Boldin hopes to face Saints
Fitzgerald to use 'girdle' to play with groin strain
Wide receiver Anquan Boldin said he hopes to play in Sunday's must-win game at New Orleans despite his dislocated toe, and fellow wideout Larry Fitzgerald plans to wear a specially designed football girdle to make sure he's in the lineup, too.
"I am encouraged by the progress we made from Monday through (Sunday), and that's what I wanted to see," said Boldin, who added that it was a coaches' decision that he sit out Sunday's loss at Seattle.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said the team would have a better feel for Boldin's status when practice resumes Wednesday.
Fitzgerald, meanwhile, who played with a left groin strain, found a valuable piece of newfangled equipment to keep him active.
It's a tight-fitting, pull-up garment with attached rubber pulleys on the side of the injury that allows him to stretch his leg with reasonable comfort as well as to better push off from the line of scrimmage and make cuts up field.
"I don't know if I could have played without it," said Fitzgerald, adding that he got the idea from teammate Monty Beisel, a linebacker who wore a similar device while playing for the Chiefs with a groin pull a few years ago. "I'll probably keep wearing it until I feel a lot better."
Pope out for year
Tight end Leonard Pope is out for the season after suffering a dislocated right ankle in Sunday's loss, and Whisenhunt said that next week's game against the Saints figures to be a "position-by-committee type thing."
"I think it will be the function of the plan when we finish determining what we are going to do, offensively, against New Orleans," he said. " . . . Obviously (on Sunday), Troy (Bienemann) ran all of our no huddles, which he does a good job with. And there's going to be things that Ben (Patrick) does well, too."
Tight end Tim Euhus, who was released recently, was expected to be re-signed today.
azcentral.com
Lemon regains starting QB job for Dolphins
ASSOCIATED PRESS
DAVIE, Fla. -- With the Miami Dolphins down to three chances for a win, Cleo Lemon will get another chance at quarterback.
Lemon, 0-4 as a starter this season before losing his job to rookie John Beck, will be back in the lineup Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. The team was told of the change Wednesday, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because coach Cam Cameron planned to wait until after practice to make his decision public. The Dolphins are 0-13 and trying to avoid becoming the first team to go 0-16.
Miami lost its past four games starting Beck. He's the highest-drafted quarterback by the Dolphins since Dan Marino, but he failed to lead the offense to a touchdown.
Beck was benched after eight snaps in Sunday's 38-17 loss at Buffalo. He was sacked three times, tripped and fell for a 4-yard loss on another play, and lost a fumble the Bills returned for a score and a 21-0 lead.
Lemon's first play was a 54-yard completion to set up Miami's first offensive touchdown since Nov. 11. But he also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, and he has a career record of 0-5 as a starter.
The latest change in starting quarterbacks is Miami's third this season. Trent Green started the first five games, but went on injured reserve Oct. 20 following his second severe concussion in 13 months.
When Beck was promoted to the No. 1 job, the plan was to start him in the final seven games. But he did nothing to show he's Miami's quarterback of the future, as the Dolphins hoped when they drafted him in the second round in April.
He has averaged only 4.9 yards per attempt, and his long completion in 86 passes was 22 yards.
Lemon regains starting QB job for Dolphins
Players lobby for Lemon to start
Facing the bleak prospect of becoming the first team in NFL history to go 0-16, a couple of players have expressed to Dolphins coaches a preference for quarterback Cleo Lemon to take over as the team's starter because of his edge in experience, a source said.
According to another source, coach Cam Cameron met with quarterbacks John Beck and Lemon on Tuesday night to go over the game plan for Sunday's home game against Baltimore. He named a starter during that meeting, which is believed to be Lemon, a four-year veteran.
Lemon started four games earlier this season before he was replaced by Beck, the team's second-round draft pick who is viewed as the team's quarterback of the future. Beck started the past four games but failed to lead the Dolphins to an offensive touchdown.
Beck has thrown three interceptions, been sacked 10 times and fumbled six times, including one returned for a touchdown that led to his first-quarter benching against Buffalo last Sunday.
Lemon took over and completed 22 of 42 passes for 241 yards, but he threw two interceptions and fumbled the ball four times, losing one, in the 38-17 loss to the Bills. He has completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,164 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions.
Foxsports.com is also reporting that Lemon will be announced the starter today barring a last-minute change of heart from Cameron.
sun-sentinel.com
QB Bulger on track to start for underdog Rams
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger took all the repetitions in practice on Wednesday and is on track to return after missing two games with a concussion.
Coach Scott Linehan said he'd wait until Friday, after two more days of practice and no symptoms, before saying Bulger will start Sunday's home game against the Green Bay Packers. The Rams are 10-point home underdogs.
