Last Updated: 8/16/08
SATURDAY'S GAMES 8/16/08
Washington Redskins - QB Rotation: Jason Campbell, Todd Collins, Derek Devine, rookie Colt Brennan (see below).
QB Jason Campbell will open the game with the first-team offense. Backup Todd Collins will follow and play most of the first half. In a change, Derek Devine will start the third quarter and Colt Brennan will enter in the fourth and finish the game.
This is the third game for the Redskins, after playing in the Hall of Fame Game (8/3).
Jim Zorn is the new head coach.
Coach Jim Zorn expects several players to return for Saturday's game against the Jets, such as WR Devin Thomas (hamstring). Thomas is coming back from nearly a 2 1/2-week absence because of a hamstring problem. Starting wide receiver Antwaan Randle El (hamstring, wrist) is a game-time decision.
Reserve tackles Todd Wade and Stephon Heyer will each miss at least two weeks with injuries.
Starting free safety LaRon Landry (hamstring) is likely to miss Saturday's exhibition.
Injuries have mounted since camp began. Defensive ends Phillip Daniels and Alex Buzbee suffered season-ending injuries on the first day. Linebackers H.B. Blades and Rian Wallace and starting defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery also have had surgery.
Wide receivers Anthony Mix (ribs) and Malcolm Kelly (knee), linebacker H.B. Blades (knee), and offensive linemen Todd Wade (ankle) and Stephon Heyer (knee) are not practicing and likely to miss at least this week.
Greg Blache is the new defensive coordinator, while Sherman Smith is offensive coordinator after OC Al Saunders left. Smith previously served as assistant head coach-running backs with the Tennessee Titans for 13 seasons.
NY Jets - QB Rotation: Brett Favre (will start), Kellen Clemens, rookie Erik Ainge, Brett Ratliff.
The Jets added QB Brett Favre last week. Eric Mangini named Favre as the Jets' starter against Washington.
QB Ratliff has performed so well that speculation has arisen that he's pushing Kellen Clemens for the No. 2 QB spot. He finished 14-of-20 for 252 yards and the two TDs, and has been impressive in practices. He will get significant playing time against the Redskins.
The offense is in the third year of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's high-tech scheme that features an array of shifts and motions.
Minnesota Vikings - QB Rotation: Tarvaris Jackson, Gus Frerotte, John David Booty, Brooks Bollinger.
Lots of passing: Vikings coach Brad Childress tried something different when the offense ran 10 consecutive passing plays in the opener. No doubt Childress was preparing his team for the seven-and eight-man fronts they faced last year and will again this year as opponents try to stop running back Adrian Peterson.
The Vikings spent Sunday looking to add help at defensive end after learning Jayme Mitchell will miss the season because of a knee injury. With backup right end Brian Robison expected to miss at least another week after having surgery, the Vikings are extremely thin at the end spot.
Safety Madieu Williams could six weeks because of a neck injury. It's a setback for a pass defense that finished last in the NFL in 2007 and was counting on having a top-notch cover safety in Williams, a big free agent signing, for all 16 games. Rookie safety Tyrell Johnson will be called on to fill in for him.
Childress has dramatically altered his approach with this team. Rather than overwork his players with day after day of hitting, Childress has allowed his team to practice in shorts and shoulder pads early in camp, unlike the last two years.
Baltimore Ravens - QB Rotation: Troy Smith, Kyle Boller, rookie Joe Flacco.
QB Smith has looked good in camp and will start this game. Flacco is still up and down.
John Harbaugh is the new head coach, the former Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach. Harbaugh has never been a head coach during his 24 seasons.
Harbaugh said no one has taken the lead in the team's quarterback race. Throughout training camp, Kyle Boller, Troy Smith and Joe Flacco have rotated with the starting offense.
The QBs will be operating behind a makeshift offensive line and without running back Willis McGahee, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee this week. Baltimore's injury list includes offensive tackles Jared Gaither (ankle) and Adam Terry (ankle) and tight end Todd Heap (calf).
Harbaugh has been running the players hard, a physical practice. One team official estimated that Harbaugh has had more full-contact plays in his first week than Billick had in his entire camp last year.
By the end of Thursday's practice, almost half the starters on offense - WR Derrick Mason (knee), tight end Todd Heap (calf), RB Willis McGahee (knee) and offensive tackles Jared Gaither (ankle) and Adam Terry (ankle) - were sidelined with injuries. While all these players are expected to be ready for the regular season, it's unknown whether the offense will be.
Miami Dolphins - QB Rotation: Josh McCown, John Beck, rookie Chad Henne, Chad Pennington.
Newly acquired QB Chad Pennington practice for the first time Monday and coach Tony Soparano said that he will manage his four quarterbacks based on feel. Pennington and Henne have been taking the most snaps.
How much new Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington will play Saturday is still up in the air. From the division of practice snaps, it is obvious Saturday will feature mostly the two quarterbacking Chads, Pennington and rookie Henne. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano also made noises -- wanting to see more of safety Jason Allen, wanting to see WRs Derek Hagan and Ted Ginn Jr. on more consecutive plays -- that translated as the Dolphins' first teamers playing much more in the second exhibition game, as is typical.
The offensive line will certainly see its share of shake-ups, which likely will cause some considerable changes to the depth chart throughout the preseason. Justin Smiley is currently listed as the starter at left guard, and Trey Darilek is listed at right guard. Given Smiley's recent struggles on the left side and Donald Thomas' recent emergence on the right side, there's likely to be some different combinations used before anything is settled at that position, too.
Linebackers thin. Dolphins LB Kelvin Smith is out and might miss the season. They hope LB Joey Porter will return to practice this week after tweaking his back last week.
