SATURDAY'S GAMES 8/23
St. Louis Rams - QB Rotation: Kurt Warner (1st Q+), Marc Bulger (2nd Q+), Greg Zolman (3rd Q+), Kirk Farmer.
Said Mike Martz: "Normally, we'd play our 'ones' (starters) into the third quarter in the third game. But we've got so many injuries, I'm not sure offensively if we can do that."
Offensive line hurting: Starting center Dave Wohlabaugh is expected to miss the final two preseason games (fractured left thumb), Orlando Pace is still holding out and left tackle Grant Williams has missed the first two preseason games (back).
RB Marshall Faulk (knee) is questionable.
RB Arlen Harris will work more, perhaps even with the first team.
The Rams went with a ball control offense in the last game, as opposed to the long bomb. A change of strategy? No. Coach Mike Martz said his game plan called for controlling the tempo because there was less one-on-one coverage deep downfield. "Whenever we see single coverage, we still try to take advantage of it," said Martz.
Buffalo Bills - QB Rotation: Drew Bledsoe (first half), Alex Van Pelt (3rd Q), Travis Brown (4th Q).
Coach Gregg Williams said the starters will play an entire half Saturday against the Rams.
Williams said he’d use the remaining two preseason games to make a determination between Mike Pucillo and Marques Sullivan at right guard.
QB Travis Brown has been getting a lot of work and that will continue: "We want to see Travis Brown a bunch," said coach Gregg Williams. "That's our plan in preseason."
Tennessee Titans - QB Rotation: Steve McNair (first half), Neil O'Donnell (3rd Q), Billy Volek (4th Q).
QB Neil O'Donnell did not play last week, but will follow McNair after halftime. Billy Volek will replace O'Donnell sometime in the second half.
Jeff Fisher expects the starters to play far more in the final two preseason games. As he has routinely done in the preseason, Fisher will play the regulars through halftime.
Defensive line hurting: Jevon Kearse injured his ankle, so Jaqua Thomas should get even more action in the last two preseason games. Carlos Hall, who had eight sacks last year as a rookie, is out with a knee injury.
Despite Billy Volek's 127 yards passing and two TDs against the Bills, Jeff Fisher said it was "unlikely" that Volek could supplant Neil O'Donnell for the backup quarterback job behind Steve McNair.
Cincinnati Bengals - QB Rotation: Jon Kitna (1st Q+, perhaps the first half), Carson Palmer (3rd Q), Shane Matthews (4th Q).
Jon Kitna will get his longest stretch of preseason playing time. First-stringers on both sides of the ball are expected to play into the second quarter, and there is a chance Kitna could play the entire first half. Rookie QB Carson Palmer will follow Kitna and play a quarter, and Shane Matthews will follow Palmer.
The Bengals, for the second game in a row, averaged just 3 yards per rush.
Cleveland Browns - QB Rotation: Kelly Holcomb (first half), Tim Couch (3rd Q), Josh Booty (expects to see time in the 4th), Nate Hybl.
Coach Butch Davis said Couch will play one series in the second half with the first-team. He said he'd open the second half with his first teams if they get fewer than 35 plays in the first half. If that's the case, Couch would take the first possession of the second half. Couch will see action with the first team in the third quarter.
Davis will treat Saturday's game as the final tuneup to solidify the first teams on offense and defense.
QB Josh Booty has stitches in his right hand, but he expects to play in Detroit.
Defensive end Courtney Brown will play for the first time since last season. He's expected to get about 20 plays.
No more QB controversy: Kelly Holcomb will be the starter for the Browns, with Tim Couch as the backup. Couch didn't like the decision: "I would've liked a chance to go out and play this year, I'll just say that. It's a tough situation. It's not easy to deal with right now."
RB Jamel White might sit out again with a pulled hamstring.
The numbers on the Browns' No. 1 defense are ugly. Through six full-time possessions over two preseason games, the defense has given up 3 TDs, one field goal, permitted TD drives of 78, 79 and 72 yards, failed on 11 of 15 third-down plays and allowed 5.4 yards per rushing play, 92 yards on 17 carries.
"Defensively, I was disgusted," coach Butch Davis said. "The tackling was about as poor as I've seen."
Detroit Lions - QB Rotation: Joey Harrington (first half), Mike McMahon (3rd Q), Ty Detmer (4th Q), Curt Anes.
