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Week 8 Player Status

Last minute player status is now available on The Final Countdown. As we have the previous two weeks, we will be mirroring that information to this page on roughly a 10 minute delay.

AOL Draft and Play Fantasy Football

AOL Draft and Play Fantasy Football Player Rankings - Week #8

QB

1. Donovan McNabb
2. Rex Grossman
3. Michael Vick
4. Eli Manning
5. David Carr

RB

1. LaDainian Tomlinson
2. Travis Henry
3. Brian Westbrook
4. Larry Johnson
5. Tiki Barber

WR

1. TJ Houshmandzadeh
2. Bernard Berrian
3. Anquan Boldin
4. Torry Holt
5. Steve Smith

TE

1. Antonio Gates
2. Alge Crumpler
3. Todd Heap
4. Kellen Winslow
5. Desmond Clark

For more positions and recommendations for CBS Sportsline, YAHOO, ESPN, NFL, FOX, MSN and more, sign-up today! We rank over 500 players each week!

Yahoo Fantasy Football

Yahoo Fantasy Football Player Rankings - Week 8:

Quarterback:

1. Rex Grossman
2. Donovan McNabb
3. Eli Manning
4. Kyle Boller
5. Damon Huard

Running Back:

1. LaDainian Tomlinson
2. Brian Westbrook
3. Larry Johnson
4. Willie Parker
5. Travis Henry

Wide Receiver:

1. TJ Houshmandzadeh
2. Torry Holt
3. Bernard Berrian
4. Anquan Boldin
5. Terrell Owens

For more positions and recommendations for CBS Sportsline, AOL, ESPN, NFL, FOX, MSN and more, sign-up today! We rank over 500 players each week!

Bledsoe Out; Romo In

Bill Parcells benched his vetern QB and named 4th year pro Tony Romo as the starter - for at least Week 8.

Undrafted out of Division I-AA Eastern Illinois, Romo never had thrown a pass before this season. His only two passes before Monday were a pair of completions in the previous game, with a TD to Terrell Owens in the closing minutes of a 34-6 victory over the Houston Texans.

Fantasy Football Impact: Stay Away unless you are out of options!

Fantasy Football Running Back Update - Shaun Alexander

Published reports indicate Seattle Seahawks top fantasy football running back Shaun Alexander has a good chance of returning in two weeks. There is a chance he will be able to begin running this week.

Fantasy Football Impact: That's good news to teams that picked him in the top 3 on draft day!

Cardinals Status

Arizona inactives for today include:

• WR Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring) - WR Bryant Johnson will start for Fitzgerald
• LB James Darling (calf)
• G Milford Brown (ankle) - OL Chris Liwienski will start for Brown
• DT Kendrick Clancy (ankle) - DT Gabe Watson will start for Clancy

Raiders Status

The only Oakland inactive of note is QB Aaron Brooks (right shoulder). QB Andrew Walter will start for Brooks

Starters include:

• RB LaMont Jordan (back)
• ORT Langston Walker (concussion)

Also, RB Justin Fargas (shoulder) is active and available as needed.

Colts Status

Indianapolis inactives for today include:

• WR Brandon Stokley (knee)
• FS Bob Sanders (knee) - SS Antoine Bethea will move over to FS and start for Sanders, S Mike Doss starts moves to SS to fill in for Bethea
• DT Dan Klecko (lower back)
• DT Montae Reagor (knee)

Starters include:

• RB Dominic Rhodes (ankle)
• K Adam Vinatieri (right groin)
• SLB Gilbert Gardner (thumb)
• DE Dwight Freeney (shoulder)
• DE Robert Mathis (ankle)
• P Hunter Smith (groin)
• C Jeff Saturday (low back)

Washington Status

Washington starters today include:

• FB Mike Sellers (elbow)
• CB Shawn Springs (groin)
• G Derrick Dockery (hip)
• DT Joe Salave'a (calf)
• SLB Marcus Washington (hip)

Inactives include:

• MLB Lemar Marshall (ankle)
• CB Carlos Rogers (thumb) - CB Kenny Wright will start for Rogers
• DT Cornelius Griffin (hip) - LB Khary Campbell will start for Marshall

Seahawks Status

Seattle inactives include:

• RB Shaun Alexander (foot) - RB Maurice Morris will start for Alexander
• WR Bobby Engram (illness)
• LG Floyd Womack (knee) - OL Chris Spencer will start for Womack
• DE Joe Tafoya (knee)
• OLB D.D. Lewis (toe)

Vikings Status

The only Minnesota inactive of note is RB Ciatrick Fason (coaches' decision).

