McNabb doubtful for Sunday
November 30th, 2007
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is doubtful for Sunday's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
McNabb, who did not participate in practice for the third straight day, 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 in the 31-28 loss at New England Sunday, fueling a quarterback controversy in Philadelphia.
McNabb's thumb has progressed, but his ankle is still bothering him.
Starting strong safety Quintin Mikell is also doubtful for Sunday with a sprained MCL.
Bills' Lynch out Sunday against Washington
November 30th, 2007
Orchard Park, NY (Sports Network) - Buffalo running back Marshawn Lynch will miss his third straight game because of an ankle injury when the Bills play at Washington Sunday.
Lynch, who practiced Friday on a limited basis, 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.
Defensive end Chris Kelsey is out as well with a left ankle injury suffered during Buffalo's loss to Jacksonville Sunday.
Linebacker Coy Wire (neck) and cornerback Jerametrius Butler (calf) have also been ruled out.
Croyle out for Chargers game
November 30th, 2007
Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle will miss Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers with a back injury, meaning Damon Huard will start under center.
Croyle sustained the injury early in Kansas City's 20-17 loss to the Raiders last Sunday, but played through it, completing 12-of-23 passes for 145 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.
"It's very, very sore," said head coach Herm Edwards of Croyle's back. "He threw a little bit but he can't move well."
Croyle has played in five games for the Chiefs this season, posting a 76.6 passer rating with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Huard, in comparison, has eights TDs and 11 picks nine games.
Texans running back Ahman Green to miss 3rd straight game with knee injury
November 30, 2007
HOUSTON (AP) -Texans running back Ahman Green will miss his third straight game Sunday against Tennessee with a knee injury and Ron Dayne will start in his place.
Green's knee has swelled and bothered him since Week 2, and he has missed five games and played sparingly in the other four since. He practiced more this week than he has in a while, but isn't ready to play.
``It's obvious that when he has extended activity on it, it gives him issues,'' coach Gary Kubiak said. ``Our process these last two days was to push him and see how he responded. He came back this morning and the knee did not swell, he felt good.''
Green signed a four-year, $23 million contract in March. He has 70 carries for 260 yards.
Dayne has 289 yards rushing in the last three games.
Adrian Peterson probable for Vikings against the Lions on Sunday
November 30, 2007
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -Running back Adrian Peterson was listed as probable for the Vikings' game against the Lions on Sunday after missing two games because of a torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.
``He had some soreness, which you would expect ... just from the inactivity,'' coach Brad Childress said after practice Friday.
``It's not going to slow me down,'' Peterson said of the soreness. ``I'm going to be out there going full speed. It's just a matter of feeling what it's like when I get hit.''
Despite the two-game absence, Peterson leads the league in rushing with 1,081 yards and is also first at his position for Pro Bowl votes by fans.
Wide receiver Troy Williamson was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game due to lingering effects from a concussion. He missed Thursday's practice with persistent headaches, and didn't participate Friday.
Backup safety Tank Williams was ruled out with a knee injury, and backup linebacker Dontarrious Thomas (groin) and cornerback Antoine Winfield (hamstring) were questionable.
Defensive end Kenechi Udeze had another excused absence Friday related to the recent birth of his daughter, but Childress expected him to play against Detroit.
Jets' Cotchery out against Dolphins
November 30th, 2007
Hempstead, NY (Sports Network) - New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery will not play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins due to an injured right index finger.
Cotchery, who did not participate in practice all week, was listed as questionable. In 11 games this season, the former North Carolina State product has 54 receptions for 730 yards and a touchdown.
In other injury news, wide receiver Laveranues Coles was limited in practice for the second straight day with an ankle injury, but is listed as probable.
Coles, who leads the Jets with six touchdowns, has 43 catches for 529 yards on the year.
Broncos' Henry, Young could play vs. Raiders, but Hall likely out
November 30th, 2007
Englewood, CO (Sports Network) - Denver Broncos running backs Travis Henry and Selvin Young both practiced Friday and are each listed as probable for Sunday's game in Oakland against the Raiders.
Henry has been out since partially tearing his posterior cruciate ligament November 4 in a loss to Detroit. Young missed last week's overtime loss to the Bears with a strained knee suffered November 19 against the Titans.
"They should be ready to go," Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan said of his backfield duo.
Shanahan also noted that he had not received any information from the league regarding Henry's appeal for a drug-related suspension, which was filed November 16.
Meanwhile, running back Andre Hall, who filled in for the injured pair in front of him against the Bears, missed practice for the third consecutive day and will likely be out for the Raiders game with a high ankle sprain.
