarterbacks in the News: QB Rodney Peete (Car) will start for the Panthers this week after the surprise demotion of Chris Weinke. QB Jim Miller (Chi) practiced Wednesday and will start this weekend. QB Tim Couch (Cle) has told everyone that he will play on Sunday with his bruised forearm.  He appears on the injury report as probable, but has not looked sharp throwing the ball.  His range appears limited so look for other options this week. *** Friday Update - After only being able to throw the ball about 10 yards downfield, Couch has been downgraded to questionable for this contest. The team has said it will make a game-time decision. Kelly Holcomb would start in his place should Couch not be able to go. Dallas Cowboys Released QB Anthony Wright. Denver Broncos Released QB Nick Rolovich. QB David Carr (Hou) had a successful MRI and will start this week. *** Friday Update - QB David Carr (Hou) has practiced with his sore knee and will start as expected in the home opener. Jacksonville Jaguars Signed QB Kent Graham who should eventually be the #2 behind Mark Brunell.  He will the #3 QB this week. *** Friday Update - QB Mark Brunell (Jac) was added to the Friday injury report as probable with a sore groin. He is expected to start on Sunday. Kansas City Chiefs Waived QB Joe Germaine. QB Aaron Brooks (NO) remains unsettled with his contract situation, but denied reports he would not show up for the game. *** Friday Update - Aaron Brooks agreed to a six-year contract with the Saints. QB Kerry Collins (NYG) will start despite a sore shoulder. *** Friday Update - His shoulder was fine. He looked very sharp against SF. Philadelphia Eagles Released QB Tim Hasselbeck. QB Tommy Maddox (Pit) has edged out Charlie Batch for #2 honors in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Steelers Waived QB Tee Martin. QB Trent Dilfer (Sea) is making great progress with his knee, but looks like he will be held out another week. He did not practice Tuesday or Wednesday. He appears as questionable on the injury report. Seattle Seahawks Claimed QB Dave Dickenson off waivers from San Diego.  They also waived Mark Rypien Earlier.  Dave Dickenson is expected to be the #3 QB. QB Jamie Martin (StL) can play if needed with his sore shoulder.  He was able to practice on Wednesday.  QB Steve McNair (Ten) has a sore back and missed some practices, but he will start as expected this week. *** Friday Update - Steve McNair (Ten) will start on Sunday. He also will have an easier defense to play against as All-Pro CB Troy Vincent is doubtful this week. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Running Backs in the News: *** Friday Update - Bob Christian (Atl) signed a contract extension that keeps him a Falcon through 2005. Baltimore Ravens Signed FB Sam Gash to a one-year contract. RB Jamal Lewis (Bal) is expected to be limited to 20 carries this weekend. Buffalo Bills Released RB Richard Huntley. RB Sammy Morris (Buf) will likely be held out another week to heal his ankle.  He appears on the injury report as questionable and missed Wednesday’s practice. *** Friday Update - Sammy's ankle is looking much better and the team has upgraded him to probable from questionable in the Friday injury report. He is still not expected to have any fantasy value this week. Carolina Panthers Claimed RB Rod Smart off waivers from Cincinnati RB Deshaun Foster (Car) is out for another 3-4 weeks. *** Friday Update - Rb Deshaun Foster (car) could return to practice as early as next weeek. Chicago Bears Placed FB Daimon Shelton on the reserve/suspended list. *** Friday Update - William Green has a sore back, but will start on Sunday. He was able to practice on Friday. He appears on the injury report as probable. Denver Broncos Released FB Tony Carter. RBs Olandis Gary and Clinton Portis (Den) are expected to both play considerable time this week.  Mike Anderson may also get some carries.  *** Friday Update - Mike Shanahan surprised no-one in not announcing a starter at RB this week. Most expect Olandis Gary to take the field as the starter, but Portis may see more time. RB James Stewart (Det) practiced Wednesday with a knee brace and will start this weekend.  