BEARS QB REX GROSSMAN & BENGALS RB RUDI JOHNSON PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

NFL.COM VOTERS SELECT
BEARS QB REX GROSSMAN & BENGALS RB RUDI JOHNSON
AS WEEK 2 FEDEX AIR & GROUND® NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK HONORS

Quarterback REX GROSSMAN of the Chicago Bears and running back RUDI JOHNSON of the Cincinnati Bengals
are the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played on September 17-18, the NFL announced
today.

Grossman completed 20 of 27 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns for a passer rating of 148.0 in the Bears’ 34-
7 victory over the Detroit Lions. He threw touchdown passes of three, five, 31 and 41 yards.

Johnson carried 26 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the Bengals’ 34-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
He scored on touchdown runs of one and nine yards in the fourth quarter.

Grossman and Johnson were selected from among finalists in air and ground categories through 139,748 fan votes.
The other FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week finalists were quarterbacks ELI MANNING of the New York Giants
and PEYTON MANNING of the Indianapolis Colts, while running backs WARRICK DUNN of the Atlanta Falcons and
FRANK GORE of the San Francisco 49ers were the other finalists for the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week.
Grossman received 36 percent of the fan votes for FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week, while Eli Manning
received 34 percent and Peyton Manning received 30 percent. Johnson’s 66 percent of the fan votes for FedEx
Ground NFL Player of the Week beat out Dunn’s 19 percent and Gore’s 15 percent.

Fans voted for more than their favorite players. The weekly FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards
are also a win for the local community. Along with the player awards, FedEx is awarding Shriners Hospital for
Children and Cincinnati Children’s Medical Hospital, the children’s hospitals in each winning market, a check for
$5,000.

The children’s hospitals in the two season-long winner’s markets, announced at Super Bowl XLI in South Florida, will
be awarded $25,000 each. That means that FedEx will deliver nearly $250,000 to local children’s hospitals around the
country in recognition of the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Award winners.

FedEx, the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply-chain management services, is the
Official Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. Through the weekly FedEx Air and Ground
awards, FedEx recognizes those NFL players who represent the same speed, precision and teamwork that their
customers have come to expect from the full range of FedEx air, ground, freight and international shipping services.

2005 FEDEX AIR & GROUND NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

EXPRESS (AIR) Charity GROUND Charity

Wk 1 Donovan McNabb, Phi. Children’s Crisis
Treatment Center
LaDainian Tomlinson,
SD.
Rady Children’s
Hospital
Wk 2 Rex Grossman, Chi. Shriners Hospital for
Children
Rudi Johnson, Cin. Cincinnati Children’s
Medical Hospital
# # #

NFL Injury Report - Week Three - NFLMedia.com

From NFLmedia.com

WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT HOUSTON TEXANS

Washington Redskins
QUESTIONABLE CB Shawn Springs (Abdomen); DT Joe Salave'a (Calf)
PROBABLE RB Clinton Portis (Shoulder); WR Santana Moss (Hip)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shawn Springs; Joe Salave'a; Santana Moss
Houston Texans
OUT CB Demarcus Faggins (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE CB Phillip Buchanon (Ankle); C Mike Flanagan (Foot);
DE Antwan Peek (Groin)
PROBABLE LB Morlon Greenwood (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Demarcus Faggins; Mike Flanagan; Antwan Peek

CHICAGO BEARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Chicago Bears
QUESTIONABLE DE Israel Idonije (Ankle); S Cameron Worrell (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Israel Idonije; Cameron Worrell
Minnesota Vikings
QUESTIONABLE WR Marcus Robinson (Hamstring); G Artis Hicks
(Shoulder); WR Troy Williamson (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED All Players Practiced

NEW YORK JETS AT BUFFALO BILLS
New York Jets
DOUBTFUL C Trey Teague (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE CB David Barrett (Hip); WR Laveranues Coles (Calf);
WR Tim Dwight (Thigh); G Pete Kendall (Thigh)
PROBABLE DE Dave Ball (Thigh); LB Matt Chatham (Foot); QB
Chad Pennington (Calf); S Kerry Rhodes (Ankle); DT
Kimo Von Oelhoffen (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Trey Teague; David Barrett; Laveranues Coles; Tim
Dwight; Pete Kendall
Buffalo Bills
QUESTIONABLE LB Takeo Spikes (Hamstring); S Matt Bowen (Shin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Takeo Spikes; Matt Bowen

