Z - From The Sidelines...

NFL Injury Roundup - Week 8

October 26, 2006
16:00:00

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Welcome to KFFL.com's Injury Roundup. Each week, we keep you up to speed on all the latest injury news from around the NFL. Whether it's a minor injury or a season-altering catastrophe, we're on top of it. Which players may be sitting out of this weekend's key games? Which ones are ready to step back between the white lines?

QUARTERBACKS

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair (concussion) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and said that he will start in Week 8. If he is unable to play, quarterback Kyle Boller will start.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich (ankle) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, but split the first-team reps with backup David Garrard. Head coach Jack Del Rio said that he perhaps regretted starting Leftwich in Week 7, leading some observers to believe that Garrard might get the call in Week 8. Leftwich is listed as questionable.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green (concussion) returned to practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, but is out for Week 8. Quarterback Damon Huard will again start in his place. Green is expected to return no earlier that mid-November.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (shoulder) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and will start in Week 8. He is listed as probable.

In what has become a ritual much like New England's, New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington (calf) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and will start in Week 8. He is listed as probable.

Oakland Raiders Aaron Brooks (pectoral) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and will not play in Week 8. He is listed as doubtful. Quarterback Andrew Walter will start again in Brooks' absence.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (concussion) practiced Thursday, Oct. 26, and seems more likely to play in Week 8. He is listed as questionable, however. Quarterback Charlie Batch will start if Roethlisberger is deemed unfit to play.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (knee) is expected to miss three weeks, according to head coach Mike Holmgren, because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Quarterback Seneca Wallace will start in Hasselbeck's place.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms (spleen) will not play in Week 8. Rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski will again start in his place.

RUNNING BACKS

Denver Broncos running back Tatum Bell (toe) is probable for Week 8 and should play. If he can't, running back Mike Bell would likely get the start.

Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green (knee) took part in practice on a limited basis Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is expected to play in Week 8. He is listed as probable. If he is unable to play, running backs Vernand Morency and Noah Herron are both candidates for increased playing time.

New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister (hamstring) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and should play in Week 8. He is listed as probable. If he couldn't play, tailback Reggie Bush would get more touches and running back Aaron Stecker might see action.

New York Jets running back Kevan Barlow (calf) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and should play in Week 8. He is listed as probable. If he can't go, halfback Leon Washington would likely see even more carries. Running backs Cedric Houston (knee), who was limited in practice, or Derrick Blaylock could see action as well.

Oakland Raiders tailback LaMont Jordan (back) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is questionable for Week 8. Jordan was scheduled to have an MRI on his back, the results of which are unknown. If he can't play, running back Justin Fargas (shoulder) would likely start and head a committee at halfback.

Oakland Raiders running back Justin Fargas (shoulder) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and should play in Week 8. He is listed as probable. If he can't play, the team will probably turn to a committee involving fullback Zack Crockett, running back ReShard Lee and running back Adimchinobe Echemandu, who could be activated from the practice squad. This is pending the status of back LaMont Jordan (back).

Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (knee) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is listed as probable for Week 8. If he can't play, running back Correll Buckhalter would likely serve as the team's starting running back.

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (foot) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is highly unlikely to play in Week 8. He could do some running this week and has a good chance of returning in two weeks.

The Rest of the Field...

Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (ankle) missed practice Thursday, Oct. 26, and is listed as questionable for Week 8. Running back Nick Goings would serve as the backup to running back DeShaun Foster if Williams remained unavailable... New York Jets running back Curtis Martin (knee) remains hopeful that he'll return this season. He could return to practice Nov. 6. He is currently on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform list and must have a decision made regarding his status within two weeks.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is unlikely to play in Week 8. He is listed as doubtful. If he can't play, wide receiver Bryant Johnson will replace him in the starting lineup. Fitzgerald will likely return in Week 10, after the team's bye of Week 9.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (ankle) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is unlikely to play in Week 8, although the team remains hopeful that he can practice Friday, Oct. 27. If Jennings can't play this weekend, wideout Ruvell Martin would start instead.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones (groin) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and could play in Week 8. He is listed as questionable. Wide receiver Ernest Wilford would replace him in the starting lineup if Jones couldn't play.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Travis Taylor (concussion) is expected to play in Week 8. He is listed as probable. If he can't play, wideout Billy McMullen would see more time on the field given the rash of injuries to the position in Minnesota. Since the Vikings play Monday night, the team won't reveal more about Taylor's status until later this week.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Troy Williamson (concussion) is expected to play in Week 8. He is listed as probable. If he can't play, wideout Billy McMullen would see more time. Since the Vikings play Monday night, the team won't reveal more about Taylor's status until later this week.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Marcus Robinson (back) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is expected to miss at least one game. Wideout Billy McMullen would see increased playing time, and the team may also look to use wide receiver Bethel Johnson (hamstring), who is probable, given the possible lack of depth at the position.

