But the news isn't all good this week. ...

The team placed tight end Terry Hardy, who tore ligaments in his left knee in Oakland, on injured reserve and signed former Jaguar Lawrence Hart to provide some depth in Hardy's absence.

Unfortunately, Hart turned his ankle in his first practice with his new teammates and was carted off the field to the training room.

"I got rolled up on the first day," Hart stated. "I've never been hurt on the first day and actually, I haven't been hurt in a long time. I'm just going to go to the doctor and see what happened."

Tywan Mitchell will take over as the starting tight end in Hardy's absence, but don't get too excited about his immediate future as a Fantasy prospect. ... Mitchell only has 14 receptions in 20 NFL games. ...

Also missing practice Wednesday was wide receiver Frank Sanders, who missed his first game in seven seasons last Sunday. Sanders has been hampered by sore hamstrings for two weeks and spent the afternoon in Oakland on the inactive list, snapping his consecutive-game streak at 107.

MarTay Jenkins started in his place, catching six passes for 90 yards.

According to the War Room's Gary Horton, Jenkins has excelled as Sanders' replacement, but will be matched up against corner Fred Smoot this week. Smoot has been solid throughout most of his rookie season and has the speed to neutralize Jenkins' quickness and the strength to knock him off his routes at the line of scrimmage. Although Jenkins has come on during the last month, this is a battle that Smoot should win. ...

David Boston, who had 106 yards receiving against the Raiders -- including a 50-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter -- continues to destroy anybody who lines up across from him. The former first-round draft pick has 100-yard receiving games in six of his last seven starts and touchdowns in five of those seven games. ... I'm not looking for him to slow down any time soon.

And finally. ... Although he's been inconsistent this season, Michael Pittman has picked it up a notch over the last couple of games. The former Fresno State star posted 93 all-purpose yards and a touchdown against Oakland and he should do well against the Redskins, too. ...

RB: M. Pittman, T. Jones, M. Shipp

FB: J. Makovicka, D. McKinley

WR: D. Boston, F. Sanders (Quest; hamstring), M.T. Jenkins, A. Jackson, B. Gilmore

TE: T. Mitchell, S. Bush, L. Hart

PK: B. Gramatica

Chandler hobbled off the field and didn't play in the second half, but he said the ankle felt much better after three days of treatment. "I'm lucky," he said. "It wasn't as bad as it looked."

The Falcons desperately need Chandler for a game matching two 6-5 teams fighting for a wild-card playoff spot. Since the start of the 1999 season, Atlanta is 2-13 when he is injured during a game or doesn't play at all.

Chandler was hurt on the next-to-last play of the first half after completing a 19-yard pass to Shawn Jefferson. Offensive guard Kynan Forney was attempting to block Rams end Grant Wistrom, but knocked him into Chandler's right side. The quarterback's left leg twisted under his body as he went down.

Chandler did some running Tuesday and practiced for two hours Wednesday.

"I don't think it's going to be a problem," he said. "As long as I get my strength back, I can handle the stiffness and soreness."

The 36-year-old Chandler has never made it through a complete season with the Falcons since joining the team in 1997. He already had concussion and rib injury this season, causing him to leave two games and miss another one entirely.

Michael Vick, who played most of the second half against the Rams, expects to be back on the bench for Sunday's game.

Also of interest. ...

Maurice Smith, who has been splitting carries with running back Rodney Thomas and fullback Bob Christian, could struggle against New Orleans this weekend. ... Christian wasn't much of a factor after the Falcons fell behind early against the Rams last Sunday. The veteran fullback finished the game with just one carry for five yards and four receptions for 16 yards. ...

Tony Martin caught six passes for 97 yards against the Rams, but the veteran wide out has seen better days, though, and he shouldn't be viewed as a consistent producer at this point. ...

RB: M. Smith (Prob; ankle/knee), R. Thomas, T. Jervey

FB: B. Christian, G. Layne

WR: T. Mathis, T. Martin, S. Jefferson, B. Finneran, Q. McCord

TE: R. Kelly, A. Crumpler (Prob; knee), B. Kozlowski

PK: J. Feely

"We're only as good as our role players," said Thomas, a sixth-round pick in the 2000 draft. "When it comes to being a role player, you go out there and get the job done. You've got to take advantage of your opportunities. If you're in a position to make a play, make a play. That's what it boils down to. ..."

Obafemi Ayanbadejo, who caught a five-yard TD pass and scored on a nine-yard run against the Colts, is likely to be a regular goal line threat for the RB-starved Ravens during the final weeks of the NFL regular season.

"'His teammates seem to respond well to him, and there's just something about him, he seems to move the ball just about every time he plays,' said the pro scouting director of an NFC franchise that wants to upgrade its backup spot during the offseason.

"A slimmed-down Van Pelt, who will still never be mistaken for svelte, has posted solid numbers since replacing Johnson two weeks ago. Plus he's killing an already-crunched Buffalo salary cap, with the team owing him a cool $10,000 per touchdown pass, as part of his incentives package. ..."

But as Allen Wilson of the Buffalo News noted early this week, after two great outings, Van Pelt came crashing to Earth in San Francisco last Sunday. He threw four interceptions, two of which helped set up touchdowns for the 49ers. Van Pelt never seemed comfortable in the pocket as he overthrew several open receivers and underthrew others.

Other notes of interest. ...

The Bills started the game against the 49ers with their offensive line intact for the first time all season. It lasted three plays, when LT John Fina suffered a concussion.

Despite all the problems up front, Travis Henry could have one of his best performances yet this week against the Panthers' struggling run defense. Carolina is allowing 4.5 rushing yards a carry and coaches will try to get the youngster at least 20 carries this weekend.

Tight end Jay Riemersma, who suffered a concussion in Sunday night's game, is listed as probable and the veteran should be ready to go in time for this week's game.

RB: T. Henry, S. Morris, S. Bryson (Quest; ankle)

FB: L. Centers, P. Crosby

WR: E. Moulds, P. Price, R. Germany, J. McDaniel, A. Black

TE: J. Riemersma (Prob; head), S. Jackson, S. Osborne

PK: S. Graham

Walls, the team's career leader in touchdown receptions with 38, has three years left on his contract, but wondered Monday if the Panthers (1-11) plan to release him after this season.

"After what has gone down here, nothing will surprise me," Walls said. "I don't feel like I'm a big part of what we're trying to do here."

The team released veterans Steve Beuerlein and Eric Davis after last season.

Walls, who has been to four Pro Bowls with the Panthers (1996-99), caught 30 passes for 308 yards and four touchdowns in the first eight games of the season. He has just eight catches for 98 yards and one touchdown in the last four.

Nonetheless, he was the team's leading receiver in Sunday's 27-23 loss to the New Orleans, with three receptions for 49 yards.

"I don't like it one bit," Walls said of his role in the offense. "But I don't want to make this about me. I just think when you go into a game that you have matchups and you take advantage of those matchups."

Asked on Wednesday about Walls' desire to play a greater role in the offense, head coach George Seifert said: "I think they (my comments) are pretty consistent with what I have said in the past. You are dealing with a great football player. They all want the ball and they are all sensitive to the situation, particularly when you are losing. Everybody has a certain amount of frustration. Some people talk about it, some don't. If I felt like it was an issue that was detrimental to the club at this time, then it would be an issue. I don't sense that right now. There are times when I feel like spouting off, too. ..."

Asked about the team's injury situation, Seifert said: "[Muhsin Muhammad] practiced. Wesley Walls did not practice. Kris Mangum, I would say right now that Kris would play. ... Karl Hankton was out there because he is tough guy and he is a team-oriented guy, but he will not play this week."

Asked specifically if Muhammad would play at Buffalo, the coach replied: "The way he practiced today, I would say so. He is our starting flanker, so you always want your starters in there playing. I would say I am cautiously optimistic."

In an updated published last Monday, Pro Football Weekly indicated that Muhammad has never been more down in his pro career, and that Carolina's losing ways have really taken a toll.

RB: R. Huntley, N. Goings, B. Hoover

FB: B. Hoover, C. Hetherington

WR: M. Muhammad (Quest; shoulder), D. Hayes, I. Byrd, P. Jeffers, S. Smith, K. Hankton (Out; arm)

TE: W. Walls (Doubt; ankle), K. Mangum, L. Broughton, C. Crawford

PK: J. Kasay

Allen had 100 all-purpose yards against Detroit with Thomas watching from the sidelines last Sunday, Thomas will be right back in the mix the minute he's healthy enough. ...

According to Pro Football Weekly, two problems have prevented rookie WR David Terrell from breaking out: He's playing out of position, and his route running still needs work. Earlier this season, the coaching staff placed Terrell behind Marty Booker at flanker, knowing there was no way the rookie would supplant Marcus Robinson at split end. But Booker emerged as a go-to receiver, and now that Terrell has spent so much time learning the flanker position, it's too late to switch him back to split end. Even if he were to move there, his route-running problems would catch up to him. At Michigan, Terrell was so athletically superior that he didn't have to run routes. But now, when he's jammed at the line of scrimmage, he's taken out of his route, and he can't get back into it.

Also according to PFW, team insiders can't figure out why TE Dustin Lyman hasn't played much this season. Coaches want production from the position, and with Kaseem Sinceno out for the year, there is an opening. Lyman has shown in practice that he's ready. ...

