DE: Antonio Garay, CLE; Willie Whitehead, NO; Bo Schobel, TEN; Lorenzo Bromell, NYG
DT: none
LB: Peter Boulware, BAL; Kendyll Pope, IND
S: Darren Woodson, DAL; Sean Jones, CLE; Shawn Wooden, MIA; Ramon Walker, TEX
CB: Chris Johnson, GB; Tony Beckham, TEN

Most of these players are not ready to return yet, if at all this season, and many are back-ups, but in a dynasty leagues, you many want to monitor the progress of some like Peter Boulware and Sean Jones if they are on the waiver wire, with an eye toward next season.

Arizona

After being sidelined since camp with a back injury, the Cardinal cut ties with S Dexter Jackson, releasing him last week. Quintin Harris started the season at FS in place of Jackson, but Redskin cast-off Ifeanyi Ohlatete has since taken it from him.

Atlanta

After multi-sack games in Weeks 2-4 to move into the league lead, DE Patrick Kerney has returned to earth. He had only 2 solo tackles last week, with only 1 solo tackle and a pass defended Sunday. With NT Rod Coleman inactive, Kerney worked in the interior line some too, especially after rookie DT Chad Lavalais broke his hand in the second half, somewhat explaining his limited production this week. Coleman was in a car accident Saturday, suffering some minor injuries. With Kerney working inside, as well as reserve DEs Travis Hall and Karon Riley inactive, Junior Glymph saw his first NFL game. He was activated from practice squad Saturday, due to all the injuries, and had the only sack of the day, along with 3 solo tackles. MLB Chris Draft was also out with turf toe, giving Jamie Duncan his first action of the season.

LB Keith Brooking finally turned in a big play, intercepting a pass on a ball batted by Kerney on the first drive. It was his first stat, other than a tackle, of the year and his first INT since 2002. He also had 7 tackles (6 solo). CB Kevin Mathis had 8 solo tackles, moving into a tie with Brooking for the team lead on the season.

CB DeAngelo Hall, who has missed every game so far after suffering a fracture in his hip in the preseason, is expected to suit up and play this week. Hall had won a starting CB job prior to his injury, but no word on where he stands now.

Baltimore

LB Peter Boulware, the Ravens all-time sack leader is eligible come off the PUP this week, but don't expect him back in a game soon. According to team trainer Bill Tessendorf, knee continues to improve, but he is still not ready to play football yet. Boulware has been testing the knee more with running and exercise, and may begin football drills soon. However, a decision on whether he will return or be put on the IR will likely be postponed until his three week exemption is up.

Buffalo

After promising fans some excitement last week, LB Takeo Spikes delivered. He picked a pass in the 1st quarter and returned it for a TD to give the Bills an early 7-0 lead. Spikes broke up 2 other passes and had 2 solo tackles, as well.

A DLine struggling to get to the QB got fat Sunday on a bad Dolphins OLine. They registered five sacks, nearly doubling the team's season-to-date total. DE Aaron Schobel, who broke out of his funk last week with his first sack of the season, had 2.5 to go with 8 tackles (5 solo) and a forced fumble. DT Pat Williams shared the half-sack with Schobel and had 5 tackles (3 solo). Reserve DE Ron Edwards had 2 sacks and 2 other solo tackles. Schobel really emerged in the second half to help protect the Bills lead. After a defensive pass interference put the ball at Buffalo's 1-yard line and a failed run on first down, Schobel shared a sack with Williams on second, and then sacked Jay Fielder again on third, forcing Miami to kick a FG and preventing them from a tie with a TD. Schobel's last sack ended Miami's final possession in the 4th quarter, forcing a punt and allowing the offense to run out the last six minutes with a nice sustained drive.

CB Troy Vincent and SS Lawyer Milloy remain inactive. Terrence McGee continues to fill in for Vincent and Pierson Prioleau took over filling in at SS from Coy Wire last week.

