CHICAGO - While the Bears spent all week worrying about who would start at quarterback, a bigger question about their backfield emerged Saturday.
Running back Anthony Thomas will miss today's game at Soldier Field against the Cardinals with viral pneumonia.
Thomas, the Bears' leading rusher with 721 yards on 168 carries, is expected to make a full recovery.
With Thomas out and backup Adrian Peterson on injured reserve, that leaves the Bears with two running backs - rookie Brock Forsey and third-down specialist Rabih Abdullah.
TITANS: QB Steve McNair threw a few passes and tested his strained right calf by moving around a little. He said he was trying to be optimistic about playing Monday night but doesn't want to set himself up for a letdown.
Coach Jeff Fisher said the decision won't be made until before kickoff against the Jets.
HALL-OF-FAMER DIES: Tony Canadeo, a star halfback with the Packers in the 1940s and 1950s and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died Saturday at 84.
Mr. Canadeo passed out at his Green Bay home and was taken to a local hospital, where he later died, his son, Tony Jr., said.
Mr. Canadeo became the third 1,000-yard rusher in pro football history in 1949.
Spurrier apologizes for showing
Washington coach Steve Spurrier did his best to fall on the sword last week. Now, will Redskins owner Dan Snyder use that sword on Spurrier's contract?
"I apologize to Redskins fans that our team has not achieved what we thought it was capable of this year," Spurrier said after Washington's 24-23 loss at Miami, the team's sixth in its last seven games. "If anybody deserves the blame, it's me. I'm the head coach. I'm 4-7.
At 4-7, the Redskins trail Dallas, Philadelphia, Carolina, New Orleans, Minnesota, Green Bay, St. Louis, Seattle, San Francisco and Buccaneers in the race for the playoffs.
DOLPHINS: With today off, Miami will be fixed on the Patriots-Colts game. A New England loss reduces its AFC East lead over Miami to one game with the clubs playing at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 7.
The Dolphins have two cold-weather games in the final four against the Pats and Bills and a Monday night game at home vs. the Eagles.
SAINTS: Ex-Dolphins tailback Lamar Smith is trying to get his NFL career back on track in New Orleans, which signed him last week to replace the injured Ki-Jana Carter as Deuce McAllister's backup. Released by Carolina and Green Bay this year, Smith reported to the Saints at 240 pounds and admits he will need time to get back into playing shape. "I've still got some juice left," said Smith, who turned 33 on Saturday.
