Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 29

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011 C3 THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC NFL CARDINALS NOTES QB Kolb day to day with turf-toe injury the Ravens despite playing with discomfort in his knee, which he tweaked in the previous game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wells said it likely will be a situation he and the Cardinals have to monitor for the rest of the season. Whisenhunt, though, praised Wells' toughness to fight through the pain. "He showed a tremendous amount of toughness in what he did," the coach said. "The key is going to be how it responds this week.

He wants to play. A couple times he had to come out, which was tough for him, but he made some big runs for us." Where's Larry? Kolb threw only five passes toward Larry Fitzgerald against the Ravens, and Fitzgerald caught three of them for 98 yards. And though it might feel as if Fitzgerald isn't getting the enough, his numbers are similar to last year. Through seven games in 2010, Fitzgerald had 35 catches for 403 yards and four touchdowns. He finished with 90 receptions for 1,137 yards and six touchdowns.

Through the first seven games of 2011, he has 30 catches for 525 yards and two scores. By Bob McManaman The Arizona Republic Kevin Kolb is wearing a protective boot on his right foot after suffering a turf-toe injury during Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and the Cardinals quarterback pronounced himself "day to day" for next week's game against the visiting St. Louis Rams. If the injury doesn't improve or Kolb finds it too painful to practice this week, the Cardinals could turn to John Skelton, who is listed No. 2 on the depth chart.

Rich Bartel is the No. 3 quarterback. Kolb, who completed just 10 of 21 pass attempts for 153 yards with a touchdown and an interception, jammed his toe early in the game and said the ligaments around the digit likely were stretched. "We'll try to get the swelling out, along with the pain and as the week goes on, try and get more and more movement and see what my body allows me to do," he said. Kolb said he's had turf toe before, but not so severe.

"He's a tough guy," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "I know it was bothering him, but those things you just never know. We'll see how it responds to treatment. I know it was a little swollen and a little black and blue." Rookie fullback Anthony Sherman (ankle) and first-year tight end Rob Housler (groin) also were injured Sunday, and Whisenhunt said their availability will be determined this week. Back to basics Second-year cornerback A.J.

Jefferson had a rough day trying to cover Anquan Boldin, who torched him and other Cardinals defensive backs in the second half to key Baltimore's comeback win. Whisenhunt defended Jefferson on Monday, reminding reporters that he is a young player who didn't have the benefit of a full off-season. "He has a tremendous amount of talent, and he did a very nice job in training camp," Whisenhunt said. "We've just got to continue to work him through this. We've got to work to get his confidence back, and that will help by making sure we focus on his technique in practice." Playing with pain Running back Beanie Wells rushed 22 times for 83 yards against NOTES QB Bradford sheds boot, may practice Associated Press One day after the St.

Louis Rams picked up their first win of the season, more good news may be on the way: Sam Bradford began to exercise Monday. The quarterback no longer is wearing a protective boot on his left ankle. He suffered a high-ankle sprain two weeks ago in a loss at Green Bay. Bradford did not play last week against Dallas and missed the Rams' stunning 31-21 upset of New Orleans on Sunday that improved St. Louis to 1-6.

"He did some strengthening exercises this morning," coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "He's moving around a little bit. I don't know that we'll get him on Wednesday (for practice), but we'll slowly work him in there. He'll be day to day, and we'll see where we are after Wednesday." Colts Indianapolis will keep Peyton Manning on the active roster so he can practice this season, though it remains unlikely Manning will play in a regular-season game. And at 0-8, it doesn't look like the Colts will be making a playoff run.

Bill Polian, the team's vice chairman, said he wants Manning to practice to determine whether he's recovered from September's neck surgery. Vikings Minnesota and Chris Cook are discussing the suspended cornerback's future. Coach Leslie Frazier said he'd be meeting Monday afternoon with team officials to "see which direction we're going to be heading" with Cook, who was charged last week with felony domestic assault for allegedly trying to strangle his girlfriend. Frazier sidestepped a question at a Monday news conference about whether Cook could be released. Browns Running back Montario Hardesty has a torn calf muscle and is expected to miss some games.

