[BangTheBook]

Minnesota Vikings - QB Rotation: Brad Johnson (1st Q+), Mike McMahon (2nd Q+), rookie Tarvaris Jackson, J.T. O'Sullivan.

Brad Johnson said, "I would expect to play a quarter and a half in Week 2, then a half in Week 3, and then maybe just kind of finish it out in Game 4." QB Mike McMahon has worked with the second team in practice, while rookie Tarvaris Jackson has worked with the third team.

LB Chad Greenway, their No. 1 pick, is out for the season with a knee injury.
WR changes: 7-year veteran Travis Taylor moved into the starting lineup Wednesday, replacing Koren Robinson, who had been in jail following Tuesday's arrest. Troy Williamson is the other starter. 10-year veteran Marcus Robinson moved up to No. 3 and Billy McMullen, a fourth-year pro, became No. 4.

Former Eagles assistant Brad Childress is the new Minnesota head coach. The 49-year-old Childress had been the Eagles' offensive coordinator since 2002.

"This is the most physical camp I've ever been associated with," cornerback Antoine Winfield said.

Pittsburgh Steelers - QB Rotation: Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Shane Boyd, Omar Jacobs.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger left practice early Wednesday with an injury to the thumb on his throwing hand. Bill Cowher did not sound as though he believed the injury was serious. He was held out of practice Thursday, and the team will decide Friday if he will play Saturday.

After struggling and appearing confused his first couple weeks at camp, rookie QB Omar Jacobs seemed more comfortable when he played in the fourth quarter against the Cardinals. Jacobs completed 5 of 7 passes for 61 yards and a TD. His passer rating was 137.5, highest in the game.

Wide receivers thin: Hines Ward and tight end Jerame Tuman missed both practices with hamstring injuries. WR Isaac West (knee) is ailing, and WR Sean Morey joined the list of injured. He wore a soft cast on his left wrist, injured Tuesday while blocking.

Houston Texans - QB Rotation: David Carr (1st Q and into the second), Sage Rosenfels, Cody Pickett.

In Saturday's game at St. Louis, expect to see the starters on the field longer. "They'll play more, but how much more I don't know," coach Gary Kubiak said. "It could be a quarter and a half or a half. It depends on the flow of the game and how many snaps they're getting."

Kubiak is excited to see second-year RB Vernand Morency, who sat out the Kansas City game. RB Domanick Davis is out. Meanwhile, rookie RBs Wali Lundy, Chris Taylor and Damien Rhodes are trying to take advantage of Davis' absence.

Secondary thin. The hardest-hit position has been cornerback, where Demarcus Faggins is out six to 10 weeks with a broken right foot suffered on the second day of workouts. His replacement, Phillip Buchanon, missed a few days with a sore hamstring, and Chris McKenzie, who was competing for a backup spot, is out for the season with a fractured shoulder.

Because the Texans used a 3-4 during their first four seasons under former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, they have a shortage of linebackers who are ideal fits in a 4-3.
The Texans begin their fifth season with a new head coach. Dom Capers is out and Gary Kubiak is the new head coach. Kubiak spent the last 11 years as the Denver Broncos offensive coordinator. He is bringing in the "zone blocking schemes" that helped make Denver such a strong running team.

St. Louis Rams - QB Rotation: Marc Bulger, Gus Frerotte, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dave Ragone.

Former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Scott Linehan takes over as the new head coach.

Linehan has promised to balance the attack, which was decidedly pass-heavy with Mike Martz at the controls.

RB Marshall Faulk is out for the season. The Rams signed Moe Williams to a one-year contract, addressing the need for a backup running back. They have third-year back Steven Jackson in the starting role, and behind him is Tony Fisher, a fifth-year running back from Notre Dame. RBs Antoine Bagwell and J.D. Washington, undrafted rookie running backs trying to make the leap from NCAA Division II to the NFL, are vying for a spot.

NY Jets - QB Rotation: Chad Pennington, Patrick Ramsey, Brooks Bollinger, rookie Kellen Clemens.

