Redskins' Ramsey has been playing with a broken foot
By wire services
Published November 18, 2003
ASHBURN, Va. - Washington Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey has been playing all season with a broken bone in his right foot.
"It's flared up pretty bad recently," said Ramsey, who has had difficulty planting the foot when throwing. "It's just something I'm trying to fight through."
Coach Steve Spurrier revealed the injury Monday, a day after Ramsey had one of his worst games in a 20-17 loss at Carolina.
Ramsey said the foot started hurting during training camp. An X-ray disclosed an old fracture. Ramsey has no idea when or how it happened.
"It never hurt me last season. It never hurt me in college," Ramsey said. "But at some point, I apparently fractured my foot. I know that sounds odd."
Ramsey said he wasn't really bothered by the injury until the last couple of weeks.
Ramsey was 16-for-35 for 150 yards and missed two open receivers for apparent touchdowns against the Panthers. His 53.5 completion percentage ranks 31st in the league.
Callahan: Steroid talk has hurt
Oakland coach Bill Callahan has heard the reports of steroid use by four of his players, and he acknowledges it has hurt the team's mood.
But until there's proof one of his guys used such banned drugs, he's standing by them.
"No one's been proven guilty at this point so we'll just see how this turns out," the coach said, responding to repeated questions from the media. "They've been indicted but no one's been found guilty yet."
Callahan said he knew nothing about any Raiders testing positive for the newly discovered steroid THG or facing subsequent suspensions.
His comments came a day after CBS reported that defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield, center Barret Robbins, linebacker Bill Romanowski and defensive tackle Chris Cooper tested positive for THG, or tetrahydrogestrinone, and could each face a four-game suspension.
NFL officials refused to comment on the report. They noted, however, that if players test positive, additional samples would have to be tested and any suspensions would be subject to appeals that could delay punishment for weeks.
Such suspensions would mark the first time THG has been linked directly to any sport outside track and field, which has had at least five athletes test positive for the steroid.
The NFL isn't the only pro league taking a fresh look at steroid use since THG was first detected in the summer. Baseball, which will begin punishing players for steroid use this season, recently added THG to its list of banned substances.
None of Oakland's players was available Monday. The Raiders got their first Monday off of the season, after a 28-18 win over the Vikings, and reporters were barred from the locker room.
Callahan said the day off was a reward for the victory and not related to the steroid reports. He acknowledged the reports of steroid use and possible suspensions had hurt the mood of the team. "I don't think it's affected us positively," he said. "We're all hurt by the reports that are out."
TAYLOR'S KNEES HURTING: Fred Taylor had tests on both knees after twisting one and getting hit on the other in the Jaguars' loss Sunday at Tennessee. Taylor sat out most of the fourth quarter and was not in the game during the final drive, which ended on downs at the Tennessee 2 with Jacksonville seeking the tying touchdown.
Coach Jack Del Rio said the running back's injuries were not serious, but Taylor said he doubted he could practice by Wednesday.
"It's pretty sore," Taylor said. "It's more stiff than anything."
FAVRE ACHING: Quarterback Brett Favre had a sore right thumb one day after a victory in Tampa but shouldn't miss any games.
"He is only three weeks removed from a broken thumb, so it is going to be sore and it is," coach Mike Sherman said. "He can't really re-injure it unless he breaks another part of the thumb, so it is healing."
Favre banged the thumb in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Bucs. He was in obvious pain, but not in jeopardy of having to come out. After that, except for one shovel pass, the Packers called all running plays.
FIEDLER BACK FOR FINS?: At the same time he said quarterback Brian Griese's accuracy gives Miami an advantage, coach Dave Wannstedt indicated Jay Fiedler could regain his starting job this week from Brian Griese.
Wannstedt said he would wait until Wednesday to decide on the quarterback, meaning Fiedler, recovering from a sprained knee, will be considered if he's fit. Trainer Kevin O'Neill said Fiedler "is a little improved" from last week but still hasn't worked full speed since the injury Oct. 19.
49ERS: The team retired the jersey of Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott at halftime of its game against Pittsburgh. Lott's No. 42 uniform was mounted in a frame during a ceremony. "It felt like my legs had left me," he said of the emotion during the ceremony. "It's like the air was sucked out of me, and I think the reason why is I wish I had eight hours to thank everybody." Lott is the father of Bucs linebacker Ryan Nece.
TITANS: Defensive end Jevon Kearse has a high sprain of his left ankle, good news for the team because he heard clicking in the joint after being hurt in its 10-3 win over Jacksonville. "The encouraging part about what we saw was we didn't see a great deal of swelling," coach Jeff Fisher said.
