CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY

Sunday

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-6) AT CHICAGO BEARS (14-3) 3:00 PM EST

SAINTS

Friday Update: Starting WR Joe Horn (questionable-groin), again, ran but didn't participate in the team part of practice. Officially the team is calling his status a game-decision but because he hasn't tested his partially torn groin in the normal part of practice since he originally got hurt, he probably won't play. Look for backup WR Devery Henderson to take up most of his role again.

Starting TE Mark Campbell (knee-probable) practiced again Friday and is expected to start although backup TE Billy Miller, who played well last week, could share time with him.

Starting SS Omar Stoutmire (hip-questionable) practiced again Friday and could be available but backup SS Jay Bellamy will probably start again for him.

Thursday Update: Heading into Sunday's NFC Championship Game in Chicago, New Orleans only lists three players on their injury report, foremost among them only starting WR Joe Horn (groin-questionable).

He hasn't played since a failed attempt to work into action Dec. 3. He practiced late during the bye week for the first time in several weeks but wasn't able to practice last week and didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday of this week, diminishing his chances of being available Sunday. Horn also missed the first two games of November but he started in the next three contests after that span. Horn has been running and has participated in limited drills but hasn't done any team work.

#3 WR Devery Henderson started opposite the other starting WR, rookie Marques Colston, vs. the Eagles last Saturday. If Horn is out again, the personnel the Saints use this week will depend on down, distance and formation, with rookie RB Reggie Bush also splitting out wide on occasion and #4 WR Terrence Copper also seeing extensive time.

Also listed are starting SS Omar Stoutmire (hip-questionable) and starting TE Mark Campbell (knee-probable/upgraded from questionable).

Stoutmire, who had been bothered previously with a knee injury, missed the last three games of the season and was inactive last week as well but he practiced both Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Veteran S Steve Gleason started in his place Dec. 17, and then backup SS Jay Bellamy has filled in the last three games.

Campbell rested Wednesday but returned fully on Thursday and should start Sunday.

BEARS

Friday Update: Backup WR Mark Bradley (questionable-ankle) missed practice again Friday and isn't expected to play with backup WR Justin Gage filling in.

Starting WR Muhsin Muhammad (illness) returned to practice Friday and was removed from the injury report and will start.

Thursday Update: The only player in danger of not playing in Sunday's NFC Championship Game is #4 WR Mark Bradley (questionable). He injured his right ankle last Sunday and didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. If Bradley isn't available, backup WR Justin Gage would likely be active. He was inactive last week.

Starting WR Muhsin Muhammad (illness-probable) was added to the injury report Thursday when he sat out of practice with the flu. He's expected back on the practice field Friday and will start vs. the Saints.

The only other player to miss practice this week is starting DE Adewale Ogunleye, who rested Wednesday with a quadriceps contusion suffered vs. the Seahawks. He returned for a full day of work Thursday and will start Sunday and was removed from the injury report.

Starting FB Jason McKie (ankle) and starting LCB Charles Tillman (back) both made it through the Divisional playoff win no worse for the wear, returning from multi-week absences to end the regular season. Neither player is listed on the injury report and will start.


NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (14-4) 6:35 PM EST

PATRIOTS

Friday Update: Starting QB Tom Brady (right shoulder-probable) practiced fully again Friday and will start.

Backup DE Mike Wright (illness-flu/questionable), backup OT Ryan O'Callaghan (illness-flu/questionable), and veteran WR Troy Brown (illness-flu/questionable) all did limited practicing again Friday and are expected to be available for the game in their usual roles.

Starting SS Rodney Harrison (sprained knee-doubtful) saw limited practice time again Friday but is not expected to play with backup S James Sanders starting again for him.

Thursday Update: Starting QB Tom Brady (right shoulder-probable) practiced fully again Thursday and will start.

