Friday Morning Injury Roundup

Week Three Friday Injury Roundup
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Quarterbacks
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Bengal QB Carson Palmer (ankle) practiced again Thursday and will start.

Steeler QB Ben Roethlisberger (right shoulder) practiced again Thursday
and will start.

Running Backs
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Brown RB Jamal Lewis (ankle) was limited again in Thursday's practice, but
is expected to start.

Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson (jammed toe) was held out of Thursday's
practice as expected. Thursday was the team's first real practice of the
week, since the game is being held on Monday instead of Sunday. We're told
Tomlinson may try to do some limited practicing by Saturday just to test
his injured toe, but the expectation is that he'll be in the starting
lineup on Monday night. If he can't play, backup RB Darren Sproles would
start with rookie FBs Jacob Hester and Mike Tolbert also seeing carries.

49er RB Frank Gore (general soreness) practiced Thursday and will start.
The team rested him Wednesday after being in such a physical game last
week against the Seahawks. His legs were very sore after that game.

Jaguar backup RB Maurice Jones-Drew (ankle) was rested Wednesday and took
in less than his usual amount of reps in Thursday's practice. However, the
team expects him to be able to play on Sunday. RB Fred Taylor (toe)
practiced Thursday and is expected to start.

Packer RB Ryan Grant (hamstring) took in less than his usual amount of
practice reps again Thursday. The coaches plan to cut down his playing
time again like last week, since his hamstring isn't near 100%.

Patriot starting RB Laurence Maroney (shoulder) missed practice again
Thursday and is considered questionable to play. Maroney and backup RB
LaMont Jordan (foot) have yet to practice this week. If Maroney can't
play, backup RB Sammy Morris would likely start.

Saint RB Deuce McAllister (knee) was removed from the injury report after
practicing Thursday. However, we're told his status for Sunday won't be
decided until they make a decision on backup RB Aaron Stecker's
(hamstring) status. Stecker was limited again in Thursday's practice.

Seahawk RB Maurice Morris (knee) is out again with backup RB Julius Jones
filling in. We're told the team doesn't think he'll start practicing until
after their Week Four bye.

Texan starting RB Ahman Green (ankle) missed practice again Thursday and
is considered doubtful to play. Rookie RB Steve Slaton is expected to
start with RB Chris Taylor backing him up.

Viking starting RB Adrian Peterson (hamstring) was held out of Thursday's
practice. We're told the team doesn't want him to aggravate the injury,
since he did quite a bit of work in Wednesday's practice, despite being
listed as limited. Friday is the key day for Peterson. As long as he can
do at least limited work, we're told the team would expect him to play.
The concern is that they don't want to overwork his hamstring before the
game. Backup RB Chester Taylor would start if needed. Backup RB Maurice
Hicks (foot) practiced again Thursday and would back up Taylor if Peterson
couldn't play.

Wide Receivers
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Bear starting WR Devin Hester (torn rib cartilage) was held out again of
Thursday's practice. Hester told the coaches that he feels good enough to
play the he still could be held out of Sunday's game. If Hester can't
play, WR Rashied Davis would likely start for him with backup S Danieal
Manning handling kick returns.

Bill backup WR/PR Roscoe Parrish (knee) was limited again in Thursday's
practice, but should be able to play.

Brown KR/PR/WR Josh Cribbs (shoulder) was limited again in Thursday's
practice and is considered questionable to play. Starting WR Donte'
Stallworth (quadriceps) missed practice again Thursday and is considered
very questionable to play. Starting WR Braylon Edwards (shoulder) took in
mostly non-contact work again in Thursday's practice, but he's expected to
start.

Buccaneer WR Joey Galloway (foot) missed practice again Thursday and is
considered doubtful to play. Starting WR Antonio Bryant is expected to
start in Galloway's spot with backup WR Michael Clayton starting on the
other side.

Eagle starting WR Kevin Curtis (hernia) remains out with backup WR Hank
Baskett filling in. The team believes he could start practicing in about
two weeks. Starting WR Reggie Brown (hamstring) practiced again Thursday.
We're told he's expected to play but the coaches may bring him off the
bench this week, since he's missed so much playing and practice time. Look
for rookie WR DeSean Jackson to start again for him.

49er starting ORT Jonas Jennings (shoulder) is out. Backup OT Barry Sims
fills in.

Jaguar starting WR Jerry Porter (hamstring) still couldn't go through a
full practice on Thursday and is considered questionable to play. Backup
WR Matt Jones would start again if Porter can't play.

Jet WR Laveranues Coles (thigh) took in limited practice reps again
Thursday, but is expected to start.

Ram starting WR Drew Bennett (foot) is expected to miss at least two more
weeks and isn't practicing. Backup WR Dane Looker fills in.

Saint starting WR Marques Colston (thumb) remains out for at least three
more weeks with backup WR David Patten starting for him.

Seahawk WR Bobby Engram (shoulder) is out. Starting WR Deion Branch (knee)
won't play this week but is doing some light practicing. Branch hasn't had
an unrestricted practice since last January. Both are expected to start
practicing with the team in two weeks. WR Courtney Taylor is expected to
start for Branch with the other spot still up in the air. WR Koren
Robinson (knee), who just signed with the team two days ago, couldn't
practice fully on Thursday. The team won't make a decision on who will
start until after Friday's practice at the earliest.

Titan starting WR Justin Gage (groin) missed practice again Thursday.
We're told Gage is about a 70-30 to start on Sunday. If he can't play,
backup WR Brandon Jones would start for him.

