Players News

Player News

Byron Storer (FB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Updated 10/15/08 4:25 PM
The Buccaneers placed Storer on injured reserve with a torn right ACL Wednesday, ending his season.

Impacts: Storer appeared in six games and made three starts before suffering the injury.

Collapse [-]Reed Doughty (FS) Washington Redskins Updated 10/15/08 4:05 PM
The Redskins placed Doughty on injured reserve with a back injury Wednesday, ending his season.

Impacts: Doughty had 14 tackles in four games - three starts - for the Redskins this year.
Collapse [-]Ryan Lilja (G) Indianapolis Colts Updated 10/15/08 11:25 AM
Lilja still hasn't resumed practicing because of a knee injury.

Impacts: Lilja has been on the physically unable to perform list since training camp opened. He started all 16 games in 2007.
Collapse [-]Nick Graham (DB) Indianapolis Colts Updated 10/15/08 11:25 AM
The Colts waived Graham on Wednesday to make room for incoming running back Clifton Dawson.

Impacts: The Colts signed Dawson to bolster their backfield after they placed rookie running back Mike Hart on injured reserve. Graham, who appeared in 15 games for Philadelphia last season but hasn't seen action with Indianapolis, was expendable.
Collapse [-]Clifton Dawson (RB) Indianapolis Colts Updated 10/15/08 11:25 AM
The Colts re-signed Dawson on Wednesday. They had cut him during training camp in August.

Impacts: The team made the move after placing rookie running back Mike Hart on injured reserve. Don't expect Dawson to get many opportunities while playing behind Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes.

Expand [+]Chad Simpson (RB) Indianapolis Colts Updated 10/15/08 11:25 AM
The Colts promoted Simpson from the practice squad Wednesday.

Impacts: The team made the move after placing rookie running back Mike Hart on injured reserve. Don't expect Simpson to get many opportunities while playing behind Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes.

Expand [+]Mike Hart (RB) Indianapolis Colts Updated 10/15/08 11:06 AM
The Colts placed Hart on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his rookie season after five games.

Impacts: Hart, a sixth-round pick from Michigan, hurt his right knee on Sunday against Baltimore.

Expand [+]Tony Gonzalez (TE) Kansas City Chiefs Updated 10/15/08 7:11 AM
Gonzalez will remain in Kansas City after the Chiefs failed to deal him before Tuesday's deadline.

Impacts: Gonzalez had requested a trade to a contender, but the Chiefs were unable to part with the 32-year-old.

Expand [+]Mat McBriar (P) Dallas Cowboys Updated 10/14/08 7:08 PM
McBriar was put on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season two days after sustaining a broken foot on the last play of the overtime loss at Arizona.

Impacts: McBriar won't need surgery, but will need up to two months to recover, too long to keep him inactive on the roster. After his foot was hit by an unblocked rusher, McBriar had to be carted off the field.

Expand [+]Devin Hester (WR) Chicago Bears Updated 10/14/08 6:20 PM
Hester had six receptions for 87 yards in the Bears’ 22-20 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.

Impacts: With Brandon Lloyd missing the last two games with a knee injury, Hester has stepped up, catching 11 passes for 153 yards and a TD in those contests. If Lloyd is forced to miss this Sunday’s game against the Vikings, expect Hester to get more passes his way.

Expand [+]Matt Forte (RB) Chicago Bears Updated 10/14/08 6:20 PM
Forte rushed 20 times for 76 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ 22-20 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.

Impacts: After rushing for only 79 yards on 34 attempts in his previous two games, Forte finally got back on track against the Falcons. He may not be able to duplicate the success he had against Atlanta in Week 7 against the Vikings, though, as Minnesota is fourth in the league in rush defense, allowing an average of 73.7 yards per game.

Expand [+]Kyle Orton (QB) Chicago Bears Updated 10/14/08 5:55 PM
Orton threw for 286 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ 22-20 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.

Impacts: After simply being asked to manage the offense, Orton is quickly becoming a solid fantasy option at quarterback. He is eighth in the league in passing yards (1,386), tied for eighth in touchdowns (eight) and tied for 14th in interceptions (four). Up next for Orton and the Bears are the Vikings, who are 16th in the league in pass defense, allowing an average 226.5 yards per game.

Expand [+]Zak Keasey (FB) San Francisco 49ers Updated 10/14/08 4:54 PM
Keasey is out for the season, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

Impacts: Keasey, the team's lone fullback on the roster, tore his right biceps muscle Sunday against Philadelphia.