A flu bug has hit has backup DE Mike Wright (illness-flu/questionable), backup OT Ryan O'Callaghan (illness-flu/questionable), and veteran WR Troy Brown (illness-flu/questionable). All practiced Thursday and are expected to be available for the game in their usual roles. Brown came off the bench last week with WR Jabar Gaffney starting.

Starting SS Rodney Harrison (sprained knee-doubtful) saw limited practice time Thursday but is not expected to play. If the Patriots advance to the Super Bowl, there’s an excellent chance that Harrison would be ready to play.

Backup S James Sanders is expected to start in Harrison’s place this week and he’s played well in recent weeks.

COLTS

Friday Update: #3 WR Ricky Proehl (hamstring-questionable) practiced again Friday and if he gets through pre-game warmups well on Sunday, he should be able to play.

Starting ORT Ryan Diem (shoulder-questionable) practiced again Friday and is expected to start.

Starting G Ryan Lilja (sprained knee-questionable) practiced again Friday and is expected to start.

Starting WLB Cato June (concussion-questionable) practiced again Friday and is expected to start.

Starting SLB Rob Morris (knee) was added to the injury report as questionable and his status will be decided closer to game time. If he can't play, former starting SLB Gilbert Gardner would likely start for him. Morris was held out of Friday's practice as a precaution.

Starting CB Nick Harper (ankle-questionable) practiced again Friday and is expected to start.

Starting FS Bob Sanders (knee-questionable) practiced again Friday and is expected to start.

The team could upgrade several of those players listed as questionable as they have done on many Saturday's this season.

Thursday Update: Rookie RB Joseph Addai (shoulder) was injured in last week's game but is practicing and isn't listed on the injury report and is expected to start his third straight game.

Starting WR Marvin Harrison continues to deal with a lingering sore wrist but is practicing fully and will start and isn't listed on the injury report. #3 WR Ricky Proehl (hamstring-questionable) practiced again Thursday. Proehl signed with the team for the final five games of the regular season and playoffs. He has only been active for two games and has missed the last four games including both playoff games. If he can practice again Friday, he should be able to play. If he's unable to play again, backup WR Aaron Moorehead fills in.

Starting ORT Ryan Diem (shoulder-questionable) practiced again Thursday and is expected to start.

Starting G Ryan Lilja (sprained knee-questionable) practiced again Thursday and is expected to start. He suffered the injury in their next to last game of the regular season at the Texans and missed the next two games but returned to the field last week.

Starting WLB Cato June (concussion-questionable) was cleared to practice and play Sunday. He's practiced the last two days and is expected to start.

Starting CB Nick Harper (ankle-questionable) practiced again Thursday and is expected to start. He's been dealing with a sore ankle for about three weeks but has been able to play through it.

Starting FS Bob Sanders (knee-questionable) practiced again Thursday and is expected to start. Sanders missed 12 regular season games due to knee problems. He had a scope on his injured right knee back in late September. Sanders could be rested tomorrow as the team did with him last Friday.

It's looking like all of their injured players will be available for the game.

“Yesterday was a pretty good day for us. I think we got the work done that we needed to do. Most of our guys were able to work and practice. We rested a couple of guys routinely. That’s what we’ve done the last four or five weeks. Bob Sanders practiced and did well. Joseph Addai practiced and did well. It was a good start to the week," head coach Tony Dungy said Thursday.


Russ Grimm has been offered and has accepted the Steelers' head coaching position, a source in Pittsburgh confirmed late Saturday... ESPN and SI.com, Sports Illustrated's Web site, reported yesterday that Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin had been chosen to replace Cowher.....

In the same week the Bengals gave Carolina permission to interview quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese for its offensive coordinator job, they denied the Browns the same opportunity. The Bengals wouldn't let a talent like Zampese, whose knowledge of their offense probably is second only to coordinator Bob Bratkowski's, leave for a division rival. Panthers coach John Fox is believed to have completed outside and in-house interviews and is expected to let candidates know by Tuesday.....