"But on Sunday, he had more touchdowns (two) than interceptions (one) in a 21-20 win against the Eagles, an unusual occurrence over the last few years. On the last series, he took the Cardinals to victory, throwing a fourth-down touchdown pass to MarTay Jenkins with nine seconds left. ..."

Although he's not likely to post similar totals on a weekly basis, Jenkins came through in a big way against the Eagles, pulling in six passes for 119 yards and a TD. That said, as long as veteran Rob Moore's sore knee keeps him from being a factor for the Cards, Jenkins is going to see significant action. ...

By the way. ... Moore is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bears.

One last note out of Tempe today: Rookie place-kicker Bill Gramatica missed a 30-yard field goal in Sunday's victory over Philadelphia -- not three 30-yard field goals, as was inaccurately reported in some early versions of the box score.

RB: Michael Pittman, Thomas Jones, Marcel Shipp

FB: Joel Makovicka, Dennis McKinley

WR: David Boston, Frank Sanders (Q), MarTay Jenkins, Rob Moore (D), Arnold Jackson

TE: Terry Hardy, Tywan Mitchell

PK: Bill Gramatica

"Chandler sustained the concussion when he was sacked in the first half of last week's 31-3 loss to the Chicago Bears. He remained in the game until halftime, throwing interceptions on his final two passes and winding up three overall to equal a career high.

"The concussion was diagnosed at halftime, and rookie Michael Vick played the final two quarters.

"'I got to the sideline and told (third-string quarterback) Doug Johnson what happened,' Chandler said. 'I just couldn't believe it, and then I felt like I was in spacey dreamland.'

"He passed a post-concussion examination Tuesday and took part in a two-hour practice Wednesday.

"'No headache, just a little fatigue,' Chandler said.

"Vick expects to return to his backup role for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, though his stint last weekend showed him just how much work he has to do to learn coach Dan Reeves' offense.

"Vick called the wrong play at least three times, forcing experienced players such as receiver Terance Mathis to make corrections.

"'I've studied the formations a lot more this week,' Vick said. 'I'm going to take a lot from that game. You've got to be ready to go at any given time. It was definitely a learning experience.'

"The NFL's No. 1 draft pick has started writing down the plays in his notebook during meetings, which helps him visualize how they should unfold.

"'There's a lot of verbiage in this offense,' Mathis said. 'Every word is key. If you miss one word, it can cause a sack or an interception. You really have to do your homework. Mike has to study a little bit more and we have to study a little bit more, so if the calls are wrong we can correct him.'

"Reeves is counting on Chandler to play most of the game, allowing the Falcons to return to their plan of gradually working Vick into the offense with one or two series each week.

"'I hope he doesn't have to play as much as he played last week,' Reeves said. 'That was a little bit more than we planned.'

"Vick threw well against the Bears, going 12-of-18 for 186 yards. But he also had trouble hanging on to the ball, fumbling twice and watching Brian Urlacher return one 90 yards for a Chicago touchdown.

"'I can't keep turning the ball over,' Vick said. 'I can't keep swinging it around. I've got to make sure it's in the right hand and make sure I tuck it away. ...'"

Before anybody gets too darned excited about Chandler's return, I'll remind you that the Falcons have serious injury problems at wide receiver. ...

Mathis suffered a strained hip flexor against the Bears last Sunday, but didn't miss any playing time because of it. Mathis opened the week listed as probable on Atlanta's injury report. ... Shawn Jefferson said he will play this weekend "unless there are bones sticking out," however, his status will be determined by how he does in practice this week. Jefferson opened the week listed as questionable on the team's injury report. ... Brian Finneran has a herniated disk in his back, and took an epidural shot in the spine Monday. Finneran opened the week listed as questionable, but team officials expect him to hit the field this weekend. ... Tony Martin, who missed the Falcons' last two games with a broken collarbone, is still aiming to return to action for the Oct. 21 game at New Orleans. ...

All of which means rookie Quentin McCord heads into the weekend as the team's healthiest wide out. ...

RB: Maurice Smith, Rodney Thomas, Travis Jervey

FB: Bob Christian, George Layne

WR: Terrance Mathis (P), Shawn Jefferson (Q), Brian Finneran (Q), Quentin McCord, Tony Martin (Out)

TE: Reggie Kelly, Alge Crumpler, Brian Kozlowski

PK: Jay Feely

Travis Taylor had his second consecutive good outing on Sunday, posting five receptions and a touchdown in Baltimore's 26-7 victory over Tennessee. ... Fellow starter Qadry Ismail suffered a slight knee injury during the first half of Sunday's game against Tennessee. He walked off the field on his own power, however, and remained in the game to post 93 yards receiving and a score. ...

The news on No. 4 receiver Patrick Johnson isn't as positive. ... Johnson is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after suffering a fractured left clavicle against the Titans. It's worth noting that Johnson was being used sparingly after playing a poor game in Cincinnati two weeks ago.

Rookie tight end Todd Heap is still recovering from an ankle injury, but coaches are optimistic about his chances of returning to the practice field this week. Keep an eye on this week's Late-Breaking Updates for further word on Heap's progress. ...

RB: Terry Allen, Jason Brookins (P), Moe Williams

FB: Sam Gash, Obafemi Ayanbadejo

WR: Qadry Ismail, Travis Taylor, Brandon Stokely, Jermaine Lewis, Patrick Johnson (Out)

TE: Shannon Sharpe, Todd Heap (Q), John Jones

PK: Matt Stover

Johnson suffered a pinched nerve in his neck against the Jets last Sunday when hit in the back of the head by an elbow from LB Mo Lewis, a hit that could draw Lewis a fine from the NFL. Johnson experienced numbness down his back and some loss of motor function on his right side, but was much improved after the game and even more so on Monday and Tuesday.

He should be fine for Buffalo's prime time game a week from Thursday.

The same can't be said of No. 3 receiver Jeremy McDaniel, however. The former University of Arizona star is expected to miss several weeks with a high ankle sprain. McDaniel's absence opens the door for second-year pro Avion Black at the No. 3 spot. Black lacks experience, but he has tremendous speed and can be utilized on intermediate routes from the slot.

Travis Henry rushed for 113 yards on just 19 carries in Sunday's loss to the Jets and Fantasy owners can expect more of the same in the future as the youngster continues to master the team's offense as well as the nuances of running the ball against NFL-caliber competition. ...

Sammy Morris continues to fall farther behind Henry with each passing week. ... The second-year man had just four yards on two carries last Sunday and wound up fumbling on one of them. ... On a more positive note, veteran fullback Larry Centers keeps piling up the receiving numbers. The NFL's all-time pass catching ball carrier, caught 12 more in Buffalo's loss to the Jets, giving him 28 for the season and 713 for his career. The Bills are occasionally using a no-huddle look with Centers as the lone back, giving him even more opportunities to make catches.

And finally -- four games into the season -- Eric Moulds managed to post the kind of numbers Fantasy owners have been looking for when he pulled in five passes for 107 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown, against the Jets last week. ...

"The running game has been totally ineffective, and that's put too much pressure on Weinke. There's no acceptable excuse for the running game's mediocrity.

"The offensive line has been beefed up to the point where it has more talent than at any time in franchise history. There are holes, but none of the running backs has been able to come through. Coach George Seifert is hoping Richard Huntley, Tshimanga Biakabutuka or Nick Goings can step forward. But, so far, they haven't.

"It's becoming more and more likely the team will finish this season with the running backs it has. But look for the team to use its first draft pick on a running back or sign a high-profile free-agent runner in the offseason. ..."

In case you missed Sunday night's game against the Niners, Biakabutuka, who was deactivated the week before, started and carried the ball 10 times for 45 yards. Goings, meanwhile, was inactive. Huntley played and finished with six yards on three carries.

Biakabutuka, who finished Sunday night's game without fumbling once, is the likely starter again this week, but it's worth noting that Brad Hoover might be in the mix after his two-carry 12-yard performance against the Niners. ...

After speaking out about not getting the ball following a Week 2 loss to Atlanta, Wesley Walls, who had 10 receptions for 91 yards against the Niners, has pulled in two touchdown catches and become a major factor in Carolina's offense since going public with his complaints. ...

And finally. ... It might be worth your while to keep an eye on this week's Late-Breaking Updates for more on Patrick Jeffers, who is recovering from multiple knee offseason and preseason knee surgeries. According to USA Today, Jeffers is hoping to make his 2001 regular season debut against the Saints this weekend.

RB: Tshimanga Biakabutuka, Richard Huntley, Nick Goings

FB: Chris Hetherington, Brad Hoover

WR: Muhsin Muhammad, Donald Hayes, Isaac Byrd, Karl Hankton, Patrick Jeffers, Steve Smith

TE: Wesley Walls, Kris Mangum, Luther Broughton, Casey Crawford

PK: John Kasay

"Before last week, coaches prepared game plans that inserted Thomas in designated situations.

"Offensive coordinator John Shoop sidestepped identifying what any of those situations might be, but it was that limited role that accounted for Thomas catching a pass on the first play against Minnesota, then never taking another snap in the game.

"The 'Thomas plan' changed Sunday, and it did so in a way that moved Thomas closer to a shot at being the No. 1 tailback in an offense trying to center on the run.

"Coaches scripted Thomas into selected series rather than dropping him in on plays based on down and distance, field position or play selection.