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT DETROIT LIONS
Green Bay Packers
DOUBTFUL T Junius Coston (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE CB Al Harris (Shoulder); TE David Martin (Knee); CB
Will Blackmon (Foot); G Jason Spitz (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Junius Coston; David Martin; Will Blackmon; Jason
Spitz
Detroit Lions
OUT WR Shaun Bodiford (Knee); S Kenoy Kennedy (Foot);
LB Alex Lewis (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE T Barry Stokes (Hamstring); G Ross Verba
(Hamstring); T Rex Tucker (Knee)
PROBABLE DE Cory Redding (Ankle); DT Shaun Rogers (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shaun Bodiford; Kenoy Kennedy; Alex Lewis; Barry
Stokes; Rex Tucker; Cory Redding; Shaun Rogers

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Jacksonville Jaguars
QUESTIONABLE RB Derrick Wimbush (Knee); S Donovin Darius (Back);
WR Matt Jones (Groin); TE Marcedes Lewis (Ankle);
CB Rashean Mathis (Knee); G Chris Naeole (Knee);
WR Chad Owens (Ribs); LB Mike Peterson (Knee); S
Gerald Sensabaugh (Ankle); DE Paul Spicer (Groin);
DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle); LB Patrick Thomas (Ankle);
DE Marcellus Wiley (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Derrick Wimbush; Donovin Darius; Matt Jones;
Rashean Mathis; Chris Naeole; Chad Owens; Paul
Spicer; Marcus Stroud; Patrick Thomas; Marcellus Wiley
Indianapolis Colts
QUESTIONABLE LB Gary Brackett (Calf); RB Ran Carthon (Finger); T
Ryan Diem (Hand); RB De De Dorsey (Ankle); DE
Dwight Freeney (Buttock); LB Gilbert Gardner (Hand);
CB Nick Harper (Ankle); TE Ben Hartsock (Hamstring);
LB Freddie Keiaho (Knee); DE Ryan LaCasse (Foot); G
Ryan Lilja (Knee); DT Montae Reagor (Knee); DT
Darrell Reid (Elbow); S Bob Sanders (Shoulder); G
Jake Scott (Knee); DT Corey Simon (Knee); QB Jim
Sorgi (Right Shoulder); WR Brandon Stokley (Ankle);
DE Josh Thomas (Hip); TE Ben Utecht (Concussion); K
Adam Vinatieri (Right Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED De De Dorsey; Dwight Freeney; Ben Hartsock; Montae
Reagor; Corey Simon; Brandon Stokley; Josh Thomas;
Ben Utecht; Adam Vinatieri

TENNESSEE TITANS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
Tennessee Titans
OUT TE Erron Kinney (Knee); DE Antwan Odom (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE T Jacob Bell (Toe); RB Ahmard Hall (Ankle); RB Travis
Henry (Toe); CB Reynaldo Hill (Knee); LB Robert
Reynolds (Thigh); DT Robaire Smith (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Erron Kinney; Antwan Odom; Jacob Bell; Ahmard Hall;
Reynaldo Hill; Robert Reynolds; Robaire Smith
Miami Dolphins
OUT G Joe Berger (Foot); G Bennie Anderson (IR/Triceps)
QUESTIONABLE CB Travis Daniels (Ankle); LB Derrick Pope
(Hamstring); WR Marty Booker (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Joe Berger; Bennie Anderson; Derrick Pope

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT C Rich Braham (Knee); S Dexter Jackson (Ankle); LB
A.J. Nicholson (Hamstring); WR Tab Perry (Hip)
DOUBTFUL WR Antonio Chatman (Groin); WR Antonio Chatman
(Groin)
QUESTIONABLE WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Heel); WR T.J.
Houshmandzadeh (Heel)
PROBABLE DT Sam Adams (Knee); LB Brian Simmons (Knee); CB
Deltha O'Neal (Knee); G Eric Steinbach (Back); WR
Chris Henry (Groin); T Levi Jones (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; A.J. Nicholson; Tab
Perry; Antonio Chatman; Sam Adams; Deltha O'Neal;
Deltha O'Neal; Eric Steinbach; Chris Henry; Levi Jones;
Levi Jones
Pittsburgh Steelers
QUESTIONABLE WR Santonio Holmes (Foot); S Troy Polamalu
(Shoulder);
PROBABLE CB Bryant McFadden (Quadricep); LB Larry Foote
(Groin); WR Hines Ward (Hamstring); WR Nate
Washington (Finger)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Santonio Holmes