Browns Status

Cleveland inactives for today include:

• WR Dennis Northcutt (ribs) - WR Joe Jurevicius will start for Northcutt
• RB Jerome Harrison (reason unknown)
• CB Leigh Bodden (ankle) - CB Daven Holly will start for Bodden

Starters include:

• TE Kellen Winslow (Knee)
• CB Gary Baxter (pectoral)
• FS Brian Russell (Ankle)
• ORT Ryan Tucker (illness)

Broncos Status

Denver inactives for today include:

• FB Kyle Johnson (ankle) - FB Cecil Sapp will start for Johnson
• RB Cedric Cobbs (ankle)

Late Game Player Status

We'll be with you throughout the day to report on the latest player status for this afternoon's games. Check back starting at 3:30 eastern (Members you can check The Final Countdown starting at 3:15) for the latest updates.

Lions Status

Detroit inactives include:

• FB Cory Schlesinger - TE Marcus Pollard will start for Schlesinger
• WR Mike Williams (coaches' decision)
• DT Shaun Cody (foot)
• SS Kenoy Kennedy (foot) - S Daniel Bullocks will start for Kennedy
• SLB Alex Lewis (knee) - LB Paris Lenon will start for Lewis
• ORT Rex Tucker (knee) - OL Barry Stokes will start for Tucker
• G Ross Verba (hamstring) - OL Rick Demulling will start for Verba

Also, DT Shaun Rogers is on suspension - DT Marcus Bell will start for Rogers

Jets Status

Jets starters today include:

• QB Chad Pennington (calf)
• WR Laveranues Coles (calf)
• RB Kevan Barlow (calf)
• FB B.J. Askew (foot)
• ORT Anthony Clement (shin)
• G Pete Kendall (thigh)
• DE Kimo Von Oelhoffen (knee)
• SS Kerry Rhodes (thigh)

Inactives include:

• RB Cedric Houston (knee)
• RB Derrick Blaylock (coaches' decision)
• C Trey Teague (ankle)
• CB David Barrett (hip)

Falcons Status

Falcons starters today include:

• QB Michael Vick (right shoulder)
• DT Grady Jackson (knee)
• DE Patrick Kerney (hamstring)

Atlanta inactives include:

• DE John Abraham (groin) - DE Chauncey Davis will start for Abraham
• DT Rod Coleman (toe) - DT Jonathan Babineaux will start for Coleman

Steelers Status

Pittsburgh inactives include: RB Duce Staley (coaches' decision)

• WR Willie Reid (foot)
• OLB Joey Porter (hamstring)
• OLB James Harrison (ankle)

Starters include:

• C Jeff Hartings (knee)
• FS Dan Kreider (ankle)
• G Kendall Simmons (foot)
• CB Ike Taylor (quadriceps)
• CB Bryant McFadden - starting for CB Deshea Townsend (hamstring)

Packers Status

Green Bay inactives include:

• WR Robert Ferguson (foot)
• DT Cullen Jenkins (ankle)
• LB Abdul Hodge (knee)
• LB Ben Taylor (hamstring)

Note: CB Charles Woodson (knee) will start today.

Dolphins Status

Miami inactives include:

• QB Daunte Culpepper (knee) - QB Joey Harrington will start for Culpepper
• WR Marcus Vick (coaches' decision)
• CB Travis Daniels (knee) - CB Andre Goodman (shoulder) will start for Daniels

Starters include:

• WR Marty Booker (chest)
• DE Kevin Carter (knee)

Also WR Wes Welker (calf) and LB Derrick Pope (hamstring) are active and available as needed.

