NFL
Notebook: Moss expected back this week

By Seattle Times news services

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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Randy Moss is expected back on the field this week for the Minnesota Vikings, provided his strained right hamstring doesn't swell.

Coach Mike Tice said yesterday a reasonable plan for Moss in Sunday's game against Jacksonville is 25 plays, mostly in three-receiver formations.

Since sustaining the injury Oct. 17 at New Orleans, Moss twice made token appearances without catching a pass and did not dress for the past three games.

He's still tied for third in the NFC with eight touchdown receptions for the Vikings (6-4), who stopped a three-game losing streak by beating Detroit 22-19 on Sunday.

Moss, who has been running routes on the side for the past week, looked good in an intense workout yesterday morning to test his strength and endurance. Tice and team trainers want to make sure the leg doesn't swell today before allowing him to practice. He'll be listed as doubtful, for now.

"Hopefully as the week progresses we'll be able to fix that and turn it into questionable, probable," Tice said. "We'll see."

Pro Bowl center Matt Birk, who has been playing with intense abdominal pain, might have to sit out a game or two next month to let the injury calm. He's expected to play against the Jaguars, though.

Ravens might miss Jamal Lewis

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens have become accustomed to overcoming injuries and off-the-field problems this season, so there was no sense of panic upon learning that running back Jamal Lewis could miss this week's game against the New England Patriots.

Lewis hurt his right ankle in the first quarter of Sunday's 30-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys and did not return. He underwent tests yesterday, and his status will be determined later in the week.
 
Coach Brian Billick said it's possible Lewis, who ran for 2,066 yards last year, could be lost for two weeks. He would be replaced by Chester Taylor, who filled in earlier this season while Lewis served a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

Soon after Lewis left Sunday, third-stringer Musa Smith broke his right leg and was lost for the season. The Ravens will probably try to find another running back this week.

If Lewis can't play, Baltimore will simply proceed without him. That's the stance the Ravens took during his suspension, and that's how they've dealt with injuries to tight end Todd Heap, linebacker Peter Boulware, cornerback Chris McAlister, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, nickel back Deion Sanders, defensive tackle Kelly Gregg, receiver Travis Taylor and center Mike Flynn.

"Our mantra has been, the next man's got to step up," Billick said. "At some point you keep thinking it's going to even out and we're not going to have to address that from one week to the next, but so far that hasn't been the case."

Packers running backs are hurting

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers are down to one healthy running back in 33-year-old fullback William Henderson.

Tailbacks Ahman Green (ribs) and Tony Fisher (neck stinger) and fullback Nick Luchey (shoulder) all got hurt Sunday night at Houston, as did rookie running back Walter Williams. He was elevated from the practice squad to replace tailback Najeh Davenport (hamstring) and sprained an ankle in his NFL debut.

Although Brett Favre threw 50 times for 383 yards in leading the Packers to a 16-13 win, that type of imbalance won't be nearly as effective when teams like the St. Louis Rams, who visit Lambeau Field next Monday night, have a week to prepare for it, offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said.

Green underwent a CT scan on his rib cage and Luchey had an MRI on his separated shoulder. Coach Mike Sherman acknowledged he was concerned about both players.

Rossley said Williams suffered a high-ankle sprain, which usually sidelines a player six to eight weeks.

Injury list
Player, team	Injury	Prognosis
WR Randy Moss, Vikings	Hamstring	Doubtful
RB Jamal Lewis, Ravens	Ankle	Questionable
T Ryan Tucker, Browns	Knee	Surgery; out for season
QB Chad Pennington, Jets	Rotator cuff	Uncertain
CB Andre Woolfolk, Titans	Dislocated wrist	Out for season
RB Ahman Green, Packers	Ribs	Uncertain
S Bob Sanders, Colts	Knee	Out three to six weeks