• Week 6 Byes: AZ, GB, PHI, SF
• What is going on with WAS and Lavar Arrington?
• MLB Hartwell done for season, among many ATL injuries
• SEA SS Boulware fine after scary moment
• NO DE Grant limited by toe
• STL DE Little limited by back
• DET DE Hall plagued by groin injury
• DAL ILB Nguyen misses game with neck stinger
• NYJ MLB Vilma continues to lead league in tackles
• TEN DE Vanden Bosch, SF DE Young, and IND DE Mathis tied for sack lead
• SF LB Ulbrich tears biceps, but finishes game
• JAX acquires LB Jamie Winborn
• NO LB Hodge reportedly will be suspended for one year
• ARI LB Gerald Hayes put on IR

With their top three corners hurting, rookie Eric Green and recently signed veteran Robert Tate were the starters. Tate had an INT for the second straight game, as well as 4 solo tackles, while Green got hurt and left the game with a shoulder injury after getting burnt badly by Steve Smith on a long TD early in the second quarter. Green was replaced by Lamont Reid. CB’s David Macklin (hamstring) and Raymond Walls (groin) should be fine for the next game, as they have an extra week to rehab with Arizona on a bye this week. However, the prognosis doesn’t look as good for Antrel Rolle. Rolle has damage to the meniscus and ligaments in his left knee. It was cleaned up last week and he was expected to be done for the season, but the team will delay putting him on the IR and hope for a late season return to continue the development of their 1st round pick. Meanwhile, Green will undergo more tests this week to determine the extent of the injury to his shoulder.

Atlanta
MLB Edgerton Hartwell had to be carted off the field early in the fourth quarter after injuring his right foot. He tore his Achilles’ tendon and is done for the season, after surgery on Monday. Hartwell was the major free agent addition to the defense this off-season, but he had been a disappointment. Ike Reese replaced him and should get the first shot at replacing him, but the team could also move Keith Brooking back to MLB and rotate Reese and rookie Michael Boley on the outside. Reese was valuable as a back-up because he could play multiple positions, so the team will need to add depth via a free agent or promotion from the practice squad.

Nickel CB Chris Cash, who had been a valuable addition since being signed three week ago, was also lost for the season. He broke his right arm. Allen Rossum replaced him and committed a huge pass interference penalty on New England’s game-winning drive. Rossum is a return specialist and limited as a DB, so the Falcons will probably look to another DB on the roster to fill the nickel role.

DE Patrick Kerney had to leave the game in the second quarter with a strained chest muscle. He came back in the second half, but was limited to a pass rush specialist role. DE Brady Smith, who just returned last week after missing time with an injury, had a sack, his third in two games.

Baltimore
DE Terrell Suggs was ejected in the third quarter after bumping the umpire in protest of a roughing the passer penalty he received. Suggs had 4 tackles (2 solo) and an INT before leaving. Baltimore was already thin at end with Anthony Weaver out for at least a month with a dislocated toe. Jarrett Johnson replaced Weaver starting opposite Suggs and posted just an assist.

SS Ed Reed was in the starting lineup after suffering a concussion the prior week, but posted just 2 solo tackles and continues to be a disappointment. Reed should have been ejected for bumping a ref, as well, during a confrontation with a Detroit player. However, the officials mistakenly penalized and ejected reserve S B.J. Sams.

All the penalties (a team-record 21), ejections, and questionable calls helped distract for another week the fact this defense is struggling under DC Rex Ryan. The pick by Suggs was only the third turnover caused this season for the once-feared and disruptive unit, who also only have seven sacks on the season (none on Sunday). The mental breakdowns and lack of composure demonstrated on Sunday have to be a responsibility shared by the coaching staff, as well. If the defense doesn’t turn things around soon, the heat will be turned up on Ryan.

Buffalo
The last time the Bills won, they forced five turnovers. Going 0-3 since that season opening victory, they have forced no turnovers. On Sunday, they forced five again and the result was the same. None was bigger than MLB London Fletcher catching Miami RB Ronnie Brown deep in Buffalo territory late in the game, while CB Nate Clements stripped the ball and FS Troy Vincent recovered it to preserve the lead. Fletcher led the team with 8 tackles (5 solo), as well. Clements also had a pick and 7 tackles (4 solo). Vincent also had an INT, forced another fumble, and had 5 tackles (4 solo). CB Terrence McGee had his first pick of the season, and a couple more nice kick-off returns.

