Cards place cornerback Eric Green on IR
November 27th, 2007
Tempe, AZ (Sports Network) - The Arizona Cardinals announced Tuesday that they placed starting cornerback Eric Green on injured reserve, ending his season.
Green tore his groin during Sunday's 37-31 overtime loss to San Francisco when he tackled 49ers running back Frank Gore.
In 11 games this season, Green recorded 51 tackles.
To fill the void on the roster, Arizona re-signed defensive end Bo Schobel.
Additionally, the team released punter Mike Barr and tight end Tim Euhus.
Brown activated; Colvin out for year
Troy Brown’s career with the Patriots isn’t over yet. But Rosevelt Colvin’s season is.
The Pats this afternoon activated the 15-year veteran Brown from the physically unable to perform list, giving him a chance to win a fourth Super Bowl in what could be his final season.
To make room for the wide receiver, the Pats released rookie defensive lineman Kareem Brown, a fourth-round pick.
In addition, the Patriots placed linebacker Rosevelt Colvin on injured reserve. The team had said he suffered a foot injury during Sunday night’s game against the Eagles.
To replace Colvin, the Pats re-signed veteran linebacker Chad Brown.
The loss of Colvin is a blow to the linebacking corps, while activating Brown should provide an emotional boost to the team.
By returning now, Brown has a chance to add to his assortment of team records. He’s the franchise’s receptions leader for a game (16), season (101) and career (557). He’s second to Stanley Morgan on the Pats’ all-time yardage list (6,366) and first in postseason receptions (58) and yards (694).
A noted team player who began his career on special teams, made the Pro Bowl as a receiver and then bailed the Patriots out during their 2004 Super Bowl season by filling in as a defensive back, Brown always put the team ahead of his personal goals, making him a fan and organization favorite.
He’ll be pressed for playing time as the seventh receiver on a team that hasn’t been able to find offensive snaps for wideouts Kelley Washington and Chad Jackson, but if Brown has proven one thing during his long career, it’s this - never count him out.
Brown’s 21-day practice window since being activated from the PUP was set to expire at 4 today. The Pats either had to add him to the 53-man roster, place him on season-ending injured reserve or release him.
bostonherald.com
Knee injury could sideline Bunkley
Eagles defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee Sunday night during the loss to New England. His status could be in question for this Sunday's home game against Seattle.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid also said that Brian Westbrook has a bruised knee.
"We'll see how [Bunkley] does over the next couple of days," Reid said at his news conference yesterday following the 31-28 loss at Gillette Stadium. "He has an MCL sprain, which caused his hamstring to spasm."
Reid said after the game Sunday that Bunkley had a hamstring injury. It appeared as if he may have suffered the injury on the Eagles' final competitive defensive play of the fourth quarter, when he had his legs cut from underneath him by guard Logan Mankins. Bunkley was in pursuit of running back Laurence Maroney and did not see Mankins coming from behind.
When the Eagles' defensive players lined up for the game-ending kneel-down a few minutes later, Bunkley was not on the field.
As for Westbrook, it would not be surprising if he missed some practice time as the Eagles prepare for a must-win game against the Seahawks.
"It's pretty sore right now," Reid said.
Reid said strong safety Quintin Mikell was making progress in his rehab from a sprained ligament in his right knee, which he suffered two games ago against Miami.
"Q's working very hard," Reid said. "It's very similar to what I mentioned about Donovan [McNabb]. Both those guys, the positions they play, you've got to be 100 percent or at least close to [it], to function out there."
J.R. Reed did a more than respectable job filling in for Mikell against the Patriots.
philly.com
Garcia in question, as is QB order
If the Bucs do need to use a backup against the Saints, it's uncertain which one.
TAMPA - Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia has a deep bruise in his lower back that is causing pain and could force him to miss Sunday's important NFC South showdown at New Orleans.
As a result, the Bucs will prepare another quarterback to play against the Saints.
It might not be Bruce Gradkowski.
Coach Jon Gruden said Monday that he will re-evaluate his order of backup quarterbacks and could turn to Luke McCown.