He appears on the injury report as probable with a sore knee. *** Friday Update - RB James Stewart was able to get through Thursday and Friday's practices and will start. If he is ineffective, Lamont Warren will take his place. RB James Allen (Hou) has been named the starter, but will split time with Jonathan Wells. Indianapolis Colts Signed FB Detron Smith after Jacksonville waived him earlier in the week.  RB Shyrone Stith (Ind) will play with a sore knee.  He is listed as probable on the injury report and will backup Edgerrin James. *** Friday Update - Shyrone Stith (Ind) practiced on Friday as expected and will play if needed on Sunday. RB Edgerrin James (Ind) was held out of the pre-season contests, but will start on Sunday. Jacksonville Jaguars Waived RB Detron Smith. Miami Dolphins Released FB Obafemi Ayanbadejo.  Imagine trying to guess his name on Wheel of Fortune if you could not afford to buy a vowel. RB Robert Edwards (Mia) not only survived the roster cuts, but he will now serve as the team’s third down back.  New Orleans Saints Traded RB Ricky Williams to Indianapolis for a 2003 conditional draft pick. New Orleans Saints Released RB Terry Allen. RB Tiki Barber (NYG) is expected to start despite a sore hamstring.  He appears on the injury report as questionable and might be limited. He was held out of practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. *** Friday Update - RB Tiki Barber played, but was definitely not 100%. He seemed tentative at times and was limping as well. RB Ron Dayne (NYG) has neck pain, but will play Oakland Raiders Waived RB Madre Hill. RB Tyrone Wheatley (Oak) will play with his sore knee. *** Friday Update - RB Tyrone Wheatly (oak) practiced on Thursday and Friday and will play on Sunday. RB Brian Mitchell (Phi) is being sued by a female police officer alleging assault. RB Terrell Fletcher (SD) will likely be limited this week to heal his tender ankle.  He appears on the injury report as questionable, but was able to practice on Wednesday. *** Friday Update - RB Terrell Fletcher (SD) practiced on Thursday and Friday and was upgraded to probable on the injury report. *** Friday Update - RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) has a sore ankle, but will start as expected. FB Joey Goodspeed (SD) is questionable with a sore ankle.  This has little fantasy value, but it does let us use the words fullback and good speed in the same sentence. FB Fred Beasley (SF) is recovering from an injured back, but is expected to play on Thursday.  *** Friday Update - Kevan Barlow (SF) looks as if he may get the bulk of carries for the 49ers soon. He appears to be a more explosive RB than Garrison Hearst. FB James Hodgins (StL) is out this week with a broken foot. *** Friday Update - FB Jameel Cook (TB) was able to practice Friday and is expected to play on Sunday. Tennessee Titans Waived RB Skip Hicks. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Wide Receivers in the News: WR Shawn Jefferson (Atl) will start opposite of Brian Finneran.  Willie Jackson, who was expected to earn the #2 job, will be used in three wide receiver sets. WR Reggie Germany (Buf) has been suspended by the NFL. *** Friday Update - WR Marty Booker and Dez White will start for the Bears. Marcus Robinson will see plenty of action though and will likely play in the redzone. WR Michael Westbrook (Cin) is expected to play despite breaking his wrist in the pre-season.  The team has not named starters making all tough fantasy plays this week. *** Friday Update - Peter Warrick (flanker) and TJ Houshmandzadeh (split end) will start for the Bengals. Michael Westbrook will come in off the bench, but could see a lot of action. Cleveland Browns Released WR JaJuan Dawson. WR Reggie Swinton (Dal) is not expected to play this week.  He is out with a sore hamstring. *** Friday Update - WR Reggie Swinton (Dal) was upgraded to doubtful, but still looks to be at least a week away. WR Kevin Kasper (Den) appears on the injury report as questionable with bruised ribs, but says he feels better.  