by Chris Mooney

Here some injury updates I’ve come across for the Week 3 games:

Quarterbacks

Raven QB Steve McNair (groin) practiced fully again on Friday and coach Brian Billick announced him as the starter on Sunday against the Cardinals, according to the Baltimore Sun. Updated: 4:15 p.m.
Viking QB Tarvaris Jackson (groin) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game and is not expected to play against Kansas City, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Head coach Brad Childress declined to say who would start the game, but all signs point to QB Kelly Holcomb over Brooks Bollinger, according to various reports, since Holcomb has been getting the bulk of the practice with the first-team offense. Updated: 4:30 p.m.
Jet QB Chad Pennington (ankle) continued to take snaps with the first-team offense on Thursday and looks ready to start on Sunday against Miami, according to the New York Post. Head coach Eric Mangini once again declined to name Pennington the starter, but said he looked good and is getting the right number of reps to prepare for the start. If he has a setback and can’t play, Kellen Clemens would replace him.
Lion QB Jon Kitna (concussion) was tested Monday and was judged to be fine, with no after-effects or post-concussion symptoms, and is expected to start Sunday against Philadelphia. He participated fully in practice again Thursday.
Ram QB Marc Bulger (ribs) practiced fully all week after re-aggravating his sore ribs in last week’s game, and will start on Sunday against the Bucs, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Giant QB Eli Manning (shoulder) had full participation in practice again Friday and is ready to go for Week Three against Washington.
Raider QB Josh McCown (finger/foot) was limited in practice Thursday but is expected to start Sunday against Cleveland, according to the Contra Costa Times, though coach Lane Kiffin said QB Daunte Culpepper could see playing time if McCown struggles.

Running Backs

Eagle RB Brian Westbrook (knee) went through a full practice Friday and is expected to be able to play Sunday against the Lions, according to a report on the team’s web site. Coach Andy Reid said Thursday that Westbrook’s sore left knee is improving and that he should be able to play. Westbrook had a problem with his other knee early last season but only missed one game. Analysis: It looks like he will play, but if he can’t, veteran Correll Buckhalter would fill in as the starter. As we’ve said all summer, the Eagles are hesitant to use young RBs. If Buckhalter has to start, Philly will likely look to run the ball even more with Buckhalter, whose ability to go downhill could help their struggling offense behind a very good OL. Rookie Tony Hunt would likely get some opportunities behind Buckhalter. Updated: 2:30 p.m.
Texan RB Ron Dayne (ribs) has been limited in practice this week because of bruised ribs and is likely to be questionable for Sunday’s game against the Colts. Coach Gary Kubiak said his status will be a game-time decision, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Texan RB Ahman Green (knee) was limited in practice Thursday by a sore knee after missing Wednesday, but Kubiak said he should be ready to play on Sunday. The coach said the team only works the veteran Green two days a week anyway, so it was his decision to give RB Samkon Gado more reps earlier this week.
Raider RB LaMont Jordan (back) returned to practice Friday and is expected to be able to play on Sunday, according to a report on Sirius NFL Radio. Coach Lane Kiffin had said he might be a game-time decision for Sunday’s game, according to the Contra Costa Times. Updated: 4:30 p.m.
Lion RB Kevin Jones (foot) is listed as questionable but is expected to make his season debut Sunday against the Eagles, the Detroit Free Press reported. Head coach Rod Marinelli said the foot was “fine” after a hard practice Thursday. Jones will probably be limited to 15-20 snaps, Marinelli said, as he is getting his first action since Lisfranc foot surgery nine months ago. Updated: 4:30 p.m.
Lion RB T.J. Duckett (ankle) missed practice again Thursday and is likely out for Sunday’s game. RB Brian Calhoun will continue to see more action as Tatum Bell’s backup, though how much depends on if Kevin Jones plays.
Packer RB Vernand Morency (knee) is doubtul for Sunday’s game and not expected to play after experiencing more soreness in his right knee late this week. Coach Mike McCarthy said “another week or two (off) will help him,” according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Rookie Brandon Jackson will again start in his place, backed up by rookie DeShawn Wynn.
Chief RB Larry Johnson returned to practice Thursday after being rested on Wednesday. He is expected to start Sunday against Minnesota.
Bronco RB Travis Henry (ankle) is practicing fully and is not on the official injury report, despite an ankle issue he is working through. Head coach Mike Shanahan said earlier in the week that the ankle seemed a little worse off this week compared to last, but that he should be good to go on Sunday.
Seahawk RB Shaun Alexander (wrist) will again wear a large cast on his left hand to protect his sprained wrist. Alexander rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes in the Seahawk loss last week, and afterward said the hand did not bother him at all. His backup, Maurice Morris, missed practice again Thursday with a hip problem and is questionable for Sunday’s game.
Viking RB Chester Taylor (hip) was limited in practice again Thursday and is likely to be questionable at best for Sunday’s game with a bruised hip. If he can’t play, Adrian Peterson would start again, backed up by Mewelde Moore.
Buccaneer coach Jon Gruden said he expects RB Carnell Williams (ribs) to get even more work this week against St. Louis, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Williams played in Week Two despite bruised ribs and finished with 61 yards on 24 carries, including two rushing TDs.
Giant RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) will miss at least another week but he is getting closer to returning, coach Tom Coughlin said. Derrick Ward will continue to start in his place, backed up by Reuben Droughns.