''I thought he looked fine,'' Linehan said. ''More importantly, it's how he gets through the week.''
Linehan was cautiously optimistic after last week, when Bulger received medical clearance on Tuesday and practiced for two days before experiencing a setback and sitting out a 19-10 loss at Cincinnati.
Bulger didn't want to compare how he felt on Wednesday to how he felt a week ago.
''I'd hate to sit here and play a percentage game or guess whether I'm going to play or not,'' Bulger said. ''I felt good today and I'm just going to wait until Friday.''
Last week the Rams were also without backup Gus Frerotte, who has a shoulder injury, and elevated Brock Berlin from the practice squad to make his NFL debut.
Jaguars place Stroud on IR
December 12th, 2007
Jacksonville, FL (Sports Network) - The Jacksonville Jaguars placed defensive lineman Marcus Stroud on injured reserve Wednesday.
Stroud sustained a significant ankle sprain in the first quarter of last Sunday's victory over the Carolina Panthers.
On December 7, the Jags activated Stroud after he spent four games on the sideline due to a violation of the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.
In nine games this year, the former Georgia product had 22 tackles and three sacks.
Moore to start at QB?
PantherInsider.com
With the Panthers all but out of the playoffs at 5-8, coach John Fox was non-committal as to who will start at quarterback next Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks There's a chance the Panthers could wind up playing undrafted rookie Matt Moore.
With the Panthers all but out of the playoffs at 5-8, coach John Fox was non-committal as to who will start at quarterback next Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks
There's a chance the Panthers could wind up playing undrafted rookie Matt Moore.
As for who will start next week, Fox's official response was, "Let us look at the tape first."
Moore relieved an ineffective Vinny Testaverde in the fourth quarter, but struggled to move the team, picking up only one first down on two possessions. He completed three of 10 passes for just 21 yards as the Panthers were rocked by Jacksonville 37-6.
Moore has seen action in six games for the Panthers, but has yet to throw a touchdown pass.
On Sunday, Testaverde started his fifth game of the season for the Panthers and was not effective, completing 13 of 28 passes for 84 yards with one interception that was returned 39 yards for a touchdown. The Panthers had less than 100 yards total offense with him at the helm.
"I'm disappointed," Testaverde said. "I feel like I missed some throws that I could have had -- the interception for one. There were quite a few plays out there that we let get away today."
It seems unlikely that David Carr would be an option since he inspires no confidence.
Carr was the team's third-string quarterback for the third straight week.
When asked if he feels like Fox has lost confidence in him as a leader, Carr replied, "I don't know what it is. I know we have a lack of a lot of things right now. It could be, but I don't have a lack of confidence in myself because I know what goes on on the field every day (in practice). I feel good about myself."
Carr has started four games for the Panthers, winning just one.
He has completed 53 percent of his passes, but only for 4.6 yards per pass attempt. He has looked nervous in the pocket and been sacked 13 times.
Overall, he has not been impressive to say the least.
But does Carr, who suffered through back problems and two concussions, feel like he was given enough time to showcase his skills?
"As a competitor you never feel like you are doing anything to hurt the team," Carr said. "You feel like you out there trying to help the team. We have just had a rough year this year all around. I can't feel selfish about it and feel bad for myself. The whole team has struggled and it's been tough."
Fox was frustrated that his offense regressed after a 31-point outburst last week against San Francisco.
Fox said the offense's woes are forcing the defense to remain on the field too long.
Jacksonville owned nearly the ball for nearly 39 minutes.
"That's been the story in several of our losses," Fox said. "We turned it over early in the third at an inopportune time. We're not generating enough on offense, for us to stay fresh enough as a football team to feel like we can compete for four quarters."
Roethlisberger misses practice again
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed practice again Thursday because of a sore right shoulder, with Charlie Batch running the starting offense in his place.
On Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger's problem wasn't a major one and, ''I don't want to make more out of it than what it is.''
The Steelers haven't updated Roethlisberger's condition since then. Tomlin said Roethlisberger's status would be updated Friday.
It is common for Steelers players who have relatively minor injuries to miss a day or two of practice, then take part in the final practice of the week Friday and play on Sunday.
Batch hasn't started a game since the 2006 opener, when he threw three touchdown passes in a 28-17 victory over Miami. Roethlisberger, who missed that game after having appendicitis, has started each of the Steelers' 28 games since then.
Colts planning to be without four starters against Oakland
ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts are planning to be without four starters for Sunday's game at Oakland.
Coach Tony Dungy said Wednesday receiver Marvin Harrison (bruised left knee), defensive tackle Raheem Brock (ribs), safety Antoine Bethea (sprained left knee) and defensive end Robert Mathis (two sprained knees) are all expected to sit out this week.