Tony Sparano is the new head coach, a former assistant with Bill Parcells in Dallas. He is a proponent of a balanced offense.
Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Rotation: David Garrard, Cleo Lemon, Todd Bauman.
Coach Jack Del Rio indicated there's no competition for the backup quarterback job. He said Cleo Lemon is the backup, and Todd Bouman is No. 3.
Saturday's home preseason game against Miami Dolphins is "just another game" to Jaguars backup quarterback Cleo Lemon, who started for Miami last season.
Jacksonville has a new defensive coordinator in Gregg Williams, who was with the Redskins last fall under Joe Gibbs.
Because of injuries to Jerry Porter (hamstring) and Reggie Williams (knee), there's a chance that Dennis Northcutt could take on the role as the Jaguars' No. 1 receiver for the second consecutive season. WR Troy Williamson is practicing, but he's not going full speed.
Offensive line is a weakness. The Jaguars will be without center Brad Meester for eight to 10 weeks.
Indianapolis Colts - QB Rotation: Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi (will start), Jared Lorenzen, Quinn Gray, Adam Tafarlis.
This is the third game for the Colts, after playing in the Hall of Fame Game (8/3).
Manning won't play, having minor bursa knee surgery in July. The recovery time is 4-6 weeks, so he is out of the preseason action.
QB Peyton Manning, safety Bob Sanders, defensive end Dwight Freeney and left guard Ryan Lilja are expected to be healthy by Indy's Sept. 7 season opener against Chicago.
Defensive line thin with the retirement of Quinn Pitcock, creating a void at defensive tackle. Raheem Brock, a 27-game starter at tackle the past two seasons, has been moved to left end in the base defense and apparently will remain there even with Pitcock's decision.
LBs thin. They added LB Dedrick Harrington this week. Harrington's addition followed that of Brandon Archer's last week, and again was out of necessity. Injuries continue to deplete the position.
Atlanta Falcons - QB Rotation: Joey Harrington, Matt Ryan, Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley.
QB Joey Harrington will start. Rookie QB Matt Ryan should replace him and get extended playing time. Redman and Shockley seem likely candidates to play in the second half against the Colts.
With Atlanta wanting to see how Ryan handles NFL pressure, it wouldn't be shocking to see him play early and for a prolonged period. Ryan also appears to be in line to start against Tennessee Aug. 22 at the Georgia Dome. That would leave D.J. Shockley to start the preseason finale at Baltimore Aug. 28. Should Ryan start against the Titans, it could be an indication that the rookie will start the regular-season opener.
The Falcons have spent a lot of time re-tooling the running game. Tailbacks Thomas Brown and Jason Snelling should have a battle for the No. 3 job.
The new head coach is Mike Smith, with Mike Mularkey taking over as offensive coordinator. Smith was the defensive coordinator of the Jaguars and faces his old team here.
A young secondary: The Falcons could start Chris Houston (second year) and Brent Grimes (second year) and use Chevis Jackson (rookie) as the nickel back.
Centers thin. Alex Stepanovich, the Falcons' backup center, suffered a back injury at practice Monday and was taken off the field on a cart. Stepanovich started the exhibition season opener against Jacksonville Saturday in place of center Todd McClure, who has been out with a lower-back injury since July 28.
San Diego Chargers - QB Rotation: Philip Rivers, Billy Volek, Charlie Whitehurst, Casey Bramlet.
Norv Turner said QB Philip Rivers was not the only player he will limit Saturday in St. Louis after playing many starters the bulk of the first half against Dallas. "I want to continue to evaluate our young guys," Turner said. "Normally in the preseason you play the starters a quarter in the first game and a half the second. I am flipping it a little bit."
Defensive line thin, with Luis Castillo (back), Shawne Merriman (knee) and Jamal Williams (knees) not 100%.
Antonio Cromartie worked on the side as well a day after tweaking his ankle. Shawne Merriman returned to his regular work on a side field to strengthen his knee. Neither is likely to play at St. Louis.
St. Louis Rams - QB Rotation: Marc Bulger (1st half), Trent Green (3rd Q), Bruce Gradkowski (4th Q), Brock Berlin (mop up).
Marc Bulger will play most of the first half, and regardless of the pass protection or other circumstances, needs to do better than his three-for-nine performance against Tennessee. Trent Green is scheduled to finish out the second quarter. Bruce Gradkowski will open the second half, with Brock Berlin closing out the game.
The Rams have a new offensive coordinator in Al Saunders, who ran high scoring offenses in K.C. under Dick Vermeil.
After seeing his troops pummeled 34-13 by the Titans, coach Scott Linehan is placing considerable importance on the outcome. Enough so that he plans to "play a significant amount with our starting unit." "I don't know what that means; when we're done, we're done," Linehan said. "But we want to play a great game on Saturday." Emerging victorious in St. Louis, where ticket sales are lagging, "is very important," Linehan added. "I don't discount the importance of any game, preseason or not. There's not a whole lot of good that comes out of losing a game."
RB depth a concern with star Stephen Jackson holding out. Backups Antonio Pittman and Brian Leonard already have gotten enough reps to last a couple of training camps. Pittman's workload tonight might be limited by a thigh injury.
Secondary woes: Starters Oshiomogho Atogwe (hamstring) and cornerback Fakhir Brown (shoulder) are out with injuries. With backup safety Jerome Carter expected to miss tonight's game with a groin injury, and rookie cornerback Justin King (toe) out for the season, the depth of the secondary will be tested.
Upgrading the O-line is a key: Ram QBs were sacked 48 times last season and the running game was 25th.