Carolina

Once a strength of the defending NFC Conference Champions, injuries have decimated their DLine. The biggest blow came last week when DT Kris Jenkins was placed on the IR with shoulder problems. The Pro Bowl DT has contributed little the last few weeks, trying to play through the injury. Kindal Moorehead replaces Jenkins in the lineup. His interior partner Brentson Buckner returned to the starting lineup Sunday after being inactive the prior week, but continues to battle knee problems. Buckner contributed 2 solo tackles and a sack in his return. However, things got worse Sunday when DE Mike Rucker left the game after the first series with an irregular heartbeat. Apparently the problem had arisen last week, but tests Monday showed no structural or internal problems, and he should be back next week. The only healthy member of the starting front four, DE Julius Peppers, had 4 solo tackles and a pass defended. Peppers has only 2 sacks on the season, and will be challenged to produce big numbers with teams free to focus on double-teaming him while injuries are a problem.

MLB Dan Morgan remains unphased by his the struggles of his front four. He led the team with 8 solo tackles and knocked away two passes.

FS Colin Branch broke his thumb, but is expected to play with a cast this week.

Chicago

MLB Brian Urlacher and CB Jerry Azumah returned from injury and paid immediate dividends. Urlacher led the team in tackles with 12 (9 solo) and had a sack. Azumah was eased in at the nickel corner, while rookie Nathan Vasher remained a starter, as he has the playmaking (read: turnover) ability HC Lovie Smith craves, despite his size. R.W. McQuarters, who allowed dropped an INT right in his hands, could get the demotion when Azumah is ready to return to a full time role. Despite Azumah's limited role, he turned in a huge play, when he grabbed a pass batted by DE Alex Brown and returned it 70 yards for the Bears only TD. Brown was very active, playing a screen well earlier and knocking down another pass, as well as posting 6 tackles (5 solo). DE Adewale Ogunleye left the game in the 3rd quarter with a sprained ankle and did not return. Michael Haynes, who normally rotates with Brown, replaced O-Gun.

Cincinnati

Unimpressed with rookie Caleb Miller in the middle, HC Marvin Lewis turned to fellow rookie Landon Johnson next in trying to replace Nate Webster, who is out for the season. Unfortunately, Johnson's first career start was short lived, MLB, he left the game in the first half after a low to the head. Miller replaced him and finished with 8 tackles (7 solo), but also had a personal foul for unnecessary roughness.

Kevin Kaesviharn started at SS in place of Rogers Beckett (who is expected to miss this week, as well, with a concussion) and FS Kim Herring was back in the lineup, after both were out last week. Herring forced a fumble on Lee Suggs that Kaesviharn recovered and returned for a TD. Herring also led the team in tackles (tie) with 11 (8 solo), while Kaesviharn had 9 (8 solo). CB Deltha O'Neal is capable of turning in the big play, but his propensity to gamble, giving up too many big plays, was part of what got him in the doghouse in Denver. Sunday he gave up a 99-yard TD pass to Andre' Davis. Surprisingly absent from the box score was versatile rookie Madieu Williams, who had started at every spot in the secondary this year and is tied for the team lead in tackles.

Cleveland

LB Kevin Bentley continues to flourish in a reserve role, once again outperforming starters Chaun Thompson and Warrick Holdman, finishing with 5 solo tackles and adding 2 more on special teams.

DT Gerard Warren returned after missing 2 games with a pectoral injury and registered a sack. Ebenezer Ebukan and Orpheus Roye had sacks, as well.

DB Chris Crocker is playing more FS with the first team at Earl Little's expense. He had 6 tackles (5 solo) to Little's 2 solo tackles. Little remains the starter, but has fallen out of favor with HC Butch Davis, despite signing a five-year extension in 2003. After drafting S Sean Jones in the second round, Little was given permission to seek a trade, but when Jones went down with a knee injury, Little was welcomed back to the starting lineup.

