Dolphins' Crowder to miss game Sunday
Right knee and left foot injuries will take Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder out of the middle of the Dolphins defense for Sunday's game.
Crowder missed last week's 38-17 loss to Buffalo with a sprained foot. Without Crowder and Zach Thomas, out for the season with concussion symptoms, the Dolphins gave up more than 100 yards rushing each to Buffalo's Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch. Jackson averaged 7.7 yards per carry, and Lynch averaged 4.7.
Now, the Dolphins face Baltimore's Willis McGahee, familiar in South Florida from his time at Miami Central High and the University of Miami.
''If you don't do a good job tackling, he'll turn those 2-, 3-yard runs into 5, 6, or have a chance to make a big play,'' Dolphins defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. ``He's got good vision to where the play side is closed, he has the ability to bring the ball back to the backside. You better play good leverage on the outside because he'll outrun you to the sideline. You don't want him to be able to get running north and south on you because he is a big, strong guy. If he does that, he gains positive yards.''
ROLLE DOUBTFUL
Baltimore, which put cornerback Chris McAlister on injured reserve earlier this week, lists cornerback Samari Rolle as doubtful for Sunday with a shoulder injury. The Miami Beach High graduate and Florida State product didn't play last week against Indianapolis, leaving the Ravens helpless against the Colts.
miamiherald.com
Sore toe better, Boldin should play Sunday
Anquan Boldin should be able to play Sunday in New Orleans. Boldin, who missed Sunday’s game at Seattle with a sore toe, returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday and said he should be OK to return.
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“It’s still a little sore but I was able to do a couple of things,” the defensive back said. “Unless anything happens, I should be out there Sunday.”
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said, “We’re still feeling it out. But he made some progress, obviously.”
Whisenhunt also has been cheered by the return to practice this week of safety Aaron Francisco, who should return to action Sunday after missing six of the past seven games with knee and calf problems.
The safety position has been hurt by the season-ending injury to Pro Bowler Adrian Wilson.
“As long as we don’t have a setback (Friday) I feel good about his contributing in the game on Sunday,” Whisenhunt said.
“It feels great,” Francisco said. “It’s been frustrating the last few weeks, just sitting there and having to watch practice every day. It feels like I haven’t been out there for a year. I’m just glad I’ll be out there on the field playing again.”
BUSH MISSES DEUCE
Reggie Bush misses fellow running back Deuce McCallister, injured early this season. says Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
Bush was hailed as one of the greatest players to enter the NFL in years by draft experts and media observers, but so far his career has been just so-so.
“I think it was tough losing Deuce,” Brees said.
“Not only for his productivity but also just as a mentor to Reggie, a guy who’s been in the league for awhile, knows what it takes to prepare each week and be a professional.
“Reggie needs a guy like that just to kind of watch and emulate a little bit.
“Reggie is a very talented individual. But ... at this level, you need to learn how to prepare. You need to learn certain fundamentals that you carry with you.
“As a young player, that’s part of the learning curve.”
Bush is nursing a knee injury and is not expected to play Sunday.
URBAN’S RETURN
Jerheme Urban will try to follow up his terrific bounce-back game Sunday with another outstanding performance in St. Louis.
Urban, a late pick-up by the Cardinals, had an early impact with a touchdown pass vs. Pittsburgh, then struggled in a couple of games before suffering a heel injury.
At Seattle, where Urban once played, he had six catches for 123 yards and a score. Oddly enough, before the Seahawks’ game, coach Mike Holmgren asked Whisenhunt, “How’s Jerheme doing?”
“He obviously made an impression on them when he was up there,” Whisenhunt said. “Then Jerheme had a good game.”
MISSING SAINTS
Those not practicing for the Saints Thursday included running back Reggie Bush (knee), tight end Eric Johnson (groin), defensive tackle Brian Young (illness) and linebacker Scott Fujita (personal reasons).
eastvalleytribune.com
Cardinals: Fitzgerald to be a game-time call
Larry Fitzgerald was limited in practice Friday and did not go at full speed. Whether he will play Sunday won't be determined until just before game time, according to the Arizona Republic.
Titans: Jones ruled out for Sunday's game
Brandon Jones has been ruled out of Sunday's game, according to the Tennessean.
Ravens: Heap practices but unlikely to play
Todd Heap was able to take part in a limited amount of Friday's practice. While that's a step in the right direction, coach Brian Billick said he didn't expect the tight end to take part in Sunday's game, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Ravens: Rolle listed as doubtful for Week 15
The Ravens currently list Samari Rolle as doubtful for Sunday's game. However, coach Brian Billick said he didn't expect the cornerback to suit up for the contest, according to the Baltimore Sun.