AP reports the Chicago Bears have signed LB Ryan Benjamin in case regular LS Pat Mannelly can't play and made room on the roster by releasing QB Shane Matthews for one game. Mannelly is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals because of an ankle injury. To make room for Benjamin on the roster, the team temporarily released Matthews, but intends to re-sign him next week.
AP reports the New England Patriots announced today that WR Terry Glenn will be on the active roster for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers. The team did not say whether or not Glenn will start, or how much he might play. No one was released to make room for Glenn since he takes the roster spot vacated when WR Bert Emanuel was cut on Tuesday.
The Pioneer Press reports Vikings DB Robert Griffith walked around without his protective boot on Friday to help with the range of motion on his broken right fibula. He's still out at least four more weeks. OL Corbin Lacina didn't practice Friday. He suffered a left ankle sprain in the third quarter of Sunday's game. He's listed as questionable on the injury report. CB Robert Tate has been bothered by nerve damage in his right shoulder. He played sparingly in Sunday's game, and is listed as probable. DB Wasswa Serwanga has been slow because of an abdominal strain he suffered against Chicago on Sept. 23. He's listed as probable on the injury report. DB Keith Thibodeaux is listed as probable with a knee injury. DT Shawn Worthen has been bothered by a toe injury for several weeks, but is listed as probable.
The Tampa Tribune reports certain that his sprained right big toe will force him to play hurt the rest of the season, Bucs RB Warrick Dunn says he's ready to begin the adjustment period Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. According to Bucs HC Tony Dungy, Dunn will play through the pain Sunday against Tennessee, but only if he can get through today's light walkthrough practice and Sunday's warm-up period without doing further damage or regressing. ``If there's no negative reaction [today or Sunday], then he should play,'' said Dungy, who expects Dunn to play his regular role should he be able to go. ``We'll use him like we usually do,'' Dungy said of Dunn, who has been upgraded to probable on the injury report. ``We won't just use him in an emergency or anything like that.'' Dungy said the same situation applies to LB Derrick Brooks, who is suffering a little more pain from his sprained foot than Dunn but also is expected to play. ``It'll be a game-time decision,'' Brooks said. ``But the fact we'll be playing on grass makes it a lot better.'' DT Warren Sapp suffered a slight hamstring strain during Friday's workout but is listed as probable for Sunday's game and should play.
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports Packers special teams standout K.D. Williams has been ruled out of Sunday's game with a possible high ankle sprain. OT Chad Clifton returned to practice Friday and worked with the first unit throughout. But it was a light workout and Clifton didn't have to put much stress on his hamstring. The status of KR Allen Rossum will be determined Sunday morning, according to HC Mike Sherman. Rossum was an observer at practice Friday.
The Chicago Tribune reports Bears WR Marcus Robinson (back) and OG Chris Villarrial (hip) practiced Friday and are listed as probable for Sunday. But FB/TE Scott Dragos (knee) is doubtful and TE Fred Baxter (hip) is out, leaving the Bears very thin at tight end. Also, LS Pat Mannelly (ankle) is questionable.(see above)
The Washington Post reports an MRI exam and series of X-rays conducted on Redskins DE Bruce Smith confirmed the defensive end has a dislocated right shoulder, as diagnosed, but also revealed torn ligaments, which are commonly associated with a dislocation. Smith said yesterday he expected to be sidelined two to four weeks, adding that two "would be pushing it." The key to Smith's recovery is regaining full range of motion and strength so he can play the way he's accustomed to playing.
The Bergen Record reports Giants WR Ike Hilliard has a new addition to his litany of injury problems: a strained oblique muscle on his right side. Asked if it hurts when he catches the ball, Hilliard nodded his assent and said, "It hurts when I cough." Hilliard missed the first two games of the season while his surgically repaired right toe healed, a toe that still hurts when he plays. But even though Sunday's game is the first on artificial turf, generally harder on the feet, Hilliard said he was happy to be wearing his favorite sneakers instead of cleats.
