»»»»»»»» Week 3 Injury Update from Friday Morning

Friday Injury Roundup

Quarterbacks

Bengal QB Carson Palmer (ankle) practiced again Thursday and will start.

Steeler QB Ben Roethlisberger (right shoulder) practiced again Thursday and will start.

Running Backs

Viking starting RB Adrian Peterson (hamstring) was held out of Thursday’s practice. We’re told the team doesn’t want him to aggravate the injury since he did quite a bit of work in Wednesday’s practice despite being listed as limited. Friday is the key day for Peterson. As long as he can do at least limited work, we’re told the team would expect him to play. The concern is that they don’t want to overwork his hamstring before the game. Backup RB Chester Taylor would start if needed. Backup RB Maurice Hicks (foot) practiced again Thursday and would back up Taylor if Peterson couldn’t play.

Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson (jammed toe) was held out of Thursday’s practice as expected. Thursday was the team’s first real practice of the week since the game is being held on Monday instead of Sunday. We’re told Tomlinson may try to do some limited practicing by Saturday just to test his injured toe but the expectation is that he’ll be in the starting lineup on Monday night. If he can’t play, backup RB Darren Sproles would start with rookie FBs Jacob Hester and Mike Tolbert also seeing carries.

Brown RB Jamal Lewis (ankle) was limited again in Thursday’s practice, but is expected to start.

49er RB Frank Gore (general soreness) practiced Thursday and will start. The team rested him Wednesday after being in such a physical game last week against the Seahawks. His legs were very sore after that game.

Jaguar backup RB Maurice Jones-Drew (ankle) was rested Wednesday and took in less than his usual amount of reps in Thursday’s practice. However, the team expects him to be able to play on Sunday. RB Fred Taylor (toe) practiced Thursday and is expected to start.

Packer RB Ryan Grant (hamstring) took in less than his usual amount of practice reps again Thursday. The coaches plan to cut down his playing time again like last week since his hamstring isn’t near 100%.

Patriot starting RB Laurence Maroney (shoulder) missed practice again Thursday and is considered questionable to play. Maroney and backup RB LaMont Jordan (foot) have yet to practice this week. If Maroney can’t play, backup RB Sammy Morris would likely start.

Raider starting RB Justin Fargas (groin) missed practice again Thursday and will not play. Rookie RB Darren McFadden (turf toe) was limited in Thursday’s practice but is expected to play with an insert in his cleat. McFadden, if he plays, will likely start with #3 RB Michael Bush backing him up and possibly seeing role in short-yardage.

Saint RB Deuce McAllister (knee) was removed from the injury report after practicing Thursday. However, we’re told his status for Sunday won’t be decided until they make a decision on backup RB Aaron Stecker’s (hamstring) status. Stecker was limited again in Thursday’s practice.

Seahawk RB Maurice Morris (knee) is out again with backup RB Julius Jones filling in. We’re told the team doesn’t think he’ll start practicing until after their Week Four bye.

Raven RB Willis McGahee (knee) is expected to play his first game of the season but he might not start. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said Ray Rice and Le’Ron McClain “are the two backs that we’re going with, and Willis’ role will increase.”

Texan starting RB Ahman Green (ankle) missed practice again Thursday and is considered doubtful to play. Rookie RB Steve Slaton is expected to start with RB Chris Taylor backing him up.

Wide Receivers

Bear starting WR Devin Hester (ribs) was held out again of Thursday’s practice. Hester told the coaches that he feels good enough to play, but he still could be held out of Sunday’s game. After telling a few reporters earlier Thursday he had torn cartilage, Hester backtracked and said his ribs are simply bruised and he hopes to play. If Hester can’t play, WR Rashied Davis would likely start for him with backup S Danieal Manning handling kick returns.

Bill backup WR/PR Roscoe Parrish (knee) was limited again in Thursday’s practice, but should be able to play.

Brown KR/PR/WR Joshua Cribbs (shoulder) was limited again in Thursday’s practice and is considered questionable to play. Starting WR Donte’ Stallworth (quadriceps) missed practice again Thursday and is considered very questionable to play. Starting WR Braylon Edwards (shoulder) took in mostly non-contact work again in Thursday’s practice, but he’s expected to start.

Buccaneer WR Joey Galloway (foot) missed practice again Thursday and is considered doubtful to play. Starting WR Antonio Bryant is expected to start in Galloway’s spot with backup WR Michael Clayton starting on the other side.

Eagle starting WR Kevin Curtis (hernia) remains out with backup WR Hank Baskett filling in. The team believes he could start practicing in about two weeks. Starting WR Reggie Brown (hamstring) practiced again Thursday. We’re told he’s expected to play but the coaches may bring him off the bench this week since he’s missed so much playing and practice time. Look for rookie WR DeSean Jackson to start again for him.

Jaguar starting WR Jerry Porter (hamstring) still couldn’t go through a full practice on Thursday and is considered questionable to play. Backup WR Matt Jones would start again if Porter can’t play. Backup WR Troy Williamson (thigh) didn’t practice Thursday and could miss his second straight game.

Jet WR Laveranues Coles (thigh) took in limited practice reps again Thursday, but is expected to start.

Raider starting WR Javon Walker (hamstring) was limited again in Thursday’s practice and is considered questionable to play. The coaches want to see how he does in Friday’s practice in order to determine if he can play on Sunday.

Ram starting WR Drew Bennett (foot) is expected to miss at least two more weeks and isn’t practicing. Backup WR Dane Looker fills in.

Saint starting WR Marques Colston (thumb) remains out for at least three more weeks with backup WR David Patten starting for him.

Seahawk WR Bobby Engram (shoulder) is out. Starting WR Deion Branch (knee) won’t play this week but is doing some light practicing. Branch hasn’t had an unrestricted practice since last January. Both are expected to start practicing with the team in two weeks. WR Courtney Taylor is expected to start for Branch with the other spot still up in the air. WR Koren Robinson (knee), who just signed with the team two days ago, couldn’t practice fully on Thursday. The team won’t make a decision on who will start until after Friday’s practice at the earliest.

Titan starting WR Justin Gage (groin) missed practice again Thursday. We’re told Gage is about a 70-30 to start on Sunday. If he can’t play, backup WR Brandon Jones would start for him.

Viking starting WR Sidney Rice (knee) missed practice again Thursday and is considered very questionable to play. Backup WR Bobby Wade would likely start if Rice can’t play. WR Bernard Berrian (toe) was limited again in Thursday’s practice, but is expected to start. Berrian had problems with his feet over the last few seasons but has been able to play though the injuries.

Bronco backup WR Darrell Jackson (calf) has not practiced this week and he could miss a second straight game.

Raven No. 3 WR Demetrius Williams (hamstring) had his first full practice of the week Thursday and should be able to play on Sunday.

Tight Ends

Bengal TE Ben Utecht (chest) missed practice again Thursday and is considered very questionable to play.

Colt TE Dallas Clark (knee) practiced again and will start barring a setback. Clark isn’t listed on the injury report.

Cowboy TE Jason Witten (separated shoulder) practiced again Thursday and is expected to start.

Raven TE Todd Heap (wrist) practiced again Thursday and is expected to start.

Patriot TE Ben Watson (knee) practiced again Thursday and could make his season debut.

Bill TE Derek Fine (thumb) is out.