Expand [+]Eli Manning (QB) New York Giants Updated 10/14/08 4:24 PM
Manning bruised his chest in the Giants' loss to the Browns.

Impacts: Manning, who threw three interceptions in the Giants first loss in eight games dating to last season, did not miss a play in the game. He complained of chest pain after the game ended, coach Tom Coughlin said. The coach gave indications that the Super Bowl MVP would practice for this weekend's game against the 49ers.

Expand [+]Shaun Alexander (RB) Seattle Seahawks Updated 10/14/08 4:09 PM
Alexander signed with the Redskins on Tuesday.

Impacts: Alexander, unemployed since being cut by the Seahawks in April, signed a one-year deal to back up NFL leading rusher Clinton Portis. Alexander rushed for 1,880 yards in his 2005 MVP season, but a cracked bone in his left foot ruined his 2006 season (896 yards) and continued to hamper him - along with a broken left wrist - in 2007 (716 yards). This year, the Seahawks decided he was no longer worth the eight-year, $62 million contract he signed after the MVP year.

Expand [+]Larry Johnson (RB) Kansas City Chiefs Updated 10/14/08 4:09 PM
Johnson was charged with simple assault for allegedly pushing a woman at a Kansas City nightclub in February, the third time he has faced assault charges against a woman.

Impacts: Johnson is due to appear in Kansas City Municipal Court on Dec. 3 and faces a maximum jail term of six months and a $500 fine.
Expand [+]Charles Tillman (CB) Chicago Bears Updated 10/14/08 4:09 PM
Tillman's left arm is in a sling following a shoulder injury he suffered two weeks ago and re-injured on Sunday.

Impacts: It's uncertain whether it will be enough to keep Tillman out of Sunday's game against the Vikings. Backup Trumaine McBride was also injured and so was safety Danieal Manning. Marcus Hamilton took over for Tillman on Sunday.

Expand [+]Sam Hurd (WR) Dallas Cowboys Updated 10/14/08 4:09 PM
Hurd re-injured his left ankle on Sunday and will need surgery.

Impacts: Hurd's season is likely over. He's the Cowboys' No. 3 receiver.
Expand [+]Derrick Mason (WR) Baltimore Ravens Updated 10/14/08 4:09 PM
Mason caught seven passes for 70 yards in Baltimore's 31-3 loss at Indianapolis on Sunday.

Impacts: With rookie quarterback Joe Flacco leading the team, don't expect Mason to put up huge numbers this season. But with more receiving yards this season (331) than the next three Ravens' receivers combined (286), Mason will likely keep getting his touches, even though he has yet to find the endzone.

Expand [+]Marshal Yanda (G) Baltimore Ravens Updated 10/14/08 3:40 PM
The Ravens placed Yanda on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impacts: Yanda, in his second season, tore ligaments in his knee during the final two minutes of the Ravens' 31-3 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday. Adam Terry, Chris Chester and Oniel Cousins are among the candidates to replace him in the starting lineup

Expand [+]Ray Rice (RB) Baltimore Ravens Updated 10/14/08 3:40 PM
Rice filled in for Willis McGahee, who exited the game in the third quarter with a possible knee injury, and rushed six times for 23 yards in Baltimore's 31-3 loss at Indianapolis.

Impacts: Rice's contributions Sunday at Miami look to be directly linked to the health of McGahee's knee. Miami's defense allows just 89 rushing yards per game, eighth-best in the NFL.

Expand [+]Tavares Gooden (OLB) Baltimore Ravens Updated 10/14/08 3:40 PM
The Ravens placed Gooden on injured reserve with a hip injury.

Impacts: The rookie had been dealing with the injury since training camp.
Expand [+]John McCargo (DT) Indianapolis Colts Updated 10/14/08 3:40 PM
The Bills traded McCargo to the Colts in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick.

Impacts: The second of Buffalo's two 2006 first-round draft picks, McCargo had difficulty gaining a regular role in the team's defensive line rotation and had dropped to fourth on the Bills' depth chart behind Spencer Johnson. In 25 career games, none as a starter, McCargo had only 2 1/2 sacks and one forced fumble.

Expand [+]Dunta Robinson (CB) Houston Texans Updated 10/14/08 3:40 PM
Robinson is expecting to rejoin Houston's practice Wednesday and possibly play Sunday when the Texans host Detroit.

