by Chris Mooney

Here some injury news of late:

Quarterbacks

Chief QB Damon Huard (shoulder) practiced fully on Wednesday and his shoulder held up well enough for Huard to be named the starter for Sunday’s game against the Bengals, the Associated Press reported. “Unless he has a setback, he’s going to play,” coach Herman Edwards said of Huard, who was injured in last week’s game and replaced by second-year QB Brodie Croyle.
Panther QB David Carr (back) missed practice Wednesday and could be questionable for Sunday’s game against Arizona. Carr has started the last two weeks for QB Jake Delhomme (elbow), who will have season-ending elbow surgery next week. Carr left Sunday’s game with a back injury and was replaced by Matt Moore, but Carr later returned to the game. The team also signed veteran QB Vinny Testaverde as a backup Wednesday, but Moore would likely play Sunday if Carr can’t go.
Cardinal QB Matt Leinart (collarbone) was placed on injured reserve and is out for the season after breaking his left collarbone in last week’s game. He has been replaced as the starter by QB Kurt Warner, and the Cardinals signed QB Tim Rattay as a backup on Tuesday.
Dolphin QB Trent Green (concussion) sustained a Grade 3 (the most severe) concussion in Sunday’s game and is out indefinitely coach Cam Cameron said Monday. QB Cleo Lemon will start in Week Six.
Raider QB Josh McCown (toe) did not practice Monday, and the team has already announced that QB Daunte Culpepper will start again in Week Six against San Diego.
Ram QB Marc Bulger (ribs) is out again for Week Six, and Gus Frerotte will start against the Ravens.
Viking QB Tarvaris Jackson (groin) said his strained groin feels “good enough” for him to return as the starter on Sunday against Chicago after a two-game absence, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Coach Brad Childress said he will make a final determination on his status later in the week. QB Kelly Holcomb has started for Jackson the last two games.
QB Alex Smith (shoulder) missed Sunday’s game and was replaced as the starter by backup Trent Dilfer. Smith said he is optimistic that he can return for the Oct. 21 game, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Running Backs

Eagle RB Brian Westbrook (abdominal strain) practiced fully on Wednesday, an indication that he has a good chance to return on Sunday against the Jets. Earlier in the week, he said he was unsure about his status for the game depending on the progress of his rehab from the injury.
Bengal RB Rudi Johnson (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, and quarterback Carson Palmer said he expects backup RB Kenny Watson to see a lot of action again on Sunday against Kansas City.
Buc RB Michael Pittman (leg) is out 6-8 weeks with an injured right ankle, coach Jon Gruden said Monday (the Tampa Tribune reported he has a small crack in the fibula, while Gruden called it a severe sprain pending the results of an MRI). With RB Carnell Williams (knee) out for the season, RB Earnest Graham is now the starter and Kenneth Darby is the #2 unless they bring someone else in.
Brown RB Jamal Lewis (foot) had an MRI on his injured right foot Monday, and the results are expected to be announced Wednesday. X-rays taken after the game were negative, and coach Romeo Crennel called it a strain. “We’ll see as the week goes on what his availability will be,” Crennel said, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. RB Jason Wright would start against Miami if Lewis can’t play, and Crennel said he would likely include Jerome Harrison on the active roster. The Browns are on their bye after Sunday, so Crennel might decide to give Lewis the day off to give the foot more time to heal. Wright took over for him last week and rushed 59 yards on 15 carries, along with four catches for 43 yards.
Redskin RB Clinton Portis (knee) came through Sunday’s game in good shape with his sprained/bruised knee, the team said Monday, and should be ready for Week Six.
Texan RB Ahman Green (knee) has an “excellent” chance of returning for Week Six, coach Gary Kubiak said Monday, according to the Houston Chronicle. RB Ron Dayne has started for him the last two weeks.
Ram RB Steven Jackson (groin) will not play in Week Six as he continues to recover from a partially torn groin muscle, coach Scott Linehan said Monday. Rookie RB Brian Leonard started for him for again last week and rushed for 102 yards on 18 carries.
Raider RB LaMont Jordan missed practice on Monday, and his status for Sunday’s game against San Diego is uncertain. X-rays on his injured back came back negative last week. RB Dominic Rhodes is eligible to return after missing the first four games serving an NFL suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Patriot RB Laurence Maroney (groin) was inactive for the second straight week, and RB Sammy Morris got the start again.
Giant RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) played in Sunday’s game and rushed for 100 yards on 20 carries. RB Derrick Ward (ankle) started for the fourth straight week but was bothered by his ankle injury during the game, head coach Tom Coughlin said.
Packer RB Brandon Jackson (shin) was inactive for Sunday’s game. RB DeShawn Wynn left the game with leg cramps but later returned.
Colt RB Joseph Addai (shoulder) was held out of Sunday’s game with a bruised shoulder. Coach Tony Dungy said Addai probably would have played if it was a playoff game, so he is likely to return in Week Seven after the team’s bye. Backup RB Kenton Keith started for him last week.
Bronco RB Travis Henry (knee/ankle) played on Sunday despite limited practice time because of the knee and ankle injuries sustained in Week Four. His future is uncertain because of a reported failed drug test.
Lion RB Kevin Jones (foot) was “extremely sore” after Sunday’s game, coach Rod Marinelli said Monday, and the team is still adjusting to how much he can practice during the week in order to get him ready to play. But Marinelli said Jones is getting healthier and should be able to assume a bigger workload each week. The Lions have a bye in Week Six.
Seahawk FB Mack Strong suffered a season-ending neck injury during Sunday’s game and announced his retirement. Backup FB Leonard Weaver will replace him.

