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.

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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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Saints RB Bush says he's clear to test leg that was broken

Reggie Bush expressed optimism Monday that he can practice this week on his healing right leg and possibly play Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The New Orleans Saints' star running back, who has missed five games since fracturing his right fibula in Week 2, said team doctors have told him he has healed enough to test his leg at full-speed.

Bush said he plans to try that when the Saints return to practice Wednesday.

"I expect to go out there and see what I can do," Bush said. "I don't know if I can practice, if I'm going to be 100 percent. I'm just going to go out there and give it my best shot. I feel good, but I haven't gone out there."

Bush said his leg has responded well to strength and conditioning exercises with the training staff during the past few weeks. However, he cautioned that he isn't sure how he'll feel when he tries to make sharp, lateral cuts typically required of him during games. Bush said doctors have told him he'll know he's ready to play when he can tolerate those types of football moves.

"I'm an explosive player, so it's different doing things in the training room than getting out there on the football field and making those hard cuts and routes and all those things," Bush said. "I've got to play a whole football game, not just an hour in the training room."

Bush's injury occurred when players piled on him while he recovered his muffed punt during the fourth quarter of the Saints' 25-22 victory at San Francisco.

Before his injury, Bush had been most effective in the passing and punt-return games. He had a 6-yard touchdown catch and 43-yard punt return against the 49ers. He was off to a slow start as a rusher, gaining just 18 yards on seven carries.

The Saints (4-3) have gone 2-3 in the five games that Bush has missed. Although Bush isn't always prolific, the Saints consider him a threat to score at any time and value his versatility.

"It's going to be wait and see this week," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "We're optimistic, yet we're guarded. I think we just have to pay attention to how this work week goes."

Bush said he is eager to return, but he must be cautious.

"It's all about being safe and being 100 percent and being sure that you're ready to go out there and contribute without having any lingering pain or nagging injuries or anything like that," he said.

Payton also addressed speculation of tension between the team and injured starting running back Pierre Thomas, who has been slow to recover from an ankle injury.

"There hasn't been any tiff," Payton said. "Certainly we're all frustrated with the progress of Pierre's rehab. Anything specific in that matter would be between Pierre and I, and the club."

Pressed further on the matter, Payton continued: "Like I said, anything that takes place with Pierre and myself in those meetings is certainly not for you. Listen. You're asking me a question, I'm telling you the answer. All right? I'm telling you we're all frustrated. ... We're all frustrated with the injury, all right? We're disappointed it's taken this long. And any communication -- and certainly Pierre and I are on the same page -- is for us, the club, the player, and it's simple."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jackson becomes Rams' all-time rushing leader vs. Bucs

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Browns capitalize on four Brees INTs for upset

NEW ORLEANS -- David Bowens returned two of Drew Brees' four interceptions for touchdowns, and the Cleveland Browns took a stunning 30-17 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Saints on Sunday.

Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy passed for just 74 yards, but he got his first win as an NFL starter -- a desperately needed one for the struggling Browns (2-5). Peyton Hillis rushed for a 4-yard score for Cleveland's only offensive touchdown.

Scott Fujita and Sheldon Brown also had interceptions for the Browns. Brees was sacked three times, once by Fujita, who was a defensive leader for the Saints last season.

The Saints (4-3) trailed all game and pulled no closer in the second half than 20-10 on Brees' 11-yard TD pass to David Thomas early in the fourth quarter.

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Favre says he left voicemails, not photos, with ex-Jets employee

NEW YORK -- Brett Favre has admitted leaving voicemails for the former New York Jets employee to whom a website says he also sent lewd photos.

NFL Network and Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported Sunday that Favre told league investigators he left phone messages for Jenn Sterger, who worked for the Jets in 2008 when Favre was their quarterback.

Glazer didn't say who provided the information.

Glazer also reported that Favre, who now plays for the Minnesota Vikings, denied sending Sterger inappropriate photos.

The NFL is investigating a Deadspin report earlier this month that Favre sent the racy photos to Sterger two years ago. Sterger, now an on-air personality for Versus, hasn't cooperated with the league yet, but her manager, Phil Reese, told The Associated Press on Sunday that could happen quickly.

"She is strongly considering it, leaning toward it," Reese said.

Asked if Favre admitted leaving the voicemails for Sterger, but denied sending any photos, Reese added:

"We're currently in the fact-gathering stage; all I'm doing is dealing with facts. Unfortunately the person in the pictures didn't also hold up their driver's license, so I'm not going to speculate as far as identity. But I'm working with people to diligently get all the facts."

Reese also has said that Sterger hasn't had any discussions with Favre's representatives about a possible financial settlement stemming from the allegations.

Favre and the Vikings play Sunday night at Green Bay.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Falcons CB DeCoud leaves game after helmet-to-helmet hit

ATLANTA -- Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud left Sunday's game with a head injury after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson.

DeCoud's teammates waved for Atlanta's trainers following the play with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter. DeCoud was kneeling when trainers arrived, and he was escorted to the sideline.

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DeCoud sat on the bench and stood on the sideline through the remainder of the first half.

The Falcons announced at the start of the second half that DeCoud's status was questionable.

There was no penalty on the play. Erik Coleman replaced DeCoud.

The Falcons' secondary was short-handed after cornerback Dunta Robinson suffered a concussion in a hit on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson last week.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Hall's four INTs, Redskins' defense smother Bears

CHICAGO -- DeAngelo Hall tied an NFL single-game record with four interceptions, running one back 92 yards for a touchdown, in the Washington Redskins' 17-14 victory over the Bears on Sunday.

The Redskins sacked Bears quarterback Jay Cutler four times while forcing five turnovers.

Hall tied a record held by 18 others and became the first player to pick off four passes since Deltha O'Neal with the Denver Broncos in 2001. Hall's one-handed interception and TD return late in the third quarter were made for the highlight reel and put Washington ahead for good, sending Chicago (4-3) to its third loss in four games.

The Redskins (4-3), meanwhile, equaled their win total from last season and joined a growing line of teams that has pounded Cutler. He has been sacked 19 times in his last three games, and when he wasn't on his back, he seemed to be playing catch with Hall.

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