RB: A. Thomas (Quest; hamstring), J. Allen, A. Denson, L. Johnson

FB: D. Shelton, S. Pritchard

WR: M. Booker, D. White, D. Terrell, D. Bates

TE: F. Baxter, J. Davis, D. Lyman

PK: P. Edinger

The former Seattle Seahawks quarterback who showed up in town talking playoffs is wondering when his teammates are going to get fed up with bumbling. He suggested Wednesday that many of their problems are related to attitude.

"It's each guy deciding, 'I've had enough of losing and I'm going to do whatever extra I can do throughout the week and on Sunday to help us win the football game. I'm not going to accept mediocrity, I'm not going to accept just doing the minimum,"' Kitna said.

But doing the minimum has become a time-honored tradition for the Bengals, who have lost more games since 1991 than any other NFL team. After a 2-0 start that raised hopes of a turnaround, they've lost seven of their last nine games.

A defeat by Jacksonville on Sunday would give them their 11th consecutive season without a winning record.

No one was more optimistic about the playoffs than Kitna, who led Seattle to the playoffs in 1999 and measured each victory and defeat early in the season against how it would affect the Bengals' postseason chances.

Now he's like every other Bengal of the past decade, trying to figure out why this team can't win more than a handful of games. Instead of building upon the 2-0 start, they've unraveled, just like every other team.

"We're still making the same mistakes," he said. "Maybe we didn't put enough emphasis on it early in the year because we were getting by and winning ball games. The bottom line is you can't do that consistently in this league."

Most of the mistakes seem to be on offense and special teams.

The Bengals' kickoff return coverage is so poor that they've decided to go for high, short kicks that come down around the 20-yard line, preventing opponents' top returners from touching the ball.

Cincinnati is allowing 32.2 yards per kickoff return, the worst figure in the NFL.

Corey Dillon hasn't run for 100 yards in the last four games, and Kitna has thrown two touchdown passes and six interceptions during the four-game losing streak.

Head coach Dick LeBeau thinks the mental mistakes on offense are the result of all the team's off-season changes. The Bengals overhauled the offense and brought in Bob Bratkowski as offensive coordinator.

"I think these are things you do experience when you go through a change in philosophy," LeBeau said Wednesday. "It is one that I think has been good on the whole."

Other items of interest. ...

The Bengals signed tight end Kirk McMullen to the roster from the practice squad on Tuesday to replace Tony McGee, whose season is over because of a knee injury.

McMullen, in his first NFL season out of the University of Pittsburgh, was on the practice squad for the first eight weeks. He had been promoted to the Bengals' roster after tight end Marco Battaglia had an appendectomy. He played in the team's most recent two games.

McGee sprained his right knee during the first half of last Sunday's overtime loss to Tampa Bay. Trainers estimate it would take two months for the tight end to recover, so he was put on injured reserve, ending his season.

Battaglia had surgery last month and is also through for the season.

The injury to McGee forced the Bengals to use long snapper Brad St. Louis as a tight end for the first time in his career. ...

In an update published last Monday, Pro Football Weekly indicated that even though he hasn't made a huge impact in the passing game yet, the Bengals' coaching staff is pleasantly surprised with the play of second-year WR Ron Dugans on the special-teams front. Dugans is one of the top tacklers on punt and kick coverage, and special-teams coach Al Roberts has said Dugans hits like a strong safety. Dugans had almost no special-teams experience coming out of Florida State, which makes his contributions all the more impressive. Dugans and Roberts believe that being physical at the line of scrimmage on punt coverage and facing blockers downfield has helped him as a wide receiver and prepared him to defeat defenders in bump-and-run coverage.

RB: C. Dillon, B. Bennett, C. Keaton, R. Johnson

FB: L. Neal, N. Williams

WR: D. Scott, P. Warrick, C. Johnson, R. Dugans, D. Farmer, T.J. Houshmandzadeh

TE: B. St. Louis, N. Williams, K. McMullen

PK: N. Rackers

Jackson was kept out of Sunday's 31-15 loss to Tennessee with a sprained ankle, and without him, the Browns managed just 62 yards on 18 carries.

He's expected to be back in the lineup this week when the Browns play the New England Patriots, but Jackson, the team's leading rusher, said don't expect him to work miracles with a running game spinning its wheels.

Cleveland has the NFL's 28th-ranked rushing offense, averaging just 84.4 yards per game. The Browns' inability to run the ball has placed more pressure on quarterback Tim Couch and on Cleveland's defense, which had its worst game of the season against the Titans.

"We know we haven't been playing up to par with our defense," Jackson said. "The defense has been doing a good job. We just have to get it going. We know we've been struggling here and there."

Jackson, who also sat out Cleveland's Nov. 18 win at Baltimore, tested his ankle during a morning workout for coaches, and said it felt better than it had in weeks.

"I'm not 100 percent but it's comfortable for me to run," said Jackson, who has rushed for 514 yards on 177 carries _ a paltry 2.9 yards per carry.

Jackson probably could have played last week, but Davis decided to play it safe and keep him out for another game instead of risking a more serious injury.

Davis knows Jackson's pain threshold better than anyone. He coached Jackson for four years at Miami and saw him shake off injuries in his freshman and junior years.

"He gutted it out," Davis said. "We had to have him. We had nobody else who could rush the football. I know what kind of a tough kid that he is and he's going to play as hard as he can possibly play and give us the best performance that he can."

But as Jackson has had to learn the hard way, running through holes against Temple is much tougher than finding an opening against the Baltimore Ravens.

Jackson's season started strongly.

He ran for 124 yards on 31 carries in just his second pro game, becoming the first Browns back to break 100 yards since 1995. But since then, the 5-foot-9, 209-pounder's numbers have plummeted and Browns fans booed him during a recent home game as they called for rookie Ben Gay to replace Jackson.

The criticism hasn't affected him, he said.

"It doesn't bother me," he said. "The thing is that just by watching things you don't necessarily know who blocks who, so you can't really point the finger at one person."

Jackson isn't. He's not blaming his offensive line for the Browns' anemic running game. Instead, the rookie gathered a few of his blockers on Wednesday for a pep talk.

"I just told them we need to do a better job of running the ball, and I told them I'll do whatever it takes to get the job done," he said. "Bottom line is that we all have to step our game up.

"We're trying to get this running game going and getting this offense going, and we've got five games left to get it done."

For the Browns (6-5) to make the playoffs, they're going to need some production from their running game, which seems to be stuck in reverse.

The day after he was selected in the third round of the draft by the Browns, Jackson confidently guaranteed he would the team's starting running back this year.

He's just as confident the Browns can get their offense running again.

"We've done it," Jackson said. "We ran the ball good on Baltimore. We ran the ball on Detroit. We've run the ball. We can get it done. Now, we've just got to get it done.

"There are five games left. Anything can happen in five games. I can rush for 1,000 yards and we can make the playoffs."

RB: J. Jackson (Prob; ankle), J. White, B. Gay

FB: A. Shea

WR: K. Johnson, D. Northcutt, Q. Morgan, J. Dawson, J. German (Quest; knee), A. King

TE: O.J. Santiago, A. Shea, R. Monroe

PK: P. Dawson

"It was a great feeling simply because all of the hardship I had coming in," Carter said Monday, a day after the Cowboys pulled off a surprise victory over the Redskins in Washington.

"People thought I shouldn't have been drafted where I was drafted," he said. "Then I got hurt and had to sit and listen to everybody say I was a bad quarterback and might not make it."

Before Sunday's game, Carter had been limited to just one quarter since the season opener because of a thumb injury and a torn left hamstring.

In his return Sunday after nearly two months on the sideline, Carter's numbers weren't spectacular _ 7-of-14 passing for 130 yards, with nearly half coming on a 64-yard TD pass to Raghib Ismail. But he did what the Cowboys (3-8) asked, and they snapped a four-game losing streak.

"Quincy did a nice job of playing within himself," head coach Dave Campo said. "Game management, he handled himself well. He was throwing the ball effectively. It's something to build on."

Carter's TD pass to Ismail extended the Dallas lead to 17-7 with just more than six minutes left. And that came just minutes after a 13-yard pass to Joey Galloway on second-and-12 from the Cowboys' 21.

"Quincy did the best at maintaining his composure," said Emmitt Smith, who ran 25 times for 102 yards and his first TD of the season. "I saw a calm quarterback, one that was very confident in what he could do."

The Cowboys, who have used four starting quarterbacks in a season for the first time, expect Carter to also start the final five games.

"What I want Quincy to do the next five weeks is grow. That's more important than anything," Campo said. "When we made the decision to go with him with the pick we did, we felt he had all of the tools. It has to be performed."

The Cowboys took Carter with their first pick last April, in the second round with the 53rd pick overall. Carter was declared the starter midway through training camp when the Cowboys released Tony Banks, now Washington's starter.

Carter played the season-opening 10-6 loss to Tampa Bay. He then injured his thumb in practice and missed two games before tearing his hamstring in the first quarter at Oakland on Oct. 7.

During his eight weeks away, Carter adjusted his grip on the bigger NFL football and during games intently watched other quarterbacks -- the three that replaced him and those from the opposing teams.

"I thought I learned a whole lot by sitting and watching," Carter said. "I'm still a rookie. There's still so much I've got to learn in this game."

Campo said he believes the sideline watching will benefit Carter, but the coach would rather have his rookie quarterback on the field. The plan is to add to the offense each game as Carter adjusts. ...

Other notes of interest. ...

