Just a few more late breaking stories for those that can tweak their 
lineups up until gametime.  Best of luck to everyone that is playing 
for their Championship this week.

***********************************************************

Quarterbacks in the News:

Rob Johnson (Buf) is out this week with a bruised shoulder and ego.  
Alex Van Pelt will again start in his place.

Scott Mitchell (Cin) is doubtful this week.  He is not expected to 
play.  Jon Kitna will start as usual.

Mike McMahon (Det) is still wearing the protective boot and has not 
practiced all week.  He is unlikely to play.  Ty Detmer will start if 
McMahon cannot go. McMahon appears on the injury report as 
questionable with a sore foot.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Mike McMahon (Det) was downgraded
to doubtful after failing to practice this week.  Ty Detmer is 
expected to start.

Mark Brunell (Jac) practiced on Wednesday and Thursday and is 
expected to start on Sunday.  He appears on the injury report as 
probable with a sore quadriceps.

Jay Fiedler (Mia) appears on the Friday injury report as probable 
with a sore elbow.  He is expected to start as usual.

Todd Bouman (Min) practiced, but was not effective and appears much 
worse than his probable status on the injury report.  Spergon Wynn 
practiced both Wednesday and Thursday with the first unit and will 
likely start.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Spergon Wynn (Min) has been named
the starter.  Todd Bouman will back him up despite his injured thumb.

Dante Culpepper (Min) is out this week and is expected to miss week 
17 as well.

Doug Flutie (SD) is expected to start for the Chargers, but one has 
to think that they will also try and get some looks for rookie Drew 
Brees since they are eliminated from playoff consideration.

Matt Hasselbeck (Sea) appears on the injury report as questionable 
with a sore shoulder, but he is not expected to play.  Trent Dilfer 
will get the start in his place.

Jeff Garcia (SF) practiced on Wednesday and Thursday and is expected 
to start on Sunday.  He appears on the injury report as probable with 
sore ribs.

Steve McNair (Ten) practiced on Thursday and is expected to start on 
Sunday.  He appears on the injury report as questionable with a sore 
back, but has been like that for months and is playing great ball.  

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Steve McNair (Ten) was excused to
miss Friday's practice because of a family illness.  He is expected 
to start on Sunday.

***********************************************************

Running Backs in the News:

Bob Christian (Atl) was able to practice on Thursday and is expected 
to play with his sore knee.  He appears on the injury report as 
probable.

Maurice Smith (Atl) was able to practice on Thursday and is expected 
to start with his sore ankle.  Rodney Thomas is also expected to get 
some carries this week.

Jason Brookins (Bal) was able to practice on Thursday, but is not 
expected to play.  He appears on the injury report as questionable 
with a sore foot.  Terry Allen will start and Moe Williams will back 
him up this week.

Shawn Bryson (Buf) will start in place of the injured Travis Henry.  
Travis Henry is out this week with a bad knee.

Lorenzo Neal (Cin) will start at FB despite being banged up with a 
sore shoulder.  

Michael Wiley (Dal) has been unable to practice this week.  If he 
cannot go, Emmitt Smith will also play on third downs.  Troy Hambrick 
would likely play a few more series too so as to not over-work Emmitt 
Smith.

Terrell Davis (Den) will start despite swelling in his knee.  He does 
not appear on this week's injury report.

James Stewart (Det) does not look as if he will play this week.  
Lamont Warren will take his spot in the starting lineup.  Cory 
Schlesinger should also get increased reps.

Cory Schlesinger (Det) missed Wednesday's practice with the flu,
but practiced on Thursday.  He will be the short yardage back this 
week for the Lions.  He does not appear on the injury report.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Lamont Warren (Det) has been named
the starter this week.  Cory Schlesinger will be used in short 
yardage.  James Stewart is not expected to play.  

Dominic Rhodes (Ind) practiced on Thursday and is expected t start on 
Sunday.  He appears on the injury report as probable with a sore neck.

Fred Taylor (Jac) is not expected to play, but he has practiced on a 
limited basis.  He continues to appear on the injury report as 
questionable with a torn groin muscle.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Fred Taylor (Jac) is out this week 
after failing to show enough on Friday.  Stacey Mack will get the 
start.

Mike Cloud (KC) can play if needed.  He has a sore hip.

