Week 11 Injury Report

ARIZONA CARDINALS at ST. LOUIS RAMS

ARIZONA CARDINALS

OUT LB Chike Okeafor (back)

QUESTIONABLE CB Michael Adams (hamstring), LB Karlos Dansby (shoulder), T Mike Gandy (pelvis), LB Gerald Hayes (back), CB Bryant McFadden (ankle), WR Sean Morey (head), TE Ben Patrick (knee)

PROBABLE WR Steve Breaston (knee), DE Kenny Iwebema (knee), G Deuce Lutui (not injury related), G Reggie Wells (thumb), S Adrian Wilson (groin)

ST. LOUIS RAMS

OUT DE C.J. Ah You (knee), G Richie Incognito (foot)

QUESTIONABLE DE Chris Long (knee)

PROBABLE DE James Hall (back), DE Leonard Little (knee), DT Clifton Ryan (toe)

ATLANTA FALCONS at NEW YORK GIANTS

ATLANTA FALCONS

OUT WR Brian Finneran (knee)

DOUBTFUL RB Michael Turner (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE S Erik Coleman (knee), RB Jerious Norwood (hip), WR Roddy White (knee)

PROBABLE T Sam Baker (ankle)

 NEW YORK GIANTS

QUESTIONABLE CB Aaron Ross (hamstring)

PROBABLE RB Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle, foot), QB Eli Manning (foot)

BUFFALO BILLS at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

BUFFALO BILLS

OUT T Demetrius Bell (knee), LB Keith Ellison (thigh), TE Derek Fine (knee), DT Marcus Stroud (knee), CB Ashton Youboty (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE S Jairus Byrd (groin), WR James Hardy (groin), CB Terrence McGee (knee), DT Kyle Williams (knee)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

OUT CB Rashean Mathis (groin)

DOUBTFUL LB Justin Durant (head)

QUESTIONABLE S Gerald Alexander (shoulder)

PROBABLE G Maurice Williams (illness)

CINCINNATI BENGALS at OAKLAND RAIDERS

CINCINNATI BENGALS

DOUBTFUL RB Cedric Benson (hip), G Evan Mathis (ankle), LB Keith Rivers (calf)

QUESTIONABLE S Chris Crocker (calf), CB Johnathan Joseph (foot), CB Morgan Trent (knee)

PROBABLE WR Laveranues Coles (head), RB Jeremi Johnson (chest)

OAKLAND RAIDERS

OUT LB Ricky Brown (ankle), WR Nick Miller (shin), WR Javon Walker (hamstring)

QUESTIONABLE LB Isaiah Ekejiuba (ankle), DE Greg Ellis (knee, shoulder)

PROBABLE S Hiram Eugene (shoulder)

CLEVELAND BROWNS at DETROIT LIONS

CLEVELAND BROWNS

QUESTIONABLE WR Joshua Cribbs (neck), G Rex Hadnot (knee), RB Jamal Lewis (ankle), RB Lawrence Vickers (shoulder)

PROBABLE LB David Bowens (knee), DE Kenyon Coleman (groin), C Alex Mack (wrist), DT Shaun Rogers (back), TE Robert Royal (finger, wrist), T John St. Clair (shoulder), WR Chansi Stuckey (calf)

DETROIT LIONS

OUT S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), G Stephen Peterman (ankle), LB Ernie Sims (hamstring)

QUESTIONABLE LB Zack Follett (neck), DE Dewayne White (toe), WR Derrick Williams (hip)

PROBABLE CB Phillip Buchanon (knee, shoulder), DT Joe Cohen (ankle), S Louis Delmas (tooth, jaw), LB Jordon Dizon (neck), RB Jerome Felton (ankle), LB Larry Foote (knee), DE Jason Hunter (knee), DT Grady Jackson (knee), WR Calvin Johnson (hand), S Ko Simpson (knee), QB Matthew Stafford (knee)

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at BALTIMORE RAVENS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

OUT T Daniel Federkeil (concussion), CB Aaron Francisco (ankle), WR Anthony Gonzalez (knee), CB Kelvin Hayden (knee), K Adam Vinatieri (right knee)

QUESTIONABLE CB Antoine Bethea (foot), DT Eric Foster (back), DE Dwight Freeney (hip), WR Pierre Garcon (ankle), TE Gijon Robinson (concussion), QB Jim Sorgi (right shoulder)

