Quarterbacks in the News: QB Doug Johnson (Atl) will start for the Falcons this week. Michael Vick is listed as doubtful with a separated shoulder. *** Friday Night Update - QB Michael Vick (Atl) has been ruled out for this game. *** Saturday Night Update - It now looks as if QB Michael Vick (Atl) will be the emergency QB. We do not expect him to play. QB Tim Couch (Cle) was able to practice on Thursday and will start as expected. He appears on the injury report as probable with a concussion. QB Kelly Holcomb (Cle) is out with a broken leg. QB Brett Favre (GB) has a swollen elbow, but will start as usual. He appears on the injury report as probable, but has not missed a start in over 10 years. QB Jamie Martin (StL) had fluid drained from his knee on Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice. Jamie is expected to practice Friday and play on Sunday. Marc Bulger took the 1st team snaps in his absence. *** Friday Night Update - QB Jamie Martin (StL) was unable to practice and now is expected to backup Marb Bulger. Marc has practiced all week with the first unit. *** Saturday Night Update - QB Marc Bulger will start. Jamie Martin will be the backup this week. QB Kurt Warner (Stl) can not play. He is out for another 2 months. QB Danny Wuerffel (Was) may be left home. He appears on the injury report as doubtful with a separated shoulder. QB Patrick Ramsey (Was) will start this week. Shane Matthews will back him up. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Running Backs in the News: RB Deshaun Foster (Car) will not play this week. He is making some progress, but is not in football shape. RB Brandon Bennett (Cin) has a sore back, but is expected to play this weekend. He appears as probable on the Wednesday injury report. *** Friday Night Update - The Dallas Cowboys would like to get RB Troy Hambrick (Dal) more carries. They beleive he has better quickness hitting the hole. This will be interesting to see how this plays out as Emmitt Smith chases the all-time rushing mark. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Emmitt Smith (Dal) and 2nd year WR Reggie Swinton got into a fight during Friday's practice. Smith was disturbed over mental mistakes by the team and hit Swinton's helmet with his hand as if to tell him to get his head in the game. Swinton took exception and punches were thrown. No player was injured and after a pep talk from Dave Campo, no further incidents happened at practice. RB Mike Anderson (Den) practiced on Thursday and is expected to play this weekend. RB Clinton Portis (Den) was officially named the starting RB for the Broncos this week. Shanahan appears to be gaining more and more confidence with the rookie and loves his explosiveness on the field. RB Najeh Davenport (GB) will play on Sunday despite a sore hamstring. He appears on the injury report as probable. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Edgerrin James (Ind) can sleep well knowing that Ray Lewis won't play this week. Ray is leading the entire NFL in tackles and is the Baltimore defense. *** Friday Night Update - RB Michael Bennett (Min) is expected to get more carries this week as the team was encouraged with his performance against Seattle in week 4. RB Charlie Garner (Oak) remains very questionable to play this week. He has been unable to practice all week. Look for this to be a game-time decision. Tyrone Wheatley is expected to start if Garner cannot go. Terry Kirby would also get additional work. *** Friday Night Update - RB Charlie Garner (Oak) missed Friday's practice and does not look like he will start on Sunday. The team is mum about which backup will get the majority of the work, because each back brings different skills to the table. Wheatley is the power runner of the bunch. Terry Kirby and Randy Jordan are able to play closer to Garner's style. We expect all of them to play (maybe even Garner, but in a limited role) this week. *** Saturday Night Update - Nothing new to report on Charlie Garner (Oak). He continues to miss practice, but will suit up. We think the Raiders will try to win without him and use him only if they need to. We also do not think any one backup (Wheatley, Kirby. Jordan) will get significant carries to be a viable start this week. FB Jon Ritchie (Oak) missed Wednesday's practice with a foot injury. RB Amos Zereoue (Pit) was able to practice with his sore knee and is expected to play as usual. RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) claims he has had turf toe for most every game of his career. He will start as usual and does not appear on the injury report. He tapes his toes for the game and that provides enough relief to play each week. RB Terrell Fletcher (SD) was unable to practice Thursday and is very questionable to play on Sunday. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Terrell Fletcher jogged around on Friday, but did not practice. He remains a game-time decision. *** Friday Night Update - RB Terrell Fletcher (SD) walked through practice on Friday and remains very questionable to play this week. FB Paul Smith (SF) is out again this week. RB Marshall Faulk (StL) was able to practice at full speed on Wednesday and Thursday despite being on the injury report as probable with back spasms. He will start as expected. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Marshall Faulk (StL) walked out of an interview with Bob Costas because he felt he was in a no-win situation after being asked what is wrong with the team. Marshall did reply if he knew the answer, he would fix it. I say good for him. You want answers to what is wrong, you should ask those things to the coach. Marshall was in a no-win situation. Yes the team isn't playing well and likely is going to have a long season, but unless I missed something, Marshall didn't decide to go with John St. Clair at tackle nor does he call the plays. He just runs his hardest when he gets the ball. If I were Marshall I would avoid all interviews right now. There is absolutely nothing to be gained. RB Mike Alstott (TB) was able to practice 100% on Thursday and will play as usual. He is listed as probable on the injury report with a sore ankle. RB Robert Holcombe (Ten) will not play this week. RB Stephen Davis (Was) took Thursday off to rest his sore knee. He vows that he will be there this Sunday, but might be spelled by Kenny Watson more than usual. Davis appears on the injury report as questionable. *** Friday Night Update - RB Stephen Davis (Was) practiced on Friday with a knee brace and is expected to start. His carries will likely be limited though. Expect Kenny Watson to aslo get some looks in the backfield. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Stephen Davis (Was) seemed to be fine after practicing on Friday and will suit up as the starter. His carries may be limited though. Davis believes he is about 85% /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Wide Receivers in the News: WR David Boston (Ari) is struggling with a foot injury. An MRI shows he has a first degree sprain. He has a bye this week which should help rest the injury. Unfortunately it will not help his timing with Jake Plummer. WR Darrin Chiaverini (Atl) has not been able to practice and remains doubtful this week. *** Friday Night Update - WR Brandon Stokley (Bal) injured his ankle in practice and is now questionable to start this week. WR Muhsin Muhammad (Car) was able to practice on Thursday despite a sore hamstring and expects to start on Sunday. He appears on the injury report as questionable. *** Friday Night Update - WR Muhsin Muhammad (Car) was able to practice on Friday and is expected to start. WR Isaac Byrd (Car) strained his abdomen during Wednesday's practice. He is expected to be added to the Friday injury report as questionable. *** Friday Night Update - WR Issac Byrd (Car) was unable to practice on Friday and is now very questionable to play. The team will decide Isaac's status just before game time. WR David Terrell (Chi) will miss 7-8 weeks with a broken right foot. He had surgery on Thursday. WR Michael Westbrook (Cin) has been relegated to WR #5 on the Bengals. How much lower can one go? WR Joey Galloway (Dal) will play despite an injured thumb. He appears on the injury report as probable. WR Rod Smith (Den) has a separated shoulder, but vows he will be there on Sunday. Shannon Sharpe seconded that opinion. "He can walk, so he will play". Rod practiced on Thursday as well. *** Friday Night Update - WR Rod Smith (Den) was able to practice on Friday and will start. WRs Bill Schroeder and Az Hakim (Det) practiced on Thursday and are expected to start on Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - WRs Bill Schroeder and Az Hakim (Det) were able to practice Friday without problems. Both are expected to start on Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - WR Larry Foster (Det) was able to practice on Thursday and Friday and will be available to play. WR Jajuan Dawson (Hou) appears on the injury report as questionable with a sore ankle. WR Randy Moss (Min) is expected to start on Sunday. Hanging over his head appears the strong possibility that he will be fined or suspended by the NFL. Drugs tests done by normal employers take a couple of hours. It has been weeks now without any announcement. We think that means he likely failed the test and another independent lab is looking at the results. It is now known though that Moss is in the substance abuse program after testing positive last season. WR Troy Brown (NE) wants to play on Sunday, but is still bothered by his sore knee. He appears on the injury report as questionable and has missed the last two games. The team could hold him out again since they are on a bye next