MERRY CHRISTMAS

Arizona rookie QB Matt Leinart, the 10th player selected overall at the 2006 draft, was forced to leave Sunday’s win over San Francisco with a sprained left shoulder. While there was no definitive prognosis for Leinart, it is expected he will miss next week’s season-finale in San Diego.....


Detroit came oh so close to losing the #1 pick at the 2006 draft when former first round WR Mike Williams couldn’t hold onto a potential game-winning TD pass in the end zone on the last play of the Lions’ 26-21 loss to Chicago yesterday. With the loss, Detroit fell to 2-13 and back into a tie with the worst record in the NFL with Oakland which lost to Kansas City on Saturday evening. And with Oakland’s fellow AFC teams all winning yesterday, the gap between the combined W-L records of the Raiders and Lions will remain at least at two games and could be greater depending on the results of Monday’s games. Right now the difference is four games with Detroit’s 16 opponents posting a combined record of 126-111, while Oakland’s opponents are currently at 130-109. The Lions, who have played both Miami and the Jets this year, will add a win and a loss when those two teams play later today, automatically bringing the Lions to 127-112. The Raiders also have the Jets on their schedule so could add a win or a loss, while Detroit also has Dallas on its schedule and will add a win or loss when the Cowboys play Philadelphia this evening. Meanwhile, as advertised, there was some shuffling of the rest of the teams with top picks. As a result of losing to Tampa Bay, for example, Cleveland moved up from the 6th spot to the 3rd pick were the draft to be held today, while Tampa Bay dropped a spot to #4 and Arizona slipped to #5 after upsetting the 49ers. At the same time, Houston and Washington are in a virtual statistical tie for the 6-7 spots. However, should Washington and Houston end up with the same winning record for their combined opponents, the Texans will get the higher pick as they lost to the Redskins earlier in the season. Of course, we’ll have the full updated current selection order after Monday’s games.....

Monday

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-6) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (9-5) 5:05 PM EST

EAGLES

Saturday Update: Starting C Jamaal Jackson (ankle-probable) practiced Saturday and will start Monday against Dallas.

Backup RB Ryan Moats (ankle-probable) practiced Saturday and should be available for duty. Moats has been inactive the last seven games.

On defense, nickel LB Shawn Barber (neck-questionable) practiced again Saturday and is expected to play.

Head coach Andy Reid has been encouraged by Barber's progress this week.

"He's done a nice job," Reid said.

Barber, the team's best coverage linebacker, has missed three of the Eagles' last four games with injuries. He missed two with a knee injury and then was unable to play last week against the Giants because of a neck stinger.

Backup CB William James (calf-doubtful) didn't practice at all this week and isn't expected to play.

"Will probably won't be able to make it this week," Reid said.

James strained his calf in pre-game warm-ups last weekend and was forced to miss last week's game. James had worked in as the nickel back in previous weeks and figured to see significant action against the Giants' taller receivers.

Backup CB Rod Hood figures to fill the role of the nickel back on Monday. Hood missed the previous meeting with the Cowboys because of a foot injury.

Backup SS Michael Lewis (knee) missed practice again on Saturday and remains listed as questionable for Monday. He suffered an MCL sprain in his knee last week against the Giants.

Though Lewis didn't practice all week, Reid was not ready to downgrade his status.

"We will see how Michael does here in the next couple of days," Reid said.

Since losing his starting job, Lewis has done a nice job in a hybrid linebacker type of role, playing closer to the line of scrimmage in run support and generating some pressure on the quarterback. Against Washington on Dec. 10, Lewis returned an interception 84 yards for a touchdown.

Elsewhere on defense, starting FS Brian Dawkins (back-probable) practiced Saturday and will start. Dawkins has been on a tear of late, with an interception, a sack and two forced fumbles over the last two games.

Starting WLB Omar Gaither (shoulder-probable) practiced Saturday and will make his fourth straight start in place of LB Matt McCoy. Gaither has added some physicality to the linebacker corps. He has chipped in a sack and an interception over the last two games.

