Report: Banta-Cain undergoes surgery to fix abdominal strain

Training camp has yet to begin, but the New England Patriots already are down one of their core defenders.

Linebacker Tully Banta-Cain underwent surgery for an abdominal strain Friday, a league source told The Boston Globe on Sunday. Banta-Cain reportedly will begin a 4-to-5-week recovery period.

Banta-Cain, 31, had 45 tackles a season ago and gave the team's tepid pass rush a boost with five sacks. Originally drafted by the Patriots in 2003, Banta-Cain re-joined New England in 2009 after two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

Banta-Cain dealt with abdominal issues last season, but a source said he'd been feeling "fine" before he re-aggravated the injury after raising the intensity of personal workouts.

With Banta-Cain on the shelf, the Patriots could look to add depth at linebacker when the free-agency period begins.

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Jets WR Cotchery returns to field following back surgery

Finally, Jerricho Cotchery is back on the football field.

After five months of laborious rehabilitation from back surgery, the New York Jets' wide receiver received full medical clearance to practice routes with quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Which is exactly what Cotchery did last week on a New Jersey high school field, according to The Star-Ledger.

"When you hit a field, you're out there in open space and you've just got to turn it on," Cotchery told the newspaper. "I was able to do that and not be cautious. It felt good to be able to go out there and make cuts and not think about anything."

Cotchery also told the newspaper that the back specialist who performed his surgery gave him the green light last week to fully participate in training camp once it begins. That's good news for the Jets, who figure to have a dilemma on their hands at wide receiver, with Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith all due to become free agents once the NFL lockout is lifted.

Cotchery, who had 41 catches for 433 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games last season, has been a staple in the receiving corps during his seven seasons with the Jets. He revealed to The Star-Ledger that his back had been an issue for some time.

"The past couple years, I've been dealing with the back, and you get used to your body not working the right way," said Cotchery, who underwent a microdiscectomy to shave off part of a troublesome herniated disc. "But little things make a huge difference. I’m better equipped moving forward."

Cotchery said he feels physically rejuvenated and is prepared to get back to form.

"The way the season went last year for me, I'm driven to get back on the field and play the way I'm capable of playing," Cotchery said. "Not having experienced something this significant and not knowing how to battle through it, through the course of a year, was draining for me. I spent a number of hours getting ready physically for the games, and the mental part suffered."

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Peyton Manning: Lockout slowing rehab from neck surgery

THIBODAUX, La. -- The power and accuracy with which Peyton Manning's passes bowl over bad guys in a recent "Football Cops" TV spoof was nowhere to be seen at the Manning family's annual football camp.

After not making any throws during Friday morning's instructional sessions, the Indianapolis Colts quarterback stressed that he is taking a "very cautious" approach to his comeback from offseason neck surgery because of the NFL lockout.

"That's one thing these owners didn't take into account. You've got a guy rehabbing, and you can't use your training room and can't use your trainer," Manning said. "When you find a good trainer and a good rehab guy that you like, it's a pretty special bond. These guys kind of know your body. So the fact that I haven't had access to my guys and I've been somewhat on my own, I've been extra cautious and extra slow and making sure we don't have any setbacks."

Manning's father, former Saints quarterback Archie Manning, mentioned that Peyton has been throwing at some of the offseason workouts he has organized with Colts teammates in recent months. Peyton Manning declined to get into specifics about his condition, stressing only that he has been "very, very limited as to what I've been able to do and what I've allowed myself to do."

Manning said he usually puts himself through three rehabilitation sessions per day and even got one in Friday morning before camp started.

Lockout or not, this has been another busy offseason for the Mannings, who got together on the campus of Nicholls State for the 16th year of the Manning Passing Academy. On March 21, Giants quarterback Eli Manning became a father for the first time when his wife, Abby, had their first child, a daughter named Ava. Only 10 days later, Peyton and his wife, Ashley, had twins -- a daughter, Mosley, and son, Marshall.

Peyton Manning has avoided speaking publicly about his new experience as a father or the twins and reiterated at the camp that he views those matters as private.

When asked if the lockout had a good side in terms of the time he got to spend with his infant children, Peyton said: "The lockout hasn't been good for anybody, I don't think. The only winners in the lockout have been the lawyers."