In an article published last Thursday, SportsLine.com insider Pete Prisco wrote: "The Cowboys feel they saw enough of Ryan Leaf in his two starts to think he can be a potential starter down the road.

"They still feel Leaf holds the ball too long, but his play during their attempted comeback in the fourth quarter against the Broncos on Thanksgiving Day gives them hope that he can someday be a starter.

"So why go [back] to rookie Quincy Carter [last] week?

"The Cowboys still want to decide whether he can be a starter in the league. Carter opened the season as the starter but missed the past two months with a hamstring injury. In his last game, Carter had a passer rating of 14.6. Carter has changed his grip on the ball to help improve his accuracy and says he understands the offense better. If he doesn't show improvement in the final six games, the Cowboys will be forced to either draft a quarterback or sign one in free agency.

"Since the free-agent pool isn't that great, it would likely mean the Cowboys would use a first-round pick on Oregon's Joey Harrington or Fresno State's David Carr if they get a shot at them next April in the draft. ..."

Just for the record. ... Smith had 25 carries for 102 yards after taking exception to comments by Campo, who said early last week that Smith isn't capable of 30 attempts a game. Said Campo, "I didn't get Emmitt the ball 30 times but we came close."

Smith had his first TD of the season and said, "It's no big deal. I've been there enough."

RB: E. Smith, T. Hambrick, M. Wiley

FB: T. Hambrick, J.J. Huggins

WR: J. Galloway, R. Ismail, R. Swinton, D. Chiaverini, K. Rambo, R. Williams

TE: J. Harris, M. Lucky, J.J. Huggins, M. Solwold

PK: J. Hilbert

Smith was expected to try to practice on Wednesday. Instead, limping noticeably on a sprained left ankle, he did some jogging, then played catch with some teammates after the workout.

"He went through warm-ups and you could see that he wasn't in shape to take any reps," head coach Mike Shanahan said. "So he jogged. He didn't run any routes.

"He wanted to practice some, but you could see he wasn't ready. Hopefully he improves and can practice [Thursday]."

Smith has been hobbled the last four games by, first, a sprained right ankle and, then, a sprained left ankle. After limping through three games, he missed Sunday's 21-10 loss in Miami.

Shanahan said he had no reason to believe that Smith's latest injury was as severe as that of rookie receiver Kevin Kasper, who missed six games with an ankle sprain.

"I hope not," Shanahan said. "If that's the case, then Rod is gone for the season, at least the regular season."

Smith, who was the NFL's leading receiver for much of the season, still leads the AFC in receptions (82) and receiving yards (1,029).

He was listed as questionable on Wednesday on the Broncos' injury report.

Another receiver, Keith Poole (bruised ribs), also is questionable. ...

On a more positive note, barring another calamity, Terrell Davis will make his second straight start on Sunday night against Seattle, which almost qualifies as a milestone.

The veteran back has played in only nine of his team's last 41 games because of an assortment of injuries, most recently arthroscopic procedures on both of his knees this season alone.

"I feel good," Davis said Wednesday, three days after rushing for 97 yards on 20 carries in a 21-10 loss to Miami.

"I'm looking forward to a second game in a row, and hopefully I can come out of this game healthy."

Davis, the NFL's MVP in 1998 when he rushed for 2,008 yards, has managed to make back-to-back starts only three times in the last two seasons. He hasn't started more than two games in succession since 1999, when he started the first four games before tearing the ACL in his right knee.

Davis started the season opener this year, then had surgery on his right knee and missed the next six games. He came back to play in two games, before having surgery on his left knee and missing two more games.

As frustrating as this year has been, he remains optimistic.

"I felt good about my blocking on Sunday," he said. "I'm catching the ball well. My running is coming. I'm missing some holes. I'm not making the big plays like I would like to make, but I think they'll come in due time. As I get out there and start to run a little bit more, those big plays will come."

Injuries at wide out are putting an extra burden on the Broncos' running game.

"That's fine, I welcome that," he said. "I enjoy getting my hands on the ball and trying to do something with it. I'd like to touch it anywhere from the 25-to-30-carry range. If I can do that, hopefully I can make things happen."

The Broncos, at 6-6, figure to need to win all four of their remaining games to qualify for the playoffs.

Davis said the Broncos feel confident they can win four in a row, but added, "We have to worry about going 7-6 right now. If we can do that, then we'll build on that.

"It's hard to believe we're 6-6. But there are other teams out there in worse situations than we're in. So we still have a chance."

The Broncos have been particularly woeful in the fourth quarter over the last four weeks, getting outscored 69-3 in that period.

"I think everybody in our offense has to be accountable," Davis said. "And in the fourth quarter, we look toward everyone to make a play.

"Unfortunately, we haven't made those plays in the past. But any minute, we can make those plays, and I feel them coming. Hopefully, this is the week."

Other notes of interest. ...

QB Brian Griese has 14 interceptions, 10 more than he had last season, and the Broncos have been outscored 67-3 in the fourth quarter. They gave up 21 fourth-quarter points to Miami. "We controlled the tempo," Shanahan said. "But you've got to be able to finish the game."

As noted by Pro Football Weekly last Monday, surgeries are nothing new in Denver's backfield, but Olandis Gary's fractured left fibula could cost him dearly down the road. Gary underwent season-ending surgery last Friday, the day after he suffered the injury, and will be out 3-4 months. The problem for Gary's future lies in the fact he rejected a four-year, $10 million extension from the Broncos this past summer, choosing instead to become a free agent after the season. The injury no doubt will affect his value on the open market.

By the way. ... Gary got the start ahead of Mike Anderson on Thanksgiving Day because head coach Mike Shanahan said he was looking for a spark, but Gary was injured on the Broncos' fourth play from scrimmage. ...

One last note out of Denver. ... Tight end Desmond Clark, who suffered a groin injury in Miami last Sunday, is listed as probable and coaches say his current status is day to day.

RB: T. Davis (Prob; knee), M. Anderson, K. Coleman

FB: T. Carter, P. Hape, D. Smith

WR: R. Smith (Quest; ankles), C. Cole, K. Kasper (Prob; ankle), S. Montgomery, K. Poole (Quest; ribs), P. McGeoghan, M. Dominguez

TE: D. Carswell, D. Clark (Prob; groin), M. Dominguez

PK: J. Elam

He will replace Charlie Batch, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season.

McMahon, a fifth-round draft pick from Rutgers, has completed 15-of-34 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in limited appearances. In a 29-27 loss to Green Bay on Thanksgiving Day, he replaced Batch and nearly rallied Detroit (0-11) back after it trailed by 16 points midway through the final period. ...

McMahon will be backed up by Ty Detmer and former University of Michigan quarterback Scott Dreisbach, who was signed Tuesday. ...

Batch separated his right shoulder during the third quarter of Detroit's loss to the Bears last Sunday; He completed 198 of 341 passes for 2,392 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. On Nov. 18 at Arizona, he set franchise single-game records with 62 pass attempts, 36 completions and 436 passing yards. ...

Other notes of interest. ...

As noted by Booth Newspapers reporter Tom Kowalski, Jason Hanson missed three field goals on Sunday for only the second time in his 10-year career, and it's a slump that might continue. Punter John Jett has been Hanson's holder for several years, but he is out a couple of weeks because of a calf injury. There's nothing wrong with the job new punter (and holder) Leo Araguz is doing, but there is a change in timing and chemistry that might take awhile to be worked out. ...

James Stewart only managed 21 yards rushing against Chicago, but he did score a touchdown in the game and pulled in five catches for 97 yards. ...

David Sloan, who missed last week's game after admitting he slightly tore a knee ligament during the team's Thanksgiving Day loss to the Packers, is listed as questionable for this Sunday's game. ... Keep an eye on this week's Late-Breaking Updates for more on Sloan's status. ...

RB: J. Stewart, R. Droughns, L. Warren, A. Cason,

FB: C. Schlesinger, B. Olivo, S. Trejo

WR: J. Morton, S. Anderson, L. Foster, D. Howard (Quest; shoulder), B. Emanuel (Out; knee)

TE: S. Trejo, J. Waerig, B. Banta, D. Sloan (Quest; knee)

PK: J. Hanson

It shows what a thin line there is between winning and losing with the weapons the Packers have. Favre will make enough plays to win a game, but if his receivers don't take advantage of them, his bad plays will overshadow the good ones.

On this occasion, Antonio Freeman and Bill Schroeder both made big plays in the second half and that was the difference. It's questionable whether that kind of production can occur game after game, but this was a start. Even the tight ends played a bigger role in the offense, which will be necessary as the weather turns bad and teams focus on stopping Ahman Green. ...

Other notes of interest. ... Monday night's big play couldn't have come at a better time for Schroeder, who had fallen out of grace with Favre, who believed Schroeder quit on some routes in the team's loss to Atlanta two weeks ago. ...

One last note out of Green Bay. ... Although he's not likely to make a major Fantasy impact over the last month of the season, veteran tight end Tyrone Davis was activated for Monday night's game against Jacksonville and saw limited playing time. ...

RB: A. Green, D. Levens, R. Mealey (Doubt; leg), H. Goodman

FB: W. Henderson

WR: B. Schroeder, A. Freeman, C. Bradford, D. Driver, C. Lee, R. Ferguson

TE: B. Franks, D. Martin, T. Davis

PK: R. Longwell

Eighth-year veteran Doug Brien, who kicked for Colts coach Jim Mora for two seasons at New Orleans, signed a contract Tuesday. The pro-rated deal is based on the league minimum salary ($477,000) for a player with his experience.