"That meant that Thomas was replacing starter James Allen for that possession, not simply enabling Allen to rest. It will happen again.

"'[Thomas] will get more playing time,' said coach Dick Jauron. 'He'll be scripted in all the time. So we're really excited about where he can go and what he adds to us.'

"Thomas responded by gaining 57 rushing yards, most by a Bears back this season, in 11 carries, a 5.2-yard average. He also ran 32 yards on a burst off the right side for the Bears' final points. It was the longest run from scrimmage by a Bears back since third-down back Glyn Milburn ran 49 yards in the Nov. 7, 1999, win at Green Bay.

"Thomas is averaging 4.7 yards per carry (66 yards in 14 carries), nearly double the average of Allen (48 carries, 115 yards, 2.4 average).

"But Thomas, who missed most of training camp with a knee injury sustained at the end of the first exhibition game, won't be starting just yet. That injury may be the reason he isn't starting yet.

"'I'm healthy now and just trying to get stronger and to play better,' Thomas said. 'My injury, missing a couple of games, that was the main [reason coaches limited his play], just making sure that I got to the NFL tempo, because it's a different level from preseason to the regular season.'

"At the University of Michigan, the 226-pound Thomas was the main hammer in the Wolverines' offense, with 924 carries in four seasons. Despite the preseason injury, Thomas insists he is ready to be the featured back the Bears want, someone who carries 20 to 25 times a game.

"'I think I'm ready for it,' Thomas said. 'I've conditioned myself. I know all the plays, exactly what's going on, and I'm ready.'

"The Bears are ready for more of Thomas if his fourth-quarter touchdown run was any indication of what is to come.

"Before that 32-yard run through a right-side hole opened by guard Chris Villarrial and tackle James Williams, Thomas had gained 25 yards in seven carries. Most of his runs were for little or no gain, most of the yards coming on an 18-yard run in the second quarter.

"But Shoop's philosophy of running the ball involves staying physical, with the hope that eventually the defense will crack. The touchdown run was exactly that kind of situation, taking advantage of huge size advantages at the point of attack and a big, straight-ahead back going into the hole with no hesitation.

"'It's just an off-tackle play,' Villarrial said. '[Thomas] knew where it was, hit the hole and the rest was history. That felt great.'

"For now Allen will remain the starter, although Jauron indicated flexibility in thinking of who will get the bulk of the work. Allen had 12 carries Sunday to 11 for Thomas, and the question now becomes who will carry the ball more.

"'We'll stay with James [starting],' Jauron said. 'I have great confidence in James. That being said, Anthony will be in there, though. He's going to play, and he's going to play more. ...'"

Other items of interest in Chicago this week. ...

Perhaps anticipating a need for help in the backfield, the Bears signed former New York Jets running back Leon Johnson on Tuesday as they await the outcome of fullback Daimon Shelton's appeal of a positive drug test that could result in a four-game suspension.

Johnson, 6 feet, 218 pounds, was signed to the 53-man roster and defensive end Joe TaFoya, a seventh-round draft choice by Tampa Bay while Bears GM Jerry Angelo was head of personnel there, was signed for the practice squad.

Johnson, originally drafted in the fourth round in 1997, played for three seasons in New York before sitting out the 2000 season with a torn ACL. Johnson played at North Carolina and set a Jets record as a rookie for most punt-return yards with 619 on 51 returns.

The Bears rank 20th in the NFL with an average of 8.8 yards on four returns.

Johnson played in 31 games in three seasons with two starts and had 343 yards rushing in 89 carries for a 3.9-yard average. He has scored four touchdowns and has 29 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns.

Shelton, who said he had taken an over-the-counter supplement as a fat burner, has until Oct. 30 to submit information for the appeal. ... "Daimon and his agent are appealing and hopefully we'll get the resolution we want. In the meantime, we will continue working," Jauron said. ... Shelton can play and practice while waiting for the ruling. ...

QB Shane Matthews experienced pain while trying to run Monday morning and it looks like he'll serve as the team's emergency quarterback this Sunday. ... Tight end Fred Baxter spent last week's game on the inactive list due to a painful hip pointer. Trainers will re-evaluate Baxter later this week, but it doesn't look good for the ex-Jet.

RB: James Allen, Anthony Thomas, Autry Denson, Leon Johnson

FB: Daimon Shelton, Scott Dragos

WR: Marcus Robinson, Marty Booker, David Terrell, Dez White, D'Wayne Bates, Glyn Milburn

TE: Fred Baxter (Q), Dustin Lyman, John Davis

PK: Paul Edinger

Cincinnati's passing game hasn't been sharp the last two weeks, but LeBeau pins the blame on the receivers, not Kitna. The coach feels the wideouts are making poor reads, and doing too much free-lancing on patterns.

With Kitna working almost exclusively with Darnay Scott in recent weeks, Peter Warrick, who caught four passes for just 39 yards against the Steelers, has been unable to produce on a consistent basis this year.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals have no plans to bring in any free agent place-kickers even though second-year man Neil Rackers has missed his last four field goal attempts. ... My guess says the only reason they aren't working anybody out is because they already know who they'll sign if Rackers is unable to pull out of his current nosedive. ...

RB: Corey Dillon, Brandon Bennett, Curtis Keaton, Rudi Johnson

FB: Lorenzo Neal

WR: Darnay Scott, Peter Warrick (P), Chad Johnson, Ron Dugans, Danny Farmer, T.J. Houshmandzadeh

TE: Tony McGee, Marco Battaglia, Brad St. Louis

PK: Neil Rackers

The Browns placed Dudley on the injured reserve list Tuesday with a mid-foot sprain.

Dudley had started all four games this year and had nine receptions for 115 yards.

Dudley led the team with three receptions for 63 yards Sunday in the Browns' 20-16 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

Dwight Clark, director of football operations for the Browns, said Tuesday that Dudley "had been a contributor in every game and we looked for him to be a major part of the offense in future weeks."

Dudley, 29, is in his first year with the Browns after averaging 37 catches and six touchdowns a year in five seasons with Oakland.

O.J. Santiago is likely to replace Dudley in the starting lineup. Santiago was inactive for two of the first four games and has yet to make a catch this year.

The team moved Alvin McKinley from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday. McKinley, a 6-foot-3, 292-pound defensive tackle, is in his first year with the Browns after playing seven games as a rookie last year with Carolina.

McKinley missed eight games last season with a sprained left knee ligament.

The Browns also waived defensive back Deke Cooper from the practice squad and signed defensive back Dyshod Carter and defensive tackle Gaylon Hyder to the practice squad.

Other items of interest this week. ...

When Butch Davis came in this year as coach of the Browns, he did what many new coaches do -- cleaned house. Not a hard thing to do on a team that was 5-27 in its first two years back in the league.

Among those whose job seemed in jeopardy was Kevin Johnson, the team's best receiver in its first two seasons. Among the rumors: Johnson would be dealt to Philadelphia to rejoin his old Syracuse teammate, Donovan McNabb.

Johnson now seems out of the doghouse after catching a 13-yard pass from Tim Couch on third and 10 on the winning TD drive, then the winner itself from 19 yards out to defeat previously unbeaten San Diego 20-16.

The Browns are now 3-1, tying the season record for wins (new Browns) set last year. They're also fifth in yards allowed in the NFL -- without Courtney Brown, probably their best defensive player.

Davis may play head games. ... He can also coach.

And finally. ... Just for the record, James Jackson, who played last Sunday despite a painful rib injury, continued to gain respect by rushing for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Browns' 20-16 victory over San Diego.

RB: James Jackson, Jamel White, Ben Gay

FB: Mike Sellers, Aaron Shea

WR: Kevin Johnson, Quincy Morgan, Dennis Northcutt, Jammi German, JaJuan Dawson, Andre King

TE: O.J. Santiago, Aaron Shea, Rickey Dudley (Out-IR)

PK: Phil Dawson

"It's a setback, no question," Cowboys coach Dave Campo said Tuesday. "The less amount of time lost will help us. If it's six weeks, we'll still have a very good opportunity before the end of the season to get a good evaluation."

The injury means Anthony Wright, who came in after Carter was hurt in the first quarter, will get his third start of the season against Washington on Monday night.

That leaves Clint Stoerner as his backup and the winless Cowboys without a No. 3 quarterback.

Owner Jerry Jones met with free agent Ryan Leaf on Saturday night. There's a chance the Cowboys could sign Leaf, who has a tendon injury in his right wrist, and place him on injured reserve. If he goes on IR, Leaf would not be available to them this season.

Campo said Carter will be the starter once he's healthy.

Carter had an MRI on Monday to determine the injury's severity. Results released Tuesday showed it was a tear.

Carter won't have the mobility to throw for at least three weeks.

Before the announcement, Carter told Tuesday's editions of the Dallas Morning News, "This is very frustrating, because I haven't been hurt too often. I was never hurt at Georgia, outside of my thumb."

Carter returned Sunday after missing two games with a bruised thumb. He was hurt during an 8-yard run in the 28-21 loss at Oakland. He finished the drive, but did not return.

Wright completed 14 of 22 passes for 126 yards with two touchdowns Sunday. He did not throw an interception.

Wright, who will be making his third start of the season Monday, has been the quarterback when Dallas (0-4) has scored 44 of its 66 points this season.