Gradkowski played poorly in Sunday's 19-13 win over the Washington Redskins, was loudly booed and eventually benched after going 9-of-19 for 100 yards.
"I expect more from him. He knows that. Our team knows that," Gruden said of Gradkowski on Monday.
"We're going to consider all the facts, we're going to take a look at the performance we see from Bruce Sunday, the status of Jeff's health and the fact that McCown is a promising young player that if you had time to give him repetitions, to get him ready to perform, maybe that's a different story. So we're going to think about all the facts, and hopefully before we go to bed (Monday), we'll have a pretty good direction as to where we're headed (today)."
If Garcia can't practice Wednesday, Gradkowski or McCown will get 100 percent of the repetitions, Gruden said. A final decision on Sunday's starter probably won't be made until later in the week.
Garcia was injured on the first play of the game when he scrambled and was hit between the ribs and his hip by Redskins defensive end Cornelius Griffin.
Garcia participated in two more plays before being replaced. X-rays revealed no fractures, and team doctors determined Garcia could play without risk of further damage. He returned for three series in the fourth quarter but failed to produce a first down.
Garcia was unavailable for comment Monday.
"I don't want to speculate at this point," Gruden said. "He might be ready to go Wednesday; he might not be. And he might be ready to go against the Saints, and he might not be, and we'll deal with that on a day-to-day basis. ... We'll see where he is (today) and the following day.
"There are a lot of guys who have had lower back injuries," Gruden said. "I don't like to compare this injury to the one Brad Johnson had in 2002 or the one that David Carr had, or the one that Tarvaris Jackson had in Minnesota. There have been a lot of guys with similar injuries. Everybody responds to them differently. The best I can do is say that he has a deep lower back bruise. He's a sore man right now, and his status is day to day."
McCown played briefly in relief of Garcia in the opener at Seattle, completing 1 of 4 passes for 9 yards.
Since then, McCown has been the inactive third quarterback, so his job in practice has been to run the opponent's offense.
When Gradkowski entered Sunday's game, the Redskins used a lot of eight-man fronts and blitzes to shut down the Bucs' running game, daring the second-year pro to beat them through the air. The best thing Gradkowski did might have been protecting the football.
"The No.1 thing you do as a backup quarterback coming into a game with three months of inactivity is not turn the ball over," Gruden said. "That's why we won the game. Washington turned it over repeatedly, we didn't, and we won the football game.
"There were some good signs, he managed the offense, he made some pretty good changes. We didn't protect very well, and there were some opportunities that maybe we could've had, but we didn't have an opportunity to look at."
Gradkowski said he isn't concerned that Gruden hasn't named a No.2 quarterback for Sunday's game.
"No, it doesn't bother me at all," Gradkowski said. "I'm going to prepare just like Jeff was the starter, just like I've been preparing and go into this game like, hey, there's probably more than likely a chance I'll be playing."
But that's a scenario Gruden hopes to avoid.
"We're concerned about (Garcia). I'll be honest," Gruden said. "I'm very concerned about Jeff, and I should be."
tampabay.com.
Bills' Lynch, Kelsay may be out against Redskins
November 28th, 2007
Orchard Park, NY (Sports Network) - Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron said after practice Wednesday that he is not optimistic that rookie running back Marshawn Lynch will return to action in Sunday's game at Washington. The Bills may also be without defensive end Chris Kelsay when they take on the Redskins.
Lynch, who worked out with trainers but did not practice Wednesday, has missed the last two games because of an ankle injury.
Lynch was hurt late in the fourth quarter of a November 11 game against Miami.
The 12th overall pick in the 2007 draft, Lynch has 751 yards on 196 carries with all six of Buffalo's rushing touchdowns in nine games. He has also caught 15 passes for 120 yards.
Lynch is not the only Bills running back battling injury, though, as backup Anthony Thomas also missed practice with a calf injury he suffered in Sunday's 36-14 loss to the Jaguars. Jauron said Wednesday that he is not "overly optimistic" about Thomas' chances for playing Sunday.