Texans Status - Gado to Start - Dayne Out

Houston RB Samkon Gado will start todays game in place of inactive RB Ron Dayne (coaches' decision). Gado is expected to split carries with RB Wali Lundy.

Other Texan inactives include:

• SS Glenn Earl (neck)
• DE Jason Babin (back)

Also, ORT Zach Wiegert (knee) will start today.

Jaguars Status - Leftwich to Start

Jacksonville starters today include:

• QB Byron Leftwich (ankle)
• WR Reggie Williams (shoulder)
• S Donovin Darius (knee)
• G Chris Naeole (knee)

Also, RB Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) is active and available as needed.

Inactives include:

• WR Matt Jones (hamstring) - WR Ernest Wilford will start for Jones
• RB Alvin Pearman (coaches' decision) - DE Rob Meier will start for Stroud
• DT Marcus Stroud (ankle)

Bengals Status

Cincinnati inactives for today include:

• C Rich Braham (knee) - C Eric Ghiaciuc will start for Braham
• OLT Levi Jones (knee) - OT Andrew Whitworth will start for Jones
• SLB Rashad Jeanty (foot) - WLB Landon Johnson will start for Jeanty

Starters include:

• WR Chad Johnson (shoulder)
• DT Sam Adams (knee)

Also, RB Chris Perry is active and available as needed. Expect him to see action at the WR position.

Panthers Status

Carolina inactives include:

• RB DeAngelo Williams (ankle)
• SLB Thomas Davis (ribs) - LB James Anderson will start for Davis

Starters include:

• SS Shaun Williams (foot)
• G Mike Wahle (illness)

Eagles Status - Westbrook In, Stallworth Out Again

Philadelphia inactives include:

• WR Donte' Stallworth (hamstring) - WR Hank Baskett will start for Stallworth
• CB Rod Hood (heel)

Starters include:

• RB Brian Westbrook (knee)
• WR Reggie Brown (quadriceps)
• TE L.J. Smith (shoulder)
• S Brian Dawkins (wrist)
• G Todd Herremans (knee)
• WLB Matt McCoy (hip)
• CB Lito Sheppard (hand)
• OLT Tra Thomas (back)
• DE Darren Howard (groin)

Buccaneers Status

Starters today include:

• TE Anthony Becht (foot)
• MLB Shelton Quarles (knee)
• DE Simeon Rice (shoulder)

Tampa Bay inactives include:

• QB Chris Simms (spleen) - QB Bruce Gradkowski will again start for Simms
• WR Mark Jones (hamstring)
• WR Maurice Stovall (back)
• CB Brian Kelly (foot) - CB Juran Bolden (hip) will start for Kelly

Patriots Status - Graham Out

New England inactives include:

• TE Daniel Graham (ankle) - TE Ben Watson starts for Graham
• OL Russ Hochstein (knee)
• OT Nick Kaczur (shoulder)

Starters include:

• QB Tom Brady (right shoulder)
• S Eugene Wilson (Hamstring)

Also, RB Kevin Faulk (ankle) is active and available as needed.

Bills Status

Buffalo inactives include:

• G Tutan Reyes (shoulder)
• S Matt Bowen (shin)

Note: WR Roscoe Parrish (hamstring) is active and available as needed.

Chiefs Status

The only KC inactive of note today is starting QB Trent Green (head). QB Damon Huard will start for Green.

Note: RB Michael Bennett (hamstring) is active today and available as needed.

Chargers Status

San Diego inactives include:

• DE Igor Olshansky (knee) - DE Jacques Cesaire starts for Olshansky
• S Bahwoh Jue (knee)

Starters include:

• ORT Shane Olivea (knee)
• OLT Marcus McNeill (hand)

Week 7 Final Countdown

Week 7's Final Countdown will be starting shortly on the member side. Due to popular demand, we will again be mirroring The Final Countdown to this page on approximately a 10 minute dealy.

The Final Countdown brings you the latest player updates before the early, and late games. That's right, we are here all day to give you team-by-team inactives of note, starter information, and any last minute updates. So be sure to check back throughout the day.