Tight end Jackie Harris, who has missed the past two games with a strained groin, should be ready to return for the Monday night game against the Redskins. The former Packer and Buccaneer was expected to ht the practice field starting Wednesday, but you might want to check this week's Late-Breaking Updates before chiseling his name into stone as one of your starters this week. ...

Raghib "Rocket" Ismail could return to action against the Redskins after missing the past two games with a sprained knee. Ismail opened the week listed as doubtful on the team's injury report, but coaches expect him to work his way back into team drills this week.

If he doesn't make it back in time to take on the Redskins Monday night, Ismail appears to be a lock to be ready for the team's next game against Arizona, which comes after a bye week.

RB: Emmitt Smith, Troy Hambrick, Michael Wiley

FB: Robert Thomas, Troy Hambrick

WR: Joey Galloway, Reginald Swinton, Darrin Chiaverini, Ken-Yon Rambo, Raghib Ismail (D)

TE: Jackie Harris (Q), Mike Lucky, Johnny Huggins

PK: Tim Seder

"Poole, who signed with the Broncos in June, has not played this season because of a hamstring injury but is expected to make his 2001 debut Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks as Denver searches for someone to complement Rod Smith.

"'I'm really excited about it,' Poole said Wednesday. 'I'll probably be a little more nervous than usual just because I haven't played in a while and it's a whole different level. I'm looking forward to it.'

"Poole will be the latest candidate vying to replace Ed McCaffrey, who broke his left leg in the season-opener.

"Despite playing less than three quarters, McCaffrey remains Denver's third-leading receiver with six catches for 94 yards. Desmond Clark has 10 catches, Eddie Kennison four, Kevin Kasper one and Travis McGriff none.

"Smith leads the Broncos and the NFL with 36 catches for 470 yards. He has accounted for 34 percent of Denver's offense.

"'It's all over the news, all over the newspapers,' Poole said. 'It's frustrating to the tight ends, the running backs and the receivers. Some of us need to show that we can play, and I think we will. I think we'll be all right.'

"Without McCaffrey, quarterback Brian Griese been content to look for Smith as the primary receiver in crucial situations. As long as the Broncos (3-1) keep winning, it's hard to question the one-dimensional passing game.

"'When you pick the guy that you're going to go to, usually it's the guy who will give you the best chance for success,' coach Mike Shanahan said. 'Last week really wasn't an indication of guys not being open even, though that might have been the case. It was a quarterback making a decision to go with the guy that has proven he can get it done.'

"Kennison and Poole, who were teammates in New Orleans in 1999, seemed to fit that description when they signed with Denver in the offseason. Kennison led the Saints with 61 catches for 835 yards and Poole caught 42 passes for 796 yards.

"While the numbers look good in a media guide, the hamstring injury has prevented Poole from diving into the offense, and Kennison has been unable to develop early season chemistry with Griese.

"'When guys prove that they can play on the field and not just in practice, and other guys on the offense begin to see that, they're going to begin to gain confidence in them and then they become an integral part of our offense,' Griese said.

"Poole said the biggest adjustment has been adapting to Shanahan's Rubik's Cube offense, which changes from week to week.

"I'm not going to use that as an excuse, but it is going to be tough,' he said. 'It's hard to explain. He changes it around so much. Every week is a whole different offense. It's crazy.'

"The ever-evolving offense is among the reasons Shanahan is not actively pursuing a trade for a wide receiver.

"If Poole doesn't work out this week, he could always try Chris Cole, a third-round draft pick in 2000 who returns kickoffs and is eager to make the jump from special teams.

"'It's kind of frustrating at times because when you're on the outside looking in you always say, `I could go out there and do that,'' Cole said. 'When I do get a shot, I'll be ready. ...'"

For the record, after initially saying Kasper would miss 3-6 weeks with a severe ankle sprain, Shanahan told the Denver Post Monday that the injury would only keep the rookie out 2-3 weeks. "It's a little better than we thought," the coach explained. "He's a young guy, in real good shape, so hopefully it won't be any longer than two or three weeks. ..."

As for the rumors that Denver might be in the market for a wide receiver to replace McCaffrey, Shanahan told the Denver Post Tuesday that his team will not be making a deal for a WR before the Oct. 23 trade deadline. New England's Terry Glenn and Washington's Michael Westbrook were among the rumored candidates. ...

Also of interest this week. ...

Terrell Davis' previous comebacks have been anything but smooth. Why should his latest return be any different?

Davis drew good-natured jabs from his Denver Broncos teammates Wednesday when he tripped over his feet occasionally during his first practice since knee surgery four weeks ago.

"He looked good," Shanahan said. "Hopefully there's no setback. He made a few cuts today. He tripped over the line a couple times because he hasn't been practicing, but besides that, he looked pretty good."

Davis, who has missed 27 games due to injury since his 1998 MVP season, had arthroscopic surgery Sept. 20 to remove debris from his right knee. If all goes well, he could return to the lineup in time for Denver's Monday night game at Oakland on Nov. 5.

"I'm not going to put a target date on it," he said. "I'm just going to go through this week, evaluate it, and see where I am at the end of this week and go from there. Everything pretty much hinges on practice this week."

To ease Davis' back into shape, the Broncos used him sparingly Wednesday. He wore a red scout-team jersey and played the role of Seattle running back Shaun Alexander, who ran for 176 yards and two touchdowns in his first game as a starter last week.

"That's an honor," Alexander said. "That is an honor-and-a-half. I really don't know what to say, other than that is an honor."

Also Wednesday, quarterback Steve Beuerlein had surgery to remove scar tissue in his right elbow. It was the second operation on the elbow in nine months. Doctors repaired a torn ligament in February.

Shanahan said the surgery went well and Beuerlein could resume throwing in about three months.

RB: Mike Anderson, Olandis Gary, Terrell Davis (Out)

FB: Patrick Hape (P), Tony Carter, Detron Smith

WR: Rod Smith, Eddie Kennison, Chris Cole, Travis McGriff, Keith Poole, Kevin Kasper (Out)

TE: Dwayne Carswell, Desmond Clark, Patrick Hape

PK: Jason Elam

Batch struggled in the Lions' season-opening 28-6 loss at Green Bay, prompting a switch to Ty Detmer.

But Detmer threw seven interceptions -- one shy of an NFL record -- in a 24-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns on September 23. On Monday, the Lions were completely inept on offense in a 35-0 loss to the St. Louis Rams, prompting Mornhinweg to reverse field.

"Charlie will not look back or look over his shoulder," Mornhinweg said. "We are behind Charlie 100 percent."

Detroit had just three possessions inside the St. Louis 30 on Monday and turned the ball over each time. Detmer played the first half and went 14-of-17 for 143 yards and had an interception returned for a touchdown. In the second half, Batch went 11-of-16 for 113 yards with an interception.

Batch completed 20-of-39 passes for 276 yards with two interceptions in the loss to Green Bay. The third-year signal-caller is adjusting to a new offensive scheme this season as Mornhinweg is implementing the West Coast offense.

Detroit has lost its three games by a combined 87-20 margin and is attempting to avoid its first 0-4 start since losing its first five games in 1989 under Wayne Fontes.

Batch told reporters Wednesday afternoon, "I'm excited. Marty told me to go out there and run with it and not look over my shoulder. We're at the bottom right now, and we've got a chance to get things going."

Detmer said, "I'm disappointed, but I did it to myself. I knew that after the Cleveland game, I didn't have any leeway left."

Just for the record. ... Rookie quarterback Mike McMahon is not expected to play for the Lions anytime soon, despite the struggles of Ty Detmer and Charlie Batch. McMahon may get some playing time later this season, but Mornhinweg told the Detroit Free Press earlier this week that McMahon "is not ready to go out and win a football game for us."

RB: James Stewart, Lamont Warren, De'Mond Parker

FB: Cory Schlesinger, Brock Olivo, Stephen Trejo

WR: Johnnie Morton, Germane Crowell, Herman Moore, Larry Foster, Scotty Anderson, Desmond Howard

TE: David Sloan, Pete Mitchell, Brad Banta

PK: Jason Hanson

According to Associated Press reporter Arnie Stapleton, Brett Favre was glad Freeman complained about his role in the team's offense.

Stapleton went on to write, "Favre said Freeman's gripes, rather than tearing the team apart, were both warranted and welcome.

"'I couldn't agree with him more,' Favre said. 'And I would much rather him say that than say, `Hey, you know, one catch is fine with me.''

"Favre compared Freeman's desire to that of retired receiver Sterling Sharpe, who was always in Favre's ear.

"'I've been in huddles before where Sterling Sharpe would say, 'Hey, if you want a first down, throw it to me.' He was tough to deal with sometimes, but when he came into the huddle I knew that was the one guy I could lean on. And other guys I'd look at them and they'd turn their head, they didn't want no part of it,' Favre said.

"Both [head coach Mike] Sherman and offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said Freeman was just frustrated because the offense is designed to spread it around rather than force-feed one player.

"'I don't see us as having a go-to guy,' Rossley said. 'As you can see from our earlier games, we're throwing the ball and spreading it around. I think that adds to the effectiveness of your offense. The way defenses are in the NFL today, they can take away one guy. Our ability to spread it around and use all of our weapons is a plus.'

