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Around FCS: A final weekend primer

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:18:39 GMT

Here Thanksgiving isn't until next week and those greedy retail outlets are trying to coerce our thoughts towards Christmas shopping.

Like most folks who follow the Football Championship Subdivision, I'd rather keep my mind on the final weekend of the regular season and how it will impact the selection of the 16-team playoff field that will be unveiled on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. eastern time on ESPNews.

Giants LB Pierce out indefinitely

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:25:27 GMT

Pierce underwent an MRI Friday after originally suffering the injury on October 25 against Arizona.

"I'm shocked with what I heard from the doctors this afternoon," Pierce said. "I had no idea that what happened a few weeks ago could keep me off the field. I didn't think it was that serious. I'm going to do everything the doctors tell me to do so I can get back out on the field as soon as possible." Pierce has missed only one game in the last four seasons and has 55 tackles, one sack and one forced fumbles in nine games for the 5-4 Giants this season.

Lions place G Peterman on IR

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:23:43 GMT

Peterman has started all nine games this season for the 1-8 Lions and has 36 starts in the last three seasons combined.

The 27-year-old has played in 42 career games in six years with the Cowboys and Lions.

Redskins DT Haynesworth a game-time decision for Sunday

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:50:31 GMT

Haynesworth missed practice all week and is expected to be a game-time decision.

Also listed as questionable are offensive linemen Stephon Heyer (knee) and Mike Williams (ankle).

Orton doesn't practice, Simms primed to start

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:42:10 GMT

Orton was held out of practice this week after severely spraining his left ankle late in the second quarter of last week's loss to Washington. He did not return and Simms took over, although, he completed just 3-of-13 passes for 13 yards with an interception.

The last time Simms started under center was Week 3 of the 2006 season when he suffered internal bleeding and had to have emergency surgery to have his spleen removed following a nasty hit. The injury cost him the rest of that season and all of the next.

Cleveland WR Cribbs, RB Lewis questionable for Sunday

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:36:40 GMT

Cribbs was hospitalized after taking a big hit on the final play of last Monday's 16-0 loss to Baltimore. He lateraled the ball after a reception on the final play and immediately was leveled by a defender. He lay on the ground while trainers attended to him, then was immobilized and taken off the field for what head coach Eric Mangini called precautionary reasons.

The injury, which limited Cribbs during the week's final two practice sessions, has since been labeled as a neck sprain.

Two Saints CBs out for Sunday; Bush questionable

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:23:05 GMT

Greer (groin) and Porter (knee) did not practice all week along with running back Reggie Bush, who is questionable with a sore knee.

Starting free safety Darren Sharper is probable after taking full snaps on Friday despite a knee problem. Also ailing on the defensive side of the ball is defensive end Sedrick Ellis (knee), who is questionable after being limited in practice all week.

Steelers to sit Polamalu in Week 11

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:14:32 GMT

An MRI exam earlier this week revealed the Steelers safety has a strain of the posterior cruciate ligament. The injury is to his left knee, the same knee that cost him four games earlier this season due to an MCL sprain.

Polamalu left this past weekend's 18-12 loss to Cincinnati during the Bengals' first drive of the game and did not return. He made one tackle before leaving, although it wasn't clear if that is where the injury occurred.

Giants CB Ross questionable, could return

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:09:48 GMT

Ross, who was a limited participant in practice all week, has yet to play this year because of a nagging hamstring injury. The former first-round draft pick had played 15 games in each of his first two years, recording three interceptions in each season.

Terrell Thomas and Corey Webster have split time at cornerback in Ross' absence.

Falcons' Turner doubtful; Norwood a maybe

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:04:47 GMT

There is still no timetable for the return of Turner, who suffered a high right ankle sprain last Sunday.

However, the Falcons could get a boost to the backfield with the return of Norwood, who practiced for the first time in over a month this week -- albeit in a limited capacity. He's been battling a hip injury and the aftereffects of a concussion suffered earlier in the season and is listed as questionable.

Jags LB Durant doubtful

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:00:45 GMT

Durant, suffering from a head injury, did not practice all week and is part of a maligned Jaguars defensive unit. In addition to Durant being doubtful, the team had already ruled out cornerback Rashean Mathis because of a groin injury.

Additionally, strong safety Gerald Alexander (shoulder) is questionable. Alexander, who did not play last week against the Jets, returned to practice Friday and was a full participant.

Bengals RB Benson doubtful for Sunday's game

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:54:34 GMT

Benson left last week's game against Pittsburgh with a strained hip.

The fifth-year back ranks sixth in the league in rushing this season with 859 yards and six touchdowns.

Eskimos sign LB Lloyd to extension

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:32:00 GMT

Lloyd, who signed as a free agent this past February, had 55 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble this past season.