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress (heel) is listed as probable but should play. If he couldn't play, wideouts Tim Carter or David Tyree would start in Burress' place.

New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles (calf) did not participate in some team drills in practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is listed as questionable for Week 8. He has yet to miss a game with his injury, although he was limited in Week 5. If Coles can't play, wideout Justin McCareins would likely step into the lineup.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Reggie Brown (quadriceps) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is listed as probable for Week 8. If he were unable to play, wide receivers Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis would both see more snaps.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (hamstring) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 5, and is listed as probable for Week 8. He said that he expects to play in Week 8. Wideout Reggie Brown (quadriceps), who is also probable, will become the team's No. 1 receiver if Stallworth can't play. Receivers Greg Lewis and rookie Hank Baskett would also get more playing time.

The Rest of the Field...

Chicago Bears wide receiver Mark Bradley (ankle) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and in Week 8 could be active for the first time since Week 2. If he cannot play, wideout Justin Gage would be the receiver activated for the game... Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is out for Week 8. With wide receiver Antonio Chatman (groin) questionable, the team may be forced to activate wideout Chris Henry after his two-game suspension... Cleveland Browns wide receiver Dennis Northcutt (ribs) missed a portion of practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is questionable for Week 8. If cannot play, wideout Josh Cribbs would see more snaps... The Green Bay Packers placed wide receiver Robert Ferguson (foot) on Injured Reserve Monday, Oct. 23... Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Brandon Stokley (ankle) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and isn't expected to play in Week 8. He is listed as questionable on the team's injury report. If he can't play, wideout Aaron Moorehead (back), who is also questionable but expected to play, would take Stokley's spot... Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter (suspension) returned to the team after the National Football League Players Association dropped its appeal of Porter's suspension. The organization and the team agreed that a two-game suspension for Porter was appropriate. Porter must adhere to team rules from this point forward... Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (toe) is listed as probable for Week 8. If he can't play, wideout Sean Morey may see time with the offense... Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cedrick Wilson (groin) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is listed as questionable for Week 8. If he can't play, wideout Nate Washington would likely serve as a starter... San Diego Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd (groin) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is expected to play in Week 8. He is listed as questionable. If he can't play, wideout Kassim Osgood would see more action... San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (groin) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is expected to play in Week 8. He is listed as questionable. If he can't play, wideout Kassim Osgood would likely play more... Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram (illness) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, but could play this week. He is listed as questionable. If he can't play, wideout D.J. Hackett would be the team's fourth receiver... Tennessee Titans wide receiver Brandon Jones (chest) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is questionable for Week 8. If he can't play, wide receiver Bobby Wade would get more time... Tennessee Titans wide receiver David Givens (thumb) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is questionable for Week 8. If he can't play, wideout Courtney Roby could see the field.

TIGHT ENDS

Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. (knee) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is expected to play in Week 8. He is listed as questionable. The team will monitor his surgically repaired knee for the remainder of the season. If he couldn't play, tight end Steve Heiden would replace him.

Philadelphia Eagles tight end L.J. Smith (back) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is listed as questionable for Week 8. He is expected to play, however. If he can't play, tight end Matt Schobel would start.

San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (hip) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and will play in Week 8. He is listed as probable. If he can't play, the team would be forced to use tight end Brandon Manumaleuna as a starter.

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (leg) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and has been ruled out for Week 8. Tight end Eric Johnson will continue to serve as the team's No. 1 tight end.

The Rest of the Field...

Indianapolis Colts tight end Ben Utecht (back) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is expected to play in Week 8. He is listed as questionable. If he can't play, tight end Bryan Fletcher would get time as the No. 2 tight end... New England Patriots tight end Daniel Graham (ankle) missed a portion of practice Wednesday, Oct. 25, and is listed as questionable for Week 8. Tight end David Thomas would see more time if Graham cannot play... New Orleans Saints tight end Ernie Conwell (knee) is out for Week 8. Tight ends Mark Campbell, Nate Lawrie and Billy Miller could all see time as a result.

PLACE KICKERS

Tennessee Titans place kicker Rob Bironas (groin) is questionable for Week 8. If he can't play, punter Craig Hentrich has experience kicking and could fill the role.