Texans RB Slaton is unsure whether to play until game time

Because of an injury on right shoulder, the Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton missed Friday’s practice and remains doubtful for this Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Chris Brown and Ryan Moats are preparing for taking Slaton’s job in case he would not play.

According to Texans Coach Gary Kubiak, Brown would be the starter in Slaton’s absence and Moats could share some job with Brown. It won’t take long for Brown to get used to the starting role as has seen increased action after Kubiak benched Slaton because of fumbling problems. His performance has not been bad, rushing for 234 yards and two touchdowns this season, with 56 carry yards and one touchdown made during last week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

As for Slaton, he has been bothered by the shoulder injury for about three weeks and been experiencing numbness in right thumb from time to time. But he himself did not think the injury serious and is still expecting to play in his Texans jersey for this Sunday’s game.

Titans WR Gage broke bones in lower back

After running a variety of X-rays and CAT scans on wide receiver Justin Gage’s back, the Tennessee Titans are far from being optimistic about the player’s status for this Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

There are several broken transverse process bones in Gage’s lower back. He got the injury when he fell to the ground after making a leaping catch to set up the go-ahead touchdown in last week’s 34-27 win at San Francisco. But it was after the game that Gage began to feel pains. He still managed to finish the game with a season-high 97 yards receiving.

Coach Jeff Fisher has not ruled Gage out against the Bills but said that he did not expect him to wear back Titans jersey and to play this week. Tests showed that there were several fractures but no crucial injury to the spine. Gage said Wednesday that he could move his hands and feet without problem. So it seemed that it won’t take long for him to be fully recovered.

Roethlisberger: minor injury does not matter

As it is reported by Associated Press, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger returned to practice Thursday. Just one day after he left the field for knee injury caused by a collision with RB Willie Parker.

Roethlisberger's returning soon may show that he did not get any heavy injury. Although his left knee was still wrapped, everything seemed normal with him during the practice.

Roethlisberger limped off the field immediately at the end of workout on Wednesday, but now he seemed not in need of any further treatment. Good news to the Steelers, in a time when many players have to unergo surgery after getting injuried.