The word on Donovan McNabb's groin problem was very sketchy Tuesday, but it appears as though he could be out for a long period of time, maybe the season. Andy Reid strongly suggested McNabb will be out for Sunday's game against the Giants. The reason to think this could be a season-ending type of injury is that the early part of the week is spent getting opinions and second opinions on his sports hernia. McNabb knows surgery is looming after the season. At 4-5, the Eagles have to start looking toward next season because they're playoff chances are almost done.

Forget a threepeat: Randall Gay became the sixth Patriots defensive back to go on the injured reserve list, and he's the fourth cornerback to go down for the season. With the exception of cornerback Asante Samuel and safety Eugene Wilson, Bill Belichick is using a completely new secondary, filled with two rookies -- cornerback Ellis Hobbs and safety James Sanders -- and street free agents Hank Poteat, Michael Stone and Antrell Hawkins. Belichick is a genius, but there is no way the Patriots can overcome that many injuries and think about going to the Super Bowl. Sure, they will win their division. The street free agents and rookies matchup solid enough with the backup quarterbacks who are starting in the AFC East. But forget about winning two or three games in the playoffs. The Patriots rank 31st in defense, giving up 378 yards a game, including 255 through the air. They aren't the Patriots any more.

Secondary not the only trouble spot: The other season-ending injury that will hurt the Patriots is the shoulder separation that ended the season of center Dan Koppen. The Patriots are already starting two rookies on the offensive line -- Logan Mankins and Nick Kaczur. Matt Light is still out at left tackle. You saw the problems Donovan McNabb had Monday night adjusting to a new center. Now Tom Brady will have to do the same, probably with Russ Hochstein. Figure halfback Corey Dillon won't be a factor for the next couple of weeks because of his calf injury. He's also been struggling with an ankle injury for weeks.

Big Ben's return? Ben Roethlisberger will try to play this week, but his injured knee will have to be monitored each day. Bill Cowher is going to list him as questionable, but that opens up the practices for him to state his case and get back as the starter. Roethlisberger is a quick healer, so don't be surprised if he does start against the Ravens.

Bills' Williams a bust: The Bills will try to keep Mike Williams as a backup guard for the next couple of weeks after his horrible debut at left tackle. That's not a good sign for his future. The former high No. 1 pick now has to go down as a bust. On Sunday, he made four blocking mistakes in four possessions. On one, he let quarterback Kelly Holcomb get hit -- a play in which he suffered a concussion that might keep him out this week. Mike Mularkey said Monday that Bennie Anderson will get back his start left guard spot. He never should have been benched. By the way, though, Jason Peters didn't do poorly at right tackle, Williams' old spot.

Broncos' competition up front: Mike Shanahan is giving Cornell Green enough time at right tackle that George Foster has to be wondering if he's losing his starting job. Clearly, it's starting to look as though the two are almost sharing the position. Foster is a former No. 1 pick and did play well at the beginning of the season. He's been fighting some leg injuries of late, and Green has always interested Shanahan with his potential. Green got more playing time against the Raiders last Sunday, and Shanahan said he might get more this week.

Questionable decision: It's hard figuring out what Jack Del Rio is doing at the receiver position. His one contract rock at wide receiver is Jimmy Smith. Reggie Williams has been a disappointment and recently dropped back into being the fourth receiver, giving Ernest Wilford the start and keeping rookie Matt Jones as the No. 3 receiver. In the past couple of games, however, Del Rio is making it a point to give Smith more plays off. He says he's not phasing out his No. 1 receiver, but says he need to get his young receivers more playing time. The curious comment from Del Rio is that he wants this offense to go beyond Smith and Fred Taylor, who are the focal points of Jacksonville's offense. For a team trying to get ready for the playoffs, though, resting Smith a little is a debatable plan. It seems he might be forcing that a bit.

Double duty for Brown: Back to the Patriots, Troy Brown will get increasing playing time in the secondary as a nickel corner. Brown saw about a dozen plays at cornerback Sunday against the Dolphins after being asked to help the defense. The good news for Brown is that he still will keep some of his duties on offense. Last year, he moved from offense to defense without any way of getting back on offense. Brown is valuable as a third receiver, a punt receiver and a nickel cornerback. Belichick calls him the best team player he's seen in 31 years of football.

Chiefs need Roaf: Left tackle Willie Roaf remains the most questionable on the Chiefs' injury report this week, and that's not a good sign. Without Roaf, they are so weak at tackle it's killing the timing of their passing offense. The Chiefs' front five is great from guard to guard without Roaf, but the line can't pass block consistently without Roaf, who remains one of the best tackles in the AFC. He's been fighting a hamstring injury since the first week of the regular season.