Dallas

The right side of the defensive line continues to excel, as DE Greg Ellis and DT La'Roi Glover each had a sack. It was a team-leading 6th for Ellis.

With a rash of injuries in the secondary, Dallas signed veteran CB Tyrone Williams (last seen in Atlanta in 2003 via Green Bay) a few weeks ago and he was installed in the starting lineup over a pair of 7th round rookies. He had 4 solo tackles and a sack. CB Terence Newman had a game-high 12 tackles (11 solo).

S Darren Woodson is eligible to come off the PUP this week, but is still not fully recovered from surgery to remove a herniated disk this summer. A decision is unlikely to be made until the three week exemption expires. Tony Dixon has filled in well at SS in his absence.

Denver

1st round pick D.J. Williams led the team in tackles again, with 7 (4 solo) and leads the team for the season.

Reserve DE Anton Palepoi, brought in after being released by Seattle when Trevor Pryce went down, had a sack and a half.

CB Lenny Walls just returned from a dislocated shoulder in the season opener the previous week. He dislocated the same shoulder again on Sunday. He is out at least a week and with Willie Middlebrooks out as well, undrafted FA rookie Roc Alexander could see time as the nickel corner.

Detroit

A DLine that had been an important part of the team's early success, failed to show up Sunday, failing to tally a sack or put enough pressure on Brett Favre to force an INT. Coming into the game plus nine on turnover ratio, the defense forced no turnovers, either. MLB Earl Holmes led the team with 14 tackles (8 solo).

As one came back, another went out, for a Lions secondary that has been plagued by injuries the last two years. Pro Bowl CB Dre' Bly returned from a knee injury that has kept him out since Week 2, but CB Fernando Bryant was carted off the field in the 2nd quarter with a sprained ankle and did not return. Last year, the breakout game that solidified Bly as one of the top corners in the NFC was against the Packers at Ford Field, where he had 2 INTs and a forced fumble in an upset Week 13. However, he was quiet against them this Sunday, totaling just 2 solo tackles and 1 pass defended.

Green Bay

1st round pick Ahmad Carroll made his first career start at CB, replacing Michael Hawthorne, who criticized the move as not being done on merit, but on the basis of Carroll's draft status. That's not the first member of the secondary Carroll is struggling to get along with. He previously had a spat with fellow rookie CB Joey Thomas. As for the game, while Carroll tied for the team lead with 6 solo tackles, he also got beat by Az Hakim on a 28-yard TD, the only TD of the game for the Lions.

Spending 2/3rds of the game on the sidelines, the defense didn't have a chance to do much, but Darren Sharper did return a pick for a TD. Nick Barnett had the only sack of the game and had 6 solo tackles.

LB Hannibal Naives returned to the lineup after missing last week. The Packers masked their deficiencies in run defense with the big win last week, but are still eagerly awaiting DT Grady Jackson's return from a dislocated knee. They are hopeful he'll begin practicing this week.

Houston

Four INTs helped seal the Texans first victory against the former Houston football team, the division rival Titans. FS Marcus Coleman and rookie DB Dunta Robinson each had their third INT of the season. CB Aaron Glen had his second and LB Kailee Wong has his first. Coleman led the team with 6 solo tackles, as well. LB Jamie Sharper also had 6 tackles (5 solo) and a sack.

Already thin a safety with normal starter Eric Brown active in his first game after missing 3 with a sprained knee and rookie Glenn Earl out with a hip injury, starting SS Jason Simmons suffered a concussion in the 3rd quarter and did not return to the game. It was on a vicious collision that also knocked Chris Brown out of the game. Brown was limited to situational and special teams work. With a bye this week, the team hopes all three will be healthy for Week 8.