Not much fantasy impact, but DT Ron Edwards is will miss the rest of the season after shoulder surgery. Tim Anderson will replace him in the starting lineup.

Carolina
1st round pick Thomas Davis saw significant work for the first time since losing his starting job. He finished with 5 tackles (4 solo) and a forced fumble. With the Cardinals up 20-10 in the third quarter, Davis made a nice strip after a catch by Cardinal WR Antuan Boldin. CB Ken Lucas returned to the Arizona 5 yard line, setting up the score to bring the game within 3 points in the fourth quarter. However, Davis is unlikely to reclaim the starting SS job this week, as Marlon McCree had a tremendous game on Sunday. He led the team with 10 solo tackles and 2 twice intercepted a pass in the end zone. The first pick was tipped by Lucas, who replaced CB Chris Gamble with the first team when Gamble suffered an ankle injury late in the first half. Lucas defended 3 other passes and had 5 solo tackles. Gamble has been held out of practice and will have his ankle re-evaluated later this week. DE Julius Peppers deflected two other passes that resulted in picks.

After setting the team record for career sacks with 42 in Week 4, DE Mike Rucker didn’t get to the QB against Arizona. He had 3 tackles (2 solo). MLB Dan Morgan had the only sack on the day, among his 7 solo tackles. Morgan was fine after tweaking his groin the previous week, but he did have to leave for a few plays due to dehydration. Fortunately, that isn’t a lingering problem to be concerned about with the injury-prone Morgan.

Rookie LB Adam Seward was placed on the IR with a foot injury.

Chicago
SS Mike Brown missed some practice last week due to a hamstring injury, but it didn’t seem to bother him as he almost returned a pick from his knees 72 yards and almost scored. Brown also had 7 tackles (6 solo). CB Charles Tillman, who has been struggling this year, had 8 solo tackles and an easy pick on a well-overthrown Trent Dilfer pass. However, he also was victimized, along with rookie FS Chris Harris, on the two late fourth quarter TD’s that cost the Bears the game.

MLB Brian Urlacher led the team with 12 tackles (7 solo), including his team-high fourth sack of the season. OLB Lance Briggs had 9 tackles (6 solo) and his second sack of the season.

DE Adewale Ogunleye, who hurt his ankle earlier in the year, went down briefly, but finished the game. He has re-sprained the same left ankle that has been a problem, but reports are it is not serious and he should play this week. It is a concern that this is a recurring problem, dating back to last year. CB Jerry Azumah was bothered by his surgically repaired hip in practice last week, but he played his normal snaps. Reserve LB Joe Odom was placed on the IR, ending his season.

Cincinnati
The Bengals were almost upset when they only forced one turnover the previous week, and their inability to create one on Sunday helped cost them the game. Rookie MLB Odell Thurman led the team with 7 solo tackles.

FS Madieu Williams missed his second straight game with a shoulder injury. Ifeanyi Ohalete remained the starter at SS and Kevin Kaesviharn remained moved to FS. Williams is probable for this week.

DE Duane Clemons was added to the active roster, after a four-game substance-abuse suspension. He had been practicing with the team last week while they decided what to do with him.

Cleveland
The Browns took advantage of Chicago’s rookie QB and an OLine that became banged up during the game, to post a season-high 4 sacks as a team. After a couple of quiet weeks, SS Chris Crocker flashed the big play ability that made him a standout in Week 1. Crocker had 10 tackles (9 solo), a sack, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. It was also the first sack since the season opener for OLB Chaun Thompson. He and Crocker are now tied for the team lead with two. Thompson also had 4 tackles (3 solo) and a fumble recovery. Matt Stewart returned from a knee injury, but Thompson will remain the starter as Stewart is eased back in. DE Alvin McKinley had his first sack of the season and reserve S Brodney Pool had the first sack of his career.