Impacts: Robinson suffered a serious injury to his knee last season, ripping his hamstring off the bone and tearing his ACL. Robinson was one of the NFL's rising stars when he suffered the injury. It's likely he'll be limited on how much action he sees.

Expand [+]Ricky Manning (DB) St. Louis Rams Updated 10/14/08 3:16 PM
Manning was placed on injured reserve with a broken ankle.

Impacts: Manning has four tackles on the season. He started only one game

Expand [+]Adrian Peterson (RB) Minnesota Vikings Updated 10/14/08 3:16 PM
In Sunday's 12-10 win over the Detroit Lions, Peterson reached the 100-yard mark after failing to get there for three straight games. That also came one game after Peterson was held to a season-low 32 yards on 21 carries against the New Orleans Saints.

Impacts: This week's opponent, the Chicago Bears, rank fifth in the NFL in run defense at 74.4 yards per game. Last week, the Bears held Michael Turner, who ranks second in the league in rushing, to just 54 yards on 25 carries. However, it was the Bears who also surrendered 224 yards to Peterson in his fifth career game.

Expand [+]Bernard Berrian (WR) Minnesota Vikings Updated 10/14/08 3:16 PM
Berrian had his second straight 100-yard performance with 131 yards on five receptions against the Detroit Lions. Most of his yards came on an 86-yard touchdown in the third quarter that allowed the Vikings to cut an eight-point deficit to one in an eventual 12-10 victory.

Impacts: This week's opponent, the Chicago Bears, rank 27th in pass defense in the league (236 yards per game), and the Bears also saw three players from the secondary leave last week's week game against Atlanta. Another, Nathan Vasher, missed his second straight game. Add to that the fact that Berrian will play his old team for the first time this year, and you have all the makings of a potential big game.

Expand [+]Gus Frerotte (QB) Minnesota Vikings Updated 10/14/08 3:16 PM
Frerotte had a season's best 296 yards in Sunday's 12-10 victory at Detroit. He completed 18 of 33 passes and connected with Bernard Berrian on a key 86-yard strike in the third quarter that allowed the Vikings to rally from an eight-point defict.

Impacts: Frerotte's play can best be described as solid, not spectacular. He seems to throw at least one touchdown and usually one interception in most games. Perhaps he can buck that trend against this week's opponent, the Chicago Bears. The Bears rank 27th in pass defense and have a beaten-up secondary. Charles Tillman, Trumaine McBride and Danieal Manning all left last week's game against Atlanta with injuries, and Nathan Vasher was out for a second consecutive game.

Expand [+]Joe Flacco (QB) Baltimore Ravens Updated 10/14/08 2:55 PM
Flacco completed 28-of-38 for 241 yards, but was intercepted three times as the Ravens fell to Indianapolis, 31-3.

Impacts: Flacco had a "rookie game" against the Colts, getting sacked four times and losing a fumble, but takes on a Miami defense on Sunday that surrendered 379 yards passing to Matt Schaub last week in the Dolphins' 29-28 loss to the previously winless Texans (1-4).

Expand [+]Calvin Johnson (WR) Detroit Lions Updated 10/14/08 2:55 PM
Johnson had four catches for 85 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 12-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It was just the fourth time this season that Johnson has gained at least 85 yards in a game.

Impacts: Johnson has been productive this season for a winless Lions team. The Lions' offensive line surrendered six sacks this past week to Minnesota. Another performance like that could mean fewer receptions and yards for Johnson. However, this week's opponent, the Houston Texans, has just seven sacks on the year.

Expand [+]Reggie Wayne (WR) Indianapolis Colts Updated 10/14/08 2:55 PM
Wayne caught eight passes for 118 yards and a touchdown as the Colts defeated Baltimore 31-3 in their first-ever victory at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Impacts: It took Wayne five games to post his first 100-yard receiving game of the season (six last season), but his numbers through five games in 2008 (33 catches for 468 yards, 4 TDs) are better than last year's through five contests when he caught 28 passes for 369 yards and four scores. In his only career appearance against Green Bay - Indianapolis won 45-31 on Sept. 26, 2004 - Wayne made 11 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown.

Expand [+]Rudi Johnson (RB) Detroit Lions Updated 10/14/08 2:55 PM
Johnson averaged just 2.2 yards per carry in a 12-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, carrying the ball 17 times for 38 yards. Those 38 yards were the second best total for Johnson in a game this season.