Archie Manning beamed when he spoke about seeing his and wife Olivia's number of grandchildren grow from the three they had from eldest son, Cooper, to six this year.

"We doubled our grandchildren, so Olivia and I are very excited," Archie Manning said. "Cooper's three we see every day. ... I'm back going to little league games and everything. But for Eli and Peyton both to have their first children -- Peyton had two at a time -- it's always exciting. I love grandchildren. It's underrated."

In May, Peyton and Eli also filmed a TV spot for DirecTV in Brooklyn, a dark comedy about a tandem of police officers who fight criminals with holstered footballs. It was released last month and as of this week had been viewed more than 792,000 times on YouTube.

Both brothers have organized workouts with teammates in an effort to stay as sharp as possible until football resumes.

Peyton has kept sessions with Colts teammates private, but Eli has allowed media to observe some of his sessions with Giants receivers, as well as walkthroughs with larger numbers of teammates.

"The guys I called came and worked out, and we had some good throwing sessions," Eli said. "We had a week of some full-team (work). ... It was really kind of more for the young guys ... so when we hit training camp we don't have to start from square one."

Although negotiations between owners and players appear to be progressing, it remains unclear whether training camps will open as scheduled in late July.

Peyton Manning, who is one of the players on a class-action antitrust lawsuit intended to end the work stoppage, said he has tired of following the daily negotiations.

"I followed it early, and it just got so exhausting because every day was the day it was supposed to end, and that was like three months ago," he said. "I've gotten to the point now where I've just told (Colts center and players' representative) Jeff Saturday to call me when I can go back to the facility. ... I have no information or insight as to when it's going to end.

"I don't think it's going to be this week, but hopefully it will be real, real soon."

When the lockout does end, Peyton Manning and the Colts will likely get back to contract talks. His contract expired after last season, and the Colts put the exclusive franchise tag on him -- a move that prevents him from negotiating with other teams. If he signs the one-year deal, he would make $23 million next season. Both sides appear more interested in reaching an agreement on a longer-term extension, but Manning does not appear interested in discussing the matter much.

"I really haven't had a whole lot of thought on that," he said. "They'll be a time and a place to address that once the lockout ends, among other questions."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Agent: T.O. had knee surgery in April, doesn't plan to retire

Terrell Owens is recovering from left knee surgery and plans to be ready to play when the NFL season starts, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Tuesday.

Rosenhaus confirmed in an interview with ESPN that the star wide receiver tore his anterior cruciate ligament and had surgery in early April. However, Rosenhaus said, his client "will be playing at the start of the NFL season."

Rosenhaus called speculation that Owens, 37, was considering retirement "nonsense" and said the 15-year veteran is doing "fantastic" and could be recovered as early as August. Sources familiar with the injury told ESPN on Sunday night that Owens wouldn't return until mid- to late November at the earliest.

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Rosenhaus said Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery to the same knee in which Owens tore his meniscus late last year.

"The old injury has been repaired," Rosenhaus said. "He is many months into recovery and doing fantastic. No predictions on training camp, but he comes back fast from injuries. I won't rule him out of anything. He will be a starting receiver for someone this year."

Rosenhaus declined to say how the latest injury occurred, although one source told ESPN on Sunday night that it happened while Owens was taping a segment for his VH1 reality show, and another source said the receiver injured himself during personal workouts.

As for Owens mulling retirement, Rosenhaus said "all the retirement talk is nonsense. There's been no discussion about that, and this injury is not a big deal."

Two of Owens' former teammates also said the star wide receiver plans to return. Both players spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because Owens hasn't publicly discussed the surgery.

Owens had 72 catches for 983 yards and nine touchdowns last season for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve Dec. 21, one day after surgery for his torn meniscus.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Agent: Big Ben's surgery comments blown out of proportion

As you were.

That's the message from Ben Roethlisberger's agent, Ryan Tollner, after a report last week quoted the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback as saying there's a chance he will need surgery on his previously broken right foot at some point.

"There's nothing new there," Tollner told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday night. "The doctors elected not to do surgery and to let it heal. If it ever got worse, they might have to do something.

