NFL to reinstate Packers' Robinson
October 17th, 2007
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Packers wide receiver Koren Robinson, who served a year-long suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, will be reinstated by the league on Thursday.
"We understand and appreciate the Commissioner's consideration in this matter," said Packers general manager Ted Thompson in a statement. "It's been a year since we've seen Koren, so our first step is to have him return to Green Bay. The Packers will request a roster exemption, during which time we would see where Koren is at in terms of football shape."
In the summer of 2006, Robinson was arrested near Vikings' training camp in Mankato, Minnesota for a number of traffic and alcohol violations. In 2005, Robinson pleaded guilty for a drunk driving offense while one of the conditions of his probation was that he not drink or have any other legal problems.
The Vikings cut Robinson before the start of the 2006 season and Green Bay signed him that September.
He played in four games in 2006 with the Packers and caught seven passes for 89 yards before receiving the one-year ban.
The troubled wideout was also suspended four games in 2004 after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy when he was with Seattle.
"We are aware how difficult this past year has been for Koren, but the Packers are grateful for the progress he's made, as evidenced by this reinstatement," added Thompson."
The ninth overall selection by the Seahawks in the 2001 NFL Draft, Robinson looked like he was on his way to stardom with Seattle before off- the-field problems threatened his career.
Robinson caught 78 passes for 1,240 yards and five touchdowns in 2002 before his suspension in 2004. In 2005, after his DUI arrest became public, Robinson was released by the Seahawks.
The Vikings took a chance on Robinson and signed him before the 2005 season. The former North Carolina State star developed into a Pro Bowl kick returner and, by the end of the season, was the club's top playmaker.
Robinson caught 22 balls for 347 yards and a touchdown in 14 games (five starts) in 2005 with Minnesota. He also returned 47 kicks for 1,221 yards and a touchdown.
For his six-year career, Robinson has 242 receptions for 3,603 yards and 13 touchdowns in 75 games with Seattle, Minnesota and Green Bay.
McAlister likely out
Doubtful Sunday with knee strain, he might return after bye
Chris McAlister said last night that he has been told by the Ravens that he will miss three weeks with a strained right knee, but the Pro Bowl cornerback wouldn't rule out returning for the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 5.
McAlister acknowledged that the knee has bothered him the past couple of weeks.
"I just decided to work through it because we had a lot of injuries," McAlister said. "I'm glad we have the bye week [Oct. 28]."
McAlister, 30, did not miss any snaps in Sunday's 22-3 win over the St. Louis Rams, and it only became known that he had a knee injury Monday, when the Ravens said he was day-to-day.
Yesterday, ESPN Radio 1300 said McAlister would miss four to five weeks with a torn posterior cruciate ligament.
Asked whether he would miss the Steelers game, McAlister said: "I wouldn't say that."
On his weekly show on WBAL Radio, coach Brian Billick seemed more optimistic than McAlister about the injury.
He indicated that McAlister is "doubtful" for Sunday's game at Buffalo and sounded positive about McAlister's chances of playing after the bye.
"It's my understanding that there's a strong likelihood he will be available for Pittsburgh," Billick said. "I don't know that he won't be available this weekend."
Billick disputed the report on ESPN Radio.
"That's not accurate," he said. "Chris has a knee strain as it's been characterized. I don't know the actual degree. I think people are kind of making things up."
If McAlister is out Sunday, the Ravens likely would replace him with Corey Ivy, who has started four games this season.
www.baltsun.com
Morris may miss month
Patriots running back Sammy Morris injured a bone in his chest and will miss this week’s game against the Dolphins and probably more, according to a league source.
Morris was injured on the second play of the third quarter of Sunday’s 48-27 victory over the Cowboys when teammate Stephen Neal and Cowboys linebacker Bradie James landed their 555 total pounds on his chest simultaneously following a 2-yard run.
Morris stayed down and teammate Donte’ Stallworth immediately waved on the medical staff as concerned Cowboys players also stood around him. After about five minutes, Morris left the field under his own power.
According to the source, Morris injured the bone connecting the sternum to the clavicle and left the stadium in a sling and in excruciating pain. He could miss a month. If there’s a positive, it’s that the preliminary diagnosis did not reveal any broken bones.
Losing Morris is a blow for the Patriots [team stats], who worked out free agent running back Kevan Barlow yesterday to fill the void left by Morris’s departure. Morris had been a key cog for the Pats in the absence of starting tailback Laurence Maroney [stats], who has missed three straight games with a groin injury.