RG Richie Incognito is in a three-way tussle with Brett Romberg and Mark Setterstrom for two starting slots: center and right guard. Romberg (center) and Setterstrom (right guard) opened camp as first-teamers, but both have missed time. When Romberg had a sore hand and couldn't snap the ball for several days, Incognito put in time at center. And with Setterstrom out now with a strained muscle near his knee, and Romberg back at center, Incognito is back at right guard.
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Houston Texans - QB Rotation: Matt Schaub, Sage Rosenfels, Shane Boyd, rookie Alex Brink.
Quarterback Matt Schaub is expected to play 1.5 quarters against the Saints tonight. Sage Rosenfels will replace him and play until the fourth quarter. Rookie Alex Brink, the seventh-round pick, will play the fourth quarter.
With Ahman Green out, the Texans will mix up their running back rotation tonight. Chris Brown will start the game, and likely play at least through the first quarter. Chris Taylor will then enter the game. Steve Slaton will play after him, and Darius Walker will play with the final group.
The new offensive coordinator is Kyle Shanahan, as 2007 offensive coordinator Mike Sherman is the new head coach at Texas A&M.
RB depth a concern. Newly acquired RB Mike Bell continues to nurse a hamstring. Gary Kubiak didn't want to push RB Chris Brown Monday in his first practice back after almost a week. Ahman Green will get some carries against the Broncos.
Veteran cornerback Jimmy Williams is getting a scope done on his knee, and coach Gary Kubiak said he likely will be out for a significant amount of time.
New Orleans Saints - QB Rotation: Drew Brees, Mark Brunell, Tyler Palko.
Saints running back Deuce McAllister could play in Saturday's preseason game. Asked if McAllister will play, Sean Payton said: "Yeah, right now the plan is. We'll see where he's at. I want to make sure he gets enough carries in either this preseason game, No. 2, or No. 3 before we move on." McAllister has not played since Sept. 24, when he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament against the Tennessee Titans. Barring setbacks, the Saints' plan likely will involve following McAllister's performance in the second preseason game with a fuller load in Game 3.
Running back Reggie Bush might miss Saturday.5?s game against the Texans. Bush missed practice Thursday because of swelling in his left knee.
Payton also said he expects receiver Marques Colston, receiver Devery Henderson and rookie cornerback Tracy Porter to play Saturday. "I think you're going to see a number of the guys that we didn't see in Week 1 up for Week 2, barring any injury right now, " Payton said.
Tight end Jeremy Shockey (hamstring) won't play Saturday.
To help the defense, the Saints paid particular offseason attention to the line, adding free-agent defensive end Bobby McCray and drafting defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis with the seventh overall pick. They also added cornerback Randall Gay via free agency.
Arizona Cardinals - QB Rotation: Matt Leinart, Kurt Warner, Brian St. Pierre, rookie Anthony Morelli.
After not playing in last week's preseason game against the Saints, quarterback Kurt Warner is expected to start Saturday's game in Kansas City. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he is leaning toward that decision.
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is handing off most of the offensive play-calling duties for the upcoming season to coordinator Todd Haley.
WRs thin. WR Anquan Boldin (hamstring) is not 100% and WR Early Doucet (hamstring) is ailing.
O-line concerns: Cardinals starting center Al Johnson underwent surgery on his left knee last week, and the team is hoping he can return by the first or second game of the season. The Cardinals have taken two serious hits at center. Third-team center Scott Peters suffered a severe knee injury and is out for the season.
Backup Lyle Sendlein is a capable starter, but there isn't much depth. Coaches discussed the possibility of moving guard Elton Brown to center but decided Brown is young and needs the work at guard.
Secondary thin. CB Antrel Rolle (left-ankle sprain) probably won't play Saturday. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (left-ankle sprain) in not 100%.
K.C. Chiefs - QB Rotation: Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, Damon Huard.
Coach Herm Edwards said the Chiefs are likely to have the same quarterback rotation Saturday as they did last Thursday against Chicago. Brodie Croyle started and played two series, and Damon Huard replaced him for the rest of the first half. Tyler Thigpen played the second half. Edwards said he'd like Croyle to play in some 2-minute situations.
Rookie defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, the centerpiece of their rebuilding effort, injured his left knee in practice. Dorsey probably won.5?t play Saturday night when the Chiefs continue their preseason against the Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium. But he could return to the starting lineup next week.
LBs thin. Injuries have prevented Donnie Edwards and Napoleon Harris from practicing for several days, and neither will play in Saturday's game against Arizona. Starting MLB Pat Thomas was mostly a bystander in practice because of a sore finger. That left eight healthy linebackers and one, Aden Durde, is with the Chiefs as a special European exemption because he was assigned by the NFL.
The Chiefs spent the offseason overhauling the line, but with rookie left tackle Branden Albert likely out for the preseason because of a sprained foot, the team won't be able to build the continuity coach Herm Edwards wants. With Albert out, veteran guard Brian Waters has to hold down the left side.
Green Bay Packers - QB Rotation: Aaron Rodgers (30-35 plays), rookie Brian Brohm, Matt Flynn.
HC Mike McCarthy said most starters would play between 30 and 35 plays Saturday.
Green Bay is reshuffling the offensive line.
Defensive line health is a concern. Nose tackle Daniel Muir was the latest defensive tackle to go down, leaving the team pretty thin. There are four defensive tackles out and two defensive ends. The tackles are Muir, Ryan Pickett (hamstring), Johnny Jolly (hip flexor) and Justin Harrell (back). The ends are Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) and Jeremy Thompson (neck stinger).
McCarthy said the players who were sidelined for practice Thursday: receiver Brett Swain (thigh bruise), Grant (hamstring), safety Charlie Peprah (hamstring), linebacker A.J. Hawk (chest), linebacker Desmond Bishop (Achilles tendon), tight end Tory Humphrey (Achilles.5? tendon) and receiver Greg Jennings (knee), would "most likely" not play against the 49ers. Cornerback Al Harris appeared to still be bothered by a stiff back, so his status could also be in doubt.