"But Favre said he's going to make sure he looks Freeman's way more, beginning Sunday when the Packers (3-1) play the Baltimore Ravens (3-1) in a matchup of the league's top two defenses.

"As a possible prelude, Favre threw more passes to Freeman during Wednesday's practice than he has in recent memory. ..."

Favre went on to say he's never seen Freeman more fit or focused.

"We just have to figure out ways to get him the ball because he's a playmaker and he hasn't done anything that I know of to have this team turn against him at all," Favre said. "Things that happened to him in the past are over and done with. Yeah, he was paid a big contract but that has nothing to do with the way he's approached this season and catching passes.

"If I don't throw him the ball, you never hear his name and if you don't hear his name, the average Joe is going to say, `What's wrong with Freeman? He's making all this money and he's not producing.' That's not his fault," Favre insisted.

Favre agreed with Freeman's contention that he's been open a lot this season, although he hasn't had time to wait for Freeman to gain separation from his man.

"But Free's not complaining in the sense of it being negative. I had a talk with him on the field today. I want him to feel that way," Favre explained. "It's not his fault. If I throw him 10 passes and he drops eight of them, that's his fault. But that isn't the case."

Favre added that he was sure he could get Freeman more involved while keeping fellow starter Bill Schroeder -- who leads the league with a 23.6-yard average on his 14 catches -- happy, too.

"Like the Rams, you've got five guys who are fighting to get the balls. It's a good thing, it's not a bad thing," Favre said. "Unless we throw it to Free, there's not much he can do."

Other items of interest this week. ...

Second-year tight end Bubba Franks wasn't listed on the team's initial injury report this week, despite the bruised knee he suffered during Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers. ... No. 3 receiver Corey Bradford was reportedly bothered by cramps during Sunday's game. There was some speculation that he had pulled a hamstring, but at this point, coaches expect him to play as usual against the Ravens this weekend.

RB: Ahman Green, Dorsey Levens, Rondell Mealey (P), Herbert Goodman

FB: William Henderson

WR: Bill Schroeder, Antonio Freeman, Corey Bradford, Donald Driver, Charles Lee, Robert Ferguson

TE: Bubba Franks, David Martin, Bobby Collins

PK: Ryan Longwell

Wayne, Indianapolis' first-round draft pick last spring, has been hobbled by a high ankle sprain since training camp. ... But with starter Jerome Pathon listed as doubtful with a sprained foot, Wayne is expected to either start in Pathon's spot or split time with backup Terrence Wilkins.

And just for the record. ... Wilkins is listed as questionable with an unspecified chest injury. ...

The Colts signed former New England wide receiver Tony Simmons to a contract after a hamstring injury landed Drew Haddad on the injured reserve list. ... Don't look for Simmons to make a serious offensive contribution any time soon. ...

Starting tight end Ken Dilger (knee) is listed as probable on this week's injury report, but at this point in the week there's no reason to believe he won't start and play as usual against the Raiders Sunday night. ... Fullback Jim Finn (hamstring) is also expected to hit the field Sunday night after returning to the practice field Monday. ...

RB: Edgerrin James, Dominic Rhodes

FB: Jim Finn

WR: Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Terrence Wilkins (Q), Trevor Insley, Jerome Pathon (D), Tony Simmons

TE: Ken Dilger (P), Marcus Pollard, Joe Dean Davenport, Justin Snow

PK: Mike Vanderjagt (P)

Not surprisingly, the Jags have gone 0-2 since Taylor went down with a pulled groin muscle.

Last Sunday, Coughlin pulled Taylor's backup, Stacey Mack, after Mack fumbled and went with Elvis Joseph, an undrafted rookie who wound up rushing for 39 yards on 12 carries and catching a TD pass in a losing effort in Seattle.

The Jags sit out this week due to the NFL bye, and Taylor reportedly has a remote chance of playing next week. But according to an update published by USA Today earlier this week, the Jags will probably hold him out one more game to make sure he's 100 percent.

It remains to be seen who the Jags will line up as their starter next Sunday if Taylor doesn't play. ...

Also of interest this week. ...

According to a statement released by the NFL, Jags wide receiver R. Jay Soward has been notified that he is suspended for the team's next six regular-season games (games five through 10) of the 2001 season for violating the NFL Substance Abuse Policy.

Soward also was suspended under the Substance Abuse Policy for the first four regular-season games of the 2001 season.

Soward is eligible to return to the team on Monday, November 26, following the Jaguars' 10th regular-season game (against Baltimore). ...

It's worth noting that Sean Dawkins, who continues to struggle as the Jaguars' No. 3 receiver, came out of last week's game with a sore ribcage. The veteran should be ready to play when the Jaguars resume play a week from Thursday, but he's hardly what we'd consider a solid prospect. ...

And finally. ... Unable to play any longer with a painful shoulder injury, All Pro left tackle Tony Boselli opted for surgery that will sideline him for an indefinite period.

"It comes to a point where there's a difference between playing hurt and dealing with injury," Boselli said Wednesday. "Certain injuries you play with as long as possible. But when it comes to the point where you're not helping yourself or the team, you have to look at other options."

Team doctors will perform arthroscopic surgery on Boselli's right shoulder Monday. Boselli said he had set no timetable for his return, although this is widely considered serious surgery with a lengthy rehabilitation process.

Coughlin said no decision has been made about whether Boselli will go on injured reserve. Still, several teammates spoke as though they had lost the Pro Bowl left tackle for the season.

Perhaps the most disappointing is Alexander's back problems, which surfaced in the pre-game of last week's Denver game. He had been suffering with twin Achilles heel soreness but the back is something new. "I wasn't even sure he was going to be able to play in the (Denver) game," Vermeil said. "It's tightened up now so much that he can hardly tie his shoes."

Both players are listed as questionable on the team's injury list this week. "I think we will be very lucky to have either one of those guys this week," Vermeil noted.

Injuries at wide receiver have plagued Kansas City's employment of a new passing game since training camp. It has hampered quarterback Trent Green's rhythm and has led to his interception problem. At least three of Green's four interception against the Broncos can be laid at the feet of receivers running routes differently than they were scripted, Vermeil said. "We do everything we can to bring the receivers along so that they're always on the same page," Vermeil said. "But Trent knows when the ball leaves his hands and is intercepted it goes in the quarterback's stats. That's just the nature of the position."

If Alexander is out again, Chris Thomas will take his place and tight end Mikhael Ricks, who has been a wide receiver, will have an increased role in the receiving package. (WR) Larry Parker will assume Hall's punt return duties and reserve running back Mike Cloud will pick up his kickoff returns. ...

Other items of interest in Kansas City this week. ...

Fullback Tony Richardson, who missed last week's game with an injured shoulder, is unlikely to return action this Sunday. ... "It would take drastic change to all of a sudden have Richardson back," Vermeil told reporters. "I think it's a better chance of having him a week from this weekend."

Just for the record, Richardson is listed as doubtful on this week's initial injury report. ...

With Richardson watching from the sidelines last weekend, starting halfback Priest Holmes was the only Chief to carry the football in last week's loss to the Broncos. Although Denver held him to a meager 2.4 yards per carry, Holmes, who ran for 42 yards on 17 carries, did manage to add another 58 yards on seven receptions before the final gun sounded. ...

Make no mistake about it: I don't much care for Holmes. However, it looks like he's the only game in town as far as the Chiefs are concerned -- at least until Richardson returns to the lineup. ...

And finally ... In a tale worthy of inclusion in Zander Hollander's all time classic, "Strange But True Football Stories," Sportsline.com insider Jay Glazer wrote on Sunday, "Atlanta signed fullback George Layne this week off of Kansas City's practice squad. He nearly didn't have the chance as he had to do some tricky maneuvering to escape the Chiefs' clutches.

"Several Chiefs and league sources say after Layne got the call to go to Atlanta, Chiefs VP of personnel Lynn Stiles, accompanied by a team security man, followed Layne to the airport.

"When they arrived, they tried to convince him not to flee and that the Chiefs would sign him from their practice squad to their active roster. Layne, who was trying to elude them, got on the plane. But Styles had airline employees manning the gate ask Layne to get off the plane. Styles then convinced Layne to come back to the Chiefs' complex to sign a deal.

"But while they were driving back, Layne shook Styles and fled back to the airport. He finally got on a plane, unaware to Styles, and flew to Atlanta to sign with the Falcons.

"Layne may have made the wrong choice as [Richardson] went down with a shoulder injury, leaving them with unheralded Jermaine Williams as their only fullback on the roster. ..."

Wow. ... Hard to believe they could actually get an airline to pull him off a plane. But it's even harder to believe they went to all that trouble only to let Layne climb into his own sled -- alone no less -- for the trip back to team headquarters. ...

RB: Priest Holmes, Mike Cloud, Derrick Blaylock

FB: Jermaine Williams, Tony Richardson (D)

WR: Marvin Minnis, Chris Thomas, Derrick Alexander (Q), Larry Parker, Dante Hall (D), Aveion Cason

TE: Tony Gonzalez, Jason Dunn, Mikhael Ricks

PK: Todd Peterson

That doesn't mean those of you with Gadsden on your rosters should freak out. Even if he winds up working as the team's No. 3 receiver at some point this season, the former Arena League star's imposing physical presence and soft hands all but guarantee he'll continue to play a role in the team's offense -- especially in the red zone.

