Jon Gruden has named quarterback Jeff Garcia as his starter for the team's Week 7 game. "We're going to start Jeff," Gruden said. "Brian was still unable to be active today. We have a lot of respect for our quarterbacks. We realize it's a hard game to play when you're not healthy. We'll try to get Brian back as soon as we can. In the meantime, Josh and Luke and Jeff have to pick up the slack."

Cadillac Williams is eligible to come off the Physically Unable to Perform this week and practice with the team, but head coach Jon Gruden did not anticipate that happening right away.

Earnest Graham moved to the fullback position during the team's Week 6 game after fullback Byron Storer was forced to leave with an injury. "You can't say enough about Ernest," running back Warrick Dunn said. "This guy sacrificed his day to get in the there and block and he did a great job. He was reading it the right way, putting hits on guys. He's the ultimate team guy. I'm speechless a little bit because of what he sacrificed for this football team today. That's one of the most unselfish acts I've ever seen on a football field in a long time."

Byron Storer revealed he has a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season. With B.J. Askew still recovering a hamstring injury, the Bucs might be in the market to sign a fullback. "We're in trouble at fullback," Gruden said.

In his Monday press conference, Green Bay Packers HC Mike McCarthy said QB Aaron Rodgers didn't suffer any setbacks with his injured right shoulder. "He's sore again today, which is normal. He'll be dealing with that for some time," McCarthy said. CB Al Harris underwent a scan of his spleen today and there was "significant improvement," McCarthy said. RB Kregg Lumpkin has hamstring pull.



DT Ryan Pickett has a triceps strain. McCarthy is confident Pickett will fight through it. McCarthy said that DT Justin Harrell, who is eligible to come off the PUP list today, will practice on Wednesday and be evaluated through the week to see whether he'll be activated for Week 7. S Aaron Rouse suffered a head injury during Week 6, but McCarthy said that there was a good chance Rouse would be available.

Jon Kitna says he expects to play eventually this year but doesn't know if he will be Week 7 against the Houston Texans. Kitna said on Monday his back injury isn't that bad. Lions management has refused to answer any questions about the long-term health of quarterback Jon Kitna, who missed all of last week with back problems.

Calvin Johnson left Sunday's game in the fourth quarter after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from safety Darren Sharper.

The Lions announced on Saturday that they have signed quarterback Drew Henson off their practice squad to the 53-man active roster.

There has been no official word on the severity of Washington Redskins RB Ladell Betts' knee injury, but sources with knowledge of the situation say that it looks like about a two-week injury. The team had indicated the injury was a mild sprain and Betts underwent an MRI that showed nothing more serious than that yesterday. Earlier, Jim Zorn had said the team was making plans to be without Betts for at least one week. The team said he would update the media on Betts' status Wednesday.

Washington Redskins General Manager Vinny Cerrato said on his radio show this morning that the Redskins will have a new punter when they play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at FedEx Field.

Tony Romo has a broken pinkie on his throwing hand and will be out four weeks, a team source told ESPN's Michael Smith. Romo initially was diagnosed with a pinkie sprain in Sunday's 30-24 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Felix Jones injured his left hamstring in the third quarter of the Cowboys week 6 game in Arizona. His return was reported as questionable.

Matt McBriar suffered a fractured right foot when Arizona's Sean Morey blocked a punt in overtime in Week 6. He had to be carted off of the field. He's expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

Marvin Lewis has named Ryan Fitzpatrick the starter for Week 7 against the Steelers. Lewis said "a further conservative approach," has been recommended for Carson Palmer's inflamed throwing elbow. "But I'll talk with Carson in person further about what the doctor thought and what he thought the options were," Lewis said. "I don't think anything has been ruled out."

The options for Palmer are, playing in two weeks in Houston, or waiting until after the Nov. 9 bye, or shutting it down for the season."I want to talk to Carson to see where he is," Lewis said.

Cincinnati Bengals starting tailback Chris Perry may be getting benched in favor of Cedric Benson or Kenny Watson. Perry rushed 11 times for 14 yards (1.3) with a long gain of four yards. "We're going to look at all that," head coach Marvin Lewis said in the aftermath of the Bengals' 26-14 loss to the New York Jets.

Marques Colston is officially listed as questionable on today's team injury report. However, it has been confirmed he will suit up in Week 6 against the Raiders. Colston has missed the last four games with a thumb injury.



Jeremy Shockey is doubtful for Week 6 after missing practice for the second straight day Friday. Shockey practiced for the first time Wednesday since having surgery to repair a sports hernia two weeks ago, but he did not return to the practice field again.



Sean Payton said Thursday that he did not consider bringing in another option at cornerback when rookie Tracy Porter's season ended with a wrist injury Monday night.

Romeo Crennel called TE Kellen Winslow "questionable" for Week 6 against the Giants. Crennel said Winslow has a 50% chance of playing in the game. "We know that he'll be out there if at all possible," said Crennel. Crennel did not specify the nature of Winslow's illness, citing privacy laws in part.