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Carolina Panthers
OUT LB Dan Morgan (Concussion)
DOUBTFUL S Shaun Williams (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE CB Ken Lucas (Neck); WR Steve Smith (Thigh); WR
Drew Carter (Hand); RB Nick Goings (Thigh); C Justin
Hartwig (Groin)
PROBABLE LB Jason Kyle (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Dan Morgan; Shaun Williams; Ken Lucas; Steve Smith;
Nick Goings; Justin Hartwig
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OUT G Davin Joseph (Knee); TE Dave Moore (Rib)
QUESTIONABLE DT Chris Hovan (Ankle); CB Brian Kelly (Foot); DT
Anthony McFarland (Hip); LB Ryan Nece (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Davin Joseph; Dave Moore; Brian Kelly; Anthony
McFarland; Ryan Nece

NEW YORK GIANTS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
New York Giants
OUT RB Derrick Ward (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE S James Butler (Knee); WR Sinorice Moss (Quadricep)
PROBABLE WR Tim Carter (Ankle); TE Jeremy Shockey (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Derrick Ward; James Butler; Sinorice Moss; Tim Carter;
Tim Carter; Jeremy Shockey
Seattle Seahawks
OUT TE Jerramy Stevens (Knee); G Floyd Womack (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE TE Itula Mili (Knee)
PROBABLE RB Shaun Alexander (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Jerramy Stevens; Floyd Womack; Itula Mili; Shaun
Alexander

ST. LOUIS RAMS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
St. Louis Rams
DOUBTFUL T Orlando Pace (Concussion)
QUESTIONABLE LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (Elbow)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Orlando Pace
Arizona Cardinals
QUESTIONABLE LB James Darling (Calf); CB Eric Green (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED James Darling; Eric Green

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Philadelphia Eagles
DOUBTFUL CB Roderick Hood (Heel); CB Lito Sheppard (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE TE L.J. Smith (Shoulder); RB Brian Westbrook (Knee);
TE Mike Bartrum (Knee)
PROBABLE G Shawn Andrews (Shoulder); DE Darren Howard
(Knee); S Michael Lewis (Quadricep); S Quintin Mikell
(Thumb); RB Reno Mahe (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Roderick Hood; Lito Sheppard; L.J. Smith; Brian
Westbrook; Mike Bartrum
San Francisco 49ers
OUT G Larry Allen (Knee); TE Delanie Walker (Shoulder)
DOUBTFUL WR Taylor Jacobs (Hamstring
QUESTIONABLE DT Anthony Adams (Ankle)
PROBABLE DE Ronald Fields (Shoulder); T Jonas Jennings
(Ankle); G Justin Smiley (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Larry Allen; Delanie Walker; Taylor Jacobs; Anthony
Adams; Justin Smiley

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE LB Adalius Thomas (Foot); DT Aubrayo Franklin
(Thigh); T Jonathan Ogden (Knee); CB Samari Rolle
(Ankle); RB Musa Smith (Knee); LB Ray Lewis (Neck);
DT Haloti Ngata (Back); RB Jamal Lewis (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Adalius Thomas; Aubrayo Franklin; Jonathan Ogden;
Samari Rolle; Musa Smith; Ray Lewis; Haloti Ngata;
Jamal Lewis
Cleveland Browns
OUT DE Nick Eason (Ankle)
DOUBTFUL TE Darnell Dinkins (Hamstring); CB Gary Baxter
(Pectoral); DE Orpheus Roye (Shoulder); WR Joe
Jurevicius (Ribs)
QUESTIONABLE LB Willie McGinest (Calf); S Brian Russell (Elbow); RB
Reuben Droughns (Shoulder)
PROBABLE TE Kellen Winslow (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Nick Eason; Darnell Dinkins; Gary Baxter; Orpheus
Roye; Joe Jurevicius; Willie McGinest; Reuben
Droughns; Kellen Winslow

DENVER BRONCOS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Denver Broncos
OUT RB Cedric Cobbs (Ankle)
DOUBTFUL DE Courtney Brown (Knee)
PROBABLE RB Mike Bell (Finger); WR Rod Smith (Head)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Courtney Brown; Cedric Cobbs
New England Patriots
QUESTIONABLE S Artrell Hawkins (Thigh); WR Chad Jackson
(Hamstring); T Nick Kaczur (Shoulder)
PROBABLE QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder); T Matt Light (Knee);
WR Doug Gabriel (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Artrell Hawkins; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Matt Light;
Doug Gabriel