week to get him closer to 100%. *** Friday Night Update - Troy Brown (NE) practiced on Thursday and Friday and despite not being 100% will likely play some this week. *** Saturday Night Update - It's looking more and more like Troy Brown (NE) will start this week. He claims he is approximately 85% and will test the knee in warm-ups. Although the team will not say that they are ineffective without Brown in the lineup, they clearly are not the high-powered offense we saw the first three weeks (when he started). We fully expect to see him on the field in a critical game against Green Bay at home. WR Amani Toomer (NYG) practiced at full speed on Thursday and expects to start as usual. He appears as probable on the injury report with a bruised thigh. WR Donte' Stallworth (NO) is not expected to play this week again. He has a sore hamstring that is limiting him from running. Jerome Pathon will start opposite of Joe Horn again this week. *** Saturday Night Update - The Saints have not yet ruled out Donte' Stallworth (NO) from playing this weekend, but even if he plays it will likely be just a few plays. He has limited/no fantasy value this week. WR Koren Robinson (Sea) missed practice on Wednesday with a sore ankle. He appears as probable on the injury report. *** Friday Night Update - WR Koren Robinson (Sea) was held out of Thursday's practice, but is still expected to start on his tender ankle on Monday night. *** Friday Night Update - WR Terrell Owens (SF) was held out Thursday's practice for precautionary reasons, but he will start as expected Monday night. *** Saturday Night Update - WR Terrell Owens (SF) was added to the Friday injury report as probable with a sprained toe. He is expected to start as usual. WR JJ Stokes (SF) was unable to practice on Thursday and looks to be a game time decision. Tai Streets is practicing in his place and would start in his place if Stokes is unavailable. *** Friday Night Update - WR JJ Stokes (SF) clearly is not 100%, but he does get the benefit of one more day to heal. We expect Tai Streets to start opposite of Terrell Owens. As bad as Seattle is against defending the run, the 49ers are likely to run a lot on Monday. *** Saturday Night Update - When questioned whether JJ Stokes (SF) was out for the Monday night game, HC Steve Mariuchi replied, "Not yet". Expect Tai Streets to start opposite of Terrell Owens. Also look for the team to run often this week. WR Derrick Mason (Ten) will not play again this week. He is expected to return October 27th. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Tight Ends in the News: TE David Moore (Buf) appears on the injury report as questionable with a sore hand. He is expected to play on Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - TE David Moore (Buf) has missed Thursday and Friday practices and is wearing a cast. But despite all of this bad news, he still could play this weekend. TE Wesley Walls (Car) will continue to play with his broken finger. He appears on the injury report as probable. TE Jason Dunn (KC) appears on the injury report as questionable with an injured shoulder. TE Jimmy Kleinsasser (Min) is expected to play even though he is clearly not 100%. He appears on the injury report as questionable with a sore knee. TE Daniel Graham (NE) may be held out this week again with a bruised shoulder. He appears on the injury report as questionable. *** Friday Night Update - TE Daniel Graham (NE) missed Friday's practice and will likely be held out of Sunday's game. TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) is not expected to play this week. He has been unable to practice all week with his injured toe. He appears as doubtful on the injury report. TE Stephen Alexander (SD) can't go this week. Rookie TE Josh Norman will get most of the action in his place. TE Jerramy Stevens (Sea) can not go this week. Itula Mili will start in his place. TE Walter Rasby (Was) is almost 100% back, but appears to have lost his starting job to Zeron Flemister. Rasby appears on the injury report as probable with an injured knee. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Place Kickers in the News: PK Jason Elam (Den) claims nothing is wrong with his kicking motion or head, but he has missed three of his last four attempts. PK Morten Andersen (KC) did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and will be a game time decision this week. The coaches are unsure whether they will hold him out of Friday's practice. *** Friday Night Update - Because the team has yet to sign a kicker, we believe PK Morten Andersen (KC) will be able to kick on Sunday with his tender hamstring. *** Saturday Night Update - PK Michael Husted was signed by the Chiefs as insurance in case PK Morten Andersen can not go. We still believe Andersen will play, but you should probably look elsewhere if you have other options.