Morris rushed for more than 100 yards in his first two starts. The Cowboys limited him to just 14 yards on 10 carries, but with the Patriots opening a big second-half lead, he likely would have been called upon to carry the ball more late in the game.
With Morris out against his former team - a game he had no doubt circled on the calendar - the Patriots are relying on Maroney to return. He worked out in uniform before the Cowboys game and appeared to be moving and cutting well, which has to be considered a good sign.
However, the Pats will take things slow with Maroney, which means his return is not guaranteed.
www.bostonherald.com
Steelers Notebook -- Ward, Polamalu, Holmes returning
The Steelers will welcome at least three of their four injured starters back this week and may even make it four-for-four.
Coach Mike Tomlin said wide receivers Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes and strong safety Troy Polamalu will return to the lineup for Sunday night's game in Denver.
All three missed the last game with various injuries and Ward has missed the past two.
The only one of the four starters whose status has not been determined is nose tackle Casey Hampton. He missed the last game with a hamstring injury that Tomlin said will limit him in practice today. The coach said his staff members will monitor Hampton as the week progresses and they are "hopeful" he will play.
Also, backup tight end Jerame Tuman has had back spasms that might limit him in practice and No. 3 cornerback Bryant McFadden remains doubtful with a high ankle sprain.
"Hines Ward is going to be fine," Tomlin said. "He's going to practice tomorrow. All tests to this point have been very positive. I know he's excited about being back in there, as are we to have him back in there."
Legal difficulties
The NFL still has not ruled on Travis Henry's positive drug test that could prompt the league to suspend Denver's running back for a year.
Tomlin said, "I expect Travis Henry to play" Sunday. Henry is seventh in the NFL with 498 yards rushing, nine yards behind Willie Parker, who is sixth.
Tomlin also said he does not expect Najeh Davenport's legal issues to be a factor.
"Not at all," Tomlin said.
Davenport pleaded not guilty in a Cleveland court Monday to misdemeanor counts of domestic violence and endangering children in a custody case. He posted bail of $7,500 and is not due back in court until Nov. 20.
Road warriors
The Steelers have traveled by air just once through the first six weeks of the season but will do so twice over the next two weeks. Their first experience was not a good one and resulted in their only loss, 21-14, at Arizona Sept. 30.
"Specifically this week, we talked about having an opportunity to respond to our last road outing," Tomlin said.
"The last time we were on the road, we didn't feel like we played up to our standards. We put the challenge out to our football team that we're going into a hostile environment, to say the least. We have to be prepared to be at our best."
The Steelers also won their opener at Cleveland, 34-7, but traveled there by bus.
www.post-gazette.com
Leftwich takes over as Atlanta's starting QB
October 17, 2007
Associated Press
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- On his first day as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback, Byron Leftwich felt like a kid.
"Football has been really taken away from me the last month and a half," he said. "It just seems like it's a new feeling. It's all fun again. Any time you're not out there, it's a tough situation to deal with."
Whether Leftwich can energize Atlanta's struggling offense remains to be seen. First-year coach Bobby Petrino said Wednesday that Leftwich would take over the Falcons (1-5) from Joey Harrington for the rest of the season.
"That's the big part of it," Petrino said. "We need to make a change and get something going."
The decision wasn't difficult for Petrino after the offense failed to score off three New York turnovers in a 31-10 loss to the Giants on Monday night.
Petrino indicated that Leftwich might have played against New York if he hadn't missed so much practice with a mild ankle sprain. Leftwich has shown Petrino and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, who worked as Jacksonville's offensive coordinator when the Jaguars drafted Leftwich seventh overall in 2003, that he understands the offense well enough.
"He's come along with it," Petrino said. "He's been here a month now. I wish he would've gotten all those reps he missed last week with the ankle injury, but the ankle feels good, and that's a good thing."
Leftwich, who went 24-20 in four years with Jacksonville, signed a two-year, $7 million contract last month after being released. In his only appearance with Atlanta, Leftwich was 2-of-8 for 28 yards and one interception after replacing Harrington in the fourth quarter of a 20-13 loss at Tennessee two weeks ago.
The Falcons are 0-1 in the NFC South heading into Sunday's game at New Orleans (1-4). Petrino, whose offense has scored only seven touchdowns with Michael Vick suspended, believes his team can still gain ground in the division.