ATLANTA FALCONS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS on Monday
Atlanta Falcons
QUESTIONABLE WR Roddy White (Shoulder); LB Edgerton Hartwell
(Knee); DE John Abraham (Groin)
PROBABLE DE Patrick Kerney (Tricep); S Kevin Mathis
(Hamstring); G Kynan Forney (Shoulder); T Wayne
Gandy (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Roddy White; Edgerton Hartwell; John Abraham; Patrick
Kerney; Kevin Mathis; Kynan Forney; Wayne Gandy
New Orleans Saints
DOUBTFUL RB Mike Karney (Calf)
QUESTIONABLE DT Brian Young (Shoulder)
PROBABLE C Jeff Faine (Foot); LB Terrence Melton (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Mike Karney; Brian Young; ung; Jeff Faine

Detroit Lions Ask Raiders About Jerry Porter

Wow. After the whole set of problems with wide receivers Mike Williams and Charles Rogers, I'm shocked to learn that the Detroit Lions' President Matt Millen asked Raiders owner Al Davis about another wide receiver with attitude problems, Jerry Porter.

Fortunately for Millen, nothing in the way of a trade came of the discussion. I wonder what was said?

Matt: What about Jerry Porter?

Davis: Give me a first round pick.

Matt:Uh, ok Al. Talk to you later.

Monte Poole - Oakland Tribune Columnist Sounds Early Death Tong On Raiders Season

Poof goes buzz: Raiders face most demoralizing year
Column by Monte Poole - Oakland Tribune

THEY HAVE endured losing seasons, 14 in all. They have submitted atrocious seasons, six times owning or sharing last place in the division.

So the Raiders are more familiar with failure than they are willing to acknowledge.

But never have they been as pathetic as they are now.

To contrast the anticipation in the air 60 days ago to the powerlessness now felt is to realize 2006 is making a strong bid to become the most depressing, demoralizing season in Raiders history.

Or have you forgotten the vigor of springtime?

They rehired head coach Art Shell, a popular former Raider who symbolizes the glory days and did a good job the first time around. There was just enough comfort and applause to obscure the skepticism.

They unveiled a new ticketing system, dumping the despised public seat licenses, theoretically righting a colossal wrong. This didn't please all, but it was spun as a goodwill gesture from an organization perceived to be disdainful of the concept.
They spoke boldly in training camp, describing power running and deep passing, about imposing their will and dominating opponents.

They generated momentum in the preseason, winning four of five, seemingly a response to Shell and his staff. They sold out their home opener, sending the Raider Nation, eager to purge the past three years, to the edge of frenzy.

The plan, it appeared, was working. The Raiders were ready to reclaim lost respect.

And . . . poof! In minutes, the buzz was gone.

That was nine days ago. So soundly was the team overpowered and the coaching staff overmatched that the Raiders were showered with boos in the first quarter of the first game.

So much for consistently selling out home games and taking advantage of the advertising that comes with appearing on local TV.

Suddenly, Oakland has gone from being a sleeper pick to make the playoffs to a team some speculate is the worst in the league.

It's not speculation, though, that the Raiders will attempt to alienate selected individuals, weakening the team and putting chemistry at risk.

Seeing Shell face media and fans, insisting the team is better with wide receiver Jerry Porter on the bench, mocks the "Just win, baby," slogan. Maybe that slogan should have died 15 years ago, when Marcus Allen, a great player and teammate, was punitively benched to the detriment of the team.

To paraphrase defensive tackle Warren Sapp, a blind man can see Porter can help Oakland's offense.

It's not speculation that the Doug Gabriel trade baffles or that Alvis Whitted, 32, is seeking his first productive season.
Gabriel had become a solid, versatile receiver, demanding attention from defenses, and moving him put a smell in the locker room. It's unfair to ask Whitted, who should be a fourth receiver, to compromise his speed by running into traffic.

It's not speculation that Randy Moss, the team's most gifted weapon, is displeased. His enthusiasm is dimming — he went into cruise control a couple of times Sunday at Baltimore — suggesting his hopes are rapidly deflating.

It's not speculation that Oakland's offensive unit is the league's worst and its line embarrassingly bad.
"We can't even get the quarterbacks into their stances," concedes tight end Courtney Anderson.

"We have the makings of a good offense," running back LaMont Jordan says. "But what we don't have is execution that we need to show it. We can talk about how we have good players, talk about this, that and the other. But in the NFL, the only time talking gets you a victory is when you're on the debate team."

