The official website of the San Diego Chargers reports RB LaDainian Tomlinson suffered a sprained left ankle in the second quarter. He returned to the game in the third quarter. QB Doug Flutie suffered a concussion in the second quarter and did not return to the game. He was replaced by QB Drew Brees. WR Tim Dwight (ribs) and LB Orlando Ruff (stinger) were also injured during the game. Both continued to play, despite the injuries. All of the players will be re-evaluated later in the week.
The Florida Times-Union reports Titans TE Shad Meier dislocated his left thumb yesterday. FB Wes Ours suffered a shoulder injury, while LB Randall Godfrey dislocated a finger.
The New York Times reports Giants P Rodney Williams broke his right wrist making a tackle in the third quarter of the Giants' 27- 24 overtime victory against Dallas. Williams returned with his wrist wrapped in a temporary cast, and punted once for 39 yards. But Williams seemed to think he would have trouble punting for a few weeks. Asked if he could function as a punter with a broken wrist, Williams laughed and said, "I'm having trouble functioning as a human being." Giants LB Jessie Armstead played despite not practicing all of last week because of an injury to his left hamstring and calf muscles. Armstead came out of the game in most passing situations and was spelled frequently in the second half by LB Dhani Jones, who had a key interception. DT Keith Hamilton did not dress for the game. CB Will Allen returned to the lineup after missing two games with an ankle sprain but looked very rusty. He was occasionally replaced by CB Will Peterson, who made an important interception in the end zone.
The Indianapolis Star reports the only significant injury suffered by the Colts yesterday involved OG Steve McKinney, who sustained a concussion in the third quarter and did not return. To make room for RB Kevin McDougal on the active roster, the team placed LB Sean Harris (neck/shoulder) on injured reserve.
The Chicago Tribune reports Bears QB Jim Miller, out of the starting lineup this week because of a hip pointer suffered against the San Francisco 49ers, was out running before Sunday's game and throwing rollout passes to test his hip. He also warmed up during the game but his availability for Green Bay won't be known until later this week. OG Chris Villarrial left the game in the second quarter with a strained hip muscle and was replaced by OG Kevin Dogins. Villarrial returned to the game. WR Marty Booker said he injured also his hip, then expanded his medical reports to a more inclusive, "My whole body hurts."
AP reports the Dallas Cowboys debut of QB Ryan Leaf came with the team at their 3 and just 4:23 remaining in regulation time. The Cowboys were down. They had just blown a 17-point second-half lead and allowed the Giants to tie the game 24-24. "Fourth quarter, tie game, Giants Stadium and you're on your own 3-yard line," Leaf said. "You'd like it to be easier." As expected, the Cowboys' implosion continued under Leaf. After fumbling his first snap, he completed a 38-yard pass to WR Rocket Ismail, then moved the Cowboys into Giants' territory. But after a sack and a penalty, Dallas had to punt. The game went into overtime, and Leaf moved Dallas over midfield. But again there was a sack, a penalty and a punt. Predictably, the Giants won in OT, on a field goal by PK Morten Andersen. But this time the blame isn't all on Leaf, who finished with 85 yards passing as he completed four of his eight throws. He was trying to clean up the mess after QB Clint Stoerner threw four interceptions in the second half to allow the Giants back into the game. All signs now point to Leaf starting next week, vs. Atlanta. "I know he can throw the football," HC Dave Campo said.
Michigan Live reports Detroit Lions QB Charlie Batch is not happy with HC Marty Mornhinweg's new plan to get rookie QB Mike McMahon some playing time. McMahon played in one series in the first half and one series in the second half during Detroit's 21-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. "I expressed that with (Mornhinweg) and I'm not going to express it with (the media). You're not going to get anymore than that, you're really not," Batch said after the game. On his first series, McMahon guided the offense 39 yards on 10 plays to set up a 39-yard field goal by PK Jason Hanson. McMahon completed two of three passes for 16 yards and also scrambled for 11 yards. On third-and-two at the 16-yard line, though, he tried to scramble again and came up short. McMahon's second series was less successful. He was sacked on first down, threw an incompletion on second down and then, on third-and-19, he was sacked again.
The Baltimore Sun reports Ravens nickel back James Trapp (strained groin) is questionable for next Monday's game at Tennessee.