"Ben is kind of surprised that it's getting the attention. He hopes and expects never to have surgery on it. The foot was feeling better after the season, with the extra time this offseason, it's feeling great."

Roethlisberger, who told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in a story published Saturday that his foot has healed, suffered through much of 2010 with the injury. He aggravated it during a game against the Buffalo Bills in November, saying "there were times during practice and games where I didn't feel like I'd be able to walk."

The seven-year veteran and two-time Super Bowl winner wore a cleat fitted with a pair of metal plates both in games and practices, right up through the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. He didn't miss a snap last season because of the injury, throwing for 3,200 yards and 17 touchdowns.

"I could have had surgery (after last season), but according to the doctors, it would have been a really nasty process because of where the break was. It was better off trying not to do anything," Roethlisberger told the Tribune-Review. "It's going to be something where we're just going to have to, in essence, play it by ear. If it continues to be as painful as it was at the end of last year, then I'm going to probably have to have the surgery."

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Roethlisberger can't rule out foot surgery despite progress

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says the broken right foot that hampered him throughout much of last season has almost fully healed, but there's a chance he'll require surgery if the pain returns, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Saturday.

"It's doing really good. It's healed up," Roethlisberger said. "Obviously, it helps when I'm not cutting and planting and doing all of these different activities. It's really come a long way. I haven't had too many problems with it recently."

Roethlisberger suffered through much of 2010 with the foot injury, which he aggravated during a game against the Buffalo Bills in November, saying "there were times during practice and games where I didn't feel like I'd be able to walk."

The seven-year veteran and two-time Super Bowl winner wore a cleat fitted with a pair of metal plates both in games and practices, right up through the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. He didn't miss a snap last season because of the injury, throwing for 3,200 yards and 17 touchdowns.

"I could have had surgery (after last season), but according to the doctors, it would have been a really nasty process because of where the break was. It was better off trying not to do anything," Roethlisberger said. "It's going to be something where we're just going to have to, in essence, play it by ear. If it continues to be as painful as it was at the end of last year, then I'm going to probably have to have the surgery."

Roethlisberger has been able to focus on football this offseason, free from off-the-field issues that plagued him a year ago. He recently told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he gathered offensive players for workouts earlier this offseason but kept the proceedings undercover.

"We've worked out, linemen, running backs, tight ends, everybody. All of the offense," Roethlisberger said. "... We've had some good progress, just to kind of refresh people's memories on audible calls or no-huddle calls, little things like that."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Lions' Burleson faces 'minor' surgery on ailing elbow

Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson says he is heading home to Seattle to undergo "minor" surgery on his right elbow, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Burleson injured the elbow in a Nov. 21 loss at Dallas. He said it swells up on occasion and he needs to have fluid drained and a bursa sac removed.

The ninth-year receiver signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Lions in March 2010 after four seasons with his hometown Seahawks. He started 14 games last season, catching 55 passes for 625 yards and seven touchdowns.

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Veteran CB Hobbs hasn't decided on future after neck surgery

Many people believed Ellis Hobbs' NFL career was over seven months ago, after he suffered another neck injury, but the 28-year-old cornerback insisted Saturday that he hasn't made a decision about his future.

"All I'm doing is relaxing," Hobbs told the Boston Herald. "Because of the lockout, it's just giving me extra time to work on other things. But none of the doctors have said I need to shut it down, I need to stop playing. I myself haven't even thought about that, or going that route. I've weighed both sides of it, and I'm pretty comfortable where I am right now."

Hobbs took a hit to the helmet on the second-half kickoff during his Philadelphia Eagles' 27-17 victory over the New York Giants on Nov. 21. He had full movement of all extremities and gave a thumbs up to the crowd as he was carted off the field.

A neck injury also ended Hobbs' 2009 season, and a source with knowledge of the situation told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora in November that the cornerback "very likely" would retire after having his second surgery.

If Hobbs decides to play next season, he would be an unrestricted free agent. He has 225 tackles and 10 interceptions in his six-year NFL career, which he started as a New England Patriot.