PROBABLE WR Hank Baskett (illness), LS Justin Snow (elbow)

BALTIMORE RAVENS

OUT RB Matt Lawrence (knee), LB Terrell Suggs (knee)

QUESTIONABLE TE Todd Heap (chest), DT Haloti Ngata (ankle)

PROBABLE C Matt Birk (neck), QB Joe Flacco (knee), LB Tavares Gooden (head), LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder)

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

OUT CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee)

QUESTIONABLE RB Reggie Bush (knee), DT Sedrick Ellis (knee)

PROBABLE C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), S Darren Sharper (knee), TE David Thomas (knee)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

QUESTIONABLE CB Elbert Mack (ankle)

PROBABLE WR Antonio Bryant (knee), CB Torrie Cox (not injury related), QB Byron Leftwich (right elbow), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), RB Carnell Williams (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)

NEW YORK JETS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

NEW YORK JETS

OUT LB Vernon Gholston (hamstring)

QUESTIONABLE S Jim Leonhard (thumb)

PROBABLE DE Shaun Ellis (knee), WR Brad Smith (quadricep), LB Bryan Thomas (toe)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

OUT RB Fred Taylor (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE WR Sam Aiken (hip), LB Eric Alexander (groin), TE Chris Baker (shoulder), LB Tully Banta-Cain (abdomen), DT Ron Brace (ankle), WR Julian Edelman (forearm), DE Jarvis Green (knee), C Dan Koppen (knee), T Matt Light (knee), RB Sammy Morris (knee), G Steve Neal (head), LB Rob Ninkovich (knee), DE Ty Warren (ankle)

PROBABLE QB Tom Brady (right shoulder), CB Shawn Springs (knee), TE Benjamin Watson (knee)

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at CHICAGO BEARS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

OUT WR Kevin Curtis (knee), S Quintin Demps (ankle), LB Akeem Jordan (knee), RB Brian Westbrook (concussion)

QUESTIONABLE CB Sheldon Brown (hamstring)

PROBABLE DE Victor Abiamiri (knee), G Nick Cole (knee), DT Antonio Dixon (foot), LB Chris Gocong (hamstring), S Victor Harris (eye), WR Jeremy Maclin (foot), DT Mike Patterson (wrist, toe), T Jason Peters (ankle), RB Leonard Weaver (ankle)

CHICAGO BEARS

OUT LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee), RB Garrett Wolfe (kidney)

DOUBTFUL TE Desmond Clark (neck), S Kevin Payne (back)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

OUT DE Travis Kirschke (calf), S Troy Polamalu (knee)

QUESTIONABLE RB Carey Davis (hamstring)

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

DOUBTFUL G Andy Alleman (knee), LB Justin Rogers (thigh), RB Dantrell Savage (ankle), LB Mike Vrabel (knee)

QUESTIONABLE LB David Herron (knee)

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS at DENVER BRONCOS

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

OUT C Nick Hardwick (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE T Jeromey Clary (ankle), DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo (ankle)

PROBABLE LB Tim Dobbins (knee), TE Antonio Gates (foot), DE Travis Johnson (groin), LB Shawne Merriman (foot), LB Shaun Phillips (ankle), P Mike Scifres (left groin)

DENVER BRONCOS

OUT T Ryan Harris (toe), RB LaMont Jordan (back)

QUESTIONABLE S Josh Barrett (hamstring), QB Kyle Orton (ankle)

PROBABLE RB Correll Buckhalter (knee), WR Brandon Lloyd (foot), WR Brandon Marshall (neck)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at GREEN BAY PACKERS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

OUT CB Nate Clements (shoulder), T Joe Staley (knee)

QUESTIONABLE LB Takeo Spikes (hamstring)

PROBABLE WR Isaac Bruce (ankle, elbow), RB Glen Coffee (concussion), WR Michael Crabtree (knee), DT Demetric Evans (shoulder), S Michael Lewis (quadricep), RB Michael Robinson (not injury related), S Mark Roman (knee), DT Justin Smith (back), T Adam Snyder (shoulder)

 GREEN BAY PACKERS

DOUBTFUL T Allen Barbre (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE G Evan Dietrich-Smith (ankle), RB Ahman Green (groin)