The Plain Dealer reports Browns DE Keith McKenzie suffered a fractured left ankle in the first quarter and is out indefinitely. LB Wali Rainer left the game midway through the third quarter with an ankle injury. CB Corey Fuller left the game briefly with an ankle injury but returned. S Earl Little sat out most of the second half with cramping in his legs and was replaced by S Devin Bush. The Beacon Journal adds McKenzie is expected to miss the rest of the season.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports the 49ers emerged from Sunday's game relatively injury free. All these players are probable for Sunday's home game against New Orleans: RB Terry Jackson (stinger), OT Scott Gragg (R knee bruise), OT Derrick Deese (R elbow), RB Garrison Hearst (L knee bruise), and DE Chike Okeafor (R ankle sprain).
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Chargers QB Doug Flutie missed the final two-plus quarters of the Chargers' 25-20 loss to Kansas City yesterday because of a concussion, but he's not expected to be sidelined Sunday at Denver. "I kept thinking it was going to come around and come around and it just got progressively worse," Flutie said. "I kind of snapped out of it just around halftime." By that time, the medical staff had decided against allowing Flutie to return because he was suffering short-term memory loss.
The Baltimore Sun reports Ravens QB Elvis Grbac (ribs) is expected to return to the starting lineup next week. Backup QB Randall Cunningham starter for the second straight game yesterday and finished 14-for-22 for 158 yards, a touchdown, and an interception against the Steelers. He led the Ravens back from a fourth-quarter deficit for the second straight week.
The Trenton Times reports Eagles LB Mike Caldwell suffered a strained calf injury in the first half and did not return. DT Corey Simon suffered a groin spasm in the fourth quarter and did not return. Backup S Rashard Cook strained his Achilles early in the game, and RB Correll Buckhalter suffered a shoulder sprain. All four players will be evaluated further today. The Inquirer adds CB Troy Vincent was hospitalized here last night because of dehydration. The Eagles said that Vincent's condition was not serious and that he remained behind as a precautionary measure.
ESPN reports the Pittsburgh Steelers intend to monitor PK Kris Brown (bruised knee) closely this week. The team will wait a couple of days to see how Brown's leg responds to treatment and then make a roster decision at that time.
ESPN reports St. Louis Rams RB Marshall Faulk (bone bruise, right knee) is expected to start this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. HC Mike Martz proclaimed Faulk's knee 100 percent.
In his press conference today, New York Giants HC Jim Fassel said P Rodney Williams (broken wrist) will be miss 2-3 weeks of action. The Giants will begin tryouts for a new punter beginning on Tuesday.
In his press conference today, Miami Dolphins HC Dave Wannstedt said both S Brian Walker (broken right thumb) and DT Jermaine Haley (broken right thumb) will miss this week's game at Indianapolis and probably will be out 2-3 weeks.
ESPN reports Atlanta Falcons QB Chris Chandler (rib) will try to throw Wednesday, but is uncertain to play this week. Rookie QB Michael Vick could get his first career NFL start.
ESPN reports Chicago Bears HC Dick Jauron is hopeful QB Jim Miller (hip) will be able to practice and play this week.
ESPN reports Seattle Seahawks HC Mike Holmgren has announced today that QB Matt Hasselbeck will remain the team's starting QB for this week's game.
ESPN reports Washington Redskins LB LaVar Arrington (high ankle sprain) is OUT indefinitely.
In his press conference today, Indianapolis Colts HC Jim Mora said there was no medical update on injured RB Edgerrin James (knee), who missed Sunday's game with a left knee sprain. James made the trip to Buffalo, but after practicing Friday, he was sore when he tried to run Saturday. OG Steve McKinney sustained a concussion against the Bills. He returned briefly, but left shortly thereafter. Mora said there was no update on McKinney's condition this afternoon.
AP reports with PK Bill Gramatica (shoulder) and P Scott Player (ankle) injured, the Arizona Cardinals actually considered using backup QB Dave Brown as their punter Sunday. "He's got an ankle the size of a basketball," HC Dave McGinnis said, declaring Player out for Sunday's home game with the New York Giants. "We're going to need a punter, so that will necessitate making a move." McGinnis also hopes to find a tight end to back up former backup TE Tywan Mitchell. TE Terry Hardy (shoulder) is still several weeks away from being able to return. The Cardinals will have to drop two players from their roster to make room for replacements. WR Rob Moore is still out because of a knee he blew out during an exhibition game at Minnesota on Aug. 18, 2000. Moore recently had surgery to remove scar tissue from his left hamstring and tendon, and McGinnis said that was why Moore wasn't one of the players being eyed for waivers or a season-ending move to injured reserve.