The 31-year old Brien secured the job after a Tuesday tryout with Richie Cunningham and rookie John Markham. All three were cut by NFL teams in training camp.

The Colts have struggled to get the ball deep on kickoffs with Vanderjagt and punter Hunter Smith. Only Cincinnati ranks worse in the NFL in average opponent starting position than the Colts.

"It's kind of ironic because I think a lot of teams questioned if I could kick off because I didn't do it last year," said Brien, who made 23-of-29 field-goal attempts for the Saints last season but relinquished kickoff duties to punter Toby Gowin.

"I'll be essentially doing kickoffs with the Colts. Depending upon Mike's status, possibly some field goals."

Vanderjagt strained a muscle in his lower back at Baltimore.

Colts president Bill Polian suggested Monday that a decision on Vanderjagt may not be made until Saturday.

Vanderjagt is the NFL's all-time leader in field-goal accuracy at 87.1 percent (102-of-117).

Brien is seventh on that list at 80.1 percent (145-of-181). John Carney, who replaced Brien in the off-season, leads the league this season with 99 points and is fourth on the all-time list at 81.6 percent (289-of-354).

Brien has had tryouts with San Francisco, Buffalo and Seattle this season.

"I'm real excited to have this opportunity," Brien said. "It's a relief. You look at the numbers and I clearly should be working somewhere. I look at this as a golden opportunity to come in here and resume my career."

Other notes of interest. ... Running back Dominic Rhodes is recovering from a sprained right wrist and a low back bruise. However, those who follow the team closely say he's expected to start and play as usual against the Dolphins Monday night. ...

RB: D. Rhodes (Prob; wrist/back), K. McDougal, S. Stith

FB: J. Finn, W. Ours

WR: M. Harrison, T. Wilkins, R. Wayne, T. Insley (Prob; head), T. Simmons

TE: K. Dilger, M. Pollard, J.D. Davenport, J. Snow

PK: M. Vanderjagt (Quest; back)

The Pro Bowl wide receiver contends his urine sample was not tagged when taken and was mistaken for someone else's. After a positive test, this may be the only thing that could clear him.

According to the results of Smith's toxicology report, his sample not only tested positive for cocaine, but it also tested positive for Benzoylecgonine, which is what cocaine metabolizes into after it enters the body. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's supervisor of toxicology Lori Sanders, who conducted the tests, told Glazer that having the Benzoylecgonine in his system completely dispels any contention that his sample was tainted.

"The only way for the Benzo to come up is if the person did cocaine, there's no other way," Sanders said. "If the contention is that the sample was tainted, the test results completely dispel that. There would be no Benzo if cocaine was added to his sample."

Another interesting aspect of the story is the "chain of custody" procedures. Each state has different rules for following these procedures, which dictates legal time a sample has from when it is taken to the time it is tested.

According to the sources and confirmed by Sanders, Smith's sample sat in Jacksonville for one week before being sent to the Orlando toxicology lab. Some states require immediate transfer but Florida allows for such a time period. However, the chain of custody may still be one of the main argument points by Smith and the NFLPA. ...

Other notes of interest this week. ...

The Jaguars waived receiver Alvis Whitted on Tuesday, a move made because of salary-cap and injury concerns, as well as Whitted's lack of productivity.

Wide receiver Alvis Whitted got a warm sendoff from Jaguar coach Tom Coughlin yesterday.

"He's a great kid, a tremendous worker, a wonderful young man," Coughlin said after waiving him so he could promote linebacker Joe Wesley from the practice squad.

Coughlin liked the speedy Whitted enough to stick with him for almost four years, even though he had problems catching the ball.

Coughlin said the team needed the salary cap room to promote Wesley from the practice squad and sign tight end Tevita Ofahengaue to their practice squad.

And finally. ... Coming off a Monday night game, Coughlin didn't even have his battered team practice in pads yesterday.

Among the injured players sidelined were Brunell, wide receiver Keenan McCardell (groin) and tight end Kyle Brady (ankle). ... Coughlin, though, said he was surprised at the progress Brunell made with his pulled quad muscle and said he hopes he'll practice today.

RB: S. Mack, E. Joseph (Prob; shoulder), R. White, F. Taylor (Quest; groin)

FB: P. Washington

WR: J. Smith, K. McCardell (Prob; groin), S. Dawkins, D. Gibson

TE: K. Brady (Quest; ankle), R. Prince, J. Zelenka

PK: M. Hollis

Eddie Kennison, who walked out on the Denver Broncos last month, signed a two-year contract worth in excess of $1 million. Kennison re-joins his old coach Dick Vermeil.

The contract does not include a signing bonus but has incentives tied into performance, beginning with extra pay should he catch 56 passes. Basically, the Chiefs have nothing to lose in signing the talented wide receiver.

To make room on their roster, the Chiefs released wide receiver Chris Thomas, who started vs. Seattle two weeks ago. Thomas had started five games this season for Kansas City and played in 10 but only had 19 catches for 247 yards and one touchdown.

Thomas was signed by the Chiefs via free agency this offseason after spending 2000 with the Rams and winning a Super Bowl with St. Louis the year before.

Kennison was a first-round pick of the Rams in 1996 then played under Vermeil's staff in St. Louis for the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

Kennison was traded to the Saints the next year for a second-round pick and did not play for the Rams during their Super Bowl title run.

The Chiefs wide receivers have been stymied by injuries this year as Derrick Alexander and Marvin Minnis have been hobbled for much of the season. Last year's No. 1 pick, Sylvester Morris, tore his ACL before the season and is out for the year.

Three weeks ago, Kennison informed Broncos coach Mike Shanahan the night before a game that he no longer had the desire to play football and wanted to retire. An agitated Shanahan told the receiver to leave the team.

Kennison wanted to re-join the team but he was not welcomed back. The Broncos have filed a grievance to recoup his signing bonus and Kennison filed a counter suit to claim he is entitled to the money because the Broncos waived him. ...

According to USA Today, Kennison's contribution will depend on his week of practice. "He has the experience, and he has the speed," Vermeil said. "He probably won't play a major role but only a limited one just to get him involved."

RB: P. Holmes, M. Cloud, D. Blaylock

FB: T. Richardson, J. Williams

WR: D. Alexander, M. Minnis, L. Parker (Prob; shoulder), E. Kennison, D. Hall

TE: T. Gonzalez, M. Ricks, J. Dunn

PK: T. Peterson

James McKnight had a big 25-yard reception on the first touchdown drive of the fourth quarter, and Chris Chambers caught his fifth touchdown pass. ...

McKnight, who is listed as probable on this week's injury report, suffered a rib injury in last Sunday's win over the Broncos game but is expected to play Monday. ... The same goes for Chambers, who was expected to practice Wednesday before playing as usual against the Colts next Monday night. ... The youngster is listed as probable after sitting out most of the second half with injured ribs and a sore hamstring last Sunday. ...

RB: L. Smith (Prob; back), T. Minor, J.J. Johnson (Quest; quad)

FB: R. Konrad (Prob; shoulder), D. Dyer

WR: O. Gadsden, J. McKnight (Prob; ribs), C. Chambers (Prob; ribs/hamstring), J. Ogden, D. Ward

TE: H. Goodwin, J. Weaver, E. Perry

PK: O. Mare

Culpepper dressed Wednesday but spent the first half-hour riding a stationary bike on the sideline while backup Todd Bouman worked with the first-team offense.

Culpepper said he has never missed a start due to injury in his football career. He hurt his knee Nov. 25 against Chicago and was removed early in the fourth quarter last week against Pittsburgh as Bouman nearly rallied the Vikings from an 18-point deficit.

"If I can move around better than I did last week, I probably will play," Culpepper said. "It's my first knee injury. Hopefully it's my last."

Keep an eye on this weeks' Late-Breaking Updates for more on Culpepper's status. ...

Also of interest. ...

As reported by the Associated Press, Randy Moss hasn't spoken to the Twin Cities media for most of the season. On Wednesday, he told their colleagues in Tennessee what he thinks of them.

"I think the people around here in Minneapolis are just jealous because I don't give them the time of day or the pleasure of interviewing me," Moss said during a conference call with reporters who cover the Titans. Tennessee plays at Minnesota on Sunday.

"I think they're full of [expletive deleted]," Moss said. "With us losing and them trying to find a story to get things stirred up, that's what that was about."

After signing an eight-year, $75 million contract extension this summer, Moss is having his least productive season -- his fourth as a pro -- and has been strongly criticized for admittedly giving a half-hearted effort on some snaps.

His lack of impact, save for a couple games, has been magnified by the disappointing performance of his defending NFC Central champion Vikings, who are in fourth place at 4-7.

Last week he told a Minneapolis newspaper columnist that he simply plays when he wants to play. On Wednesday, he was asked whether those comments were taken out of context.

"Hell, no," Moss said. "That [expletive deleted] is what I said. When I want to play, I'll play. There's nobody here on the face of the earth that can make me go out here and play football. I can go out here on the field and suit up and stand on the sideline and play. At my highest level? I don't know. If I want to go out here and play at my highest level, I'll do that."

Moss, who has 61 receptions for 878 yards and seven touchdowns, defended his inconsistent effort level.

