Following NFL Week #16

MARK BRUNELL
Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell sprained the MCL in his right knee early in the third quarter against the Giants.
Gas Gauge: Brunell was injured while being sacked by linebacker Nick Greisen and wasn’t able to return to action and will undergo a M.R.I. today.  Patrick Ramsey took his place and went 5 of 7 for 104 yards including a 72-yard scoring strike.

MIKE ANDERSON
Broncos tater toter Mike Anderson sprained his left ankle in the second quarter against the Raiders.
Gas Gauge: Anderson rushed 10 times for 46 yards and a TD, with the injury coming on his last carry of 11 yards.  He didn’t play after halftime.  Tatum Bell took his place.

MARCUS TRUFANT
Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant sustained a lower back bruise in the first quarter against the Colts.
Gas Gauge: Trufant didn’t return to action and was replaced by Jimmy Williams which meant that the Hawks were forced to play backups Jordan Babineaux, Michael Harden and Williams due to injuries to starters Andre Dyson, Kelly Herndon and Trufant.  Seattle will likely hold front-line players out of most of the final regular season game against the Packers.

STEVE McNAIR
Titans pass chucker Steve McNair strained a pectoral muscle in the second quarter against the Dolphins and wasn’t able to return to action.
Gas Gauge: McNair was struggling before being forced to the sidelines, completing just 5 of 13 for 34 yards with two picked-off.  Billy Volek stepped in to throw for 132 yards and a TD and will likely start for the Titans in the final game of the season.

GARY WALKER
Texans defensive end Gary Walker injured his right triceps on the team’s first defensive play from scrimmage.
Gas Gauge: Walker wasn’t able to return to action and his playing status is in doubt for the final game of the season.

DELTHA O’NEAL
Bengals cornerback Deltha O’Neal suffered a right knee injury during the first defensive play and left the field.
Gas Gauge: O’Neal went to the locker room for a more extensive exam and was cleared to return in the second quarter.  After one play in which he had difficulty in changing direction, the Pro Bowl corner left the game for good.  He’ll undergo further testing today.

Starter – Mark Brunell, Redskins quarterback
Sub – Patrick Ramsey
Gas-O-Line:  Brunell sprained the right MCL in the third quarter against the Giants. After undergoing a M.R.I., his playing status is yet to be determined.  Ramsey was 5 of 7 for 104 yards and a touchdown pass as Brunell’s replacement.

Starter – DeAngelo Hall, Falcons cornerback
Sub – Omare Lowe
Gas-O-Line:  Hall injured his left shoulder on a 65-yard interception return in the second quarter against the Bucs. Tests yesterday revealed that the injury is a separated shoulder that will sideline him for the final game of the season.  Lowe, in his fourth season, replaced Hall and recorded 3 tackles.  

Starter – Mike Anderson, Broncos running back
Sub – Tatum Bell
Gas-O-Line:  Anderson sprained his left ankle in the second quarter against the Raiders. He didn’t return to action after halftime.  Although the sprain isn’t serious, Anderson likely could stay on the sidelines this week to rest it with Bell starting.  There’s a little extra incentive for Bell because he’s 131 yards shy of 1,000 for the season.  If that milestone is reached, he and Anderson would become just the fourth running back tandem to go over a grand in the same season.

Starters – Carson Palmer, Bengals quarterback
Subs – Jon Kitna
Gas-O-Line:  Palmer suffered a pulled left groin in the fourth quarter against the Bills. The Bengals have no reason to risk further injury to Palmer so expect Cincy’s quarterbacking to be in Kitna’s capable hands in the regular season finale against the Chiefs.

Starters – Steve McNair, Titans quarterback
Sub – Billy Volek
Gas-O-Line:  McNair aggravated a right pectoral strain that he originally suffered during pregame warmups.  Volek took over and passed for 132 yards – 98 more than McNair – and also connected for a TD.  McNair was still sore yesterday and isn’t expected to practice until Thursday.  Coach Fisher seems intent on giving the injured vet a playing opportunity, though, “It’s important for me and for us to give him every chance to finish.  We’re going to evaluate it and see…there isn’t permanent damage risk, but it is his pitching arm and that needs to feel good.”  So, it appears that the ultimate decision will be McNair’s.

Starter – Any on the Seahawks, Colts, Patriots, Bengals, Bears, Jaguars and Broncos
Sub – Any on the Seahawks, Colts, Patriots, Bengals, Bears, Jaguars and Broncos
Gas-O-Line:  These are teams with playoff positions essentially sewed-up. The tendency is for starters to be protected from injury risk on playoff bound teams.  Expect many of them to sit-out most, if not all, of the regular season finales.  Subs often carry the load.

Starter – Any on the Steelers, Chiefs, Giants, Cowboys, Redskins, Panthers and Buccaneers
Sub – Any on the Steelers, Chiefs, Giants, Cowboys, Redskins, Panthers and Buccaneers
Gas-O-Line:  These are teams that still have playoff incentive and will be going all-out to win. Teams battling to either get into the post-season, to gain a first round bye or to get home field advantage tend to approach the final regular season game like a playoff contest.  Starters are generally expected to go the distance and are often solid choices for fantasy football lineups.