NFL: Week 15

Putting a dent in Titans' D

Injuries will cost top two linemen at least 2 weeks

Titans DT Albert Haynesworth limps off Sunday with a sprained knee ligament. (Associated Press)

Associated Press / December 16, 2008

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Good thing the Tennessee Titans already clinched the AFC South title, a first-round bye, and a home playoff game. Winning the No. 1 seed for the postseason will be a much bigger challenge without the right side of their defensive line.

Coach Jeff Fisher announced yesterday that defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch will miss the final two games of the regular season with injuries.

"I look at this as good news," Fisher said. "We'll have them both back, expected to have them both back for the playoffs."

Haynesworth sprained his left medial collateral ligament with 92 seconds left in Sunday's 13-12 loss to Houston when players rolled up the back of his left leg, pushing his knee inward as he fell to the ground. He was able to walk off the field with assistance and was seen walking in the locker room after the game but had to be carted to the bus for the return trip home.

The seven-year veteran and 2007 All-Pro is having the best season of his career with 8 1/2 sacks.

Vanden Bosch did not play against Houston. Fisher said Vanden Bosch, who had 12 1/2 sacks last season but only 4 1/2 this year, injured his groin Dec. 7 against Cleveland. The Titans sent him to a specialist who recommended what Fisher termed "minor" surgery to repair a groin muscle that the coach said was a different injury from what kept Vanden Bosch out of three other games.

Fisher would not go into specifics when asked if the Titans would shut down Haynesworth or Vanden Bosch over the next two weeks. "We're going to get them ready to play in the playoffs," Fisher said.

The 12-2 Titans have Pittsburgh (11-3) coming to town Sunday with home-field advantage throughout the postseason going to the winner.

"We definitely need to step it up and everybody needs to have a gut check and evaluate themselves and just see what changes they need to make," cornerback Nick Harper said.

KC's Peterson resigns

Chiefs president and general manager Carl Peterson has resigned, effective at the end of the season, confirmed owner Clark Hunt.

Peterson took over in 1989, building the Chiefs into an NFL powerhouse over the next 10 years. However, Kansas City faltered the past decade and the Chiefs have stumbled to a 2-12 record this season, putting the fates of Peterson and coach Herm Edwards in doubt.

"On behalf of my family and the entire Kansas City Chiefs organization, I want to thank Carl for his two decades of service to the Chiefs," Hunt said in a written statement. "Both Carl and I agreed that immediately initiating the search for the next Chiefs general manager would be the best thing for the future of the organization."

During Peterson's 20 years at the helm, the Chiefs amassed a 176-141-1 record, won the AFC West four times, and reached the AFC Championship game in 1993.

"I am proud of my association with the Kansas City Chiefs and our many accomplishments over the last 20 years," Peterson said in a statement released by the team.

Hunt also said Edwards's future in Kansas City would be decided later.

"Ultimately, the decision on his future and the rest of the coaching staff is one the new GM will have significant input into," Hunt said. "It will be my decision, and we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

Big void for Vikings

Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams will miss anywhere from 2-6 weeks with a fractured shoulder, suffered during Sunday's win over Arizona. Williams is the emotional leader and chief run-stopper on a defense that ranks second in the NFL against the run.

Now Minnesota will have to continue its playoff push - playing the two best rushing teams in the league in Atlanta and the Giants - with backup Fred Evans filling the line.

Coach Brad Childress says he is holding out hope that Williams will be ready if the Vikings, who lead the NFC North, qualify for the playoffs.

Williams has been playing because a federal judge in Minnesota issued an injunction blocking his league suspension for violating the substance abuse policy.

Jauron secure with status

Bills coach Dick Jauron said he anticipates he'll be back next season despite Buffalo having lost seven of its last eight games, the latest defeat coming Sunday when Jauron overruled offensive coordinator Turk Schonert and called for a pass play that resulted in a late game-winning fumble return for the Jets.

Citing team policy, Jauron refused to say whether he's received an extension, which would be necessary considering he's completing the final season of a three-year deal. Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon has declined to discuss Jauron's future or contract status, issuing a terse "no comment" after Sunday's loss.

Giants extend CB Webster

Corey Webster, who has developed into one the NFL's top cornerbacks over the past year, signed a five-year, $43 million contract extension with the Giants. Webster will receive $20 million in guaranteed money under the deal that runs through 2013. The fourth-year player would have been a free agent at the end of the season. Webster has started every game at right cornerback this season and is tied for the team lead with three interceptions . . . Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd was hospitalized Sunday night in Kansas City after sustaining a collapsed lung against the Chiefs, but he was to return to San Diego yesterday . . . Rams wide receiver Derek Stanley will require reconstructive surgery after tearing a ligament and cartilage in his left knee Sunday . . . Bills rookie wide receiver James Hardy will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee early in Sunday's loss to the Jets . . . Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is likely to remain out for the third consecutive week. Coach Mike Holmgren said his three-time Pro Bowler has yet to pass doctors' tests for the bulging disk in his back. Seattle is also likely to be without offensive tackle Sean Locklear, who suffered a dislocated toe Sunday . . . Lions coach Rod Marinelli said quarterback Dan Orlovsky will make his second straight start Sunday against New Orleans because Daunte Culpepper isn't fully recovered from an injury to his throwing shoulder . . . Raiders interim coach Tom Cable lashed out at assistant offensive line coach James Cregg, saying he quit on the team by leaving after Sunday's loss to the Patriots to join former Oakland coach Lane Kiffin's staff at the University of Tennessee. Cable said he was angry at Kiffin for taking a coach during the season, and planned to call Kiffin to confront him on the issue. "It's wrong," Cable said. "Wrong in this business, wrong in the business of coaching." . . . Kiffin's father, longtime Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, confirmed he is joining his son at Tennessee after the season.