"Some games, you might see guys giving it their all," Moss said. "The next week you might see them get beat for a touchdown, give up a sack or miss a tackle or something like that. And people are wondering what happened to that guy. Man, it's hard. I think people on the outside looking in are looking at things and saying things. But me as an individual or as a team player, my team knows that I'm going to come out there and try to help them win in any type of way."

Aside from the barbs he tossed toward Twin Cities reporters, Moss was rather cordial. He began the conference call by exclaiming, "Yo, what up Tennessee!?" and went on to discuss several other topics with his usual bit of bravado.

Asked what player he thinks can handle him one-on-one:

"Nobody."

On his aspirations of playing in the NBA, after a summer dalliance with minor-league basketball:

"Right now, I don't think I want to play, but I think if I do play, it's going to be hard for me to get there."

On Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson, who was drafted ahead of him in 1998:

"I guess that's just what they felt. I guess I just got the last laugh with what I was able to do."

On the Vikings' struggles:

"I'm frustrated and sort of mad, but I'm trying to hold everything back, and hopefully, we'll turn it around."

Asked about the possibility of playing with backup quarterback Todd Bouman, Moss seemed to spill the Vikings' secret that Culpepper's sprained left knee would keep him out of Sunday's game. C

Head coach Dennis Green said a decision has not yet been made.

"I'm not really too much mad or sad, but I'm kind of bothered that Culpepper is not starting for the fact that I know what type of player he really is and what type of talent he has," Moss said. "I know that he's really hurt, so he can't play."

Moss suffered a bruised right elbow during Sunday's game against Pittsburgh. The injury isn't serious, however, and he is expected to start and play as usual against the Titans -- if he so desires.

RB: M. Bennett, D. Chapman, T. Prentice

FB: H. Morrow, J. Kleinsasser (Quest; ankle)

WR: R. Moss, C. Carter, J. Reed, C. Walsh, T. Walters, N. Jacquet (Prob; quad)

TE: B. Chamberlain, A. Jordan

PK: G. Anderson

"I expect to get together with him soon," Belichick told reporters at his regularly scheduled news conference. "He's not here today, and that's really all there is to it."

Glenn was not on the injury report, as he was last week when the team suspended him for refusing to work out. Glenn has also served a four-game NFL suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Because of what he claims is a hamstring injury, Glenn has played in just one of 12 games so far this season. In a November television interview, he implied that the reason he isn't playing is that the team has withheld $8.5 million of his signing bonus.

Glenn was supposed to meet with Belichick on Tuesday, but he was in court all day for a hearing on charges that he beat the mother of his 5-year-old son.

Glenn's lawyer, Joseph Cataldo, asked Wrentham District Court Judge Daniel Winslow to dismiss the charges and also to exclude statements made by Terry Glenn Jr. and his mother, Kimberly Combs. Winslow said he would rule on both motions "in due course."

Cataldo said afterward that Glenn would not have been charged with assaulting the mother of his son if he wasn't a famous athlete.

"I think they're trying extra hard to bring this case to trial and conviction because he is a Patriot," he said.

Glenn would not comment on the case as he left court. But, when asked if he would be at practice Wednesday, he said, "Yeah, I'll be there."

Police went to Glenn's Walpole home on May 15 after receiving two phone calls, one to 911, that Combs placed from a nearby supermarket after Glenn threw her and the 5-year-old boy out of the house on a cold and drizzly night.

Combs' grandmother also called police from Ohio.

Cataldo conceded that Glenn argued with Combs and told her to leave. But he said Combs made up the domestic abuse claim to cover herself after she upended a plate of food in Glenn's bedroom, poured soda on his bed and broke his laptop.

At issue in the hearing was whether to admit statements Combs made on the night of the fight to police, as well as a written statement she made -- but inexplicably did not sign -- in asking for a restraining order. Cataldo also asked Winslow to exclude the boy's interview with police.

In general, courts prefer live testimony to previous oral and written statements. One exception, though, is for "excited utterances" -- those which take place in the heat of the moment and thus are considered more reliable.

Combs, who was visiting Glenn from Ohio in an attempt to work out child support, signed an affidavit two months later saying that Glenn did not assault her. Without her previous statements, the prosecution's case becomes much more difficult.

Cataldo also claimed the 5-year-old boy -- who told police, "Daddy pushed Mommy" -- wasn't competent to understand the importance of telling the truth.

The court case is just one of a string of problems Glenn has had this year.

In an article published last Friday, ESPN insider Len Pasquarelli offered the following take on the situation between Glenn and the Patriots:

"It doesn't take a genius to conclude that Terry Glenn is done with the New England Patriots, and that the team is done with him, as well. The only question now is the exit strategy the organization employs in ridding itself of a wide receiver who was a bona fide playmaker on the field and a certified pariah off it.

"The detractors of Bill Belichick can point to his well-documented lack of people skills, but the New England head coach did everything he could to bury the hatchet with Glenn after an arbitrator overturned a team-imposed suspension for the year, but the wide receiver had already made up his mind to make life as miserable as possible for the franchise.

"At the root of the problem, of course, is the almighty dollar. The team has withheld about $8.5 million of Glenn's $11 million signing bonus from the extension he got a year ago. Team negotiator Andy Wasynczuk cleverly wrote the deal, and with very precise language, to protect the team against the kinds of indiscretions of which he knew Glenn was capable.

"Glenn, whose locker was empty [last] Thursday, now has five grievances pending against the team. They may not be resolved, but his future with the team is, and it will be interesting now to see where he lands. The preference in New England, according to team sources, is to trade Glenn and at least get something in exchange for a talented performer. But some general managers surveyed by ESPN.com portrayed Glenn as damaged goods, both physically and psychologically, and figured his problems will drive down his value. The consensus is that the Patriots will be lucky to get a third-round choice for Glenn -- a guy who might benefit from a new address, or who might simply haul the chip on his shoulder right into oblivion.

"For the record: Glenn was cleared by team doctors to return to practice this week. But instead of coming to practice on Wednesday with a helmet on, he arrived with a pair of earphones around his head. In the words of Glenn, who clearly is attempting to provoke Belichick and Pats owner Bob Kraft into releasing him: 'You do the math.'

"The bet now is that the team will place Glenn on injured reserve, let him twist into the offseason and have a few months to figure out what to do with him. ..."

RB: A. Smith, K. Faulk, J.R. Redmond

FB: M. Edwards, P. Pass

WR: D. Patten, T. Brown, C. Johnson (Quest; flu), F. Coleman, T. Glenn

TE: R. Rutledge, J. Wiggins, A. Love

PK: A. Vinatieri

But as Pro Football Weekly recently noted, with Cleeland continuing his career-long battle with injuries, undrafted rookie Eddie "Boo" Williams has burst out of the woodwork in a big way after his breakthrough two-TD performance in the Week 10 win over Indianapolis.

After each of his scores vs. the Colts, the sellout crowd in the Superdome yelled out his nickname, which we're told was given to him by an aunt at a young age because of his playful habit of scaring people. Does the converted wide receiver out of Arkansas who went to training camp as the Saints' fifth tight end have a future with the team?

According to PFW that's definitely the case, especially considering Cleeland's impending free agency and his seeming inability to stay healthy. The Saints love Williams' hands and his enthusiasm, but they feel he needs to really attack the weight room in the offseason to gain some weight and develop into more than just a receiving tight end. They also think he needs to show a little more maturity off the field.

Other notes of interest. ...

Aaron Brooks had a solid game vs. Carolina, throwing for 330 yards and three scores. He may have an occasional bad game, but Brooks' potential is too great for Fantasy owners to ignore. ...

Wide receiver Joe Horn had a huge outing against Carolina, posting 13 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown. Horn could have had an even bigger game had it not been for a poorly placed official that caused him to drop a long touchdown pass.

RB: R. Williams, D. McAllister, F. McAfee

FB: T. Smith, M. Norris, K. Houser

WR: J. Horn, W. Jackson, A. Connell, R. Wilson, W. McGarity, O. Ojo

TE: C. Cleeland (Prob; ankle), E. Williams, L. Hall,

PK: J. Carney

Jurevicius, who is third on the team with 38 catches, left after feeling some tightness in his hamstring.

Dixon, the Giants main kickoff returner, bruised an arm, while Davis, who plays mostly on special teams, had a hip flexor.

"It's unusual that we have five receivers and three of them have to leave practice," coach Jim Fassel said. "I keep my fingers crossed that none of them are major and I don't think they are."

Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard, who has played through considerable pain resulting the toe surgery performed on his toe back in June, ran most of the plays, and rookie Jonathan Carter of the practice squad filled in.

Other notes of interest. ...

The Giants re-signed fullback Anthony Green with starter Greg Comella listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. ...

And finally. ... The Giants signed Rowan College product Taman Bryant to the practice squad. A prospect at both wide receiver and tight end, Bryant was with the Giants for most of training camp but was cut to make room for Morten Andersen five days before the season opener.

"I'm very excited, glad to be back," Bryant said. "They kept in contact with my agent the whole time, saying that something (like this) could happen."

RB: T. Barber, R. Dayne, D. Washington (Doubt; knee)

FB: G. Comella (Quest; shoulder), A. Green

WR: A. Toomer, I. Hilliard, J. Jurevicius, R. Dixon (Prob; neck), T. Davis

TE: H. Cross, D. Campbell, M. Rivers

PK: M. Andersen, O. Pochman

That's the opinion of Jets coach Herman Edwards. Does any other viewpoint matter?