DE Orpheus Roye, who is on pace for a career-year in tackles, is playing through a sore knee. He may be limited in practice this week, but is expected to play.

The team has forced a turnover in a NFL-record 17 straight games.

Dallas
ILB Dat Nguyen was inactive with a nerve injury in his neck. Scott Shanle moved into the starting lineup in his place, while fellow starting ILB Bradie James saw more work in other packages and called the defense. James led the team with 6 solo tackles and broke up a pass. Tests on Nguyen’s neck showed nothing serious, but he continues to feel discomfort and weakness. Nguyen will apparently make the call when he is ready to return, so it’s likely he’ll suit up this week, but is a risky play.

Last week we talked about some of the Day Two Cowboy defensive rookies making more of an impact than some of the higher picks, and rookie back-up DE Jay Ratliff went out and shared a sack for the second straight game, and the second game of his career. DE Greg Ellis had the other half of that sack, giving him 2.5 for the season. OLB DeMarcus Ware is the only early pick that has not disappointed. He had a sack for the third straight game and leads the team with three.

Denver
CB Champ Bailey remained inactive, missing his second career game. He has been playing through a shoulder injury and it is a pulled hamstring that has kept him out. He should practice this week, but remains questionable. Rookie Darrent Williams returned and remained a starter, while Dominique Foxworth got his second career start in Bailey’s absence. Foxworth and Williams each had 7 tackles, with Foxworth defending 2 passes and Williams breaking up 1.

LB Ian Gold sealed a victory by deflecting a 2-point conversion pass with a minute left. Gold also had 4 tackles (1 solo).

The Brown-cos DLine didn’t get to the QB, but they did help limit the Redskins to just 56 yards rushing, including just 34 by former Bronco Clinton Portis.

Detroit
CB Dre’ Bly had his first huge game, picking off his first two passes of the season, including one in the end zone. He also had 5 tackles (4 solo), a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

DE James Hall could no longer play through a strained groin that has been bothering him most of the season. He remains questionable this week. Kalimba Edwards, coming off a 2 sack performance the previous week, replaced Hall and posted 6 tackles (4 solo), including another sack. Edwards will continue to replace Hall if he misses more time and should remain a significant contributor once Hall is healthy, as he appears to be having a breakout year.

James Davis remained the starter at WLB, but reserve LB Teddy Lehman was more productive. Lehman had 4 tackles (3 solo) and a pass defended.

CB Andre’ Goodman continues to start through an ankle injury, as the Lions are thin, as usual, at corner.

With Charles Rogers suspended and Roy and Mike Williams hurting, DB R.W. McQuarters offered to play WR. In the unlikely event he is taken up on this offer, his value would take a big jump for a game or two. However, the Williams’s don’t appear to be seriously injured, and the team still has veteran Kevin Johnson healthy. McQuarters has little value in all but the deepest leagues as the nickel CB and back-up FS. He’ll get a few tackles a game and a pick here and there.

Green Bay
MLB Nick Barnett led the team with 8 tackles (6 solo) and returned a pick 95-yards for a TD. CB Al Harris had an equally big game, intercepting 2 passes and breaking up another, as well as getting a sack. Harris showed no ill effects of a back problem that limited him in practice last week.

DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila was quiet after a huge game the previous week. His only fantasy contribution was a fumble recovery. Reserve DL Corey Williams had his first two sacks of the year and reserve DL Kenny Peterson also had a fumble recovery. The two versatile linemen have steadily improved this year and continue to be used more in a variety of ways.

With Na’il Diggs set to miss at least a month with a MCL tear, rookie Roy Manning moved into the starting lineup. He had 4 tackles (2 solo) as the SLB.

Ahmad Carroll remains the starting CB, with Joey Thomas staying as the nickel.

Houston
OLB Jason Babin remained inactive and has a torn labrum that may require season-ending surgery. Antwan Peek remained the starter at OLB and posted just an assist.

CB DeMarcus Faggins remained the starter over Phillip Buchanon. Faggins led the team with 11 tackles (10 solo, including 2 on special teams). Buchanon has been hampered by a shoulder injury, but his poor play is the reason he was demoted. He played the nickel corner again.

