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Week 20 Players in the News

by Clayton Gray, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

The Latest News

Quarterback

*** Friday Update *** QB Tom Brady (NE) practiced fully on Friday and will start as normal this weekend.

*** Friday Update *** QB Philip Rivers (SD) partially participated in Friday's practice but is officially doubtful to play this weekend. There are reports that Rivers has a partially torn ACL, but he will be a game-time decision. "It'll be day-to-day," GM A.J. Smith said. "We're going down the same road as [Antonio] Gates." Later, Smith added, "It always falls on the player. The doctors and medical people do so much. The coach and general manager are on the outside. The ultimate decisions is the player's -- unless he physically can't go or it will do harm for your future. We would never jeopardize any player."

Medically, it's possible for Rivers to play with a partial tear. "When you get into the category of partial tears, no one really knows," said Dr. James Gladstone, an orthopedic surgeon and chief of sports medicine at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. "There have been studies out there that suggest if [the ACL] is 50 percent intact, you may be OK. The only way of knowing is you play."

HC Norv Turner will need to see how mobile Rivers is on Sunday. "We want him to be able to move well enough to protect himself," Turner said. For his part, Rivers says he is improving. "The way I felt Monday morning, I didn't think I'd feel as good as I do right now," Rivers said. "Certainly, it can ease my mind a bit."

Running Back

*** Friday Update *** RB Lorenzo Neal (SD) practiced fully again on Friday and isn't even listed on the team's injury report.

*** Friday Update *** RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) practiced fully again on Friday and isn't even listed on the team's injury report.

Wide Receiver

*** Friday Update *** WR Koren Robinson (GB) practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

*** Friday Update *** WR Plaxico Burress (NYG) partially participated in Friday's practice and is questionable to play this weekend. Remember that Burress has been questionable for most of the season, so he is obviously expected to play.

Tight End

*** Friday Update *** TE Bubba Franks (GB) practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

*** Friday Update *** TE Antonio Gates (SD) did not practice on Friday and is once again listed as doubtful to play this weekend. As was the case last week (when he played), Gates will work out before the game and see if he can go.

Kicker

Offensive Line

*** Friday Update *** OL Green Bay Packers (GB) C Scott Wells practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

*** Friday Update *** OL New England Patriots (NE) T Matt Light practiced fully again on Friday and isn't even listed on the team's injury report.

G Steve Neal practiced fully again on Friday and isn't even listed on the team's injury report.

T Ryan O'Callaghan practiced fully again on Friday and isn't even listed on the team's injury report.

*** Friday Update *** OL New York Giants (NYG) T Kareem McKenzie practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

Defensive Line

*** Friday Update *** DL Jamal Williams (SD) partially participated in Friday's practice and is questionable to play this weekend. He will be a game-time decision.

Linebacker

*** Friday Update *** LB Nick Barnett (GB) practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

*** Friday Update *** LB Shawne Merriman (SD) partially participated in Friday's practice but is still expected to play this weekend.

Defensive Back

*** Friday Update *** DB William Blackmon (GB) practiced fully on Friday but is officially questionable to play this weekend. He will be a game-time decision, but it looks like he'll be available.

*** Friday Update *** DB Charles Woodson (GB) practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

*** Friday Update *** DB Rodney Harrison (NE) did not practice on Friday but is still expected to play this weekend.

*** Friday Update *** DB Mel Mitchell (NE) will not play this weekend.

*** Friday Update *** DB Kevin Dockery (NYG) will not play this weekend.

*** Friday Update *** DB Sam Madison (NYG) did not practice on Friday and is questionable to play this weekend. "That's the way the medical people wanted it," HC Tom Coughlin said. "I still remain optimistic about him."

*** Friday Update *** DB Aaron Ross (NYG) partially participated in Friday's practice and is questionable to play this weekend. Ross did what HC Tom Coughlin called 'some bag work" to test his shoulder. "He tackled and he felt pretty good about it," Coughlin said.

