ESPN.com: NFL - Injury updates around the NFL

John Clayton's injury updates

Team Comment

It's official. Cardinals guard Pete Kendall has a second-degree Lis Franc injury to his foot. He won't play this week. Doctors told him the rest of the season depends on how he feels. If Kendall's foot feels good enough, he may be able to play. The gap in the top of the foot isn't as bad as first thought. Still, if Kendall doesn't feel good, he will either have to have surgery or he will have to rest the foot for a long period of time. Chris Dishman will take his place for Sunday's game against the Redskins. Don't expect defensive end Tom Burke (neck) to be able to play. Guard Leonard Davis should be able to play despite a bad back. Outside linebacker Rob Fredrickson (knee) and cornerback Tom Knight (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday and Friday and they will be involved in game time decisions. Expect David Barrett to start for Knight. Wide receiver Frank Sanders will be able to play because his hamstring is feeling better.

The Falcons are healthy and richer on Friday. Not only do they have a new prospective owner heading into Sunday's game against Saints, but they have a healthy roster. The work outside helped quarterback Chris Chandler recover a little quicker from last Sunday's ankle injury. It's been a warm week in Atlanta and while Chandler may lose a little mobility because of the injury, it's not like he's the most mobile quarterback anyway. Free safety Gerald McBurrows returns after missing two games because of a knee injury. One player to watch is halfback Maurice Smith, who has been nursing an ankle injury but will start. Coach Dan Reeves stressed that Smith needs to be more honest with the trainers if he's fighting an injury. Smith was bothered by the ankle injury. Though he has run well this week, Smith was warned by Reeves that he might use Rodney Thomas a little more if Smith struggles early in the game.

The Bills won't have defensive tackle Shawn Price, who's finished for the season because of bad anterior cruciate knee ligament. Leif Larsen takes over as the starting defensive tackle. Jeremy McDaniel, who lost his third receiver job to Reggie Germany, is doubtful because of a groin injury. The rest of the Bills -- except for quarterback Rob Johnson -- are healthy enough to play against the Panthers Sunday. Linebacker Kenyatta Wright (shoulder) didn't practice Friday and is questionable.

Panthers tight end Wesley Walls tried to practice on his hyperextended ankle but couldn't make it through Friday's practice. So don't expect him to be active for Sunday's game against the Bills. Walls spouted off the other day about being phased out of the offense. Coach George Seifert, meanwhile, doesn't want to risk Walls suffering any further injury. Kris Mangum is expected to start. The good news is that wide receiver< a href="http://football.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3511">Muhsin Muhammad has recovered from his shoulder injury, took part in the past three practices and should be a big part of the Panthers offense, particularly with Walls not expected to play. Strong safety Mike Minter fought off a sore knee and practiced the past two days. Out are cornerback Rashard Anderson (hip), defensive tackle Sean Gilbert (knee) and wide receiver Karl Hankton (arm).

What a difference a year makes. A year ago, the Bears had to place 15 players on the injured reserve list. Going into Sunday's game against the Packers, there isn't a single Bear on the 53-man roster who won't be able to play. Coach Dick Jauron upgraded halfback Anthony Thomas (hamstring) and defensive ends Phillip Daniels (shoulder) and Bryan Robinson (knee) from questionable to probable after they all practiced Friday. Robinson is the contain end who must watch Packers quarterback Brett Favre. Thomas split reps with James Allen this week, but Thomas will start. After gaining 200 yards in two weeks, though, Allen is expected to get significant playing time in the backfield even though it's doubtful he will be in the same backfield much with Thomas.

With deep snapper Brad St. Louis on the injured reserve list, Bengals coach Dick LeBeau signed Randy Chevier, a defensive tackle, to do the deep snapping. Chevier was on the Bengals practice squad. Backup center Brock Gutierrez, who visited the hospital Thursday, didn't have an appendectomy so he may be able to play. Cornerback Artrell Hawkins is out and will be replaced by Robert Bean. Kirk McMullen will start at tight end after Tony McGee was placed on injured reserve this week. There are some concerns at receiver. Backup Danny Farmer may not be able to play because of an ankle injury suffered during this week's practice. Receiver Ron Dugans was added to the injury report Friday with an ankle sprain, but he practiced on Friday and will be probable.

The Browns will start former Patriots Greg Spires and Tyrone Rogers at defensive end in their crucial game against the Patriots Sunday. Courtney Brown is out, probably a couple of weeks, because of an ankle injury. Halfback James Jackson returns to the starting lineup at halfback after having to sit out last week because of an ankle. Free safety Percy Ellsworth is questionable with a quad injury.

Out for the Cowboys for Sunday's game against the Giants are defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban (back) and safety Tony Dixon (ankle). Linebacker Markus Steele practiced Friday but remains questionable on his knee injury. He may be able to play. The Cowboys added fullback-tight end Johnny Huggins (quad) and backup offensive lineman Char-ron Dorsey (calf) to the injury list Thursday with injuries that have them probable.