Viking starting WR Sidney Rice (knee) missed practice again Thursday and
is considered very questionable to play. Backup WR Bobby Wade would likely
start if Rice can't play. WR Bernard Berrian (toe) was limited again in
Thursday's practice, but is expected to start. Berrian had problems with
his feet over the last few seasons but has been able to play though the
injuries.

Tight Ends
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Bengal TE Ben Utecht (chest) missed practice again Thursday, and is
considered very questionable to play.

Colt TE Dallas Clark (knee) practiced again and will start, barring a
setback. Clark isn't listed on the injury report.

Cowboy TE Jason Witten (separated shoulder) practiced again Thursday and
is expected to start.

Raven TE Todd Heap (wrist) practiced again Thursday and is expected to
start.

Offensive Line
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Bear starting OLT Chris Williams remains out for several weeks.

Bronco starting C Tom Nalen (knee) is out with backup C Casey Wiegmann
filling in.

Brown starting LG Eric Steinbach (shoulder) missed practice again Thursday
and is considered questionable to play.

Charger OLT Marcus McNeill (back) practiced Thursday and there's a good
chance he'll start. His return would be a huge boost for their offense.

Colt C Jeff Saturday (knee) practiced again and will start barring a
setback. Saturday isn't listed on the injury report.

Colt starting OLT Tony Ugoh (groin) missed practice again Thursday and is
considered very questionable to play.

Eagle starting G Shawn Andrews (back) missed practice again Thursday and
is considered questionable to play.

Falcon starting OLT Sam Baker (concussion) was held out of contact work
again in Thursday's practice, but should be cleared to play by Sunday.

Panther starting LG Travelle Wharton (knee) missed practice again Thursday
and is considered doubtful to play.

Seahawk OLT Walter Jones (hip) was held out of Thursday's practice, but is
expected to start.

Place Kickers
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Giant K Lawrence Tynes (knee) was limited again in Thursday's practice.
Backup K John Carney may have to fill in again for him on Sunday.

Jet K Mike Nugent (thigh) remains out. Backup K Jay Feely is filling in.

Defensive Line
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Brown starting DE Robaire Smith (Achilles) was placed on IR.

Falcon DT Grady Jackson (knee) was limited again in Thursday's practice
and is considered questionable to play. Jackson's knee swelled up before
last week's game.

Lion starting DT Cory Redding (ankle) missed practice again Thursday and
is considered questionable to play.

Ram DE Leonard Little (hamstring) was limited again in Thursday's practice
and is considered questionable to play.

Raven DT Kelly Gregg (knee) missed practice again Thursday and is
considered doubtful to play.

Redskin DE Jason Taylor (knee) practiced Thursday and is expected to
start.

Steeler starting DE Brett Keisel (calf) isn't practicing and won't play.

Linebackers
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Buccaneer starting WLB Derrick Brooks (hamstring) was limited again in
Thursday's practice, but is expected to start.

Cardinal starting OLB Travis LaBoy (ankle) didn't practice Thursday and is
considered questionable to play.

Falcon SLB Michael Boley (neck) was limited again during Thursday's
practice, but should be able to start.

Jaguar starting OLB Justin Durant (groin) missed practice again Thursday
and is considered very questionable to play. Backup OLB Clint Ingram would
start if needed.

Redskin MLB London Fletcher (rib) was rested by the coaches on Thursday,
but is expected to start. Starting SLB Marcus Washington (hamstring)
practiced Thursday and is expected to start.

Saint starting SLB Scott Fujita (knee) missed practice again Thursday and
is considered doubtful to play.

Steeler ILB James Farrior (back) was limited in Thursday's practice, but
is expected to start.

Defensive Backs
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Bill CB Terence McGee (back) was limited in Thursday's practice, but
should be able to start.

Brown starting SS Sean Jones (knee) remains out for at least two more
weeks.

Chief starting CB Patrick Surtain (shoulder) is out. Rookie CB Brandon
Carr will likely start for him.

Colt starting SS Bob Sanders (ankle/knee) will miss at least four weeks
with backup S Melvin Bullitt filling in.

Colt CB Marlin Jackson (hip) didn't practice Thursday, but should be able
to start.

Cowboy starting CB Terence Newman (groin) practiced again Thursday and is
expected to play, but he may not start since he's not 100%.

Cowboy starting SS Roy Williams (broken forearm) will miss at least three
weeks.

49er nickel CB Shawntae Spencer (knee) is out.

Packer CB Charles Woodson (toe) was held out of again of Thursday's
practice, but is expected to start.

Packer starting SS Atari Bigby (hamstring) missed practice again Thursday
and is considered questionable to play.

Redskin backup CB Fred Smoot (hip) was limited in Thursday's practice and
is considered questionable to play. Starting CB Carlos Rodgers (groin)
practiced Thursday and is expected to start.

Saint CB Aaron Glenn (ankle) missed practice again Thursday and is not
expected to play. CB Randall Gay (hamstring) was limited again in
Thursday's practice and considered questionable to play. CB Mike McKenzie
could start his first game this season if Gay can't play.

Saint starting SS Roman Harper (hamstring) was limited again in Thursday's
practice and is considered questionable to play.

Seahawk starting CB Kelly Jennings (rib) missed practice again Thursday
and is considered questionable to play.

Steeler starting CB Deshea Townsend (bruised heel) missed practice again
Thursday and is considered doubtful to play. Backup CB Bryant McFadden
would start again if Townsend is out.

Viking SS Madieu Williams (neck) missed practice again Thursday and won't
be able to play. Rookie S Tyrell Johnson is expected to start again for
him.