This Green Bay camp has been heavy on blitzing and it will be interesting to see whether defensive coordinator Bob Sanders will turn loose his squad right away. If he's going to blitz more this season, he's going to have to practice it a lot because timing and execution are so important.
San Fran 49ers - QB Rotation: J.T. O'Sullivan (1st half), Alex Smith (3rd Q), Shaun Hill (4th Q), Drew Olsen.
J.T. O'Sullivan will start against Green Bay. A solid performance against the Packers would clinch O'Sullivan's status as the 49ers No. 1 quarterback. Against the Packers, he will play most of the first half. Alex Smith and Shaun Hill will finish up over the final two quarters.
Mike Martz is the new offensive coordinator. Martz is intent on making TE Vernon Davis a focal point of the offense.
QB J.T. O'Sullivan looks like the most game-ready QB, thanks to the head start he had from working as a backup in Mike Martz's offense last year in Detroit.
WRs thin: Arnaz Battle strained his hamstring in practice Tuesday. WR Bryant Johnson is still out with a right hamstring. WR Ashley Lelie (calf) and Jason Hill (groin) are both nicked up, and Isaac Bruce is still pacing himself into playing shape. Youngsters Hill, Morgan, Cam Colvin and Dominique Zeigler saw a lot of action.
With the retirement of defensive tackle Bryant Young and with defensive tackle Marques Douglas signing as a free agent with the Buccaneers, the 49ers have looked to Justin Smith and rookie Kentwan Balmer, who was the team's first-round pick out of North Carolina, to shore up the defensive line.
Dallas Cowboys - QB Rotation: Tony Romo, Brad Johnson, Richard Bartel.
The majority of the Dallas Cowboys starters will play the first half of tonight's preseason game at Denver, coach Wade Phillips said. The only starters who will not play the entire first half will be quarterback Tony Romo, tight end Jason Witten, running back Marion Barber and wide receiver Terrell Owens. That group will likely play only one quarter. The Cowboys will give backup quarterback Brad Johnson some extended time behind the first-team offensive line.
WR depth thin.
Secondary thin. With Terence Newman out with a torn groin muscle, rookie Mike Jenkins will start at left cornerback.
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is calling this "Camp Marshmallow." It's been the school of soft knocks in training camp when it comes to hitting, but Phillips wanted it that way. He didn't want to overwork his team or get players hurt. He feels he got the needed work and has a fresh team steadily building toward the Sept. 7 opener at Cleveland. Phillips believes the team accomplished the mission in camp without full contact or wearing full pads very often.
Denver Broncos - QB Rotation: Jay Cutler (1st Q), Patrick Ramsey, Darrell Hackney (2nd-4th Qs).
Backup QB Patrick Ramsey missed practice to be with his expectant wife. It's unclear whether he'll be available tonight, and Darrell Hackney and Jay Cutler, who'll likely play only about one quarter, are the only quarterbacks on the roster.
LBs thin.
Center Tom Nalen missed his fifth consecutive day with pain in his left knee.
10-12 plays are likely how long Dewayne Robertson will be on the field tonight in his Denver debut. The Broncos have treaded lightly with the free-agent defensive tackle in hopes he holds up physically on the balky left knee he has been dealing with since 2001. Shanahan said Robertson likely will play more in the Aug. 22 preseason game against Green Bay.
For the Broncos, LB Boss Bailey (ankle), center Tom Nalen (knee), and LB Louis Green (neck) will not play in Saturday's preseason game. Cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring) may be limited.
The Broncos are shaking up the logistics of their play-calling this year. First-year receivers coach Jedd Fisch will be up in the coaches' box, discussing plays with both Mike Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who will be on the sideline. Bates then will relay the call to quarterback Jay Cutler.
Chicago Bears - QB Rotation: Rex Grossman (first half+), Kyle Orton (3rd Q), Caleb Hanie.
Grossman gets the starting nod this week, with Orton following. Bears coach Lovie Smith said his starters may play into the third quarter.
O-line concerns: Rookie 1st round pick left tackle Chris Williams has a back problem and is probably out. His continued absence threatens to alter the Bears' plans for him this season.
Williams was drafted No. 14 overall in the belief he would step right in at left tackle, with John Tait shifting to the right side. John St. Clair has been working with the first team at left tackle, but odds were he'd start the season at left guard instead of Terrence Metcalf.
Injuries have hampered the offensive line from the start of camp. Center Olin Kreutz missed some time with a sore Achilles' tendon. Then Williams went down.
Seattle Seahawks - QB Rotation: Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace, Charlie Frye, Dalton Bell.
QB Charlie Frye took 100 percent of the practice time with the first-unit offense on Thursday so he is likely the starter on Saturday. Quarterback Matt Hassebeck returned to practice on Thursday after missing the past four days because of a tight back. He's unlikely to play.
The team is trying to find a halfback rotation with Maurice Morris and new additions Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. The passing game is looking for someone to fill the flanker role while Deion Branch is recovering from a knee injury. Rookie John Carlson is trying to work his way into being a factor at tight end.
The offensive line has been reshuffled with the addition of Mike Wahle and a back injury to Chris Spencer has the team turning to Steve Vallos, a college tackle in 2006, to play center.
Secondary dinged up. CB DeMichael Dizer tore an ACL and will need surgery.
WR concerns: WR Bobby Engram will miss six to eight weeks with a cracked bone in his right shoulder. WR Deion Branch is six months into what is typically a nine-month rehabilitation following reconstructive knee surgery. He likely will not be ready for the season opener.