If Hobbs does choose retirement, he has a backup plan. He returned to Iowa State University in 2009 to receive his bachelor's degree in art and design, fulfilling a promise to his mother after he left school seven credits short.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Bolts OT McNeill says he is fully recovered from knee surgery

San Diego Chargers tackle Marcus McNeill told Sirius XM NFL Radio on Monday that he underwent a minor surgical procedure on his knee in February, but has fully recovered.

McNeill, who joined the radio program on Memorial Day to discuss his upbringing in a military family, signed a five-year contract extension with the Chargers last October and started the final 11 games after a lengthy holdout.

Because last season was uncapped, McNeill was a restricted free agent even though his original four-year contract expired after the 2009 campaign. When he didn't sign his one-year, $3.168 million tender by June 15, the Chargers reduced the amount to 110 percent of his 2009 salary, or $630,000. McNeill sat out training camp and the first two games before signing the tender.

McNeill was a second-round pick by the Chargers in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Auburn, and made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season and 2007. The 6-foot-7, 336-pound veteran has started all 73 games he's appeared in.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chargers LB English hopes second surgery fixes foot issues

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Report: Dolphins' Hartline has surgery; Marshall, Crowder back

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline was absent Wednesday as the team began preparations for this weekend's game against the New York Jets.

Hartline was sidelined when he hurt a finger during last Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

The Miami Herald reported that Hartline underwent surgery on his injured hand Tuesday. A return this season hasn't been ruled out for the second-year Ohio State product, a source told the newspaper.

Hartline has been a favorite target of Miami quarterbacks in recent weeks, having one catch of at least 24 yards in six consecutive games before Sunday.

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall and linebacker Channing Crowder took part in practice Wednesday. Marshall missed the past two games with a right hamstring injury, and Crowder missed the Browns game with a knee injury.

The Dolphins also placed cornerback Al Harris on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, ending his 13th NFL season.

Harris joined the Dolphins last month after being released by the Green Bay Packers. Trying to come back from a major left knee injury last November, he played in three games off the bench for Miami.

To replace Harris on the roster, the Dolphins signed offensive lineman Ray Feinga.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Rams RB Jackson ready to go vs. Panthers after finger surgery

ST. LOUIS -- Steven Jackson had surgery Monday for a broken ring finger on his left hand. No big deal: The Rams' running back usually carries the ball in his right hand anyway.

Jackson said Thursday that he will play Sunday when the Carolina Panthers (1-5) visit the Rams (3-4).

"Absolutely, I will definitely be out there Sunday," said Jackson, who had two pins inserted into the finger. "The surgery went fine. Everything went well. It's unfortunate it had to happen. It's on the left hand, so it's not a big deal as if it was my right hand."

Despite missing practice, Steven Jackson should still suit up and is a strong start against a struggling Panthers defense. No reason to panic as of yet. More ...

The pins will be in Jackson's hand for six to eight weeks. Jackson didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. He said he might work out Friday.

"I don't see why not," Jackson said about practicing Friday. "First thing, we want to make sure infection doesn't happen. Pain is going to occur. That's something we're not trying to avoid. That's not something we're thinking won't happen. Pain will be part of the game Sunday."

Playing with pain or an injury is nothing new for Jackson.

Earlier this season, Jackson sustained a groin injury against the Washington Redskins in Week 3 and wore extra padding in the next two games before healing. Last season, he played with a sore back.

That Jackson plans to play doesn't surprise Rams guard Jacob Bell.

"He's like Brett Favre, man," Bell said. "You got to count in him until he's out. Nothing really stops the guy."

Jackson is a big part of the St. Louis offense.

Jackson became the Rams' all-time leading rusher Sunday at Tampa Bay, where he had his third consecutive 100-yard game, finishing with 110 yards on 22 carries. He moved ahead of Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson when he gained three yards early in the second quarter. Dickerson gained 7,245 yards for the Rams from 1983 to 1987. Jackson stands at 7,324.

Jackson's 617 rushing yards this season rank fourth in the NFL and second in the NFC behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson (684).

Jackson will look at some different protections for his hand.

"We're going to experiment with a couple of different things," Jackson said. "It will be some sort of soft cast to protect the ring finger. It won't be a club. Something that's functional that will allow me carry the ball, catch the ball and hold the ball. We'll play around with it. We'll see what we come up with."