Saturday's game against Cleveland might be coach Steve Mariucci's last chance to see some of his top players before the regular season but that isn't changing his cautious approach with players nursing injuries. Mariucci listed many players as questionable or probable. Among them were RBs Shawn Bryson and Avon Cobourne, CBs Dre' Bly and Jimmy Wyrick, DE Robert Porcher, LBs Earl Holmes and Brian Williams, safety Corey Harris and kick returner Eddie Drummond.
Rookie WR Charles Rogers will come off the bench in the first offensive series.
The Lions won the Big Daddy sweepstakes, by signing 6-foot-4, 353 pound Big Daddy Dan Wilkinson this week. He told Mariucci he is ready to play against Cleveland, and probably will.
NY Jets - QB Rotation: Chad Pennington (first half), Vinny Testeverde (3rd Q), rookie Brooks Bollinger (4th Q), rookie Marquel Blackwell.
Chad Pennington will play the first half. Coach Herm Edwards' plan is to get QB Vinny Testaverde some reps with the starting offensive line in the third quarter. It's likely the last chance to get Testaverde live action before the season starts.
The Jets' top priority tonight against the Giants is to establish some semblance of a running game, but they probably will have to do it without C Kevin Mawae (sprained knee). Mawae is listed as questionable, but likely will sit as a precaution. He would be replaced by J.P. Machado.
RB Curtis Martin, coming off a four-carry, five-yard outing, is expected to get a lot more work. Martin and LaMont Jordan are averaging only 2.5 yards per carry.
Middle linebacker Marvin Jones will miss this game.
New York Giants - QB Rotation: Kerry Collins (1st-3rd Qs), Jessie Palmer (4th Q), Jason Garrett and Ryan Van Dyke.
The starters are expected to play the first three quarters.
RB Tiki Barber will play into the second quarter before giving way to Dorsey Levens, who will get a long look with the first team.
DE Michael Strahan (toe) likely will not play against the Jets, which would be the third preseason game he has missed.
Starting TE Jeremy Shockey will not play.
With Ryan Kuehl out because of tendinitis in his snapping elbow, the Giants plan to use center Chris Bober for field-goal snaps and linebacker Nick Greisen on punts.
Baltimore Ravens - QB Rotation: Kyle Boller (may start) Chris Redman, Anthony Wright (exact amount of playing time still to be determined).
Monday practice: QB Kyle Boller took most of the snaps with the first team, Chris Redman split time with the starters and second team, QB Anthony Wright did not take any reps in team drills.
Although coach Brian Billick said he will not discuss his QB rotation this preseason, there is speculation that first-round pick Kyle Boller could make his first NFL start.
To have a balanced competition, the coaches agree they need to see Boller work with the starters for a significant period. Boller has received most of the playing time in preseason, while Redman has started both games. But Boller took a majority of the snaps with the starters in the final two days of camp and it would not be surprising if Boller made his first NFL start Saturday in Washington.
Rookie offensive lineman Derrick Dockery will get his first start when he fills in for ailing left guard Randy Thomas (sprained ankle).
Washington Redskins - QB Rotation: Patrick Ramsey (1st Q), Rob Johnson (2nd Q), Danny Wuerffel (3rd Q), Brad Banks.
Quarterback Patrick Ramsey will start, but coach Steve Spurrier said Ramsey would not play the entire first half like he did last week. A bruised knuckle on Ramsey's throwing hand has affected his grip on the football. Although the injury has improved, Spurrier said Ramsey would probably play just the first quarter. "He needs to play, but he needs to be healthy."
Spurrier also said that while Trung Canidate would start at running back, Ladell Betts should see extended action.
Rob Johnson and Danny Wuerffel will follow Ramsey.
Spurrier said guard Randy Thomas is "very doubtful" for the game (sprained ankle).
Defensive line hurting: DT Brandon Noble is out for the season with a major-knee injury, leaving the Washington Redskins scrambling to fill a position that was already very thin.
Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Rotation: Mark Brunell (1st Q+, may play the first half), David Garrard (3rd Q), Byron Leftwich and Quinn Gray (will both see time in the second half).
The starters on both offense and defense could play much -- if not all -- of the first half, according to Jack Del Rio.
Del Rio wants all four quarterbacks to play, including fourth-teamer Quinn Gray.
