The Minnesota Vikings star cornerback Antoine Winfield put on his Vikings jersey back to play against the Cincinnati Bengals three weeks ago after missing six games because of foot injury. His performance in the first game after returning was fine enough to be called standout, but for the next two games, they might be considered Winfield’s worst.
Being beaten in coverage several times, Winfield seemed likely to lose confidence from the team, which has stopped expecting much from the cornerback. According the defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, a reduced role for Winfield is being considered, and the team is thinking that a healthy backup could be better suited to more extensive action given Winfield’s health.
The Vikings hope to have defensive tackle Pat Williams back for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants after missing the last one with an elbow injury. His backup Jimmy Kennedy has missed practices this week with a thumb injury.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Colts are worrying about long injury list
Last Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets was really a big strike to the Indianapolis Colts, who practiced Wednesday without as many as fourteen players, including five defensive linemen.
Safety Melvin Bullitt with shoulder injury and wide receiver Pierre Garcon with hand injury practiced but on limited basis. Pro Bowl defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis both sat out the practice. Freeney was all right and was just having his normal rest day, but Mathis has already missed last week’s game because of a quadriceps injury, which may also keep him out of this Sunday’s season finale Buffalo Bills.
Other players who did not put on their Colts jerseys to practice included left tackle Charlie Johnson with foot, wide receiver Austin Collie on his rest day, cornerbacks Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey and linebacker Clint Session with knee injury.
Safety Melvin Bullitt with shoulder injury and wide receiver Pierre Garcon with hand injury practiced but on limited basis. Pro Bowl defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis both sat out the practice. Freeney was all right and was just having his normal rest day, but Mathis has already missed last week’s game because of a quadriceps injury, which may also keep him out of this Sunday’s season finale Buffalo Bills.
Other players who did not put on their Colts jerseys to practice included left tackle Charlie Johnson with foot, wide receiver Austin Collie on his rest day, cornerbacks Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey and linebacker Clint Session with knee injury.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Bears CB Tillman may miss season finale
The Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman is unlikely to put on his Bears jersey for the season finale to play against the Detroit Lions because of the injury he suffered during Monday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Tillman broke his ribs during the 36-30 overtime win over the Vikings and also suffered a lung contusion the same night on an inadvertent helmet hit by teammate Craig Steltz as they tackled Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Tillman stayed on the ground for several minutes and then was taken off the field on a stretcher.
More injuries came after that.
In the third quarter, Bears rookie Johnny Knox injured his left ankle while returning a kickoff and was taken off the field on a cart. Defensive end Israel Idonije sprained his foot, and safety Danieal Manning strained his right calf on a kickoff return. All the injured players remain uncertain for this Sunday’s season finale.
Tillman broke his ribs during the 36-30 overtime win over the Vikings and also suffered a lung contusion the same night on an inadvertent helmet hit by teammate Craig Steltz as they tackled Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Tillman stayed on the ground for several minutes and then was taken off the field on a stretcher.
More injuries came after that.
In the third quarter, Bears rookie Johnny Knox injured his left ankle while returning a kickoff and was taken off the field on a cart. Defensive end Israel Idonije sprained his foot, and safety Danieal Manning strained his right calf on a kickoff return. All the injured players remain uncertain for this Sunday’s season finale.
Vikings NT Williams not to play against Bears
Nose tackle Pat Williams will not put on his Minnesota Vikings jersey to play Monday night’s game for the team against the Chicago Bears because of elbow injury, Jimmy Kennedy will start at the position as replacement to Williams.
At 37, the Vikings’ second-oldest player behind Brett Favre, Williams has 44 tackles and two sacks in 14 games.
But it seemed that the going-to-be rival Bears should worry more about injuries. The Bears wide receiver Devin Hester missed his third straight game with a strained left calf, and safeties Kevin Payne and Al Afalava were listed as inactive respectively because of ankle injury and knee injury. Punter Brad Maynard retuned to team after the Bears signed Richmond McGee to a two-year contract for insurance, but it remains questionable whether the left groin injury that made McGee questionable earlier would allow the punter to play full time. And defensive end Adewale Ogunleye would miss all the remaining games the Bears are going to play as he has been put on injured reserve because of a broken left leg.
At 37, the Vikings’ second-oldest player behind Brett Favre, Williams has 44 tackles and two sacks in 14 games.