DE Gary Walker remains inactive due to a separated AC joint in his left shoulder and out indefinitely. He hopes to avoid surgery, but has not been cleared to return. Rookie Travis Johnson continued to replace him. DE Robaire Smith is also dinged, playing through an elbow injury. He will be limited in practice this week, but is expected to play.

Indianapolis
The defense exploited 49er rookie QB Alex Smith, piling up four picks and five sacks. WLB Cato June led the way with 2 interceptions, including returning one for a TD. It was the second pick returned for a TD by June this season. SS Mike Doss had an INT, broke up another pass, and led the team in tackles (tied) with 7 (4 solo), the same number MLB Gary Brackett had.

DE Dwight Freeney got his fifth sack of the year, on which he forced a fumble, but pass rush specialist DE Robert Mathis had 2 sacks, giving him six for the season and moving him into a tie for the league-lead. Mathis also forced a fumble on a sack and had 6 tackles (5 solo). Mathis has had at least one sack in each game this year.

FS Bob Sanders had to leave the game with an injury to his biceps he described as a cramp. He’ll have a MRI this week.

Jacksonville
DT John Henderson led the team with 8 tackles (7 solo) and batted down a pass, while interior line mate Marcus Stroud had his first sack of the season. Reserve DE Bobby McCray had the only other sack, on which he forced a fumble that sealed the victory. With less than two minutes left, McCray knocked the ball out of Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer’s hand and LB Akin Ayodele recovered it. Ayodele made amends for dropping a potential game-ending INT the play before.

The Jaguars added depth to their LB group by trading a seventh-round pick to San Francisco for LB Jamie Winborn. Winborn can play inside or out, and is a talented, but injury-prone player who was squeezed out of a starting role with the 49ers and became disgruntled. He won’t challenge for a starting role, but should be their top back-up.

Kansas City
CB Eric Warfield returned to practice this week after a four-game substance abuse policy suspension. He worked mostly with the scout team and may not be active this week. He should eventually replace Benny Sapp as the nickel corner and press Dexter McCleon for a starting role.

DT Ryan Sims did not practice yet this week and is expected to remain inactive with a foot sprain suffered in their first game.

After it was initially thought he could recover and contribute again this season, top back-up LB Keyaron Fox was placed on the IR due to a knee injury.

Miami
MLB Zach Thomas lost the league-lead in tackles over the bye week, so he went out and posted 15 (11 solo) and is now second in the league. He now has double-digit tackles in six consecutive games, dating back to last season when he returned from a hamstring injury that cost him three games and finished the season doing it twice. DE Jason Taylor had his first multi-sack game of the year, with 2 sacks among his 6 solo tackles. He also forced a fumble and broke up a pass.

LB Junior Seau overcame leg problems over the bye week. The Bills started the game with a four-WR set, so since the Dolphins responded with their dime package, Seau didn’t technically start, but he was in most snaps at SLB. He finished with 5 tackles (3 solo). However, he did aggravate the calf injury during the game, but is expected to play this week. His strong fantasy start to the season wasn’t likely to last, and is less likely to continue as he battles a lingering injury.

Supplemental draft rookie DT Manuel Wright worked with the first team in practice last week, but he remains inactive, as he has been for every game so far this season. CB Kiwaukee Thomas was active for the first time this year. Reggie Howard has struggled as the nickel, so Thomas could see his role increase quickly.

Minnesota
Former 1st round pick DE Kenechi Udeze is expected to miss the rest of the season due to a left knee injury, but there was no report he was put on the IR during the bye week. It appears DE Lance Johnstone will not need surgery for a partially torn pectoral muscle, and after rehab during the bye week, is expected to play this week. Darren Sharper appears set to return from a MCL sprain in Week 2. Sharper should return to starting at FS with Corey Chavous at SS and Ken Irvin back to a reserve role. CB Brian Williams, who also has a MCL sprain, is expected to be out at least another game.

LB Keith Newman will apparently replace Napoleon Harris as the starting SLB.