LB Keith Mitchell and FS Marlon McCree are expected back in the starting lineup. DE Tony Brackens and RB Fred Taylor might also play Saturday.
Teams typically map out a game plan and use their starters heavily in the third preseason game, but Del Rio said that the Jaguars won't prepare too heavily for Tampa. "We're more interested in evaluating our team and installing our system. That's more important."
New offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave continues to get high marks from Del Rio for creative play-calling and overseeing what appears to be a smooth installation of the West Coast offense.
Tam. Bucs - QB Rotation: QB Brad Johnson (1st Q+), Shaun King (2nd Q+), rookie Chris Simms (3rd Q+).
Starters are expected to play into the second quarter, which should leave plenty of time for the second-, third- and fourth-stringers.
Backup quarterback Jim Miller continues to rehabilitate his shoulder.
The Bucs are paying a price for that Vince Lombardi Trophy, toiling through a grueling preseason schedule that began in Tokyo on Aug. 2. Saturday night's matchup against Jacksonville marks the team's first game at Raymond James Stadium since the Super Bowl, capping another short work week.
Carolina Panthers - QB Rotation: Rodney Peete (1st Q+, around 14 snaps), Jake Delhomme and Chris Weinke (will split time the rest of the game, like last week).
Coach Jon Fox said the starters will play into the third quarter. That will be the most extensive action of the preseason for the first team. The exception could be at quarterback. Rodney Peete will start, but Fox might let Jake Delhomme and Chris Weinke take snaps with the starters.
The coaching staff hinted that the rotation could be similar to what the Panthers did in Friday's 20-10 win against the Giants. Peete started and played the first 14 snaps. Delhomme and Weinke alternated series most of the rest of the game.
Less than three weeks before the Sept. 7 season opener, the Panthers aren't making definitive statements about their quarterbacks. Coach John Fox said that Rodney Peete remains No. 1 on the depth chart, with Jake Delhomme second and Chris Weinke third.
Green Bay Packers - QB Rotation: Bret Favre (first half), Doug Pederson (may not play), Akili Smith and Craig Nall could split time in the second half.
QB Brett Favre is in line to play the entire first half. Mike Sherman indicated it's unlikely Favre and his surrounding cast will return to the field after halftime. "I see him possibly going through the second quarter," Sherman said. "We'll see how it goes."
If Favre runs the offense the first two quarters, it's possible top backup Doug Pederson could be passed over for Craig Nall and Akili Smith in the final 30 minutes.
Offensive coordinator Tom Rossley hinted Smith might get more playing time: "We want to give Akili a good look because he had a good outing the last game," he said.
Running back depth thin. No. 3 RB Tony Fisher will be out for about two weeks (hamstring) and RB Lamar Smith (knee), a 10-year NFL veteran, hasn't practiced in a month.
Steve Martin, Steve Warren or newly signed Larry Smith could get the starting call Saturday as the Packers seek a replacement for Gilbert Brown, who tore his right bicep.
S.D. Chargers - QB Rotation: Drew Brees (1st Q+, roughly 18-20 plays), Doug Flutie (2nd Q+), Seth Burford, Cleo Lemon.
Schottenheimer doesn't expect to do anything dramatically different this week regarding his substitution pattern. Not counting LaDainian Tomlinson, the rest of the Chargers' first-team offense was in for 18 plays, two fewer than the first-team defense. Those players shouldn't expect too many more snaps in Houston this Saturday.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson got in for five plays against Arizona last week. Tomlinson left practice on a cart Wednesday for the second time in less than a week, this time because of bruised left heel. The injury isn't serious.
Houston Texans - QB Rotation: David Carr (20-25 plays or more), Tony Banks, Mike Quinn, Dave Ragone.
Coach Dom Capers anticipates starting quarterback David Carr to get "an extensive workout," at least 20-25 plays against the Chargers or more.
Running game thin: The Texans will be without starter Jarrod Baxter for the entire season after he was diagnosed with a severely sprained left foot. "We'll continue to search for fullbacks," said GM Charley Casserly.
Cornerback Aaron Glenn, held out of the first two exhibition games because of a sore left hamstring, has been given the go-ahead to practice at full speed and return to play in Saturday.
New Orleans Saints - QB Rotation: Aaron Brooks, Todd Bouman, Tory Woodbury, J.T. O'Sullivan (exact amount of playing time still to be determined).