Chad Pennington's arm strength and accuracy have impressed the coaches thus far in camp. Pennington only needs to stay healthy in the preseason to secure the job.
Jets running back Curtis Martin has a lingering knee injury. With Martin ailing, the majority of the reps will go to Derrick Blaylock, Cedric Houston and rookie Leon Washington. The Jets are deeply concerned about Curtis Martin, who may not be ready for the regular season, if ever.

Secondary thin. Promising rookie CB Drew Coleman, a sixth-round pick, has a knee injury. CB David Barrett, sidelined for nearly a week, is battling a groin injury. SS Erik Coleman is out (appendectomy). Rookie Eric Smith, a third-round pick from Michigan State, has been working with the starters in Coleman's absence.

Head coach Eric Mangini, age 35, is the new head coach after being defensive coordinator in New England for one season under Bill Belichick.

Washington Redskins - QB Rotation: Mark Brunell (1st Q), Jason Campbell (2nd Q+), Todd Collins (3rd Q+), Casey Bramlet.

Running back Clinton Portis partially dislocated his left shoulder Sunday and will miss the rest of preseason.

QB Mark Brunell will start, followed by Jason Campbell, then Todd Collins.
The spirit of competition between Jason Campbell and Todd Collins for the backup role has heightened. Collins worked with the first and second units in both practices, while Campbell worked with the third unit. Joe Gibbs said that the two remain equal competitors on a rotating basis.

Secondary thin: Still looking to address their depth in the secondary amid a glut of injuries, the Redskins signed cornerback Julian Battle and safety Antuan Edwards. CB Ade Jimoh (sternum) and safety Curry Burns (hamstring) remained out of practice, while starting CB Shawn Springs is out three to six weeks after having surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle. Jimoh will not play Saturday against the Jets.

Tennessee Titans - QB Rotation: Billy Volek (1st Q), rookie Vince Young (2nd-3rd Qs), Matt Mauck, Cody Hodges.

Rookie QB Vince Young, who entered Saturday's game in the second quarter and played until early in the fourth quarter, is also expected to get significant playing time Saturday when the Titans travel to Denver.

Running back depth thin: Fullback Troy Fleming (leg), fullback Ahmard Hall (concussion), RB LenDale White (toe/flu) are battling ailments. With Fleming and Hall out, rookie RB Quinton Ganther got work at fullback.

Defense thin. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth underwent an MRI on Monday because of stiffness with his lower back. Defensive end Travis LaBoy (foot), defensive tackle Marcus White (knee), LB Cody Spencer (hamstring), and DE Copeland Bryan (calf) are hurting.

Denver Broncos - QB Rotation: Jake Plummer (10-20 plays), rookie Jay Cutler (will follow), Brad Van Pelt, Preston Parsons.
Mike Shanahan said WR Javon Walker will participate in 10 to 20 plays along with the rest of the starting offense. Rookie Jay Cutler has played so well in camp that he is now the No. 2 Broncos quarterback.

Wideouts thin: Starting WR Rod Smith is still hurting. WR Ashley Lelie is holding out in hopes of forcing a trade. Rookie WR Brandon Marshall will miss at least the next two preseason games with a torn knee ligament.

Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said his unit needed to create more turnovers. Shanahan said fourth-round pick Elvis Dumervil will play some defensive end Saturday. Dumervil played mostly tackle at Detroit. He has been working at both positions in camp.
The defense lost NT Gerard Warren, who dislocated his left big toe and said the player will miss two to four weeks. Denver will use backups Demetrin Veal and Amon Gordon in Warren's absence. With Gordon practicing once a day with a knee injury and rookie Antwon Burton nursing an ankle injury, Denver could bring in a defensive tackle for help as Warren begins his rehab.

Punter Todd Sauerbrun (suspension) will miss the Broncos' first four regular-season games. The Broncos will use the preseason to pick Sauerbrun's temporary replacement, Paul Ernster or Micah Knorr.

The Broncos hired Mike Heimerdinger to replace OC Gary Kubiak on their coaching staff. Shanahan hired Heimerdinger as assistant head coach and promoted offensive line coach Rick Dennison to offensive coordinator after Kubiak left for Houston. [/font][/size]