Indianapolis

With CB Nick Harper being the only member of the secondary to start all five games this year, the group should finally be in better shape after the bye. Michael Doss, Joseph Jefferson, and rookie Bob Sanders are all expected to be active. Doss, who has been out since the season opener with a severe hamstring injury, practiced last week and should return to the starting SS slot this week, pushing Cory Bird back to a reserve roll. The chronically-injured Jefferson is expected to start practicing this week, back from knee surgery. Expediting his return became more critical when CB Donald Strickland was put on the IR with a shoulder injury. Rookie Jason David was rushed to a starting CB role, and although he responded with his first career INT in Week 5, there is no depth now. Jefferson should return as the starter and David as the third corner. Sanders, the rookie S has been out since the off-season with a foot injury. Although undersized, he was an intimidating hitter in college, an area the Colts could use some help with.

Jacksonville

Desperate for a spark at DE, HC Jack Del Rio gave journeyman LB Greg Favors a start at right end. Favors responded with 4 tackles (3 solo), a sack, and 2 passes defended. The shake up seemed to help the rest of the defense put some more pressure. They totaled 6 sacks, doubling their league-low total for the season. In addition to Favors, LB Akin Ayodele and Marcus Stroud each had 2, while MLB Mike Peterson had the other. Those three each forced a fumble on their sack, as well, but KC recovered it each time. Ayodele led the team with 8 tackles (7 solo).

Kansas City

As expected, DT Ryan Sims was inactive due to hamstring problems. DE Vonnie Holliday returned to the starting lineup and John Browning, who remained the starting DE after Holliday returned from injury, moved back to DT in place of Sims. Browning had a sack, along with DE Eric Hicks and rookie back-up DE Jared Allen. Those three, along with Lionel Dalton, lead the team with 2 sacks each.

Miami

DT Tim Bowens returned to the lineup, after missing the first 5 games with back problems. It wasn't enough, as the defense still allowed a 100-yard rusher for the fourth time this season, after not allowing one all last year. DE David Bowens had his 3rd sack, assuming the team lead. Facing double teams and more all day DE Jason Taylor didn't even appear in the box score. On a team that needs help in the front four, they have failed to utilize journey DE Chidi Ahanotu and his 43 career sacks. Disgruntled by his lack of playing time, he was absent from practice last week and declared on Thursday he wasn't returning and wished to be released or traded.

LB Zach Thomas led the team with 14 tackles (8 solo) and LB Junior Seau was second with 9 (5 solo). The two are 1-2 for the season on the team, as well.

Minnesota

Last year the Vikings were second in the league in INTs, but coming into Sunday, they had none. CB Antoine Winfield, know more for his tackling than his ball play, ended the drought with an INT deep in Vikings territory, and returned it 56 yards, setting up a TD two plays later. Winfield also led the team in tackles (tied) for the game, with 7 (6 solo), and does for the season, as well.

With E.J. Henderson still inactive with a knee sprain, rookie Dontarrious Thomas started at MLB for the second straight game and had 7 tackles (4 solo). Henderson will undergo tests this week to determine his status, while Thomas is likely to continue at MLB while he's out. LB Chris Claiborne left the game early after a calf problem that forced him to miss their last game. It's feared Claiborne will miss a few weeks. Raonall Smith replaced Claiborne, and should continue to while both Claiborne and Henderson are out, but if Henderson returns first, Thomas could slide back over and bump Smith.

1st round pick Kenechi Udeze had a sack and 2 other solo tackles.

CB Derek Ross, already a journey man despite his talent, thanks to the attitude and discipline problems he brings, was signed last week for his second stint with the team this year. He saw action and had 2 solo tackles. DT Chris Hovan has fallen into Mike Tice's doghouse and continues to see less work.

New England

DE Richard Seymour, the poster boy for a player whose real value far exceeds his fantasy production, helped the team get out of the gate on its way to their record 20th consecutive win. Seymour batted away a Matt Hasselbeck pass on the first drive, which LB Willie McGinest picked off and returned 27 yards, setting up a TD and 7-0 lead for the Pats. CB Ty Law also had an INT, tying the Patriots' career record with 36. DE Ty Warren, a 2003 1st round pick, had his first career sack.

