akland RaidersNose tackle Stacy McGee has been the Raiders best

SEARS POINT, Calif. -- Simon Pagenaud moved a bit closer to his first IndyCar Series championship on Saturday, when he claimed pole position for the season finale at Sonoma Raceway.The bonus point that Pagenaud earned for turning the fastest qualifying lap Saturday extended his cushion over Team Penske teammate Will Power to 44 points entering Sundays 85-lap GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma. That means Pagenaud can clinch the IndyCar title by finishing sixth or better.Power, who had qualified on pole at Sonoma for five of his past six starts at the road course, managed fifth place Saturday. Meanwhile, Pagenaud set a track record of 1 minute, 16.253 seconds in his Dallara-Chevrolet on the way to claiming his series-best seventh pole of the season.The pole capped a huge day for Pagenaud, the 32-year-old Frenchman who earlier shared the news that Menards home improvement stores will double their sponsorship commitment to the No. 22 Team Penske car from five to 10 races in 2017.It feels great, Pagenaud said after averaging 112.594 mph on his pole lap. We prepared really well in practice, and the weekend has gone perfect so far. My first lap on the Firestone red tires, I radioed in and said, This is going to be really good.I was on the edge, but it was a really good lap. We have to err on the safe side in the race, and finishing second is OK if we win the championship. Im really proud of my guys, and no matter what happens tomorrow, its been an incredible season.Power, the 2014 IndyCar Series champion, is a three-time winner at Sonoma, but he and his crew have been unable to get the handling and braking of the Verizon Chevrolet to his liking this weekend.Were just not quite on the pace, and I cant really put my finger on why, Power said. Thats kind of been the story all weekend. Were there, but not quite there.Hopefully, the tire strategies will create an opportunity for us to make our way to the front. The last thing we need is a straightforward race, because Simons going to be pretty tough to beat if thats the case. Hes obviously very quick. But IndyCar throws curveballs here and there, so you never know.We still need to win the race to win the championship, and Simon needs to have a bad day.Pagenaud and Power have matched each other with four wins apiece this year, with a difference of just two points. But Power started the season in a 42-point hole to Pagenaud after missing the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg because of concussion symptoms.?Over the summer, the two Penske drivers pulled away from the rest of the field, turning the championship into a two-man battle. Another Penske driver, Helio Castroneves, is tied with defending series champion Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing for third in the standings heading into Sundays race.Castroneves will start from the outside of the front row at Sonoma, and Dixon will line up seventh. Chris Archer Jersey . From filmmaker Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes), The Price of Gold revisits the saga that rocked the figure skating world ahead of the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games: the assault on Nancy Kerrigan, and the plot that led its way back to her rival Tonya Harding. Roberto Clemente Jersey . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. 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NFL Nation reporters assess the biggest injuries across the league for Week 8.NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC WestNFC EASTDallas CowboysQuarterback?Tony Romo will not play Sunday against Philadelphia, but the fact that he was on the practice field Wednesday for some individual work and throwing shows that he is closer to being 100 percent. For Sundays game against Philadelphia, the biggest injury concern is left tackle Tyron Smith. He has been bothered by a bulging disc in his back that kept him out of full practices for much of the past three weeks. The Cowboys are doing what they can to manage him through the week to make sure he has enough work for the game. This weeks challenge is tough with?Brandon Graham, who is tied for the Eagles lead in sacks, with four. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsThe bye week couldnt have come at a better time for the Giants, with star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. dealing with a painful hip/abdominal injury. Beckham almost didnt play against the Rams in London and was pretty sore on Monday, when he spent the day in treatment. The two weeks between games should help him get healthier for the stretch run. Beckham is not expected to miss any time because of the injury. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesIt sounds like starting defensive tackle Bennie Logan (groin), one of the Eagles best run defenders, could be sidelined for this Sundays game against Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys. Coach Doug Pederson continues to describe him as week-to-week and noted that the recent waiver-wire addition of Taylor Hart is related to Logans situation. Wide receiver Jordan Matthews continues to deal with knee tendinitis and was limited Wednesday. Left tackle Jason Peters suffered a biceps injury against the Vikings on Sunday but is practicing this week. -- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsThe Redskins have multiple injury issues that must be settled by Thursday, when they board a flight to London. There are four key players dealing with injuries: tight end Jordan Reed (concussion), cornerback?Josh Norman (concussion), running back Matt Jones (knee) and left tackle Trent Williams (knee). Williams has been optimistic about playing, and Reed said, I feel back to normal. Jones injury was new and caused him to miss practice; the other three were limited. Coach Jay Gruden said Jones had issues trying to cut, so they held him out. Reed and Norman will visit an?independent doctor Thursday to see if theyll be cleared to play Sunday against the Bengals. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsInactive four straight weeks, Bears running back Jeremy Langford (high ankle sprain) practiced Tuesday, which raised the possibility that he could play Monday night against Minnesota. Langford entered the year as Chicagos lead tailback, but he rushed for only 116 yards on 31 carries before suffering the?injury in Week 3 at Dallas. Langford will play when he returns, but the Bears have been pleased with rookie Jordan Howard and KaDeem Carey. How John Fox juggles the backfield is an interesting side story going forward. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsCornerback?Darius Slay (hamstring) sat out Wednesdays practice after missing all of the second half in a win over Washington. If hes unable to go this weekend -- at this point, hes likely questionable -- it could hurt a Detroit team that has to try to?cover Texans receivers?DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller. Hopkins and Fuller would be a handful for the Lions if they had everyone healthy, so missing their top corner would be a big, big problem. In better news for Detroit, running back?Theo Riddick (ankle), tight end?Eric Ebron (knee/ankle) and defensive tackle?Haloti Ngata (shoulder) all practiced Wednesday, but they will be?monitored throughout the week. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersThe Packers already know they wont have cornerback Damarious Randall, who underwent surgery last week to repair his groin injury. It looks like Quinten Rollins, who has the same injury, wont play, either. That means some combination of LaDarius Gunter and Demetri Goodson will be responsible for covering the NFLs leading receiver, Julio Jones, on Sunday in Atlanta. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsSafety Andrew Sendejo sprained his ankle on a fumble recovery Sunday against the Eagles, and coach Mike Zimmer said Monday that Sendejo is day-to-day. The Vikings have an extra day before Mondays game in Chicago, so they wont start practicing for the Bears until Thursday, but Sendejos health is worth watching. He has gained more of the coaching staffs trust in recent years, and though rookie Jayron Kearse had a promising preseason, Zimmer said he was just average in his first meaningful regular-season action. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsThe biggest injury concern was and still might be running back Tevin Coleman, who is unlikely to play Sunday against the Packers, after he suffered a hamstring strain Sunday. Then starting running back Devonta Freeman popped up on the injury report with a hip injury Wednesday and was limited. Freeman is expected to handle a full load -- if hes healthy. If not, the Falcons might have to turn to newly signed Stevan Ridley and recently elevated Terron Ward to help Freeman carry the load against the Packers top-ranked run defense. Stay tuned. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersLeft tackle Michael Oher looks like he will miss his fourth straight game since he entered the concussion protocol. Starting cornerback James Bradberry (toe) and defensive tackle Vernon Butler (ankle) were limited in practice. Their workloads will increase Thursday if they dont experience setbacks. Look for both to play Sunday against Arizona. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsLeft tackle Terron Armstead missed practice Wednesday after admitting that his knee wasnt yet back to where it needs to be in Sundays game. The Saints fared pretty well without Armstead when he missed three games because of the injury, but with Seattle coming into the Superdome, theyre facing by far the most imposing pass rush theyve seen all year. They could really use Armstead back close to his usual self. If Armstead cant play, the Saints will hope backup Andrus Peat is close to 100 percent healed from a hamstring injury that sidelined him last week. Peat was back on the practice field Wednesday. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Bucs got some encouraging news Wednesday, with defensive end Robert Ayers returning to practice in a limited capacity for the first time in nearly three weeks and just the second time since he suffered an ankle injury in Week 2. It might?be too soon for him to return this week, but its a step in the right direction for a defensive line that two weeks ago was without three starters. