Rams' Faulk might play Sunday

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St. Louis' Marshall Faulk was originally thought to be sidelined up to a month, but his coach, Mike Martz, said he could possibly play this weekend against the New York Jets. Faulk was injured Sunday in a 15-14 win over the New York Giants. Associated Press

"He really could possibly play this week," coach Mike Martz said yesterday. "We're not going to rule the possibility of him playing completely out.

"At this point, he's listed as out. We'll just see where he is."

Minutes after the Rams' 15-14 victory over the Giants Sunday, Martz said that Faulk, the NFL's MVP last year, probably would miss 3-4 weeks. But that was because the team believed he had strained a ligament, which has had two operations since last November.

An MRI test after the game showed a bruise and no ligament or cartilage damage. Martz said he'll probably have to talk Faulk into sitting this one out.

Martz said Faulk can't further damage the knee, but that it would be an issue of pain tolerance.

"It's going to be hard to restrain Marshall," Martz said. "It'll be very difficult to hold on to him and try to convince him that he needs to rest this thing a little bit."

Martz said Faulk told him he felt "pretty good" yesterday.

Faulk's backup is Trung Canidate.

"I'm definitely looking forward to trying to get in," Canidate said. "I just want to play and you've got to be ready at any time, that's the job."

VIKINGS

Moss questionable: Minnesota wide receiver Randy Moss is listed as questionable for this week's game against Green Bay because of an ankle injury

Vikings coach Dennis Green said Moss slightly aggravated the ankle Sunday against Detroit.

"He's been dealing with it most of the year," Green said. "I think it just gets a little bit worse at times. He did not play as many plays as he normally plays, and he did not play as well as he normally plays, either."

Moss has just 21 catches for 321 yards and one touchdown in Minnesota's first five games.

BRONCOS

Griese questionable: Denver quarterback Brian Griese is questionable for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers, although tests yesterday showed no structural damage in his right shoulder.

Griese complained of shoulder soreness after a hit against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 7, and he aggravated the problem Sunday when he was slammed to the turf by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Lamar King.

"We're all very happy there's no structural damage," coach Mike Shanahan said. "The question is, 'How long will it take him to get back?' I don't know that answer."

SEAHAWKS

Hasselbeck to start: Matt Hasselbeck is the likely starter at quarterback for Seattle's next game on Oct. 28 despite Trent Dilfer's 2-0 record this season and 13-game winning streak as a starter.

"That's my role, and I promised Mike Holmgren that I would do whatever role he asked me," Dilfer said.

Holmgren, the Seahawks' coach, said he wants Hasselbeck to start when he is completely recovered from a groin injury.

PATRIOTS

Bledsoe still in doubt: Drew Bledsoe's return is far from imminent as the New England quarterback recovers from a chest injury that has sidelined him for three games.

Coach Bill Belichick said originally that Bledsoe would miss at least two weeks. After that time passed, Belichick said last week the quarterback would miss at least two or three more weeks.

Also, punter Lee Johnson was cut yesterday. He had made an NFL record 1,187 punts.

SHORT SNAPS

Titans: Receiver Justin McCareins will have a pin inserted in his broken ankle and miss from 6-8 weeks.

Bengals: Receiver Chad Johnson will miss about six weeks with a broken collarbone.