General Team News

*** Friday Update *** TM Baltimore Ravens (BAL) Philadelphia DB coach John Harbaugh has been hired as the Ravens' new head coach.

*** Friday Update *** TM Green Bay Packers (GB) HC Mike McCarthy has agreed to a new five-year contract worth about $4 million per season. He will reportedly sign it after the NFC Championship game.

All the news

Quarterback

*** Friday Update *** QB Tom Brady (NE) practiced fully on Friday and will start as normal this weekend.

*** Thursday Update *** QB Tom Brady (NE) partially participated in Thursday's practice.

*** Wednesday Update *** QB Tom Brady (NE) partially participated in Wednesday's practice.

*** Thursday Update *** QB Philip Rivers (SD) threw some on the sidelines Thursday but did not take part in the official practice. He said his strained knee was feeling "a lot better" and he hoped to participate in at least part of Friday's workout.

Coach Norv Turner sounded guardedly optimistic. Rivers "was wanting to go out and throw some and take some drops today," but the team's trainer didn't think it was appropriate," Turner said. "So we'll see where it is tomorrow."

According to the San Diego Union Tribune, Rivers said even if he doesn't practice Friday, there is still hope. Rivers said even if he missed Friday that he was "really, really optimistic'' about playing Sunday.

*** Wednesday Update *** QB Philip Rivers (SD) did not practice on Wednesday. Rivers seems to be the most questionable of the team's injured players and is day-to-day according to HC Norv Turner. However, most reports expect him to be able to play.

He's hoping to return to practice Friday and sounds pretty optimistic.

"It's feeling pretty good. It's feeling better," Rivers said. "I'm treating it like crazy. Obviously the goal is to be ready to play on Sunday, and I'm optimistic I'll be able to do that."

"Anytime that lead leg is banged up, that can affect you mentally," he said. "So I'm really, really optimistic I'm going to be good to go. It's just a matter of working through some of the pain and the issues now to be ready."

Running Back

*** Wednesday Update *** RB Marshawn Lynch (BUF) New OC Turk Schonert had some comments Wednesday in regards to how Marshawn Lynch will be involved in the 2008 offense. "Anticipate him being in on 3rd-down a lot more," said Schonert of Lynch. "We held him back and Anthony Thomas did that in the beginning of the season because we didn't want to throw too much at him. But he's had a year, he understands the protections now and I think this year he'll be an integral part of our third down package."

*** Friday Update *** RB Lorenzo Neal (SD) practiced fully again on Friday and isn't even listed on the team's injury report.

*** Thursday Update *** RB Lorenzo Neal (SD) practiced fully on Wednesday and Thursday and is expected to play this weekend. "I'm ready to play," Neal said. "I'm excited. We've got a chance to go hunting. There's only four teams left. There's only two games. I don't care if you have to carry me off the field. I want to play football."

*** Friday Update *** RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) practiced fully again on Friday and isn't even listed on the team's injury report.

*** Thursday Update *** RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) practiced fully on Thursday and said he was "happy at where [he] was" regarding his hyperextended left knee. Tomlinson said he did everything he normally would do on a Thursday practice at full speed and felt "just fine.'' He said he "tested'' the knee because he wanted to see how it responded and was happy with the results. He says he will play this weekend. "I'll be ready to go," he said. "I'll feel just fine by game time, and so I expect to be close to 100 percent."

*** Wednesday Update *** RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) did not practice on Wednesday. Tomlinson slightly hyper extended his knee during the second quarter of Sunday's playoff win in Indianapolis and didn't play in the second half. An MRI showed no structural damage to his knee and he's optimistic about being close to full strength for this weekend's game. "I think I'll definitely be able to play," Tomlinson said on Monday. "I think they've got me listed as questionable, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to play."

He told Pro Football Weekly he'd be able to go. "I'll be ready to go. I feel just fine by game time, and so I expect to be close to 100 percent."