Kelsay suffered an ankle injury late against Jacksonville on Sunday, and was in a boot and on crutches on Wednesday.
McNabb a "good possibility" for Sunday
November 28th, 2007
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - While head coach Andy Reid reiterated Wednesday that, once healthy, he will be the starter, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said that he is progressing, and that there is a "good possibility" he will be healthy enough to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
McNabb missed Philadelphia's near-upset of the unbeaten Patriots with ankle and thumb injuries suffered against Miami. He suffered a sprained right ankle during the second quarter of the Eagles 17-7 win over the Dolphins on Nov. 18, but also jammed his right thumb during a throw in the first half.
Backup A.J. Feeley, who engineered a pair of touchdown drives in McNabb's absence to rally the Eagles against the Dolphins, threw for 345 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions, fueling a quarterback controversy in Philadelphia.
McNabb's thumb has progressed, but his ankle is still bothering him.
"He's getting better. He had a tough workout yesterday, a little bit longer workout throwing and cutting off the ankle and it's a bit tender today and a little bit puffy," Reid said in a story on the Eagles website. "He's living in the training room trying to get it right and it's frustrating the heck out of him because he wants to play," said Reid.
The 5-6 Eagles host the 7-4 Seahawks on Sunday.
Culpepper probably will start
The Broncos likely will face Raiders quarterback Daunte Culpepper in Sunday's game.
Culpepper helped the Raiders break a six-game losing streak with a win over Kansas City.
Oakland coach Lane Kiffin has said he plans to use 6-foot-6, 255-pound quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 pick in this year's draft who has yet to play for the Raiders as a rookie, during a game at some point this season but not have him debut as a starter.
denverpost.com
Wilson's Season Over
Pro Bowl safety must have surgery on heel
Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson, here drilling Ravens tight end Todd Heap earlier this season, has decided to undergo season-ending surgery on his heel.
The Cardinals have lost Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson for the season, with Wilson scheduling surgery to repair his injured heel/Achilles.
The team is expected to place Wilson on injured reserve.
Wilson hadn’t played since leaving early in the second half of the Nov. 11 game against Detroit. He said earlier this week he couldn’t push off on his bad right foot “or even have the confidence to try.”
Prior to the injury, Wilson hadn’t missed a game since 2002. He had played in 73 consecutive games, with 59 consecutive starts. He made the Pro Bowl last season for the first time with five sacks and four interceptions.
This season, playing less near the line of scrimmage in the Cards’ new scheme, Wilson was sackless but had two interceptions and 54 tackles in nine games.
With backup safety Aaron Francisco gimpy with a bad calf and starting cornerback Eric Green going to IR Tuesday with a groin tear, the Cards’ secondary is hurting going into Sunday’s game with Cleveland. Francisco said Monday he did not expect to be available this week.
azcardinals.com
Seahawks' Alexander likely to play after practicing
Associated Press
Running back pronounces himself ready following his first drills since spraining his ankle 31/2 weeks ago.
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander was back practicing Wednesday afternoon for the first time since he sprained his ankle 3 1/2 weeks ago and said he will play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Alexander got most of the carries with the offense, his first work since spraining his left knee Nov. 4 in a loss at Cleveland.
Saying his ankle and thumb have improved from injuries suffered Nov. 18 against Miami, Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb pronounced himself closer to returning but is still uncertain for the Seattle game.
"I feel a lot closer, but you have to be smart about the whole situation," McNabb said.
Meanwhile, Coach Andy Reid defused talk of a quarterback controversy between McNabb and A.J. Feeley, saying, "When Donovan's ready to come back physically then he'll be the starting quarterback. Let's not confuse words here."
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth made it through most of practice for the first time since hurting his right hamstring Nov. 4 but was still unsure about playing.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle is questionable for Sunday against San Diego after missing practice because of a sore back. He was injured Sunday against Oakland.