Instead, debate around the league regarding the Raiders is about their ineptitude. ESPN is piling on, with unflattering columns and TV commentators openly wondering if they can win one game.

Always willing to stand up for themselves, the Raiders are in no position to fight back. They are no closer to the playoffs than W's posse is to Osama. No closer to the Super Bowl than you are to $1-a-gallon gasoline.

The Raiders are close, however, to NFL irrelevance.

During losing seasons past, there was the sense Al would wake up and reset his brain cells. He did it when John Madden retired, did it when he hired Mike Shanahan, did it after the mistake that was Joe Bugel.

Somehow, Davis manages to remind us he remains a potent force.

Can't help wondering now if Al is out of comebacks. That seen during spring and summer was a mirage. Visible now is a deficient roster, discouraging the fan base, hurting marketing in an important year.

The Raiders set out to make a statement in'06. They are doing exactly that, presenting a team without answers, an organization grasping at straws, quite capable of reaching a new low.

Art Shell - Raiders Head Coach's Press Conference After Ravens Game - Video Set

This is a three-part video set of the press conference featuring Oakland Raiders Head Coach Art Shell after the lost to the Baltimore Ravens. In it, Coach Shell adresses a lot of questions about the offense.

Part One:



Part Two



Part Three

NY Giants Eli Manning To Plaxico Buress TD Vs. Phili Eagles - Video

This is a video of that dramatic touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Buress to give the NY Giants the win in overtime vs. the Eagles.

Billy Volek To Chargers - Titans Erase Mentors For Vince Young

One by one, they're eliminating the mentors for Vince Young. Let's see how this approach works.

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- After watching two division rivals lose their starting quarterbacks to injuries, the San Diego Chargers obtained Billy Volek from Tennessee on Tuesday to give them a veteran behind first-year starter Philip Rivers.

Volek wanted out of Tennessee since being demoted to third-stringer behind rookie Vince Young after the Titans signed Kerry Collins. He got his wish, but the deal was delayed for obvious reasons because the Titans played the Chargers on Sunday. San Diego won 40-7 to improve to 2-0 atop the AFC West. Volek was the inactive third QB.

"He's awfully enthusiastic about joining a team with the quality that the Chargers represent," said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. "This is a nice opportunity for Billy to go to a team that is playing very well right now, and has a need for a veteran quarterback."

Rosenhaus was involved in the deal because Volek, who played at Fresno State, had to waive his no-trade clause in order to return to his home state.

The Chargers, who opened the season with the untested Rivers and rookie Charlie Whitehurst as their only quarterbacks, gave up a sixth-round draft pick that could become a fifth-rounder if Volek participates in 50 percent of San Diego's offensive plays this year.

"I think we're a good football team and I'd like to protect it," general manager A.J. Smith said. "We just like his experience factor, and he's a pretty solid quarterback. More importantly, the reason is it adds depth. He was looking for a change of scenery and we were contemplating if he was the right guy to add to our depth."

Division rival Kansas City reportedly inquired about Volek after Trent Green suffered a concussion in the Chiefs' season opener. On Sunday, Oakland lost Aaron Brooks for two to four weeks with a strained pectoral muscle. The Chargers sacked Brooks nine times in a season-opening 27-0 win.

Volek was chosen as the Titans' starter in June after Steve McNair was traded to Baltimore. But when the Titans signed Collins on Aug. 29, Volek was dropped behind Young on the depth chart.

Rivers, a third-year pro, began the season with zero NFL starts and one touchdown pass. In San Diego's two routs, he's completed 33 of 46 passes (71.7 percent) for 343 yards and two touchdowns.

San Diego's only other quarterback through two games was rookie Charlie Whitehurst. He made his NFL debut in mop-up duty Sunday and scored on a 14-yard run with 1:53 left. His father, David, played for the Green Bay Packers from 1976-83.

San Diego released veteran backup A.J. Feeley on Aug. 28.

Volek is 3-7 as a starter, including eight starts in 2004 when McNair had a sternum injury. He made his second career start that season at San Diego, throwing for 279 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-17 loss.

Rosenhaus said he anticipated Volek would fly to San Diego on Tuesday. The Chargers are off this weekend before facing their toughest test yet, at Baltimore on Oct. 1.

"It's very fortuitous that the club has a bye this week because it gives Billy a chance to learn the system and acclimate himself before the next ballgame," Rosenhaus said.