By Compiled from Times wires
Published September 9, 2003
ST. LOUIS - Rams quarterback Kurt Warner was released from the hospital and returned to St. Louis a day after sustaining a concussion against the Giants.
Team doctors described the severity of the concussion as mild to moderate. A CT scan and X-rays on Warner's neck and head taken Sunday were negative.
The Rams believe Warner was injured when he was sacked in the first quarter. He was 34-for-54 for 342 yards but sacked six times and fumbled six times, losing three.
Coach Mike Martz said he likely will wait until the end of the week to make a decision about activating Warner for Sunday's game against the 49ers. In any case, Martz said, Marc Bulger almost certainly will start.
"I'm just going to count on starting Marc, basically," Martz said. "I'm going to err on the side of caution in this situation."
The Rams added depth at quarterback, signing Scott Covington and releasing Kirk Farmer. Covington was a backup with St. Louis last season.
Also, rookie receiver Shaun McDonald will miss 4-6 weeks after sustaining ligament damage when his thumb bent back against the ground.
Undrafted Mike Furrey and Dane Looker will be the third and fourth receivers behind Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. Kevin Curtis, the team's third-round pick, is expected back from a broken leg in about two weeks.
BEARS: Starting guard Chris Villarrial will miss 4-6 weeks after damaging the left medial collateral ligament Sunday. NFL Europe veteran Josh Warner will replace him. It is the fourth major injury to the offensive line. Guard Rex Tucker is out for the season with a torn tendon in his right ankle, and tackle Marc Columbo is still out after dislocating his kneecap last season. Jauron said tackle Terrence Metcalf, who has an injured finger, will be examined today to find out if he can begin practicing with contact this week.
DOLPHINS: An MRI on cornerback Sam Madison's left ankle revealed no tears or breaks. Coach Dave Wannstedt said Madison, who missed Sunday's fourth quarter, has a bruise and is day to day. Backup safety Shawn Wooden's status also is uncertain. He strained his right hamstring and broke his left hand against Houston.
JAGUARS: Rookies Joe Smith and David Young were released, opening up roster spots to improve the special teams. The Jaguars, who had two kicks blocked and 210 yards in kick and punt returns Sunday, didn't replace them. Also, coverage specialist Micah Ross hurt his ankle during the game and is doubtful for Sunday.
LIONS: Cornerback Alex Molden signed. He started every game last season and had 79 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks. Detroit allowed 363 passing yards Sunday against Arizona.
PACKERS: Receiver Donald Driver remained in the hospital after a neck injury. His release was delayed until today after he vomited during the night. Coach Mike Sherman said Driver, who went up for a high pass and landed face first, had a "very severely sprained neck" and probably won't play Sunday.
Green Bay lost three of its top four receivers Sunday. Robert Ferguson has a mildly sprained right knee and a sore ankle. His status has not been determined. Karsten Bailey's sore hamstring is likely to keep him out Sunday.
As a result, former Packer receiver Antonio Freeman visited. He was released after the 2001 season in the middle of a seven-year, $42-million contract that included a $10-million signing bonus. If he were to sign for the veteran's minimum, he would count for another $475,000 against the salary cap.
PANTHERS: Linebacker Mike Caldwell will miss at least a month with an injured left knee. He was hurt Sunday and needed help walking off the field.
REDSKINS: Coaches said they plan to keep the running back rotation that worked well against the Jets with Trung Canidate remaining the starter. He and Ladell Betts combined for 123 yards on 28 carries.
MILLOY INVESTIGATION: The league said it is looking into a report that the Redskins tampered with safety Lawyer Milloy while he still was under contract to the Patriots.
Saturday, SI.com quoted Milloy as saying Washington made him an offer before the Patriots released him last week. The Redskins called the report "absurd," and Milloy disputed the report Sunday, saying he "wasn't contacted by any other team" before the Patriots cut him. He signed a four-year, $15-million deal with Buffalo on Wednesday.
FAVRE-HOVAN PEACE: In contrast to a meeting in December, when the two got into a shouting match, Packers quarterback Brett Favre and Vikings defensive tackle Chris Hovan hugged Sunday after Minnesota's victory.
"I was upset we lost the game, but I'm not going to a bad sportsman," Favre said. "It was as ugly as it gets, but it wasn't anything Hovan did or Randy Moss or Daunte Culpepper, Mike Tice. No.
"There's no sense in being bitter with those guys. It's a great rivalry. I don't see why that should change. There's no ill feelings here."
RATINGS: Bill Parcells' debut as coach of the Cowboys earned Fox its highest overnight rating, and CBS' ratings were up 14 percent. Atlanta's victory against the Cowboys drew a 15.2 rating and 30 share. The previous high for Fox was on the opening weekend last season, when a Rams-Broncos game drew a 15.1 and 30 share. CBS' coverage drew a 9.9 rating and 21 share.
Overnight ratings measure the 55 largest markets, covering about 70 percent of the country, and each overnight point represents about 735,000 homes.