*** Wednesday Update *** RB Shaun Alexander (SEA) will soon undergo a procedure to correct the cracked bone in his much publicized left wrist.

Wide Receiver

*** Thursday Update *** WR Anquan Boldin (ARI) doesn't think he'll need surgery on the dislocated toe he suffered late in the season. Boldin is working out at the team's facility and rest has reportedly helped the injury.

*** Thursday Update *** WR Chad Johnson (CIN) HC Marvin Lewis said Chad Johnson will not be traded despite rumors of the player's desired departure. "As I said then, there will be no trade of Chad Johnson. Repeat it again. - He's a special player and he's a Cincinnati Bengal for quite a while," Lewis said.

*** Thursday Update *** WR Greg Jennings (GB) practiced fully on Thursday.

*** Wednesday Update *** WR Greg Jennings (GB) partially participated in Wednesday's practice.

*** Friday Update *** WR Koren Robinson (GB) practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

*** Thursday Update *** WR Koren Robinson (GB) partially participated in Thursday's practice.

*** Wednesday Update *** WR Koren Robinson (GB) partially participated in Wednesday's practice.

*** Wednesday Update *** WR Randy Moss (NE) denied any wrongdoing involving Rachelle Washington, a woman who alleged Moss assaulted her. She filed a temporary injunction, issued in Broward County (Fla.) court, which bars Moss from coming within 500 feet of Washington and from using or possessing firearms. "They're false allegations, something I've been battling for like the last couple of days of threats going public if I didn't pay X amount of dollars," Moss said. "This young lady by no means is hurt. I didn't hurt her."

*** Wednesday Update *** WR Donte Stallworth (NE) partially participated in Wednesday's practice.

*** Thursday Update *** WR Plaxico Burress (NYG) partially participated in Thursday's practice.

*** Wednesday Update *** WR Plaxico Burress (NYG) partially participated in Wednesday's practice but is expected to start as normal.

*** Thursday Update *** WR Deion Branch (SEA) HC Mike Holmgren said Wednesday that placing Deion Branch on injured reserve next year is a possibility, depending on how Branch rehabs from surgery on his torn ACL.

*** Wednesday Update *** WR Deion Branch (SEA) will have surgery on his left knee to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Branch is expected to require at least nine months recovering from the injury.

Tight End

*** Friday Update *** TE Bubba Franks (GB) practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

*** Thursday Update *** TE Bubba Franks (GB) partially participated in Thursday's practice.

*** Wednesday Update *** TE Bubba Franks (GB) partially participated in Wednesday's practice.

*** Thursday Update *** TE Antonio Gates (SD) did not practice on Thursday and likely will not participate in Friday's session either. He is still considered a game-time decision.

*** Wednesday Update *** TE Antonio Gates (SD) did not practice on Wednesday. Gates will likely face a situation similar to the one he experienced last week. He didn't practice last week with a toe injury, and the team didn't know until right before game time if he would play. Gates wasn't 100 percent but did catch two passes. "He's sore and it's swollen and it's no worse than he was last week," HC Norv Turner said. "We're on the same schedule. I would think it would be a late in the week or Sunday and go out and warm up again and see how he feels. I know he wants to go."

Kicker

*** Wednesday Update *** PK Nate Kaeding (SD) practiced kickoffs on Wednesday and is expected to resume his full workload of duties this weekend.

Offensive Line

*** Friday Update *** OL Green Bay Packers (GB) C Scott Wells practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

*** Thursday Update *** OL Green Bay Packers (GB) C Scott Wells partially participated in Thursday's practice, but he should be "will be fine for the game" according to HC Mike McCarthy.

*** Wednesday Update *** OL Green Bay Packers (GB) C Scott Wells partially participated in Wednesday's practice.

*** Friday Update *** OL New England Patriots (NE) T Matt Light practiced fully again on Friday and isn't even listed on the team's injury report.

G Steve Neal practiced fully again on Friday and isn't even listed on the team's injury report.

