Taylor's injury weakens Redskins' defense

Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor will miss at least two weeks with a knee injury, further depleting a secondary that allowed two big plays down the middle of the field late in Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

An MRI exam Monday revealed a sprain of the MCL in Taylor's right knee. He limped gingerly into Redskins Park late in the day and left the building on crutches without commenting about his injury.

"He's going to be out at least two weeks," trainer Bubba Tyer said. "After that we'll take it week to week."

Taylor was having his best season as a pro after moving to free safety for the first time since being drafted by the Redskins in 2004. He was tied for the NFC lead in interceptions with 5, and his physical presence kept teams from testing the defense deep over the middle.

"When most football teams see him back there, they've pretty much ruled it out," coach Joe Gibbs said. "Now we're going to have to adjust things."

Kitna refutes back injury: Quarterback Jon Kitna dismissed questions about a back injury Monday, despite concerns raised by Detroit coach Rod Marinelli.

Marinelli said Monday that Kitna had a lower back injury, but Kitna disagreed.

"I feel as good today as I have in five weeks," he said. "I'm fine."

Marinelli said cornerback Fernando Bryant was questionable for this weekend's game against the visiting Giants with a sprained foot, and defensive end Dewayne White could return after missing Sunday's loss at Arizona with an arm injury.

Offensive tackle Jonathan Scott is expected to miss his second straight game with a broken thumb.

Lynch still has numbness: Denver Broncos safety John Lynch is still suffering numbness and weakness from a jarring tackle two weeks ago and could remained sidelined.

"John's such a warrior, he'll play through any pain, but there's got to be some kind of common sense when there is no feeling in your fingers, and obviously no strength," coach Mike Shanahan said Monday.

Lynch had to leave an Oct. 29 game with the Packers in the first quarter after the hit. He returned to practice last week in a limited capacity, but was inactive Sunday against the Chiefs.

Lynch has said the injury was unrelated to a neck surgery he had in 2004.

Titans miss Haynesworth: Tennessee held out defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth against Jacksonville to avoid further injury to his sore right hamstring, but coach Jeff Fisher said Monday the decision didn't involve much discussion.

"It was apparent that he wasn't ready. It was all based on the fact that we did not want to subject him to other injury, further risk or losing him for a longer period of time. He was not ready to play because of the hamstring," Fisher said.

The Titans obviously missed Haynesworth, one of three players with five sacks. They gave up a season-high 166 yards rushing without Haynesworth. Defensive end Travis LaBoy, who also has five sacks, sat out recovering from a concussion.

Saints' Bush likely to play: New Orleans running back Reggie Bush, who was dazed by a helmet-to-helmet hit against the Rams, and left tackle Jammal Brown, who left the game with a lower leg injury, both should be well enough to play Sunday at Houston.

Bush spent several minutes on his back with trainers hovering over him after taking a blow to the head during a fourth-quarter run near midfield. When he finally got up, he jogged to the sideline and raised his arms twice as if to fire up the crowd.

He sat out the remainder of that offensive series, then returned for the rest of the game, scoring twice on 2-point conversions.

"You get dinged like that and our trainers and doctors are very sensitive to that type of injury," coach Sean Payton said Monday. "He felt better after about a series, so we were fortunate there."

Falcons activate RB Spelling: In need of additional depth at running back, Atlanta activated Jason Snelling from the practice squad Monday. The team waived linebacker Travis Williams to clear a spot for Snelling, a rookie from Virginia.

The Falcons were without running back Jerious Norwood for Sunday's win at Carolina. Norwood left the Nov. 4 victory over the 49ers with a right ankle injury. Veteran Warrick Dunn had most of the carries in each of the last two games.

Snelling led the Falcons in rushing this preseason with 39 carries for 172 yards.