Over his four seasons in the CFL, he has totaled 217 tackles, 12 sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Bills place LB Ellison on IR

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:55:04 GMT

Ellison suffered a quadriceps injury in Week 8 and has not played or practiced since then. He is the 12th Buffalo player to go on injured reserve this season.

In eight games this year, his fourth in the NFL, Ellison had 68 tackles and two passes defensed.

Nicholls State releases football coach Thomas

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:20:08 GMT

The program compiled a record of 27-35 with Thomas as head coach, including a 21-21 record in his first four seasons and a Southland Conference title in 2005.

But the Colonels have not had a winning conference record since 2005 and have gone 6-14 over the last two seasons, including a 3-8 mark in 2009, which they ended with a victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday.

Cardinals' Dockett fined

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:01:55 GMT

The fine is for the elbow Dockett dealt to the neck of Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck after a play in last Sunday's 31-20 win over the Seahawks.

Bears RB Wolfe placed on IR

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:15 GMT

Wolfe, who had not gotten a carry in either of the Bears' last two games, is suffering from a kidney issue. In eight games this season, the third-year pro racked up 120 yards and one touchdown on 22 rushes.

Bell was an undrafted free agent out of UCLA, and was signed by the Bears to the practice squad on September 16 after being waived by the Vikings one month earlier.

A Double Dose of Dangerous Dogs

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:35:14 GMT

Northwestern has won three of its last four games to move to 4-3 in Big Ten play and 7-4 overall but still are seven-point underdogs at home against Wisconsin. The Wildcats outplayed Illinois on the road last week in a spot they could have easily faltered coming off the huge upset win over Iowa. And don't forget the Fighting Illini came into that match up on a two-game winning streak.

Wisconsin is 3-2 in its last five (8-2 overall) with the lone two losses coming against Iowa and Ohio State. The Badgers are currently in a three-way tie for second place in the conference with the Hawkeyes and Penn State at 5-2.

Webster steps down as head coach at Tennessee State

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:44:09 GMT

Webster coached the Tigers to a 21-10 win over Eastern Illinois Thursday night in his final game at the school.

Webster, who was hired in January 2005, ended his tenure as head coach of the Tiger football program with a five-year record of 25-31.

Dolphins top Panthers behind vintage Williams performance

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:22:52 GMT

Dolphins defensive back Tyrone Culver knocked down Jake Delhomme's high-arcing prayer pass in the end zone on the game's final play.

Williams rushed 22 times for 119 yards and caught two balls for 19 yards. Chad Henne threw for 172 yards and the one touchdown.

No. 12 Oklahoma State survives scare from Colorado

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:50:38 GMT

Robinson sat after taking a vicious hit at the end of last week's win over Texas Tech, and Brandon Weeden threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 10- of-15 passing for Oklahoma State (9-2, 6-1 Big 12), which kept its slim hopes for a BCS berth alive with its third straight win.

Weeden played only the second half after starter Alex Cate went 0-for-9 passing with an interception in the first half. Perrish Cox added a punt return for a touchdown in the victory.

Oklahoma State QB Robinson out against Colorado

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:25:58 GMT

In Robinson's place is junior Alex Cate, who has only five career pass attempts coming into the game.

Robinson has thrown for 1,922 passing yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games this season for the 12th-ranked Cowboys.

Panthers' Stewart, Williams active

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:12:07 GMT

Stewart (Achilles) missed practice earlier in the week, while Williams (knee) showed up on the injury report Wednesday as a non-participant in practice. Both players were listed as questionable for the game.

Williams has rushed for 860 yards and seven TDs on 168 carries in nine games this year for the 4-5 Panthers. Stewart has carried the ball 98 times for 466 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Vikings, Childress agree to extension

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:55:12 GMT

Childress has led Minnesota to an 8-1 record in this his fourth season with the club. He was also instrumental in bringing quarterback Brett Favre out of retirement in the offseason.

"Brad has done a tremendous job leading this football team and we value the positive environment he has created for the Minnesota Vikings on and off the field," said Vikings owner Zygi Wilf. "He has continued to positively impact this team and create a strong foundation for future success." Childress'record was 24-24 with the Vikings heading into the year, highlighted by an NFC North title in 2008.

NFL Inactives (Thursday, November 19, 2009)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:47:46 GMT

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS, 8:20 P.M. (ET) Dolphins - 3rd QB Tyler Thigpen, LB Erik Walden, T Andrew Gardner, DE Lionel Dotson, T Lydon Murtha, TE Anthony Fasano, NT Paul Soliai, S Nate Ness Panthers - 3rd QB A.J. Feeley, S Charles Godfrey, RB Mike Goodson, FB Brad Hoover, G Duke Robinson, WR Kenny Moore, DE Charles Johnson, DE Hilee Taylor

11/19 19:47:46 ET