Regardless, Petrino has seen enough of Harrington, whose statistics are respectable with a 63.1 completion percentage and a passer rating of 80.1 -- despite being sacked 21 times, just four less than Jon Kitna's league-leading total with Detroit.
But Petrino believes Leftwich has more tangible assets than Harrington.
"He has a very strong arm," Petrino said. "He throws the ball deep down the field, and he just needs to be able to see it, and I have the confidence that he can put it in there. I think he'll do well."
Signed to be the backup to Vick after the Falcons traded Matt Schaub to Houston, Harrington is 24-48 as a starter with Detroit, Miami and Atlanta. The Lions drafted him third overall in 2002.
Harrington left the locker room without speaking to reporters on Wednesday, but he sounded despondent after the Giants loss.
"We were moving it just fine, and then just everything shut down," Harrington said. "I mean, everything. I missed some. We dropped some. We missed some protections. We missed some hots. It was everywhere. That's the frustrating part. You don't know where to pinpoint your efforts."
Vick, who pleaded guilty in Virginia two months ago to federal charges of bankrolling a dogfighting ring, led the Falcons to 39 wins and two playoff appearances in 66 games as a starter. He also became the first NFL quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
Petrino decided in a staff meeting on Tuesday to bench Harrington and go with Leftwich.
"I think coach Petrino got to the point where he has enough confidence in me that I know what I'm doing now," Leftwich said. "He's giving me the opportunity to lead this football team."
Winless Rams finally getting some players back
October 17, 2007
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Randy McMichael looked around the huddle in practice Wednesday and Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson and Isaac Bruce looked back at the tight end. The St. Louis Rams are still winless, but finally there is some hope.
"It's been a frustrating year, all the losing, and it seems like you're always losing a teammate," McMichael said. "We lose teammates for weeks at a time, so it will make you a little happy to see some of your guys back out there."
Bulger is back after broken ribs forced him to miss two games, a pair of losses in which backup Gus Frerotte threw eight interceptions.
Jackson and Bruce were still limited in practice, with Bruce a better bet to return this week at Seattle. Coach Scott Linehan said Jackson, recovering from a partially torn groin that has sidelined him for three games, had an "outside chance" of playing.
"He's starting to show signs of returning," Linehan said. "It's very encouraging, we talked about it as a team. We're adding players, slowly but surely."
St. Louis (0-6) has been hit hardest on offense, with backup center Andy McCollum likely to become the 23rd starter. Brett Romberg, the starting center, did not practice Wednesday and could miss the Seattle game with a sprained ankle although Linehan doesn't expect him to be out long.
"There's only so much bad luck one team can have," McMichael said. "I really don't think I've seen injuries hit a team like it's hit us every week."
Still, McMichael prefers to be optimistic and said he wasn't alone in that feeling during a spirited practice.
"The guys were all amped up and everybody was working hard and you could tell the crispness," McMichael said. "It was like everybody felt like we were 0-0 and we were starting our season from this game."
Offense, which was supposed to be the Rams' strength, instead is the weakness. St. Louis is 29th in the NFL in points and has been outscored 159-73.
Before the season, Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck expected a lot more from the Rams.
"I really thought they would be a sleeper team, potentially to go to the Super Bowl," Hasselbeck said. "To see their record where it is, is surprising."
The Rams have been hit hard on the offensive line, with linemen Orlando Pace and Mark Setterstrom out for the year and top backup Todd Steussie out half the season with a broken foot. Wide receivers Drew Bennett, Dante Hall, Dane Looker amd Bruce were all sidelined last week.
That meant unexpected playing time for return man Brandon Williams, signed last week and a prominent role for Marques Hagans, the emergency third quarterback the first four weeks, who dropped a touchdown pass.
"You never want to use it as an excuse, but we've been decimated by injuries," said Looker, who missed the last two games with a deep thigh bruise. "The backups, they can't be backups, they've got to be starters waiting to play."
The Rams haven't given up yet, with their bye week coming up after two more games. Plus they're in the weakest division in the NFC with Arizona and Seattle, both 3-3, tied for first.
"As bleak as it's been, we're only three games out of first place," Looker said. "You win this game, you're two games out and that's got to be our mindset."
Lions RB Jones back in starting lineup
October 17, 2007
Associated Press
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- Kevin Jones walked off the practice field with beads of sweat on his forehead, coyly answering questions about his role with the Detroit Lions.
