Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Bengals: Quarterback Carson Palmer expects to be limited in practice this week by a sore elbow on his passing arm, but insists he’ll be ready for the next game against the Cowboys. Palmer sat out a 20-12 loss to Cleveland Sunday, the first game he missed since the end of the 2004 season. He hurt his elbow a week earlier in a loss to the Giants, but stayed in that game and practiced for two days last week despite pain in the elbow. The Bengals decided to sit him out for a game on doctors’ advice, giving the elbow time to heal. Palmer indicated Monday the injury isn’t serious enough to require surgery. The Bengals struggled on Sunday behind backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Jets: Safety Eric Smith was suspended for one game by the NFL Monday for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Smith was also fined $50,000 by the league for what it called a flagrant violation of player safety rules. In a statement, the NFL said Boldin was in a defenseless position at the time contact was made. Boldin was resting at home Monday, a day after being carted off the field following the scary collision in the Cardinals’ 56-35 loss to the Jets at the Meadowlands. Smith briefly lost consciousness after the play, and still felt “a little fuzzy.”
Bills: Cornerback Terrence McGee needs more tests on his sprained left knee, leaving his status uncertain for the upcoming game at Arizona. Coach Dick Jauron said McGee was having difficulty walking Monday, but it was too early to determine whether the starter would miss any playing time. The Bills (4-0), off to their best start since 1992, return to practice Wednesday. McGee was hurt making a tackle in the first quarter of Buffalo’s 31-14 win at St. Louis Sunday.
Colts: After spending last week trying to explain a rare second loss in September and allay the concerns of anxious fans, the Colts walked in Monday relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to play. “I don’t think there was a sense of frustration, but we weren’t happy being 1-2,” Pro Bowl safety Antoine Bethea said. “At the end of the day, I think we realize there’s 13 games left and we have to correct things to become the team we know we’re capable of being.”
Chargers: Although they rallied from a 15-0 halftime deficit to beat the Raiders, 28-18, Sunday, the Chargers know they can still get better. “We need to really put a complete game together,” running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. “I think really and truly we have yet to do that offensively, defensively, special teams, all three phases, to put a complete game together, four quarters.” The two-time defending AFC West champion Chargers (2-2) are one game behind the Denver Broncos, who beat them 39-38 two weeks ago after a controversial call.
Jets: Running back Jesse Chatman rejoined the team Monday after being suspended four games without pay for violating the league’s steroids and related substances policy. Chatman, who signed with the Jets as a free agent in March, wasn’t allowed to practice or take part in team meetings while serving the suspension.
Panthers: Both starting offensive tackles were injured, three linemen were playing in spots where they didn’t start the game, and a tight end had become the next option if somebody else got hurt. All that, and Carolina didn’t give up a sack Sunday, allowing a hobbled Jake Delhomme to throw for 294 yards and two touchdowns in a convincing win over Atlanta. In their 3-1 start, the Panthers have overcome three injuries to the offensive line, including losing Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah against the Falcons.
Saints: Sean Payton said he did not expect to get fined when he pointed out what he thought was an officiating error a day after a 34-32 loss at Denver. The Saints coach acknowledged the $15,000 fine for the first time Monday, saying he planned an appeal. Payton said a week ago that he believed officials mistakenly failed to throw a flag when a Broncos defender lined up in the neutral zone during New Orleans’ third-and-1 play in the final minutes of the game. New Orleans failed to get the yard it needed and Martin Gramatica narrowly missed a 43-yard field goal attempt with 1:55 to go. Payton said he did not notice the player during the play, but said it was clear to him while watching film of the game the following day and that he did not understand how the officials could have missed it.
Associated Press