SATURDAY'S GAMES 8/16/08
Washington Redskins - QB Rotation: Jason Campbell, Todd Collins, Derek Devine, rookie Colt Brennan (see below).
QB Jason Campbell will open the game with the first-team offense. Backup Todd Collins will follow and play most of the first half. In a change, Derek Devine will start the third quarter and Colt Brennan will enter in the fourth and finish the game.
This is the third game for the Redskins, after playing in the Hall of Fame Game (8/3).
Jim Zorn is the new head coach.
Coach Jim Zorn expects several players to return for Saturday's game against the Jets, such as WR Devin Thomas (hamstring). Thomas is coming back from nearly a 2 1/2-week absence because of a hamstring problem. Starting wide receiver Antwaan Randle El (hamstring, wrist) is a game-time decision.
Reserve tackles Todd Wade and Stephon Heyer will each miss at least two weeks with injuries.
Starting free safety LaRon Landry (hamstring) is likely to miss Saturday's exhibition.
Injuries have mounted since camp began. Defensive ends Phillip Daniels and Alex Buzbee suffered season-ending injuries on the first day. Linebackers H.B. Blades and Rian Wallace and starting defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery also have had surgery.
Wide receivers Anthony Mix (ribs) and Malcolm Kelly (knee), linebacker H.B. Blades (knee), and offensive linemen Todd Wade (ankle) and Stephon Heyer (knee) are not practicing and likely to miss at least this week.
Greg Blache is the new defensive coordinator, while Sherman Smith is offensive coordinator after OC Al Saunders left. Smith previously served as assistant head coach-running backs with the Tennessee Titans for 13 seasons.
NY Jets - QB Rotation: Brett Favre (will start), Kellen Clemens, rookie Erik Ainge, Brett Ratliff.
The Jets added QB Brett Favre last week. Eric Mangini named Favre as the Jets' starter against Washington.
QB Ratliff has performed so well that speculation has arisen that he's pushing Kellen Clemens for the No. 2 QB spot. He finished 14-of-20 for 252 yards and the two TDs, and has been impressive in practices. He will get significant playing time against the Redskins.
The offense is in the third year of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's high-tech scheme that features an array of shifts and motions.
Minnesota Vikings - QB Rotation: Tarvaris Jackson, Gus Frerotte, John David Booty, Brooks Bollinger.
Lots of passing: Vikings coach Brad Childress tried something different when the offense ran 10 consecutive passing plays in the opener. No doubt Childress was preparing his team for the seven-and eight-man fronts they faced last year and will again this year as opponents try to stop running back Adrian Peterson.
The Vikings spent Sunday looking to add help at defensive end after learning Jayme Mitchell will miss the season because of a knee injury. With backup right end Brian Robison expected to miss at least another week after having surgery, the Vikings are extremely thin at the end spot.
Safety Madieu Williams could six weeks because of a neck injury. It's a setback for a pass defense that finished last in the NFL in 2007 and was counting on having a top-notch cover safety in Williams, a big free agent signing, for all 16 games. Rookie safety Tyrell Johnson will be called on to fill in for him.
Childress has dramatically altered his approach with this team. Rather than overwork his players with day after day of hitting, Childress has allowed his team to practice in shorts and shoulder pads early in camp, unlike the last two years.
Baltimore Ravens - QB Rotation: Troy Smith, Kyle Boller, rookie Joe Flacco.
QB Smith has looked good in camp and will start this game. Flacco is still up and down.
John Harbaugh is the new head coach, the former Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach. Harbaugh has never been a head coach during his 24 seasons.
Harbaugh said no one has taken the lead in the team's quarterback race. Throughout training camp, Kyle Boller, Troy Smith and Joe Flacco have rotated with the starting offense.
The QBs will be operating behind a makeshift offensive line and without running back Willis McGahee, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee this week. Baltimore's injury list includes offensive tackles Jared Gaither (ankle) and Adam Terry (ankle) and tight end Todd Heap (calf).
Harbaugh has been running the players hard, a physical practice. One team official estimated that Harbaugh has had more full-contact plays in his first week than Billick had in his entire camp last year.
By the end of Thursday's practice, almost half the starters on offense - WR Derrick Mason (knee), tight end Todd Heap (calf), RB Willis McGahee (knee) and offensive tackles Jared Gaither (ankle) and Adam Terry (ankle) - were sidelined with injuries. While all these players are expected to be ready for the regular season, it's unknown whether the offense will be.
Miami Dolphins - QB Rotation: Josh McCown, John Beck, rookie Chad Henne, Chad Pennington.
Newly acquired QB Chad Pennington practice for the first time Monday and coach Tony Soparano said that he will manage his four quarterbacks based on feel. Pennington and Henne have been taking the most snaps.
How much new Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington will play Saturday is still up in the air. From the division of practice snaps, it is obvious Saturday will feature mostly the two quarterbacking Chads, Pennington and rookie Henne. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano also made noises -- wanting to see more of safety Jason Allen, wanting to see WRs Derek Hagan and Ted Ginn Jr. on more consecutive plays -- that translated as the Dolphins' first teamers playing much more in the second exhibition game, as is typical.
The offensive line will certainly see its share of shake-ups, which likely will cause some considerable changes to the depth chart throughout the preseason. Justin Smiley is currently listed as the starter at left guard, and Trey Darilek is listed at right guard. Given Smiley's recent struggles on the left side and Donald Thomas' recent emergence on the right side, there's likely to be some different combinations used before anything is settled at that position, too.
Linebackers thin. Dolphins LB Kelvin Smith is out and might miss the season. They hope LB Joey Porter will return to practice this week after tweaking his back last week.