Hall rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-34 loss at Chicago.
Broncos wide receivers Brandon Stokley and Javon Walker both participated fully in practice for the second straight day Friday. Stokley is listed as probable for the Raiders game, while Walker's status is still being called questionable.
Gruden won't tip his hand
With starting quarterback Jeff Garcia's status uncertain for Sunday because of a lower back injury, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden did not want to tip his hand on whom would start.
Gruden did not even want to announce if he had changed the quarterback depth chart, promoting Luke McCown over Bruce Gradkowski.
"We'll expect Jeff to play, and for the time being, we'll get the other guys read to go," Gruden said.
The "other guys," have a combined record of 3-12 as starters compared to Garcia's career mark of 51-52.
"They both got reps," Gruden said of McCown and Gradkowski after Wednesday's practice. "We'll just say we're getting them both ready, and if need be, we'll go with one of the two."
That's about as definitive as Gruden would get.
The two players said they were preparing to start.
"All three of us are getting ready to go," McCown said. "We will play whatever role we are asked to play."
McCown described coming off the bench at quarterback as the toughest job in football.
"You don't get the reps during the week, and you have been standing around for the majority of the game," McCown said. "It is a difficult thing to do."
Gradkowski said the quarterback uncertainty did not bother him. Gradkowski has completed 13-of-24 passes for 130 yards this season. McCown has just one completion for nine yards and four attempts this year.
Garcia has passed for 2,135 yards and 11 touchdowns.
"You just have to hop on the roller coaster," Gradkowski said. "Whatever happens, happens, and just go with the flow and be prepared. We're in the playoff hunt right now, and we need to do what's best to win football games, whatever that may be."
floridatoday.com
Steelers' Holmes out, Polamalu and Smith doubtful for Sunday
Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely be without the services of wide receiver Santonio Holmes, safety Troy Polamalu, and left tackle Marvel Smith when they take on the division-rival Bengals on Sunday night.
Holmes has already been listed as out for Sunday with a sprained ankle that kept him out of last week's 3-0 win over the Miami Dolphins. Polamalu also missed the Dolphins game with a sprained knee. Both starters sustained their injuries in Pittsburgh's 19-16 overtime loss to the woeful Jets on Nov. 18, and neither practiced this week.
Smith was a last-minute scratch on Monday night with a sore back, and did not practice this week.
The 8-3 Steelers will look to keep their hold on the top spot in the AFC North by sweeping the season series from 4-7 Cincinnati. The 7-4 Browns travel to 5-6 Arizona on Sunday.
Alexander to start Sunday
Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander will start Sunday's game at Philadelphia, according to head coach Mike Holmgren.
Alexander has been sidelined with various ailments, including a knee injury, since an overtime loss to Cleveland on November 4. He practiced again on Friday.
"He's moving. He is really moving well," Holmgren said. "He has no pain and he wants to play. I'm probably going to play Mo (Maurice Morris) too. We're going to play them both."
Alexander, a former league MVP, has amassed 492 yards on the ground with two touchdowns this season.
The Seahawks enter the contest on a three-game winning streak and a 7-4 record, holding a two-game lead on Arizona in the NFC West.
"It always helps. Think of this now, we're getting back the MVP of the league," Holmgren said. "Last year when he was hurt we struggled just a little bit. He came back and gave us a little bit of burst at the end there, remember. I'm hopeful it will be the same thing this year."
Broncos' Henry, Young could play vs. Raiders, but Hall likely out
Englewood, CO (Sports Network) - Denver Broncos running backs Travis Henry and Selvin Young both practiced Friday and are each listed as probable for Sunday's game in Oakland against the Raiders.
Henry has been out since partially tearing his posterior cruciate ligament November 4 in a loss to Detroit. Young missed last week's overtime loss to the Bears with a strained knee suffered November 19 against the Titans.
"They should be ready to go," Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan said of his backfield duo.
Shanahan also noted that he had not received any information from the league regarding Henry's appeal for a drug-related suspension, which was filed November 16.
Meanwhile, running back Andre Hall, who filled in for the injured pair in front of him against the Bears, missed practice for the third consecutive day and will likely be out for the Raiders game with a high ankle sprain.
Hall rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-34 loss at Chicago.
Broncos wide receivers Brandon Stokley and Javon Walker both participated fully in practice for the second straight day Friday. Stokley is listed as probable for the Raiders game, while Walker's status is still being called questionable.