Hardesty, who missed his rookie season following knee surgery, got hurt on Cleveland's second series in Sunday's 20-10 loss to San Francisco. Coach Pat Shurmur said the second-year back is wearing a protective boot and does not know how long he will be sidelined. Hardesty was starting because Peyton Hillis (hamstring) missed his second game in a row. Shurmur said the Browns will work out running backs today. Dolphins A person familiar with the status of center Mike Pouncey said medical tests show no damage to the rookie's neck, and he might be able to return to practice this week.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins hadn't commented on the test results. Pouncey left Sunday's game against the New York Giants in the second half with a neck injury after taking a blow to the head. He said that he briefly couldn't feel his legs but that he felt fine after the game. Giants Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks tweaked a hamstring on the Giants' next-to-last series of the 20-17 win over Miami, and his status for Sunday's game at New England is uncertain. Coach Tom Coughlin described Nicks' injury as day to day.

If Nicks can't go, Victor Cruz probably would move into the starting lineup. Jets The Jets signed free-agent tight end Shawn Nelson, a former Buffalo fourth-round draft pick. Nelson had 21 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown in two seasons with the Bills, who are the Jets' next opponent Sunday in Buffalo. Nelson was suspended for the first four games last season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy and appeared in only five games before being placed on the reserveinjured non-football injury list as a result of migraines. Raiders Oakland returned from its off week by signing former Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard, and the team is planning a workout today for former Pro Bowl receiver T.J.

Houshmandzadeh. Houshmandzadeh played in Cincinnati with new Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer but has been out of the league this season. Sheppard was in training camp and played in the Raiders' final exhibition game before being cut. Lions Running back Jahvid Best missed his second consecutive game with a concussion, and the team's off week doesn't lead coach Jim Schwartz to thinking he'll have Best back Nov. 13 at Chicago.

"It's not one of those things you can have a timetable on," Schwartz said. Cardinals Continued from C1 ses and the disappointment. So what does the Cardinals' offensive line have to say about all this? "We've got to play perfect. We know that," starting left guard Da-ryn Colledge said. "That's what we expect out of ourselves." Play perfect? How about just giving Kolb an extra half-second to catch his breath before ducking? Expecting any offensive line to play perfect is unrealistic.

Nevertheless, that's how Colledge sees it. "We get paid good money to be here, so it's not tough scrutiny," he said. "Believe me, we're scrutinizing ourselves much more in that room than anybody on the outside. We hold ourselves in a pretty high standard, and when it's not going our way we're the first ones to get on ourselves." It isn't all the line's fault. Kolb acknowledged he must do a better job of getting rid of the ball and being faster with his reads.

Still, he admits all the sacks are troubling. "We knew (the Ravens) had a good front coming in, that it was going to be a tough game; it was going to be a battle," Kolb said. "The guys had to fight their tails off. Some of those (sacks) were in pivotal parts in the game that did some damage. We need to do whatever we can as individuals to make sure we all get better in that area." Coach Ken Whisenhunt isn't ruling out personnel changes on the line.

Jeremy Bridges replaced Brandon Keith at right tackle during the game, and more shuffling could be forthcoming. Perhaps Deuce Lutui, who has been patiently awaiting any type of playing time, could energize things at right guard. And Whisenhunt said he has options at starting left tackle, too, where D'Anthony Batiste could be a possibility to consider over incumbent Levi Brown. "I think when you're 1-6, you've got to look at anything," Whisenhunt said. "But it's hard to make wholesale changes on the line.

There were some aspects of the game that they did very well, and that gets overlooked because you look at the stats and number of sacks, which is tough." Brown, the fifth overall pick in Cardinals guard Daryn Colledge said the often-criticized offensive line is working to improve: "We hold ourselves in a pretty high standard." cetty images The only thing he would have to be in sync with us on is just how deep he drops and those kind of things." Kolb has looked jittery in the pocket at least on plays he stays in it and it doesn't collapse. As for any changes up front, so be it, Colledge said. "You play this game long enough, you realize everybody's job is on the line every week, whether you're 1-6 or 6-1," he said. "The five guys out there are going to work hard and do the best they can, and the guys behind them are going to be ready to go if they're needed." the 2007 NFL draft, noted that Arizona just played back-to-back games against two of the better defenses in the league and said: "I still feel like we performed well in those games and had a chance to win. "We just have a lull at halftime and let these teams get back in the game.