The Arizona Republic reports the Cardinals could be missing three defensive starters Sunday after CB Corey Chavous and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch had setbacks in their return from injuries. Their availability will be determined in pregame warm-ups, HC Dave McGinnis said. Neither did much in practice Friday after participating in part of Thursday's workout. Vanden Bosch had increased soreness in his sprained ankle, and Chavous' bruised foot also worsened. SS Pat Tillman, who has a sprained ankle, won't make the trip, along with WR Rob Moore (knee) and DT Marcus Bell (elbow).
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports every Falcons player except LB Chris Draft (toe) and WR Tony Martin (clavicle) is expected to play tomorrow, HC Dan Reeves said. WR Shawn Jefferson looked better practicing Friday. Jefferson took a shot in the back from Bears S Mike Brown on Sunday.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Rams starting RCB Dexter McCleon missed part of Friday's practice with a hip flexor injury. He has been playing with the injury for a while, HC Mike Martz said, but when he got tight midway through the workout, after failing to warm up properly in the cooler weather, the coaching staff decided to hold him out. LB London Fletcher (foot) sat out again Friday, but Martz said he'll practice today. OT Ryan Tucker (hand, shoulder) practiced only in some of the drills. Both starters are expected to play Sunday.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports Seahawks CB Shawn Springs could return to his starting spot on the left side tomorrow, with CB Willie Williams sliding to the right side. Springs had an impressive week of practice and showed no lingering effects from the pulled hamstring that sidelined him for almost two months and delayed his debut until last week. KR Charlie Rogers has not practiced this week and remains questionable for tomorrow because of sore big toes. If he can't play, WR Bobby Engram is the likely candidate to return punts, and WR Fabien Bownes to return kickoffs. SS Reggie Tongue was excused from practice to tend to a family matter. He is expected to start tomorrow.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports although C Jeremy Newberry continues to insist he'll be back in the starting lineup tomorrow, his troublesome left ankle doesn't appear to be cooperating. During the team's walk-through yesterday before boarding its charter to Atlanta, Newberry practiced sparingly and had difficulty pushing off the ankle after snaps. He eventually retired to the sideline and watched starting OG Dave Fiore take over at center. "Jeremy really kind of snuck out there a little bit. We really wanted to rest him today," said HC Steve Mariucci, who will let Newberry try it again today at the Georgia Dome. His status will be a game-day decision. Backup C Ben Lynch is sporting a cast on his sprained right ankle and is listed as out.
The Kansas City Star reports Chiefs WR Derrick Alexander (back) took most of the turns at wide receiver in practice Friday. HC Dick Vermeil said he expected Alexander to start Sunday against Pittsburgh at Arrowhead Stadium. Meanwhile, LB Mike Maslowski will have to wait another week before making his regular-season debut. "If he's active, he's got to be active in all phases of the kicking game," Vermeil said. "I'm not sure I want to turn him loose on kickoff coverage and punt coverage yet."
The Nashville Tennessean reports Titans RB Eddie George (sprained right ankle) practiced for the first time this week and said he plans on playing tomorrow. Until yesterday he had been limited to light running on a side field. ''I plan on playing,'' George said. ''It felt good compared to 48 hours ago. I was limping all over the place and couldn't hardly walk, so where I am at today I feel positive. I have even more time before the game and hopefully it will make even more improvement and I'll be ready to roll.'' George said the injury didn't limit his movement on a wet field yesterday, although he said he felt some soreness. WR Derrick Mason (ankle) was limited again during practice and S Blaine Bishop (ankle) did not practice at all. HC Jeff Fisher said DT John Thornton's right shoulder injury would be reevaluated next week. He hopes Thornton can hold off surgery until the end of the season. CB Samari Rolle was scheduled to meet with a neurologist yesterday afternoon. Fisher said Rolle is feeling better and might be able to return quicker than the initially estimated 3-4 weeks.
The Post-Gazette reports Steelers WR Hines Ward switched shoes and had no problems with his bruised left foot, proclaiming himself "good to go" against the Chiefs. Ward didn't make it all the way through practice Thursday because the shoe he was wearing irritated the bruise near his big toe. Yesterday, though, he went to a wider shoe and had the trainers insert extra padding near his toe. Ward said he had no problems during practice. Also, WR Plaxico Burress, who jammed his thumb during practice Thursday, said he experienced no problems and will play against the Chiefs.