New England
DE Richard Seymour was inactive after suffering a knee injury playing fullback the previous week. Seymour did not practice last week and little was known, other than he was a game-time decision with a knee injury, as HC Bill Belichick is notoriously quiet with injury information. Jarvis Green started in place of Seymour and shared a sack with LB Mike Vrabel. DE Ty Warren led the team with 6 solo tackles.

CB Tyrone Poole (off-season knee surgery) practiced last week for the first time in more than a month, but remained inactive, as did CB Randall Gay (ankle) , despite also practicing lightly last week. CB Chad Scott was inactive too. Duane Starks and Asante Samuel remained the starters at CB. Starks was not 100% though, he was listed as questionable with a thigh injury, but the Pats need any relatively healthy DB body out there.

Guss Scott remained the starter at SS and rookie James Sanders, who was active for the first time this year, saw work there, as well. Scott has struggled in coverage, so Sanders could quickly assume a larger role.

LB Willie McGinest apparently broke his hand on Sunday. As injury information is a mystery for the Patriots, it is hard to find out details, much less the severity. If it is the hand, as opposed to the arm, he’d likely be able to play through it. If he were to miss any time, LB Rosey Colvin would have a larger role. Colvin has not been used much, but has 1.5 sacks, including getting his first solo sack on Sunday, in limited snaps.

New Orleans
With DE Charles Grant continuing to battle a toe injury, Will Smith got the start. Smith had 3 tackles (1 solo) and knocked down a pass. Grant posted 2 tackles (1 solo) in limited play. The isn’t a lot of information out there about his toe injury, but it is the only apparent thing known that could be hampering his play. He showed last week he is still capable of playing up to his talent level through it, but it seems like it is lingering and will continue to impede his play. After a torrid two game stretch, DE Darren Howard cooled off against a battered Packer OLine, finishing with just 2 tackles (1 solo).

A LB corps already in turmoil has more controversy to deal with. It is reported that starting SLB Sedrick Hodge will be suspended for a year for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. There is no official word from the NFL or Saints yet, but it has been widely reported. Hodge and the other two starting LB’s were already being platooned by HC Jim Haslett, but that rotation took a hit on Sunday as reserve OLB’s James Allen (hamstring) and T.J. Slaughter (groin) were inactive. The result was Hodge and WLB Colby Bockwoldt saw most of the work, while starting MLB Courtney Watson and reserve MLB Ronald McKinnon rotated and each had 5 solo tackles (what’s the point, eh?). Now Allen will either step into the starting lineup for Hodge, or Watson could be moved to OLB and McKinnon start in the middle. It will likely depend on the health of Allen. Rookie Alfred Fincher, who was active for the first time Sunday, could also be in the picture soon. Fincher was the back-up MLB until he broke his hand in preseason, necessitating the addition of McKinnon.

SS Dwight Smith led the team with 7 tackles (6 solo). With Jay Bellamy done for the season, it looks like the team will keep Smith their and continue to start rookie Josh Bullocks at FS.

Despite practicing last week and hopeful he could return Sunday, CB Fakhir Brown missed his fourth straight game with an ankle injury. Jason Craft amazingly continues to replace him. Craft was beaten for two more TDs and a 51-yard completion that he also drew a pass interference call on. Lost in the tragedy that Saints have to deal with off the field and the impact of it on their season is the fact Jim Haslett is a bad coach and his continued use of Craft as a starter this season is another glaring example.

New York Giants
The bye week still left a mixed bag on injury news as the Giants head into a key division game against Dallas this week. DE Osi Umenyiora rehabbed his foot last week and should be good to go. WLB Carlos Emmons is supposed to return to practice this week with a knee injury and the team is hopeful he’ll be able to play through a knee injury. Nick Greisen would likely start in his place again if Emmons can’t go. It appears Barrett Green is still out of the picture. CB Will Peterson has seen two specialists and still awaits word on if he can play with a lower back fracture. It’s likely Curtis Deloatch will continue to replace him this week and beyond, as Peterson could end up on the IR.