PROBABLE LB Desmond Bishop (ankle), LB Brandon Chillar (hand), TE Jermichael Finley (knee), DE Cullen Jenkins (ankle), DE Johnny Jolly (back), LB Brad Jones (concussion), LB Aaron Kampman (concussion), RB John Kuhn (hand), LB Clay Matthews (jaw), LB Brady Poppinga (quadricep), T Mark Tauscher (knee), C Scott Wells (concussion), CB Charles Woodson (hip)

 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

OUT RB Julius Jones (chest)

DOUBTFUL CB Josh Wilson (concussion)

QUESTIONABLE DT Craig Terrill (shoulder)

PROBABLE C Chris Spencer (thumb, back), CB Marcus Trufant (concussion)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

DOUBTFUL CB Antoine Winfield (foot)

QUESTIONABLE WR Bernard Berrian (hamstring), CB Karl Paymah (ankle)

PROBABLE QB Brett Favre (groin, hip), LB E.J. Henderson (knee), DE Jayme Mitchell (illness), CB Benny Sapp (groin), RB Naufahu Tahi (ankle)

WASHINGTON REDSKINS at DALLAS COWBOYS

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

OUT TE Chris Cooley (ankle), RB Clinton Portis (concussion), RB Eddie Williams (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE DT Albert Haynesworth (ankle), T Stephon Heyer (knee), T Mike Williams (ankle)

PROBABLE RB Ladell Betts (ankle)

DALLAS COWBOYS

OUT T Marc Colombo (ankle), S Ken Hamlin (ankle), CB Allen Rossum (hamstring)

PROBABLE RB Marion Barber (thumb), K David Buehler (right toe), CB Mike Jenkins (elbow), S Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb), LB DeMarcus Ware (foot)

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Benson listed as doubtful

C.Benson.jpgOn Thursday, we passed along a report that Cedric Benson was not likely to play this week.

On Friday, the Bengals confirmed it, calling him doubtful to face the Raiders because of a hip injury that prevented Benson from practicing all week.

That means that Larry Johnson will likely get an early Thanksgiving present and suit up against the Raiders.

Benson called himself a gametime decision Friday, but it wouldn't be shocking if the Bengals left him in Cincinnati and downgraded him to out on Saturday. 

And then fantasy owners that picked up Bernard Scott can celebrate Sunday.

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Norwood could return, Turner doubtful

M.Turner.jpgAtlanta's starting running back is likely out for Sunday's key NFC tilt against the Giants, but they may get an explosive reserve back in the lineup.

Jerious Norwood participated in practice for the second straight day Friday, and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game.  He seems likely to play, but as a reserve behind Jason Snelling.

Michael Turner is listed as doubtful for the game after missing practice all week. 

The matchup in the Meadowlands features two 5-4 teams that are both slumping and not playing like playoff teams.  The Giants have lost four straight and the Falcons have lose three of four.

While the Giants are as healthy as they have been all year, Atlanta's defense is still leaky and the expected loss of their leading rusher makes them underdogs.

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Bush misses third straight practice, questionable for Sunday

It's not like Reggie Bush's career hasn't had some fabulous moments.  Bush's problem is backing up those moments with consistent production.

In typical fashion, Bush has followed up his best rushing effort in more than two years with three straight missed practices because of a knee injury.  The problem slowed Bush down in the second half of his two touchdown performance against the Rams.

While Bush is listed as questionable, his lack of practice indicates that he isn't likely to suit up against the Buccaneers this week.  Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell should get increased against Tampa.

Other injured Saints include defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, who is questionable with a knee injury.  Safety Darren Sharper will return to the field this week, but Lance Moore, Tracy Porter, and Jabari Greer have all been ruled out for the game.

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Polamalu won't play against Chiefs

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu won't talk about his knee injury, as instructed.  He won't even admit he has one.

"Who says there's even a real knee injury, first of all?" Polamalu asked Thursday.

Well, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says so.  And it will prevent Polamalu from playing this week, according to Ed Bouchette.

Tyrone Carter will get the start at safety against the Chiefs, which is no surprise.  Defensive end Travis Kirschke is also expected to miss his third straight game.

It's unclear how much time Polamalu will miss, but early reports indicate this knee injury isn't as serious as the sprained MCL that sidelined him for four games earlier this season.

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Garrett Wolfe to miss remainder of season

It would be hard for the Bears rushing attack to get much worse, but it just took another body blow.

Backup Garrett Wolfe will miss the rest of the season with a lacerated kidney, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times.  The injury was learned about two weeks ago, but there was some hope he could return this season.

