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	Julius Jones' extended absence from the lineup has his coach concerned. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Coach Bill Parcells said he wasn't confident running back Julius Jones would play against Arizona and voiced his concern over the running back's durability. Jones has missed the last two games with a high left ankle sprain. "I'm not saying he's not durable, but I am concerned because I think next Sunday, if he misses that game, it'll be 11 1/2 games he's missed out of 24," Parcells said.
-- Dallas Morning News

If the Packers like what they see, they'll probably sign Freddie Mitchell, who has been out of action since Sept. 3, when the Kansas City Chiefs released him. The Packers have not shown interest in several aging receivers such as Jerry Rice, and Curtis Conway.
-- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Some people think that if Arizona coach Denny Green is able to trade for quarterback Daunte Culpepper, the Vikings might be able to use the Cardinals' 2006 first-round draft pick to trade with San Diego for quarterback Philip Rivers.
-- St. Paul Pioneer Press

Browns coach Romeo Crennel seems to be leaning toward starting Trent Dilfer against the Texans, but for the second straight week, he'll give serious consideration to replacing him with rookie Charlie Frye. But Dilfer's leash is even shorter this week following his bad game against the Lions, in which he earned a season-low 22.4 passer rating.
-- Cleveland Plain Dealer

Ahman Green's right thigh tendon injury muddles the future for the running back, whose five-year, $21.57 million contract expires after this season, and raises doubt whether the 28-year-old four-time Pro Bowl running back will play again for the Packers. Green's rehabilitation will probably last throughout much of the off-season and it won't be known until late spring or early summer whether he'll be the same player.
-- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

In the end, Joey Harrington's biggest contribution to the Lions might just be the salary-cap relief he provides them. If the Lions release Harrington after this season, after June 1, the quarterback will carry a $3.5 million salary-cap charge in each of the next two seasons, but Detroit also will save $8.5 million against next season's salary cap. If the Lions release Harrington before June 1, the quarterback will carry a $7 million salary-cap charge next season, but Detroit still will save $5 million against the salary cap.
-- NFL.com

It's obvious that the Jets will be looking for someone to compete with Chad Pennington for the starting quarterback job next season. Former Jets coach Al Groh thinks they could do a lot worse than Falcons backup Matt Schaub. Schaub, who is 6-5, 237 pounds, is what the Jets are looking for -- a durable, strong-armed quarterback who can run.
-- Newsday

Mike Martz is gone for the season. But will he be gone for good? Although Martz said it was his intention to coach the Rams next season, team president John Shaw stopped short of saying Martz would be back in 2006 under any and all circumstances.
-- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On live radio, former Ravens Pro Bowl defensive end Michael McCrary suggested that because the Ravens had broken a promise to Jamal Lewis about a contract extension before the start of this season, his last under current terms, the Pro Bowl back wasn't going to give 100 percent and risk injury.
-- Baltimore Sun

Middle linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed, the past two NFL Defensive Players of the Year, likely will be sidelined when the Ravens (2-4) try to end their six-game road losing streak and salvage their rapidly fading season.
-- Baltimore Sun

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