You can't do that in order to be successful." Brown added that the communication among the linemen on game days is fine, but their timing with Kolb might be just a little off. "Timing, I guess, is everything in this league," Brown said. "He has to get his timing with the receivers. CHIEFS 23, CHARGERS 20 (OT) Chiefs move into 3-way tie atop AFC West 8 0-20 7 3-23 San Diego 0 19 Kansas City 10 3 0 First Quarter KC FG Succop 36, 9:04. KC Baldwin 39 pass from Cassel (Succop kick), 2:51.

Second Quarter SD FG Novak 44, 8:31. KC FG Succop 47, :03. Third Quarter SD FG Novak 44, 8:10. SD FG Novak 42, 6:01. SD FG Novak 26, 1:45.

Fourth Quarter KC Battle 1 run (Succop kick), 12:01. SD Brinkley 2 run (Brinkley pass from Rivers), 7:11. Overtime KC FG Succop 30, 5:16. A 72.733. GAME STATISTICS SD KC First downs 22 19 Total Net Yards 447 341 Rushes-yards 27-102 32-94 Passing 345 247 Punt Returns 3-53 2-16 Kickoff Returns 2-36 5-137 Interceptions Ret.

2-18 2-11 Comp-Att-Int 26-41-2 19-32-2 Sacked-Vards Lost 3-24 3-14 Punts Fumbles-lost 3-2 2-2 Penalties-Yards 12-105 9-53 Time of Possession 37:29 32:15 Kansas City moved down the field for its own chance to win in regulation, but Matt Cassel overthrew his intended receiver, and Eric Weddle's second interception sent the game to overtime. The Chargers won the toss but failed to pick up a first down, and Cassel calmly led Kansas City right down field. Succop's field goal with 5:16 left gave the Chiefs (4-3) their fourth consecutive victory and moved them into a tie with San Diego (4-3) and the idle Oakland Raiders (4-3) in the division. Kansas City got off to an abysmal start this season, losing its first two games by a combined 89-10 and then dropping its third game on the road, at San Diego. Along the way, the Chiefs lost Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles, safety Eric Berry and tight end Tony Moeaki to season-ending injuries.

They started moving in the right direction against division doormats Minnesota and Indianapolis, and then romped to a 28-0 win over Oakland last week. Now they are tied for the lead in the AFC West. Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. Ryan Succop kicked the Kansas City Chiefs into the history books. Philip Rivers will be quite the footnote.

Succop knocked through a 30-yard field goal in overtime Monday night, giving the Chiefs a 23-20 win over the San Diego Chargers and moving them into an improbable tie atop the AFC West. Kansas City became the first team in NFL history to lose its first three games and share at least part of a division lead after four more games. The Chiefs are also the first team since the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000 to win four consecutive games after losing their first three. Rivers could have prevented all of it from happening. The Chargers had trailed the whole way before the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback marched them downf ield in the closing minutes of regulation.

With first and 10 at the 15 and just 48 seconds on the clock, Rivers fumbled the snap, and the Chiefs' Andy Studebaker got under the pile and retrieved the ball. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHINO San Diego, Mathews 13-57, Brinkley 10-43, Rivers 3-1, Hester 1-1. Kansas City, Battle 19-70, Cassel 2-14, Jones 5-10, McCluster 6-0. PASSING San Diego, Rivers 26-41-2-369. Kansas City, league prospps b66 Jromall30MLB VFllttirpk organizations MIQ in this game! 4 mlD, i Pin iprc flrVts flnly $7.00 at Stadium Box Office IF r-f (1 hour before game).

Xv mm- for Info call (602J68M362. Casvl 19-32-2-261. RECEIVING San Diego, Mathews 6-55, Floyd 5-107, Gates 4-73, Crayton 3-50, Jackson 3-49, Brinkley 3-24, McMichael 2-11. Kansas City, Baldwin 5-82, Bowe 4-62, Breaston 3-42, McCluster 3-28, McClain 2-17, Colbert 1-19, Pope 1-11 MISSED FIELD GOALS San Diego, Novak 52 (WR)..