Last New Years Eve, we saw Vinny Testaverde hook up with Troy Brown for a fourth quarter touchdown in garbage time, extending his personal record streak to 20 straight years with a TD pass. After attempting to return for the mighty Pats this season, being waived and a quasi-retirement, the call came again last week. This time it was the Panthers who found themselves without their top two quarterbacks and suddenly very desperate. Jake Delhomme and David Carr are making over $18 million this season, but were unable to suit up because of injuries so the ageless vet found himself in the starting lineup during his 21st NFL season.
Vinny quietly completed his first eight passes en route to a 20-for-33 performance for 206 yards, and most importantly the victory. He connected with Steve Smith for a 65-yard fourth quarter TD that put Carolina in front for good. With Carr expected back soon and the Panthers on a bye next week, it’s very likely that Testaverde will be holding a clipboard in Week 8. However, along with Brett Favre, Testaverde did his part this weekend to prove that Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number.
Chutes ‘n’ Ladders will break down the other top performers among people you would likely find chilling on your league’s waiver wire, the significant injuries during Sunday’s action and some late-breaking news to help you manage your lineup this week. We’ll discuss Bobby Engram’s breakout, David Patten’s awakening and injuries to Kurt Warner, Vince Young and Rudi Johnson.
Quarterbacks
Free Agent Possibilities
Derek Anderson, CLE 18-for-25, 245 yards, three TD, 13 yards rushing, TD
Cleo Lemon, MIA 24-for-43, 256 yards, two TD, two INT, two rushing TD
David Garrard, JAC 22-for-34, 221 yards, two TD, 26 yards rushing
Damon Huard, KC 25-for-35, 264 yards, two TD
Jeff Garcia, TB 20-for-31, 274 yards, TD
Vinny Testaverde, CAR 20-for-33, 206 yards, TD
Tarvaris Jackson, MIN 9-for-23, 136 yards, TD
Sage Rosenfels, HOU 11-for-12, 82 yards, TD
Daunte Culpepper, OAK 24-for-37, 230 yards, TD, two INT
Kerry Collins, TEN 10-for-20, 125 yards
Kyle Boller, BAL 18-for-30, 184 yards, INT
Major Offensive Injuries
One week after losing Matt Leinart for the remainder of the season, the Cardinals found themselves without their starting quarterback once again. Kurt Warner strained his left elbow, departed in the first quarter and did not return. He was replaced by recently acquired Tim Rattay, and the Arizona offense never got going afterwards. The injury plagued Panthers, led by a 43-year-old field general just out of retirement ultimately defeated the struggling Cards as Rattay threw for just 159 yards and three interceptions. Warner is expected to miss Week 7 and continue to rest during Arizona’s Week 8 bye.
Vince Young departed Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay and is being called day-to-day with a strained quadriceps. Kerry Collins replaced him this weekend in for the second half and would get the starting nod if Young cannot go. … Rams coach Scott Linehan confirmed Monday that he expects Marc Bulger to return and start this week against Seattle. … Trent Green (concussion) is pondering of retirement for the 0-6 Fins. Cleo Lemon (four TDs) and John Beck will try to snap Miami’s losing streak. … Bill coach Dick Jauron plans on naming his starting quarterback by Wednesday. J.P. Losman (knee) is healthy enough to return so he’ll push Trent Edwards during practice this week for the starting job. … Kyle Boller is expected to get another start for the Ravens as Steve McNair continues to get over his back injury. Air McNair will likely reclaim the starting job once he’s healthy enough to go though.