Fantasy Football Makeover

Your suggestions have been great, but we're just getting started.

As I've mentioned a couple of times now StatLeader is looking into offering free Fantasy Football for the 2007 season. We want to create not only the best game possible, but a game that you, the players, want.

As part of this we want to hear what you think. Email me your suggestions to me at docbitters@statleader.com. Your ideas can apply to any area of the game, scoring, players, lineups, substitutions, free real-time add-ons, rules, stats, projections, whatever.

Again, I get a lot of junk mail so be sure to include "Fantasy Football Makeover" in your subject line so I can recognize it.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Update

Matt Jones, Jacksonville: Still doubtful! Jones did not practice Wednesday.

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona: He did not practice on Wednesday - and it looks like he is going to miss another week.

Bobby Engram, Seattle: Still bothered by thyroid issue - not going to play in Week 7.

Koren Robinson, Green Bay: Gone for the year due to suspension.

Chad Johnson, Cincinnati: Upgraded to Probable for Week 7.

Be sure to check Final Countdown on game day for last minute player info and line-up changes!

Dennis Green Loses His Mind

In a knee-jerk reaction to Monday Night's game, Dennis Green fired offensive coordinator Keith Rowen on Tuesday, replacing him with QB Coach Mike Kruczek.

As of yet, it would appear that Matt Leinart and Edgerrin James have not been "fired" for fumbles lost during the game, and Neil Rackers did not get "fired" for missing a 41-yard field goal that would have been the game winner.

Instead, Rowen was fired - apparently scoring 23 points against the toughest defense in the NFL isn't enough points in Green's eyes.

It is true that the Cardinal offense is not a thing of beauty - but it was looking better under Leinart. You can hardly blame that crappy O-Line on Rowen!

Get a grip Green! It's your players blowing the games when crunch time arrives; and if you are going to blame a coach for THAT - you blame the HEAD COACH.

Lest you believe I jest, please view this video!

A Better Fantasy Football

A couple of days ago I asked you let us know what you would like (as well as what you wouldn't like) in your ultimate fantasy football game. So far your responses have been both interesting and helpful.

As I mentioned StatLeader is looking into offering free Fantasy Football for the 2007 season. We are working on an improved game that kicks the butt of the "traditional" versions. As part of this we want to know what you want to see. Your ideas can apply to any area of the game, scoring, players, lineups, substitutions, real-time add-ons, rules, whatever.

Email me your suggestions to me at docbitters@statleader.com. Remember, I get a lot of junk mail so be sure to include "Fantasy Football Makeover" in your subject line.

Will The Real Rex Grossman Please Stand Up?

How good are the Bears? Good enough to overcome one of the worst QB performances in NFL history!

With 6 turnovers, 38% completion rate, and a QB Rating of less than 11 - Rex Grossman personally put the Bears in a position where the Defense/Special Teams had to score three touchdowns to secure a victory.

The question I ask is: Has Grossman been playing over his head? The simple answer is yes. Rex Grossman is a J.P. Losman/Byron Leftwich on a great team.

Fantasy Football Advice: Look for Grossman to perform inconsistently the rest of the year - with QB Ratings ranging from 100 to 35. Match-ups are more important with second-tier players - so only start Grossman when the match-ups favor him significantly.

Fantasy Running Back Update: Shaun Alexander

The pain is gone, the walking boot is gone, and your hopes that Shaun Alexander might return in Week 7 are gone, too.

Doctors report MVP running back Shaun Alexander's broken left foot is healing very well - in fact "very, very great" according to Alexander.

Unfortunately, while many were projecting a Week 7 return - it may be as much as 2 more weeks before Alexander returns to action.

Fantasy Football Advice: The Seahawks miss him - and so do you! Its a no-brainer to keep Alexander on the bench until he is healed.

Help Improve Fantasy Football.

Are you unhappy with certain aspects of the current world of Fantasy Football? Are there changes you would like to make to the game? Well, here's your chance to make a difference.