Tony Sparano is the new head coach, a former assistant with Bill Parcells in Dallas. He is a proponent of a balanced offense.
Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Rotation: David Garrard, Cleo Lemon, Todd Bauman.
Coach Jack Del Rio indicated there's no competition for the backup quarterback job. He said Cleo Lemon is the backup, and Todd Bouman is No. 3.
Saturday's home preseason game against Miami Dolphins is "just another game" to Jaguars backup quarterback Cleo Lemon, who started for Miami last season.
Jacksonville has a new defensive coordinator in Gregg Williams, who was with the Redskins last fall under Joe Gibbs.
Because of injuries to Jerry Porter (hamstring) and Reggie Williams (knee), there's a chance that Dennis Northcutt could take on the role as the Jaguars' No. 1 receiver for the second consecutive season. WR Troy Williamson is practicing, but he's not going full speed.
Offensive line is a weakness. The Jaguars will be without center Brad Meester for eight to 10 weeks.
Indianapolis Colts - QB Rotation: Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi (will start), Jared Lorenzen, Quinn Gray, Adam Tafarlis.
This is the third game for the Colts, after playing in the Hall of Fame Game (8/3).
Manning won't play, having minor bursa knee surgery in July. The recovery time is 4-6 weeks, so he is out of the preseason action.
QB Peyton Manning, safety Bob Sanders, defensive end Dwight Freeney and left guard Ryan Lilja are expected to be healthy by Indy's Sept. 7 season opener against Chicago.
Defensive line thin with the retirement of Quinn Pitcock, creating a void at defensive tackle. Raheem Brock, a 27-game starter at tackle the past two seasons, has been moved to left end in the base defense and apparently will remain there even with Pitcock's decision.
LBs thin. They added LB Dedrick Harrington this week. Harrington's addition followed that of Brandon Archer's last week, and again was out of necessity. Injuries continue to deplete the position.
Atlanta Falcons - QB Rotation: Joey Harrington, Matt Ryan, Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley.
QB Joey Harrington will start. Rookie QB Matt Ryan should replace him and get extended playing time. Redman and Shockley seem likely candidates to play in the second half against the Colts.
With Atlanta wanting to see how Ryan handles NFL pressure, it wouldn't be shocking to see him play early and for a prolonged period. Ryan also appears to be in line to start against Tennessee Aug. 22 at the Georgia Dome. That would leave D.J. Shockley to start the preseason finale at Baltimore Aug. 28. Should Ryan start against the Titans, it could be an indication that the rookie will start the regular-season opener.
The Falcons have spent a lot of time re-tooling the running game. Tailbacks Thomas Brown and Jason Snelling should have a battle for the No. 3 job.
The new head coach is Mike Smith, with Mike Mularkey taking over as offensive coordinator. Smith was the defensive coordinator of the Jaguars and faces his old team here.
A young secondary: The Falcons could start Chris Houston (second year) and Brent Grimes (second year) and use Chevis Jackson (rookie) as the nickel back.
Centers thin. Alex Stepanovich, the Falcons' backup center, suffered a back injury at practice Monday and was taken off the field on a cart. Stepanovich started the exhibition season opener against Jacksonville Saturday in place of center Todd McClure, who has been out with a lower-back injury since July 28.
San Diego Chargers - QB Rotation: Philip Rivers, Billy Volek, Charlie Whitehurst, Casey Bramlet.
Norv Turner said QB Philip Rivers was not the only player he will limit Saturday in St. Louis after playing many starters the bulk of the first half against Dallas. "I want to continue to evaluate our young guys," Turner said. "Normally in the preseason you play the starters a quarter in the first game and a half the second. I am flipping it a little bit."
Defensive line thin, with Luis Castillo (back), Shawne Merriman (knee) and Jamal Williams (knees) not 100%.
Antonio Cromartie worked on the side as well a day after tweaking his ankle. Shawne Merriman returned to his regular work on a side field to strengthen his knee. Neither is likely to play at St. Louis.
St. Louis Rams - QB Rotation: Marc Bulger (1st half), Trent Green (3rd Q), Bruce Gradkowski (4th Q), Brock Berlin (mop up).
Marc Bulger will play most of the first half, and regardless of the pass protection or other circumstances, needs to do better than his three-for-nine performance against Tennessee. Trent Green is scheduled to finish out the second quarter. Bruce Gradkowski will open the second half, with Brock Berlin closing out the game.
The Rams have a new offensive coordinator in Al Saunders, who ran high scoring offenses in K.C. under Dick Vermeil.
After seeing his troops pummeled 34-13 by the Titans, coach Scott Linehan is placing considerable importance on the outcome. Enough so that he plans to "play a significant amount with our starting unit." "I don't know what that means; when we're done, we're done," Linehan said. "But we want to play a great game on Saturday." Emerging victorious in St. Louis, where ticket sales are lagging, "is very important," Linehan added. "I don't discount the importance of any game, preseason or not. There's not a whole lot of good that comes out of losing a game."
RB depth a concern with star Stephen Jackson holding out. Backups Antonio Pittman and Brian Leonard already have gotten enough reps to last a couple of training camps. Pittman's workload tonight might be limited by a thigh injury.
Secondary woes: Starters Oshiomogho Atogwe (hamstring) and cornerback Fakhir Brown (shoulder) are out with injuries. With backup safety Jerome Carter expected to miss tonight's game with a groin injury, and rookie cornerback Justin King (toe) out for the season, the depth of the secondary will be tested.
Upgrading the O-line is a key: Ram QBs were sacked 48 times last season and the running game was 25th.