"He's a great kid and it's unfortunate,'' Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo said. ``I was hoping he would start integrating more into the offense and [offensive coordinator] Ron [Turner] was using him more in practices, and he's done a good job on special teams. I wanted to see him take another step as a runner.''

Wolfe's loss will by mostly felt on special teams, one of the only strengths of Chicago's squad.  FootballOutsiders ranks the Bears unit fourth in the league.

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Ronnie Brown will have surgery Friday

Only five days after suffering a broken foot and two days after being placed on injured reserve, Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown will undergo surgery to repair the injury, according to Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald.

Brown traveled with his teammates to Charlotte for a Thursday visit with a local foot specialist, Dr. Bob Anderson.

Anderson confirmed the diagnosis of a Lisfranc fracture, and surgery will be conducted on Friday.

Brown is out for the season after being placed on injured reserve.

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Portis will miss second straight game

The Redskins announced Thursday that running back Clinton Portis will miss a second straight game because of the lingering effects of a concussion he suffered during the November 8th game against the Falcons.

Coach Jim Zorn told David Elfin of the Washington Times that Portis as "just foggy enough" for him to feel it was best to hold him out of practice. As a result, he won't let his tailback play against the Cowboys.

"I want to see him practice and I want to see him have those days where when he practices, he doesn't have residual problems," Zorn said. "And right now, he can't even practice so we'll keep him out this week."

That means Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright will do the heavy lifting in the Redskins running game once again. That worked out well last week as they combined for 155 yards in the 27-17 victory over the Broncos.

The Redskins still have one more pressing injury matter to figure out before Sunday's kickoff. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was deemed a "game-time decision" because he's still wearing a boot to protect his sprained left ankle.

With Andre Gurode lining up at center for the Cowboys, Haynesworth's going to want to be at full health in case he decides to use Gurode's head for target practice once again.
 
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Jags rule Rashean Mathis out for Sunday

One of Perry Fewell's former charges won't be in the lineup when the new Bills head coach leads his team onto the field for the first time.

Rashean Mathis, who played for Fewell when Fewell was the defensive backs coach for the Jaguars, has been ruled out of Sunday's game because of a groin injury he suffered against the Jets. Mathis had an MRI on Monday, and coach Jack Del Rio said that they didn't like what they found.

"He won't play this week," Del Rio said. "It could be a little while. With Rashean, he's proven over time to kind of beat the prognosis. Some guys just heal quickly and Rashean's been that kind of guy for us."

This will be the second game Mathis misses with an injury this season. He also sat out the November 1st game against the Titans, and Reggie Nelson, a safety moved to cornerback, struggled as his replacement. Del Rio offered no hints if Nelson would again be making the move.

Reserve cornerbacks Tyron Brackenridge, William Middleton and Brian Witherspoon are fairly inexperienced, and the team is deeper at safety. Complicating any decision is the fact that strong safety Gerald Alexander missed practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury.

UPDATE: As pointed out by a commenter, Mathis and Fewell were never with the Jaguars at the same time. Fewell left in 2002, Mathis came in 2003 and I apologize for the error. 
 
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Orton, Marshall miss Wednesday's practice

On Sunday, the Chargers and the Broncos get together again. 

Since their last meeting, the Chargers haven't lost a game -- and the Broncos haven't won one.

As the two teams prepare for the second half of their home-and-home series, two key members of the Denver offense missed practice on Wednesday.

Quarterback Kyle Orton's left ankle injury, suffered in Week Ten against the Redskins, kept him from playing on Sunday.  Ditto for receiver Brandon Marshall, who has a neck injury.

It's unknown whether either will play this weekend. 

"I came back last year as soon as I could and I'll do the same thing this year," Orton said per the AP on Wednesday, who sprained his right ankle in November 2008.

The Broncos surely are hoping that's the case, given the manner in which Chris Simms played in relief of Orton.

Also missing practice Wednesday for the Broncos were safety Josh Barrett (hamstring), tackle Ryan Harris (toe), running back LaMont Jordan (back), and running back Correll Buckhalter (knee).

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Doctors expect Westbrook to make a full recovery

On Wednesday, Eagles running back Brian Westbrook visited two concussion specialists in Pittsburgh, where he underwent a variety of tests.  Despite fears that Westbrook's career could be over, Dr. Joseph Maroon and Dr. Michael "Micky" Collins of UPMC expressed optimism.