Week 13 Injury Effects
VegasInsider.com
Injuries can play a huge role in NFL line analysis when it comes to where the value is. This weekend we see a couple of key games with playoff positioning involved that certainly could be impacted by the injury bug. This is particularly a key because the injuries are at the all-important quarterback position.
New Orleans (-3) vs Tampa Bay
The inconsistent Saints have been handed a gift this week as they have the opportunity to pick up a game in the standings when the first place Buccaneers come to the Superdome with the quarterback situation very up in the air. Jeff Garcia is nursing a sore back and is unlikely to play. This is leaving the Bucs to go with either Bruce Gradkowski or Luke McCown. Garcia is not in the Manning or Brady class but he has done exactly what Jon Gruden has asked this year. Garcia has done a good job with game management and this has led the Buccaneers to their surprising 7-4 record.
Tampa Bay might also be without running back Michael Pittman which will add even more pressure to the play of the quarterback position. Tampa won the first meeting this year 31-17. Garcia was 10 for 16 with two touchdowns and no interceptions. We see this one being a different story as whoever is leading the Tampa offense is going to have to throw more than 16 times and they will be playing from behind early. We also see the -3 being too low in this one as this will be the Saints last chance to make a playoff push. We are not saying this is a definite play for us just yet but we’re definitely taking a long look!
San Diego (-5) at Kansas City
The AFC West is still very much up for grabs and the (6-5) Chargers will have the Arrowhead Stadium home field advantage quite neutralized in this one! That’s because the Chiefs will be starting a quarterback that will not be 100%. Both Brodie Croyle (back) and Damon Huard (neck) are going to be limited from a mobility standpoint and that should make the Chargers pass-rush even more dangerous than it already is.
Complicating matters for the Chiefs is that they – like the already mentioned Buccaneers - will be using their third-string running back making Croyle or Huard’s job even tougher. The Chiefs offense has been terrible all year and that was even with a healthy Larry Johnson. As a result of the injuries, we foresee the Chargers turning in a dominating defensive performance in this one. San Diego may very well cover the five points on the road with ease as their offense might not have to do much to cover against the punch less Chiefs offense. This is another game that gets a long look from us!
Seattle (+3) at Philadelphia
In what might be one of the best games this weekend, the recently high flying Seahawks will bring their air-show to Philly against an Eagles team that is flying high as well after their moral victory from last weeks game against the Patriots. The Eagles will probably be without Donovan McNabb who is making his usual end of the season appearance on the injury list. The Eagles have been a tough call this year but the play of Feely last week certainly allows the rest of the team to know that they are not dead in the water without McNabb.
The Seahawks have placed the fortunes of their season on the right arm of Matt Hasselbeck and he has led them to three straight wins. We think there is a very good chance the Eagles are getting over-valued here after their performance against New England since no one had been able to stay as close to the Pats as they did. Keep in mind though that no matter how good New England is – they were not going to continue to dominate everyone and that was probably a let down game for them knowing McNabb was hurt. Also helping Seattle here is that the Seahawks defense has played very well of late and we see that trend continuing in this one as they just might pull the upset on the road. Another one we will keep an eye on as Sunday approaches!
Zach Thomas to miss 5th game in row
November 30, 2007
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas will miss his fifth straight game Sunday against the New York Jets because of migraines.
He sustained whiplash in a car crash following a loss to the New England Patriots in October and has had recurring migraines since.
Thomas also missed two games in September because of a concussion.
There are increasing concerns the seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker will be sidelined the rest of the season.
``It's a situation where it's tough on him and it's tough on us, but he's dealing with it as a professional,'' coach Cam Cameron said Friday.
Giants starters Ross, Wilson, Jacobs don't make trip to Chicago for game Sunday
December 1, 2007
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -Cornerback Aaron Ross and safety Gibril Wilson will not play for the New York Giants against the Chicago Bears on Sunday because of injuries.
Wilson, Ross, halfback Brandon Jacobs and receiver Steve Smith were left home Saturday when the Giants flew to Chicago.
Ross, the Giants' first-round draft pick, aggravated a hamstring injury in last weekend's loss to Minnesota and did not practice all week. Gibril missed practice on Thursday and Friday with a knee injury.
Kevin Dockery, who replaced Ross for most of the second half and played well, will start. Rookie Michael Johnson is expected to fill in for Wilson.
Johnson started a game earlier this season when safety James Butler was sidelined.
Jacobs will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Reuben Droughns started last week, but there is a chance that Derrick Ward will return to the lineup this week. He has been bothered by ankle and groin problems.
Ward started three games earlier this year after Jacobs went down in the season opener with a knee injury.
Smith has been sidelined for about two months with shoulder and hamstring injuries.