Broncos receiver Rod Smith handled 50 percent of the offensive snaps during Friday's practice, so unless his ankles swell, he may be able to play Sunday night's game against the Seahawks. That's the good news. The bad news is that wide receiver Keith Poole won't be able to play because of his sore ribs. Chris Cole and Kevin Kasper are the next two receivers. They started last Sunday's game against the Dolphins, which turned into a loss because quarterback Brian Griese couldn't mount much of a downfield attack because of the absence of Smith.

The Lions should have wide receiver-punt returner Desmond Howard for Sunday's game against the Bucs. He practiced Friday and the shoulder injury appears to be behind him. It will be a game time decision on tight end David Sloan, who said he is optimistic he can return after missing one game because of a knee injury.

Guard Marco Rivera was added to the Packers injury report after breaking his left hand during practice Friday. He's listed as probable. Also added as probable was wide receiver Robert Ferguson, who pulled a hamstring this week. Coach Mike Sherman will have to make game day decisions about Rivera and defensive tackle Gilbert Brown, who is bothered by a toe injury. After releasing disgruntled safety Chris Atkins, the Packers signed Billy Jenkins in order to have four safeties on the roster. Halfback Rondell Mealey (leg) and defensive end John Thierry (knee) aren't expected to play.

The Colts won't have defensive end Brad Scioli (ankle) and defensive end Chukie Nwokorie (knee) for the Monday night game against the Dolphins. Don't expect linebacker Mike Peterson to play because of his knee injury, along with strong safety Cory Bird (ankle-knee). Kicker Mike Vanderjagt remains a question mark because of his back injury

Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell practiced Friday and looked good, according to coach Tom Coughlin. So he will be able to start against the Bengals despite a nagging quad injury. Tight end Kyle Brady (ankle) also returned to practice and got the go-ahead to play Sunday. Things also look good for safety Donovin Darius (concussion), but there are questions remaining on cornerback Fernando Bryant, who is questionable with a foot injury. The Jaguars expect to start the linebacking corps of Ed Thomas and Jeff Posey on the outside and Hardy Nickerson in the middle. Outside linebacker Kevin Hardy, who won't play because of a knee injury, was only able to do work on the side. Outside linebacker T.J. Slaughter may not be able to play the rest of the season because he has a knee injury that should sideline him three to six weeks. Halfback Fred Taylor won't play because of his groin injury.

Don't expect linebacker Lewis Bush to be able to play against the Raiders Sunday. He suffered a groin injury during this week's practice, so Glenn Cadrez should get the start. The Chiefs are getting closer to having tackle Victor Riley and guard Donald Willis available, but not this week. Coach Dick Vermeil has liked what he's seen of Brian Waters at Willis' guard position.

Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said that cornerback Sam Madison will return to the starting lineup now that his shoulder separation has healed enough that he can have contact work. Madison has practiced with the first team all week. Terry Cousin and Jamar Fletcher become the backup cornerbacks. Halfback J.J. Johnson remains a question mark because of a quad injury that kept him out of practice. He's become the third back behind Lamar Smith and rookie Travis Minor.

On Thursday, Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper tested out his injury knee and took between 30-50 percent of the snaps. On Friday, he did less. His starting status remains a mystery. Culpepper wants to play even if it means making his injury a little worse. Even quarterback Todd Bouman, the backup, can't figure out whether or not he's going to start. Coach Dennis Green will keep everybody wondering until Sunday morning. The Vikings play the Titans. They will have their offensive line in tact now that left tackle Brad Badger and right guard David Dixon are returning.

So far so good for Patriots wide receiver Terry Glenn. He has practiced for two consecutive days and hasn't caused any incidents. Barring any complications, Glenn may be on the active roster for the second time this season, but expect Troy Brown and David Patten to start. Wide receiver Charles Johnson and cornerback Otis Smith recovered from their flus and practiced Friday, so they should be ready for the game against the Browns. The news may not be as promising for linebacker Willie McGinest, who has a pull in his leg and hasn't practiced this week. Backup cornerback Ben Kelly was added to the injury report Friday as probable with a foot injury. He didn't practice.

The Saints are healthy heading into Sunday's game against the Falcons. Cornerback Kevin Mathis finally practiced for the first time, testing his stiff neck. Michael Hawthorne, however, is expected to start at Mathis' cornerback position. Free safety Richard Newsome is the only player who didn't practice. He's questionable with a foot injury. Yes, that means that oft-injured Cam Cleeland might play. Boo Williams and Lamont Hall took most of the snaps with the first team at tight end, but Cleeland may be available after practicing all week on his sore ankle.

Giants coach Jim Fassel upgraded fullback Greg Comella (shoulder) and defensive tackle Keith Hamilton (pectoral injury) from questionable to probable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys. The bigger question, though, is wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, who is questionable because of the hamstring injury he suffered during Wednesday's practice. Thabiti Davis and Ron Dixon would handle Jurevicius' role as the third receiver.

The Jets added wide receiver Santana Moss to the injury report Friday but they expect him to play. Moss has a sore quad and is probable. Still, his role is very important because he is the best Jets receiver at stretching the field. Patriots cornerback Ty Law raved about Moss' speed in going deep after last Sunday's game against the Patriots. Moss didn't practice Friday, but coach Herm Edwards believes he can play. Cornerback Aaron Glenn (knee) will be replaced by Ray Mickens at cornerback. Rookie Jamie Hamilton will be the third cornerback.