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said he believes Jackson will be able to work around the injury.

"I'm sure it's not going all that comfortable having to put something on you and lug a football around and try to shed blockers," Spagnuolo said. "He's dealt with injuries before, so we'll be optimistic."

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said not practicing this week shouldn't affect Jackson's ability Sunday.

"I guess I've learned that we keep practicing and coaching, and on Sunday, we see who's there," Shurmur said. "Steven has displayed an ability to play extremely well with limited practice. So, that's kind of the approach we're taking at this point."

Shurmur noted that Jackson can play with pain. It won't change any plays Shurmur might want to call for his big back.

"With a warrior-type player like Steven, it's not as much of a concern as it would be a player who's dealing with his first injury," Shurmur said.

Jackson said he'll do his best regardless.

"Just like with any injury, you've got to perform at the level you can," Jackson said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Rams say RB Jackson day to day after surgery on left ring finger

Steven Jackson set the St. Louis Rams' franchise rushing record over the weekend -- despite playing with a broken finger.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said the running back had surgery on his left ring finger Monday. The Rams said two pins were put into the finger, and Jackson's status for this Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers was unknown.

"Yes, I had surgery on my ring finger but I shouldn't miss a beat," Jackson wrote on his Twitter page. "I'm not married so I'm covered there too."

Jackson sustained the injury last Sunday during the Rams' 18-17 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He rushed for 110 yards, his third consecutive game over the century mark, and passed Eric Dickerson to become the Rams' all-time rushing leader.

"He didn't think it was a big deal," Spagnuolo said of Jackson's reaction to the injury. "He kept playing. ... He's going to be sore. Hopefully, he'll be able to play this week. We'll know more after he gets through it. ... He's just a warrior. He goes out and plays, and we find out later on there's a crack in there."

Jackson's 617 rushing yards rank fourth in the NFL this season and second in the NFC behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson (684). In his six seasons with the Rams, Jackson has 7,324 yards.

"Wonderful, wonderful thing for him, for this organization, for all the guys along the way that have blocked for him," Spagnuolo said of Jackson breaking the Rams' rushing record. "Hopefully there's a lot more yards to come."

Still, the Rams continued their trend of losing games on the road with Sunday's loss, struggling again in the second half.

The Rams, who have lost six consecutive road games and have one win in their last 16 road games, led 17-6 at halftime but were unable to score again. St. Louis hasn't scored a touchdown in the second half of its last three games and has been outscored 46-3 in the final two quarters during that stretch.

"It's not one thing," Spagnuolo said. "I told the guys in there, 'Don't be deep-thinking this thing.' Should we have won the game 17-12, we would have won it because we would have made one or two plays somewhere in there. That's how close it came down to and there wouldn't be as big of questions.

"Do we have to get better in the second half? Yeah. But we looked at everything this morning: It is scheme? Calls? Did they make any major adjustments? I don't think so, a couple little tweaks here and there. It's a tackle here. It's a completed pass there. It's just simple football stuff."

The Rams will be without safety James Butler against the Panthers after he suffered a knee injury Sunday, Spagnuolo said. The team worked out veteran cornerback Ralph Brown on Monday, a league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jags' Britton to undergo season-ending surgery on shoulder

The Jacksonville Jaguars' 25th-ranked offense just took another hit.

An MRI exam on right tackle Eben Britton's shoulder Monday revealed a torn labrum, and the second-year pro will have season-ending shoulder surgery.

Britton underwent X-rays and wore a sling on the shoulder after the Jaguars' 42-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Britton dislocated his shoulder during the second quarter, popped it back in place himself and returned to the game. He dislocated it again on the next series. This time, he couldn't get it back in place without help from team doctors.

Britton said he believes "the damage was done at that point."

Tests Monday revealed the extent of the injury, and Britton plans to have surgery soon. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said if Britton has surgery, he likely would be lost for the season.

Jordan Black, a seventh-year veteran, will replace Britton in the lineup beginning Sunday at Dallas.