St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger was held out of practice, three days after sustaining a concussion, and his status remained in doubt for Sunday against Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers apologized for striking an NFL Films video camera with his helmet and hurting the unidentified cameraman as he left the field following Sunday's overtime loss to San Francisco. Rackers had just missed what would have been a winning 32-yard field goal. . . . Even after slogging their way to victory over Miami on as bad a field as the NFL has seen in years Monday night, Pittsburgh Steelers players were lobbying hard for the team to resist any NFL pressure to install artificial turf.
Bucs Leaning Toward McCown
TAMPA - It was still too early Wednesday to know who will be the Bucs quarterback in New Orleans on Sunday. It was not too early to know who probably won't be their quarterback.
Though Bucs coach Jon Gruden refused to tip his hand, it appears Bruce Gradkowski will not get a chance to redeem himself after a non-productive relief outing last week against Washington.
Instead, the Bucs appeared Wednesday to be leaning toward starting the relatively unknown and untested Luke McCown should Jeff Garcia's aching back prohibit him from playing.
While Garcia skipped the workout to have treatment on his back, McCown got the greater share of the snaps two days after Gruden said during his radio show that he would give the bulk of those snaps to the projected starter.
But if starting McCown is the Bucs' plan, they're not saying. Hoping the uncertainty regarding their quarterback may actually give them an edge, the Bucs are trying to keep their best to keep their plans a secret.
"We might not want everybody to know what we're doing - you know what I mean," said Gruden, who would only acknowledge Wednesday to giving Gradkowski and McCown practice snaps.
"I think there is something to the unknown because what do they prepare for?" Bucs quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett said. "Is it going to be a Jeff Garcia game plan? Well, if Garcia plays, then it will be. But if Jeff doesn't play, then what do you prepare for? I think keeping it a little unsure can be a good thing strategically from our standpoint."
McCown and Gradkowski played along Wednesday, neither saying which one got the greater share of snaps during what amounted to two walk-through workouts. All that's known for sure is that Garcia didn't take any snaps.
He spent the day attending meetings, studying the Saints and getting treatment on his back. He also did not sound like a player who was close to getting back on the field anytime soon.
"Right now, I'm not ready to test my back in that sort of way," Garcia said when asked if he was close to returning to practice. "I don't think that would be a smart move on my behalf. To go out there and try to run around would create a negative effect instead of a positive one."
Garcia said two days ago that his back was so sore that he could not even attempt to throw a ball. He reiterated that point Wednesday, but added that his limitations go far beyond that.
"Throwing the ball is the least of my concerns right now," Garcia said. "It's more the normalcy of playing the quarterback position, of getting away from the center, getting into my drop, being able to turn and hand off.
"All those things that challenge your back in certain ways, that's really where my predicament is. I can rotate side to side. It's front and back where I'm having the issues right now."
Garcia refused to rule himself out of the game, and all involved said it likely will come down to a game-time decision. The only problem is that it could make it harder for a reserve to excel.
Hackett pointed out, though, that part of a backup's job is to go in at a moment's notice and play at a high level. Gradkowski's failure to do that is apparently one reason the Bucs may be leaning toward starting McCown this week.
After taking over for Garcia five plays into the Washington game, Gradkowski failed to take full advantage of several great scoring chances while completing nine of 19 throws for 106 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.
"I was happy with the overall," Hackett said in evaluating Gradkowski's performance. "But my goodness gracious, there were half a dozen plays you would love to think that at this stage he would make those plays. I think that was the disappointing thing. The guy who is in that role has to come in and slam the door in that situation. If you don't slam the door, then you're suspect."
McCown is suspect, but for a different reason. He has played one game for the Bucs since coming to them in a trade with Cleveland in 2005 and has played in six NFL games during his four-year career.
"Not to me he isn't," Hackett said when asked if McCown was an unknown. "I saw his senior tape at Louisiana Tech. I got on the table and screamed to trade for him from Cleveland. But as far as performing in a game here, he's played a little in the preseason and that's it."
McCown said lack of playing time shouldn't be a problem.
"We'll just have to see," he said. "I had plenty of time in the preseason. I wouldn't use that as an excuse anyway."
tampatrib.com.