"There ain't no way losing the game is on Vinny Testaverde," Edwards said of Sunday's 17-16 loss to New England in which Testaverde struggled in the second half. "He is still the starting quarterback and he is going to make good throws. We didn't lose the game because he didn't make a couple throws. We've got to block better and tackle better.

Testaverde's decision-making, generally strong as the Jets have gone 7-4, was questioned after Sunday's defeat. Specifically, his throw to double-covered Anthony Becht on fourth-and-5 with just over two minutes remaining, a pass that was intercepted by Terrell Buckley.

On the play, Curtis Martin was the primary receiver in the flat and, according to Edwards and several others, Martin was open with plenty of room to run.

"It was a poor throw, and the film confirmed that," said Testaverde, who usually has managed games well for an offense built around Martin's running.

"Had I hit Curtis and we got to kick the field goal and win the game, we're in here smiling about going to Pittsburgh for possibly the No. 1 seed in the AFC, instead of talking about how miserable it is to lose a game."

Testaverde said he could not see the wide-open Martin because right tackle Ryan Young carried his block into the quarterback's line of vision. He thought he saw Becht coming open.

"I wish I had that play again," Testaverde admitted.

This has not been a stellar passing year for Testaverde, who just turned 38. He ranks only 10th in the AFC and has just 10 touchdown passes with eight interceptions.

Of course, with Martin near the top of the league in rushing and the defense coming around, the Jets haven't asked Testaverde to win many games.

He would like the opportunity. Few quarterbacks wouldn't chafe under the restrained play-calling of offensive coordinator Paul Hackett.

Does the strong-armed Testaverde expect things to open up _ as they did in the first half vs. the Patriots? Especially if the weather remains temperate?

"That's going to be a coaching decision," he said. "Part of being a leader is being able to listen to authority, such as Herm and Coach Hackett and what they're telling you to do.

"In the first half, I felt good, had a nice rhythm throwing the football and got a feel for their pass coverages and where to throw the ball. It was one of our most consistent halves.

"It's concerning that we're not able to put together back-to-back games, or even halves. It would be more troubling if we were not trying to improve on that, but we work hard on that."

Edwards was disappointed by the performance of the entire offense in the second half against New England. He dismissed the view that the Jets got too conservative with a 13-0 lead.

"We're good enough now on defense, when we get someone down like that, you can't let them come back," Edwards said. "I don't think we went conservative. We didn't hit any plays, didn't hit any passes. We didn't throw it and catch it good enough, or we didn't protect it good enough.

"And we allowed them to score 17 points in the second half. That's not on Vinny."

Other notes of interest. ...

Laveranues Coles, who caught three passes for 63 yards and a TD against New England, continues to solidify his role as the Jets' go-to guy. ... As noted by Pro Football Weekly, Coles has impressed the team with his improvement this season. The second-year speedster has run routes very well and, more importantly, is asking the right questions of the right people. ...

And finally. ... Santana Moss might not put up the kind of numbers Fantasy owners are looking for down the stretch run, but those who follow the team closely say the rookie receiver -- who caught two passes for 40 yards against New England last Sunday -- has already injected new life into New York's passing attack. ...

RB: C. Martin, L. Jordan, C. Morton

FB: R. Anderson, J. Sowell

WR: W. Chrebet, L. Coles, S. Moss, K. Swayne, M. Hatchette, C. Yeast

TE: A. Becht, J. Dearth, D. Wilcox

PK: J. Hall

Ritchie could miss several more games because of the injury.

"We hope it's not too severe," Raiders coach Jon Gruden said Monday. "It appears he will miss a significant amount of time."

Zack Crockett has been named to replace Ritchie at fullback. ...

Other notes of interest this week. ...

The Raiders released wide receiver David Dunn just two days after he fumbled a punt that led to the Raiders' 34-31 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Dunn, a seven-year veteran out of Fresno State, was primarily a special teams player for the Raiders. He was released Tuesday, and the Raiders announced the move Wednesday.

Dunn had signaled for a fair catch during the overtime period, but the ball carried and he tried to make a diving catch. Arizona's LeVar Woods recovered the ball at the Raiders' 25. Three plays later, Bill Gramatica kicked a game-winning field goal.

"David was a good friend to a lot of guys and a good guy to have in the locker room," said Oakland's Tim Brown, who assumes the punt returning job. "From that standpoint he'll be missed, but this is a big boy business and you have to be ready for big boy decisions."

In a related move, the Raiders signed fullback Jermaine Williams, who was recently released by the Kansas City Chiefs. Williams spent two seasons with Oakland before signing with Jacksonville for the 2000 season. ...

As noted by ESPN.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli last Friday, former San Francisco quarterback and current ESPN "Gameday" analyst Steve Young on wide receiver Jerry Rice: "He's older, but slippage for him is much less than for the rest of the human population. He makes up for it in smarts. He can still go by a defender. Any change, in terms of his diminished skills, is so much less dramatic that it's not even visible to the naked eye. It's very subtle. ..."

QB Rich Gannon had two interceptions in 45 attempts Sunday after throwing two in his previous 315. "I think I got antsy early, feeling like we could move the ball and have a big day," he said. ...

RB: C. Garner, T. Wheatley, R. Jordan, T. Kirby

FB: Z. Crockett, J. Ritchie (Doubt; ankle)

WR: T. Brown, J. Rice, J. Porter (Prob; ankle), M. Knight, J. Jett

TE: R. Williams (Prob; knee), J. Brigham, M. Fulcher

PK: S. Janikowski

McNabb completed 18 of 26 passes for 269 yards and ran the offense the way it is supposed to be run. He also ran for 41 yards on nine carries. ... Staley gained 80 yards on 25 carries and caught four passes for another 66 yards, including a 46-yard screen pass for a touchdown. ...

As for the situation at wide receiver. ... All three receivers got involved in Kansas City. ... James Thrash caught five passes for 65 yards. Freddie Mitchell caught three for 60 yards. Todd Pinkston dropped one but came back and caught two for 37 yards. Tight end Chad Lewis also had a 27-yard catch, and rookie tight end Tony Stewart, in his first NFL game, caught a touchdown pass. ...

It should be noted, however, that Pinkston is in danger of losing his starting job to Mitchell. After a strong start in the first four games, Pinkston hasn't been playing well the last two months and head coach Andy Reid said early this week, "They both play about the equal number of plays. ... Every week we're giving Freddie more responsibility, and he's coming along very well. He's the No. 2 wide out [behind Pinkston] at that position right now. ..."

One last note out of Philadelphia this week. ... Stewart could see more action this Sunday. Jeff Thomason is still nursing a hyper extended knee, and will likely miss practice this week. He's doubtful for Sunday's game against San Diego.

RB: D. Staley, C. Buckhalter, B. Mitchell, R. Smart

FB: C. Martin, J. Reader

WR: J. Thrash (Prob; knee), T. Pinkston, F. Mitchell, N. Brown, G. Scott, D. Douglas

TE: C. Lewis, T. Stewart, M. Bartrum, J. Thomason (Doubt; knee)

PK: D. Akers

Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, the running back with the long name and the even longer hair -- he wears it in a bun on the back of his head, Hawaiian-style -- will replace the injured Jerome Bettis on Sunday.

Bettis, the NFL rushing leader, missed practice on Wednesday and will not play against the Jets. Fuamatu-Ma'afala has been told he will start.

"Oh, yeah, I'm ready to go," Fuamatu-Ma'afala said Wednesday. "This is my fourth year, and I'm ready. In my first or second year, I might have said I was ready, but I really wouldn't be relaxed.

"Now, when they told me I was going to start, I said, `Cool, that's fine.' I'm not all jittery like I might have been a couple of years ago."

If nothing else, the native Hawaiian's first start this season probably can't go any worse than his last start on Oct. 22, 2000, against the Browns.

Replacing the injured Jon Witman at fullback, he broke a foot during a 20-yard run and was finished for the season, the latest in a long list of injuries that would seem more appropriate for a 15-year veteran.

Even though Fuamatu-Ma'afala never has been a full-time starter since the being a sixth-round pick out of Utah in 1998, he has been sidelined by a shoulder injury, a pulled hamstring, a sprained ankle, a broken hand, broken ribs and the broken foot.

It's probably a good thing for the Steelers (9-2) that Bettis almost never gets hurt -- he has missed three games in nine seasons -- because it seems Fuamatu-Ma'afala is almost never healthy.

"I've had a lot of freaky things happen to me," he said.

Still, when the New England Patriots pursued Fuamatu-Ma'afala as a free agent last spring, the Steelers chose to bring him back rather than Richard Huntley, who was once seen as Bettis' heir apparent. Not only did they match New England's offer to Fuamatu-Ma'afala, they added on two years to what became a $2.7 million, three-year contract.

"The Patriots told me they were looking for someone like me, but I liked it here in Pittsburgh," Fuamatu-Ma'afala said. "I liked the organization and the players, and I fit in well here."

However, the Steelers made a curious move after re-signing Fuamatu-Ma'afala; they dropped him on the depth chart during training camp and installed Amos Zereoue as Bettis' backup.

Fuamatu-Ma'afala understood the move because the 5-foot-8 Zereoue is faster and provides a changeup to defenses accustomed to the 255-pound Bettis pounding on them.

But with Bettis sidelined for at least this week with hip and groin injuries, the Steelers want Fuamatu-Ma'afala to start because of his Bettis-like style and size -- he also weighs 255 -- and ability to wear on defenses.