New York Jets
MLB Jonathan Vilma led the team with 15 tackles (12 solo) and forced a fumble. Vilma leads the league in tackles. He has had double-digit tackles in every game this season. WLB Eric Barton was inactive for the second consecutive game after spraining his ankle during Week 3. Barton may return to practice this week, but will remain questions, especially considering the play of Mark Brown, who continues to replace him. Brown had 7 tackles (4 solo), including sharing a sack with DE Shaun Ellis. All the LB’s had a solid week again, as SLB Victor Hobson had double-digit tackles for the second straight week. He finished with 13 (9 solo).

Former first round pick DT Dewayne Robertson had his first 2 sacks of the season. CB Ty Law was looking back to Pro Bowl form. He returned a pick 43 yards and had 8 tackles (4 solo).

Oakland
Quiet bye week for the Raiders.

Philadelphia
A week after grabbing two interceptions and returning one for a TD, CB Sheldon Brown returned a fumble 80 yards for a score. CB Lito Sheppard forced the fumble on Keyshawn Johnson that resulted in the Drew Bledsoe comment that resulted in the latest Keyshawn tantrum we saw way too much of over the weekend. Sheppard also led the team (tied) with 9 tackles (8 solo), while Brown had 7 solo.

A week after showing some life, DE Jevon Kearse disappeared in a game where the Eagles needed someone to step up and make some plays. Kearse posted just 1 assist on the day.

1st round pick DT Mike Patterson continues to replace Darwin Walker, who missed his third game with a thigh injury. DT Sam Rayburn sprained a knee ligament during the game and his status is unknown. If Walker is close, the severity of Rayburn’s injury could push the timetable up for Walker’s return.

Despite missing some practice last week, two of the stalwarts of the defense started and played through their injuries from Week 4. FS Brian Dawkins (ankle) had 5 tackles (4 solo). MLB Jeremiah Trotter (quad) led the team (tied) with 9 tackles, all solo.

The Eagles released back-up MLB Matt Labinjo, who started once this year when Jeremiah Trotter got kicked out of the season opener. They signed Zeke Moreno, last seen with the Chargers, to replace him. Moreno is strictly a two-down runner stopper in the Earl Holmes mode.

DE Jerome McDougle, who was shot in the stomach during an attempted robbery this summer, is making progress. He has put on some weight and if he continues to improve, could be activated at some point this year. He is eligible to return from the non-football injury list after Week 6.

Pittsburgh
As expected, James Harrison started in place of Clark Haggans at OLB. Haggans will miss the next month with a partially torn groin. Harrison had 5 tackles (4 solo) and an INT. Opposite him, OLB Joey Porter was bothered by some knee problems last week in practice, but looked good applying frequent pressure and getting a sack among his 3 solo tackles. ILB James Farrior has been plagued by back problems all season, but continued to start as usual and anchor the defense. He had 8 tackles (7 solo).

SS Troy Polamalu led the team with 9 tackles (8 solo). CB Ike Taylor played through knee problems, remaining the starter and posting another productive fantasy game with 5 tackles (4 solo) and defending 2 passes. Reserve CB Ricardo Colclough suffered a shoulder injury in the game and will be out this week.

St. Louis
DE Leonard Little suffered a strained back early in the game and played sparingly, mostly just third-and-long situations, the rest of the game. Little battled some foot problems earlier in the week, but did not appear on the injury report and absence appears to have been solely related to his back. He managed to register share a sack with SS Adam Archuleta, make a solo tackle, and bat down a pass in his limited time. Little will have an MRI this week. Tyoka Jackson replaced Little and registered 2 sacks and another solo tackles. The secondary took more hits, including top cover CB Dejuan Groce early in the second quarter. Corey Ivy replaced him and had 5 solo tackles, including a sack. Groce remains questionable with a hamstring injury. FS Michael Hawthorne also left early in the second quarter with a thigh injury. Mike Furrey replaced him and led the team with 8 tackles (7 solo). Furrey, a converted receiver, has been impressive when given a chance. With all the problems on defense, he could be given a shot at replacing Hawthorne full time, even if Hawthorne is healthy this week.

As expected after their Week 4 performance, the LB group was shaken up a little. MLB Chris Claiborne and WLB Dexter Coakley appear limited to running downs, while rookie Brandon Chillar saw more work. SLB Pisa Tinoisamoa remains in most packages and is the only Ram LB worth playing for now.