"We are very encouraged by Brian's progress, we believe that he has an excellent prognosis and we expect a full recovery," Drs. Maroon and Collins said in a statement released by the Eagles.  "We developed a comprehensive physical rehab plan for Brian, and we will repeat the detailed testing in the next two to three weeks."

So it appears that Westbrook will miss at least two or three more games, at a minimum.

Still, Westbrook's career already was winding down, even without the sudden concussion issue.  We're not sure it makes sense for him or the team to take any further risks, especially with Congress paying keen attention to the problem of brain injuries.

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Ronnie Brown has Lisfranc fracture

Ronnie Brown's season officially ended earlier Wednesday, and now we know we why.

In series of tweets, Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald reports that Brown is believed to have suffered a Lisfranc fracture in the middle of his foot.  The team knew it was bad enough to keep Brown out for the season, regardless of how the injury is treated.

According to Darlington, Brown made the trip with the team to Charlotte.  But it was for a visit with Bob Anderson, a foot specialist.  Brown has to decide whether the injury can heal on its own or whether surgery is required.

A source tells Darlington the injury is "not anything major as far as career or long term." 

Many players have returned from Lisfranc fractures, which is encouraging news for Brown.  His free agency status in 2010 depends on a new collective bargaining agreement, or lack thereof.

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Cribbs says Mangini didn't call last play

As Browns coach Eric Mangini continues to face criticism for the Stanford-band clusterfudge that concluded Monday night's 16-0 loss to the Ravens, he's getting support from an unlikely source.

The guy who was hurt during the play.

Receiver Josh Cribbs said Wednesday that the play wasn't called by coach Eric Mangini, but by quarterback Brady Quinn.

"It was a call at the line,'' Cribbs said, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  "It wasn't a call that came in from the coaches.  Brady had let us know to keep the ball alive, that he was going to throw the slant to me at the line and to keep the ball alive.  He gave the signal to keep it alive, but it wasn't a call that came in from the sideline.''

Unlike his agent, Cribbs wasn't upset about the fact that he was on the field during the final, futile drive.

"They put me in position to make plays and to play well in the football game and I wouldn't want to come out of the game,'' Cribbs said. "A lot of people say 'why are you still out when you have no chance to win the game?' but I wanted to be out there, so I can't put no blame on anyone.''

Still, the Browns never even should have had the ball at the end of the game.  With their three time outs exhausted, Mangini called -- and was awarded -- a fourth time out after the two-minute warning.  Absent the extra time out, the Ravens would have been able to run out the clock without giving possession back to the Browns.

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Browns place Heiden, Zastudil on IR

As one of the worst seasons in franchise history continues, the Browns will be without two veteran players.

The team has announced that tight end Steve Heiden and punter Dave Zastudil have been placed on injured reserve.

Heiden, acquired via a trade with the Chargers in 2002, started six games this season. 

Zastudil has been the team's punter since 2006, when he was signed from the Ravens as a free agent.

The Browns replaced their roster spots by claiming on waivers linebacker Arnold Harrison (Steelers) and receiver Jake Allen (Packers).

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Sharper practices on limited basis

With the Saints' defense hampered by injuries, the team got some good news on Wednesday.

Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper returned to practice on a limited basis.

Sharper missed Sunday's game against the Rams with a knee injury.  He didn't practice last Wednesday, and he practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday.

The Saints play the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Missing practice were offensive lineman Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), receiver Lance Moore (ankle), cornerback Jabari Greer (groin), linebacker David Thomas (knee), cornerback Tracy Porter (knee), and running back Reggie Bush (knee).

Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (knee) practiced on a limited basis.

Coach Sean Payton also addressed the arrival of cornerback Chris McAlister, who was formally signed this morning.

"A lot of it will be based on the health of a couple of guys in front of him," coach Sean Payton said Wednesday in comments distributed by the team.  "But he's a veteran player that understands defense and is someone that we think can come in and help us."

Payton said that the team brought in McAlister and another cornerback for workouts on Tuesday.  Per a league source, the other guy was Cletis Gordon. 

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Ronnie Brown's season is over

Ronnie Brown's contract year has met an early end.

Twelve hours after PFT first reported that Brown could miss the season, the Dolphins have made it official.  According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Brown was placed on injured reserve in advance of Thursday night's game against the Panthers.

Brown was originally announced to have an ankle injury, but the Dolphins later called it a "foot" problem.  It's unclear exactly what the nature of Brown's injury is.