Other items of interest in Miami this week. ...

Head coach Dave Wannstedt gave J.J. Johnson a lukewarm endorsement on Monday, a day after rookie Travis Minor was given most of the snaps at third down back in the second half. ... "I wanted to see how Travis would do in that situation," Wannstedt said, noting that Johnson is "working extremely hard."

If you ask me Minor looks like a player on the rise while Johnson looks like a man who's likely to ply his trade elsewhere next year. ...

Ray Lucas twice replaced starter Jay Fiedler at quarterback in short-yardage situations last Sunday, as he did often in the preseason. It's not clear whether coaches intend to continue this practice, but it'll hurt Fiedler's overall numbers if they do.

FB Rob Konrad's status for Sunday's game against the New York Jets won't be determined until after Wednesday's practice. Konrad has missed the past two games because of a sprained left ankle suffered in an 18-15 victory over Oakland. ... Deon Dyer took Konrad's spot for a second consecutive game in last Sunday's 30-10 victory over New England.

RB: Lamar Smith, Travis Minor, J.J. Johnson

FB: Deon Dyer, Rob Konrad (Q)

WR: Oronde Gadsden, James McKnight, Chris Chambers, Dedric Ward, Jeff Ogden

TE: Hunter Goodwin (P), Jed Weaver, Ed Perry

PK: Olindo Mare

"The Vikings won because they cleaned up their act and didn't make many mistakes. Their star players also performed the way they are expected to play.

"However, in a lackluster 28-15 defeat at New Orleans, the ugly Vikings offense reared its head. This team is 1-3 because the offense has been lethargic and mistake prone.

"The Vikings have committed 12 turnovers in four games. Sunday, the offense was called for 10 penalties.

"Sure, the Vikings' defense is young and often overmatched. But this team is 1-3 because its offense is sputtering. ..."

After rookie halfback Michael Bennett took just eight handoffs in their loss to New Orleans, the Vikings are publicly suggesting that they need to get him the ball more often so that teams can't simply tee off on Daunte Culpepper.

Offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune this week, "He (Bennett) doesn't make many mistakes, he's playing hard. We have to give him more opportunities. ... I think the more times he touches the ball the better he'll be, the better the chances are that he'll break one. ..."

RB: Michael Bennett, Doug Chapman, Travis Prentice

FB: Jimmy Kleinsasser, Harold Morrow, Matt Snider

WR: Randy Moss, Cris Carter, Jake Reed, Chris Walsh, Troy Walters, Nate Jacquet

TE: Byron Chamberlain, Andrew Jordan, Matt Cercone

PK: Gary Anderson

Glenn is eligible to play Sunday against San Diego, but New England could use a one-week exemption granted by the NFL and hold him back until the following Sunday at Indianapolis.

Belichick indicated that Glenn's off-field problems wouldn't influence that decision.

"The main thing I'm looking for is what's on the field. That's what we haven't seen," Belichick said.

Glenn is awaiting a Dec. 4 hearing on charges of assault and battery and intimidating a witness after a dispute with the mother of his son on May 15.

On Aug. 3, he was suspended by the NFL for the first four regular-season games for violating its substance-abuse policy. When he learned of the penalty, he left training camp without permission. That absence led to the Patriots decision on Aug. 15 to suspend him for the season.

That was overturned by an arbitrator, and the four-game suspension ended after last Sunday's 30-10 loss in Miami in which the Patriots had just 12 completions for 86 yards.

Whether Glenn, fourth in team history in receptions, will get a chance to help the passing game on Sunday depends on his work during the week. The team's practices are closed to the print media.

"We all understand what the circumstances are, why the events have occurred the way they have and why the time frame has been what it is, but you have to put that all behind you," Belichick said.

That was tough to do on Wednesday when many questions at his daily news conference were about Glenn.

"That's what I expected," Belichick said. "What did you think, I was going to come in here and you guys would be asking about San Diego?"

The Patriots may have prepared for Glenn's return this week by releasing Bert Emanuel on Tuesday. That left them with four wide receivers and one roster vacancy.

Belichick could use that for a third quarterback behind Tom Brady and Damon Huard while Drew Bledsoe continues his recovery from internal bleeding after a hard hit.

Emanuel, a quarterback at Rice, was the emergency quarterback the past two games but threw the only pass of his pro career in 1994 as a rookie with Atlanta.

Belichick hopes he doesn't need a third quarterback against the Chargers.

"If it comes to that situation, we're going to be in trouble," he said. "With no disrespect to Bert, I think we would have been in trouble if it had come to that the last two games."

Brady is 1-1 in his only two NFL starts the past two weeks and hasn't completed a regular-season pass to Glenn. But Brady did throw to him in practice last season.

"I'm pretty comfortable with Terry. I'm just excited to have him out there," Brady said. "He's got real good speed. He's able to get open. He's got quick feet, great hands."

Whether Glenn can show that with just a week of practice after a 65-day absence remains uncertain.

"Terry is the one guy that can do it. He's a tremendous athlete," strong safety Lawyer Milloy said. "I know just from talking to people throughout the league, other defenses, they're happy when he's not in that lineup."

San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson didn't need much time to be successful. He played in just one exhibition game after an extended holdout, then ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns in his NFL debut and now leads the league in rushing.

"I think they can come back and play in a game in a week. I've seen that before," Belichick said.

But he's not sure if Glenn will do that.

"I'm sure that he'll be able to study and learn and get the plays down and get his assignments down," Belichick said. "But doing it at full speed with the quarterbacks, with the adjustments, with the blitzes, with things that happen on the field, that's another matter.

"Some players come around quicker than others."

Just for the record. ... The Patriots will be without Drew Bledsoe (internal injuries) for about a month, which means Glenn's return is that much more critical for an offense that has struggled in the passing game. ... Brady will remain as the starting quarterback.

Although Troy Brown pulled in five passes for 47 yards against the Dolphins last Sunday, his numbers may suffer until Bledsoe returns to the lineup because Brady doesn't have the arm strength to take full advantage of Brown's ability to go deep. ... Antowain Smith might not be a legitimate threat to rush for huge weekly yardage totals, but the former Buffalo running back is clearly capable of putting the ball in the end zone on a regular basis. ...

RB: Antowain Smith, Kevin Faulk, J.R. Redmond (Q)

FB: Marc Edwards, Patrick Pass

WR: David Patten, Troy Brown, Charles Johnson, Torrance Small, Terry Glenn

TE: Jermaine Wiggins, Rod Rutledge

PK: Adam Vinatieri

Williams was expected to practice on Wednesday and head coach Jim Haslett told reporters the former first-round draft pick's sore shoulder is fine this week. ...

In case you missed it, Williams has a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, but the injury obviously wasn't a factor against Minnesota.

Other items of interest. ...

Tight end Cam Cleeland was a non-factor for the second straight game. The Saints came out the first two series in four-WR sets without a huddle and they never got Cleeland established. ... According to those who follow the team closely, there's some question as to whether QB Aaron Brooks is experienced enough to look for Cleeland and how much offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy is looking to use Cleeland.

In the meantime, Willie Jackson continued to establish himself as Brooks' favorite target last Sunday, catching six passes for 95 yards. ... Jackson's good fortune appears to be coming primarily at the expense of Albert Connell, who finished Sunday's game with one catch for nine yards.

And finally. ... Place-kicker John Carney nailed five field goals last Sunday, making good on attempts of 50, 23, 45, 28 and 33 yards. ... Given the fact he plays for a team with a productive offense -- not to mention the fact he also happens to play more than half his games indoors -- Carney is a good bet to be one of the better kickers in the NFL this year.

RB: Ricky Williams, Deuce McAllister, Fred McAfee

FB: Terrelle Smith, Moran Norris, Kevin Houser

WR: Joe Horn, Willie Jackson, Albert Connell, Robert Wilson, Onomo Ojo, Michael Lewis

TE: Cam Cleeland, Lamont Hall, Dave Stachelski

PK: John Carney

Barber ran lightly on the sidelines. He has not played since pulling a hamstring against New Orleans on Sept. 30.

Dayne sprained his neck in the first half of Sunday's game against Washington.

Washington replaced him and ran for 90 yards on 25 carries. However, he sprained a joint in his left shoulder. He practiced Wednesday.

"It's getting better," Washington said. "It's a lot better than it was on Sunday."

Dayne doesn't seem to be healing as quickly.

"It's kind of scary because that's what controls your body," the former Heisman Trophy winner said. "It's definitely scary because it's your neck. I don't want to rush back in and then be rushing in and out because I feel a pain."

Keep an eye on this week's Late-Breaking Updates for more on all three players. ...

One last note out of New York today. ...

Quarterback Kerry Collins had another sub par game against the Redskins. The former Penn State star completed 15-of-29 passes for 177 yards, was picked off twice and threw one touchdown -- a 1-yard pass to tight end Dan Campbell.

Collins, according to Fassel, "isn't seeing some things," referring to defensive formations which make it difficult to put the ball where he wants it to go. On the two interceptions, Fassel said: "He isn't going to throw those passes again."