The Florida Times-Union reports Jags QB Mark Brunell's status for this week's game against Cincinnati is uncertain after he strained a quadriceps muscle on a first-half scramble in Sunday's 28-24 loss at Tennessee. Brunell finished the game but isn't sure if he will practice tomorrow, HC Tom Coughlin said. "Will he be held out [of practice]? I hope not," Coughlin said.
The Dallas Morning News reports Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith, who missed his first game since 1999 with a sprained right knee, will be day-to-day this week. HC Dave Campo said he didn't know when Smith would practice this week. "Whenever, Emmitt is ready, he'll play," Campo said. "I'm shocked he missed the game because he's such a warrior."
Update::::
The Charlotte Observer reports Panthers rookie QB Chris Weinke, who left Sunday's game in the third quarter with a sprained right shoulder, will have an MRI test this morning and his status for Sunday's game at St. Louis won't be known until later in the week. Backup QB Dameyune Craig injured his right foot in the fourth quarter. He will have surgery Wednesday and will miss the rest of the season. Craig's injury was worse than originally thought. He said he tore a ligament and separated a bone between two toes. Doctors will insert a screw in the foot and Craig said he'll be on crutches for six weeks and it will be about nine weeks before he can begin running. That leaves third-stringer QB Matt Lytle as the only healthy quarterback on Carolina's roster. It's possible the Panthers could go into St. Louis with Lytle and a player not even on their roster yet as the active quarterbacks.
The Advocate reports New Orleans Saints HC Jim Haslett said Monday he considered cutting All-Pro OT Kyle Turley in the wake of Turley's outburst at the end of a 16-9 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday night. He was punished for violently grabbing the facemask of Jets S Damien Robinson, wresting away his helmet, throwing it across the field and making an obscene gesture. "Driving home last night I thought about cutting him," Haslett said at his weekly news conference. "Last night, laying in bed, I thought about suspending him." Then Haslett saw film of Robinson violently twisting Saints QB Aaron Brooks' facemask after tackling him, which prompted Turley's attack. "I saw it on TV and I can understand why Kyle did it to that point," Haslett said. "I know he was wrong to throw the helmet. That's uncalled for. The gesture is uncalled for. Turley faces an automatic $8,000 fine from the NFL for the ejection. Haslett said the team will fine him after the NFL decides what other action it might take. NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said the damage that Turley's penalty already has cost the Saints is one of several factors the league will take into account in evaluating what action he'll take.
The Florida Times-Union reports Titans TE Shad Meier dislocated his left thumb yesterday. FB Wes Ours suffered a shoulder injury, while LB Randall Godfrey dislocated a finger.
The New York Times reports Giants P Rodney Williams broke his right wrist making a tackle in the third quarter of the Giants' 27- 24 overtime victory against Dallas. Williams returned with his wrist wrapped in a temporary cast, and punted once for 39 yards. But Williams seemed to think he would have trouble punting for a few weeks. Asked if he could function as a punter with a broken wrist, Williams laughed and said, "I'm having trouble functioning as a human being." Giants LB Jessie Armstead played despite not practicing all of last week because of an injury to his left hamstring and calf muscles. Armstead came out of the game in most passing situations and was spelled frequently in the second half by LB Dhani Jones, who had a key interception. DT Keith Hamilton did not dress for the game. CB Will Allen returned to the lineup after missing two games with an ankle sprain but looked very rusty. He was occasionally replaced by CB Will Peterson, who made an important interception in the end zone.
The Indianapolis Star reports the only significant injury suffered by the Colts yesterday involved OG Steve McKinney, who sustained a concussion in the third quarter and did not return. To make room for RB Kevin McDougal on the active roster, the team placed LB Sean Harris (neck/shoulder) on injured reserve.
The Chicago Tribune reports Bears QB Jim Miller, out of the starting lineup this week because of a hip pointer suffered against the San Francisco 49ers, was out running before Sunday's game and throwing rollout passes to test his hip. He also warmed up during the game but his availability for Green Bay won't be known until later this week. OG Chris Villarrial left the game in the second quarter with a strained hip muscle and was replaced by OG Kevin Dogins. Villarrial returned to the game. WR Marty Booker said he injured also his hip, then expanded his medical reports to a more inclusive, "My whole body hurts."