The Plain Dealer reports Browns RB James Jackson will wear his flak jacket again to protect his bruised ribs, but admitted that it's a bit of a hindrance. Last week, he blamed the flak jacket for the fumble that allowed the Chargers to score a field goal for a 16-10 lead. "[The flak jacket] feels like it's slowing down me a little," he said. "I have some trouble lifting my arms, making certain moves and turns, stuff like that. The coaches talk to me and say, You all right?' I guess they see the same thing." TE Rickey Dudley's agent, Joel Segal, said yesterday that he spoke with Dudley and that his client is determined to make a comeback from his Lis Franc injury in his right foot. "He's been blessed not only with the physical skills but the desire to work hard," said Segal. "He will come back from this. He's disappointed, because he was really starting to play well. He was catching the ball well, blocking well and establishing himself as the deep threat we knew he could be."
The Baltimore Sun reports Ravens OG Edwin Mulitalo had a limited workout yesterday, and his availability for tomorrow's game will be a game-time decision. Mulitalo, who injured his ankle against the Titans, has not had a full practice this week and is questionable for the game in Green Bay. DE Rob Burnett (calf) has been upgraded from questionable to probable after practicing yesterday. TE Todd Heap (ankle) remains unlikely to play, and DB Gary Baxter (chest) was added to the injury list as questionable.
The Star-Ledger reports Jets WR Laveranues Coles (knee) practiced with the first-team offense yesterday, ran at full speed, and made his cuts cleanly. "I'm all right," Coles said. "It feels good." HC Herman Edwards said Coles will get a little more rest on Sunday than he might ordinarily and may or may not return kickoffs, depending on how the knee feels. Coles said he's ready for anything. Although the speedster hadn't practiced most of this week, he said that was not by choice. "The team doctors told me not to play," Coles said. "Then they cleared me and told me to go out because they wanted to evaluate how I ran. It felt good. Everything is fine."
The New York Times reports Giants RB Tiki Barber (hamstring) has not been ruled out of this week's game, but will likely sit for the second week in a row. After a practice in which he just lightly jogged on the side, Barber said he did not know when he would be ready to play. "We've known all along that this is a two-to-six- week injury," Barber said.
AP reports the New England Patriots announced today that WR Terry Glenn will be on the active roster for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers. The team did not say whether or not Glenn will start, or how much he might play. No one was released to make room for Glenn since he takes the roster spot vacated when WR Bert Emanuel was cut on Tuesday.
The Pioneer Press reports Vikings DB Robert Griffith walked around without his protective boot on Friday to help with the range of motion on his broken right fibula. He's still out at least four more weeks. OL Corbin Lacina didn't practice Friday. He suffered a left ankle sprain in the third quarter of Sunday's game. He's listed as questionable on the injury report. CB Robert Tate has been bothered by nerve damage in his right shoulder. He played sparingly in Sunday's game, and is listed as probable. DB Wasswa Serwanga has been slow because of an abdominal strain he suffered against Chicago on Sept. 23. He's listed as probable on the injury report. DB Keith Thibodeaux is listed as probable with a knee injury. DT Shawn Worthen has been bothered by a toe injury for several weeks, but is listed as probable.
The Tampa Tribune reports certain that his sprained right big toe will force him to play hurt the rest of the season, Bucs RB Warrick Dunn says he's ready to begin the adjustment period Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. According to Bucs HC Tony Dungy, Dunn will play through the pain Sunday against Tennessee, but only if he can get through today's light walkthrough practice and Sunday's warm-up period without doing further damage or regressing. ``If there's no negative reaction [today or Sunday], then he should play,'' said Dungy, who expects Dunn to play his regular role should he be able to go. ``We'll use him like we usually do,'' Dungy said of Dunn, who has been upgraded to probable on the injury report. ``We won't just use him in an emergency or anything like that.'' Dungy said the same situation applies to LB Derrick Brooks, who is suffering a little more pain from his sprained foot than Dunn but also is expected to play. ``It'll be a game-time decision,'' Brooks said. ``But the fact we'll be playing on grass makes it a lot better.'' DT Warren Sapp suffered a slight hamstring strain during Friday's workout but is listed as probable for Sunday's game and should play.