StatLeader is looking into offering free Fantasy Football for the 2007 season. We are considering several changes to the "traditional" games, but want to know what you would like to see as well. Your ideas can apply to any area of the game, scoring, players, real-time add-ons, rules, whatever.

Email me your suggestions to me at docbitters@statleader.com. I get a lot of junk mail so be sure to include "Fantasy Football Makeover" in your subject line.

So if you have a problem with the way things are now, a vision for a better world, or simply like to think out of the box, send in your ideas. We can't guarantee everything will be included, but we'll sure consider everything seriously.

Raiders Status

Oakland inactives include:

• QB Aaron Brooks (right shoulder) - QB Andrew Walter will start for Brooks
• CB Fabian Washington (hamstring)

Also starting tonight are:

• FB Zack Crockett (knee)
• G Kevin Boothe (nose)
• OLT Robert Gallery (shoulder)

Broncos Status

The only Denver inactive of note is RB Cedric Cobbs (ankle).

Also, S John Lynch (neck) will start tonight.

Chiefs Status - Johnson to Start

KC RB Larry Johnson (Neck) will start today.

Chiefs inactives include:

• QB Trent Green (head) - QB Damon Huard will again start for Green
• RB Michael Bennett (hamstring)
• CB Benny Sapp (knee)
• KR/PR Dante' Hall (hip)

Steelers Status

Pittsburgh inactives include:

• RB Duce Staley (coaches' decision)
• WR Willie Reid (foot)
• OLB Joey Porter (hamstring)
• G Kendall Simmons (foot)
• OLB James Harrison (ankle)

Dolphins Status

Miami inactives include:

• QB Daunte Culpepper (knee) - QB Joey Harrington will start for Culpepper
• WR Marty Booker (chest) - WR Wes Welker will start for Booker
• CB Travis Daniels (knee)
• LB Derrick Pope (hamstring)

Also, TE Randy McMichael (ribs) will start today.

Jets Status

Starters for today include:

• QB Chad Pennington (calf)
• RB Kevan Barlow (calf)
• WR Laveranues Coles (calf)
• G Pete Kendall (thigh)
• DE Kimo Von Oelhoffen (knee)
• ORT Anthony Clement (shin)
• CB Justin Miller (hip)
• Kerry Rhodes (thigh)

Jets inactives include:

• RB Cedric Houston (knee)
• C Trey Teague (ankle)
• CB David Barrett (hip)

Also, RB Leon Washington (hip), WR Tim Dwight (thigh), WR Brad Smith (thigh), FB B.J. Askew (foot), are all active and available as needed.

49ers Status

SF inactives include:

• TE Vernon Davis (leg) - TE Eric Johnson will start for Davis
• WR Taylor Jacobs (personal)
• CB Walt Harris (hamstring)
• G Larry Allen (knee)
• OLT Jonas Jennings (wrist)

Note: Both ILB Derek Smith (hip) and CB Walt Harris (hamstring) will start today.

Chargers Status

San Diego inactives include:

• TE Ryan Krause (hamstring)
• S Bhawoh Jue (knee)

Note: OLT Marcus McNeill (hand) will start today.

Afternoon Games

A reminder that we will be back with the latest player updates prior to both the afternoon games and tonights matchup. As with the early games, we'll mirror the players updates to this page after a slight delay.

Titans Status - Givens, White Out

Tennessee inactives include:

• WR David Givens (hand) - WR Brandon Jones will start for Givens
• RB LenDale White (stomach)
• G Zach Piller (ankle)
• G Benji Olson (ankle)

Other starters include:

• RB Travis Henry - Note: RB Chris Brown (coaches' decision) is active
• WR Drew Bennett (ankle)
• K Rob Bironas (groin)
• DE Travis LaBoy (back)
• G Benji Olson (ankle)

Washington Status

Starters include:

• DE Phillip Daniels (back)
• G Derrick Dockery (hip)
• P Derrick Frost (calf)
• SLB Marcus Washington (hip)
• CB Kenny Wright - CB Shawn Springs (groin) is active and availabe as needed
  

Washington inactives include:

• WR David Patten (thigh)
• DT Joe Salave'a (calf)
• DT Cornelius Griffin (hip)

Rams Status

Saint Louis inactives include:

• KR J.R. Reed (coaches' decision) - WR Kevin Curtis will return kicks
• FB Paul Smith (eye) - FB Madison Hedgecock will start for Smith
• CB Fakhir Brown (ankle)

Starters include CB Travis Fisher (thigh).

