| Recent Player News |
| Date |
Player |
News |
| 1/5/2009 |
Asante Samuel, CB (Phi) |
Samuel returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown against the Vikings on Sunday, the Philadelphia cornerback's NFL-record fourth return for a score in the postseason.
Analysis: Samuel had three interceptions for touchdowns with the Patriots, and didn't take long to make an impact in his first chance with the Eagles. The All-Pro cornerback was bothered by a hip injury in practice this week and listed as questionable. He appeared to aggravate the injury earlier in the second quarter and had to leave the game, but returned on the next possession to make the big play. |
| 1/5/2009 |
Adrian Peterson, RB (Min) |
Peterson rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in a 23-14 wild-card loss to Philadelphia on Sunday.
Analysis: He was completely shut down by Philly's nasty defense in the second half. The league's leading rusher managed just 17 yards on eight carries in the second half. |
| 1/5/2009 |
Tarvaris Jackson, QB (Min) |
Jackson was 15-for-35 for 164 yards and had an interception returned for a touchdown in the 26-14 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday in his first playoff start.
Analysis: The third-year quarterback who played so well in leading the Vikings to three victories in his final four games. He was benched as the starter after the Vikings opened the season 0-2, but regained the position when Gus Frerotte went down with a back injury against the Lions in December. Now after imploding in the biggest game of the season, his future as the team's quarterback has been cast into doubt yet again. |
| 1/5/2009 |
Matt Cassel, QB (NE) |
The New England Patriots plan to put the franchise tag on Cassel, according to a published report.
Analysis: Cassel's future hinges heavily on Tom Brady's recovery from a season-ending knee injury in the first game this season. Franchising Cassel would keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent and give the Patriots an option if they feel Brady might not be ready for the start of the 2009 season. If they're confident that Brady will be ready, they'd be able to trade Cassel. |
| 1/5/2009 |
James Harrison, LB (Pit) |
Harrison was named The Associated Press 2008 Defensive Player of the Year on Monday.
Analysis: The linebacker who had a career-high 16 sacks, setting a team record, and led the NFL with a career-high seven forced fumbles, beat Dallas' DeMarcus Ware in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters. |
| 1/4/2009 |
Darren Sharper, S (Min) |
Sharper left Minnesota's playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter with an apparent ankle injury. Sharper was injured early in the period on a running play by Brian Westbrook. He hobbled off the field, then returned after one play, only to limp off again.
Analysis: The team didn't provide an injury update, but the veteran had his right ankle wrapped and sat on the sideline watching without a helmet when the defense took the field in the third quarter. Rookie Tyrell Johnson replaced him in the lineup. |
| 1/4/2009 |
Antonio Gates, TE (SD) |
Gates caught eight passes for 87 yards in San Diego's 23-17 overtime win over the Colts in an AFC wild-card game Saturday night.
Analysis: Gates, who finished the regular season with 704 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, missed some practice time in the week leading up to the game with an ankle injury. |
| 1/4/2009 |
Philip Rivers, QB (SD) |
Rivers completed 20 of 36 passes for 217 yards and one interception in San Diego's 23-17 overtime win over the Colts in an AFC wild-card game Saturday night.
Analysis: Rivers, who finished the regular season tied with New Orleans' Drew Brees for the NFL lead with 34 touchdowns, was held without a TD pass for the first time since Nov. 30. He has thrown four touchdown passes and six interceptions in five career postseason games. |
| 1/4/2009 |
Darren Sproles, RB (SD) |
Sproles scored the winning touchdown 6:20 into overtime in San Diego's 23-17 win over the Colts in an AFC wild-card game Saturday night.
Analysis: Given more playing time because of LaDainian Tomlinson's groin injury, Sproles rushed 23 times for 105 yards, caught five passes for 45 yards, had 106 yards on four kickoff returns and 72 on three punt runbacks. Sproles proved he can easily fill in for LT if needed. |
| 1/4/2009 |
Peyton Manning, QB (Ind) |
Manning was 25-of-42 for 310 yards and one touchdown in the Colts' overtime playoff loss on Sunday.