"He's got a little bit of playmaker ability. He's still a work in progress, but at least he is being productive," Johnson said.

Starting MLB Jeremiah Trotter (knee-probable) practiced Saturday and is expected to start.

Friday Update: Starting C Jamaal Jackson (ankle-probable) practiced again Friday. Jackson sustained his injury two weeks ago but was able to play through it last week at the Giants.

Backup RB Ryan Moats (ankle-probable) practiced Friday. Moats, who has been inactive the last seven games, "tweaked" his ankle in practice a week ago. He's usually inactive since backup RB Reno Mahe handles their special team returns.

On defense, nickel LB Shawn Barber (neck) practiced again Friday and is listed as questionable. However, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said Friday that he believes he will have the services of his best coverage linebacker.

"He gives us some rest for (starting MLB Jeremiah) Trotter and (starting WLB) Omar (Gaither) in our dime package and stuff like that," Johnson said.

Barber has missed three of the last four games with injuries. He missed two with a knee injury and then was unable to play last week against the Giants because of a neck stinger.

Backup CB William James (calf) missed practice for a second straight day Friday and remains listed as doubtful for the Cowboys game. Johnson doesn't expect to have James on Monday night.

"I don't know if we will have William James. I doubt it right now, but things can happen," Johnson said. "I would like to have William James, but I'm not sure he is going to be available."

James strained his calf in pre-game warm-ups last weekend and was forced to miss the Giants game. James had worked in as the nickel back in previous weeks and figured to see significant action against the Giants' taller receivers.

Backup CB Rod Hood figures to fill the role of the nickel back on Monday. Hood missed the previous meeting with the Cowboys because of a foot injury.

Backup SS Michael Lewis (knee) missed practice again on Friday and remains listed as questionable for Monday. He suffered an MCL sprain in his knee last week against the Giants.

If Lewis is unable to play, Johnson will look to backup S Quintin Mikell (knee-probable) to step up and fill in.

"He would be replacing Mike in some of our packages in there. So, we are still going to go with some of our packages in there, but just like last week when Mike got hurt, we used Quintin Mikell in there and we plan to go with that this week too."

On the comparison between Mikell and Lewis, Johnson said: "(Mikell) is a tough guy. He does a great job at special teams. I'm not really concerned about him. The thing about Mike, you've got good size, no question about it, like a linebacker in there playing that situation. But, (Quintin) is a good tackler and he is a tough guy and he's a playmaker too."

Since losing his starting job, Lewis has done a nice job in hybrid linebacker type of role, playing closer to the line of scrimmage in run support and generating some pressure on the quarterback. Against Washington on Dec. 10, Lewis returned an interception 84 yards for a touchdown.

Elsewhere on defense, starting FS Brian Dawkins (back-probable) practiced again Friday. Dawkins has been on a tear of late, with an interception, a sack and two forced fumbles over the last two games.

Gaither (shoulder-probable) practiced Friday and is in line to make his fourth straight start in place of LB Matt McCoy. Gaither has added some physicality to the linebacker corps. He has chipped in a sack and an interception over the last two games.

"He's got a little bit of playmaker ability. He's still a work in progress, but at least he is being productive," Johnson said.

Trotter (knee-probable) practiced Friday and is expected to start.

COWBOYS

Saturday Update:FB Oliver Hoyte (knee), who was inactive last week, practiced all week and is expected to play.

Friday Update: The team worked out free agent RBs Damien Anderson and Quentin Griffin on Friday but neither will be signed before Monday's game.

Backup CB Jacques Reeves (dislocated elbow) missed practice again Friday and isn't expected to play. The swelling in his elbow is getting better but he's unable to practice.


NEW YORK JETS (8-6) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (6-8) 8:35 PM EST

JETS

Saturday Update: Backup RB Cedric Houston (calf-questionable) didn't practice this week and just did limited drills. The team is still calling his status a game-time decision.