Bengals Status

Bengals inactives include:

• QB Anthony Wright (appendix)
• MLB Brian Simmons (neck)
• C Rich Braham (knee)
• SS Dexter Jackson (ankle)
• SLB Rashad Jeanty (foot)
• WR/KR Tab Perry (hip)

Starters include:

• DT Sam Adams (knee)
• OLT Levi Jones (ankle)

Also, DE Robert Geathers (knee) is active and available as needed.

Buccaneers Status

Tampa Bay inactives include:

• QB Chris Simms (spleen) - QB Bruce Gradkowski will start for Simms
• CB Brian Kelly (toe) - CB Juran Boldin will start for Kelly

Starters include:

• DE Simeon Rice (shoulder)
• G Davin Joseph (knee)
• SLB Ryan Nece (knee)
• C John Wade (ankle)

Seahawks Status - Branch to Start

Seattle WR Deion Branch will start today. WR Nate Burleson (coaches' decision) moves to #3.

Inactives include:

• RB Shaun Alexander (foot) - RB Maurice Morris will start for Alexander
• TE Jerramy Stevens (knee) - TE Itula Mili will start for Stevens
• WR Bobby Engram (illness)
• G Floyd Womack (knee)

Giants Status - Shockey to Start

NYG TE Jeremy Shockey (foot) will start today.

Giants inactives include:

• WR Sinorice Moss (quadriceps)
• RB Derrick Ward (foot)
• WLB Carlos Emmons (pectoral)
• S Gibril Wilson (toe)

Falcons Status

Starters for Atlanta today include:

• DE John Abraham (groin)
• G Kynan Forney (shoulder)
• OLT Wayne Gandy (Shoulder)

RB Jerious Norwood (shoulder) and KR/PR/backup CB Allen Rossum (hamstring) are active and available as needed.

The only Atlanta inactive of note is MLB Ed Hartwell (knee).

Bills Status

Starting for Buffalo today are:

• CB Nate Clements (quadriceps)
• SLB Takeo Spikes (hamstring)
• G Chris Villarrial (ankle)

The only Bills inactive of note is S Matt Bowen (shin).

Lions Status

Starting today for Detroit are:

• WR Roy Williams (back)
• DT Shaun Rogers (knee)

Lions inactives include:

• WR Mike Williams (coaches' decision)
• SS Kenoy Kennedy (foot)
• SLB Alex Lewis (knee)
• DT Shaun Cody (toe)
• ORT Rex Tucker (knee)
• G Ross Verba (hamstring)

Ravens Status

Starting today for Baltimore are:

• WR Mark Clayton (neck)
• TE Todd Heap (ankle)
• DT Haloti Ngata (knee)
• DE Terrell Suggs (thigh)

Ravens inactives include:

• WR Devard Darling (coaches' decision)
• CB Corey Ivy (abdomen)

Panthers Status - Hoover to Start

Carolina inactives include:

• RB DeAngelo Williams (ankle)
• SS Shaun Williams (foot)
• C Justin Hartwig (groin)

Starting today are:

• FB Brad Hoover (thigh)
• SLB Thomas Davis (illness)

Eagles Status - Stallworth Still Out

Despite his desire to play against his former team, WR Donte' Stallworth (hamstring) will be inactive today. WR Hank Baskett will start for Stallworth.

The only other Eagles inactive of note is CB Roderick Hood (heel).

Also, RB Brian Westbrook (knee), CB Lito Sheppard (ankle), S Brian Dawkins (quadriceps), G Todd Herremans (knee), and WLB Matt McCoy (hip) will all start today.