FS Eugene Wilson led the team with 11 solo tackles, and had a forced fumble, as well.

New Orleans

DE Charles Grant had his league-leading 8th sack Sunday night, and would have had more against a less mobile QB. He also had 4 solo tackles and knocked down a pass. Fellow bookend Darren Howard had a sack, as well. Howard then had a minor knee procedure Monday and is expected to miss this week and be back after the bye the follwing week. 1st round pick Will Smith, who has shown some great flashes in limited duty, will likely start this week.

Although the front four brought pressure, the secondary was torched for 425 yards and 5 TDs. Recently acquired CB Mike McKenzie started for the first time and was promptly toasted twice by Randy Moss, including for a TD. McKenzie finished with just 1 solo tackle and a pass defended, as he was benched half the game due to an argument with HC Jim Haslett. CB Fred Thomas, the man McKenzie replaced in the starting lineup because the coaching staff no longer believes he's a playmaker, had 9 solo tackles while McKenzie was out. FS Terbucky Jones led the team with 11 tackles (8 solo). CB Ashley Ambrose had an INT and a forced fumble, that SS Jay Bellamy recovered, but also had a pass interference on Randy Moss that set up the Vikings first score.

Rookie MLB Courtney Watson was active and returned to the starting lineup, after missing the last game with a knee injury. He finished with 4 tackles (2 solo) and 2 passes defensed.

New York Giants

DC Tim Lewis has turned around the Giants defense by utilizing a variety of looks, disguising blitz packages and varying where the rush comes from. The secondary has been the biggest beneficiary, where CB Will Allen leads the team in tackles, CB Will Peterson and FS Brent Alexander each have two picks, and rookie SS Gibril Wilson has been outstanding in all facets.

New York Jets

Another start, another career first for 1st round pick Jonathan Vilma. With the Jets ahead by just one point late in the 4th quarter, Tim Rattay gift-wrapped a duck for Vilma's first career INT, sealing the victory. He also had 4 tackles (2 solo). Cowart remains questionable this week, and there is no word on who gets bumped when he does. Eric Barton or Victor Hobson seem likely, with either Vilma or Cowart moving to the outside.

DE John Abraham had a sack for the third consecutive game, giving him six in his last three games. DE Shaun Ellis finally had a good game, registering his first solo sack of the season, along with 6 tackles (4 solo) and a forced fumble. After setting a career-high with 12.5 sacks last year, even the team knew Ellis was playing over his head, as they tried to peddle him in a package for Champ Bailey in the off-season. He's returned to earth this year, and while still a valuable anchor end, he's unlikely to return to being a double-digit sack threat.

CB David Barrett led the team with 9 tackles (7 solo) and quietly leads the team in tackles for the season.

Oakland

Handicapped by an inept offense that had several three and outs, the Raiders D spent a lot of time on the field Sunday, racking up nice fantasy numbers, but quickly tiring and failing to stop Denver. SS Marques Anderson gave the team hope early with a 1st quarter INT, that ended up being the only turnover they forced, that led to a FG and an early lead. He also had a game-high 16 tackles (14 solo). FS Ray Buchanan was tied for second with 10 tackles (9 solo). The breakdown in the front seven, allowing 254 yards on the ground, including 176 for Reuben Droughns, was responsible for two safeties leading the team in tackles. The D also failed to put much pressure on Jake Plummer, registering no sacks.

OLB Travian Smith was active, but did not play, battling a knee injury. DeLawrence Grant and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila were unimpressive splitting most of the time in his place. Sam Williams returns to practice this week and should enter the rotation at OLB, as well.

Philadelphia

Against a Panther team that dismissed them from the playoffs last year, the Eagles defense had few problems Sunday with the injury-plagued Carolina squad. LB Dhani Jones and reserve DB Rod Hood had INTs, while CB Lito Sheppard grabbed two, including one he returned 64 yards for a TD. Sheppard, who leads the team with four, is maturing into the playmaker he was in college as a star at Florida.