AP reports the Dallas Cowboys debut of QB Ryan Leaf came with the team at their 3 and just 4:23 remaining in regulation time. The Cowboys were down. They had just blown a 17-point second-half lead and allowed the Giants to tie the game 24-24. "Fourth quarter, tie game, Giants Stadium and you're on your own 3-yard line," Leaf said. "You'd like it to be easier." As expected, the Cowboys' implosion continued under Leaf. After fumbling his first snap, he completed a 38-yard pass to WR Rocket Ismail, then moved the Cowboys into Giants' territory. But after a sack and a penalty, Dallas had to punt. The game went into overtime, and Leaf moved Dallas over midfield. But again there was a sack, a penalty and a punt. Predictably, the Giants won in OT, on a field goal by PK Morten Andersen. But this time the blame isn't all on Leaf, who finished with 85 yards passing as he completed four of his eight throws. He was trying to clean up the mess after QB Clint Stoerner threw four interceptions in the second half to allow the Giants back into the game. All signs now point to Leaf starting next week, vs. Atlanta. "I know he can throw the football," HC Dave Campo said.
Michigan Live reports Detroit Lions QB Charlie Batch is not happy with HC Marty Mornhinweg's new plan to get rookie QB Mike McMahon some playing time. McMahon played in one series in the first half and one series in the second half during Detroit's 21-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. "I expressed that with (Mornhinweg) and I'm not going to express it with (the media). You're not going to get anymore than that, you're really not," Batch said after the game. On his first series, McMahon guided the offense 39 yards on 10 plays to set up a 39-yard field goal by PK Jason Hanson. McMahon completed two of three passes for 16 yards and also scrambled for 11 yards. On third-and-two at the 16-yard line, though, he tried to scramble again and came up short. McMahon's second series was less successful. He was sacked on first down, threw an incompletion on second down and then, on third-and-19, he was sacked again.
The Baltimore Sun reports Ravens nickel back James Trapp (strained groin) is questionable for next Monday's game at Tennessee.
The Plain Dealer reports Browns DE Keith McKenzie suffered a fractured left ankle in the first quarter and is out indefinitely. LB Wali Rainer left the game midway through the third quarter with an ankle injury. CB Corey Fuller left the game briefly with an ankle injury but returned. S Earl Little sat out most of the second half with cramping in his legs and was replaced by S Devin Bush. The Beacon Journal adds McKenzie is expected to miss the rest of the season.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports the 49ers emerged from Sunday's game relatively injury free. All these players are probable for Sunday's home game against New Orleans: RB Terry Jackson (stinger), OT Scott Gragg (R knee bruise), OT Derrick Deese (R elbow), RB Garrison Hearst (L knee bruise), and DE Chike Okeafor (R ankle sprain).
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Chargers QB Doug Flutie missed the final two-plus quarters of the Chargers' 25-20 loss to Kansas City yesterday because of a concussion, but he's not expected to be sidelined Sunday at Denver. "I kept thinking it was going to come around and come around and it just got progressively worse," Flutie said. "I kind of snapped out of it just around halftime." By that time, the medical staff had decided against allowing Flutie to return because he was suffering short-term memory loss.
The Baltimore Sun reports Ravens QB Elvis Grbac (ribs) is expected to return to the starting lineup next week. Backup QB Randall Cunningham starter for the second straight game yesterday and finished 14-for-22 for 158 yards, a touchdown, and an interception against the Steelers. He led the Ravens back from a fourth-quarter deficit for the second straight week.
The Trenton Times reports Eagles LB Mike Caldwell suffered a strained calf injury in the first half and did not return. DT Corey Simon suffered a groin spasm in the fourth quarter and did not return. Backup S Rashard Cook strained his Achilles early in the game, and RB Correll Buckhalter suffered a shoulder sprain. All four players will be evaluated further today. The Inquirer adds CB Troy Vincent was hospitalized here last night because of dehydration. The Eagles said that Vincent's condition was not serious and that he remained behind as a precautionary measure.
ESPN reports the Pittsburgh Steelers intend to monitor PK Kris Brown (bruised knee) closely this week. The team will wait a couple of days to see how Brown's leg responds to treatment and then make a roster decision at that time.
ESPN reports St. Louis Rams RB Marshall Faulk (bone bruise, right knee) is expected to start this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. HC Mike Martz proclaimed Faulk's knee 100 percent.
In his press conference today, New York Giants HC Jim Fassel said P Rodney Williams (broken wrist) will be miss 2-3 weeks of action. The Giants will begin tryouts for a new punter beginning on Tuesday.