''We'll probably hold Robert out unless he makes a miraculous recovery, and we'll probably hold Antoine out, too,'' Dungy said. ''I don't know the severity of the injuries or how long they'll be out, but I don't think they'll play this week.''
Bethea and Mathis were injured during last Sunday's 44-20 rout in Baltimore. Neither finished the game, but most of the Colts starters were pulled midway through the third quarter anyway.
Harrison, who has been to eight consecutive Pro Bowls, has already missed a career-high eight games this season after injuring his knee against Denver on Sept. 30. Team president Bill Polian has said the injury also included a burst bursa sac, which has caused additional inflammation in the knee.
''Marvin, I don't think he'll play this week,'' Dungy said.
Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning isn't sure when Harrison might return, either, and until then is content relying on rookie Anthony Gonzalez, the Colts' top draft pick in April, to fill the void.
Harrison last played against Jacksonville on Oct. 22.
''Nobody really has any clue around here about Marvin and what's going on there, so Gonzo's the guy,'' Manning said. ''I don't know anything. It's Gonzo who's out there at the right, and we've got to get Devin (Aromashodu) more comfortable out there in the three-wides package.''
Manning acknowledged later he is tired of answering weekly questions about Harrison's health.
None of the four practiced Wednesday, nor did backup running back Kenton Keith (sprained thumb). Keith injured the thumb several weeks ago, then re-injured it Sunday night at Baltimore.
Keith said a decision on his playing status would be made later this week.
''Kenton has a sprained thumb on his left hand, and it's not really debilitating,'' Dungy said. ''But in his case, he has to catch and carry the ball, so that makes it more difficult.''
Also missing practice Wednesday were starting right guard Jake Scott (foot) and backup linebacker Clint Session (ankle). Right tackle Ryan Diem, who sat out Sunday's game, returned to practice and was not listed on the team's injury report.
Buffalo Bills DE Kelsay likely to return for game at Cleveland
December 14, 2007
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -Buffalo Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay likely will play Sunday when Buffalo visits Cleveland in an AFC matchup with playoff implications.
Kelsay, a fourth-year starter who is listed as questionable on the injury report, missed the last two games with a left ankle injury. He tripped over a teammate during a 36-14 loss at Jacksonville on Nov. 25.
Kelsay is seventh on the team with 53 tackles in 11 games.
Reserve linebacker Coy Wire (neck) and starting free safety George Wilson (broken ribs) are out.
The Bills (7-6) need a win over the Browns to keep their playoff hopes alive. Cleveland (8-5) holds the sixth and final AFC playoff spot.
Rams say Bulger will start vs. Packers
Associated Press
Marc Bulger will start at quarterback for the Rams in their game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers after missing two games with a concussion.
Gus Frerotte will be his backup, coach Scott Linehan said. Frerotte had been sidelined with a partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder that he injured a week before Bulger's concussion.
Roethlisberger questionable for Jacksonville game
December 14th, 2007
Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Jacksonville with a sore right shoulder.
He returned to practice on Friday after sitting out two days. Should he be unable to go, though, backup quarterback Charlie Batch will get the nod in a game that pits a pair of 9-4 clubs against each other.
Pittsburgh clinches a playoff spot with a win on Sunday. Also, if Pittsburgh wins and Cleveland loses, the Steelers would win the AFC North division.
Roethlisberger felt soreness in his throwing shoulder during the Steelers' 34-13 loss at New England last Sunday, but never left the game.
He has started the Steelers' last 28 games.
Giants safety Butler out for Sunday
December 14th, 2007
East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - New York Giants safety James Butler will miss his second straight game on Sunday due to a hamstring injury.
Butler was declared out for Sunday night's showdown with the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium.
Meanwhile, safety Gibril Wilson is considered doubtful with a knee injury. Wilson, who suffered his injury November 18 against Detroit, sat out last Sunday's 16-13 win at Philadelphia
Bills safety Wilson placed on IR
December 14th, 2007
Orchard Park, NY (Sports Network) - Buffalo Bills safety George Wilson was placed on injured reserve Friday, ending any hopes for a potential return in the playoffs.
To fill his roster spot, Buffalo promoted linebacker Blake Costanzo from the practice squad.
Wilson fractured a pair of ribs during Sunday's 38-17 victory over the winless Miami Dolphins. He was already expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.
But with the Bills (7-6) in the thick of the AFC wild card race, Buffalo didn't want to rule Wilson out. Buffalo and Tennessee have identical records, with both teams a game behind the Cleveland Browns for the last wild card spot. The Bills play at Cleveland this Sunday.
Now, however, Wilson becomes the 14th player to go on injured reserve for Buffalo this season, and further thins the safety position. Ko Simpson started the season as the free safety, but broke his ankle in Week 5 and was put on the IR.