Newly signed running back Ki-Jana Carter is expected to play Saturday.
S.F. 49ers - QB Rotation: Jeff Garcia (2-3 series), Tim Rattay (rest of the first half, possibly into the 3rd Q), Brandon Doman (3rd Q), Ken Dorsey (4th Q).
Quarterback Jeff Garcia will play the first two or three series and Tim Rattay will play the rest of the first half and possibly the start of the second half.
Right tackle Scott Gragg (ankle sprain) won't play. Kyle Kosier will start in place of Gragg.
Secondary took a hit this week: Starting CB Jason Webster will be out 4-8 weeks.
K.C. Chiefs - QB Rotation: Trent Green, Todd Collins, Jonathan Quinn (exact amount of playing time still to be determined).
QB Jon Quinn's status (back) remains up in the air.
Vermeil would like to see several young players play well in Seattle to shore up many of the backup positions where the Chiefs are lacking, such as running back and offensive line. But the real goal is to avoid major injuries. “Stay healthy,” said Vermeil, “Go to Seattle and come back with a airplane full of (healthy) players.”
Running game thin: The Chiefs are still trying to find a backup to RB Priest Holmes.
With two preseason games remaining, the Chiefs have settled on a starting lineup. However, Dick Vermeil said he's still looking for a third offensive tackle behind Willie Roaf and John Tait, a player or players who can back up Will Shields, Brian Waters and center Casey Wiegmann, a fourth safety after Jerome Woods, Greg Wesley and Shaunard Harts and a fifth receiver.
Seattle Seahawks - QB Rotation: Matt Hasselbeck (first half and first series of the 2nd half), Trent Dilfer (3rd Q), Seneca Wallace (4th Q).
Mike Holmgren said the starters will play the first half, then the first series of the second half to acclimate them to playing after halftime. He also said three quarterbacks will play — Hasselbeck, Dilfer and Seneca Wallace, in that order.
Tight ends thin.
Defense hurting: DEs Lamar King (knee) and Chike Okeafor (ankle sprain) likely won't play along with DT Chad Eaton (knee), linebackers Orlando Huff, Tim Terry (concussion) and Isaiah Kacyvenski (ankle).
St. Louis Rams - QB Rotation: Kurt Warner (1st Q+), Marc Bulger (2nd Q+), Greg Zolman (3rd Q+), Kirk Farmer.
Said Mike Martz: "Normally, we'd play our 'ones' (starters) into the third quarter in the third game. But we've got so many injuries, I'm not sure offensively if we can do that."
Offensive line hurting: Starting center Dave Wohlabaugh is expected to miss the final two preseason games (fractured left thumb), Orlando Pace is still holding out and left tackle Grant Williams has missed the first two preseason games (back).
RB Marshall Faulk (knee) is questionable.
RB Arlen Harris will work more, perhaps even with the first team.
The Rams went with a ball control offense in the last game, as opposed to the long bomb. A change of strategy? No. Coach Mike Martz said his game plan called for controlling the tempo because there was less one-on-one coverage deep downfield. "Whenever we see single coverage, we still try to take advantage of it," said Martz.
Buffalo Bills - QB Rotation: Drew Bledsoe (first half), Alex Van Pelt (3rd Q), Travis Brown (4th Q).
Coach Gregg Williams said the starters will play an entire half Saturday against the Rams.
Williams said he’d use the remaining two preseason games to make a determination between Mike Pucillo and Marques Sullivan at right guard.
QB Travis Brown has been getting a lot of work and that will continue: "We want to see Travis Brown a bunch," said coach Gregg Williams. "That's our plan in preseason."
Tennessee Titans - QB Rotation: Steve McNair (first half), Neil O'Donnell (3rd Q), Billy Volek (4th Q).
QB Neil O'Donnell did not play last week, but will follow McNair after halftime. Billy Volek will replace O'Donnell sometime in the second half.
Jeff Fisher expects the starters to play far more in the final two preseason games. As he has routinely done in the preseason, Fisher will play the regulars through halftime.
Defensive line hurting: Jevon Kearse injured his ankle, so Jaqua Thomas should get even more action in the last two preseason games. Carlos Hall, who had eight sacks last year as a rookie, is out with a knee injury.