Rob Konrad (Mia) missed Thursday's practice and is not expected
to play on Sunday.  He appears on the injury report as doubtful with 
bruised ribs.

Damon Washington (NYG) has been unable to practice and is doubtful to 
play this week.

Jerome Bettis (Pit) practiced on Thursday, but remains very 
questionable to play this week.  The coaches have also strongly 
hinted that they would rest him so that he fully heals for the 
playoffs.  He appears on the injury report as questionable with a 
sore groin. 

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Jerome Bettis (Pit) was limited in 
practice on Friday and is not expected to play.

Amos Zereoue (Pit) practiced on Thursday and is expected to backup 
Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala.   

Terrell Fletcher (SD) is out with a torn hamstring. 

Fred Beasley (SF) practiced on Thursday and is expected to play on 
Sunday.  He appears on the injury report as probable with a sore hand.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Fred Beasley (SF) will wear a 
protective cast when he plays on Sunday.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? This just in?.Marshall Faulk is
the MAN.

Warrick Dunn (TB) missed practice time this week, but the move looks 
precautionary.  He appears on the injury report as probable with turf 
toe and is expected to share running duties with Mike Alstott.

Skip Hicks (Ten) has been unable to practice all week.  He is not 
expected to play and will likely be deactivated.  He appears on the 
injury report as questionable with a sore hamstring.

Eddie George (Ten) is gritting out his injured ankle and is expected 
to start on Sunday.  He practiced on Wednesday and Thursday.  He 
appears on the injured report as questionable.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Eddie George will start on Sunday.  
Mike Green (Ten) will back him up this week.

Stephen Davis (Was) practiced on Thursday and will start as usual on 
Sunday.  He appears on the injury report as probable with a sore 
knee.  Ki-Jana Carter is likely to back him up despite a sore 
shoulder.  

***********************************************************

Wide Receivers in the News:

MarTay Jenkins (Ari) is still very questionable with an ankle 
sprain.  If he cannot go, Arnold Jackson will be the # 3 WR.  David 
Boston and Frank Sanders remain the starters.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? MarTay Jenkins (Ari) will be
inactive this week.  RB Michael Pittman will take over his role and 
also return kickoffs.  

Brian Finneran (Atl) practiced on Thursday and will play on Sunday.  
He appears on the injury report as probable with a sore knee.

Qadry Ismail (Bal) is expected to start as usual despite appearing as 
probable on the injury report with a sore back.

Muhsin Muhammad (Car) is not expected to play.  He has not practiced 
this week.  He appears on the injury report as questionable with a 
sore toe.  Isaac Byrd and Donald Hayes will start for the Panthers 
this week.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Muhsin Muhammad (Car) will not play 
this week.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Dez White (Chi) injured his
hamstring on Friday and is now very questionable to play on Sunday.  
Rookie David Terrell is expected to start in his place.  D'Wayne Bates
will be in on three receiver sets.

Joey Galloway (Dal) practiced on Thursday and is expected to start on 
Sunday.  He appears on the injury report as probable with a sore hip.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Joey Galloway (Dal) also practiced
on Friday and will start.

Rod Smith (Den) practiced all week and will start as expected.  He 
appears on the injury report as probable with a sore ankle.

Larry Foster (Det) is expected to play with his sore thigh.  He 
practiced on Thursday.  He appears on the injury report as probable.

Terrence Wilkins (Ind) practiced on Wednesday and Thursday and can 
play if needed.  He appears on the injury report as questionable with 
a sore hamstring.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Reggie Wayne (Ind) is expected to 
lineup as receiver #2 on Sunday.  Terrence Wilkins will be #3 and 
return punts and kicks.

Marvin Harrison (Ind) practiced on Wednesday and Thursday and is 
expected to start despite a sore hip.  He appears on the injury 
report as probable.

Jimmy Smith (Jac) missed practice on Wednesday and part of Thursday 
with the flu.  He is expected to start as usual on Sunday.  He does 
not appear on the injury report.

Keenan McCardell (Jac) missed Wednesday's practice and was
limited on Thursday.  He appears on the injury report as probable 
with a sore thigh.  He still is expecting to start on Sunday.  If he 
cannot go, Sean Dawkins would likely get increased looks.

