Wednesday Woes

Some woefully bad news for if you have these guys:

TEN WR Brandon Jones - Out for the rest of the year. Expect Roydell Williams and Courtney Roby to fill in.

ARI RB Marcel Shipp - Listed as doubtful for Sunday. Expect J.J. Arrington to start.

SF QB Ken Dorsey - Back to the bench for Ken as Alex Smith withh return to the starting QB job.

DET QB Joey Harrington - Jeff Garcia will start

JAC RB Fred Taylor - Mystery injury likely to keep him on the sidelines this week.

NO TE Ernie Conwell - May be out for the season. Zach Hilton would take over as the starter.

BUF QB Kelly Holcomb - J.P. Losman to be the starter the rest of the season.

NE RB Mike Cloud - Gone (Released)

Tuesday Thoughts

If you are planning on starting Rams QB Jamie Martin, better be careful. Martin is still experiencing blurry vision in his right eye AND, rookie QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was very impressive in Sunday's game. Don't be surprised if Fitzpatrick gets the start.

Another young QB, 49ers Alex Smith, will be starting this week. Expect Smith to finish out the season at the helm.

Meanwhile, Seeattle WR Darrell Jackson may, repeat, may see some time on the field during Week 13. While Jackson is officially expected to return in Week 14, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said "I hope to get him on the field a little bit this week and see if he can do some stuff." Even if he does return, don't expect much.

Meanwhile in Jacksonville, team officials confirmed that QB Byron Leftwich will miss at least four weeks (at least). Backup QB David Garrard did a good job and will face some pretty passing friendly teams in (CLE, SF, HOU, TEN) on four of the last five weeks of the season. As for RB Fred Taylor, well, he continues to be day-to-day. Translation: If you have Greg Jones don't dump him yet.

Monday Night Game - Player Status

A reminder that the Monday night edition of The Final Countdown will start at 8:00 EST. Check for the latest player status for to the Steelers - Colts game.

Leftwich Out for Season?

JAC QB Byron Leftwich left Sunday's game against Arizona with a badly sprained ankle. Early reports indicate he will miss at least four weeks and possibly the rest of the season.

If you need a starting QB, David Garrard will take over for Leftwich against Cleveland next week.

Week 12 Final Countdown Continues

Just a reminder that the latest player status updates continue throughout the day on The Final Countdown.

Sunday's Player Status

Sunday's Week 12 Final Countdown is now active. Click on the link above for last minute player status throughout the day.

Thanksgiving Final Countdown

Happy Thanksgiving from the staff of StatLeader. We wish all of you a safe and wonderful holiday.

Our special Thanksgiving edition of The Final Countdown is now active and will provide last minute player status updates for both of today's games.

Quarterback Updates

Good News for the Steelers - Ben Roethlisberger will get the start this week. Rams' fans on the other hand get to watch Marc Bulger walk the sideline again with an injury.

Ken Dorsey gets his second start in a row for the 49ers, and the Bears' QB Rex Grossman is expected to be back in uniform, for the first time since his ankle was broken, in a back-up role to Orton.

Check out the latest injuries, player news, stats and more in our "resource file," and don't forget to log in for "Final Countdown" each and every gameday of the season!

T.O.'s Season Is Over

The AP reports that: for conduct proven to be a "destructive and continuing threat" to his team, an arbitrator ruled Wednesday that the Eagles were justified in suspending Owens for four games -- and are within their rights to deactivate him for the rest of the year.

The Eagles will now look to trade or release Owens before next March, when he's due a $5 million roster bonus.

Arbitrator Richard Bloch wrote in his 38-page decision that there was "no violation of the labor agreement inherent in the club's decision to pay Mr. Owens, but not to permit him to play or practice due to the nature of his conduct and its destructive and continuing threat to the team."

NFL head of labor relations Harold Henderson said the league was "pleased that the arbitrator has upheld the right of a club to suspend a player for conduct detrimental to the club."

Owens was suspended Nov. 5 after he again criticized quarterback Donovan McNabb, called the organization "classless" and fought with former teammate Hugh Douglas. Two days later, the Eagles extended the suspension to four games and told Owens not to return

For the Thursday Games:

There will be a special edition of The Final Countdown starting at 11:30 EST (8:30 PST) Thanksgiiving day to bring you the latest player status for both the Dallas Denver and Detroit-Atlanta games.

Also, this week's point projections have been posted early to assist you in setting your lineups.

Monday Night Final Countdown

Week 11 Monday night Final Countdown is now active. Members, click on the link above for the latest player status for tonight's Vikings-Packers game.

McNabb Done For 2005

Eagles' QB Donovan McNabb will have surgery for a sports hernia and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Monday's announcements came one day after Sunday's 27-17 loss to the New York Giants. McNabb hasn't played since he re-injured his groin while trying to tackle Cowboys safety Roy Williams following an interception last Monday night.