Fuamatu-Ma'afala had barely carried the ball this season until replacing Bettis on Sunday against Minnesota, yet gained 74 yards on 12 carries in the fourth quarter. He sealed the Steelers' 21-16 victory with a 46-run run on the next-to-last play.

"They knew I was going to run the ball, too," Fuamatu-Ma'afala said. "I could hear them yelling, `He's coming over here' and I knew I was in trouble. They even knew which side I was running to."

Fuamatu-Ma'afala welcomes the chance to play Sunday for another reason.

His older brother, Nick, 31, a former Hawaii defensive lineman, died of leukemia following a long illness in April. Fuamatu-Ma'afala keeps his picture in his locker, and has talked of wanting to do something special to honor him.

"I've had to wait my turn, but it's a long season and I had to be patient, just like Jerome said," Fuamatu-Ma'afala said. "He keeps telling me, `Be patient and it will come.' Well, I'm ready now."

Even though Fu gets the start, look for Zereoue to make a significant contribution coming off the bench this Sunday. ...

One last note. ... Second-year receiver Plaxico Burress, who caught six passes for 86 yards against Minnesota last Sunday, continues to improve as a route runner and mid-range receiver. ... And perhaps more importantly, he no longer feels compelled to go through a series of celebratory gyrations every time he makes a first down. ...

RB: C. Fuamatu Ma'afala, A. Zereoue, J. Bettis (Doubt; groin)

FB: J. Witman, D. Kreider

WR: H. Ward, P. Burress, T. Edwards, B. Shaw, L. Jackson

TE: J. Tuman, M. Cushing, C. Geason

PK: K. Brown

According to Miklasz, if they played today, it would not look good for the home team.

Miklasz went on to write, "Mike Martz is more uptight than I've ever seen him, and he does not function well -- at all -- when he's pressing. In fact, it usually is an indicator of a disaster.

"Among other things, he ordered the PR staff to distribute a different color of media credential this week, because he fears that Rams Park will be infiltrated by spies.

"It's really startling, to see him in this state of mind. His news conference was funny ... he ducked virtually every question, was rigid in his answers, and looked like he was about to implode. I felt sorry for him. I have never seen him like this. It's a few days before the game, and he's completely stressed out. If Martz is putting this much pressure on himself, then Rams fans can only hope that he won't infect his own team.

"[49ers head coach Steve] Mariucci, on the other hand, was loose and happy and totally relaxed. ... And that's a good frame of mind to be in if you're the underdog in this game.

"Hopefully Martz will loosen up, or his team will have to overcome him on Sunday, and that is easier said than done, because he calls the plays.

"The good news for the Rams, is that there's time. ... Maybe the coach will rally by kickoff. ..."

As I noted above, Sunday's game against the Niners is a biggie. ...

Other notes of interest. ...

In addition to 70 rushing yards, Marshall Faulk caught six passes for 128 yards and three TDs, lending further credence to those who argue he's the best running back in the NFL. ... It's also worth noting that Kurt Warner rebounded from a less-than-impressive Week 11 performance by ripping the Falcons for 342 yards, four TDs and no interceptions. ...

RB: M. Faulk, T. Canidate, R. Holcombe

FB: J. Hodgins, J. Watson

WR: T. Holt, I. Bruce, A. Hakim, R. Proehl, Y. Murphy

TE: E. Conwell, J. Robinson, B. Manumaleuna

PK: J. Wilkins

"Then there's the matter of short yardage. Twice, on third-and-short in Seattle, rookie tailback LaDainian Tomlinson was sent into the line, twice he was stopped because the line couldn't get any sort of push. The second time, nobody on Seattle lined up over center Kendyl Jacox on a third-and-inches situation.

"You'd think a quarterback sneak by Doug Flutie might have been in order. But, as it turns out, if the sneak wasn't called for originally, Flutie couldn't audible to it, anyway, because the team has no audible to a sneak. Hard to believe, but true. ...

Other notes of interest. ...

Those of you looking for a change at quarterback might want to take note of the fact head coach Mike Riley recently told reporters it's important for the stability of the team to stick with Flutie because it has had more good things happen this year than in the past.

However, rumors about some of the team's assistant coaches pushing to get rookie Drew Brees more playing time continue to make the rounds at team headquarters.

Riley has said nothing of his plans for the QB situation if the Chargers were to be eliminated from the playoffs with a game or two left on the schedule, but according to Pro Football Weekly, the reins to the offense could be handed to Brees if it comes to that. ...

Veteran wide out Jeff Graham dropped a pass and fumbled the ball away in the red zone last Sunday while Tim Dwight, who had been out since Nov. 11 with a collapsed lung, returned to the lineup and caught five passes for 59 yards, some of them the tough, over-the-middle variety. ...

Although he didn't start or catch a pass, Freddie Jones returned to action last Sunday after sitting out two games with an injured ankle. Look for Jones, who isn't listed on this week's injury report, to return to the starting lineup this Sunday. ...

And finally. ... Wide receiver Patrick Batteaux, who played in two games and caught one pass for six yards, was released on Tuesday in order to clear a roster spot for defensive help.

RB: L. Tomlinson (Prob; thigh), T. Fletcher (Prob; ankle), R. Jenkins

FB: F. McCrary (Prob; neck), D. Harris

WR: C. Conway, J. Graham, T. Dwight, T. Gaylor, G. Milburn

TE: F. Jones, S. Heiden, J. Whitman, A. Young

PK: S. Christie, W. Richey

Rookie running back Kevan Barlow, who missed last Sunday's win over Buffalo, returned to practice wearing a harness on his separated shoulder. Though Barlow can't comfortably reach over his head to catch passes, head coach Steve Mariucci also expects him to play in Sunday's all-important divisional showdown with the Rams.

Also of interest this week. ... As noted by USA Today, in his past four games, RB Garrison Hearst has reached 100 yards three times, and he had 92 in the other game. After missing two seasons, a vote isn't even necessary for comeback player of the year. "It feels good," Hearst said. "I owe it to my big boys up front. They are doing it for me."

And as San Jose Mercury News reporter Dennis Georgatos wrote last week, "The 49ers have gone from wondering whether Garrison Hearst would ever come back to fretting over whether they'll be able to keep him.

"Hearst will become a free agent after this season because of a clause that voids the final two years of his contract.

"'Garrison is very important to us,' general manager Terry Donahue said. 'We want him back. He knows we want him back. Can we get him back? I don't know.

"'I can tell you we'd like to keep our whole team intact. ... But that might be pie in the sky.'

"Hearst, 30, declined to speculate about his future, and his agent, Pat Dye, did not return phone calls.

"'It's strictly football right now,' Hearst said. 'I don't put much stock into what's going to happen after the season until the season is over. My concern is to win right now.'

"After receiving $3.6 million over the previous two seasons while recovering from a career-threatening ankle injury, Hearst accepted a drastic reduction to make the team. His base salary was cut to $477,000, the veteran minimum and his bonuses, once appearance-based, were rewritten to reflect performance.

"He has performed so well that Hearst could make up to $2.5 million this season, including $2 million in bonuses.

"Heart's situation might compare to that of Charlie Garner, who left the 49ers after last season to sign with the Raiders. Garner reportedly earned a $2 million signing bonus as part of a four-year deal worth an estimated $10.5 million.

"Hearst has run for 776 yards to rank fourth in the NFC, and his 5.3 yards-per-carry average is the best among the league's top 10 running backs. He is on pace to rush for 1,242 yards.

"'The last three or four games, he really looks explosive to me,' Coach Steve Mariucci said. 'He's making some cuts that he maybe would have done gingerly in training camp. He's changing direction with confidence. He looks like he's very much in his prime.'

"'He might be even better than he was before,' center Jeremy Newberry said. 'He's explosive. He's making great reads and in this last game, he was running away from people.'

"In his 106-yard showing at Indianapolis, his second 100-yard game in three weeks, Hearst shot through a hole on a trap play for a 43-yard score and cut back against the grain and outran defenders for a 28-yard touchdown.

"Hearst, who has proven to be the 49ers' most durable tailback this season, said he is happy he has been able to recapture his past form but he wouldn't have been satisfied with anything less.

"'That's the only way I know how to play,' he said. 'I didn't come back into this game to try not to be good at it. When I left, I felt like I was doing some good things and when I got back I wanted to do the same things.'

"There are plenty of things still to shoot for this season. The 49ers are on track to return to the playoffs for the first time since 1998, when Hearst ran for a team-record and career-high 1,570 yards. He could become the first two-time winner of the NFL comeback player of the year award.

"But the most pressing question is whether he will be back in a 49ers uniform next season.

"Said Mariucci: 'As soon as this season wraps up, we've got to find a way to try to keep this team together. ...'"

RB: G. Hearst (Prob; foot), K. Barlow (Quest; shoulder), P. Smith, J. Lewis (Out; groin)

FB: F. Beasley, T. Jackson

WR: T. Owens (Prob; ankle), J.J. Stokes, T. Streets, C. Wilson, V. Sutherland

TE: E. Johnson, J. Swift, B. Jennings, G. Clark (Out; hamstring)

PK: J. Cortez

Watters practiced Wednesday for the first time since hurting his right shoulder in a Sept. 30 loss in Oakland.

"Oh, man, it's going to be great for the team," rookie wide receiver Koren Robinson said. "He's going to help the team out a lot. We need him."