Jim Leonhard is expected to take over for Wilson. Leonhard missed time earlier this season with a calf injury.
Indianapolis without 5 starters for game Sunday at Oakland
December 15, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -The Colts will sit five starters Sunday at Oakland, with injuries to defensive end Robert Mathis leaving the team without any of the first-string defensive linemen it had to start training camp.
The Colts decided Saturday that Mathis and safety Antoine Bethea would not play against the Raiders, Indianapolis spokesman Craig Kelley said. The team had already listed receiver Marvin Harrison (bruised left knee), defensive tackle Raheem Brock (ribs) and right tackle Ryan Diem (knee) as out for Sunday.
Mathis (sprains to both knees) and Bethea (sprained left knee) were injured during last Sunday's 44-20 victory in Baltimore. Neither finished the game, in which the Colts pulled most of their starters midway through the third quarter.
The absences of Mathis and Brock follow season-ending injuries to defensive end Dwight Freeney and defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, leaving the Colts (11-2) without any of the defensive linemen they had at the start of the season.
Rookie Ed Johnson has been the starter since McFarland was injured during training camp
Smith likely to play for Vikings despite arrest, Childress says
December 15, 2007
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -Minnesota Vikings starting safety Dwight Smith is expected to play Monday night against Chicago despite a misdemeanor citation this week for marijuana possession.
Coach Brad Childress said Saturday that he anticipates Smith playing. Childress deferred comment and announcement of discipline until the case is resolved.
``I am going to get all the facts before I pass any judgment on it,'' Childress said.
The incident occurred Thursday night, and Smith practiced as usual Friday and Saturday. Childress said he addressed the matter with the team Friday.
According to the Minneapolis police report, Smith's vehicle was stopped for impeding traffic at a downtown intersection. An officer ``smelled the strong odor'' of the drug as he approached the car, and Smith - according to the report - said he had ``just got done smoking some marijuana.''
The charge is punishable by a $125 fine for a first offense.
``Ain't nothing,'' defensive tackle Pat Williams said. ``It's just people trying to get in our locker room. We ain't worried about that. We're just all focused on the Chicago Bears.''
Smith was absent from the locker room on Saturday while it was open to reporters. He is a member of Childress's eight-player veteran leadership committee, as is Williams and cornerback Antoine Winfield.
``It's not a big deal at all. You know things happen. Unfortunately, that did. We still don't know all the facts,'' Winfield said, adding: ``Of course you don't want to be the guy that's getting in trouble or called out, but until everything comes out we're just moving on.''
Childress declined to acknowledge any disappointment - at least not yet - in Smith.
``I just prefer to center all my attentions on all the positives that have occurred this year and all the good, and I think that all the virtue has to be defended,'' the coach said.
Childress said he spent an evening last spring on the beat with city cops, taking in the scene first hand. He used the experience to develop an educational video for his players that covered the potential dangers of downtown socializing.
``I initiated it, but they were nice enough to let me come down there and catch me up to speed,'' Childress said. ``I don't profess to be in that area, but I like to know where our guys go here from Eden Prairie down there and what the dynamics are, if you will.''
Childress said he even left his phone number on the squad bulletin board as a reminder of his availability to talk with police.
``Not because we expect anything other than regular treatment. I expect my guys to comport themselves the right way, but I like to know what I am faced with,'' Childress said.
Though his teammates and his coach downplayed the distraction, the Vikings (7-6) didn't need this while they're pushing for the playoffs. Especially with the top two backup safeties, Tank Williams (doubtful, knee) and Mike Doss (questionable, hamstring), on this week's injury report. Rookie Eric Frampton is the only other safety on the active roster, beside starter Darren Sharper.
Smith, who could face a suspension from the NFL, though probably not until next year, has been in trouble before.
He was cited for indecent conduct with a woman in a downtown stairwell in August 2006 and kept out of the season opener by Childress because of that. The coach has also benched Smith for the opening series of two other games for unspecified disciplinary reasons, most recently on Dec. 2 against the Detroit Lions.
In 2003, when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Smith pleaded guilty to pulling a gun on a motorist. For that, he was fined $225, placed on probation for one year, and ordered to take anger management classes and complete 25 hours of community service.
The franchise has an infamous history of off-the-field transgressions, most notably the 2005 bye-week boat party that resulted in misdemeanor charges of indecent and disorderly conduct for three players. Early in last season's training camp, wide receiver Koren Robinson drove recklessly and drunk a few weeks before Smith was caught in the stairwell.
This year, though, the police blotter has been quiet. An arrest of cornerback Cedric Griffin in April for disorderly conduct at a nightclub was the only sign of misbehavior that became public, until this week when Smith was allegedly caught with the pot.