Signs and sound bites have pointed toward Jones being Detroit's No. 1 running back against Tampa Bay, but he wasn't about to break the news.
"Is that what you hear?" Jones asked Wednesday. "From who?"
Minutes later, Lions coach Rod Marinelli said Jones would start Sunday against the Buccaneers.
Jones missed the first two games recovering from a foot injury that also sidelined him for the last three games of last year, but he has responded well to having at least 10 carries in each of the past two games.
"He's ready to go," Marinelli said. "He's going to start."
Tatum Bell has started each game for the Lions this season and his agent talked to them last week about trading him before Tuesday's deadline, which passed with him still on the team.
Bell, acquired in a trade from Denver, has 44 carries for 182 yards and a touchdown this season. He ran the ball 15 times for 87 yards and a score in the season-opening win at Oakland, then averaged less than half as many carries in the next four games.
Marinelli said Bell is No. 2 on the depth chart at running back, adding reserve running back T.J. Duckett might play against Tampa Bay. Duckett has been out with an ankle injury since Week 1.
"We've got a chance to have that whole group finally," Marinelli said.
Detroit (3-2) hosts Tampa Bay (4-2) after a bye week that aided Jones' comeback.
"The break was good for my foot, and my body in general," Jones said. "I feel healthier this week."
Jones ran for 1,133 yards and five TDs as a rookie in 2004 after the Lions drafted him in the first round, hoping he would end their search for a running back since Barry Sanders suddenly retired.
In 12 games last season, he had 689 yards rushing and six scores and caught 61 passes for 520 yards and two TDs as a key player in Mike Martz's offense.
The Lions took him off the physically unable to play list after training camp, putting him on the active roster. After being inactive for two games, he had three carries in the third game, 10 in the fourth and 11 for 48 yards in Week 5 at Washington.
Jones said he is ready to handle the bulk of the carries, but Marinelli said the team still has to be cautious.
"He's got to get the rhythm, but we also have to be smart with him too," Marinelli said. "We just have to have an eye on him as we're going."
TE Davis, QB Smith return to practice for 49ers
October 17th, 2007
Santa Clara, CA (Sports Network) - The San Francisco 49ers welcomed quarterback Alex Smith and tight end Vernon Davis back to practice on Wednesday.
Smith suffered a separated right shoulder in a September 30 loss to Seattle and missed last week's setback against Baltimore.
Davis, meanwhile, has been out since suffering a sprained MCL in his right knee in a Week 3 loss to Pittsburgh.
Both players practiced Wednesday on a limited basis for the first time since suffering their injuries.
"We won't know the status of Vernon (Davis) or Alex (Smith) until later this week," said 49ers head coach Mike Nolan. "I have no firm decision saying 'this players starting, or not'. That's where that stands with those two guys."
Broncos place TE Alexander on IR
October 18th, 2007
Englewood, CO (Sports Network) - The Denver Broncos placed veteran tight end Stephen Alexander on injured reserve with a lower left leg injury Thursday.
To replace Alexander on the roster, the Broncos signed tight end Chad Mustard. A fourth-year player in his second season with the Broncos, Mustard has played both the tight end and tackle positions.
In 31 career regular-season games with Cleveland and Denver, Mustard has totaled seven receptions for 61 yards and four kickoff returns for 21 yards.
Walker to have surgery on right knee, expected to miss weeks
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker will undergo surgery on his right knee on Friday and will be out for ''a few weeks,'' coach Mike Shanahan said Thursday.
Walker missed the Broncos' past two games because of swelling, but practiced Monday and Wednesday.
''Javon's not feeling very good,'' Shanahan said. ''He'll get operated on tomorrow in Houston, so he'll be out for a few weeks.''
Shanahan didn't have a precise timetable for Walker's return.
QB Trent Dilfer to get another start for Niners, but Alex Smith will suit up
October 18, 2007
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -Quarterback Trent Dilfer will start for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday against the New York Giants, though Alex Smith also will be in uniform.
Coach Mike Nolan made his decision Thursday after watching two days of practice with Dilfer and Smith, who separated his right shoulder on the third play of San Francisco's 23-3 loss to Seattle on Sept. 30. Dilfer, a 14th-year pro, is 24-of-52 for 254 yards with three interceptions and one touchdown pass since then.
Though Smith returned to practice this week and participated in most drills while wearing pads Thursday, Nolan isn't ready to put a key game on the sore shoulders of his former No. 1 overall draft pick.