It's a deeply disappointing finish to a promising campaign for Brown.  He was on pace to set career highs in rushing yards as the leader of Miami's Wildcat attack.  His 2007 season was also cut short after seven games because of a torn ACL.

With Brown out, Ricky Williams and Pat White may head the Wildcat offense.  The Dolphins also could simply put the ball in Chad Henne's hands more often.

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Westbrook already ruled out for Sunday

To no one's surprise, Eagles running back Brian Westbrook has already been ruled out for Philadelphia's game this Sunday's game against Chicago.

Westbrook is spending Wednesday in Pittsburgh visiting a pair of noted concussion specialists.  The test results Westbrook gets today should ultimately decide the course of the rest of his season, and possibly career.

LeSean McCoy will start at running back against the Bears, but the Eagles probably won't be able to run the ball very much.  That's not a bad approach considering how Chicago's secondary performed against Carson Palmer and Kurt Warner recently.

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Bryant expected back for Bucs this week

The Buccaneers passing attack has shown signs of life under rookie quarterback Josh Freeman the last two weeks, giving hope for an improved stretch run.

Freeman should get a boost this week with the expected return of Antonio Bryant, according to NFL's Steve Wyche.  Freeman has put up decent numbers (417 yards, four touchdowns, two picks, and 6.6 yards per attempt) despite being without Tampa's top receiver. 

Bryant is playing this year under a one-year, $9.884 million contract as the team's franchise player. 

With only 229 yards and persistent knee problems, Bryant needs a strong finish to repair his market value before a possible visit to the free agent market this offseason.

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Ronnie Brown could be out for the year

The Dolphins publicly have acknowledged that running back Ronnie Brown will miss Thursday night's game against the Panthers due to a foot injury suffered on Sunday against the Buccaneers.

The Dolphins have not publicly acknowledged that the team fears Brown will miss the remainder of the season.

Per a league source, the current thinking is that Brown will not be able to play again this year.  Of course, this could change based upon the advice of the specialist that Brown eventually sees and the success of rehab efforts.

The challenge for the Dolphins will be to decide whether to carry Brown on the roster in the hopes he can return, or to send him to injured reserve and create a roster spot.

Some Fins fans might be wondering why the Dolphins didn't make a run at running back Larry Johnson, due to Brown's injury.  The fact that Miami V.P. of football operations Bill Parcells is the father-in-law of Chiefs G.M. Scott Pioli answers that question fairly conclusively.

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Suggs' agent sounds off on Quinn, too

Shortly after Browns quarterback Brady Quinn dove at the knees of Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs after throwing a second-half interception on Monday night, we recognized that, despite Quinn's Notre Dame pedigree and clean-cut image, it was a cheap shot.

After the game, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis went off on Quinn.

Now, Suggs' agent has joined the chorus.

"That cat should be fined as much as anybody is fined that hits the quarterback," Gary Wichard told Aaron Wilson of NFP.  "That's ridiculous.  I don't understand what he was trying to do.  It was blatant.  It's absolutely criminal.  It's about as nasty as it gets.

"The guy had total control and went right for his knee.  You can't call that an accident.  It was premeditated.  The quarterback zeroed in on Terrell's knee.  That's absurd.  The ball carrier was right in front of him. . . .

"Brady launched himself into a defenseless player.  Terrell wasn't even thinking about being hit.  He tackled Terrell when the guy that he threw the interception to was running up the field.  That should have been the target, not Terrell."

The extent of Suggs' knee injury currently isn't known.  He left Monday night's game, and he did not return.

"Going at someone's knee can really have a huge effect on what happens as far as a guy maybe being gone for the year.  It's ridiculous.  There was no reason to do that. . . .

"You're a quarterback, dude.  You can't tackle, so don't take a shot at his knee. This isn't going to sit well with a lot of other defensive players.  [Colts defensive end] Dwight Freeney is absolutely pissed off."

Wichard also represents Freeney.  Wichard, however, represents no Browns players.

"This guy, Brady, is on the cover of Muscle & Fitness, so take [Suggs] on like you're supposed to take him on.  It was an illegal play.  Nobody is going to give Brady the benefit of the doubt."

Earlier this year, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was fined $5,000 for unnecessarily diving at the knees of Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma.  In that case, it probably should have been higher. 

In this case, it definitely should be higher.

What say you, PFT Planet?  How much should Quinn be fined?

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