Artis Hicks inactive for Minnesota

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota right tackle Artis Hicks is inactive for Sunday night's game against Chicago, meaning the Vikings will be forced back to Ryan Cook as their starter.

Hicks played well last week at Jacksonville after replacing Cook in the starting lineup, but a right elbow injury will keep him out of Sunday night's game. The Bears, meanwhile, will be without fullback Jason McKie (quadriceps) and receiver Marty Booker (knee).

Here is the complete inactive list:

CHICAGO
Quarterback Caleb Hanie
Running back Kevin Jones
Fullback Jason McKie
Guard Terrence Metcalf
Defensive tackle Matt Toeaina
Receiver Brandon Rideau
Receiver Marty Booker
Defensive end Ervin Baldwin

MINNESOTA
Quarterback John David Booty
Running back Maurice Hicks
Tight end Garrett Mills
Linebacker Dontarrious Thomas
Defensive end Otis Grigsby
Guard Artis Hicks
Receiver Aundrae Allison
Defensive tackle Letroy Guion

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Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots are fumbling away any chance to compete in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Gillette Stadium.

The score was 10-10 at halftime. The Steelers drove their first possession close enough for a field goal. Then the Patriots started dribbling the ball like Manute Bol.

The ensuing kickoff bounced off Matthew Slater's chest and was recovered by the Steelers on the Patriots' 8-yard line. Two plays later, Ben Roethlisberger hit Hines Ward for an 11-yard touchdown.

Slater didn't return for the next kickoff. Kevin Faulk was inserted, and he brought it out to the Patriots' 29-yard line.

That was all well and good, but on the first play, Steelers linebacker James Harrison sacked Matt Cassel and knocked the ball loose. LaMarr Woodley recovered for the Steelers on the 26-yard line.

The Patriots held them to a field goal, but the Steelers are ahead 23-10 with 2:41 left in the third quarter, and the Patriots have run only five plays.

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Turner outplaying Tomlinson

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Turner

SAN DIEGO -- Michael Turner is winning the running back battle Sunday.

Turner is having a solid day in his return to Denver. Turner, LaDainian Tomlinson's long-time backup, is starring for Atlanta this season in his first season there. He signed as a free agent in the offseason.

Turner has 87 yards on 23 carries as Atlanta leads in the fourth quarter.

Tomlinson, who has struggled this season, has 24 yards on 14 carries. Tomlinson's first half of the season was affected by a turf toe injury. But Tomlinson has proclaimed himself healthy.

There were whispers this week that perhaps the Chargers should have re-signed Turner and traded Tomlinson. Those whispers will likely become louder after Sunday's events.

But that is a silly argument. Tomlinson is a Hall of Fame player and no one could have predicted his injuries. Yes, Turner was productive in San Diego, but it was as a backup.

Sure, Turner may be having a better year than Tomlinson, but had San Diego traded Tomlinson and kept Turner the move would have been universally panned.

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