Head Coaches in the News HC Jim Fassell (NYG) will call the plays for the Giants. He will bump offensive coordinator Sean Payton from that position. Why, you ask? "I'm not going to sit still and watch us average one touchdown per game," Fassel said. Can't argue with that. *** Friday Night Update - HC Dick Lebeau (Cin) has "guaranteed" a win against the expansion team Houston Texans this week. I will go one step further. I am guaranteeing that Dick Lebeau won't be the head coach of the Bengals next season. Not that a change will matter. Quarterbacks in the News ESPN is reporting that QB Jake Plummer's (Ari) fate will likely be decided over the second half of the season. Plummer is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Let me help everyone out. He will not be re-signed. QB Michael Vick (Atl) is listed as probable. He practiced without trouble on Wednesday and Thursday. *** Friday Night Update - QB Michael Vick (Atl) was fined $5,000 for wearing the wrong colored socks during last week's game. Glad to see the NFL has all of it's priorities in order. QB Chris Redman (Bal) is doubtful the same back injury that kept him out of action last Sunday. Jeff Blake has already been named the starter for this week (and maybe longer as Redman's injury could linger). *** Saturday Night Update - QB Chris Redman will miss this week and likely next week. Jeff Blake starts in his place. QB Rodney Peete (Car) may be able to return as starter after this week's bye. *** Saturday Night Update - Coaches have stated that if Rodney Peete (Car) is close to 100% then he will start in week 10. QB Chris Weinke (Car) should be able to return after this week's bye. QB Kelly Holcomb (Cle) should be healthy enough to be the #2 QB this Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - QB Kelly Holcomb (Cle) will be the backup QB this week. QB Jim Miller (Chi) is probable with the same shoulder and elbow tendonitis. It looks like he'll return as the starter on Sunday. If he can't go, Chris Chandler will again start in his place. *** Friday Night Update - QB Jim Miller (Chi) practiced on Thursday and will start as usual. Additionally he was removed from Friday's injury report. *** Saturday Night Update - QB Jim Miller (Chi) was able to practice again on Friday and will start as expected. QB Brett Favre (GB) is listed as questionable with his knee injury. He was able to run on Wednesday. He did not practice Thursday. Everyone expects him to start on Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - QB Brett Favre (GB) was able to take some snaps on Friday and is expected to start on Monday. He will wear a knee brace for the next few weeks which could limit his mobility. QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) is still out with a broken thumb. *** Friday Night Update - QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) is expected to return to the field on November 24th. QB Ray Lucas (Mia) is probable but will start again in place of Jay Fiedler. *** Friday Night Update - QB Ray Lucas (Mia) practiced on Thursday and Friday and will start as expected. QB Trent Dilfer (Sea) suffered a ruptured Achilles and is lost for the season. Matt Hasselbeck will start in his place. QB Jeff George (Sea) has been signed to backup Matt Hasselbeck. *** Friday Night Update - Coaches were impressed with QB Jeff George's (Sea) arm in practice on Thursday and Friday. He could be starting in a few weeks if Matt Hasselbeck struggles. *** Saturday Night Update - QB Jeff George (Sea) is expected to be inactive this week. QB Kurt Warner (StL) is still out with a broken finger. Marc Bulger will again start in his place. *** Saturday Night Update - QB Kurt Warner (StL) is expected to return to the field on November 24th when the Rams play the Redskins away. QB Brad Johnson (TB) is still questionable with his rib injury. However, he took a normal number of reps at Wednesday's practice and didn't feel pain when throwing. It hasn't been announced, but barring a set-back, he'll be starting on Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - QB Brad Johnson (TB) was able to practice on Friday and is expected to start as usual. Surprisingly though, Coach Gruden has not made an official announcement that Brad Johnson will start. QB Rob Johnson (TB) is questionable with a pain in the butt. Word is that it is not Keyshawn Johnson but an actual injury. He did not practice Thursday. *** Friday Night Update - QB Rob Johnson (TB) was unable to practice on Friday. He remains a game-time decision. QB Shaun King (TB) got a few reps on Wednesday with the first string offense. *** Saturday Night Update - QB Shaun King (TB) is expected to be the #2 QB behind Brad Johnson this week. Rob Johnson does not look like he will be able to play. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Running Backs in the News *** Saturday Night Update - FB Joel Mackovicka (Ari) has been demoted to the second string fullback behind Dennis McKinley. RB TJ Duckett (Atl) is questionable with his foot injury. He practiced on Wednesday and Thursday. *** Friday Night Update - RB TJ Duckett (Atl) continues to practice and will play on Sunday. He was upgraded to probable on the Friday injury report. RB Deshaun Foster (Car) is out for the year and will soon have another surgery on his knee. *** Friday Night Update - Bear's management is starting to think RB Anthony Thomas (Chi) might not be the workhorse they saw last year. Personally I thought 9 carries for 18 yards last week was Hall of Fame material. With upper management this sharp, you wonder how this team isn't undefeated. RB Olandis Gary (Den) was not active last Sunday. Hopefully, he's not still on your roster. *** Saturday Night Update - This is expected to be the last season for RB Olandis Gary with the Broncos. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The Broncos will likely make him inactive again this week. RB Najeh Davenport (GB) is probable. RB Edgerrin James (Ind) is doubtful with his partially torn hamstring and did not practice on Wednesday. It's looking like James will not be able to play on Sunday. Rookie Ricky Williams (no, the other one) will start if James can not go. *** Friday Night Update - RB Edgerrin James (Ind) has been ruled out for this game. Ricky Williams will start in his place. RB Fred Taylor (Jax) makes his first appearance on the injury report to be listed as probable with a shin injury. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Fred Taylor (Jac) practiced on Thursday and Friday despite a sore shin. He will start as expected. RB Robert Edwards (Mia) is probable. RB Ricky Williams (Mia) is probable. *** Friday Night Update - RB Ricky Williams (Mia) practiced on Friday and will start as expected. RB Curtis Martin (NYJ) has a sore ankle but will play on Sunday. He doesn't show up on the injury report. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Curtis Martin (NYJ) was able to practice on Thursday and Friday and will start as expected. RB Tyrone Wheatley (Oak) is questionable with his hamstring injury. *** Friday Night Update - RB Tyrone Wheatley (Oak) was able to practice on Friday. He is expected to play a reserve role on Sunday. RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (Pit) is out with a torn pectoral. Surgery is not needed, but he will miss at least two games. RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) is doubtful with the same knee injury that kept him out of last week's game. Amos Zereoue will again start for the Steelers. *** Friday Night Update - RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) has not been able to practice all week. He is not expected to play. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) is officially out this week. RB Garrison Hearst (SF) is probable with a hamstring injury. He will likely see light duty in practice this week but be ready to go on Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - RB Garrison Hearst (SF) practiced on Thursday. He is expected to split carries with Kevan Barlow again this week. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Garrison Hearst (SF) practiced on Friday and was named the starter this week. He will likely split carries with Kevan Barlow again though. FB Chris Hetherington (StL) is doubtful with a groin injury. He likely will not play Sunday. FB James Hodgins (StL) is questionable coming back from his broken foot. He has practiced this week and could hit the field on Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - FB James Hodgins (StL) will start at fullback for the Rams this week. RB Eddie George (Ten) tripped and fell during Wednesday's practice and injured his knee and ankle. He was able to practice on Thursday but was added to the injury report as questionable. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Eddie George (Ten) was able to practice on Friday and will start as expected. RB Robert Holcombe (Ten) is better but still out with a hip injury. *** Friday Night Update - RB Robert Holcombe (Ten) was able to do some of the drills in Friday's practice. He is out this week, but could return next week. FB Greg Comella (Ten) is questionable with a shoulder injury. RB John Simon (Ten) is questionable with turf toe. He'll likely be a game-day decision. RB Stephen Davis (Was) is questionable with a knee injury. He was slightly improved on Wednesday, but his availability for this Sunday is very much a concern. Quoting Steve Spurrier on Wednesday, "I would say he's doubtful." He did not practice Thursday. Kenny Watson will start if Davis can not go. *** Friday Night Update - RB Stephen Davis (Was) has been added as doubtful on the Friday injury report. He has not practiced all week, but will travel with the team to Seattle just in case he is much improved. Kenny Watson will start in his place. Ladell Betts will be his backup. *** Saturday Night Update - RB Kenny Watson (Was) will start for the injured Stephen Davis on Sunday. If Watson struggles though, the team will not hesitate to go with Ladell Betts. Stephen Davis will travel with the team so he has a small chance of playing, but it's unlikely. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Wide Receivers in the News WR David Boston (Ari) is probable. He did practice Thursday. *** Friday Night Update - WR David Boston practiced on Friday and will start as expected. He was removed from Friday's injury report. WR Frank Sanders (Ari) is probable with a foot injury. *** Friday Night Update - WR Frank Sanders (Ari) was able to practice on Thursday and Friday and will play this weekend. He was removed from Friday's injury report. *** Friday Night Update - WR Darrin Chiaverini (Bal) will not play this week. *** Friday Night Update - WR Larry Foster (Det) did not practice on Thursday to rest his sore shoulder. WR Bill Schroeder (Det) does not appear on the injury report this week. He has matched his career long of 1 week off the injury report. WR Patrick Johnson (Jax) is questionable. He was able to practice on Wednesday. WR Bobby Shaw (Jax) is probable. *** Friday Night Update - WRs Patrick Johnson and Bobby Shaw (Jac) split