Receivers

Texan WR Andre Johnson (knee) is not expected to play on Sunday, and coach Gary Kubiak said the “worst-case scenario” is that he could miss five weeks, according to the Houston Chronicle. But he also said he is optimistic it will be much sooner than that, given Johnson’s work ethic and conditioning. Kubiak said he will name Johnson’s replacement in the starting lineup – either Jacoby Jones, Andre’ Davis or Jerome Mathis – sometime today.
Giant WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) was limited in practice Friday and coach Tom Coughlin said he is likely a game-time decision for Sunday’s game, according to a report on the team’s web site. WR Sinorice Moss would likely start if Burress can’t play. Updated: 4:30 p.m.
Eagle TE L.J. Smith (groin) is out for Sunday’s game after having surgery Friday to clean out scar tissue from his off-season hernia surgery. TE Matt Schobel will start in his place, and rookie Brent Celek will see more playing time.
Packer WR Greg Jennings (hamstring) practiced on Friday and is expected to start on Sunday against the Chargers, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. He missed the first two games with a hamstring strain. Updated: 4:30 p.m.
Packer WR James Jones (hamstring) practiced on Friday and is listed as probable on the official injury report. He is expected to play against the Chargers, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Updated: 4:30 p.m.
Patriot WR Donte’ Stallworth (knee) was limited in practice Thursday, according to the Providence Journal, and is likely to be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Raven WR Mark Clayton (toe) had full participation in practice again Friday and should be able to start on Sunday and take his regular spot in the rotation, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Buc WR Ike Hilliard (ankle) is questionable for Sunday’s game.
Chief WR Eddie Kennison (hamstring) is out for Week Three. Rookie Dwayne Bowe will start in his place again.
Viking WR Troy Williamson (hamstring) was limited in practice again Thursday and could be questionable for Sunday’s game.
Bengal WR Tab Perry (hamstring) is out for Sunday’s game, so Glenn Holt will continue to play #3 WR with Antonio Chatman getting some time as well. WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (knee) is probable for Sunday’s game.
Giant WR Steve Smith (shoulder) is out for Week Three with a fractured shoulder blade.
Seahawk WR D.J. Hackett (ankle) did not practice Thursday and is not expected to play on Sunday, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. WR Nate Burleson will likely start in his place again.
Bills WR Josh Reed (thigh contusion) had limited participation in practice Thursday and is expected to be able to play on Thursday.
Colt TE Dallas Clark (neck) did not practice Thursday and is likely to be questionable for Sunday’s game.
Bear TE Greg Olsen (knee) practiced fully on Thursday and is expected to play in his first NFL game Sunday night, according to the Chicago News-Tribune.
Steeler rookie TE Matt Spaeth, who has two touchdown catches in two games, might miss Sunday’s game with a quad contusion, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. He missed practice Thursday for the second straight day.
Lion TE Dan Campbell missed practice Thursday and is likely out for Sunday’s game.
Raven backup TE Daniel Wilcox (ankle) is out for Week Three.
Saint TE Mark Campbell (back) was placed on injured reserve.
Cowboy WR Terry Glenn (knee) opted for the less severe arthroscopic knee surgery last week rather than micro-fracture surgery, in hopes of playing again this season. There is no timetable for his return, but he will likely miss 4-6 weeks.
Jet Pro Bowl KR Justin Miller (knee) is out for the season after suffering ligament damage in his right knee during Sunday’s game. Leon Washington, Brad Smith and Wallace Wright are among the candidates to replace him as the primary kickoff returner.