T Ryan O'Callaghan practiced fully again on Friday and isn't even listed on the team's injury report.

*** Thursday Update *** OL New England Patriots (NE) T Matt Light did not practice on Thursday due to the flu.

G Steve Neal partially participated in Thursday's practice.

T Ryan O'Callaghan practiced on Thursday and is no longer being mentioned on the team's practice report.

*** Wednesday Update *** OL New England Patriots (NE) G Steve Neal partially participated in Wednesday's practice.

T Ryan O'Callaghan did not practice on Wednesday.

*** Friday Update *** OL New York Giants (NYG) T Kareem McKenzie practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

*** Thursday Update *** OL New York Giants (NYG) T Kareem McKenzie practiced fully on Thursday.

*** Wednesday Update *** OL New York Giants (NYG) T Kareem McKenzie partially participated in Wednesday's practice.

*** Wednesday Update *** OL Seattle Seahawks (SEA) LT Walter Jones will have surgery on his right shoulder, and injury which forced him to miss much of practice throughout the year.

Defensive Line

*** Wednesday Update *** DL Brent Hawkins (JAX) was arrested and charged with drunken driving on Monday morning. Hawkins refused to take a breath test after he was brought to the Duval County (Florida) Jail, a sheriff's spokesman said.

*** Friday Update *** DL Jamal Williams (SD) partially participated in Friday's practice and is questionable to play this weekend. He will be a game-time decision.

*** Thursday Update *** DL Jamal Williams (SD) did not practice on Thursday.

*** Wednesday Update *** DL Jamal Williams (SD) did not practice on Wednesday. He re-aggravated an injured ankle last Sunday and is day-to-day.

Linebacker

*** Friday Update *** LB Nick Barnett (GB) practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

*** Thursday Update *** LB Nick Barnett (GB) partially participated in Thursday's practice.

*** Wednesday Update *** LB Nick Barnett (GB) partially participated in Wednesday's practice.

*** Friday Update *** LB Shawne Merriman (SD) partially participated in Friday's practice but is still expected to play this weekend.

*** Thursday Update *** LB Shawne Merriman (SD) partially participated in Thursday's practice due to illness. He expects to practice fully on Friday.

*** Wednesday Update *** LB Shawne Merriman (SD) did not practice on Wednesday, but he is expected to play this weekend.

Defensive Back

*** Wednesday Update *** DB Keith Davis (DAL) will under go surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle that he played with for over half of the season. Davis also has a broken right thumb which was suffered in Dallas' playoff loss.

*** Friday Update *** DB William Blackmon (GB) practiced fully on Friday but is officially questionable to play this weekend. He will be a game-time decision, but it looks like he'll be available.

*** Thursday Update *** DB William Blackmon (GB) partially participated in Thursday's practice.

*** Wednesday Update *** DB William Blackmon (GB) partially participated in Wednesday's practice.

*** Friday Update *** DB Charles Woodson (GB) practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.

*** Thursday Update *** DB Charles Woodson (GB) partially participated in Thursday's practice.

*** Wednesday Update *** DB Charles Woodson (GB) partially participated in Wednesday's practice.

*** Friday Update *** DB Rodney Harrison (NE) did not practice on Friday but is still expected to play this weekend.

*** Friday Update *** DB Mel Mitchell (NE) will not play this weekend.

*** Thursday Update *** DB Mel Mitchell (NE) did not practice on Thursday.

*** Wednesday Update *** DB Mel Mitchell (NE) did not practice on Wednesday.

*** Friday Update *** DB Kevin Dockery (NYG) will not play this weekend.

*** Thursday Update *** DB Kevin Dockery (NYG) did not practice on Thursday.

*** Wednesday Update *** DB Kevin Dockery (NYG) did not practice on Wednesday.

*** Thursday Update *** DB Sam Madison (NYG) partially participated in Thursday's practice.

*** Wednesday Update *** DB Sam Madison (NYG) did not practice on Wednesday.

*** Thursday Update *** DB Aaron Ross (NYG) partially participated in Thursday's practice.

*** Wednesday Update *** DB Aaron Ross (NYG) partially participated in Wednesday's practice. HC Tom Coughlin said he expects Ross will be able to play Sunday.