Britton has started 22 games for the Jaguars over the past two seasons. His absence is a tangible loss for an offensive line that already lacks depth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Packers DE Neal, LB Poppinga slated for season-ending surgery

The only breaks some Green Bay Packers players can catch this season are to their body parts.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that defensive end Mike Neal and linebacker Brady Poppinga are both scheduled for season-ending surgeries, bringing the total number of Green Bay players lost to injury to nine.

McCarthy said Neal, who's battling a shoulder injury that has kept him out of the past two games, is set to have surgery Tuesday.

"We knew the extent of the injury right away," McCarthy said. "It's (Neal's) shoulder, and sometimes you're able to rehab and play through that, but that's not the case with Mike. It's severe enough, and everyone is in agreement that we need to go in and fix it."

Poppinga's surgery is on the same knee he had reconstructed following his rookie season in 2005. McCarthy said a time for surgery hasn't been set, but it should take place over the next seven to 10 days.

"They found that was more damage than they were able to correct on the initial scope," McCarthy said. "He's seeking a second opinion, but it's pretty clear that he's going to have season-ending surgery."

The Packers have been hit hard with injuries over the first seven weeks of the season. Seven players -- including four starters: tight end Jermichael Finley, linebacker Nick Barnett, running back Ryan Grant and safety Morgan Burnett -- already are on season-ending injured reserve.

The team was encouraged to see cornerback Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby return to practice last week, along with outside linebacker Clay Matthews. Matthews played in Sunday night's 28-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers, but Harris and Bigby have yet to be activated.

"I thought they both had a good week of practice, so I know they're chomping at the bit," McCarthy said of Harris and Bigby. "That's something as a staff we'll talk about tonight and tomorrow to try and have a plan there."

All the talk of injuries didn't diminish the Packers' joy after beating their former quarterback, Brett Favre, and the Vikings. Still, McCarthy wants his team to focus on Sunday's showdown with the New York Jets.

"I don't think you run around with your pompoms this week," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "That's the last thing that I'm going to do. Everybody had a chance to enjoy the win last night, and I'm sure everybody feels good today. It was easier coming to work today than it was last week. That's our business. Winning is important. A lot of good things come off of winning. But it's onto the next one. It's a simple as that."

And the Packers were far from perfect against the Vikings.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had two uncharacteristic interceptions deep in Vikings territory and didn't appear to be on the same page as his receivers on several throws.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers had to improvise after Cullen Jenkins pulled a calf muscle in pregame warmups and fellow lineman Ryan Pickett reinjured his ankle. The Packers couldn't play much base defense against a Minnesota team that was committed to running with Adrian Peterson.

Still, the defense forced Favre into three ugly second-half interceptions. Linebackers Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk, players who had to deal with diminished roles earlier in the season, both had interceptions Sunday.

And the Packers were able to put pressure on Favre at the end of the game.

The Packers have tried to downplay the emotion associated with facing their former quarterback, especially after losing to Favre twice last season. Even after a win, Rodgers wasn't interested in talking about Favre.

There's no need to fret about missing any games. You can watch every contest again with Game Rewind. Get more information here.

But teammates said Sunday's victory might have meant more to Rodgers than he revealed.

"I think honestly, it does mean a great deal to him," Matthews said. "We might see it as any other game, but for him, there's certainly a little something special. For him, sitting behind Favre, then coming out and putting together two fantastic seasons and losing to him twice, for him to come out against the guy who -- whatever you want to call it, the quarterback who was in front of him -- it means a great deal to him."

Backup quarterback Matt Flynn sensed it, too.

"I think it means a lot to him," Flynn said. "Obviously it's a big game for us as a team, the way the season has gone. But personally, I think this was definitely one he had circled that he wanted to win. I'm happy for him. I'm happy he got it."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Report: Packers LB Barnett might have season-ending surgery

The Green Bay Packers' defense might have to absorb another season-ending injury to a starter.

Nick Barnett likely will need surgery to repair his injured right wrist, sources told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Wednesday., meaning the linebacker wouldn't play again in 2010.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said there is "definitely a possibility" that Barnett could be out for an extended period of time. McCarthy said Barnett and linebacker Brandon Chillar, who has a shoulder injury, are receiving second opinions this week.