In his press conference today, Miami Dolphins HC Dave Wannstedt said both S Brian Walker (broken right thumb) and DT Jermaine Haley (broken right thumb) will miss this week's game at Indianapolis and probably will be out 2-3 weeks.
ESPN reports Atlanta Falcons QB Chris Chandler (rib) will try to throw Wednesday, but is uncertain to play this week. Rookie QB Michael Vick could get his first career NFL start.
ESPN reports Chicago Bears HC Dick Jauron is hopeful QB Jim Miller (hip) will be able to practice and play this week.
ESPN reports Seattle Seahawks HC Mike Holmgren has announced today that QB Matt Hasselbeck will remain the team's starting QB for this week's game.
ESPN reports Washington Redskins LB LaVar Arrington (high ankle sprain) is OUT indefinitely.
In his press conference today, Indianapolis Colts HC Jim Mora said there was no medical update on injured RB Edgerrin James (knee), who missed Sunday's game with a left knee sprain. James made the trip to Buffalo, but after practicing Friday, he was sore when he tried to run Saturday. OG Steve McKinney sustained a concussion against the Bills. He returned briefly, but left shortly thereafter. Mora said there was no update on McKinney's condition this afternoon.
AP reports with PK Bill Gramatica (shoulder) and P Scott Player (ankle) injured, the Arizona Cardinals actually considered using backup QB Dave Brown as their punter Sunday. "He's got an ankle the size of a basketball," HC Dave McGinnis said, declaring Player out for Sunday's home game with the New York Giants. "We're going to need a punter, so that will necessitate making a move." McGinnis also hopes to find a tight end to back up former backup TE Tywan Mitchell. TE Terry Hardy (shoulder) is still several weeks away from being able to return. The Cardinals will have to drop two players from their roster to make room for replacements. WR Rob Moore is still out because of a knee he blew out during an exhibition game at Minnesota on Aug. 18, 2000. Moore recently had surgery to remove scar tissue from his left hamstring and tendon, and McGinnis said that was why Moore wasn't one of the players being eyed for waivers or a season-ending move to injured reserve.
The Florida Times-Union reports Jags QB Mark Brunell's status for this week's game against Cincinnati is uncertain after he strained a quadriceps muscle on a first-half scramble in Sunday's 28-24 loss at Tennessee. Brunell finished the game but isn't sure if he will practice tomorrow, HC Tom Coughlin said. "Will he be held out [of practice]? I hope not," Coughlin said.
The Dallas Morning News reports Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith, who missed his first game since 1999 with a sprained right knee, will be day-to-day this week. HC Dave Campo said he didn't know when Smith would practice this week. "Whenever, Emmitt is ready, he'll play," Campo said. "I'm shocked he missed the game because he's such a warrior."
Update::::
The Charlotte Observer reports Panthers rookie QB Chris Weinke, who left Sunday's game in the third quarter with a sprained right shoulder, will have an MRI test this morning and his status for Sunday's game at St. Louis won't be known until later in the week. Backup QB Dameyune Craig injured his right foot in the fourth quarter. He will have surgery Wednesday and will miss the rest of the season. Craig's injury was worse than originally thought. He said he tore a ligament and separated a bone between two toes. Doctors will insert a screw in the foot and Craig said he'll be on crutches for six weeks and it will be about nine weeks before he can begin running. That leaves third-stringer QB Matt Lytle as the only healthy quarterback on Carolina's roster. It's possible the Panthers could go into St. Louis with Lytle and a player not even on their roster yet as the active quarterbacks.
The Advocate reports New Orleans Saints HC Jim Haslett said Monday he considered cutting All-Pro OT Kyle Turley in the wake of Turley's outburst at the end of a 16-9 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday night. He was punished for violently grabbing the facemask of Jets S Damien Robinson, wresting away his helmet, throwing it across the field and making an obscene gesture. "Driving home last night I thought about cutting him," Haslett said at his weekly news conference. "Last night, laying in bed, I thought about suspending him." Then Haslett saw film of Robinson violently twisting Saints QB Aaron Brooks' facemask after tackling him, which prompted Turley's attack. "I saw it on TV and I can understand why Kyle did it to that point," Haslett said. "I know he was wrong to throw the helmet. That's uncalled for. The gesture is uncalled for. Turley faces an automatic $8,000 fine from the NFL for the ejection. Haslett said the team will fine him after the NFL decides what other action it might take. NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said the damage that Turley's penalty already has cost the Saints is one of several factors the league will take into account in evaluating what action he'll take.