Impacts: Johnson might get a break this week against the Houston Texans, who rank 24th in the league in run defense and have given up 131 yards per game. Or he might not. Who knows when running backs split time as Johnson is doing with Kevin Smith.

Expand [+]Kevin Smith (RB) Detroit Lions Updated 10/14/08 2:55 PM
Smith saw the ball just five times in Sunday's 12-10 loss to Minnesota, but he finished with 62 yards. Most of that came on a 50-yard run in the second quarter.

Impacts: Smith will continue to share time with Rudi Johnson. As usual, that situation means you can never know what to expect each week from either back. The 50-yard run was the Detroit's longest of the season. With limited opportunities, Smith might have to break a few of those runs this season to have any effectiveness. He might get a few of those against this week's opponent, the Houston Texans, who rank 24th in the league in run defense and have given up 131 yards per game.

Expand [+]Dan Orlovsky (QB) Detroit Lions Updated 10/14/08 2:55 PM
After replacing an injured Jon Kitna, Orlovsky completed 12 passes of 21 passes for 150 yards in Sunday's 12-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He threw his first NFL touchdown pass in the third quarter, connecting with Calvin Johnson from 12 yards out. The score put the winless Lions ahead 10-2 at that point in the game.

Impacts: Orlovsky performed decently in his first career start, when he could stay upright. The Lions' offensive line surrendered six sacks. Any repeat of that performance from the Detroit front will do nothing but hurt Orlovsky - on the stat sheet and physically.

Expand [+]Dominic Rhodes (RB) Indianapolis Colts Updated 10/14/08 2:37 PM
With Colts' leading rusher Joseph Addai taken out of Sunday's 31-3 win against Baltimore with a hamstring injury, Rhodes had his most productive game of the season, carrying 25 times for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Impacts: Coming off his busiest game since back-to-back, 100-yard outings with Oakland in Weeks 16 and 17 last season, Rhodes could get plenty of touches against Green Bay on Sunday if Addai or Mike Hart, who injured his right knee in the second quarter, aren't back. The Packers rank 27th in the NFL, allowing 153.3 rushing yards per game.

Expand [+]Roy E. Williams (WR) Dallas Cowboys Updated 10/14/08 1:54 PM
Williams was traded to the Cowboys on Tuesday.

Impacts: Dallas traded a first-round pick in 2009, plus a third- and sixth-rounder that year for Williams and a seventh-round pick in '09. Williams' best season was 2006, when he went to the Pro Bowl after catching 82 passes for 1,310 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 17 catches for 232 yards and a score this season for the winless Lions.

Expand [+]Jon Kitna (QB) Detroit Lions Updated 10/14/08 1:30 PM
Kitna was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a back injury.

Impacts: Kitna played in four games this season, passing for five touchdowns and throwing just as many interceptions. The Lions were 10-26 with Kitna as a starter the last three years. Dan Orlovsky started for Kitna last Sunday but Drew Stanton could also see some playing time.

Expand [+]Adam Jones (CB) Dallas Cowboys Updated 10/14/08 12:46 PM
Jones has been suspended indefinitely for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Impacts: Jones was involved in an alcohol-related scuffle with one of his bodyguards at a private party in Dallas on Oct. 7. The league said the cornerback will miss the next four games and then commissioner Roger Goodell will determine the final length of the suspension. The NFL's investigation comes six weeks after Goodell reinstated Jones from a 17-month suspension after several run-ins with the law while with the Tennessee Titans.

Expand [+]Jeff Garcia (QB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Updated 10/14/08 8:20 AM
Garcia, making his first start since Tampa Bay's 24-20 season-opening loss at New Orleans, completed 15-of-20 for 173 yards and one touchdown as the Buccaneers defeated Carolina 27-3 on Sunday.

Impacts: Garcia has lost his last three games against Seattle - most recently a 20-6 season-opening defeat last season - but the three-time Pro Bowler faces a Seahawks defense that has surrendered slightly more than 30 points per game during its 1-4 start.

Expand [+]Brian Leonard (RB) St. Louis Rams Updated 10/14/08 8:06 AM
Leonard injured his shoulder in the Rams' 19-17 win over the Redskins on Sunday.

Impacts: Leonard, who has rushed for seven yard on two carries on the season, is listed as day-to-day.