Despite Billy Volek's 127 yards passing and two TDs against the Bills, Jeff Fisher said it was "unlikely" that Volek could supplant Neil O'Donnell for the backup quarterback job behind Steve McNair.
Cincinnati Bengals - QB Rotation: Jon Kitna (1st Q+, perhaps the first half), Carson Palmer (3rd Q), Shane Matthews (4th Q).
Jon Kitna will get his longest stretch of preseason playing time. First-stringers on both sides of the ball are expected to play into the second quarter, and there is a chance Kitna could play the entire first half. Rookie QB Carson Palmer will follow Kitna and play a quarter, and Shane Matthews will follow Palmer.
The Bengals, for the second game in a row, averaged just 3 yards per rush.
Cleveland Browns - QB Rotation: Kelly Holcomb (first half), Tim Couch (3rd Q), Josh Booty (expects to see time in the 4th), Nate Hybl.
Coach Butch Davis said Couch will play one series in the second half with the first-team. He said he'd open the second half with his first teams if they get fewer than 35 plays in the first half. If that's the case, Couch would take the first possession of the second half. Couch will see action with the first team in the third quarter.
Davis will treat Saturday's game as the final tuneup to solidify the first teams on offense and defense.
QB Josh Booty has stitches in his right hand, but he expects to play in Detroit.
Defensive end Courtney Brown will play for the first time since last season. He's expected to get about 20 plays.
No more QB controversy: Kelly Holcomb will be the starter for the Browns, with Tim Couch as the backup. Couch didn't like the decision: "I would've liked a chance to go out and play this year, I'll just say that. It's a tough situation. It's not easy to deal with right now."
RB Jamel White might sit out again with a pulled hamstring.
The numbers on the Browns' No. 1 defense are ugly. Through six full-time possessions over two preseason games, the defense has given up 3 TDs, one field goal, permitted TD drives of 78, 79 and 72 yards, failed on 11 of 15 third-down plays and allowed 5.4 yards per rushing play, 92 yards on 17 carries.
"Defensively, I was disgusted," coach Butch Davis said. "The tackling was about as poor as I've seen."
Detroit Lions - QB Rotation: Joey Harrington (first half), Mike McMahon (3rd Q), Ty Detmer (4th Q), Curt Anes.
Saturday's game against Cleveland might be coach Steve Mariucci's last chance to see some of his top players before the regular season but that isn't changing his cautious approach with players nursing injuries. Mariucci listed many players as questionable or probable. Among them were RBs Shawn Bryson and Avon Cobourne, CBs Dre' Bly and Jimmy Wyrick, DE Robert Porcher, LBs Earl Holmes and Brian Williams, safety Corey Harris and kick returner Eddie Drummond.
Rookie WR Charles Rogers will come off the bench in the first offensive series.
The Lions won the Big Daddy sweepstakes, by signing 6-foot-4, 353 pound Big Daddy Dan Wilkinson this week. He told Mariucci he is ready to play against Cleveland, and probably will.
NY Jets - QB Rotation: Chad Pennington (first half), Vinny Testeverde (3rd Q), rookie Brooks Bollinger (4th Q), rookie Marquel Blackwell.
Chad Pennington will play the first half. Coach Herm Edwards' plan is to get QB Vinny Testaverde some reps with the starting offensive line in the third quarter. It's likely the last chance to get Testaverde live action before the season starts.
The Jets' top priority tonight against the Giants is to establish some semblance of a running game, but they probably will have to do it without C Kevin Mawae (sprained knee). Mawae is listed as questionable, but likely will sit as a precaution. He would be replaced by J.P. Machado.
RB Curtis Martin, coming off a four-carry, five-yard outing, is expected to get a lot more work. Martin and LaMont Jordan are averaging only 2.5 yards per carry.
Middle linebacker Marvin Jones will miss this game.
New York Giants - QB Rotation: Kerry Collins (1st-3rd Qs), Jessie Palmer (4th Q), Jason Garrett and Ryan Van Dyke.
The starters are expected to play the first three quarters.
RB Tiki Barber will play into the second quarter before giving way to Dorsey Levens, who will get a long look with the first team.
DE Michael Strahan (toe) likely will not play against the Jets, which would be the third preseason game he has missed.
Starting TE Jeremy Shockey will not play.
With Ryan Kuehl out because of tendinitis in his snapping elbow, the Giants plan to use center Chris Bober for field-goal snaps and linebacker Nick Greisen on punts.
