Week 3 NFL Injury Report: Jets Without Two Key Pieces of Seconday vs. Titans

The Patriots offense may have to try and rebound from last weekend’s lackluster performance without star receiver Randy Moss as they host the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday:

It doesn’t sound too serious at this point, but with receiver Wes Welker also questionable for the game, quarterback Tom Brady could be left with few options downfield (unless, of course, you consider Joey Galloway or Julian Edelman dangerous weapons).

The Chiefs will be without the services of linebacker Derrick Johnson this weekend:

Although Johnson lost his starting job in training camp, he has been a bright spot on Kansas City’s porous defense thus far this year. He had an interception Week 1 and a sack last week.

The Buffalo Bills injury report states that cornerback Terrence McGee has been limited in practice due to an ankle injury since Wednesday and is questionable for the game against the Saints on Sunday.

Patriots’ wide receiver Wes Welker has practiced the last two days, but has been limited. Bill Belichick says that Welker will be a game time decision when the Pats play host to the undefeated Falcons Sunday.

As reported earlier, Welker believes his injured knee will be good to go this weekend.

According to a source, the Cowboys are “leaning toward” holding Barber out, despite his protestations that he can play. Running backs Felix Jones and Tashard Choice figure to split the carries in Barber’s absence.

The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Joe Reedy reports that running back Cedric Benson, wide receiver Chris Henry and cornerback Jonathan Joseph have been upgraded to probable for Sunday’s game against the Steelers.

Benson was held out of practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury and was limited on Thursday. Henry returned to practice Thursday and will play through a strained left quadriceps. From the Enquirer:

Rick Maese of the Washington Post reports:

In recent years, it’s been fairly common for Portis to take practices off and show up on the injury report, yet still get a full work load on Sunday. We shall see if that’s the case here.

After sitting out Thursday’s practice due to knee soreness from playing on artificial turf last week, Cadillac Williams returned to the field on Friday. Despite this latest bit of goods news, Williams is still listed as questionable for Week 3, and according to the Pewter Report, Derrick Ward has been named the starter against the Giants. Williams and Ward have been splitting carries nearly 50-50, so this announcement may not change much, but we’ll keep you posted for any developments.

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

Jackson aggravated a groin strain in last week’s game against the Saints, and had been held out of practice earlier in the week. No word yet on how he looks today.

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News confirms earlier reports about Phillips:

Rouse was just released this week by the Packers, which was a controversial move by the team. He’s productive in run support, but struggles in coverage.

From the NY Daily News, here’s Tom Coughlin’s comments after practice today about Kenny Phillips, who is rumored to require season-ending knee surgery:

Yes, so many circumstances and ... things involved and ... issues. Tons of issues. Like, will he need surgery, for example. That would be one issue. Or, will he not need surgery? That would be another issue. And … well … those are actually the only two possible issues.

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News tweets:

Canty missed last week’s tilt against his former team, the Cowboys. Canty’s continued absence is a blow to a defense already missing two of its biggest playmakers in DE Justin Tuck, who’s out with a partially torn labrum, and S Kenny Phillips, who reportedly may be shut down for the rest of the year due to a knee injury.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

Backups James Davis and Jerome Harrison – who have collectively gained 13 yards on seven carries this year – will take Lewis’ place if he is unable to go. The Browns face the Ravens, and their top-ranked run defense, this Sunday.

Pro Football Talk was the first to report this and now the NJ Star-Ledger is as well: Giants safety Kenny Phillips may be placed on I.R. and miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Phillips has been suffering a lingering knee issue which has kept him off the practice field. He was able to play against Dallas last Sunday, and had two interceptions. Now reports indicate that the knee will require surgery.

Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times reports:

Bryant sat out last week with a knee injury.

Update: Mike Reiss of

Peterson was limited to stretching and individual drills in practice today, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. It’s unlikely a back injury suffered in Sunday’s win over the Lions will cost Peterson any time on the field, but “back injury” plus “franchise running back” always equals red flag, no matter how trivial.

From Boston.com’s Extra Points blog:

Related: SB Nation’s Pats Pulpit takes a look at just how much the absence of Welker hurts New England’s offense.

About 24 hours after reports that Marion Barber would miss 1-2 weeks, the running back was out on the practice field Wednesday:

Updating an earlier report, the St. Petersburg Times now says Bucs safety Jermaine Phillips will miss the rest the season after breaking his thumb.

Previously, it had been hoped Phillips would only miss 6-8 weeks, but after further examination, the Bucs have placed the longtime defensive back on IR. The Bucs’ secondary has struggled mightily through two games, so they will presumably look for veteran help at the position.

Blue Star Blog tweets:

Pretty significant blow to Dallas’ run game. They still have Felix Jones -- the proverbial “home run hitter” -- but Barber has run for 79 and 124 yards in the Cowboys’ first two games, respectively. This could mean more touches for their talented third-stringer Tashard Choice.

Last night, Marion Barber appeared to have a clear path to the end zone in the fourth quarter before collapsing with an apparent quadriceps injury (go to the 3:56 mark to see the play)

Barber reportedly underwent an MRI today, but the Cowboys so far have been mum beyond saying that Barber has a “quad injury”. Felix Jones figures to start if Barber is unable to play. We’ll keep you updated on any developments.

After their younger, revamped offensive line plowed the way for Fred Jackson’s monster day, the Bills learned that they will be without starting RT Brad Butler for the rest of the season. Butler injured his knee on Sunday, and will require surgery.

The Bills will reportedly bring in a veteran offensive lineman to replace Butler. Former Eagle John Runyan appears to be the frontrunner, considering he visited the team last week.