Saints’ Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams may leave team after this season

Rumors have been spreading across sports media that New Orleans Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams may not return to the organization next season.  Williams’ contract with the Saints ends after this season, and he has an old friend possibly returning to NFL coaching.

Will 49ers’ TE D-Lay recover in time for the playoffs?

Despite sustaining what appeared to be a season-ending fractured jaw on December 24, SAn Francisco 49ers TE Delanie Walker remains on the 49ers 53 man active roster.  Walker, aka ‘D-Lay’, returned to the 49ers practice center on Thursday, now able to talk and eat solid food.  The 49ers are hoping Walker can recover quick enough to contribute on the field in the playoffs.  Walker plays a crucial role in the 49ers offense, many times behind the ‘scenes’.  For example, in the 49ers win against the Detroit Lions, RB Frank Gore had two 40+ yard carries through holes created by a “WHAM” block on Lions DT Ndamkong Su by D-Lay.  In the same game, Walker caught the game winning touchdown pass.

January 14 is the 49ers’ first playoff game, likely too early for Walker to be ready.  But he may recover in time for the Super Bowl.

49ers thin at WR, Ted Ginn still injured

49ers wide receiver Ted Ginn did not practice on Wednesday, after sustaining an ankle sprain on Monday night against the Steelers.  Ginn may not be ready to play this Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Key 49ers and Steelers players may not play Monday night

49ERS PRACTICE REPORT
Did not participate: T Joe Staley (concussion), LB Patrick Willis (hamstring)
Limited participation: WR Braylon Edwards (knee), RB Bruce Miller (knee)

STEELERS PRACTICE REPORT
Did not participate: LB Chris Carter (hamstring), T Marcus Gilbert (illness), S Troy Polamalu (hamstring), C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), QB Ben Roethlisberger (ankle), WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot)
Limited participation: WR Arnaz Battle (hamstring), CB Curtis Brown (knee)

On Thursday, QB Ben Roethlisberger admitted that his ankle hurts more now than it did a week ago.  We expect Roethlisberger will NOT play this Monday night against the 49ers.

Texans’ Andre Johnson status ‘questionable’ as of Friday morning

Texans receiver Andre Johnson did not practice again on Thursday, and continued to do exercises in the pool.  Last week against the Falcons, Johnson pulled his left hamstring and left the game.  He missed 6 games earlier in the season due to a torn right hamstring.  

Patrick Willis likely to miss Week 14 game vs Cardinals

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis will likely miss next week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.  Willis sustained a hamstring injury on Sunday while attempting to tackle St. Louis Rams fullback Brit Miller.  Results for Willis’ MRI will be available on Wednesday or Thursday, however, it has already been reported that Willis will not require surgery, just rest.

Will Ray Lewis play against the 49ers on Thursday?

Ray Lewis is listed as ‘Questionable’ for Thursday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers (9-1).  Official status on whether he plays may not be  known until just an hour before kickoff.  However, Baltimore may have hinted that Lewis not play, when they promoted linebacker Josh Bynes from their practice squad.  Bynes is an undrafted free agent from Auburn.

Ray Lewis status for Thursday: Only One man knows…

According to NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora, Ray Lewis will decide for himself, whether or not he plays this Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers.

Lewis was unable to play last Sunday against the Bengals, after suffering a toe injury in week 10.  It was his first missed game since 2007.

Rumors have varied on the recovery time for Lewis, from being ready for Thursday’s game, to the initial forecast of being out four weeks.

Kevin Kolb decodes Eagles’ signals in last weeks 21-17 Cardinals win

Kevin Kolb made one of his biggest contributions to the Cardinals last Sunday, while on the sidelines?!

Kolb did not play in last week’s game due to a foot injury, and instead, from the sidelines, decoded his old teams’ offensive signals, and yelled out the Eagles’ plays to the Cardinals defense.   After beating his former Philadelphia Eagles team 21-17 last Sunday, Kolb shared with Philadelphia radio station WIP,

“During the two-minute drill, you almost feel guilty,” Kolb said. “Mike (Vick) is sitting there giving the signals, and I’m standing there on our sidelines, screaming at our corners, ‘Hey it’s a go ball, hey he’s running a screen, hey he’s running a slant.’”

At 1-6 as the starting quarterback for the Cardinals , Kolb’s best contribution this season might have been his signal decoding from the sidelines last Sunday.  If backup quarterback John Skelton plays well against the San Francisco 49ers (8-1) this Sunday, we expect Skelton to remain as the starter even when Kolb returns to full health.

Who will be the Arizona Cardinals Quarterback now?

Arizona Cardinals Head coach Ken Whisenhunt remained noncommittal Monday when asked whether John Skelton has earned the starting quarterback position over Kevin Kolb.  Whisenhunt stated, “There’s nothing to discuss”, but noted he was impressed with Skelton’s “it” factor.  Skelton threw for 315 yards (21-40), 3 TDs and 2 INTs, leading the Cardinals to a 21-17 road victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.