| In what would have to be termed a remarkably quick recovery,
Rams RB Marshall Faulk will play Monday night against Washington. Because
his knee showed no swelling following two days of practices only two weeks after
undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, Rams coach Mike Martz said he would
play Faulk, but only to the extent that the knee would allow. "The knee's not as
strong as it was, so you have to be careful," Martz said late Friday.
Although Broncos RB Terrell Davis appeared to have regained his Pro
Bowl form since returning from injury, his status for Sunday's game has been downgraded
from probable to questionable. Davis has said he felt soreness above his left ankle the
past two weeks, a condition he believes is related to the severely sprained ankle that
forced him to miss five full games and parts of two others earlier this season.
Panthers RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka will not play Sunday at Minnesota so
that he can rest a turf toe injury. Biakabutuka didn't practice all week and didn't even
make the trip to Minnesota. RB Brad Hoover and FB Chris
Hetherington will start in the backfield because of the absences of Biakabutuka
and FB William Floyd, who is out with broken ribs.
Brett Favre's NFL-record streak of 135 consecutive starts appeared to
be in jeopardy earlier this week, but Favre has now been named the starter for Sunday's
game against the Colts despite a severely sprained left foot.
49ers WR Terrell Owens still is very questionable for Sunday's game
after he didn't practice Friday because of his turf toe injury. Teammate RB Fred
Beasley practiced Friday but is less than 100 percent.
Falcons QB Chris Chandler will start Sunday vs. San Francisco after
missing last week's game with a concussion.
Bills RB Sammy Morris won't play Sunday at Kansas City after suffering
thigh and ankle injuries in consecutive games. Shawn Bryson will start in
Morris' absence, with Jonathon Linton and Antowain Smith
likely seeing more action as backups to Bryson.
The Raiders still hadn't decided whether RB Tyrone Wheatley (ankle) or
PK Sebastian Janikowski (foot infection) would play Sunday at New
Orleans.
Although Titans RB Eddie George hasn't been completely healthy while
playing in his team's last three games, he is expected to start again Sunday against the
Browns and may be more healthy than he had been. Among the Titans' injured corps of wide
receivers, the only one who didn't practice Friday and thus may miss Sunday's game is Carl
Pickens.
Dolphins RB Lamar Smith has a slight hamstring injury but was able to
practice Friday. WR Oronde Gadsden also is expected to play Sunday
despite a knee injury.
Rams PK Jeff Wilkins is not expected to play Monday night and will be
replaced by Jeff Hall. Meanwhile, FB Robert Holcombe and
CB Todd Lyght were reported to be ready to return to action.
Giants WR Amani Toomer seems to have recovered from the concussion he
suffered last week and is expected to play Sunday.
Bears weakside LB Warrick Holdman tore a knee ligament in Thursday's
practice and may miss the rest of the season.
Dolphins MLB Zach Thomas will miss his fourth consecutive game Sunday
because of an ankle injury.
Cardinals C Mike Gruttadauria will miss the rest of the season because
of a career-threatening herniated cervical disc.
Falcons OT Bob Whitfield's team-record streak of 123 consecutive
starts is in jeopardy after he missed a third straight day of practice because of a burner
in his neck. He is listed as doubtful for Sunday.
Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe will start Sunday despite a jammed right
thumb that hampered his play last week.
Chad Morton and Jerald Moore will fill the void
created by the injury to Saints RB Ricky Williams. The Saints also signed
former Pro Bowl RB Terry Allen but weren't certain if they would activate
him for Sunday's game against the Raiders.
Broncos QB Gus Frerotte will start in the place of the injured Brian
Griese (out at least 3-4 weeks), and Bears QB Shane Matthews
replaces Jim Miller (out for the season). |