Friday Update: Starting QB Chad Pennington (calf-probable) practiced again on Friday and is expected to start.

RB Cedric Houston (calf-questionable) didn't practice again Friday and remains questionable to play. If he can't practice Saturday, look for rookie RB Leon Washington and backup RBs Kevan Barlow to carry the rushing load.

"Kevan has been making progress since he's been here. I'm really happy with Kevan and the way he's helped out on special teams and tried to carve out a role there. He's a guy that has never really played there. He just jumps in. He gets in the mix. Jimmy Raye (running backs coach) has a good term, ‘it gets noisy.' Whenever there's a lot of chance for a lot of contact, I can't do a good Jimmy Raye, but he's always talking about how noisy it's going to get and how you'd better be ready for the noise. That's how it is on special teams. The noise hasn't affected Kevan too much. I'm pleased with that. He's running the ball well in practice and picking up, really understanding things more and more each week, which is the case for a lot of people. I've been happy with him overall," head coach Eric Mangini said Friday.

Starting FB B.J. Askew (foot-questionable) didn't practice again Friday and his status will be decided on Monday. Backup FB James Hodgins would start again if needed.

Starting WR Laveranues Coles (back-questionable) was rested again Friday but is still expected to start. #3 WR Justin McCareins (foot-probable) practiced again Friday and is expected to play.

Starting C Nick Mangold (hip-probable) practiced again Friday and is expected to start.

Starting G Brandon Moore (back-probable) practiced again Friday and is expected to start.

Veteran CB David Barrett (hip-questionable) didn't practice on Friday but should be able to play.

Backup S Eric Smith (foot-questionable) didn't practice on Friday but will likely play.

DOLPHINS

Saturday Update: Starting RB Ronnie Brown (left hand-questionable) practiced again Saturday and is expected to play but again, backup RB Sammy Morris is expected to start. We expect both to share the carries in the game.

Starting WR Marty Booker (ankle-doubtful) missed practice again Saturday and isn't expected to play with backup WR Wes Welker starting for him.

Friday Update: Starting QB Joey Harrington (ankle-probable) practiced Friday and is expected to start. #2 QB Cleo Lemon may see some time in the game since they're out of the running for a playoff spot.

Starting RB Ronnie Brown (broken left hand-questionable) was able to practice Friday but his role for the game remains up in the air.

“Ronnie Brown did all the work today. He seemed to respond well to everything that we needed for him to do. There’s no decision that has been made yet about how we’ll use him. We’re still viewing (backup RB) Sammy (Morris) as the guy that will be out there starting and going. We’ll decide how much we’ll use Ronnie, relative to how he finishes the week and what he does," head coach Nick Saban said after Friday's practice.

Starting WR Marty Booker (ankle-doubtful) didn't practice Friday and isn't expected to play. Backup WR Wes Welker is expected to start for him.

Starting DT Keith Traylor (knee-probable) practiced Friday and is expected to start.

Starting CB Will Allen (groin-questionable) practiced again Friday and should be able to play.....


Texas Christian junior DE Tommy Blake, who had a couple of sacks in the Horned Frogs’ Poinsettia Bowl win over Northern Illinois as he and his mates shutdown NIU RB Garrett Wolfe the NCAA’s leading rusher, is indicating he will be returning to school for his senior season next fall. Meanwhile, Hawaii junior QB Colt Brennan won't be wasting any time after Sunday night's Hawaii Bowl to start considering his draft options. Brennan, who set a single-season record for TD passes this season, reportedly will be applying to the NFL draft advisory committee to get a read on his draft status first thing tomorrow morning. At the same time, San Jose State junior CB Dwight Lowery, a JC transfer who burst on the national scene this fall when he intercepted nine passes, reportedly will also be checking out his NFL options; the 6-0, 195-pound Lowery reportedly will consult with the NFL’s draft advisory committee and sounds very much like someone who would like to make the move to the NFL sooner rather than later.