FS Brian Dawkins and reserve DT Sam Rayburn each had a sack. Rayburn, who set a new career high, is now tied with Jevon Kearse for the team lead with three. Rayburn made the team last year as an undrafted free agent, the equivalent of a college walk-on, and after a small role last year, continues to impress and see more playing time.

SS Michael Lewis led the team with 9 sacks (7 solo) and leads the team for the season, as well.

MLB Mark Simoneau left the game early with a sprained foot. Jeremiah Trotter replace him and had 2 tackles (1 solo). A MRI on Simoneau was negative, but his status is unknown for this week.

Pittsburgh

LB Kendrell Bell has yet to play in a game this season and Larry Foote continues to start in his place. Foote had 3 solo tackles and a sack. There is hope Bell will be recovered from his latest injury, a strained groin, after the bye this week. LB James Farrior had a huge game, with 6 solo tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. His biggest play was his final sack. On a crucial 3rd and long with just over two minutes remaining and Dallas running out the clock with the lead, Farrior crossed up Richie Anderson on a stunt in the all-out blitz, getting to Vinny Testeverde before he could even get set and knocking the ball free. DT Kimo von Oelhoffen, in a rare opportunity to touch the pigskin, fielded the bouncing ball cleanly and rumbled 21 yards, setting up the winning TD. It was the Steelers only turnover of the day.

SS Troy Polamalu is maturing into the force the Steelers hoped he would be when they selected him in the first round out of USC last year. He led the team (tied) with 7 solo tackles and defended 2 passes. He was also a key on the game turning blitz where Farrior knocked the ball free, coming first on the stunt and occupying the center while drawing the running back's attention, as well.

The victory was dampened by news that CB Chad Scott and Pro Bowl NT Casey Hampton suffered serious knee injuries. Hampton's appears to be a torn ACL, which would end his season for sure. Chris Hoke will likely start at NT in his place and the team would bring back Kendrick Clancy, who they released earlier this year, to add depth.

St. Louis

Adam Archuleta did not start the last two games and was limited to nickel and dime packages as he battled nagging leg and back problems. He returned to the starting lineup with a bang. After a rodeo take down of Michael Pittman deep in St. Louis territory, he jarred the ball loose as the two somersaulted to the ground. Archuleta deftly picked up the loose ball and ran 93 yards untouched to give the Rams a 21-14 lead. However another DB, CB Jerametrius Butler, was the player of the game for the Rams. He had 8 solo tackles, an INT, broke up 2 other passes, and sealed the victory with a fumble recovery that was forced by Aeneas Williams late in the 4th quarter in St. Louis territory. Opposite Butler, rookie CB DeJuan Groce was abused by another rookie, Tampa Bay WR Michael Clayton, to the tune of 142 yards. Groce looked completely overmatched and the team must be anxiously awaiting the return of Travis Fisher, still out with a broken arm.

Robert Thomas was a scratch and rookie Brandon Chillar got the start at MLB. Chillar had 3 tackles (2 solo) and was knocked away by a powerful Michael Pittman stiff arm on a play Chillar could have recorded a safety on. OLB Tommy Polley tied for the team lead with 8 solo tackles and had a sack.

DE Leonard Little didn't have a sack, breaking a string of three consecutive games, but did post 3 solo tackles and a fumble recover. With top reserve DE Tyoka Jackson out with a strained hamstring, Erik Flowers and rookie DE Tony Hargrove saw more work. Hargrove had 3 solo tackles and Flowers had a sack.

San Diego

LB Steve Foley remains a hot waiver wire find, if someone else hasn't already picked up the formerly fantasy-unspectacular vet. He led the team with 6 tackles (5 solo) and 2 sacks, as well as had a pass defensed. Rookie DE Igor Olshansky had his first career sack and another solo.