Expand [+]Terrence Metcalf (G) Chicago Bears Updated 10/14/08 8:06 AM
Metcalf was suspended for four games Monday for violating the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

Impacts: Metcalf, a seventh-year pro, is eligible to return to practice Nov. 17. He has appeared in all six games this season. He started five games at left guard last year, but struggled and was benched after playing with a broken hand.

Expand [+]Kellen Winslow (TE) Cleveland Browns Updated 10/13/08 7:14 PM
Winslow missed Monday night's game against the New York Giants with an undisclosed illness that hospitalized him for several days.

Impacts: Winslow, whose NFL career has been slowed by injuries, was released Sunday from the Cleveland Clinic, where he spent three nights. Citing privacy laws, the Browns have not publicly discussed Winslow's illness. He was able to practice one day last week before he began to feel ill. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Steve Heiden.

Expand [+]Kellen Winslow (TE) Cleveland Browns Updated 10/13/08 5:51 PM
Winslow missed Monday night's game against the New York Giants with an undisclosed illness that hospitalized him for several days. Winslow, whose NFL career has been slowed by injuries, was released Sunday from the Cleveland Clinic, where he spent three nights. Citing privacy laws, the Browns have not publicly discussed Winslow's illness. He was able to practice one day last week before he began to feel ill.

Impacts: Winslow has 19 catches for 170 yards this season, struggling to get involved in a woeful Browns' offense. Last season, he caught 82 passes for 1,106 yards.

Expand [+]LaDainian Tomlinson (RB) San Diego Chargers Updated 10/13/08 5:32 PM
Tomlinson carried 20 times for 74 yards, and also had three catches for 44 yards in the host Chargers' 30-10 win over New England on Sunday night.

Impacts: Tomlinson had his highest receiving-yard total since he had 45 in a win over Baltimore on Nov. 25. He has 109 rushes for 405 yards and four touchdowns, but through six games last season, he had 122 carries for 527 yards and six touchdowns. Tomlinson hopes for a big game on Sunday versus a Buffalo run defense that has allowed 114.2 yards per game this season.

Expand [+]Vincent Jackson (WR) San Diego Chargers Updated 10/13/08 5:32 PM
Jackson had five catches for a career-high 134 yards and a touchdown in the host Chargers' 30-10 win over New England on Sunday night.

Impacts: Jackson had combined for five catches and 108 yards and no touchdowns in his previous two games. The 25-year-old, who was a second-round pick in 2005, is moving closer to his numbers from last season, when he had 41 receptions for 623 yards and three touchdowns.

Expand [+]Philip Rivers (QB) San Diego Chargers Updated 10/13/08 5:32 PM
Rivers went 18-for-27 for 306 yards and three touchdowns in the Chargers' 30-10 home win over New England on Sunday night.

Impacts: Rivers turned in his best performance since he had 377 yards and three touchdowns in a loss at Denver on Sept. 14. He looks for a similarly strong effort on Sunday versus a Buffalo pass defense that has given up 184.8 yards per game - the ninth-highest average in the league.

Expand [+]Wes Welker (WR) New England Patriots Updated 10/13/08 5:08 PM
Welker had nine catches for 73 yards in the Patriots' 30-10 loss at San Diego on Sunday.

Impacts: Welker had eight receptions and 73 yards in last Sunday's win at San Francisco. He was one of fantasy's biggest surprises last season, catching 112 passes and eight touchdowns. But in 2008, he has 36 catches for 324 yards and no touchdowns.

Expand [+]Kevin Faulk (RB) New England Patriots Updated 10/13/08 5:08 PM
Faulk rushed eight times for a season-high 48 yards in the Patriots' 30-10 loss at San Diego on Sunday.

Impacts: Faulk turned in his best performance since running for 87 yards in a win at Cleveland on Dec. 5, 2004. He'll be trying to turn in another strong effort on Monday versus Denver, which has allowed 137.5 rushing yards per game - the seventh-highest average in the league.

Expand [+]Donald Driver (WR) Green Bay Packers Updated 10/13/08 5:08 PM
Driver had six catches for 53 yards in the visiting Packers' 27-17 win over Seattle on Sunday.

Impacts: Driver is off to a bit of a slow start through the first six games of the season, making 25 receptions for 295 yards for two touchdowns. Through six weeks last year, he had 36 catches for 412 yards and two touchdowns.

Expand [+]Matt Cassel (QB) New England Patriots Updated 10/13/08 5:08 PM
Cassel went 22-for-38 for