RG Richie Incognito is in a three-way tussle with Brett Romberg and Mark Setterstrom for two starting slots: center and right guard. Romberg (center) and Setterstrom (right guard) opened camp as first-teamers, but both have missed time. When Romberg had a sore hand and couldn't snap the ball for several days, Incognito put in time at center. And with Setterstrom out now with a strained muscle near his knee, and Romberg back at center, Incognito is back at right guard.
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Houston Texans - QB Rotation: Matt Schaub, Sage Rosenfels, Shane Boyd, rookie Alex Brink.
Quarterback Matt Schaub is expected to play 1.5 quarters against the Saints tonight. Sage Rosenfels will replace him and play until the fourth quarter. Rookie Alex Brink, the seventh-round pick, will play the fourth quarter.
With Ahman Green out, the Texans will mix up their running back rotation tonight. Chris Brown will start the game, and likely play at least through the first quarter. Chris Taylor will then enter the game. Steve Slaton will play after him, and Darius Walker will play with the final group.
The new offensive coordinator is Kyle Shanahan, as 2007 offensive coordinator Mike Sherman is the new head coach at Texas A&M.
RB depth a concern. Newly acquired RB Mike Bell continues to nurse a hamstring. Gary Kubiak didn't want to push RB Chris Brown Monday in his first practice back after almost a week. Ahman Green will get some carries against the Broncos.
Veteran cornerback Jimmy Williams is getting a scope done on his knee, and coach Gary Kubiak said he likely will be out for a significant amount of time.
New Orleans Saints - QB Rotation: Drew Brees, Mark Brunell, Tyler Palko.
Saints running back Deuce McAllister could play in Saturday's preseason game. Asked if McAllister will play, Sean Payton said: "Yeah, right now the plan is. We'll see where he's at. I want to make sure he gets enough carries in either this preseason game, No. 2, or No. 3 before we move on." McAllister has not played since Sept. 24, when he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament against the Tennessee Titans. Barring setbacks, the Saints' plan likely will involve following McAllister's performance in the second preseason game with a fuller load in Game 3.
Running back Reggie Bush might miss Saturday.5?s game against the Texans. Bush missed practice Thursday because of swelling in his left knee.
Payton also said he expects receiver Marques Colston, receiver Devery Henderson and rookie cornerback Tracy Porter to play Saturday. "I think you're going to see a number of the guys that we didn't see in Week 1 up for Week 2, barring any injury right now, " Payton said.
Tight end Jeremy Shockey (hamstring) won't play Saturday.
To help the defense, the Saints paid particular offseason attention to the line, adding free-agent defensive end Bobby McCray and drafting defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis with the seventh overall pick. They also added cornerback Randall Gay via free agency.
Arizona Cardinals - QB Rotation: Matt Leinart, Kurt Warner, Brian St. Pierre, rookie Anthony Morelli.
After not playing in last week's preseason game against the Saints, quarterback Kurt Warner is expected to start Saturday's game in Kansas City. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he is leaning toward that decision.
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is handing off most of the offensive play-calling duties for the upcoming season to coordinator Todd Haley.
WRs thin. WR Anquan Boldin (hamstring) is not 100% and WR Early Doucet (hamstring) is ailing.
O-line concerns: Cardinals starting center Al Johnson underwent surgery on his left knee last week, and the team is hoping he can return by the first or second game of the season. The Cardinals have taken two serious hits at center. Third-team center Scott Peters suffered a severe knee injury and is out for the season.
Backup Lyle Sendlein is a capable starter, but there isn't much depth. Coaches discussed the possibility of moving guard Elton Brown to center but decided Brown is young and needs the work at guard.
Secondary thin. CB Antrel Rolle (left-ankle sprain) probably won't play Saturday. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (left-ankle sprain) in not 100%.
K.C. Chiefs - QB Rotation: Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, Damon Huard.
Coach Herm Edwards said the Chiefs are likely to have the same quarterback rotation Saturday as they did last Thursday against Chicago. Brodie Croyle started and played two series, and Damon Huard replaced him for the rest of the first half. Tyler Thigpen played the second half. Edwards said he'd like Croyle to play in some 2-minute situations.
Rookie defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, the centerpiece of their rebuilding effort, injured his left knee in practice. Dorsey probably won.5?t play Saturday night when the Chiefs continue their preseason against the Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium. But he could return to the starting lineup next week.
LBs thin. Injuries have prevented Donnie Edwards and Napoleon Harris from practicing for several days, and neither will play in Saturday's game against Arizona. Starting MLB Pat Thomas was mostly a bystander in practice because of a sore finger. That left eight healthy linebackers and one, Aden Durde, is with the Chiefs as a special European exemption because he was assigned by the NFL.
The Chiefs spent the offseason overhauling the line, but with rookie left tackle Branden Albert likely out for the preseason because of a sprained foot, the team won't be able to build the continuity coach Herm Edwards wants. With Albert out, veteran guard Brian Waters has to hold down the left side.
Green Bay Packers - QB Rotation: Aaron Rodgers (30-35 plays), rookie Brian Brohm, Matt Flynn.
HC Mike McCarthy said most starters would play between 30 and 35 plays Saturday.
Green Bay is reshuffling the offensive line.
Defensive line health is a concern. Nose tackle Daniel Muir was the latest defensive tackle to go down, leaving the team pretty thin. There are four defensive tackles out and two defensive ends. The tackles are Muir, Ryan Pickett (hamstring), Johnny Jolly (hip flexor) and Justin Harrell (back). The ends are Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) and Jeremy Thompson (neck stinger).
McCarthy said the players who were sidelined for practice Thursday: receiver Brett Swain (thigh bruise), Grant (hamstring), safety Charlie Peprah (hamstring), linebacker A.J. Hawk (chest), linebacker Desmond Bishop (Achilles tendon), tight end Tory Humphrey (Achilles.5? tendon) and receiver Greg Jennings (knee), would "most likely" not play against the 49ers. Cornerback Al Harris appeared to still be bothered by a stiff back, so his status could also be in doubt.