The Journal Sentinel reported that Barnett will receive his second opinion Friday, then decide whether or not to have surgery.

Barnett, an eight-year veteran, was injured during the first half of last weekend's victory over the Detroit Lions. He left the game, then returned to the field wearing a cast and said afterward that the wrist wasn't broken.

Barnett isn't accustomed to missing games. Since the Packers made him a first-round draft pick in 2003, Barnett has played in 113 of 121 games in his career, including playoffs, and he needs just eight tackles to break John Anderson's all-time franchise record, according to the Journal Sentinel.

Desmond Bishop could join A.J. Hawk in Green Bay's starting lineup at inside linebacker if Barnett is sidelined, the newspaper reported.

The Packers also are hurting at safety. Rookie Morgan Burnett tore an anterior cruciate ligament against the Lions and is out for the season. And veteran Nick Collins had to sit out practice Wednesday because of a nagging knee injury, making his status for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins unclear.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Saints' Porter expected to miss 3 to 4 weeks after knee surgery

METAIRIE, La. -- Another player who contributed to the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl run has to be replaced for a few games.

Tracy Porter will be out three to four weeks after arthroscopic surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his left knee, leaving a team that has already looked vulnerable without one of its starting cornerbacks.

Four regulars were unable to practice Wednesday: Porter, defensive end Will Smith (groin), and running backs Reggie Bush (right fibula) and Pierre Thomas (left ankle). Then there were players -- including strong safeties Roman Harper (hamstring) and Pierson Prioleau (chest) -- who were banged up but practiced on a limited basis with the hope of being able to play at Arizona on Sunday.

"Part of the success that you have in this league has a lot to do with how you respond to injuries and how a team can persevere through some of the unfortunate things that happen," said Prioleau, a special teams captain who started at safety last Sunday in place of Harper but was knocked out of the game on kick coverage.

"It's obvious that we've had to endure some injuries to some key players in key spots on this team, but it's going to show the mark of the team that we are to have the ability to come out and still produce on the field with the guy that's next in line."

In all, 19 players were listed on New Orleans' injury report, although 12 practiced fully.

The Saints (3-1) have found a way to win and are tied for first place in the NFC South. But their performances haven't approached the level of dominance they displayed last season, when they won each of their first six games by double digits.

After opening the season with a five-point win over Minnesota, the Saints edged winless San Francisco with a last second field goal, lost to the Falcons in overtime after missing a field goal that could have won it, and then needed a field goal late in the fourth quarter for a two-point, comeback victory over winless Carolina.

The Saints contend their best football is still ahead, given how many players are out or playing hurt.

Quarterback Drew Brees is playing with a brace on his left knee, which was injured on a hit by Atlanta defensive end John Abraham in Week 3.

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Rookie running back Chris Ivory, who had 12 carries against Carolina, favored his left knee with a pronounced limp as he made his way from the trainer's room to his locker.

Ivory's path to the regular season roster was cleared in training camp by season-ending injuries to Lynell Hamilton and P.J. Hill. Then when Bush went out after Week 2, Ivory began to see significant action the past two games and the Saints signed Ladell Betts, who is now the only running back not listed on the injury report.

Brees said the club's running back situation exemplifies how the Saints have been forced to overcome factors beyond their control as they try to defend their title.

"Did I think at this point that Ladell Betts and Chris Ivory would be our two starting running backs going back to training camp? I don't think they were on the radar at that point," Brees said. "Anytime some of your key components are not on the field, it's going to affect you a little bit and you just kind of wait for the time to put all the pieces to the puzzle back on the field. I feel that the guys that have stepped in have done a very good job."

Saints coach Sean Payton said the Saints worked out two safeties this week -- Macho Harris and Pat Watkins -- but decided against signing either because the club hopes either Harper or Prioleau can play Sunday. When both were out on Sunday, Chris Reis went in at strong safety, only to leave the game with a season-ending shoulder injury. Then Usama Young, already a regular on special teams, had to fill in at strong safety.

Young was drafted as a cornerback and is now a reserve free safety, so moving to strong safety on Sunday required him to contribute on run support more than he is accustomed.

"You've got to be able to have that linebacker's mentality," Young said. "You've got to be able to close some gaps and it happens fast."