``I'm not certain that the confidence in Alex, or my confidence in watching him, is where it needs to be,'' Nolan said. ``I know he wants to play in the worst way, but I think he understands what I mean.''
Smith led the 49ers to season-opening victories over Arizona and St. Louis, but his numbers are unimpressive while throwing to a mediocre receiving corps and getting hit regularly behind a struggling offensive line. He's 43-of-84 for 461 yards with one TD pass and one interception while getting sacked 10 times for a 66.6 passer rating.
No matter who's taking the snaps, the offense has failed to gain 200 yards in four of the Niners' five games. San Francisco has scored just 10 points in nearly two full games under Dilfer, who is getting his first playing time since 2005.
``The mind-set is no different, but that uncomfortableness of what's going to happen, I think coach Nolan did the right thing to make a decision,'' Dilfer said. ``You always want to be part of the solution, and I'm very excited about the opportunity. I've established a great rapport with the guys, and I think that shows on the practice field.''
NFL: Week 7 betting notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
New England at Miami
One of the few places the Patriots have struggled is Miami, where they are 2-5 since Belichick became head coach in 2000. New England is 1-13 all-time there during the first two months of the season, and has never scored more than 19 points in an October game in Miami.
San Francisco at N.Y. Giants
The Giants won 24-6 on Nov. 6, 2005 behind two fourth-quarter touchdown runs from Brandon Jacobs in their last meeting with San Francisco. Eli Manning threw for 251 yards and one TD, as New York snapped a six-game losing streak in the series, including two playoff losses.
Tampa Bay at Detroit
Detroit's defense is allowing 31.0 points and 378.6 yards per game, both NFC highs. Tampa Bay has won four straight and six of the last seven between the teams.
Tennessee at Houston
Last season, the Titans owned the third-worst rushing defense in the NFL with 144.6 yards allowed a contest and ranked last in the league with 369.7 total yards yielded per game.
Houston, meanwhile, ranks 29th in the NFL with just 81.7 rushing yards per game this season.
The Texans ran for 228 total yards in their first two games, but have just 262 in their last four contests.
Arizona at Washington
Washington has won five straight over Arizona and is 27-6 against the Cardinals at home. This is Arizona's first visit to Washington D.C. since 2002 and the first time the teams have played since the Redskins won 17-13 in 2005.
The Cardinals are looking for their first win in the nation's capital since 1998.
Atlanta at New Orleans
The Saints swept the season series with the Falcons last year, including a 23-3 victory on Sept. 25, 2006, in the first game back at the Superdome since Katrina. In the second contest, a 31-13 win in Atlanta, Drew Brees threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns.
New Orleans has not won three in a row over Atlanta since 1992-93.
Baltimore at Buffalo
The teams will meet at Ralph Wilson Stadium for the first time after three matchups in Baltimore, including a 19-7 win by the Ravens in last year's regular-season finale that secured a first round bye.
Kansas City at Oakland
Kansas City has had few problems beating Oakland lately, winning 26 of 34 meetings since 1990.
The Chiefs have won a franchise-record eight straight over the Raiders - their longest active streak against any opponent - but seven of those wins have been by seven points or less.
N.Y. Jets at Cincinnati
New York has won five straight against Cincinnati, including a 31-24 victory on Sept. 12, 2004 in the last meeting.
Chicago at Philadelphia
The Eagles have won the last five meetings between the teams, including a 2002 playoff game, since a 20-14 loss in Chicago on Dec. 24, 1995. The Bears are visiting Philadelphia for the first time since 2000 and haven't won there since a 17-3 victory on Oct. 10, 1993.
St. Louis at Seattle
The Seahawks look to avoid a third straight loss when they host the winless Rams in a divisional matchup on Sunday.
The Seahawks, who last lost three in a row in December, can't afford falling to another winless team in St. Louis (0-6), which looks to avoid opening with seven straight losses for the first time in franchise history.
Minnesota at Dallas
Minnesota has won five straight against Dallas, including a playoff victory in 2000. The teams haven't met since the Vikings won 35-17 on Sept. 12, 2004.
Pittsburgh at Denver
Denver has won 15 of the 25 all-time meetings against the Steelers. The Broncos have won three straight at home against Pittsburgh during the regular season, but this is the Steelers' first visit since a 34-17 win in the AFC championship game in January 2006.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville
The Colts, who have committed a league-low three turnovers, are looking to go 6-0 for the third straight year. The only other teams to do it were St. Louis from 1999-2001 and Green Bay from 1929-31.