Analysis: Manning had a great game but it wasn't enough as the Colts' defense didn't provide much help. |
| 1/4/2009 |
Michael Turner, RB (Atl) |
Turner rushed for 42 yards and one touchdown in Atlanta's playoff loss on Saturday.
Analysis: Turner was a big part of the Falcons' turnaround this season, but he as shutdown Saturday, being held to his fewest yards of the season. |
| 1/4/2009 |
Anquan Boldin, WR (Ari) |
Boldin has a strained left hamstring and his status is uncertain for Saturday night's NFC divisional playoff game at Carolina.
Analysis: Boldin was injured on a 71-yard touchdown pass from Kurt Warner in the second quarter of Arizona's 30-24 wild-card playoff victory over the Atlanta Falcons last Saturday. He returned to play one more series, then limped off the field for good. Steve Breaston would move up to starting wide receiver along with Larry Fitzgerald if Boldin can't play. Jerheme Urban probably would be the No. 3 receiver, with rookie Early Doucet possibly seeing some playing time. |
| 1/4/2009 |
Larry Fitzgerald, WR (Ari) |
Fitzgerald had six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in the Cardinals' playoff win on Saturday.
Analysis: It was the eighth time this season Fitzgerald caught for more than 100 yards. He has 13 touchdowns for the season. |
| 1/4/2009 |
Matt Ryan, QB (Atl) |
Ryan was 26-of-40 for 199 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Atlanta's playoff loss to the Cardinals on Saturday.
Analysis: He also was tackled in the end zone for a safety and fumbled the ball on a handoff. It was a disappointing game for Ryan, the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, who had an outstanding regular season, leading the Falcons back to the playoffs with an 11-5 record after going 4-12 last season. |
| 1/4/2009 |
Kurt Warner, QB (Ari) |
Warner was 19-fo-32 for 271 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Arizona's playoff win on Saturday.
Analysis: The playoff win was the 37-year-old Warner's first since 2002 with the Rams. |
| 1/4/2009 |
L.J. Smith, TE (Phi) |
Smith was scratched for Philadelphia's playoff game on Sunday.
Analysis: Smith was questionable during the week with a shoulder injury. Brent Celek was in the starting lineup for Smith. |
| 1/2/2009 |
Ko Simpson, S (Buf) |
Simpson was arrested outside a bar in his hometown of Rock Hill after he refused to leave officers alone as they arrested another man, according to a police report.
Analysis: Simpson was in a car that was speeding through the parking lot of the Celebrations bar around 2 a.m. New Year's Day. Simpson began yelling at officers, saying "I'm Ko Simpson with the Buffalo Bills. I am worth millions!" several times. The officers asked Simpson to leave the parking lot and he began to walk away, but turned around and started yelling at officers again, police said. The 25-year-old Simpson was charged with hindering police and released on a $470 bond. |
| 1/2/2009 |
Asante Samuel, CB (Phi) |
Samuel was held out of practice with a hip injury and is listed as questionable for the divisional playoff game against Minnesota.
Analysis: Samuel strained his hip in Thursday's practice. Coach Andy Reid said Friday he thinks Samuel is going to be OK. Samuel made the Pro Bowl in his first season with the Eagles. He is tied for the NFL's career lead for playoff interceptions returned for a touchdown with three. |
| 1/2/2009 |
Peyton Manning, QB (Ind) |
Manning has joined Brett Favre as the only three-time winners of The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award.
Analysis: Manning was a landslide winner Friday in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. He also was the NFL MVP in 2003, when he shared it with Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair, and in 2004. Manning, who extended his NFL record with his ninth 4,000-yard season and finished with 27 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and a 95.0 passer rating, received 32 votes - far ahead of Miami's Chad Pennington and Atlanta's Michael Turner. |
| 1/2/2009 |
Sam Madison, CB (NYG) |
Madison has been placed on injured reserve with a fractured ankle he suffered in the Giants' regular-season finale, meaning he won't play in the postseason.
Analysis: Madison only played in seven games this season, recording three tackles and one interception. |
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