RB: Damon Washington (P), Ron Dayne (Q), Tiki Barber (Q)

FB: Greg Comella, Anthony Green

WR: Amani Toomer, Joe Jurevicius, Ike Hilliard, Ron Dixon, Thabiti Davis, Pat Woodcock

TE: Howard Cross, Dan Campbell, Marcellus Rivers

PK: Morten Andersen, Owen Pochman

Becht is clearly a much bigger part of the Jets offense this year -- especially on third downs and near the goal line -- than he was as a rookie last season. ...

Starting wide receiver Laveranues Coles, who pulled in five passes for 77 yards and carried the ball two times for 15 yards at Buffalo last Sunday, is questionable for Sunday's game because of a sprained left knee. However, head coach Herman Edwards told reporters earlier this week that there is no ligament damage and that Coles might be able to practice by Thursday.

Matthew Hatchette is the most likely candidate to line up as the starter opposite Wayne Chrebet if Coles is unable to play this weekend. ...

Also of interest this week. ...

Although rookie wide receiver Santana Moss ran last week for the first time since having cartilage repaired in his left knee Aug. 4, the former University of Miami star was limited to only straight-line running - no cutting. ... Moss, in his ninth week of rehab, indicated last week that the original 8-to-12-week estimate on his return seemed more like a gauge of when he would return to practice, not game action. ...

So. ... With Moss likely to miss several more weeks at the very least -- and with Chad Morton nursing a sprained right ankle -- the Jets signed punt returner Craig Yeast to a contract Wednesday.

Yeast, also a wide receiver, was cut by Cincinnati in August. He was Tim Couch's favorite target at Kentucky before the Bengals chose him in the 1999 draft.

He had 27 catches in two seasons and averaged 9.9 yards on punt runbacks in Cincinnati. He had a 20.9 average on 10 returns as a rookie, and 6.6 on 34 returns last year.

Yeast also can return kickoffs. He probably will not play much as a receiver.

Morton was injured against New England and then aggravated it against San Francisco. He did not play at Buffalo last weekend.

The Jets also promoted tight end Jake Moreland from the practice squad and released tight end Daniel Wilcox. ... Moreland re-joins the active roster after three weeks on the practice squad. He played for the Jets last year as a rookie free agent and was waived Sept. 18 after injuring his knee. He then was re-signed to the practice squad.

RB: Curtis Martin, Lamont Jordan, Chad Morton (Q)

FB: Richie Anderson, Jerald Sowell

WR: Wayne Chrebet, Laveranues Coles (Q), Matthew Hatchette, Kevin Swayne, Windrell Hayes, Craig Yeast, Santana Moss (Out)

TE: Anthony Becht, James Dearth, Jake Moreland

PK: John Hall

Janikowski participated in practice at the team's training facility, but did not make an appearance in the locker room. An equipment manager fetched his helmet and shoes.

According to a police report, Janikowski collapsed on the floor of the Sno-Drift Bar early Monday morning, cutting his face and requiring five stitches.

Janikowski, 23, was not arrested. A police report indicated the club's doorman told officers that Janikowski was "possibly overdosing on GHB" - the so-called date-rape drug.

It was unclear Wednesday whether the Raiders, or the NFL, would take action against the left-footed kicker, the team's first-round draft pick last year.

"If he's not worried about it, we're not worried about it. You can't help a guy who doesn't want to be helped," receiver Tim Brown said. "Whatever the situation is, we're going to have to run with it."

Coach Jon Gruden said he had spoken to Janikowski about the reports.

"I will just say that I've talked to Sebastian and he knows exactly where I'm coming from and where the Raiders are coming from," he said. "I don't want to open up to the public what we've discussed."

Last April in Florida, Janikowski was found innocent on charges of drug possession and evidence tampering after being accused of possessing GHB.

In the police report Monday, officers wrote they "found Janikowski incoherent and wildly flailing around on the floor. As a result of the uncontrolled flailing, Janikowski hit his head on the floor and caused a cut over his right eye."

Janikowski's cut was not visible from afar on Wednesday.

Janikowski's roommate, Jay Hoffman, told police the kicker was not taking drugs but said an unidentified woman may have slipped something in his drink.

His agent, Paul Healy, admitted that Janikowski had been drinking but said reports of a drug overdose were "totally false."

The NFL has a strict substance abuse policy but it was not clear whether Janikowski would be subject to heightened scrutiny.

Defensive lineman Darrell Russell, who just came off a four-game suspension for violating the policy, suggested the reports in the media were enough.

"All they have to do is hear a rumor, and you can be in the program," said Russell, who claimed he was suspended because he missed a visit from a league representative.

Janikowski, a native of Poland, was Oakland's first-round choice in the 2000 draft after starring at Florida State.

He was also acquitted on charges last year that he offered a Tallahassee policeman $300 to release his roommate after an argument with a bouncer who wouldn't let him into a local nightclub.

His contract includes a clause that will force him to pay back about $25,000 for every game he misses due to suspension. The clause was added because of his run-ins with the law.

"I've heard a lot of various reports and a lot of conflicting stories," Gruden said. "I'm going to be supportive of our kicker -- at the same time he knows how serious this is and how important this is."

Keep an eye on this week's Late-Breaking Updates for developments. ...

Tyrone Wheatley, who scored two TDs against Dallas last weekend, is listed as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Colts due to a sore wrist. ... You might want to check this week's Late-Breaking Updates for more on Wheatley's status, but it's hard to imagine a sore wrist keeping the former first-round draft pick from hitting the field. ...

Backup QB Bobby Hoying (strained elbow ligaments) is only ready to begin soft-tossing and is highly doubtful this week. ... With Hoying unable to go, veteran Rodney Peete was active and rookie Marques Tuiasosopo inactive for last week's game. According to Gruden, he thought Peete would be better equipped to deal with some of Dallas' sophisticated defenses, having played both for and against the Cowboys from 1994-99.

RB: Tyrone Wheatley (Q), Charlie Garner, Randy Jordan (Q), Terry Kirby

FB: Jon Ritchie, Zack Crockett

WR: Tim Brown, Jerry Rice, Jerry Porter, David Dunn, Marcus Knight, James Jett

TE: Roland Williams, Mondriel Fulcher, Jeremy Brigham

PK: Sebastian Janikowski

However, head coach Andy Reid told reporters that Staley will probably only be used as a third-down back until his injured shoulder is completely healed.

Staley suffered a small cartilage tear in his right shoulder in Week Two and sat out the last two games, including Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

The Eagles have a bye this week, and then face the Giants on Oct. 22.

Rookie Correll Buckhalter has replaced Staley and played well. He rushed for 134 yards on 21 carries against the Cardinals. But he also failed to pick up a blitz that led to a Donovan McNabb fumble and an Arizona touchdown, and negated a 71-yard Todd Pinkston touchdown with a holding penalty.

"When we get Duce back, we'll work him in there and see what that shoulder can handle," Reid explained on Monday. "We're going to ease him back in and see what he can do."

Asked if Staley likely would be restricted to nickel situations against the Giants, Reid said, "There might be a chance that's how we start him off. I don't want him blocking right now with that shoulder."

Reid said that when Staley's shoulder is completely healed, he would regain his starting job, though Buckhalter will continue to get a lot of work.

"I'd like to split (the workload)," Reid said. "Duce has done nothing not to be our primary guy. On the other hand, I'd like to give Duce a blow in there. Correll's shown us what he can do."

Other items of interest. ...

Wide receiver Todd Pinkston led the Eagles with four catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday. ... Which means it's been fullback Cecil Martin one week, James Thrash the next, Chad Lewis the next and now Pinkston.

Eagle receivers are good for two touchdowns at a time; all you've gotta do is pick which one is going to be the guy on any given Sunday.

"Or, as he did with effectively Sunday against Cincinnati, Stewart takes a step back into the pocket, but tucks the ball under his arm and drives through a hole on a quarterback draw.

"It's almost as if Stewart is back in college as he runs this Pittsburgh Steelers' throwback offense, one that runs to win, rather than running to set up the pass.

"He is a playmaker and a runner and a multidimensional threat, the kind of quarterback who thrived in the days before Johnny Unitas and the pass-on-every-down AFL turned the NFL into a passing league more than 40 years ago.

"Three games into the season and the Steelers, led by running back Jerome Bettis, are averaging 188 yards per game rushing but only 146.3 yards passing.

"The only other NFL team that is gaining more yards on the ground than through the air is Dallas (122 yards rushing, 108.5 passing), but that's only because the Cowboys simply can't throw the ball.

"The Steelers (2-1) can throw it, only they don't do it very often -- and they hardly do it at all down the field. Stewart still doesn't have a touchdown pass, yet the Steelers have won their last two games.

"'That's good, because obviously our running game is going good right now, and out passing game is getting better,' Stewart said Wednesday. 'Any given Sunday can be different, it's all how you go out and perform in that given game.'

"The Steelers have long been a running team first and a passing team second, except during the late years of their Super Bowl run in the 1970s when Terry Bradshaw's throws to Lynn Swann and John Stallworth drove the offense.

"Coach Bill Cowher said it is too early to say this is the identity the Steelers will carry through the season, but he also said, 'We're not going to lose sight of what we do best.'

"Translation: Buckle your chin strap, Jerome Bettis, you're getting the ball 25 times a game.

"Cowher likes how new offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is unveiling new wrinkles every week, even if none of them is a deep throw to wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Against Cincinnati, Stewart had the ball in his hands much more than he did in the first two games, and he wound up with nine carries for 61 yards and the Steelers' only touchdown.