Baltimore Ravens - QB Rotation: Kyle Boller (may start) Chris Redman, Anthony Wright (exact amount of playing time still to be determined).
Monday practice: QB Kyle Boller took most of the snaps with the first team, Chris Redman split time with the starters and second team, QB Anthony Wright did not take any reps in team drills.
Although coach Brian Billick said he will not discuss his QB rotation this preseason, there is speculation that first-round pick Kyle Boller could make his first NFL start.
To have a balanced competition, the coaches agree they need to see Boller work with the starters for a significant period. Boller has received most of the playing time in preseason, while Redman has started both games. But Boller took a majority of the snaps with the starters in the final two days of camp and it would not be surprising if Boller made his first NFL start Saturday in Washington.
Rookie offensive lineman Derrick Dockery will get his first start when he fills in for ailing left guard Randy Thomas (sprained ankle).
Washington Redskins - QB Rotation: Patrick Ramsey (1st Q), Rob Johnson (2nd Q), Danny Wuerffel (3rd Q), Brad Banks.
Quarterback Patrick Ramsey will start, but coach Steve Spurrier said Ramsey would not play the entire first half like he did last week. A bruised knuckle on Ramsey's throwing hand has affected his grip on the football. Although the injury has improved, Spurrier said Ramsey would probably play just the first quarter. "He needs to play, but he needs to be healthy."
Spurrier also said that while Trung Canidate would start at running back, Ladell Betts should see extended action.
Rob Johnson and Danny Wuerffel will follow Ramsey.
Spurrier said guard Randy Thomas is "very doubtful" for the game (sprained ankle).
Defensive line hurting: DT Brandon Noble is out for the season with a major-knee injury, leaving the Washington Redskins scrambling to fill a position that was already very thin.
Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Rotation: Mark Brunell (1st Q+, may play the first half), David Garrard (3rd Q), Byron Leftwich and Quinn Gray (will both see time in the second half).
The starters on both offense and defense could play much -- if not all -- of the first half, according to Jack Del Rio.
Del Rio wants all four quarterbacks to play, including fourth-teamer Quinn Gray.
LB Keith Mitchell and FS Marlon McCree are expected back in the starting lineup. DE Tony Brackens and RB Fred Taylor might also play Saturday.
Teams typically map out a game plan and use their starters heavily in the third preseason game, but Del Rio said that the Jaguars won't prepare too heavily for Tampa. "We're more interested in evaluating our team and installing our system. That's more important."
New offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave continues to get high marks from Del Rio for creative play-calling and overseeing what appears to be a smooth installation of the West Coast offense.
Tam. Bucs - QB Rotation: QB Brad Johnson (1st Q+), Shaun King (2nd Q+), rookie Chris Simms (3rd Q+).
Starters are expected to play into the second quarter, which should leave plenty of time for the second-, third- and fourth-stringers.
Backup quarterback Jim Miller continues to rehabilitate his shoulder.
The Bucs are paying a price for that Vince Lombardi Trophy, toiling through a grueling preseason schedule that began in Tokyo on Aug. 2. Saturday night's matchup against Jacksonville marks the team's first game at Raymond James Stadium since the Super Bowl, capping another short work week.
Carolina Panthers - QB Rotation: Rodney Peete (1st Q+, around 14 snaps), Jake Delhomme and Chris Weinke (will split time the rest of the game, like last week).
Coach Jon Fox said the starters will play into the third quarter. That will be the most extensive action of the preseason for the first team. The exception could be at quarterback. Rodney Peete will start, but Fox might let Jake Delhomme and Chris Weinke take snaps with the starters.
The coaching staff hinted that the rotation could be similar to what the Panthers did in Friday's 20-10 win against the Giants. Peete started and played the first 14 snaps. Delhomme and Weinke alternated series most of the rest of the game.
Less than three weeks before the Sept. 7 season opener, the Panthers aren't making definitive statements about their quarterbacks. Coach John Fox said that Rodney Peete remains No. 1 on the depth chart, with Jake Delhomme second and Chris Weinke third.
Green Bay Packers - QB Rotation: Bret Favre (first half), Doug Pederson (may not play), Akili Smith and Craig Nall could split time in the second half.
QB Brett Favre is in line to play the entire first half. Mike Sherman indicated it's unlikely Favre and his surrounding cast will return to the field after halftime. "I see him possibly going through the second quarter," Sherman said. "We'll see how it goes."
