The NFL plans to rule Wednesday on whether to suspend Raiders defensive end Tyler Brayton, who was caught by the ESPN Monday Night Football cameras kicking Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens in the groin. After the game, Brayton apologized for his actions. He was immediately ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct. This year, the NFL has tried to rule quickly on blatant unsportsmanlike acts. The league office spent Tuesday looking at tape and looking at precedent.

One of the holdups that delayed a decision until Wednesday may have been a Raiders claim that Brayton was retaliating from a similar act by Stevens. The Raiders claim they have taped footage of Stevens kicking Brayton. Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said he's seen no such footage in his game tape.

Raiders coach Art Shell worked in the NFL office and knows how the fine and suspension process works, and he doesn't believe Brayton will be suspended but that he would be fined. Such a visible act probably deserves a suspension, but if the league believes Brayton was retaliating, Brayton's punishment might be less severe and Stevens could receive a fine.

Seahawks' injury woes: It's starting to look as though Matt Hasselbeck might get back to the field sooner than Seahawks halfback Shaun Alexander. Hasselbeck has missed two games with a knee injury and is on schedule to play the Nov. 19 game against the 49ers. He is running on a regular basis and working with trainers on the side. Holmgren said there is a chance Hasselbeck could take some snaps in practice toward the end of the week.

Alexander, meanwhile, won't play against the Rams on Sunday and will miss his sixth consecutive game. X-rays on Tuesday showed a slight crack in his foot that hasn't completely healed. Even though the crack is smaller, it's still at the point in which he can't play.

Alexander has been on a treadmill the past two weeks and is feeling no pain in the foot. What he isn't able to do yet is run while making cuts, an essential maneuver for a running back. Alexander is hoping to return with Hasselbeck for the 49ers game.

Not easy being Green: Herman Edwards sounded as though he's not locked in on giving Trent Green back his starting job. Naturally, Edwards doesn't have to make that tough decision this week. Green is doubtful but hasn't been cleared to play coming off the severe concussion he suffered during the Chiefs' opener. Green hopes to be ready for the Nov. 19 game against the Vikings. The problem facing Edwards is that backup Damon Huard is 5-2 filling in for Green and is one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league. On Tuesday, Edwards said he would do what's best for the team's psyche and chemistry in deciding whether to keep Huard as the starter of go back to Green. For now, though, no decision has to be made.

Desert dealin': The five-year, $21 million contract given to Gerald Hayes was interesting because he's so new to being a starter. Hayes started only three games in his first three seasons after coming to the Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2003 draft. Hayes has started every game this season and has been very productive. He's intercepted two passes and defended four others. He's considered a solid run-stopper. Most people thought extending talented outside linebacker Karlos Dansby was the priority on defense, but Hayes has been healthier than Dansby and more productive this season.

Strahan out, but for how long? How long will defensive end Michael Strahan be out? He says he will be out two to three weeks. Other reports have him out as long as two months. With the injury being a Lisfranc sprain to the foot, take the "over" when considering the timetable for his return. The Lisfranc injury is a serious one. Untreated, the foot in which the ligament is damaged eventually loses its power and ability to push off. The only two treatments are rest and surgery. With no surgery planned, Strahan may be able to come back for late December or into the playoffs. My guess is that his regular season is over.

Philly goodbye? With Eagles defensive end Trent Coles getting a $12 million guarantee and $5.3 million a year in a contract extension, it will be interesting to see what the Eagles do with Jevon Kearse. The Eagles already have good money in defensive end Darren Howard, so it would seem to be unlikely three high-paid defensive ends would be on the same team. Kearse, who's been injured 11 games over the past three years with the Eagles, could be on the way out.