Week 11 Casualties

Week 11 Gameday took its toll. Offensive players injured during Sunday's play include:

Antonio Gates, TE SD: Sprained Ankle
Brooks Bollinger, QB NYJ: Concussion
Vinny Testaverde, QB NYJ: Ankle
Marc Bulger, QB STL: Shoulder
James Thrash, WR WAS: Hamstring
Brett Pierce, TE DAL: Torn Knee Ligament
Kevan Barlow, RB SF: Concussion

Check Back Later Today

The Final Countdown remain avtive through the start of tonight's game. Be sure to check back prior to the start of the all the later games today for the latest player status information.

Week 11 Final Countdown

This week's edition of The Final Countdown is now active. Members, click on the link above for pre-game player updates.

Yahoo Fantasy Football - Week 11 Underachievers

Every week there are players that just don't score fantasy points like you had planned. If that sounds like YOUR whole team - hang in there!

This list is specific to the Yahoo Fantasy Football League Default Scoring System

Top-Quarterbacks projected to score below their weekly average:

1. Peyton Manning: -6
2. Carson Palmer: -4
3. Kerry Collins: -2

Top-Running backs projected to score below their weekly average:

1. LaDainian Tomlinson: -3
2. Edgerrin James: -2
3. Stephen Davis: -2

Check our complete listing of point projections for over 25 leagues and virtually every offensive player!

The Game

At StatLeader we try to report in an impartial manner. We also try (at least during the season) to stick totally to the NFL. However, there is one event that requires a slight modification of that policy. Once a year "The Game" is played. In honor of this event, I humbly say:

GO BUCKEYES,

BEAT MICHIGAN!

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P.S. Just so you know that my distaste for the Wimperaines doesn't extend to the entire state of Michigan, I will be rooting for the Michigan State Spartans to beat Joe Pa and the "Knittin' Kittens" of PsU.

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Hey Spartans: The entire world believes you have quit for the season, do you have guts enough to prove them wrong?

Week 11 Fantasy Football QB Update

Fantasy Football News - Ken Dorsey to start for the 49ers in Week 11.

What? That's not the QB status you were wondering about? OK, OK, lets get to the real news:

Tommy Maddox to start for the Steelers with Big Ben as the #2 QB.

Mike McMahon to start for the Eagles with Donovan McNabb out of the question for the next few weeks - maybe for the season if he chooses surgery to fix his sports hernia.

Jeff Garcia may get the start over Joey Harrington - but it will be Friday or Saturday before Garcia and Mooch make the call.

J.P. Losman is the likely starter with Holcomb's concussion.

Tune in to this weeks Final Countdown to get the game day injury updates and last minute player news from around the NFL.

McNabb Unlikely To Play Week 11

Eagles' QB Donovan McNabb is unlikely to play in Philadelphia's game against the New York Giants on Sunday because of a groin injury.

McNabb re-injured his groin while trying to tackle Cowboys safety Roy Williams after he misread the coverage and threw an interception. Williams returned the pick 46 yards for a touchdown to lead Dallas to a 21-20 comeback victory over the Eagles.

Who Got Hurt in Week 10

CHI RB Cedric Benson (sprained right knee) had to be carried off the field. With Thomas Jones out, keep an eye on Adrian Peterson who had 24 carries for 120 yards. Benson had an MRI today. Results are unknown at this time.

NE RB Corey Dillon (leg injury) left Sunday's game against Miami after only one play His status is considered day-to-day.

JAC WR Ernest Wilford left yeterday's game with a shoulder injury. His status is uncertain. Expect either Matt Jones or Reggie Williams to start if Wilford can't go.

BUF QB Kelly Holcomb (concussion) was replaced by J.P. Losman in Sunday's game against the Chiefs. Holcomb's condition will be evaluated as the week continues.

A reminder, Monday night's edition of The Final Countdown will provide last minute player status information for the Cowboys - Eagles game starting at 8:00 EST (5:00 PST [That's 3:00 AM in Helsinki]).

Need Last Minute Player Updates?

Check Week 10's Final Countdown. We'll be here throughout the day (until the start of tonight's late game), and before Monday's game to bring you the latest player status.

Week 10 Early Outs

Some players already listed as out for Week 10:

• JAC RB Fred Taylor - Expect Greg Jones to start with LaBrandon Toefield seeing some action as well.
• PIT RB Willie Parker - Duce Staley will start , Bettis' participation level is unknown at this time
• PIT QB Ben Roethlisberger
  
• GB RB Tony Fisher - Sam Gado starts
• CLE RB William Green
• CAR TE Kris Mangum
• SEA WR Darrell Jackson
• CHI WR Bernard Berrian
  

With Holmes Out...

Larry Johnson is now the starter with FB Tony Richardson in the #2 spot. The Chiefs will be looking at some Free Agents but given the current market, don't expect much (as the Packers found out).

Priest Holmes On IR - Gone For The Season

Kansas City Chiefs RB Priest Holmes will miss the rest of the season because of head and neck trauma diagnosed by three experts on spinal injuries.