Sammy Davis remains the starter at CB, but his job is in jeopardy. The team continues to rotate in former Miami 1st round pick Jamar Fletcher. Davis had 2 solo tackles, while Fletcher had a fumble recovery. Drayton Florence, another reserve CB, had an INT Sunday, and could be in the running for a promotion, as well.

San Francisco

After holding the undefeated Jets to 3 points in the first half, the team remembered they were the 49ers and allowed the New York offense to score three unanswered TDs in the second half. LB Brandon Moore, starting in place of Julian Peterson, had 8 tackles (6 solo). LB Jamie Winborn had a game-high 13 (11 solo).

DE Andre Carter has missed five games and, despite the bye this week, there is still concern he'll need to miss at least another 1-2 games recovering from a bulging disk in his back. The team hopes LB Derek Smith will be back after the bye.

Seattle

DE Grant Wistrom will be out 4-6 weeks after suffering a small fracture in his left knee Sunday. Antonio Cochran is likely to replace him in the starting lineup.

The experiment of converting Michael Boulware to SS after playing LB in college continues to succeed. On consecutive New England possessions in the 4th quarter, he forced a fumble that reserve DT Rocky Bernard, who has been a pleasant surprise this season, recovered. Seattle failed to capitalize, but on the next drive, Boulware grabbed his third INT of the season, tying him for the team lead. This set up a Shaun Alexander TD to bring Seattle within three points. Despite his playmaking ability, Boulware remains relegated to a reserve role due to Terreal Bierria's strong play. Bierria led the team with 10 tackles (7 solo), moving him into a tie with LB Anthony Simmons for the team lead.

DE Chike Okeafor had a sack, his third in the last two games.

Tampa Bay

Despite being Probable, Shelton Quarles was a scratch and was replaced by Jeff Gooch in the middle. Gooch had 9 tackles (7 solo). LB Derrick Brooks led the team with 10 solo tackles.
left the game in the first quarter with a leg injury and did not return. Jeff Gooch replaced him and led the team with 9 solo tackles.

After being MIA again in the first half, DE Simeon Rice mildly resemled himself in the final 30 minutes, posting 3 solo tackles and a sack. Opposite him, Greg Spires had a career day, registering 5 solo tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble that DT Anthony McFarland recovered. McFarland also had a sack.

Tennessee

SS Tank Williams is an emerging playmaker, finally starting to live up to his potential. A week after notching his first pick of the season, Tank had his first sack, also forcing a fumble recovered by DE Carlos Hall. Hall also had a sack, giving him the team lead with 2.5 this season.

LB Rocky Boiman returned to the starting lineup, totaling 2 solo tackles. Rocky Calmus remained inactive and Brad Kassell started at MLB, finishing in a tie for the team lead in tackles with 10 (6 solo). LB Keith Bulluck also had 10 (7 solo).

Washington

The Redskins exposed QB Jonathan Quinn's athletic and decision-making abilities. Thrust into a starting role after the Bears lost Rex Grossman, Quinn was overwhelmed by the pressure Washington brought all day. DT Cornelius Griffin led the way, leading the team with 8 tackles (7 solo) and 2 sacks. DC Greg Williams continues to revive CB Shawn Springs career, capitalizing on his athletic ability, as Springs had his third sack of the season. First round pick Sean Taylor had his first big game, registering his first career INT and sack, to go with 4 solo tackles. Granted, it was against the Bears offense led by a statue of a back-up QB, but the confidence should be building in Taylor after his first big game and his potential should start to develop into more plays.

MLB Mike Barrow remains inactive, he is yet to play this year. LB Lavar Arrington and DE Phillip Daniels missed their fourth game each. With a bye this week, the team hopes all three will be ready next week.

Ryan Clark started at SS in place of Matt Bowen, who is done for the season. Andre Lott, who may inherit the SS job, missed his third game with a hamstring.