But it seemed that the going-to-be rival Bears should worry more about injuries. The Bears wide receiver Devin Hester missed his third straight game with a strained left calf, and safeties Kevin Payne and Al Afalava were listed as inactive respectively because of ankle injury and knee injury. Punter Brad Maynard retuned to team after the Bears signed Richmond McGee to a two-year contract for insurance, but it remains questionable whether the left groin injury that made McGee questionable earlier would allow the punter to play full time. And defensive end Adewale Ogunleye would miss all the remaining games the Bears are going to play as he has been put on injured reserve because of a broken left leg.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
CB Ivy returned to Baltimore from Pittsburgh
Playing the previous three seasons in Baltimore Ravens jersey, cornerback Corey Ivy joined the Pittsburgh Steelers this season. After playing only one game with the Steelers, he returned to the Ravens’ roster, in time for Sunday’s pivotal AFC North showdown between the Ravens and the Steelers.
Sounds like a spy story and I am sure he has a unique perspective on the rivalry between the two teams.
“He understands how to play in the slot as a nickel in our defense, knows the calls, knows the structure, knows how we pattern reads,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said regarding Ivy. “Plus he’s in great shape.”
The 32-year-old cornerback is regarded as a physical special-teams contributor and a savvy reserve defensive back. Although being undersized at 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, Ivy has recorded 209 career tackles, 9 1/2 sacks, three interceptions, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery to go with his 97 special-teams tackles.
Sounds like a spy story and I am sure he has a unique perspective on the rivalry between the two teams.
“He understands how to play in the slot as a nickel in our defense, knows the calls, knows the structure, knows how we pattern reads,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said regarding Ivy. “Plus he’s in great shape.”
The 32-year-old cornerback is regarded as a physical special-teams contributor and a savvy reserve defensive back. Although being undersized at 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, Ivy has recorded 209 career tackles, 9 1/2 sacks, three interceptions, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery to go with his 97 special-teams tackles.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Free agent Ghiacuic joined Chargers to replace center Mruczkowski
The San Diego Chargers center Scott Mruczkowski will not play for the team again for this season because he has been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, and Eric Ghiacuic was has been signed to the team as his replacement.
Mruczkowski was hurt during the game-winning drive in Sunday’s 27-24 victory against Cincinnati. Mruczkowski started the last 13 games at center after Nick Hardwick hurt an ankle in the season opener at Oakland, requiring surgery. While Mruczkowski was put on IR list, Hardwick might be fine enough to play this Friday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
Ghiacuic started 42 of 48 games at center from 2005-08 in Cincinnati Bengals jersey. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent in 2009 but was released after training camp.
Mruczkowski was hurt during the game-winning drive in Sunday’s 27-24 victory against Cincinnati. Mruczkowski started the last 13 games at center after Nick Hardwick hurt an ankle in the season opener at Oakland, requiring surgery. While Mruczkowski was put on IR list, Hardwick might be fine enough to play this Friday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
Ghiacuic started 42 of 48 games at center from 2005-08 in Cincinnati Bengals jersey. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent in 2009 but was released after training camp.
Seahawks center Houser is in hospital with lung problem
The Seattle Seahawks long snapper Kevin Houser was sitting up in his hospital room Monday and watching “Ren and Stimpy” cartoons with his wife and kids. All what he was hoping for now is to have a good Christmas with his family, as it is very likely that he will be put on injured reserve.
The 32-year-old veteran, in his tenth season of wearing NFL jersey, got hurt while covering a punt in the second quarter Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but returned to snap for Seattle’s only extra point later in the half. However, he ran at Buccaneers wide receiver Sammie Stroughter at the end of a 33-yard punt return and collapsed in pain on the sideline midway through the third quarter.
Mora said Houser is likely going on injured reserve and ending his season early. The team will try to bring back Jeff Robinson, who is currently out of football after playing for Seattle for parts of the 2007 and ’08 seasons.
The 32-year-old veteran, in his tenth season of wearing NFL jersey, got hurt while covering a punt in the second quarter Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but returned to snap for Seattle’s only extra point later in the half. However, he ran at Buccaneers wide receiver Sammie Stroughter at the end of a 33-yard punt return and collapsed in pain on the sideline midway through the third quarter.
Mora said Houser is likely going on injured reserve and ending his season early. The team will try to bring back Jeff Robinson, who is currently out of football after playing for Seattle for parts of the 2007 and ’08 seasons.
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