After Young tackled DeAngelo Williams for a loss late in the fourth quarter -- a crowd-pleasing play which took Carolina out of range for a winning field goal try -- Young said he briefly thought to himself that he could get used to playing strong safety.

"But when I went home that night I started feeling my neck getting a little tight, the shoulders were hurting and I said, 'Man, being in (on run support) takes it out of you,"' Young said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Colts safety Bullitt to miss rest of season after shoulder surgery

The Indianapolis Colts' beleaguered defense took another hit Tuesday.

The team announced that safety Melvin Bullitt, Bob Sanders' replacement, will miss the remainder of the season after he has surgery on his injured right shoulder. It's not what the Colts needed after giving up 31 points and 174 rushing yards during last weekend's loss at Jacksonville, but that's life in the NFL.

"There's obviously a lot of work to do on that side of the ball, and we've got to get that straightened away," Colts president Bill Polian said on his weekly radio show Monday night. "We've got good players there, but they're not playing well right now."

And now the Colts (2-2) will be short-handed, too.

The Colts said Tuesday that Bullitt will be placed on season-ending injured reserve, but they didn't reveal the exact nature of his ailment. However, The Indianapolis Star reported that Bullitt broke a bone in his shoulder.

"Worst possible news," Leonard Roth, Bullitt's agent, said in an e-mail to the newspaper. "He will be operated on in the next two weeks to repair it and get ready to go next year."

Bullitt, a former undrafted free agent, had started 24 of the Colts' past 36 regular-season games, mostly in place of the oft-injured Sanders, and had become one of the team's most consistent tacklers. So when Sanders went down in the season opener with a torn biceps muscle in his right arm, most people figured the Colts wouldn't lose much by putting Bullitt in the lineup.

Bullitt ranks seventh on the team this season with 13 tackles and has one of the Colts' three interceptions. Now, with Bullitt out for the season and Sanders expected to miss at least two more months of playing time, the Colts' already-thin secondary is in dire need of help.

Veteran Jamie Silva, normally the next in line, went down with a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament during the preseason, and the Colts started the season with just three safeties on the roster -- Sanders, Bullitt and two-time Pro Bowl pick Antoine Bethea. Now they only have Bethea available.

Bullitt hurt his shoulder twice Sunday, the second time midway through the third quarter. He already had put a hefty brace on the shoulder after being injured in the first half, the same brace he wore most of last season.

When Bullitt left the game, recently signed DaJuan Morgan took his place. Morgan has solid credentials as a third-round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008. This weekend, he likely will have a chance to start against his former team as the NFL's last unbeaten team visits Lucas Oil Stadium to challenge the Colts.

The team also activated undrafted rookie Mike Newton, a safety, from the practice squad Tuesday and re-signed veteran safety Aaron Francisco, who played with the AFC champion Colts last season after spending 2008 with the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals.

The rash of injuries has hit Indianapolis' defense hard.

Besides Sanders and Bullitt, starting linebacker Clint Session missed two games with a hamstring injury before he returned to play against the Jaguars. His backup, Kavell Conner, had surgery to repair a fractured left foot last week and already has been ruled out of this weekend's game against the Chiefs. Another backup linebacker, Ramon Humber, was placed on the waived-injured list after fracturing his right hand two weeks ago, and the Colts lost six defensive backs to season-ending injuries during training camp.

Plus, Indianapolis must fix a defense that has struggled to pressure quarterbacks the past two weeks and is allowing nearly 150 yards per game, 29th in the NFL.

"The way to develop consistency, and I'm going to paraphrase the great John Wooden here, but the best way to help the team is to improve yourself," Polian said. "So everybody on the team has to do the best they can do. If everybody concentrates the best they can do, if everybody goes out and does the best they can every week, things will work out."

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But it's not just the defense taking hits.

Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez is set to miss his fourth consecutive game this weekend, and rookie kick returner Devin Moore will be placed on injured reserve with nerve damage in the neck or shoulder area.

The Colts also released defensive tackle Mitch King from the active roster and wide receiver Alric Arnett from the practice squad, and they signed wide receiver Kenneth Moore.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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