San Diego
ILB Donnie Edwards led the team with 15 tackles (13 solo). ILB Randall Godfrey also posted double-digit tackles with 13 (6 solo) and had a fumble recovery. 1st round pick Shawne Merriman had his first career sack.

DE Igor Olshansky returned to the starting lineup at RDE as Jacques Cesaire is bothered by a shoulder injury. Cesaire was active, but saw limited work. Olshansky had 7 tackles (3 solo).

San Francisco
The team wasted no time in moving disgruntled OLB Jamie Winborn, who they sent home last week, in anticipation of a trade, so he wouldn’t get injured in a trade during practice. He was sent to the Jaguars for, reportedly, a seventh-round pick. OLB Andre Carter, the converted former 1st round pick DE who replaced Winborn in the starting lineup in Week 3, had 3 solo tackles including the first sack this season of Colt QB Peyton Manning. OLB Julian Peteson was active after missing the previous week with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 3, but he was still hurting. He did not start and saw only a few plays before being shutdown. Saleem Rasheed started in his place, finishing with 2 tackles (1 solo). Brandon Moore had replaced Peterson in Week 4, but Rasheed saw most of the work in the base package on Sunday.

ILB Jeff Ulbrich led the team in tackles with 10 (7 solo) and forced a fumble. Much of that production came while playing with a torn left biceps. After a tackle early in the second quarter, Ulbrich said, “…I looked down and the biceps was rolled up and off to one side.” He had the arm wrapped and finished the game. He could play through the injury, although his arm will be weaker and misshapen, as well as he’ll be in pain and risk permanent damage. Despite being told he could lose half the strength in the arm if he opts to continue playing and not immediately address the problem, he is still considering that option. If Ulbrich elects for surgery, his season is likely over. Former 49er LB Ken Norton Jr. once famously played a season with it while on the Cowboys. Ulbrich currently leads the team in tackles overall.

DE Bryant Young, who has had a resurgent year thus far, didn’t tally a stat on Sunday. He remains tied for the league-lead in sacks.

CB Ahmed Plummer remained inactive after ankle surgery and isn’t expected back for at least another three weeks. Rookie Derrick Johnson, who replaced Plummer last week, was inactive due to a thigh injury he suffered in the game. Willie Middlebrooks was slated to start, but a groin injury left him also inactive. So the team promoted Bruce Thornton from the practice squad all the way to starter and all he did was hold Marvin Harrison to 2 catches for 17 yards and grab his first career INT in the end zone while covering Harrison. With a bye coming up, the cornerback situation should be in better shape for their next game in Week 7.

Michael Adams remained the starting FS with Mike Rumph done for the year. Adams had 9 tackles (7 solo), a pass defended, and a fumble recovery.

Seattle
SS Michael Boulware had to be carted off the field after a collision with Rams G Tom Nutten in the second quarter. He reported he couldn’t feel his legs for a while, but regained feeling in the ambulance ride. He was able to walk out of the hospital after X-rays and an MRI were negative, and was back in the locker room before the time the game was over. Boulware could play this week, as it appears no serious damage. He just reports some minor back pain. Marquand Manuel replaced Boulware in the game and finished with 4 solo tackles. CB Andre Dyson left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. He is expected to miss a few weeks. Kelly Herndon replaced him and finished the game with 9 solo tackles and a pass defensed.

Manuel and Herndon weren’t the only productive back-ups. Reserve DT Rocky Bernard, a favorite of this column, had a sack and a half. He leads the team with 3.5 sacks. Reserve OLB Leroy Hill outproduced starters Jamie Sharper and D.D. Lewis. Hill had 5 solo tackles and a sack. Hill’s opportunity came with Lewis injuring his knee, but Lewis is expected to be OK for this week.

Rookie MLB Lofa Tatupu led the team with 9 solo tackles and had his first career INT.

Tampa Bay
CB Rhonde Barber inadvertently punched the umpire trying to knock the hands of Jets C Kevin Mawae off him during an argument. The official was knocked down, but, amazingly, Barber wasn’t ejected, he only received a 15-yard personal foul. The penalty helped set up the game-winning TD. Barber had 5 solo tackles, a pick and broke up 2 other passes.