"'That was some good stuff,' Cowher said. 'We have a quarterback that is very good with the ball in his hands, and we want to use those skills.'

"Will Kansas City (1-3) also see some new gimmicks Sunday?

"'It depends on what their defense allows us to do,' Stewart said. 'We have a couple of things up our sleeve we want to do to keep them off balance. But they have a pretty strong defense, no matter what their record may show.'

"The Steelers have achieved one of their training camp goals by having a much better record than they did at this point a year ago, when they were 0-3 and already were in trouble for the postseason.

"Now, the idea is to keep expanding the offense while still playing defense as well as they have so far this season.

"'Every week it seems we're playing a team that has its back against the wall, just like we are this week,' safety Lee Flowers said. 'We're just trying to make it so it's not our back against the wall.

"We've put ourselves in a good position to be right there in the mix of things in the next six weeks or so. We just want to be in the top two or three because we know how to play in December.'

"A year ago, the Steelers won four of their final five games but missed the playoffs mostly because of their winless September.

"'We've won two games, one on the road and the other against a team that just got done beating the Super Bowl champion,' Stewart said. 'It's a big difference from last year. It's like night and day. ...'"

Bettis (knee), who is listed as probable on this week's injury report, is expected to start and play as usual against the Chiefs this Sunday. ... The same goes for wide receiver Hines Ward (toe), who pulled in eight passes for 68 yards against Cincinnati last week. ...

RB: Jerome Bettis (P), Amos Zereoue, Chris Fuamatu Ma'afala

FB: Jon Witman, Dan Kreider

WR: Hines Ward (P), Plaxico Burress, Bobby Shaw, Troy Edwards, Tim Baker

TE: Mark Bruener, Jerame Tuman, Matt Cushing

PK: Kris Brown

"It was the air route in a 35-0 victory over the Detroit Lions on Monday night that kept the Rams the NFL's only unbeaten team.

"'The beauty of the game is that the same thing doesn't always work,' said Marshall Faulk, who ran just 14 times for 71 yards, but had nine catches for 80 yards. 'Some days you just want to run the ball. Today, throwing it was working. Stats and percentages don't matter. Points matter.'

"Take the first half, for example.

"The Rams ran three times -- Faulk had two carries for 2 yards. They threw 21 times, including 16 in a row in the drives for their first two touchdowns. They came on a 15-yard pass from Kurt Warner to Az-Zahir Hakim and 36 to Torry Holt, the latter just about the only deep throw of those 16.

"The reason was simple.

"The Rams are so dangerous deep that the Lions were sitting back in a loose zone defense, hoping to force St. Louis to move slowly and eventually make a mistake.

"It didn't happen. The first drive had completions of 4, 11, 20, 8, 8, 7 and 12 yards before the touchdown. The 20-yarder was to Holt on a play on which Warner looked at four receivers before releasing the ball.

"The second was quicker -- 7, 10, 17 and then the 36-yard touchdown, a nice progression onward and upward.

"'I don't care at all about balance,' said coach Mike Martz. 'The dink passes were really working.'

"The Rams, of course, are good, at 4-0. What they do with Warner, Faulk and the rest of the supporting cast looks simple.

"But it's all relative. Ask the Lions, who are now 0-3.

"They turned over the ball three times inside the St. Louis 30. On one series, they had first-and-goal on the 8, were moved back to the 18 on a holding penalty, got back to the 13, then lost the ball when Charlie Batch was sacked and fumbled. Only a penalty on the Rams for running onto the field as Grant Wistrom was rumbling for an apparent touchdown saved them from giving up a score.

"'There was a time in the game when our defense was holding it together,' coach Marty Mornhinweg said. 'Turnovers in the red zone, penalties in the red zone. Those are brutal things.'

"The statistics bore him out.

"The Rams finished with 378 total yards, the Lions with 334 -- hardly the stuff of a 35-0 game.

"But as Faulk pointed out, stats don't matter.

"Only the score does. ..."

One last note out of St. Louis this week. ...

Warner is playing as good as he ever has, and considering the kind of numbers he posted in 1999 and last season before suffering a broken finger, that's saying a lot. The former Arena League star has gone 89 passes without throwing an interception and he demonstrated remarkable patience -- and judgment -- in the Silverdome Monday night as he picked apart Detroit's soft zone coverage.

RB: Marshall Faulk, Trung Canidate, Robert Holcombe (Q)

FB: James Hodgins, Justin Watson

WR: Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Az-Zahir Hakim, Ricky Proehl, Yo Murphy

TE: Ernie Conwell, Brandon Manumaleuna, Jeff Robinson

PK: Jeff Wilkins

The rookie tailback out of TCU is quickly becoming one of the best RBs in the league. Tomlinson gained 102 yards against Cleveland last Sunday, but only carried the ball 19 times -- which isn't enough in this offense. It should also be noted that he gained 54 of his yards on one play and on his last three carries, he was held to negative 7 yards.

Nonetheless, Tomlinson has more the 400 yards on the ground in four games -- more than any Chargers back posted all last year. ...

According to San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Nick Canepa, "Doug Flutie needs to look more to his tight ends. Freddie Jones hasn't been involved enough in the last two games -- getting shut out against Cincinnati. ..."

Look for Flutie and offensive coordinator Norv Turner to find ways to Jones more involved in the team's offense in coming weeks.

The Chargers have plenty to consider in the wake of last Sunday's loss -- including the fact they were held to just one touchdown despite making four trips into the red zone.

However, Flutie said he can't wait to get going again.

"I think it just puts you in nasty frame of mind all week long, makes you that much more driven to win again the following week," he said. "It's very important to get back on track. You want to get that bad taste out of your mouth."

RB: LaDainian Tomlinson, Terrell Fletcher, Ronney Jenkins

FB: Fred McCrary, Derrick Harris

WR: Curtis Conway, Jeff Graham, Tim Dwight, Reggie Jones, Trevor Gaylor

TE: Freddie Jones, Steve Heiden

PK: Wade Richey

"It happened, what, two months ago? And it probably won't heal until the offseason. I just have to work through it," Barlow told The San Francisco Chronicle.

"People don't know how bad this is hurting." Barlow will continue to play but the problem could keep him from overtaking current starter Garrison Hearst, who failed to score against the Panthers last Sunday night, but still ran for 74 yards on 18 carries. ...

Other items of interest this week. ...

Quarterback Jeff Garcia has played his best ball this season after making big mistakes. Against the Panthers he responded to Doug Evans interception-turned-TD to take over the game, twice throwing touchdown passes to Terrell Owens. ...

He did the same thing in the team's come-from-behind win against Atlanta in the regular season opener. ...

Owens, who comes off a productive outing after pulling in eight passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday night, was still recovering from a hamstring injury in that Week 1 meeting with the Falcons -- and he still managed to finish the game with seven catches. ...

The team came out of Sunday night's win over the Panthers with a number of minor injuries. ...

Wide receiver J.J. Stokes was still limping from a sprained knee on Monday, but coaches don't expect the injury to keep him from playing this weekend. Stokes is officially listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Barlow suffered an ankle sprain Sunday night, but the rookie wasn't included on the team's injury report Wednesday. ... Terry Jackson suffered a mild concussion against Carolina, but it won't keep him from playing this weekend. ... Reserve running back Paul Smith also suffered a mild concussion, but like Barlow and Jackson, he wasn't included on this week's injury report. ...

RB: Garrison Hearst, Kevan Barlow, Paul Smith, Jonas Lewis (D)

FB: Fred Beasley, Terry Jackson

WR: Terrell Owens, J.J. Stokes (P), Tai Streets, Vinny Sutherland, Cedrick Wilson

TE: Eric Johnson, Justin Swift, Brian Jennings, Greg Clark (Out)

PK: Jose Cortez

"Coach Mike Holmgren said that remains to be seen.

"After missing last week's practices and last Sunday's game against Jacksonville because of a pulled left groin, Hasselbeck said he felt 100 percent. He shared the snaps in practice with Dilfer on Wednesday.

"'Everything feels real good,' Hasselbeck said. 'It's kind of tough when you're on the outside watching and you can't help the team win. I just want to win a game.'

"The Seahawks (2-2) will face Denver (3-1) on Sunday at Husky Stadium. Last weekend at home, Dilfer started in place of Hasselbeck and helped the Seahawks beat the Jaguars 24-15, completing 15 of 23 passes for 219 yards and one touchdown, with one interception.

"'I thought he played really well,' Hasselbeck said of Dilfer, who was signed by the Seahawks as a free agent on Aug. 3 after being released by Baltimore. 'He got a huge, huge win.'

"While Hasselbeck says he's ready to play, Holmgren is making up his mind this week. Hasselbeck is still Holmgren's starting quarterback, if he's healthy.

"'He will tell you he feels fine,' Holmgren told his weekly news conference before the afternoon practice. '... Players will always tell you they're fine. He's told me that.'

"The Seahawks played poorly with Hasselbeck as their starter in Weeks 3 and 4, lopsided losses to Philadelphia at home and Oakland on the road. Hasselbeck was booed and the Husky Stadium crowd chanted Dilfer's name in a 29-3 loss to the Eagles. He came out of the game at Oakland because of his groin injury.