If Favre runs the offense the first two quarters, it's possible top backup Doug Pederson could be passed over for Craig Nall and Akili Smith in the final 30 minutes.
Offensive coordinator Tom Rossley hinted Smith might get more playing time: "We want to give Akili a good look because he had a good outing the last game," he said.
Running back depth thin. No. 3 RB Tony Fisher will be out for about two weeks (hamstring) and RB Lamar Smith (knee), a 10-year NFL veteran, hasn't practiced in a month.
Steve Martin, Steve Warren or newly signed Larry Smith could get the starting call Saturday as the Packers seek a replacement for Gilbert Brown, who tore his right bicep.
S.D. Chargers - QB Rotation: Drew Brees (1st Q+, roughly 18-20 plays), Doug Flutie (2nd Q+), Seth Burford, Cleo Lemon.
Schottenheimer doesn't expect to do anything dramatically different this week regarding his substitution pattern. Not counting LaDainian Tomlinson, the rest of the Chargers' first-team offense was in for 18 plays, two fewer than the first-team defense. Those players shouldn't expect too many more snaps in Houston this Saturday.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson got in for five plays against Arizona last week. Tomlinson left practice on a cart Wednesday for the second time in less than a week, this time because of bruised left heel. The injury isn't serious.
Houston Texans - QB Rotation: David Carr (20-25 plays or more), Tony Banks, Mike Quinn, Dave Ragone.
Coach Dom Capers anticipates starting quarterback David Carr to get "an extensive workout," at least 20-25 plays against the Chargers or more.
Running game thin: The Texans will be without starter Jarrod Baxter for the entire season after he was diagnosed with a severely sprained left foot. "We'll continue to search for fullbacks," said GM Charley Casserly.
Cornerback Aaron Glenn, held out of the first two exhibition games because of a sore left hamstring, has been given the go-ahead to practice at full speed and return to play in Saturday.
New Orleans Saints - QB Rotation: Aaron Brooks, Todd Bouman, Tory Woodbury, J.T. O'Sullivan (exact amount of playing time still to be determined).
Newly signed running back Ki-Jana Carter is expected to play Saturday.
S.F. 49ers - QB Rotation: Jeff Garcia (2-3 series), Tim Rattay (rest of the first half, possibly into the 3rd Q), Brandon Doman (3rd Q), Ken Dorsey (4th Q).
Quarterback Jeff Garcia will play the first two or three series and Tim Rattay will play the rest of the first half and possibly the start of the second half.
Right tackle Scott Gragg (ankle sprain) won't play. Kyle Kosier will start in place of Gragg.
Secondary took a hit this week: Starting CB Jason Webster will be out 4-8 weeks.
K.C. Chiefs - QB Rotation: Trent Green, Todd Collins, Jonathan Quinn (exact amount of playing time still to be determined).
QB Jon Quinn's status (back) remains up in the air.
Vermeil would like to see several young players play well in Seattle to shore up many of the backup positions where the Chiefs are lacking, such as running back and offensive line. But the real goal is to avoid major injuries. “Stay healthy,” said Vermeil, “Go to Seattle and come back with a airplane full of (healthy) players.”
Running game thin: The Chiefs are still trying to find a backup to RB Priest Holmes.
With two preseason games remaining, the Chiefs have settled on a starting lineup. However, Dick Vermeil said he's still looking for a third offensive tackle behind Willie Roaf and John Tait, a player or players who can back up Will Shields, Brian Waters and center Casey Wiegmann, a fourth safety after Jerome Woods, Greg Wesley and Shaunard Harts and a fifth receiver.
Seattle Seahawks - QB Rotation: Matt Hasselbeck (first half and first series of the 2nd half), Trent Dilfer (3rd Q), Seneca Wallace (4th Q).
Mike Holmgren said the starters will play the first half, then the first series of the second half to acclimate them to playing after halftime. He also said three quarterbacks will play — Hasselbeck, Dilfer and Seneca Wallace, in that order.
Tight ends thin.
Defense hurting: DEs Lamar King (knee) and Chike Okeafor (ankle sprain) likely won't play along with DT Chad Eaton (knee), linebackers Orlando Huff, Tim Terry (concussion) and Isaiah Kacyvenski (ankle).