This Green Bay camp has been heavy on blitzing and it will be interesting to see whether defensive coordinator Bob Sanders will turn loose his squad right away. If he's going to blitz more this season, he's going to have to practice it a lot because timing and execution are so important.
San Fran 49ers - QB Rotation: J.T. O'Sullivan (1st half), Alex Smith (3rd Q), Shaun Hill (4th Q), Drew Olsen.
J.T. O'Sullivan will start against Green Bay. A solid performance against the Packers would clinch O'Sullivan's status as the 49ers No. 1 quarterback. Against the Packers, he will play most of the first half. Alex Smith and Shaun Hill will finish up over the final two quarters.
Mike Martz is the new offensive coordinator. Martz is intent on making TE Vernon Davis a focal point of the offense.
QB J.T. O'Sullivan looks like the most game-ready QB, thanks to the head start he had from working as a backup in Mike Martz's offense last year in Detroit.
WRs thin: Arnaz Battle strained his hamstring in practice Tuesday. WR Bryant Johnson is still out with a right hamstring. WR Ashley Lelie (calf) and Jason Hill (groin) are both nicked up, and Isaac Bruce is still pacing himself into playing shape. Youngsters Hill, Morgan, Cam Colvin and Dominique Zeigler saw a lot of action.
With the retirement of defensive tackle Bryant Young and with defensive tackle Marques Douglas signing as a free agent with the Buccaneers, the 49ers have looked to Justin Smith and rookie Kentwan Balmer, who was the team's first-round pick out of North Carolina, to shore up the defensive line.
Dallas Cowboys - QB Rotation: Tony Romo, Brad Johnson, Richard Bartel.
The majority of the Dallas Cowboys starters will play the first half of tonight's preseason game at Denver, coach Wade Phillips said. The only starters who will not play the entire first half will be quarterback Tony Romo, tight end Jason Witten, running back Marion Barber and wide receiver Terrell Owens. That group will likely play only one quarter. The Cowboys will give backup quarterback Brad Johnson some extended time behind the first-team offensive line.
WR depth thin.
Secondary thin. With Terence Newman out with a torn groin muscle, rookie Mike Jenkins will start at left cornerback.
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is calling this "Camp Marshmallow." It's been the school of soft knocks in training camp when it comes to hitting, but Phillips wanted it that way. He didn't want to overwork his team or get players hurt. He feels he got the needed work and has a fresh team steadily building toward the Sept. 7 opener at Cleveland. Phillips believes the team accomplished the mission in camp without full contact or wearing full pads very often.
Denver Broncos - QB Rotation: Jay Cutler (1st Q), Patrick Ramsey, Darrell Hackney (2nd-4th Qs).
Backup QB Patrick Ramsey missed practice to be with his expectant wife. It's unclear whether he'll be available tonight, and Darrell Hackney and Jay Cutler, who'll likely play only about one quarter, are the only quarterbacks on the roster.
LBs thin.
Center Tom Nalen missed his fifth consecutive day with pain in his left knee.
10-12 plays are likely how long Dewayne Robertson will be on the field tonight in his Denver debut. The Broncos have treaded lightly with the free-agent defensive tackle in hopes he holds up physically on the balky left knee he has been dealing with since 2001. Shanahan said Robertson likely will play more in the Aug. 22 preseason game against Green Bay.
For the Broncos, LB Boss Bailey (ankle), center Tom Nalen (knee), and LB Louis Green (neck) will not play in Saturday's preseason game. Cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring) may be limited.
The Broncos are shaking up the logistics of their play-calling this year. First-year receivers coach Jedd Fisch will be up in the coaches' box, discussing plays with both Mike Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who will be on the sideline. Bates then will relay the call to quarterback Jay Cutler.
Chicago Bears - QB Rotation: Rex Grossman (first half+), Kyle Orton (3rd Q), Caleb Hanie.
Grossman gets the starting nod this week, with Orton following. Bears coach Lovie Smith said his starters may play into the third quarter.
O-line concerns: Rookie 1st round pick left tackle Chris Williams has a back problem and is probably out. His continued absence threatens to alter the Bears' plans for him this season.
Williams was drafted No. 14 overall in the belief he would step right in at left tackle, with John Tait shifting to the right side. John St. Clair has been working with the first team at left tackle, but odds were he'd start the season at left guard instead of Terrence Metcalf.
Injuries have hampered the offensive line from the start of camp. Center Olin Kreutz missed some time with a sore Achilles' tendon. Then Williams went down.
Seattle Seahawks - QB Rotation: Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace, Charlie Frye, Dalton Bell.
QB Charlie Frye took 100 percent of the practice time with the first-unit offense on Thursday so he is likely the starter on Saturday. Quarterback Matt Hassebeck returned to practice on Thursday after missing the past four days because of a tight back. He's unlikely to play.
The team is trying to find a halfback rotation with Maurice Morris and new additions Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. The passing game is looking for someone to fill the flanker role while Deion Branch is recovering from a knee injury. Rookie John Carlson is trying to work his way into being a factor at tight end.
The offensive line has been reshuffled with the addition of Mike Wahle and a back injury to Chris Spencer has the team turning to Steve Vallos, a college tackle in 2006, to play center.
Secondary dinged up. CB DeMichael Dizer tore an ACL and will need surgery.
WR concerns: WR Bobby Engram will miss six to eight weeks with a cracked bone in his right shoulder. WR Deion Branch is six months into what is typically a nine-month rehabilitation following reconstructive knee surgery. He likely will not be ready for the season opener.