Meanwhile, WR Donte Stallworth may be set to his season debut after pulling a quadriceps in warmups prior to Week 1.

According to HC Marvin Lewis, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will start in Week 6 for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Jets. Fitzpatrick started two weeks ago against the Cleveland Browns. "Ryan will start the game on Sunday," Lewis said. "I think he will be very well prepared. He's had a great week of work that he needs. He'll be ready to go. " Carson Palmer might play, Lewis said, but his status is unknown because of his inflamed right throwing elbow. "We'll see how Carson is on Sunday, but Ryan will start the game," Lewis said.

The dormant Washington Redskins pass rush, which has recorded no sacks in the last two games and only six all season, could get a boost Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. Defensive end Jason Taylor practiced Thursday for the first time since undergoing left calf surgery for compartment syndrome on Sept. 22. Taylor was in full pads and said he did a "little bit of everything" during the workout. Depending on how the leg responds overnight, Taylor will do more Friday and possibly be available Sunday following a two-game absence that ended his streak of 133 consecutive starts.

Meanwhile, Jim Zorn commented on the progress of WR Devin Thomas. "We tried to get him more and more involved," Zorn said

Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, receiver Reggie Brown, right guard Shawn Andrews and reserve safety J.R. Reed have all been ruled out for Sunday's game in San Francisco. All four players will not travel with the team. "Brian wants to go," head coach Andy Reid said. "But I have to do what I think is best for him and the football team. I think the bye week (7) will help him. I think it will help take some of the sting out." Reggie Brown left practice Wednesday with a groin injury and did not practice Thursday.

1. Terrell Owens ( Dallas Cowboys) @ Arizona - Owens finished with only 2 catches last week. But he made them count by getting onto the end zone on 1 of them. The long play gave him 67 yards on the day. Arizona can be beaten deep as witnessed by the Jets in week 4 and last week's bomb to Lee Evans. Look for the Cowboys to try going for all the cheese a few times this week with Romo connecting with TO for around 100 yards and a TD.

2. Larry Fitzgerald ( Arizona Cardinals) vs. Dallas - Larry had a down week against the Bills in week 5 yardage wise. But he got into the end zone twice. The double coverages are all over him with Boldin on the sideline, but Warner is doing his best to get him the ball. Dallas' defense is having some problems and will struggle to shut Fitz down. Arizona will be attacking through the air all day and Larry will haul in around his usual 100 yards and a TD.

3. Brandon Marshall ( Denver Broncos) vs. Jacksonville - Big Ben just shredded Jacksonville's secondary last week. The Broncos offense is as high-powered as you can get. Cutler loves throwing the ball, and he loves throwing it to Marshall. Brandon had a bad game last week but should be able to rebound against the Jaguars this week as Jay may look his way even more with rookie Eddie Royal hurting. He should easily put up close to 95 yards and a score.

1. Adrian Peterson ( Minnesota Vikings) vs. Detroit - Ok so AD had a rough go against the Saints last week on Monday Night. But it's alright, the Lions are coming to town this week and Peterson will be licking his chops. Adrian should be able to make up for his poor performance by putting up around 125 yards and 2 TDs. The matchup is to sweet and Peterson is our # 1 running back this week.

2. Clinton Portis ( Washington Redskins) vs. St. Louis - Clinton racked up over 150 total yards and added a TD against the Eagles last week. After a tough 2 week road schedule at Dallas and Philly, Portis and the Skins come home to face the Rams and their terrible defense. Clinton will be able to run circles around St. Louis and get about 120 yards and a score.

3. Ladainian Tomlinson ( San Diego Chargers) vs. New England - LT couldn't get it going last week against Miami. Look for him to get back on track against a Patriots defense that allows over 120 yards a game on the ground. It's only a matter of time before he starts wrecking defenses again and should be able to wrangle up about 90 yards and a couple of scores this week.

for the top 10

Marvin Lewis says trade rumors regarding WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh couldn't be less true. "Boy, that's a bad rumor, huh?" Lewis said. "Number one, you're going to get a club in trouble for tampering. That club has already been penalized once this year, very harshly. (The 49ers forfeited their fifth-round draft pick in an NFL sanction for tampering with Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs.) Number two, what club in its right mind would trade for a player that's going to be an unrestricted free agent? Again, if you're going to start a rumor, make it a good one. OK? Make it something that makes some sense to people inside the NFL. It's unfortunate."

JaMarcus Russell said fired Raiders coach Lane Kiffin called after the Vikings-Saints game Monday and gave him a few pointers. Raiders owner Al Davis can't accuse Kiffin of tampering, as he did of the Patriots last week, but he can't be happy to hear about the conversation.

Radiers backs Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden hadn't practiced together since Week 2, when Fargas hurt his groin and McFadden got turf toe on his right foot at Kansas City. But the two were back on the field together and should be able to play Week 6 against the Saints.

Owner Al Davis received a letter from Commissioner Roger Goodell stating that the team is subject to penalties for the public accusation of tampering against the New England Patriots. The punishment could range from a substantial fine -- $250,000 or more - to docking the Raiders one or more draft picks, or both.