Arizona Cardinals- TE Todd Heap has 54 career catches in 16 career games against Pittsburgh, but the longtime Baltimore Raven is questionable for Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. S Kerry Rhodes will be out at least a month after getting surgery on his broken left foot.
Atlanta Falcons- WR Julio Jones will likely miss Sunday’s showdown in Detroit with his hamstring injury and other key members of the team may not suit up as well. Pass rushing DE John Abraham (groin) played last week against Carolina after missing their loss to Green Bay, but he’s questionable along with offensive linemen Sam Baker (back) and Todd McClure (knee).
Chicago Bears- The Bears will have to deal against a solid Tampa Bay defense on Sunday without T Gabe Carimi, who will miss his fifth straight game with a knee injury.
Cleveland Browns- Seattle could have an easier time catching passes this week with Browns CB Joe Haden out another week with a knee sprain and could be out for week eight as well. Peyton Hillis’ hamstring has him on the injury report and his status for the Seahawks game is still in flux. Montario Hardesty will get the start if Hillis cannot go. LB Scott Fujita’s head injury will keep him out of Sunday’s game.
Dallas Cowboys- Dallas may not have gotten good news on the offensive side of the ball after Sunday’s loss to New England, with rookie C Bill Nagy out for the season and RB Felix Jones out with a high ankle sprain, but they will get good news on defense. LB DeMarcus Ware will likely play on Sunday against St. Louis with back spasms. DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice should split the carries against the Rams.
Denver Broncos- The team’s WR depth will be put to the test on Sunday in Miami after trading Brandon Lloyd to St. Louis earlier in the week. Eddie Royal and Demaryius Thomas had groin and finger injuries respectively but both participated in practice and should be able to line up in the huddle answering to new starting QB Tim Tebow.
Detroit Lions- The Lions coaching staff maintains RB Jahvid Best did not start to suffer concussion-related symptoms until after Detroit’s loss on Sunday to San Francisco. He was not cleared by doctors and will be out for Sunday’s home game against Atlanta. As insurance, the Lions made a deadline day trade with Philadelphia to acquire veteran back Ronnie Brown, who could possibly start on Sunday if Best is not cleared to play.
Green Bay Packers- The strong pass rush of the Minnesota Vikings will test the Green Bay offensive line with T Chad Clifton still out with an injured knee. Concussions could compromise two defensive contributors, with CB Sam Shields doubtful and DE Ryan Pickett questionable to play.
Houston Texans- Star WR Andre Johnson is still doubtful with his hamstring injury and could miss as many as six weeks, including Sunday’s AFC South game at Tennessee. Jacoby Jones, Kevin Walter and Arian Foster combined for 182 receiving yards in last week’s loss to Baltimore. Houston is hopeful that FB James Casey, a decent pass catching option, will play against the Titans despite a pectoral injury. His status is doubtful.
Jacksonville Jaguars- TE Zach Miller was placed on IR with a shoulder injury and will miss the rest of the season. To replace his production on offense, Jacksonville signed a familiar face in WR Mike Sims-Walker. Sims-Walker was released by the Rams on Monday after St. Louis after they acquired Brandon Lloyd from Denver.
Miami Dolphins- RB Reggie Bush had by far his best game as a Dolphin, rushing for 71 yards in the Dolphins’ 24-6 loss on Monday to the Jets. During the game, Bush suffered a neck injury but is probable for Sunday’s home game against Denver. Safety could be a position of concern for the defense, with Reshad Jones listed as doubtful with a knee injury and veteran Chris Clemons questionable with a hamstring problem. CB Vontae Davis is also questionable with a hamstring injury.
Minnesota Vikings- Facing Aaron Rodgers and the high octane Green Bay passing offense, two CB’s will likely miss Sunday’s NFC North game. Antoine Winfield is doubtful with a neck injury and second-year CB Chris Cook will not play after being arrested Saturday morning on charges which include domestic assault.
New York Jets- It would be hard to imagine that C Nick Mangold’s nagging ankle injury would keep him out of Sunday’s game against San Diego after playing last Monday against Miami, but he’s listed as questionable on the injury report.
Oakland Raiders- Oakland acquired Carson Palmer to replace the injured Jason Campbell and Offensive Coordinator Al Saunders said if Palmer “is breathing” he’ll play on Sunday against Kansas City. Hopefully Kyle Boller doesn’t pull a Tonya Harding this week and Palmer makes his season debut for the Silver and Black.
Pittsburgh Steelers- Key injuries will limit the Steelers for Sunday’s game in Arizona. On the defensive line, LB James Harrison is still out from the eye injury he suffered two weeks ago in Houston and Casey Hampton is out with a shoulder injury. On the offensive line, Doug Legursky will be out and Chris Hoke is doubtful with a neck injury. WR Mike Wallace, who is fourth in the league with 612 receiving yards, has a slightly pulled hamstring but practiced this week and is probable for Sunday’s game.
San Diego Chargers- The Bolts could get some really good news on offense with TE Antonio Gates, who is reportedly making progress on his injured foot. Gates, who has not had a reception since the team’s week one win over Minnesota, could be back for San Diego’s trip to New York against the Jets.
St. Louis Rams- A high ankle sprain suffered in last week’s loss to Green Bay will keep Rams QB Sam Bradford from playing this week in Dallas. A.J. Feely will start on Sunday instead.
Seattle Seahawks- QB Tavaris Jackson will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s game against Cleveland with a pectoral injury, he’s listed as doubtful, and the team is proceeding as if Charlie Whitehurst will make the start. Whoever the QB will be against the Browns, he will be without pass catching TE Zach Miller, who is out this week with a concussion suffered two weeks ago in the win over the Giants.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- The Bucs will be without RB LeGarrette Blount for the second straight game with an injured knee, he’s expected to return next week, and it will once again be Earnest Graham starting for Tampa Bay this Sunday against Chicago. The Bears only rank 21st in the league against the run, so success is possible for Graham and the running game.
Tennessee Titans- Houston will be without Andre Johnson for Sunday’s crucial AFC South game, but the Titans defense will be without starting safety Chris Hope, a key member of the secondary. Hope hasn’t played since the team’s week four win in Cleveland and will be out again with an injured forearm.
Washington Redskins- Chris Cooley will miss Sunday’s game in Carolina, the dawn of the John Beck era, after undergoing surgery on his broken finger. T Trent Williams will also be out with a high ankle sprain. With Cooley out, expect even more of the offensive onus to be placed on TE Fred Davis on Sunday against the Panthers. The secondary has a couple of questions going into game time with S Oshimogho Atogwe nursing an injured knee and CB Phillip Buchanon questionable with a neck injury.