Saints Status

New Orleans inactives include:

• WR Devery Henderson (shoulder)
• CB Curtis Deloatch (thigh)

Cowboys Status

The only Dallas inactive of note for today is WR Jamacia Rector (coaches' decision).

Texans Status

The only Houston inactives of note for today are CB Demarcus Faggins (foot) and DE Antwan Peek (hamstring).

Final Countdown Active

Today's latest player status is now available on The Final Countdown.

We will again be posting the Final Countdown reports on this page on a slight delay. (After all, paying customers do deserve the information first, right?)

Titans' Tight End Kinney Out For Season

Titans tight end Erron Kinney was placed on injured reserve Friday because of an ailing right knee and will be out for the season.

Kinney underwent a second knee operation after re-injuring his knee in training camp. He had a setback last week because of inflammation in the joint.

"It was a hard decision for us, but we've waited as long as we can, and it would appear that he was still several weeks, if not more, away to getting back on the practice field," coach Jeff Fisher said.

Fantasy Football Impact: Titans' tight ends Bo Scaife and Ben Troupe have a combined 17 receptions and 2 TD's in Kinney's absence.

Cardinals' Warner Considers Retirement

Kurt Warner, one of the NFL's true success stories, is considering retirement at the end of the 2006 season.

Warner went from the Arena Football League and NFL Europe to lead St. Louis to two Super Bowls and the both the NFL League (2) and Super Bowl MVP.

Warner was not drafted out of Northern Iowa in 1994 but was signed, then released, as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers. He played three seasons with the Iowa Barnstormers of the AFL, then spent a season with Amsterdam in NFL Europe before signing with the Rams in 1998.

Since the glory days with the Rams, Warner has lost starting jobs to Marc Bulger in St. Louis, Eli Manning with the New York Giants, and now Matt Leinart in Arizona.

Kurt is in the first year of a three-year contract he signed with the Cardinals in February, but he realizes that his future in Arizona would be as a backup.

"We'll sit down at the end of the year and see the way things are going," Warner said.

Fantasy Football Impact: I doubt you have Warner taking up space in your lineup!

Fantasy Football Running Back Status Update

Shaun Alexander will not play Sunday in Seattle's NFC West showdown at St. Louis. The Seahawks will hope to have last season's NFL rushing leader return for their Oct. 22 home game against Minnesota.

Larry Johnson (neck, probable) missed practice Wednesday, but coach Herm Edwards is hopeful his star running back will play on Sunday.

Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (knee) practiced Wednesday, Oct. 11, and is questionable for Week 6. Westbrook has played on weeks he didn't practice - so a Wednesday practice is a good indication he will be ready come game time.

Larry Fitzgerald Out For At Least 2 Weeks

Fitzgerald was hurt late in the first quarter Sunday, shortly after catching a 5-yard touchdown pass from Matt Leinart.

Fitzgerald has 25 catches for 336 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, his second in the NFL, he caught 103 passes, tied with Steve Smith for most in the NFL. He and Anquan Boldin combined for 205 catches, most for any teammates in league history.

Fantasy Football Impact: Anquan Boldin's stats should just get better while Fitzgerald is on the mend.

Chiefs RB Larry Johnson Injured

The Kansas City Chiefs' running back was injured on a facemask tackle at the end of a 78-yard pass play late in the Chiefss 23-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Johnson broke free down the left sideline after catching a short pass from Damon Huard. The Cardinals' Antrel Rolle grabbed Johnson by the facemask and the running back's head was twisted as he fell out of bounds at the Arizona 8. He lay motionless for a moment, but eventually got up and left the field under his own power.

An MRI is planned for October 9th.

Chargers Status

Chargers WR Eric Parker (hamstring) will start tonight.

San Diego inactives include:

• QB Billy Volek (coaches' decision)
• TE Ryan Krause (hamstring)
• S Bhawoh Jue (knee)

Steelers Status

The only Pittsburgh inactive of note is RB Duce Staley (coaches' decision).

A Reminder

A reminder that we are running today's Final Countdown on this page roughly 10 minutes after it has been posted on the member site. We'll be back prior to tonight's game with the last minute player updates.