Receivers

Seahawk WR Deion Branch (foot) will miss the next two games with a mid-foot sprain, coach Mike Holmgren announced Monday. WR Bobby Engram will likely start for him and see an expanded role, but Holmgren also said WRs Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor and even QB/WR Seneca Wallace could be more involved in the passing game. WR D.J. Hackett (ankle) is also out at least until Week Seven, so Nate Burleson will continue to start for him.
Cardinal WR Anquan Boldin (hip) took part in “extensive” workouts Monday, according to the Arizona Republic, and hopes to do it again today as he continues to recover from his hip injury. Boldin said he is being cautious about his return, however, and wouldn’t say whether he will play on Sunday against Carolina. “You want to be in there, but you also want to be smart and make sure it’s not making it worse,” he said. WR Bryant Johnson has replaced Boldin as the starter the last two weeks.
Texan WR Andre Johnson (knee) is getting close to returning, coach Gary Kubiak said Monday, but he called it “a reach” to say that he may be ready to play this week, according to the Houston Chronicle. Kubiak said Johnson is expected to do more running this week and that he looks “very, very good. I think we’re getting awful close.” WR Andre’ Davis will likely start for him again in Week Six.
Texan WR Jacoby Jones (shoulder) has an “excellent” chance of returning for Week Six, coach Gary Kubiak said.
Redskin WR Santana Moss (groin) was held out of Sunday’s game after getting limited practice time last week (he was officially listed as doubtful going into the game, though he did reportedly feel better late in the week). WR Antwaan Randle El left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury late in the first half. The status of both players for Week Six will be updated by the team after practice on Wednesday.
Bear WR Bernard Berrian (foot) had an MRI on his foot and no damage was found, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He is day-to-day and will be re-evaluated as the week goes along, but he is expected to be able to play in Week Six. Backup WR Mark Bradley filled in for him on Sunday night.
Bengal WRs Chad Johnson (foot) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (knee) both practiced Monday and are still considered day-to-day but will likely start on Sunday against Kansas City, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
Charger WR Vincent Jackson reportedly suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday’s game and could be limited in practice this week but it is not expected to miss the Week Six game against Oakland, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Steeler WR Santonio Holmes (hamstring) was a surprise late scratch from Sunday’s game due to a hamstring injury he suffered during pre-game warm-ups. Head coach Mike Tomlin said the team had already turned in its list of active players when it learned Holmes wouldn’t be able to play, and it had no obligation to report that Holmes would be out. Holmes will be re-evaluated this week, but the team is on a bye for Week Six.
Steeler WR Hines Ward (knee) missed his second straight game Sunday and WR Nate Washington started for him again.
Colt WR Marvin Harrison (knee) was inactive for Sunday’s game with the bruised knee he suffered in Week Four. Coach Tony Dungy said he probably would have played if it had been a playoff game, so he is expected to be able to play in Week Seven after the team’s bye. Backup Aaron Moorehead was also held out because of back spasms Sunday, so rookie Anthony Gonzalez got the start.
Bronco WR Javon Walker (knee) was inactive for the second straight week but said he hopes to return for the Week Seven game against Pittsburgh, after the team’s bye.
Lion WR Calvin Johnson (back) was held to one catch in the Week Five game after being limited in practice all week with a bruised back, and coach Rod Marinelli said he will be re-evaluated after the team’s Week Six bye. He is still currently listed as third on the depth chart.
Packer WR Greg Jennings (shoulder) suffered a sprained shoulder in Sunday’s game, and head coach Mike McCarthy said he will likely use caution with it (as the team did last week with his hamstring injury) but he expects him to be able to play against Washington.
Charger WR Craig Davis (ankle) played in Sunday’s game but was limited by his ankle injury. He was a game-time decision after being listed as questionable going in.
Bronco WR Brandon Stokley (head) was injured during Sunday’s game and will be re-evaluated.
Brown WR Joe Jurevicius (knee) suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s game but X-rays were negative and he will be re-evaluated this week.
Raven TE Todd Heap (hamstring) was inactive on Sunday but said he probably could have played if it were a playoff game. Coach Brian Billick said he was pleased he was able to hold Heap out and still get a win, becauses it doubles the chances of him being ready to go in Week Six against the Rams, the Baltimore Sun reported.
Ram WR Isaac Bruce (hamstring) was inactive on Sunday as WR Drew Bennett (thigh) started for him. Bruce’s status for Week Six is uncertain.
Chief WR Eddie Kennison (hamstring) re-aggravated his hamstring in Sunday’s game and will have an MRI.
Buc WR Ike Hilliard suffered an undisclosed injury in Sunday’s game and his status for Week Six is uncertain.
49er TE Vernon Davis (knee) has a good chance of returning in Week Seven against the Giants, after the team’s bye. Coach Mike Nolan called him “better than doubtful – I’d say questionable” for that game.
Giant WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) started again Sunday and had another fine game after having limited practice time because of a sprained ankle. He said Monday that he hopes one additional day off this week (the Giants play on Monday against Atlanta) will help the ankle even more.
Eagle TE L.J. Smith (groin) practiced on Wednesday and has a good chance to return this week against the Jets, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.
Ram KR/WR Dante Hall is questionable for Week Six with a a sprained ankle.
Bronco WR Rod Smith (hip) is on the PUP list through Week Six, but coach Mike Shanahan said Monday he doesn’t expect Smith to be able to return when he’s eligible in Week Seven. He said Smith is jogging and making strides but he’s not in football shape yet.