time with the firt unit in Thursday's practice. Jimmy Smith will start on the other side. *** Saturday Night Update - WR Chris Chambers (Mia) has practiced all week and will start as expected. WR D'Wayne Bates (Min) is questionable with the same strained lower back that kept him out last Sunday. He was able to practice on Wednesday. *** Friday Night Update - WR D'Wayne Bates (Min) was able to practice, but the coaches are not impressed with his play. His back continues to limit what he can do. Derrick Alexander is expected to start opposite of Randy Moss this week. *** Saturday Night Update - WR D'Wayne Bates' playing status will be a gametime decision. He is likely to play some, but is not expected to start this week. WR Ike Hilliard (NYG) is out with a shoulder injury. He will have surgery and be lost for the season. Look for Ron Dixon to start in his place. WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) is probable. *** Friday Night Update - WR Plaxico Burress (Pit) practiced on Thursday and Friday and will start as usual with his injured wrist. WR Terrell Owens (SF) is probable with a slight ankle sprain. *** Saturday Night Update - WR Terrell Owens (SF) practiced on Thursday and Friday and will start as expected. WR JJ Stokes (SF) is probable with a knee injury. It looks like Stokes will get back on the field this Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - WR Tai Streets (SF) will start opposite of Terrell Owens this week. JJ Stokes will be the #3 WR. WR Darrell Jackson (Sea) is out after suffering a concussion in Sunday's game and collapsing shortly after the game's conclusion. *** Saturday Night Update - WR Darrell Jackson (Sea) will miss this week and next at the minimum. More tests will be conducted next week before a determination is made regarding his playing status. Bobby Engram will start opposite of Koren Robinson the next two weeks. WR Keyshawn Johnson (TB) had an MRI on his foot. He's not listed on the injury report. *** Saturday Night Update - WR Keyshawn Johnson (TB) was able to practice Thursday and Friday and will start as expected. WR Joe Jurevicius (TB) is questionable with an ankle sprain. He did not practice Thursday. *** Friday Night Update - WR Joe Jurevicius (TB) was unable to practice on Thursday. WR Keenan McCardell (TB) is questionable with the same scapula fracture that kept him out of action last Sunday. He did not practice Thursday. *** Friday Night Update - WR Keenan McCardell (TB) was unable to practice on Friday. He remains a game-time decision. WR Karl Williams (TB) will start if Jurevicius and McCardell are both unable to go. WR Willie Jackson (Was) was signed by the Redskins after being released by Atlanta on Monday. Kevin Lockett was released to make room on the roster. *** Friday Night Update - HC Steve Spurrier has not ruled out the possibility of making Willie Jackson (Was) active for this game. If he does play though it will be in a reserve role. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Tight Ends in the News TE Freddie Jones (Ari) did not practice on Wednesday. He did practice Thursday. He should be good to go Sunday. *** Saturday Night Update - TE Freddie Jones (Ari) practiced on Friday and will start as expected. TE Fred Baxter (Chi) is questionable with a side injury. *** Friday Night Update - TE Fred Baxter (Chi) was able to practice on Thursday and will play this weekend. He also was removed from Friday's injury report. TE John Davis (Chi) is doubtful with a rib injury. *** Friday Night Update - TE John Davis (Chi) was able to practice on Thursday and will play this weekend. He was removed from Friday's injury report. TE Rod Rutledge (Hou) is questionable with a foot injury. TE Randy McMichael (Mia) is probable. *** Friday Night Update - TE Randy McMichael (Mia) was able tp practice on Friday and will start as expected. TE Daniel Graham (NE) is questionable with a shoulder injury. *** Saturday Night Update - TE Daniel Graham (NE) practiced on Friday and is expected to play on Sunday. TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) is probable with his lingering toe injury. He did not practice Thursday. *** Friday Night Update - TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) practiced on Friday and will start as expected. Expect him to miss a lot of practices the rest of the year with his toe injury. It will not get better until he has surgery after the end of the season. TE Josh Norman (SD) is questionable with a calf injury. He did not practice Wednesday. *** Friday Night Update - TE Jerramy Stevens (Sea) did not practice on Thursday. *** Saturday Night Update - TE Jerramy Stevens (Sea) was unable to practice on Friday and is not expected to play on Sunday. Itula Mili will start in his place. TE Eric Johnson (SF) is questionable with a bad lower back. *** Friday Night Update - TE Eric Johnson (SF) has been unable to practice and is now looking like he will miss this week's game. *** Saturday Night Update - TE Justin Swift (SF) is expected to start in place of injured Eric Johnson. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Place Kickers in the News PK Mike Vanderjagt (Ind) is questionable with a groin injury. He didn't practice on Wednesday but will still likely kick on Sunday. *** Friday Night Update - PK Mike Vanderjagt (Ind) practiced on Friday and will start as expected. He may not handle kickoffs to help the groin heal. PK Tim Seder (Jax) will remain as the Jaguars kicker for at least one more week. He'll need to make more than zero FGs to stick longer than that.