Saints DT Young set to return this weekend
November 28, 2007
METAIRIE, La. (AP) -Saints defensive tackle Brian Young, who has missed four games with a knee injury, practiced Wednesday and is expected to return for Sunday's crucial NFC South matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Reggie Bush sat out portions of practice as he did last week with a bruised left shin, but is expected to play.
Young's return could help, depending on how quickly he regains his early season form, when he was briefly the team leader in sacks with three.
``There's no real pain sensation in my knee right now. It's just a matter of getting the strength and endurance back and having to get used to wearing a brace,'' Young said. ``I think I'll be fine. ... It's been amazing how quick it's healed and how little problems I've had with it.''
Young first began to experience swelling in his left knee after the Saints defeated Atlanta in Week 7. He had fluid drained and played in Week 8 at San Francisco, where he got his third sack. He was unable to play the following week against Jacksonville, however, and opted to have arthroscopic surgery.
Young said he wasn't able to start running until late last week, but ran for more than four hours both on Friday and Monday before being cleared to return to practice.
Now in his eighth NFL season, Young said he has never missed four straight games in his career.
``That aspect has been difficult for me to deal with,'' Young said. ``I know my wife hasn't been happy with me because I've been a real (pain) around the house.''
Young, who also missed most of training camp with a broken foot, is now second on the team in sacks behind defensive end Will Smith, who has four.
``Any time you can get a starter back, it's certainly a help,'' coach Sean Payton said. ``We're counting on him this week. He gives you a good pass rush.''
Testaverde back at practice, backup QB unclear for Panthers
November 28, 2007
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -Vinny Testaverde was back on the field Wednesday for the Carolina Panthers in the role of starting quarterback.
His backup, however, remains a mystery.
The 44-year-old Testaverde was a late scratch Sunday after waking up a day earlier with a stiff back. Testaverde, who missed one game and portions of another earlier this season with a right Achilles' tendon injury, practiced without difficulty Wednesday.
``He looks a lot better today than he did Sunday morning,'' coach John Fox said.
Fox again said Testaverde would start Sunday against San Francisco if he remained healthy. Fox wouldn't say whether David Carr, who struggled in Sunday's loss to New Orleans, or undrafted rookie Matt Moore would serve as Testaverde's backup.
``Those will be decisions we make as we go through the week,'' Fox said. ``We announce that an hour and a half before kickoff.''
Carr, signed by the Panthers in the offseason, completed only 10 of 22 passes for 95 yards and two interceptions against the Saints. He was repeatedly booed by the home fans, who started chanting ``We Want Moore'' late in the first half.
Moore eventually replaced Carr early in the fourth quarter after Carr's second interception. Moore completed eight of 14 passes for 66 yards and an interception.
Fox said Monday he didn't want to play Moore too much as he continues to learn the offense and the NFL game.
Lions say knee injury means CB Stanley Wilson's season is over
November 28, 2007
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -A knee injury has ended the season for Detroit Lions cornerback Stanley Wilson.
The team placed Wilson on injured reserve list and signed cornerback Ramzee Robinson from the practice squad Wednesday. Wilson hurt his knee in a 37-26 Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Robinson is making his second appearance on the active roster. Detroit called him up for a game against Tampa Bay on Oct. 21, when he made two special teams tackles.
Rams QB Bulger ruled out against Falcons
November 29th, 2007
St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger will not play this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons after not passing the required neuropsych tests following a concussion from last weekend.
Bulger underwent the neuropsych testing on Wednesday and missed practice. Prior to the season, all players are required to take a baseline test that must be repeated if a concussion is suffered.
Bulger, who sustained the injury in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to Seattle, has thrown six touchdowns to go along with nine interceptions in nine games this season.
Steelers place FB Kreider on injured reserve
November 29th, 2007
Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Steelers placed fullback Dan Kreider on injured reserve Thursday after suffering a season-ending knee injury Monday night against Miami.
Kreider, an eight-year veteran, started four games this season for the Steelers and carried the ball once for two yards. He also caught one pass for 15 yards.
To take Kreider's spot on the 53-man roster, Pittsburgh signed tight end Jon Dekker.