Larry Parker (KC) has been placed on I/R and is gone for the year.

Oronde Gadsden (Mia) practiced on Wednesday and Thursday, but
wasn't completely effective running routes.  He is expected to play 
on Sunday, but may not start though with the recent success of Chris 
Chambers.  He appears on the injury report as questionable with a 
sore hamstring.

Chris Chambers (Mia) practiced on Thursday and will likely to start 
on Sunday.  He appears on the injury report s questionable with a 
twisted ankle.

James McKnight (Mia) practiced on Thursday and is expected to start.  
He appears on the injury report as questionable with a twisted ankle.

Joe Horn (NO) hurt himself in practice on Thursday after diving for a 
catch.  After hitting the ground hard, Joe was excused from the rest 
of the practice.  Later reports are dismissing the injury as minor 
and that Horn will start as usual.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Joe Horn (NO) practiced on Friday
and will start.

James Thrash (Phi) was able to practice Thursday and is expected to 
start on Sunday.  He appears as questionable on the injury report 
with a twisted ankle.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? James Thrash (Phi) completed
Friday's practice and will start.

Jeff Graham (SD) looks like he will miss another game this week as he 
orchestrates funeral affairs regarding the death of his father.  
Trevor Gaylor  will start if Jeff Graham doesn't suit up.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Jeff Graham (SD) will not make the
trip with the team.

Curtis Conway (SD) missed Thursday's practice to attend the
funeral of Jeff Graham's father.  He is expected to start on Sunday as
usual. 

Tim Dwight (SD) is out with pneumothorax.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Koren Robinson (Sea) does not
appear on the injury report, but he was held out of certain drills on 
Thursday.  He is expected to start as usual.

Karl Williams (TB) will start opposite of Keyshawn Johnson this 
week.  Jacquez Green is now the #3 WR. 

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Reidel Anthony (TB) was able to 
practice with his sore leg on Friday.

Chris Sanders (Ten) will is not expected to play this week.  He 
appears on the injury report as questionable with a sore back.  
Derrick mason and Kevin Tyson remain the starters.  

Michael Westbrook (Was) is expected to start opposite of Rod Gardner 
despite a sore knee.  He appears on the injury report as probable.

***********************************************************

Tight Ends in the News:

Shannon Sharpe (Bal) is listed as probable with a sore leg on the 
injury report, but he is expected to start as usual.

Wesley Walls (Car) was unable to practice on Thursday.  He remains 
very questionable with a sore knee.  If he does play, the decision is 
expected right before gametime.  Kris Magnum would start if walls 
cannot go.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Wesley Walls (Car) is out and Kris 
Magnum is in for this week.  Wesley Walls is also very likely to miss 
week 17 as well.

 *** Saturday Morning Update ? Fred Baxter (Chi) sat out of
Friday's practice with a sore knee.  He is expected to start as 
usual. 

Aaron Shea (Cle) has been placed on I/R and is lost for the season.

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Jackie Harris (Dal) missed practice
on Friday with the flu.  He is expected to start on Sunday as usual.

Desmon Clark (Den) practiced on Thursday and is expected to start.  
He appears on the injury report as probable with a sore groin.

Tyrone Davis (GB) has moved ahead of rookie David Martin on the depth 
chart.  Bubba Franks remains the starter and the best endzone option 
of the three.  Tyrone will be used in double tight end sets.

Cam Cleeland (NO) was placed on I/R and is lost for the season.  
Eddie "Boo" Williams will start in his place.

Greg Clark (SF) is out with a torn hamstring.

Stephen Alexander (Was) has been placed on I/R and is gone for the 
season.  Zeron Flemister will start in his place.

***********************************************************

Kickers in the News:

Sebastian Janikowski (Oak) practiced Thursday and will start on 
Sunday.  He appears on the injury report as questionable with a sore 
groin.  

Doug Brien was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an insurance 
policy for Martin Gramatica who is questionable with a hamstring 
injury.  

*** Saturday Morning Update ? Doug Brien (TB) was told that he
would likely be the starter.  Martin Gramatica was able to do some 
kicking on Friday though so this one will not likely be settled until 
gametime.

Martin Gramatica (TB) was not able to practice on Thursday, but is 
recovering quickly.  The team is not likely to make  a decision on 
who will kick until right before kickoff.



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