Baltimore Ravens 12/25/2007 8:39 AMThe Baltimore Sun reports when the Ravens, on a team-record nine-game losing streak, finish their dismal season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they'll do it with a backup running back -- either Mike Anderson or Musa Smith -- and QB Troy Smith making his second NFL start. The Ravens have been inclined to start Kyle Boller at quarterback, but he has been slow to recover from a mild concussion suffered against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 16. Although Boller could be cleared for practice tomorrow, coach Brian Billick seemed as if he wanted to play it safe with the former first-round pick.Read more
Pittsburgh Steelers 12/25/2007 8:35 AMThe Post-Gazette reports OT Marvel Smith likely will miss his fourth game in the past six with a bad back that also could prevent him from participating in the playoffs. "That is a possibility," coach Mike Tomlin said about his starting left tackle. "We are hopeful that it isn't the case, but that is a possibility." Smith has a disk problem in his back.Read more
Carolina Panthers 12/25/2007 8:32 AMThe Charlotte Observer reports Carolina Panthers C Justin Hartwig has been put on injured reserve with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, coach John Fox said Monday. Hartwig was injured in Saturday night's loss to Dallas. He isn't expected to require surgery, but with only one game left, the Panthers decided to create a roster spot and likely will bring up a player from the practice squad. Rookie OL Ryan Kalil replaced Hartwig on Saturday and likely will take his place in the starting lineup Sunday in TampaBay. Kalil is a second-round draft pick from Southern California. He started the first two games of the season at guard, but has been a backup since.Read more
Tennessee Titans 12/25/2007 8:29 AMThe Nashville Tennessean reports Titans special teams player and reserve CB Eric King had surgery to repair a broken left forearm and is finished for the season, Coach Jeff Fisher said Monday. King suffered the injury late in the 10-6 win over the Jets on Sunday. He played as the fifth defensive back (nickel back) in place of Vince Fuller, who had an injured shoulder. Fisher said it's a four-to-six week injury similar to the one suffered earlier this season by FB Ahmard Hall, who missed five games. King is the team's third-leading special-teams tackler.Read more