SS Jermaine Phillips was inactive with a thumb injury. Will Allen started in his place. FS Dexter Jackson was back after being inactive the previous week. Phillips remains questionable to play this week.

DE Simeon Rice had his team-leading fourth sack of the season. Reserve OLB Maquis Cooper had the best game of his young career, tallying 7 tackles (5 solo, including 2 on special teams) and getting his first career sack. SLB Ryan Nece has lost his starting role before, so Cooper is a name to keep an eye on.

Tennessee
LB Keith Bulluck led the team with 15 tackles (12 solo), as well as a sack and just missed another sack when he deflected a pass that was intercepted by CB Andre Woolfolk.

DE Kyle Vanden Bosch moved into a tie for the league-lead with his sixth sack among his 8 tackles (7 solo). Opposite him, DE Antwan Odom had his first 2 sacks of the season, as well as a forced fumble. Reserve DE Travis Laboy also had a sack.

DT Albert Haynesworth returned after missing two weeks with a knee injury. He had 2 tackles (1 solo). His return is important in drawing double-teams to help keep LB’s free and create more opportunity for the rest of the DLine, but it is hard to gauge the credit to give him for the much improved individual efforts in the front seven on Sunday, as it was David Carr and the Texans.

Rookie CB Reynaldo Hill has passed Michael Waddell as the nickel corner. Tony Beckham, who started at the beginning of the season and split time with current starter and 1st round pick Pacman Jones as recently as two weeks ago is now just a special teams member.

Washington
As a star player returns from injury, his playing time should increase as he continues to get healthy. The opposite has been true for OLB Lavar Arrington. Despite being active, he was not on the field for a single play on Sunday. “I didn’t play, there ain’t nothing to talk about”, was the only comment from Arrington. The unintentional innuendo of the double negative aside, there will be plenty to talk about if the Redskins get cold. When they were undefeated at 3-0, it was hard to second guess HC Joe Gibbs in the midst of restoring his legacy. Now that they have a blemish on their record, and their Run D was shredded by the Broncos, as well as another unspectacular performance by Warrick Holdman, the door cracks open. If one loss starts to become a streak, especially if the defense begins to take more blame, someone will have to answer for Arrington’s absence. Chinks in the armor were revealed last week, as Denver RB Tatum Bell became the first 100-yard rusher against the Redskin D in the last eight games. Washington has given up over 5 ypc in the last two games, including over 10 per carry by Bell. Without fully pointing the finger, the Redskins coaching staff have alluded to the problem when they refer to practice dictating playing time. The Washington staff is old school, about discipline, maintaining your assignment, and practicing hard, not things Arrington has been noted for in his career. Arrington also probably originally refused to play special teams while he was getting back to full speed, although he refutes that and apparently was practicing with them last week, and probably has not been exerting himself in practice, assuming a starting position would be handed back to him. The result probably has been an internal battle of stubbornness and egos, on both sides, that Arrington couldn’t win when the team was playing well. There were reports of an “animated” conversation between Arrington and Gibbs after a practice last week. However, by not taking it public with animosity, the door is open for Arrington to quietly return to the large role he should play, if the Redskins finally need him, and can admit they do, and/or he rededicates himself in practice.

The secondary remains dinged up across the board. FS Sean Taylor continues to play through shoulder problems. He was limited in practice last week, but started and posted 2 solo tackles. Pierson Prioleau was active, but Ryan Clark remained the starter at SS. He led the team with 6 tackles (2 solo). CB Walt Harris remained inactive with a calf injury and 1st round pick Carlos Rogers continued to start in his place. Rogers posted 4 solo tackles. Harris is expected to return to practice this week and could play, but he may have lost his starting job. CB Shawn Springs aggravated a shin injury and had to leave the game Sunday. Ade Jimoh replaced him and had what appeared to be a sack for a safety, but was reversed upon review and chalked up to the infamous “tuck” rule. Springs had x-rays and a MRI on the shin, which came up negative. However, he also has some swelling in his calf and while it looks probable he’ll play this week, he remains a risky play.