The Raiders won't have right guard Mo Collins (leg) and fullback Jon Ritchie (ankle) for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. Zack Crockett takes over at fullback. Frank Middleton will be the right guard.in place of Collins. Defensive tackle Darrell Russell made it back from New York from his hearing involving alleged violations of the substance abuse policy. He is expected to play and start. Because he had a hearing Thursday, there isn't expected to be a ruling this week. When the ruling will come down will be unknown, so in the meantime, Russell, who has been returned as a starter, will continue to be the first-string defensive tackle. Russell arrived about an hour after the start of the practice. Cornerback Charles Woodson practiced for the first time for more than a month. He probably will have to take a pain-killing shot on his bad toe injury to get through Sunday's game. Tight end Roland Williams will play despite being banged up.

Brandon Whiting is expected to return as the starting defensive end now that he has recovered from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for two weeks. Wide receiver James Thrash survived the week with no problems on his sore knee. There is some question whether backup defensive tackle Paul Grasmanis can play because of a sore Achilles. Backup tight end Jeff Thomason is doubtful because of a knee injury.

Steelers coach Bill Cowher told Jerome Bettis that he will probably be deactivated for Sunday's game against the Jets. Bettis, who still says he feels better, didn't practice all week because of groin and hip injury. Right guard Rich Tylski was able to practice Friday and was upgraded from questionable to probable, but expect Oliver Ross to continue as the starting right guard. Inside linebacker Earl Holmes practiced after missing two days with a knee injury. He will stay as a starter. Even punt returner Hank Poteat, who missed two practices with an ankle injury, practiced. He's still listed as questionable.

The Rams look as though they are having a cavalry charge from training room. Sunday's game against the 49ers is that important. The starting secondary will be in tact with the returns of strong safety Adam Archuleta and free safety Kim Herring. Dexter McCleon, who filled in at safety last week, rejoins Aeneas Williams at cornerback. Don Davis won't start at outside linebacker but his broken wrist has recovered enough for him to play special teams and back up. Tommy Polley will start for Davis. Guard Tom Nutten, fighting a painful ankle injury, will start at left guard.

The Chargers head to Philadelphia hoping that Eagles coach Andy Reid doesn't spread the field with four-receiver sets. The Chargers are running out of cornerbacks. Tay Cody (ankle) joins Alex Molden (ankle) on the sidelines so the Chargers will be down to their fourth cornerback, Davis Sanchez, as a starter for Sunday's game. Lloyd Harrison becomes the third cornerback. The rest of the squad is healthy, but the secondary is a primary concern for coach Mike Riley.

The only 49ers player who didn't practice Friday was defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield, who was given a rest. Of course, that list of practicing players doesn't include tight end Greg Clark, halfback Jonas Lewis and cornerback Anthony Parker. They have been out for weeks. Backup halfback Kevan Barlow practiced and should be able to play despite a shoulder separation.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren decided that Ricky Watters will return to the lineup and will be used in the backfield Sunday. Holmgren won't specify how Watters will to be used, but expect him to used on third downs in place of Shaun Alexander. That could mean that Watters could get 5-10 carries. Alexander will start and handle the bulk of the offense. The use of each player will be determined on a week-by-week basis by Holmgren. Watters looked great and had fresh legs running around the practice field. Both players have said they are comfortable with how they will be used. Defensive end Lamar King isn't going to play against because of his calf injury. He has missed two games.

The Bucs are healthy heading into Sunday's game against the Lions. Even tight end Dave Moore, who suffered what appeared to be a serious hip injury, practiced Friday and may be able to play. Keyshawn Johnson (foot) and defensive tackle Warren Sapp (hamstring) were added to the injury report but each practiced and will be able to play against the Lions.

The Titans will try to play quarterback Steve McNair even though he has a bad left elbow. McNair was held out of the running period of Friday's practice because coach Jeff Fisher didn't want to have his elbow banged up. Because it's a left elbow injury, McNair has problems handing off on runs to his right. Still, McNair will give it a try unless there is a relapse. He's practiced the past two days. Safety Blaine Bishop is out because of his foot and hand injuries, along with wide receiver Justin McCareins (ankle), safety Daryl Porter (knee) and wide receiver Chris Sanders (back). Cornerback DeRon Jenkins didn't practice Friday because of knee injury. Cornerback Donald Mitchell did practice despite a sore knee.

Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer must have been sick when he read the injury report before Friday's practice. Quarterback Tony Banks and safety Sam Shade had flu symptoms that were so bad that they were told to stay at home Friday. After all, they have to board a flight to Phoenix Saturday and spread their germs throughout the plane. Schotteneheimer won't know until Saturday night how Banks and Shade will feel. Kent Graham handled Friday's practice. Guard Matthew Campbell and tight end Stephen Alexander are out. Alexander is expected to miss two to four weeks because of the fracture of a non-weightbearing bone in the foot.