Johnson improving

The Kansas City Chiefs have announced that running back Larry Johnson has made “significant improvement“ with his injured right foot. His status for this weekend, against the Denver Broncos, is still doubtful to out.

Johnson will be re-evaluated early next week with further tests, the team announced.

Below is the full statement from kcchiefs.com:

Chiefs Statement on RB Larry Johnson

Nov 08, 2007, 3:27:26 PM

According to our Chiefs medical staff and its most recent evaluation of Larry Johnson last evening (Wednesday, November 7), Larry has made significant improvement with less swelling and pain in his injured right foot. His status will be re-evaluated again early next week with further exams and tests. His status for this week is doubtful to out.

Jon E. Browne, MD
Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic of KC

Carl D. Peterson
President/GM, CEO
Kansas City Chiefs

Source: kcchiefs.com. Nov. 8 – 8:22 p.m. et

Johnson’s season in doubt?

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is “highly questionable,” according to coach Herman Edwards, for Sunday’s game against Denver and may miss the rest of the season, NFL.com has reported.

Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards denied the reports that Johnson’s out for the season and said he only knows what the team doctors have told him. Team doctors have Johnson listed as doubtful for Sunday.

The Chiefs have said they are seeking a second opinion on Johnson’s sprained right foot, which was suffered against Green Bay last Sunday when linebacker A.J. Hawk tackled him from behind.

The Chiefs are also awaiting the results of an MRI on Johnson’s foot. Running back Priest Holmes is next in line, along with rookie back Kolby Smith.

“Priest Holmes obviously won’t be the featured back. We’re going to have to do it by committee,” Edwards said. “Kolby Smith is going to be used. I’m not going to sit here and say Priest will carry the ball 30 times. That wouldn’t be fair to Priest.”

Source: NFL.com. Nov. 7 – 11:42 a.m. et

Jackson or Holcomb game-day decision

The Minnesota Vikings wont’ announce their starting quarterback until Sunday morning, ESPN.com has reported.

Tarvaris Jackson is questionable with a broken index finger in his throwing hand, and it appears more likely backup QB Kelly Holcomb may start in his place.

Source: ESPN.com. Oct. 27 – 10: 53 a.m. et

Leftwich has surgery, may return soon

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Byron Leftwich, who was given the starting job last week, had surgery on his sprained right ankle Tuesday, ESPN.com has reported. The surgery may allow Leftwich to return within two weeks.

Before being sidelined with the severe sprain, Leftwich went 15-of-23 for 145 yards and one touchdown Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Joey Harrington will start Sunday when Atlanta takes on the San Francisco 49ers.

Source: ESPN.com. Oct. 24 – 11:26 a.m. et

Garrard sprains ankle in loss to Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard has been carrying the team all season, but after suffering a left ankle sprain against the Colts the Jags may have to depend on someone else.

“He got a pretty good sprain,” coach Jack Del Rio was quoted on NFL.com. “I would think, in all likelihood, he’ll be missing some time.”

The Jags will likely seek a veteran quarterback until Garrard is healthy. Notable FA veteran quarterbacks include Drew Bledsoe, Aaron Brooks and Chris Weinke. 

Source: NFL.com. Oct. 23 – 8:13 a.m. et

Wednesday injury report

Tennessee Titans: quarterback Vince Young rested his strained right quadriceps Wednesday. Kerry Collins took the reps as the No. 1 QB. The Titans face the Houston Texans Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens: cornerback Chris McAlister may be sidelined three weeks due to a strained knee, NFL.com has reported. McAlister has been playing through the injury but the team notified McAlister he may have to sit out. The Ravens travel to Buffalo Sunday.

San Diego Chargers: center Nick Hardwick is expected to miss three to four weeks with a sprained right foot suffered in a 28-14 win over the Oakland Raiders. The Chargers have a bye-week this Sunday, providing an extra week for rehab. Though the Chargers should be fine without him; after all, they only put up 140-some yards on the ground Sunday after Hardwick went down.

Arizona Cardinals: an MRI on quarterback Kurt Warner revealed a torn ligament in his left elbow. The injury will not require surgery but backup QB Tim Rattay is expected to start in his place Sunday at Washington. On Tuesday the Cardinals also signed free-agent QB Tim Hasselbeck.

New England Patriots: running back Sammy Morris was sidelined in the Pats 48-27 win over Dallas, but there is some uncertainty of exactly what’s wrong with him. Head coach Bill Belichick said Morris is day-to-day, but according to NFL.com he’s out for Sunday.

Source: NFL.com. Oct. 17 – 6:49 p.m. et. Updated Oct. 18 – 1:19 p.m. et

Green eyes return

Miami Dolphins starting quarterback Trent Green, who sustained his second severe concussion in 13 months, told coach Cam Cameron Wednesday that he intends to continue his playing career, the Miami Herald has reported.

A team of neurosurgeons in Missouri evaluated Green following his concussion. Per Miami Herald, Green called Cameron in between doctors’ visits to tell him of his intent to continue playing.

”He told me it was very encouraging,” Cameron was quoted on Miamiherald.com. “He’s really upbeat. You could imagine, that’s what makes those guys who they are and what they are. They’re competitors, and they think a little differently than the rest of us sometimes. They can’t imagine not playing.”

Source: Profootballtalk, Miamiherald.com. Oct. 11 – 3:52 p.m. et