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Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Week 12 wrap/Tuesday news

Being that I was in Indianapolis for the Colts' shellacking of the Steelers, I did not have a Monday follow-up report.
The big news of the weekend was Byron Leftwich breaking his left ankle Sunday. Leftwich is out at least four weeks and probably longer. David Garrard will take his place, but this is a serious blow to the Jaguars's passing game. Garrard is an accomplished scrambler, however.

Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco. Smith, the top pick in this year's draft, will be back behind center this week against the Cardinals. Don't expect much.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, ST. Louis. Fitzpatrick replaced an injured Jamie Martin, who replaced an injured Marc Bulger, on Sunday and had the third-highest passing total in NFL history for a player making his debut with 310 yards. Martin checked out OK Tuesday from the blow to the head he took and it won't be decided until later this week who St. Louis' starter will be.

Matt Bryant, PK, Tampa Bay. Bryant has a strained hamstring and the team is trying out kickers to replace him this week if he's unable to go.

Jay Fielder, QB, Jets. Fielder should resume practice this week after dislocating his shoulder in Week 3 againts the Jaguars. Fiedler will be trying out for the starting job in 2006. He could be in the starting lineup as soon as next Sunday.

Any of the Colts. Bad news for Colts owners. Tony Dungy said Tuesday he doesn't care about the team going 16-0 this season and will rest his starters as soon as home field advantage is wrapped up. The only thing you can hope for is that Denver keeps on winning to push the Colts.

Trent Dilfer, QB, Cleveland. Dilfer underwent MRIs on both knees after getting beaten up at Minnesota. Charlie Fry replaced Dilfer against the Vikings, but Dilfer is expected to be OK to play against Jacksonville Sunday.

Tatum Bell, RB, Denver. After sitting out Thanksgiving day with a chest bruise, Bell should be back this week.

Bubba Franks, TE, Green Bay. Franks suffered a scary neck injury Sunday at Philadelphia, but looks to be OK.

Chester Taylor, RB, Baltimore. Taylor sat out Sunday's game at Cincinnati with a foot injury and Jamal Lewis had his best game of the season. X-rays on Taylor's foot were negative, but he could still be out this week against Houston. That would make Lewis a great play against the NFL's worst rushing defense.

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