Winners of three of their last four, the Seahawks will play at Denver Sunday night.

Watters, the 11-year veteran running back, made a spirited return to Seattle's lively workout, drawing applause from his teammates after one run and trading banter with other players when he wasn't practicing.

He did not talk to reporters.

The Seahawks are listing him as questionable for the Denver game, which means he has a 50 percent chance of playing. Head coach Mike Holmgren said he will sit down with Watters after Friday's practice and talk about Sunday's contest.

"We'll see how he feels, I'll see how he looks and then make a decision," Holmgren said. "If I think he's ready to play, he's going to play."

With Watters on the sideline for eight games, Shaun Alexander has carried the team's offense. He ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing with 981 yards, and has scored 12 touchdowns, 11 rushing.

Against Oakland on Nov. 11, a game the Seahawks won 34-27, Alexander ran for a franchise-record 266 yards, the fourth best rushing game in NFL history. He had two other 100-yard rushing games.

Alexander, the Seahawks' top draft choice from Alabama last year, has saved the team's season, but Watters' teammates were happy to see him back.

Watters ranks 13th in the league's history in rushing with 10,516 yards and his 77 rushing touchdowns are tied with Tony Dorsett for 11th place all time.

"It's great," fullback Mack Strong said. "You can tell from out there today that he's been working really hard on his conditioning in the couple of months he's been hurt. You can tell he wants to come back and contribute."

Holmgren said if he decides Watters can play against Denver, Alexander will still be the starting running back.

"You can't keep everybody happy all the time," Holmgren said. "They all want the ball. We're just trying to win games. That's all we're trying to do down the stretch."

Alexander said he understands the situation and will gladly step aside for Watters if that's what Holmgren wants.

"It's kind of funny because normally I would be real territorial," he said. "With Ricky, it's different. I guess it's because he's been there for me so much. Coach Holmgren will find a way. He is real good at finding a way to get people the ball."

So how much playing time will Watters get? The bottom line here says whether he plays Denver this week, or he returns next week, will depend solely on how he holds up under his first on-field activity in more than two months during practice sessions this week. ...

Also of interest. ...

In an update published last Monday, Pro Football Weekly noted that the learning curve has been a slow one for Robinson, who has slipped through the cracks in terms of opportunities with Alexander's emergence.

While there is some frustration with Robinson's general lack of production, many feel the Seahawks' recent commitment to the ground game and shorter pass routes have limited him to some extent.

And finally. ... Matt Hasselbeck threw for 202 yards, no TDs and no interceptions against the Chargers. While he has certainly cut down on his mistakes, Holmgren isn't asking Hasselbeck to challenge defenses downfield -- and it's not clear he's ready to do so at this point in time. ...

RB: S. Alexander, R. Watters (Quest; shoulder), J. Graham, C. Rogers

FB: M. Strong, H. Evans

WR: D. Jackson, K. Robinson, B. Engram, J. Williams, A. Bannister, F. Bownes

TE: I. Mili, C. Fauria, R. Stewart

PK: R. Lindell

Johnson started the game on fire, leading Tampa Bay to a 7-3 halftime edge with his pinpoint accuracy. He completed all 12 of his passes in the first half for 97 yards, including completions to six different receivers. Johnson continued the streak following the break with two more completions before finally throwing an incompletion with 12 minutes left in the third quarter.

Johnson's consecutive streak reached 15 straight completions (last attempt at St. Louis and first 14 pass attempts at Cincinnati) to tie Steve DeBerg's club record (vs. Minnesota, 9/14/86). The 15 consecutive completions also eclipsed Johnson's previous career-best of 13 straight completions at Green Bay (9/21/97). For the game, he passed for 231 yards on 26-of-33 passing (78.8%) for a quarterback rating of 95.8.

In his first season as the Bucs' quarterback, Johnson has completed 259-of-401 passes for 2,567 yards (64.6%) with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has tossed six touchdowns and thrown just three interceptions in his last six contests. In addition, Johnson is on pace to set several individual passing records, including yards passing, passing attempts, pass completions, completion percentage, lowest interception percentage and highest quarterback rating. ...

Despite the success of the throwing Johnson, the receiving half of the act, Keyshawn Johnson, wasn't happy with the play-calling vs. Cincinnati: "We didn't attack, we didn't do what we said we were going to do. It's getting a little frustrating. If we continue to make it hard on ourselves, we'll have a long Christmas. ..."

Also of interest this week. ...

In an article published last Thursday, SportsLine.com insider Pete Prisco wrote: "So you think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers victory [last] Monday night over the St. Louis Rams means coach Tony Dungy's job is safe again?

"Not so fast.

"According to a person close to Bill Parcells, who recently spoke with the former coach, Parcells will come out of retirement after the season and take over the Buccaneers. That person said Parcells to Tampa Bay is a 'done deal.'

"Parcells has denied he would return to coaching next year, but the Bucs job is the one that intrigues him because of the proximity to his home in Jupiter, Fla., and because of the strong talent base -- not to mention the money. Parcells could be getting a contract that would make him the first $4 million-a-year coach.

"If Parcells does go to Tampa, two names that will certainly be a part of his staff are Mike Tannenbaum and Maurice Carthon. Tannenbaum, the New York Jets assistant general manager/director of pro personnel, would come to Tampa to handle contracts for Parcells.

"'Tannenbaum going with Parcells is the worst-kept secret in the league,' said one NFC executive. Carthon, the Detroit Lions running backs coach, would be Parcells' offensive coordinator.

"The Lions asked Carthon to take over play-calling duties from coach Marty Mornhinweg a month into the season, but he declined in part because he didn't want to jeopardize any potential job down the road.

"Dungy has one more year left on his contract, but when his agent broached the subject about a contract extension before the season, the Bucs told him to wait until after it. The organizational stance is that's normal procedure, and that it doesn't mean Dungy is in trouble.

"Or is it a sign they've already agreed on some sort of deal with Parcells?"]

One last note out of Tampa tonight. ... An MRI on tight end Dave Moore's hip was negative, but he may still miss Sunday's game against Detroit. The Bucs activated Mike Roberg from the practice squad as a precaution.

RB: W. Dunn (Prob; turf toe), A. Stecker, R. Abdullah

FB: M. Alstott, J. Cook

WR: K. Johnson, J. Green, R. Anthony, F. Murphy, K. Williams, M. Wynn (Prob; rib)

TE: D. Moore (Prob; hip), T. Yoder, S. McDermott

PK: M. Gramatica

"Hopefully we can get some of the swelling and soreness out so I can at least do something," said McNair, who threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 31-15 victory at Cleveland. "I was very fortunate that when he did step on my elbow that it was flat on the ground, not in an awkward position. It could have been much worse, but I'm just blessed that it's only a deep bruise."

McNair was backpedaling after throwing a pass in the second quarter when 266-pound linebacker Jamir Miller accidentally stepped on McNair's elbow after the quarterback fell.

However, McNair shook off the injury and threw two of his three touchdown passes in the second half in Tennessee's strongest outing of the year.

"We're a team right now that's striking from all angles," McNair said. "We've taken more chances over the past four or five weeks than we have in the past. The more you do something, the better you get at it."

McNair found success throwing to receivers Derrick Mason and Kevin Dyson, who posted their second 100-yard receiving games in as many weeks.

"Unlike past seasons, those guys have been healthy for most of the year," McNair said. "When you have those guys out there week in and week out, you know where they're going to be and the timing is much better. That is the key -- staying healthy and going out each and every week and getting better."

The Titans (5-6) will likely need to win their last five games to reach the playoffs. They'll need McNair, easily the team's MVP this season, in order to reach their goal.

For the record. ... Neil O'Donnell took all the snaps with the first team offense while McNair watched from the sidelines Wednesday. ...

One last note out of Tennessee this week. ... In what has to be the most remarkable development in recent memory, the Titans listed TE Shad Meier as probable on this week's injury report. ... He becomes the Titan to be listed as anything other than questionable or out since 1998. ...

RB: E. George (Quest; ankle), M. Green, S. Hicks

HB: E. Kinney, D. Alexander

WR: D. Mason, K. Dyson, D. Bennett, E. Berlin, C. Coleman, J. McCareins (Out; ankle), C. Sanders (Out; back)

TE: F. Wycheck (Quest; ankle/back), E. Kinney (Quest; calf), S. Meier (Prob; thumb)

PK: J. Nedney

Tests were made to see if the fracture occurred in Sunday's game against Dallas or whether it has been the actual source of his discomfort all along.

Alexander was diagnosed with a severe ankle sprain earlier this season, missed four games and hobbled his way through the two games he's played since.

Alexander went to the Pro Bowl last year, but he has only nine catches this year and will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Walter Rasby can be expected to continue lining up as the starter at tight end, but Zeron Flemister will continue to see the bulk of the action as a receiver. ...

Other notes of interest. ...

Tony Banks suffered an ankle injury during last Sunday's loss to Dallas, however, he was expected to practice on Wednesday and remain Washington's starting quarterback in Arizona this weekend. ...

RB: S. Davis, K.J. Carter (Prob; shoulder), M. Bates

FB: D. Bennett, B. Johnson

WR: R. Gardner, M. Westbrook, K. Lockett (Prob; knee), D. Thompson, D. McCants, E. Metcalf

TE: W. Rasby (Prob; ankle), Z. Flemister, S. Alexander (Doubt; ankle)

PK: B. Conway