A helmet-to-helmet blow was the most recent problem for the 32-year-old running back. Dick Vermeil said Wednesday that signs of trouble first showed up when Holmes developed tingling in his hands during training camp.

Holmes, 32, a three-time Pro Bowler whose 66 touchdowns between 2002-2004 are an NFL record for any three-year span, was placed on injured reserve. Doctors had recommended he avoid any contact at all for a minimum of 30 days.

He is not incapacitated and no surgery is planned, said general manager Carl Peterson.

Roethlisberger Out - Again

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won't play for the second straight week as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery.

After Roethlisberger had surgery last week to remove damaged cartilage from his right knee, coach Bill Cowher said he would be out 10 to 14 days. Now, the Steelers hope he returns for the Nov. 20 game at Baltimore.

Terrell Owens Suspended For 2005/2006 Season

NFL.com wire reports that Terrell Owens won't return to the Philadelphia Eagles this season, coach Andy Reid said.

The outspoken star receiver was suspended for the Nov. 6 game at Washington, and will remain suspended for three more games. He won't be back after that.

"The league has been notified by the players' union that they will be grieving our right to take that action," Reid said, "therefore there is nothing more that I can say at this point."

Owens was suspended over the weekend following a tumultuous week in which he criticized the club, fought with a former teammate and took another verbal shot at quarterback Donovan McNabb.

"I do want it to be clear that this decision is a result of a large number of situations that accumulated over a long period of time," Reid said.

Owens "had been warned repeatedly about the consequences of his actions," Reid said. "We gave Terrell every opportunity to avoid this outcome."

Owens was suspended Nov. 5, two days after he said the Eagles showed "a lack of class" for not publicly recognizing his 100th career touchdown catch in a game Oct. 23. In the same interview with ESPN.com on Nov. 3, Owens said the Eagles would be better off with Green Bay's Brett Favre at quarterback.

Owens was involved in a fight last week with former Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas, who remains with the team as its "ambassador."

McNabb, who feuded with Owens throughout the summer and has been a constant target of his criticism, finally took a stand in the matter, saying the Eagles might be "better off" without Owens.

"Obviously it is tough losing a guy of his caliber, his ability, but I think we might be better off," McNabb said after an interception sealed the loss to Washington. "I think what we did tonight, we showed that we played well together. I think we also showed that when given the opportunity, guys can make plays for us. We're 4-4. We're not 1-7. I think that's the way to look at it. For the guys in the locker room, we win together and we lose together."

Asked to elaborate on how the team could be better off without its top receiver, McNabb emphasized the remaining players are united with the same goal of winning.

"Nothing against him and his attitude. It's just that when you get out there on the field, it's about playing together," McNabb said. "I think we all played with a lot of attitude and a lot of adrenaline. Guys played well together. It was unfortunate that we didn't win this game, but I think it may be a steppingstone for us to move forward."

Rookie Reggie Brown filled in for Owens against Washington and caught five passes for 94 yards, including a 56-yard TD reception. But the Eagles offense continued to struggle and couldn't score the tying touchdown with three shots from the Redskins 7 in the final minutes.

Owens has been angry with the Eagles since management refused to redo his contract only one season into the seven-year million deal he signed when he came to Philadelphia in March 2004.

Afternoon Player Updates

The latest player status updates for the 4:00 games are now posted on the Final Countdown.

Need A Starting Wide Receiver Bad?

Terrell Owens' suspension by the Eagles opens the door for Philly WR Greg Lewis to become McNabb's #1 target.

Fantasy Football Impact: Lewis makes a great pickup for teams that need more looks/touches at the wide receiver position. On the other hand, the suspension likely hurts McNabb's numbers with the loss of T.O.'s RAC.

Week 9 Final Countdown

Player updates for today's games are now available on the Final Countdown

Eagles' Owens Sidelined Sunday?

T.O. is listed as doubtful on the Eagles' injury report for Week 9. Terrell Owens sprained the same ankle he had surgery on last year in Sunday's loss to Denver and limped around the locker room after the game.

"He is hurting," Reid said. "He is sore. It's going to be a fight to get him there for Sunday. We're taking it day by day. He's made progress the last couple of days."

Owens is considered doubtful, meaning he has a 25 percent chance of playing against the Redskins. With his black cap on backward, Owens walked around the locker room after practice Wednesday without a limp or his ankle taped.

Julius Jones Back After The Bye?

If you picked up Marion Barber as a bye-week fill-in - Good Work! Barber had a great game with 127 yards rushing and 2 TD's in Week 8.

But before everyone jumps on the bandwagon, the Cowboys' think there is a chance that Julius Jones will be back after their Week 9 bye.

Julius has been out since suffering a high left ankle sprain on October 9. "I think he should be pretty close to being ready to go, but I don't know for sure," the coach told the team's official web site. "Let me see where he is Thursday and I'll give you a better idea. We're not going to practice real hard this week, so hopefully he'll be able to get out there and do something."

Keep a close eye on this one - if Jones makes it back for Week 10, Barber's value is reduced.