| Drew Bledsoe’s status for the Patriots’
game against Cleveland Sunday is still up in the air. Bledsoe was able to practice a bit
Friday. If Bledsoe can’t play, John Friesz will start. 
The Cowboys’ QB situation won’t be determined until game time Sunday. Dallas
head coach Dave Campo will wait to see how Troy Aikman’s back responds to the
week of practices before naming his starter against Cincinnati. If Aikman’s back is
OK, he’ll get the start over Randall Cunningham, who has been bothered by a
sore knee but did practice Friday.
WR Terrell Owens (turf toe) participated in a portion of the 49ers’
practice Friday, but his status for Sunday is still questionable.
Speaking of turf toe, Titans RB Eddie George is bothered by turf toe in addition
to his knee injury, but he likely will play Sunday. WR Carl Pickens has been
deactivated, but Yancey Thigpen may finally be able to return to action for the
Titans.
And, in yet another case of turf toe, Panthers RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka is
questionable for Sunday’s game vs. New Orleans because of the injury, on top of the
knee injury he is trying to overcome. If Biakabutuka is unable to play Sunday, rookie Brad
Hoover and Michael Bates would have to pick up the slack.
Chris Chandler will serve as the Falcons’ emergency quarterback Sunday at
Detroit, opening the way for Danny Kanell to start.
Raiders PK Sebastian Janikowski, who has a foot infection, tried a few field
goals in practice Saturday, but the team wasn’t optimistic about his ability to kick
in its Monday-night game against Denver. A decision on his availability probably
won’t be made until Monday. If Janikowski is unable to kick Monday night, the Raiders
will likely sign either Chris Boniol or Brett Conway, two veterans they
worked out during the week. Regarding other Raiders injuries, RB Tyrone Wheatley
(ankle) was unable to practice Saturday, and FB Jon Ritchie tried to practice but
couldn’t finish because of groin and calf injuries. DE Lance Johnstone has
been deactivated.
The Jets have lost TE Fred Baxter with a broken hand suffered in practice this
week. Rookie Anthony Becht will replace Baxter in the starting lineup.
The Browns will be without two wide receivers Sunday — David Patten and Darrin
Chiaverini — after Chiaverini banged up his knee in practice Friday. The Browns
signed former Notre Dame WR Bobby Brown from their practice spot to replace
Chiaverini.
Green Bay RB Dorsey Levens underwent surgery on his right knee and
could miss the rest of the season. The best-case scenario for the Packers is that Levens
might be able to return late in the season. The Packers also could be vulnerable at
weak-side linebacker, now that Brian Williams may be out for the rest of the
season. In addition to the loss of Williams, his replacement, Nate Wayne, is
bothered by painful blisters on his feet.
Ravens rookie WR Travis Taylor was placed on injured reserve with a broken
clavicle. |