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsThere are a few significant injury concerns for the Cardinals this week. Left tackle?Jared Veldheer has a fractured finger and will wear a paddle Sunday against Carolina, while Arizona is still waiting to see how wide receiver?Michael Floyds hamstring and cornerback?Patrick Petersons ribs are?this week. Their status for Sunday has not been determined. Arizona is also keeping a close eye on wide receiver?John Brown, whos expected to go through a full practice Thursday, a week after he was diagnosed as a carrier of the sickle-cell trait. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsThe Rams have a chance to be healthy coming out of their bye week. Their No. 1 cornerback, Trumaine Johnson, missed the past two weeks because of a sprained right ankle. One of their starting defensive tackles, Michael Brockers, has missed two of the past three, first with an injury to his hip and then with an injury to his thigh. Both have a chance to be ready when the Rams play Nov. 6 at home against the Panthers, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. Everybody else is basically available. -- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ersThe 49ers have a lot of banged up players who theyre hoping will use the bye week to recover from injuries. Running back Carlos Hyde (shoulder), receiver Torrey Smith (back), defensive tackle Arik Armstead (shoulder) and linebacker Aaron Lynch (ankle) are just a few of the key Niners battling ailments. The bye is coming at a good time, in terms of the teams health, but well see if its enough for those players to return next week. -- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksFor the first time in his career, Russell Wilson was listed as a limited practice participant. He is dealing with a knee injury and a right pectoral injury. The knee injuryy stems from the sprained MCL suffered in Week 3, but the pectoral injury was presumably sustained Sunday in the teams tie with the Cardinals.dddddddddddd Its Wilsons third injury of the season. He also suffered a right high ankle sprain in Week 1. Wilson will address the media Thursday and likely say hes fine, as he always does. But the injuries are mounting for the Seahawks starting quarterback, and Wilsons health continues to a major storyline for the team this season. -- Sheil KapadiaAFC EASTBuffalo BillsRunning back LeSean McCoy was riding an exercise bike at the start of Wednesdays practice but did not participate. Coach Rex Ryan said McCoy will continue to receive treatment for his injured left hamstring, and well see how he progresses, which leaves the door open for McCoy to be out Sunday against the Patriots. If he cant go, Mike Gillislee will be the starter. Gillislee was limited in practice Wednesday because of a foot injury, but Ryan believes his top backup will be fine. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsThe Dolphins got out of Week 7 healthy, with the exception of starting safety Isa Abdul-Quddus, who suffered an ankle injury. Miami is thin at the position, after Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones (shoulder) was lost for the season as well. The good news is Miami is on a bye and will have two weeks to try to get Abdul-Quddus healthy. The Dolphins signed free-agent safety Bacarri Rambo as insurance. -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsThe Patriots biggest questions entering Week 8 are with defensive tackle depth, as No. 3 man Vincent Valentine (back) and No. 4 option Woodrow Hamilton (shoulder) both missed Sundays win over the Steelers. They were the only players to not be cleared for action. -- Mike ReissNew York JetsOf the season-high 11 players who didnt practice Wednesday due to injury, the biggest concerns are running back?Bilal Powell (turf toe), center?Nick Mangold (ankle) and defensive end?Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle). Without Powell, the Jets would be down to Matt Forte and undrafted rookie Troymaine Pope. Chances are Mangold wont play, which means?Wes Johnson would start. Wilkersons situation will crystallize based on practice Thursday and Friday. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensThe Ravens are expecting to be close to full strength when they come off their bye. The one injured player who might not be ready is linebacker Elvis Dumervil. Hes dealing with a foot injury and hasnt practiced in three weeks. Dumervil said this month that he expects to play again this season. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsTight end Tyler Eifert said he felt great following his return from injury in Week 7. The only question for the Bengals this week is left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who left Sundays game with a head injury and is in the concussion protocol. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he thinks Whitworth will be fine and out of the protocol by the time the team leaves for London on Thursday, but the team is?preparing a backup plan in case Whitworth is unable to make the flight. The Bengals declined to say who would take his place, but it would likely be last years second-round pick,?Jake Fisher. -- Katherine TerrellCleveland BrownsThe Browns appear on track for quarterback?Josh McCown to return from his broken collarbone and start against the Jets this weekend. McCown was full-go in practice Wednesday. Joe Haden (groin) and Terrelle Pryor (hamstring) are still working through issues. First-round pick Corey Coleman was on the field with his broken hand in a brace, but he did not catch passes and likely wont play. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersThis ones easy: The injury spotlight will remain on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (left knee) the next 10 days, as the Steelers return from the bye week and prepare for the Ravens in Week 9. That Roethlisberger did some light throwing Tuesday and Wednesday is a good sign, but Big Ben said hed like to get at least one full practice in before playing a game. The clock starts Wednesday, the teams first practice after the bye. Quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner said Roethlisberger is capable of playing a game on fewer reps because of his in-house perspective from 13 years in the league. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansThe Texans lost right tackle Derek Newton for the season after he injured both knees Monday against the Broncos. He will be replaced by veteran tackle Chris Clark, who filled in at left tackle for the first five games of the season while Duane Brown was on the PUP list. At running back, starter Lamar Miller is day-to-day with a shoulder injury. After he injured his shoulder against the Broncos, he split carries with Alfred Blue, who will likely get most of the carries if Miller cant play?Sunday against the Lions. -- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsReceiver Donte Moncrief returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since he injured his shoulder against Denver in Week 2. Coach Chuck Pagano is hopeful that Moncrief will be able to play Sunday against Kansas City. Moncrief, the teams No. 2 receiver, took it a step further by saying hell be surprised if he doesnt play. Moncrief wont know how his shoulder responds to contact until he gets hit in a game because the Colts do not tackle in practice. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsNose tackle Roy Miller is done for the season with a torn right Achilles tendon, and its a huge loss for the Jaguars rush defense. Miller was good at holding up at the point of attack and eating up double-teams, which freed linebackers Paul Posluszny and Telvin Smith?to make tackles. Fourth-year player Abry Jones will take Millers place in the starting lineup, but expect to see SenDerrick Marks, a three-techique tackle, getting reps as well. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansFree safety Rashad Johnson is out for Thursday nights game against the Jaguars. The Titans, when healthy, rotate through four safeties. Johnsons absence should mean more work for rookie Kevin Byard, who has been a solid performer. Hes also a key special-teamer. The Titans are terrible on special teams. If they need to rely?on Curtis Riley or another young, inexperienced player with Byard out of the equation, they cannot use him as an excuse for special-teams failures. Every team in the league has to turn to such players on special teams while enduring injuries. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosRunning back C.J. Anderson suffered a right knee injury in the teams win over the Texans on Monday and is expected to miss multiple games. The question is the severity of the injury and whether the Broncos get any more bad news. Anderson was getting a second opinion Wednesday for additional exams. The worst-case scenario is that the injury requires surgery. It will put rookie Devontae Booker in the starting lineup Sunday against the Chargers. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsThe Chiefs have lost rookie cornerback D.J. White?to?a broken hand for Sundays game against the Colts and perhaps beyond. This happened just as White, who has been playing a lot as the third cornerback, was improving after a horrible game earlier this month against Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. The Chiefs might get starting corner Phillip Gaines back against the Colts after he missed most or all of the past three games because of a sore knee. If not, the Chiefs will have to dig deep into their reserves at corner and go with either of two players who havent seen much action this year, Kenneth Acker and Terrance Mitchell. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersNose tackle Stacy McGee has been the Raiders best interior defensive lineman this season, but he was limited to only seven snaps at the Jaguars last weekend after injuring an ankle. McGee, whose 2.5 sacks are second on the team, did not practice Wednesday. If he cannot play Sunday at the Buccaneers,?the Raiders need Justin Ellis to regain his form and hold the point of attack on the inside. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersThree days after reporting concussion-like symptoms to the training staff after the Chargers?win over the Falcons, rookie tight end Hunter Henry was a limited participant in practice Wednesday. Coach Mike McCoy said hes hopeful Henry can play Sunday, when the team hits the road to face the Broncos for the second time in three weeks. Henry leads the Chargers in touchdown receptions (three) and is third on the team in receptions (20) and receiving yards (326). -- Eric D. Williams ' ' '