Updating a previous item, Lions coach Jim Schwartz acknowledged Monday that Matthew Stafford (left shoulder) is "unlikely" to play on Thanksgiving Day against the Packers.
Schwartz said tests showed Stafford doesn't have a significant injury and that his non-throwing shoulder is structurally sound, but the short week doesn't give him enough time to prepare. NFL Network's Mike Lombardi and Nick Cotsonika of the Detroit Free Press both report that Stafford is unlikely to play. Daunte Culpepper is on track to make his third start of 2009.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Matthew Stafford (shoulder) is unlikely to play on Thanksgiving against Green Bay.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz will play his QB's status close to the vest, but beat writer Nick Cotsonika says Stafford probably won't be available due to an AC joint separation in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Stafford is coming off the best game of his career -- a 422-yard, five-TD effort against the Browns. Daunte Culpepper starting wouldn't be great news for Calvin Johnson.
Bucs coach Raheem Morris said Monday that Earnest Graham's role as a ball carrier will increase going forward.
This is bad news for Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward. The Bucs like how rookie FB Chris Pressley is lead blocking, decreasing Graham's value in that area. Graham also had 47 yards on six touches in Sunday's loss. Tampa Bay's backfield threatens to become a fantasy value-sapping three-headed monster again. Graham would still be a low-upside waiver addition this week.
A source tells the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Ben Roethlisberger "seems to be fine" after coming out of Sunday's loss in overtime.
The source added that Big Ben "appears to be well enough" to play in Week 12. Roethlisberger also told the paper he'd be fine after Sunday's game. The Steelers will sign another QB by Wednesday, but only for an emergency. Big Ben should start and be backed up by Dennis Dixon against Baltimore.
Ravens CB Fabian Washington is expected to miss the rest of 2009 with a torn ACL, coach John Harbaugh revealed Monday.
We'd call it a blow to Baltimore's leaky pass defense, but Washington will be replaced by promising rookie Lardarius Webb. Webb has arguably been the club's best cover man when given the chance. Washington is headed for free agency in 2010. Coming off a season in which he was benched for poor tackling, then needed reconstructive knee surgery won't help his stock.
Marc Bulger is in danger of missing Week 12 against Seattle after suffering multiple injuries in Sunday's loss to Arizona.
Coach Steve Spagnuolo revealed Bulger strained his "hamstring-groin area," took a blow to the head, and also needs an MRI on his swollen knee. He's having an MRI later today. Kyle Boller will start against the Seahawks if Bulger can't, which wouldn't help the cause of Brandon Gibson or Donnie Avery.
Despite leaving Sunday's game with an apparent knee problem, Brandon Jacobs was not among the players on Giants coach Tom Coughlin's injured list announced at his Monday press conference.
Another sign that he's in no danger of missing time. Jacobs didn't return to Sunday's game after leaving in the third quarter, but only because the Giants wanted to finish up with Ahmad Bradshaw and Danny Ware. Jacobs, who has a 4.79 YPC average and two TDs in his last four games, gets a favorable Week 12 matchup against a Denver defense that's falling apart at the seams.
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