*** Wednesday Update *** DB Marcus Trufant (SEA) HC Mike Holmgren said that the team will retain Marcus Trufant, one way or another. "Marcus is going to be a Seahawk," Holmgren said. "He should be a Seahawk. This is where he should be for his entire career." Trufant is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March, but if the team is unable to sign him to a long-term contract, the club can use its franchise tag on him.

*** Wednesday Update *** DB PacMan Jones (TEN) A woman was seeking an arrest warrant against suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Pacman Jones after alleging that he punched her at an Atlanta strip club on January 3. "I was sitting in the office and he lunged at me numerous times in an effort to do grave bodily harm," Wanda S. Jackson wrote in the warrant application filed Jan. 7. "Veronica Jones, an owner, went into the hall to deal with a member of his entourage. I followed to gawk. He was in the hall, surprisingly reached over or around a security guard and sucker punched me in my left eye." However, a clerk in the Warrants Division said that the petition had been withdrawn on Wednesday.

General Team News

*** Friday Update *** TM Baltimore Ravens (BAL) Philadelphia DB coach John Harbaugh has been hired as the Ravens' new head coach.

*** Wednesday Update *** TM Cincinnati Bengals (CIN) The Bengals have hired Atlanta Falcons 51-year old DC Mike Zimmer for the same role with the Bengals. Zimmer was available because of the Falcons' uncertainty over their next head coach. Zimmer becomes the third defensive coordinator under HC Marvin Lewis, who has led the Bengals to the playoffs once during his five seasons as head coach. "Mike has coordinated defenses at a high level in the NFL for a number of years, and this is obviously a very important hire for me and for our organization." Lewis said in a statement.

*** Thursday Update *** TM Dallas Cowboys (DAL) OC Jason Garrett has decided to stay put. Garrett received an offer from the Ravens but returned to Dallas and met with owner Jerry Jones, who convinced Garrett to stay (and promoted him to assistant head coach).

*** Friday Update *** TM Green Bay Packers (GB) HC Mike McCarthy has agreed to a new five-year contract worth about $4 million per season. He will reportedly sign it after the NFC Championship game.

*** Wednesday Update *** TM Indianapolis Colts (IND) HC Tony Dungy laughed at the speculation that started today that he has stepped down. "Believe it or not, I'm going to go through the process just like I said I would," Dungy said. "My wife and I will continue to discuss it and pray about it. We should have some type of decision by Saturday or Sunday. The first person outside my family that will know about it is Jim Irsay, and nobody else will know about it before Jim." Dungy added: "It's amazing that people don't want to believe what I said all along, that I would take this week to make my decision."

*** Wednesday Update *** TM Kansas City Chiefs (KC) The Chiefs have hired Chan Gailey to be their next offensive coordinator.

*** Wednesday Update *** TM Miami Dolphins (MIA) The Dolphins officially hired former Cowboys' assistant Tony Sparano to be their new head coach. The two sides agreed on a four-year contract worth about $2.5 million to $2.7 million per year.

*** Wednesday Update *** TM Seattle Seahawks (SEA) HC Mike Holmgren said during his annual season-ending news conference on Tuesday that he could "perhaps" decide by next week whether he'll return for the 2008 season, after he spends a few days talking with his wife. "We're going to bang around some stuff and talk about the future. We have our lists (of pros and cons) made up," he said, adding he is or soon will be seeking the advice of Joe Gibbs, Bill Cowher, Bill Parcells and Tony Dungy.

*** Wednesday Update *** TM Tennessee Titans (TEN) The Titans have parted ways with OC Norm Chow after three seasons with the team.