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports Packers special teams standout K.D. Williams has been ruled out of Sunday's game with a possible high ankle sprain. OT Chad Clifton returned to practice Friday and worked with the first unit throughout. But it was a light workout and Clifton didn't have to put much stress on his hamstring. The status of KR Allen Rossum will be determined Sunday morning, according to HC Mike Sherman. Rossum was an observer at practice Friday.
The Chicago Tribune reports Bears WR Marcus Robinson (back) and OG Chris Villarrial (hip) practiced Friday and are listed as probable for Sunday. But FB/TE Scott Dragos (knee) is doubtful and TE Fred Baxter (hip) is out, leaving the Bears very thin at tight end. Also, LS Pat Mannelly (ankle) is questionable.(see above)
The Washington Post reports an MRI exam and series of X-rays conducted on Redskins DE Bruce Smith confirmed the defensive end has a dislocated right shoulder, as diagnosed, but also revealed torn ligaments, which are commonly associated with a dislocation. Smith said yesterday he expected to be sidelined two to four weeks, adding that two "would be pushing it." The key to Smith's recovery is regaining full range of motion and strength so he can play the way he's accustomed to playing.
The Bergen Record reports Giants WR Ike Hilliard has a new addition to his litany of injury problems: a strained oblique muscle on his right side. Asked if it hurts when he catches the ball, Hilliard nodded his assent and said, "It hurts when I cough." Hilliard missed the first two games of the season while his surgically repaired right toe healed, a toe that still hurts when he plays. But even though Sunday's game is the first on artificial turf, generally harder on the feet, Hilliard said he was happy to be wearing his favorite sneakers instead of cleats.
The Arizona Republic reports the Cardinals could be missing three defensive starters Sunday after CB Corey Chavous and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch had setbacks in their return from injuries. Their availability will be determined in pregame warm-ups, HC Dave McGinnis said. Neither did much in practice Friday after participating in part of Thursday's workout. Vanden Bosch had increased soreness in his sprained ankle, and Chavous' bruised foot also worsened. SS Pat Tillman, who has a sprained ankle, won't make the trip, along with WR Rob Moore (knee) and DT Marcus Bell (elbow).
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports every Falcons player except LB Chris Draft (toe) and WR Tony Martin (clavicle) is expected to play tomorrow, HC Dan Reeves said. WR Shawn Jefferson looked better practicing Friday. Jefferson took a shot in the back from Bears S Mike Brown on Sunday.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Rams starting RCB Dexter McCleon missed part of Friday's practice with a hip flexor injury. He has been playing with the injury for a while, HC Mike Martz said, but when he got tight midway through the workout, after failing to warm up properly in the cooler weather, the coaching staff decided to hold him out. LB London Fletcher (foot) sat out again Friday, but Martz said he'll practice today. OT Ryan Tucker (hand, shoulder) practiced only in some of the drills. Both starters are expected to play Sunday.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports Seahawks CB Shawn Springs could return to his starting spot on the left side tomorrow, with CB Willie Williams sliding to the right side. Springs had an impressive week of practice and showed no lingering effects from the pulled hamstring that sidelined him for almost two months and delayed his debut until last week. KR Charlie Rogers has not practiced this week and remains questionable for tomorrow because of sore big toes. If he can't play, WR Bobby Engram is the likely candidate to return punts, and WR Fabien Bownes to return kickoffs. SS Reggie Tongue was excused from practice to tend to a family matter. He is expected to start tomorrow.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports although C Jeremy Newberry continues to insist he'll be back in the starting lineup tomorrow, his troublesome left ankle doesn't appear to be cooperating. During the team's walk-through yesterday before boarding its charter to Atlanta, Newberry practiced sparingly and had difficulty pushing off the ankle after snaps. He eventually retired to the sideline and watched starting OG Dave Fiore take over at center. "Jeremy really kind of snuck out there a little bit. We really wanted to rest him today," said HC Steve Mariucci, who will let Newberry try it again today at the Georgia Dome. His status will be a game-day decision. Backup C Ben Lynch is sporting a cast on his sprained right ankle and is listed as out.
