Quarterbacks in the News QB Rodney Peete (Car) is still out while recovering from knee surgery. QB Chris Weinke (Car) is Questionable with a concussion. While Weinke did practice on Wednesday, Randy Fasani has been taking snaps in practice with the intention of starting this week as Weinke is still considered to be day-to-day. QB Jim Miller (Chi) is Probable with shoulder and elbow tendonitis. However, he was not able to practice on Thursday, and Chicago named Chris Chandler as the starter for this week. QB Kelly Holcomb (Cle) is Questionable with a broken leg. He did participate (in a limited basis) on Wednesday. QB Quincy Carter (Dal) has been benched in favor of Chad Hutchinson. QB Brett Favre (GB) was knocked out of the week seven game against Washington with a knee injury. The Packers have a bye this week so Favre will be able to rest. He plans to start the week nine game against Miami. QB Trent Green (KC) is Probable with an ankle injury. This is the same ankle he played on last week so expect Green to start again this Sunday. QB Ray Lucas (Mia) was banged up last Sunday. He will rest this week (during the Dolphins bye). QB Brad Johnson (TB) is Doubtful with a fractured rib. Rob Johnson will get the start this week against Carolina. QB Patrick Ramsey (Was) is out as the starting QB, and Shane Matthews has once again claimed the job. QB Danny Wuerffel (Was) is Questionable with a shoulder injury. However, he's doing nothing more than light throwing. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Running Backs in the News FB Bob Christian (Atl) is Questionable with a concussion. He will not take contact during practice this week, and Atlanta hopes he'll be able to go this Sunday. RB TJ Duckett (Atl) is Doubtful with a torn ligament in his foot. Atlanta has signed Maurice Smith who will likely see action this week. RB DeShaun Foster (Car) is Doubtful with a knee injury. He has practiced some this week but experienced some swelling and pain. Foster was not able to practice on Thursday. His situation is being re-evaluated by team doctors. RB Emmitt Smith (Dal) is Probable with an ankle injury. Expect him to play. FB Cory Schlesinger (Det) is Probable with a back injury. Expect him to play. RB Stacey Mack (Jac) is Probable with an ankle injury. Expect him to play. RB Ricky Williams (Mia) has a sprained toe. He will rest this week (during Miami's bye). RB Jon Ritchie (Oak) was hospitalized Wednesday with a bacterial infection. He was expected to rejoin the team on Thursday. RB Tyrone Wheatley (Oak) is Doubtful with a hamstring injury. It looks like he'll sit this week. RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) is Out with a sprained knee. He doesn't need surgery, but Amos Zereoue will start this week in his place. RB Garrison Hearst (SF) is Questionable with a hamstring injury. He did not practice Wednesday. Here's Steve Maruicci's take: "This is Garrison Hearst," Mariucci said. "Really, I swear, some guys heal faster than others. Some guys have a different pain threshold than others. Some guys recover faster than others. Our guess is that Garrison will be back soon. "I hope he's gonna be out there this week. I think he will." RB Shaun Alexander (Sea) could see less action this week as the Seahawks are planning to give Maurice Morris more playing time. FB Greg Comella (Ten) is Questionable with a shoulder injury. He did not practice on Wednesday. Jeff Fisher described Comella's situation as "not looking good". RB Robert Holcombe (Ten) is Out with a hip injury. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Wide Receivers in the News WR David Terrell (Chi) is still Out with a foot injury. WR Bill Schroeder (Det) is Questionable with an ankle injury. He sat out practice on Wednesday and Thursday. WR Qadry Ismail (Ind) is Probable with a knee injury. Expect him to play. WR Patrick Johnson (Jac) is Probable with an abdomen injury. Expect him to play. WR Jimmy Smith (Jac) is frustrated with his current role in the Jacksonville offense. Welcome to crowd Jimmy. WR Cris Carter (Mia) believes he'll be in game-shape within ten to fourteen days. Also, he will switch to #88 and not go after the #80 worn by James McKnight. WR Oronde Gadsden (Mia) will be placed on IR and be lost for the season after undergoing wrist surgery. WR D'Wayne Bates (Min) is Questionable with a strained lower back. He likely will sit this week and allow Derrick Alexander to return to the starting lineup. WR Troy Brown (NE) is Questionable with a knee injury. Here Bill Belichick's take on Brown's situation: "I think we'll make the determination there around game time, again, as to how much of a load we are going to put on him in terms of the punts, receiving, the field goal rush, all the things he does. He's involved in a lot of things." WR Donte Stallworth (NO) is Questionable with a hamstring injury. He was able to practice on Wednesday. WR Terrell Owens (SF) is Probable with a heel injury. He did not practice Wednesday but did go on Thursday. Look for him to play Sunday. WR JJ Stokes (SF) is Probable with a knee injury. He was able to practice on Wednesday. Tai Streets will likely start for Stokes again this week as Stokes will be eased back into action. WR Keenan McCardell (TB) is Doubtful with a fractured scapula. He didn't practice on Thursday. Joe Jurevicius will start in his place. WR Derrick Mason (Ten) is Questionable with a shoulder separation. He has practiced all week and is expected to play WR (but not return kicks) this week. WR Rod Gardner (Was) is back in the starting lineup (along with Derrius Thompson). /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Tight Ends in the News TE Wesley Walls (Car) is Questionable with a finger injury. He did not practice on Wednesday. TE Fred Baxter (Chi) is Questionable with a side injury. He did not practice on Wednesday. TE John Davis (Chi) is Questionable with a rib injury. He did not practice on Wednesday. TE Sean Brewer (Cin) is Questionable with a knee injury. He could not complete practice on Thursday and likely won't play this Sunday. TE Shannon Sharpe (Den) is Probable with a knee injury. Expect him to play. TE John Owens (Det) is Questionable with a shoulder injury. He missed practice Thursday. TE Mikhael Ricks (Det) is Questionable with a groin injury. While he sat out Wednesday's practice, Ricks was able to hit the field for Thursday's session. He looked good and should play on Sunday. TE Rod Rutledge (Hou) is Questionable with a foot injury. TE Marcus Pollard (Ind) is Probable with a knee injury. Expect him to play. TE Daniel Graham (NE) is Questionable with a shoulder injury. TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) is Questionable with his lingering toe injury. He was able to practice Wednesday and said the toe is getting better. He says he plans to play on Monday night against Philadelphia. After participating in most of Thursday's practice, Jim Fassel described Shockey as "fine". TE Eric Johnson (SF) is Questionable with a sore lower back. He sat out of practice both Wednesday and Thursday. An MRI showed a bulging disc (which will probably keep him out of action this week). Look for Justin Swift to start in his place. TE Jerramy Stevens (Sea) is Questionable with an ankle injury. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Place Kickers in the News PK Hayden Epstein (Jac) was cut by the Jaguars. Jacksonville signed former Dallas PK Tim Seder. PK Doug Brien (Min) was released by the Vikings. Minnesota signed former Jacksonville PK Hayden Epstein. Remember that Gary Anderson is the current FG kicker for the Vikings. Brien was the kickoff specialist (the role Epstein is likely to fill). PK Morten Andersen (KC) is Probable with a hamstring injury. PK Rian Lindell (Sea) is on extremely thin ice. He's missing FGs, and his kickoffs lack good distance. Seattle has worked out at least two FA kickers recently. More could be on the way. PK Jeff Wilkins (StL) has decided to wear a shoe again for FGs. Isn't it amazing that footwear is actually newsworthy?