He is expected to play, but has no fantasy value. *** Friday Update - WR Kevin Kasper (Den) practiced on Friday, but is still not likely to see much action on Sunday. Coach Shanahan called Kasper a game-time decision. WR Bill Schroeder (Det) will play with a sore hip. Green Bay Packers Waived WR Charles Lee. WR Terry Glenn (GB) is expected to play Sunday despite landing awkwardly in Wednesday’s practice. WR Donald Driver (GB) will start opposite of Terry Glenn this weekend.  Robert Ferguson will be the #3 WR. WR Marvin Harrison (Ind) has restructured his contract to help the team. WR Jimmy Smith (Jac) ended his holdout and showed up in excellent shape.  He will start week 1. Jacksonville Jaguars Waived WR Darnay Scott.  He has been rumored to be headed to the Cowboys. Kansas City Chiefs Placed WR Marvin Minnis on the physically unable to perform list. Kansas City Chiefs Placed WR Sylvester Morris on injured reserve. Miami Dolphins Released WR Jeff Ogden. Minnesota Vikings Released WR Sean Dawkins.  In similar news, Sean will be celebrating his 60th birthday this month. WR Jake Reed (NO) returned to practice, but is not expected to play much with a sore hamstring.  New Orleans Saints Released WR Onome Ojo. *** Friday Update - New Orleans announced the starting WRs as Joe Horn and Jerome Pathon. Rookie Donte Stallworth will play with three receiver sets. Oakland Raiders Waived WR Reggie Barlow. WR Hines Ward (Pit) has recovered nicely from the appendectomy.  He is expected to start, but Antwaan Randle El should also get plenty of time on the field too. *** Friday Update - WR Hines Ward practiced Thursday and Friday and will start. *** Friday Update - Rookie WR Antwaan Randle El will returns punts this week. Seattle Seahawks Released WR Fabien Bownes. WR Troy Edwards (StL) is out this week with knee troubles. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Signed WR Reggie Barlow to a one-year contract. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Tight Ends in the News: Buffalo Bills Released TE Sheldon Jackson. Buffalo Bills Claimed TE Cory Geason off waivers from New England *** Friday Update - The Jay Riemersma contract situation has not improved. The team would like him to take a pay cut, but he has refused. Carolina Panthers Released TE Casey Crawford. TE’s Mark Campbell and Steve Heiden (Cle) will play the position now that the team cut Rickey Dudley.  Neither looks to have great fantasy value. *** Friday Update - TE Aaron Shea (Cle) appears on the Friday injury report as questionable with a sore shoulder. TE Tony Gonzalez (KC) ended his holdout as expected and is expected to start this week. TE Desmond Clark (Mia) is out with a broken arm. TE Jed Weaver (Mia) has a sore knee, but can play if needed.  Rookie Randy McMichael will start. TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) has a sore ankle, but is expected to start. Oakland Raiders Placed TE Jeremy Brigham on injured reserve. *** Friday Update - TE Walter Rasby (Was) is out with knee problems. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Place Kickers in the News: Carolina Panthers Released PK Jaret Holmes. *** Friday Update - John Kasay (Car) was added to the injury report on Friday. He has a sore groin, but is expected to start on Sunday. *** Friday Update - PK Neil Rackers is the starter in Cincinnati. PK Jason Elam (Den) still has a sore hamstring but is expected to start this weekend.  He appears on the injury report as probable. Minnesota Vikings Claimed PK Tim Seder off waivers from Dallas and then dumped him later in the week.  Doug Brien remains their kicker. PK Matt Bryant (NYG) will start this week, but he is simply a stop-gap until the team can find better.  It placed Owen Pochman on IR (He is lost for the season).  It has been rumored that they may attempt to get Jeff Chandler from the 49ers. *** Friday Update - Matt Bryant looked fine making his two FGs he attempted and may have a longer stay than origially expected. PK Sebastian Janikowski (Oak) believes he has isolated and corrected his kicking problem. The team has made no indication they are abandoning him, but missing 5 FGs (many from short distance) in the preseason will have all the coaches watching this closely. *** Friday Update - Jose Cortez (SF) may have kicked 3 FGs in Thursday's game, including the game-winner, but his job is definitely under review. He had his first FG blocked (had 4 blocked last year).