The Kansas City Star reports Chiefs WR Derrick Alexander (back) took most of the turns at wide receiver in practice Friday. HC Dick Vermeil said he expected Alexander to start Sunday against Pittsburgh at Arrowhead Stadium. Meanwhile, LB Mike Maslowski will have to wait another week before making his regular-season debut. "If he's active, he's got to be active in all phases of the kicking game," Vermeil said. "I'm not sure I want to turn him loose on kickoff coverage and punt coverage yet."
The Nashville Tennessean reports Titans RB Eddie George (sprained right ankle) practiced for the first time this week and said he plans on playing tomorrow. Until yesterday he had been limited to light running on a side field. ''I plan on playing,'' George said. ''It felt good compared to 48 hours ago. I was limping all over the place and couldn't hardly walk, so where I am at today I feel positive. I have even more time before the game and hopefully it will make even more improvement and I'll be ready to roll.'' George said the injury didn't limit his movement on a wet field yesterday, although he said he felt some soreness. WR Derrick Mason (ankle) was limited again during practice and S Blaine Bishop (ankle) did not practice at all. HC Jeff Fisher said DT John Thornton's right shoulder injury would be reevaluated next week. He hopes Thornton can hold off surgery until the end of the season. CB Samari Rolle was scheduled to meet with a neurologist yesterday afternoon. Fisher said Rolle is feeling better and might be able to return quicker than the initially estimated 3-4 weeks.
The Post-Gazette reports Steelers WR Hines Ward switched shoes and had no problems with his bruised left foot, proclaiming himself "good to go" against the Chiefs. Ward didn't make it all the way through practice Thursday because the shoe he was wearing irritated the bruise near his big toe. Yesterday, though, he went to a wider shoe and had the trainers insert extra padding near his toe. Ward said he had no problems during practice. Also, WR Plaxico Burress, who jammed his thumb during practice Thursday, said he experienced no problems and will play against the Chiefs.
The Plain Dealer reports Browns RB James Jackson will wear his flak jacket again to protect his bruised ribs, but admitted that it's a bit of a hindrance. Last week, he blamed the flak jacket for the fumble that allowed the Chargers to score a field goal for a 16-10 lead. "[The flak jacket] feels like it's slowing down me a little," he said. "I have some trouble lifting my arms, making certain moves and turns, stuff like that. The coaches talk to me and say, You all right?' I guess they see the same thing." TE Rickey Dudley's agent, Joel Segal, said yesterday that he spoke with Dudley and that his client is determined to make a comeback from his Lis Franc injury in his right foot. "He's been blessed not only with the physical skills but the desire to work hard," said Segal. "He will come back from this. He's disappointed, because he was really starting to play well. He was catching the ball well, blocking well and establishing himself as the deep threat we knew he could be."
The Baltimore Sun reports Ravens OG Edwin Mulitalo had a limited workout yesterday, and his availability for tomorrow's game will be a game-time decision. Mulitalo, who injured his ankle against the Titans, has not had a full practice this week and is questionable for the game in Green Bay. DE Rob Burnett (calf) has been upgraded from questionable to probable after practicing yesterday. TE Todd Heap (ankle) remains unlikely to play, and DB Gary Baxter (chest) was added to the injury list as questionable.
The Star-Ledger reports Jets WR Laveranues Coles (knee) practiced with the first-team offense yesterday, ran at full speed, and made his cuts cleanly. "I'm all right," Coles said. "It feels good." HC Herman Edwards said Coles will get a little more rest on Sunday than he might ordinarily and may or may not return kickoffs, depending on how the knee feels. Coles said he's ready for anything. Although the speedster hadn't practiced most of this week, he said that was not by choice. "The team doctors told me not to play," Coles said. "Then they cleared me and told me to go out because they wanted to evaluate how I ran. It felt good. Everything is fine."
The New York Times reports Giants RB Tiki Barber (hamstring) has not been ruled out of this week's game, but will likely sit for the second week in a row. After a practice in which he just lightly jogged on the side, Barber said he did not know when he would be ready to play. "We've known all along that this is a two-to-six- week injury," Barber said.
