Quarterbacks in the News QB Michael Vick (Atl) has been upgraded to probable on the injury report. After a pain-free practice on Wednesday, Vick believes himself to be ready to start this Sunday. QB Rodney Peete (Car) suffered a concussion against Dallas and was diagnosed with a torn meniscus (which required surgery). He will be out 3 to 6 weeks and be replaced by Chris Weinke. QB Jim Miller (Chi) is questionable on the injury report with elbow and shoulder tendonitis (which has been hurting him for several weeks). He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Chris Chandler will start if Miller can't go (in what is shaping up to be a game day decision). For the record, Miller says he expects to play, but Chandler has been taking all of the first team snaps. *** Friday Night Update - ESPN is stating that QB Chris Chandler (Chi) will start on Sunday. Jim Miller was unable to get through stretching on Friday and that led to the decision. QB Jon Kitna (Cin) will continue as the Bengals starter when Cincinnati comes off their bye week. QB Kelly Holcomb (Cle) is still out with a broken leg. QB Mark Brunell (Jac) suffered a concussion against Tennessee and is listed as questionable. Brunell has stated that he has improved and figures on playing against Baltimore. QB Trent Green tweaked an ankle against San Diego but finished the game. He is probable on the injury report but Dick Vermeil put his chances of playing this week at 60-40. Todd Collins is receiving extra work in practice and will start if Green is unable to go. Green did see the practice field on Thursday and says he will play this Sunday. QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) broke his right (throwing hand) thumb against Denver. He will be out 6 to 8 weeks and will be replaced by Ray Lucas. QB Kurt Warner (StL) is still out with a broken finger. Marc Bulger will continue to start in his place. QB Steve McNair (Ten) did not practice Wednesday due to his ever present back stiffness. He'll also be able to rest over the bye week. QB Patrick Ramsey (Was) will continue as the starting QB despite looking very much like a rookie at times against New Orleans (4 INTs). QB Danny Wuerffel (Was) is doubtful on the injury report. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Running Backs in the News RB Damien Anderson (Ari) will be ready to go if Jones and Shipp are unable. RB Thomas Jones (Ari) has been upgraded to probable on the injury report but was unable to practice Wednesday. His playing status is still up in the air. RB Marcel Shipp (Ari) has been upgraded to questionable on the injury report. He was able to run on Monday, did not practice Wednesday, but was able to go Thursday. His playing status is largely unknown. RB Jamal Lewis (Bal) played last week on AstroTurf for the first time since his knee injury from a year ago. RB Shawn Bryson (Buf) is out after knee surgery. *** Friday Night Update - RB Shawn Bryson was placed on injured reserve and is lost for the season. Sammy Morris is now the backup to Travis Henry. RB DeShaun Foster (Car) is still listed as out on the injury report. He is rounding into shape and actually wore pads for a good part of practice on Wednesday. The Panthers have stated they will wait until a grass game to put Foster on the field. RB Anthony Thomas (Chi) helped pull a man from a burning car. What a way to spend a bye week. Thanks go to Thomas for giving us some good off-the-field news. RB Corey Dillon (Cin) is obviously frustrated with the state of Bengals football. On Monday, he stated "They better get it right or at the end of this season I've got a surprise for them." He also added, "I'm sick of this crap, period." This is probably just a talented player boiling over with frustration, but it's something to make note of in a dynasty league. RB Emmitt Smith (Dal) is 175 yards away from becoming the NFL's All-Time leading rusher. Unfortunately, this means we have to keep hearing about it for a bunch more weeks as he is only averaging 14 carries a game. RB Najeh Davenport (GB) experienced tightness in his hamstring before the New England game. He was inactive for the game and is listed as questionable. He did not practice Thursday. RB Charlie Garner (Oak) was able to go last week with his ailing hamstring and did not have significant soreness afterward. He is listed as probable this week. RB Tyrone Wheatley (Oak) was a late addition to the injury report. He is questionable with an ailing hamstring. He must have pulled it with his one carry for -1 yards last week. RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) is listed as probably on the injury report. He did sit out on Wednesday to rest his knee. RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (Pit) is listed as questionable on the injury report but was able to practice on Wednesday. RB Terrell Fletcher (SD) is listed as questionable on the injury report but was able to practice on Wednesday. RB Terry Jackson (SF) tore his ACL and is out for the year. FB Chris Hetherington (StL) suffered a groin injury against Oakland and is doubtful this week. FB James Hodgins (StL) is targeting a Week 9 return. RB Shaun Alexander (Sea) is listed as questionable on the injury report. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. RB Michael Pittman (TB) remains the starting RB while Mike Alstott is still the starting FB. Coach Jon Gruden maintains both have their role and Alstott will move to the RB spot in the one-back sets. FB Greg Comella (Ten) injured his right shoulder against Jacksonville. He was expected to miss at least a month, but (after a negative MRI) he could possibly return in Week 8 (after the Titans bye week). RB Eddie George (Ten) suffered a slight concussion against Jacksonville. He will be able to rest this week during the Tennessee bye. RB Robert Holcombe (Ten) is not close to returning from a cracked hip as he is still on crutches. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Wide Receivers in the News WR David Boston (Ari) is listed as probable on the injury report but was able to practice Wednesday and Thursday. He will likely be bothered all season by his Lis Franc foot sprain but said the injury felt much better this week. WR Shawn Jefferson (Atl) will start Sunday over Willie Jackson. WR Brandon Stokley (Bal) is listed as questionable but was able to practice on Wednesday. WR Isaac Byrd (Car) is listed as questionable on the injury report. He didn't practice Wednesday and is day-to-day. WR Muhsin Muhammad (Car) is listed as probable with his hamstring injury. WR Steve Smith (Car) suffered bruised ribs while returning a kick against Dallas and is questionable on the injury report. However, Smith did practice on Wednesday and is expected to play this week. WR David Terrell (Chi) is still out. WR Germane Crowell (Det) practiced for the first time Monday. His playing status is unknown, but there is actually a chance of him returning this Sunday (for around a dozen snaps). WR Bill Schroeder (Det) shows up as usual on the injury report as questionable with an ankle injury (which is odd because he left the Minnesota game with what looked like a hamstring injury). He likely will sit this week. WR Javon Walker (GB) has a sprained ankle but should still play against Washington. WR Marc Boerigter (KC) tweaked his knee against San Diego and is questionable on the injury report. However, the team does expect him to play on Sunday. WR Marvin Minnis (KC) is trying to return from a broken bone in his foot. In the next three weeks, the Chiefs will either activate him or have him remain on the PUP list for the rest of the season. WR Chris Chambers (Mia) suffered a concussion from a helmet-to-helmet hit from Kenoy Kennedy. Chambers was discharged from the hospital Tuesday after recovering from the hit. He ran a few patterns on Wednesday but is still not 100%. Chambers is questionable on the injury report. WR Oronde Gadsden (Mia) suffered a ruptured ligament in his wrist against Denver and is listed as questionable on the injury report. He needs surgery. If he has it now, he'll be out for the season. If he waits, he'll play with a brace and also risk further injury. Dedric Ward will start in his place. WR James McKnight (Mia) suffered a back bruise against Denver and is listed as probable on the injury report. McKnight will likely start this week for Chambers. The Dolphins will bring in the following WRs for workouts on Friday: Chris Jackson, Sean Dawkins, Chris Sanders, Reidel Anthony, and Chris Coleman. WRs they say do not interest them include Cris Carter and Albert Connell. WR Derrick Alexander (Min) may not start this week. Coach Mike Tice says he hasn't decided who will hold the #2 WR job, but he's leaning toward D'Wayne Bates this week. WR Donte Stallworth (NO) is still hobbled with a hamstring injury and is listed as doubtful on the injury report. However, he did run on Wednesday. WR Wayne Chrebet (NYJ) has been upgraded to probable on the injury report. WR Terrell Owens (SF) is suffering from writer's cramp, but is not listed on the injury report. WR JJ Stokes (SF) did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday and is listed as questionable on the injury report. He likely will not play this week. WR Darrell Jackson (Sea) is listed as questionable on the injury report. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. WR Derrick Mason (Ten) may be able to return after this week's bye. WR Rod Gardner (Was) has been demoted to the team's 3rd WR (behind Derrius Thompson and Chris Doering). Kevin Lockett will be the #4 WR. Confused by the move? So is Gardner (who, by the way, is Washington's leading receiver this season). /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Tight Ends in the News TE Todd Heap (Bal) has been upgraded to probable on the injury report and should play this weekend. TE Dave Moore (Buf) is listed as questionable on the injury report. He will likely be a game-time decision. TE Wesley Walls (Car) is doubtful on the injury report. He didn't practice Wednesday but did see action on Thursday. Coach John Fox expects Walls to play this weekend. TE Fred Baxter (Chi) is questionable with an ankle injury. TE Mikhael Ricks (Det) suffered a groin injury against Minnesota and is questionable this week. He likely will not be on the field. TE Bubba Franks (GB) did not practice Wednesday and is listed as probable on the injury report. TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) may have ligament damage in his big toe. However, the team is saying it is turf toe, and they expect Shockey to be able to return after the Giants bye week. TE Stephen Alexander (SD) is listed as questionable on the injury report. He did not practice on Wednesday. TE Josh Norman (SD) suffered a calf injury against Kansas City and is out this week against Oakland. TE Itula Mili (Sea) is listed as questionable on the injury report. He was able to practice on Thursday. TE Jerramy Stevens (Sea) is listed as doubtful on the injury report. He is not expected to play. TE Frank Wycheck (Ten) suffered a neck sprain against Jacksonville and will rest during the Titans bye week. TE Zeron Flemister (Was) is probable on the injury report. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Place Kickers in the News PK Morten Andersen (KC) kicked last week but is still listed as probable with a hamstring on the injury report as he is still not 100%. Michael Husted will once again kick off for the Chiefs.