"'The only reason we know how bad it is is because we had an MRI right away,' Hasselbeck said. 'If I was in college or high school, I would have sucked it up.'

"Holmgren said he would have an idea of who his starting quarterback would be after Thursday's practice but likely won't talk to reporters again until Friday.

"If Holmgren chooses to go with Dilfer for another week, he said Hasselbeck would be the starter for Seattle's game against Miami here Oct. 28. The Seahawks have their bye week next week.

"Hasselbeck, who was acquired by Holmgren in a trade with Green Bay in March, doesn't want to wait until the Dolphins' game.

"'It just seems like it's too long to sit out,' he said.

"Dilfer, who has a 100.1 quarterback rating to Hasselbeck's 48.9, declined to talk to reporters Wednesday, saying he had to hurry off to a quarterbacks' meeting. ..."

By the way. ... Dilfer has now has won 12 consecutive games, going back to last season when he led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory.

Other items of interest this week. ...

Shaun Alexander came up with a big performance against Jacksonville last week, rushing for 176 yards on 31 carries and scoring two TDs. ... At this point, there's no reason to believe Alexander won't continue to put up very solid totals in Ricky Watters' absence over the next month or two. ...

And finally. ... Keep an eye on tight end Itula Mili. The former BYU star could be on the verge of taking over Christian Fauria's spot in the starting lineup after pulling in two passes for 42 yards -- with one TD -- against the Jags. ...

RB: Shaun Alexander, Jay Graham, Charlie Rogers (Q), Ricky Watters (Out)

FB: Mack Strong, Heath Evans

WR: Darrell Jackson, Koren Robinson, Bobby Engram, James Williams, Alex Bannister (P), Fabian Bownes

TE: Christian Fauria, Itula Mili, Russell Stewart

PK: Rian Lindell

"I love it for Mike," said Bucs offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen. "I was just thrilled for him and the unit to finish that drive like that. You couldn't ask for any more.

"To have guys keep grinding and keep the ball 95 yards in the fourth quarter for what ended up being the winning score is big."

Keyshawn Johnson, who has 23 catches in three games this season, took out two Packers defenders to spring Alstott on his game-winning TD run.

Although he collapsed on the field in the fourth quarter from fatigue and suffered a badly bruised right shoulder against the Packers, Johnson will start and play as usual against the Titans this Sunday. And with Samari Rolle out for Tennessee, Johnson might actually be presented with a favorable matchup.

It's worth noting that Warren Sapp told Sports Illustrated last week that the "jury was still out" on Keyshawn. Asked to comment on Sapp's statement, Johnson told reporters: "I've never been on jury duty. ..."

Other items of interest this week. ...

Quarterback Brad Johnson has yet to throw a touchdown pass, but he completed 23-of-29 passes for 184 yards against Green Bay last Sunday. He was also sacked five times. While Johnson made some big third down completions, he has yet to take any chances downfield. ...

Reidel Anthony, who had 15 catches for 232 yards last season, caught his first passes of the season last Sunday, finishing with three catches for 40 yards. ... "It felt good to get back into the offense and some first downs and get some balls thrown to me," Anthony said later. ...

Don't look now, but Warrick Dunn could return to action this week. ... Although he didn't take part in team drills during Wednesday's practice, Dunn was able to get in some running on the side with head trainer Todd Toriscelli.

Dunn appeared to run without discomfort and was even able to make light cuts to the left and right. He did stop to remove his right shoe several times at the beginning of the session, but only to adjust the fitting of a pad on the foot.

Head coach Tony Dungy told reporters after practice was over, "He's definitely going to be back next week and might possibly be back this week. So, at the outside it's going to be three weeks where we thought originally it might be four to five. He's a little bit ahead of schedule."

Dunn will remain questionable on the Bucs' injury report but will take a larger turn in practice on Thursday, probably participating up until the team starts into its full-team, 9-on-7 drills.

"I think he's doing okay," said Dungy. "We're going to try to get him into a little practice tomorrow and if he keeps progressing maybe get a little more on Friday. We'll make a decision after Friday's practice if he's good enough to go."

As for Dunn, he left the field in good spirits on Wednesday but with little to share. In regards to his chances of playing against the Titans, he offered up this assessment: "Fair to partly cloudy. "

TE Dave Moore (ankle) and wide receiver Jacquez Green (groin) both sat out Wednesday's practice due to injuries suffered against the Packers, but coaches hope they'll be able to participate fully in team drills by Friday. Moore will probably suit up for the whole Thursday practice while Green will likely see limited action on Thursday with the hopes of being cleared to go at the end of the week.

Anthony, listed as probable with a sore shoulder, was able to practice without limitation Wednesday. ...

And finally. ... Rookie fullback Jameel Cook had to be tended to by trainers after jamming a finger when he caught it a teammates jersey Wednesday. The injury won't keep the youngster from hitting the field against the Titans this Sunday, however. ...

RB: Warrick Dunn (Q), Aaron Stecker, Rabih Abdullah

FB: Mike Alstott, Rabih Abdullah, Jameel Cook

WR: Keyshawn Johnson, Jacquez Green (P), Reidel Anthony (P), Karl Williams, Frank Murphy, Milton Wynn

TE: Dave Moore (P), Todd Yoder, Sean McDermott

PK: Martin Gramatica

George left last Sunday's game against Baltimore in the second half after suffering the injury, and was replaced in the backfield by Mike Green. George did not return to the game, but he was seen testing the ankle on the sidelines.

Frank Wycheck is expected to play in this week's game against the Buccaneers despite the strained neck that forced him to the sidelines in the third quarter of last Sunday's game.

Derrick Mason hit the field against the Ravens last Sunday despite a sore shoulder and ankle, however, he was unable to make a significant offensive contribution.

Asked to comment on his team's walking wounded after Wednesday's practice, head coach Jeff Fisher said: "Eddie (George) was better by the end of practice. He was still sore, but he's doing more than what I thought he would do considering where he was after the game. So, he'll be a question mark coming into the game. ... Kevin Dyson obviously is fine, Justin McCareins practiced, Derrick Mason started to practice, but got sore and backed down.

"That's something that he is going to have to deal with for the next couple of weeks. Aside from that we ended up in good shape."

Asked about the chances of George, Wycheck and Mason playing against the Bucs this Sunday, Fisher said: "We saw the work out of [Wycheck], he just wasn't involved with contact today. [George] is going to need to do something during the week. Eddie, like everyone else needs to practice and we saw that out of Derrick Mason. Derrick Mason lined up and played real hard but without the full-speed practice reps, it is difficult to excel on Sunday. ...

"So we're going to need to see something out of Eddie and if we can't get it, then of course, we'll make a decision at game time. And if Eddie is unable to practice but can play, he would play less then he ordinarily would, as the other two running backs will be involved in the plays.

Asked if Skip Hicks and Mike Green might see extended playing time this week, the coach said: "Yes, there's a good chance of seeing Skip and good chance that if Eddie were unable to play, our expectations would be to play both running backs, both Skip and Mike Green."

Other items of interest. ...

Steve McNair completed just one pass to a wide receiver (Kevin Dyson) in Sunday's loss to Baltimore. Of course, the Ravens' defense deserves a fair share of the credit for the former first-round draft pick's woes, but the fact remains that McNair has never been the type of quarterback who is effective throwing the ball downfield. ...

Meaning, you're simply not going to see a wide receiver put up big numbers playing alongside McNair. ... That said, tight end Erron Kinney had a solid game against Baltimore, posting seven catches for 75 yards. If nothing else, the second-year man is putting a serious dent in Wycheck's numbers early in the year. ...

RB: Eddie George (Q), Mike Green, Skip Hicks

HB: Wes Ours, Mike Leach

WR: Derrick Mason (Q), Kevin Dyson, Chris Sanders, Justin McCareins, Chris Coleman, Eddie Berlin, Drew Bennett

TE: Frank Wycheck (Q), Erron Kinney, Shad Meier

PK: Joe Nedney

While the team's first three losses were double-digit margins in the first half that kept Davis on the sideline, Washington was tied 9-9 in the fourth quarter at Giants Stadium. Still, Davis ran only twice in the second half prompting Marty Schottenheimer to second-guessed offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye's play calling.

According to Marty, the team must use Davis much more often in the future -- starting with Monday night's game against the Cowboys. ...

By the way. ... Tony Banks, who threw two interceptions while completing 13-of-31 for a meager 151 yards last Sunday, is almost certain to give way to recently signed free agent Kent Graham in the near future and there's no guarantee Banks will be asked to serve as the No. 2 man if and/or when that happens.

This after the Redskins brought in a bevy of quarterbacks for tryouts on Tuesday. Among the candidates: XFL castoff Jim Druckenmiller, Ron Pawlus, Scott Dreisbach, Jason McKinley, and John Turman.

Considering the fact that Schottenheimer has expressed satisfaction with the work of current No. 3 man, rookie Sage Rosenfels, you have to question Banks' future with the club.

RB: Stephen Davis (P), Ki-Jana Carter, Kenny Watson

FB: Donnell Bennett (P), Bryan Johnson

WR: Rod Gardner, Michael Westbrook (P), Kevin Lockett, Derrius Thompson, Darnerian McCants, Michael Bates

TE: Stephen Alexander, Walter Rasby, Zeron Flemister

PK: Brett Conway