However, their only post-bye loss in the last five seasons came against Jacksonville in 2004, 27-24.
I love Washington this weekend if Rattay starts for AZ. Warner is a game time decision, but what else is new? The point spread is going to be high, but the Cardinals won't be able to move the ball with Rattay under center...
Here's hoping the line doesn't get too high by Sunday morning!
Updated NFL injury report: Week 7
ASSOCIATED PRESS
QB Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Probable
Smith believes he's ready to take over the 49ers offense again. Coach Mike Nolan thinks his quarterback's competitive streak is healthier than his shoulder. Trent Dilfer will start again for the 49ers, though Smith also will be in uniform when they visit the New York Giants.
TE Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Questionable
Davis returned to practice Wednesday after missing the last two games with a knee injury. Coach Mike Nolan wouldn't speculate on his chances to play against the New York Giants, but Davis said he was ready to go.
QB Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
Status: Questionable
Warner tore a ligament in his left - non-throwing - elbow early in Sunday's loss to Carolina. He has settled on a combination of tape and a brace to hold his injured elbow in place and says he's feeling good about being able to play Sunday at Washington.
WR Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
Status: Probable
Two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Boldin has practiced all week and will play Sunday after missing three games with a hip injury.
WR Javon Walker, Denver Broncos
Status: Out
Walker needs another surgery on his right knee and will be out ''for a few weeks,'' coach Mike Shanahan said Thursday.
WR D.J. Hackett, Seattle Seahawks
Status: Questionable
How much, or if Hackett will play Sunday remains to be determined. Offensive coordinator Gil Haskell wasn't expecting Hackett back until after Seattle's bye next week.
RB Priest Holmes, Kansas City Chiefs
Status: Questionable
Holmes went through another impressive workout on Thursday and the Chiefs appeared to be leaning toward activating the 34-year-old running back. Coach Herm Edwards said he still had not made a decision whether Holmes would play Sunday at Oakland.
RB Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots
Status: Questionable
Even though the Patriots are running short of running backs, Maroney says he won't jeopardize his health to return to the lineup. He is expected to miss this week's game in Miami.
QB Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
Status: Questionable
Young threw a little Thursday, but remained sidelined during practice by his strained right quadriceps muscle. Coach Jeff Fisher has said Young might be able to skip practicing and still play Sunday.
QB Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams
Status: Probable
Bulger is back after broken ribs forced him to miss two games, a pair of losses in which backup Gus Frerotte threw eight interceptions.
QB Trent Green, Miami Dolphins
Status: Out
Green said the decision whether he should retire may be made for him by doctors who have yet to clear him to play following his second severe concussion in 13 months. Concerns about possible long-term effects left the two specialists he consulted unwilling to give him an OK to practice or play.
Vikings S Dwight Smith out with hamstring injury for game against Cowboys
October 19, 2007
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -Minnesota Vikings safety Dwight Smith will not play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys because of a nagging hamstring injury.
Smith has been bothered by the sore hamstring for most of the season, but it appears to have worsened this week and he was listed as out on the injury report on Friday.
``He has been kind of fighting through it and he and the doctors and the trainers feel like it is just best that he gets that thing healed up,'' coach Brad Childress said after practice. ``Hamstrings are funny things; some people can play the next week and some they linger.''
Smith has been a physical presence on the back end of the Vikings defense and has emerged as a vocal team leader since signing as a free agent before last season. The seventh-year veteran has 21 tackles and two interceptions.
The Vikings defense is better equipped than most to handle the loss of a safety. Darren Sharper is the other starter and they also have veterans Tank Williams and Mike Doss on the roster.
``It definitely helps,'' cornerback Antoine Winfield said. ``It would be a lot different if we had a guy who was coming in that was a rookie. Those guys have played in big games, have a lot of experience and know the defense. So I think they'll be able to go out there and perform well for us.''
Childress said Williams and Doss, both of whom are coming back from serious knee injuries last year, will see time at safety against the Cowboys.
Williams said he is looking forward to his first action on defense since 2005 when he was with the Tennessee Titans. He missed all of last season with a knee injury and has played almost exclusively on special teams in the first five games this year.
``I haven't played defense since my days in Tennessee, so I'm definitely looking forward to it,'' Williams said. ``You never want it to happen in a manner like this, but you definitely have to make the most of your opportunities when you're out there.''