Running Backs
Free Agent Possibilities
DeAngelo Williams, CAR 10 rushes, 121 yards, TD
Jason Wright, CLE 20 rushes, 59 yards, TD, three receptions, 39 yards, FL
Leonard Weaver, SEA three rushes, 40 yards, four receptions, 53 yards
Kenny Watson, CIN 13 rushes, 68 yards, three receptions, 14 yards
Kevin Faulk, NE 13 rushes, 50 yards, three receptions, 24 yards
Jerome Harrison, CLE eight rushes, 57 yards, reception, 15 yards
Major Offensive Injuries
Steven Jackson (groin) is likely out for Week 7 so Brian Leonard will get another start at RB. There’s talk that he could be sidelined until Week 10. … Chris Brown left Week 6 with a sprained ankle in the second quarter and did not return. He’ll be limited at practice throughout the week so LenDale White could be in store for an increased workload again. … Rudi Johnson aggravated his hamstring in Sunday’s loss to K.C. and is obviously still limited by the injury. Kenny Watson is in store for a bigger workload vs the Jets. … Jamal Lewis (foot) is fully expected to return to action in Week 8 so Jason Wright’s strong play might be short lived. … Fred Taylor did not play after halftime against Houston after he aggravated his groin. He doesn’t consider the injury serious so he’ll likely be back in Week 7. Maurice Jones Drew blew up for 125 yards and two TD. … Sammie Morris left Sunday’s heavyweight matchup vs New England with an apparent chest injury. Coach Bill Belichick didn’t have any news on the injury during Monday’s press conference, but Morris will likely be questionable. RB Laurence Maroney also remains iffy for the contest, so Kevin Faulk could be in store for more touches.
Wide Receivers
Free Agent Possibilities
Wes Welker, NE 11 receptions, 124 yards, two TD
Kevin Walter, HOU 12 receptions, 160 yards
Devin Hester, CHI receptions, 81 yards, TD
David Patten, NO eight receptions, 113 yards
Troy Williamson, MIN two receptions, 69 yards, TD
Nate Burleson, SEA six receptions 63 yards, TD
Ben Obomanu, SEA four receptions, 72 yards, TD
Jeff Webb, KC seven receptions, 78 yards, FL
Ronald Curry, OAK six receptions, 73 yards
Reggie Williams, JAC five receptions, 38 yards, TD, two FL
Major Offensive Injuries
Marvin Harrison (knee sprain) is expected to return for Monday Night’s contest vs Jacksonville. Coach Tony Dungy said he expects him back in practice by Thursday. … Anquan Boldin (hip) is also expected to return for Week 7. He’s sat out the past three games and is expected to have Tim Rattay starting at quarterback. … There looks like a strong possibility Isaac Bruce (hamstring) will return this week. He’ll have Marc Bulger looking his way. … D.J. Hackett (ankle) could also return to action this weekend vs the Rams. Teammate Deion Branch isn’t expected back until Week 9, so Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson will continue to see extensive playing time. … Brandon Jones underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Monday and will miss the next two-to-three weeks. … Calvin Johnson (back) was back at practice on Monday and expects to play in Week 7.
Tight Ends
Free Agent Possibilities
David Martin, MIA three receptions, 18 yards, two TD
Greg Olsen, CHI five receptions, 63 yards
Zach Miller, OAK three receptions, 17 yards, TD
Owen Daniels, HOU five receptions, 79 yards
Desmond Clark, CHI three receptions, 48 yards
Donald Lee, GB three receptions, 75 yards
Dominique Byrd, STL four receptions, 44 yards
Major Offensive Injuries
The Baltimore Sun reports that Todd Heap (hamstring) "probably won't" play against the Bills in Week 7. Quinn Sypniewski appears likely to start. … Bubba Franks (sprained knee) is expected to be sidelined a few weeks. Therefore, Donald Lee will continue to be a fine option at TE. ... Vernon Davis is expected to return this week vs the G-Men.
Week 7 Schedule
Sunday, October 21 1:00pm ET
Tennessee @ Houston
Tampa Bay @ Detroit
Atlanta @ New Orleans
Baltimore @ Buffalo
San Francisco @ New York Giants
Arizona @ Washington
New England @ Miami
Sunday, October 21 4:05pm ET
Kansas City @ Oakland
New York Jets @ Cincinnati
Sunday, October 21 4:15pm ET
Minnesota @ Dallas
Chicago @ Philadelphia
St. Louis @ Seattle
Sunday, October 21 8:15pm ET
Pittsburgh @ Denver
Monday, October 22 8:30pm ET
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville
Byes
CAR, CLE, GB, SD