ESPN NFL

Detroit Lions: Following the latest X-ray on the fractured collarbone Charles Rogers suffered last week in practice, it appears that the first-round wide receiver will not require surgery.

However, Rogers remains incapacitated, and there is no timetable for his return. Club officials have downplayed reports that the former Michigan State star could miss the balance of the season, suggesting he will be sidelined for possibly 4-8 weeks.

Surgery will not be completely ruled out for a few weeks, or until the next X-ray, but sources close to Rogers said the consensus opinion by doctors is that the break will heal with rest and no surgical intervention.

Rogers, the second pick overall in the 2003 draft, was injured last week when teammate Dre Bly fell on him after the cornerback and wide receiver battled for a pass in practice. In his first five games, Rogers posted 22 receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns.

Also, punter John Jett could be sidelined for several weeks. The veteran suffered a severely strained calf two weeks ago while lining up at safety with the "scout" team. Jett has been unable to straighten his right leg and is still using crutches to get around.

Detroit has not signed a replacement and the coaches may turn the punting chores over to place kicker Jason Hanson for Sunday's home game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Oakland Raiders: Through six games, the Raiders have been penalized 67 times for 560 yards and, at that pace, the club will establish new league records in both categories. Projected over a 16-game schedule, the Raiders would finish the year with 179 penalties for 1,493 yards, and the miscues certainly have contributed to the team's slump.

The league record for penalties is 158 and for penalty yards is 1,304; both dubious marks were set by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1998.

After Sunday's game in which the Raiders were flagged 19 times for 128 yards, several veterans were outspoken about the need to eliminate the errors. Quarterback Rich Gannon, whose offense has been stalled by a spate of false-start and holding calls, was particularly vocal about the lapses. Among the calls on Sunday, in a loss at Cleveland, were six flags for false starts and five for encroachment or offsides.

"Those kinds of penalties (reflect) a lack of concentration," acknowledged right offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy. "And right now, it has a trickle-down effect."

San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers likely will be without the entire left side of their offensive line, tackle Derrick Deese and guard Eric Heitmann, for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. Both starters are nursing sprained ankles.

If the two cannot play, they will likely be replaced by rookie tackle Kwamie Harris, the club's first-round draft pick, and second-year veteran Kyle Kosier.

The potential loss of the two starters comes at a time when the 49ers have had problems protecting quarterback Jeff Garcia, and when the Bucs' pass rush seems revived. Tampa Bay had six sacks on Sunday at Washington, just one fewer than the Bucs registered in their first four contests.

Garcia was harassed continually in a Sunday night loss at Seattle, and the 49ers staff was forced to adjust the blocking schemes, allowing the quarterback to roll more outside of the pocket, to give him time to throw.

Washington Redskins: With tight end Robert Royal set to go on injured reserve with a fractured right hip, the Redskins will re-sign veteran Zeron Flemister, a player the club released early last week. Flemister will sign what is believed to be a one-year contract.

The Redskins probably will start ninth-year veteran tight end Byron Chamberlain, whose addition last week precipitated the release of Flemister, when they travel to Buffalo on Sunday afternoon. Washington coaches have been very impressed with Chamberlain's receiving skills and natural athleticism. The Redskins don't throw the ball very often to the tight end but will make some changes to get Chamberlain into the flow.

Flemister, 27, is a fourth-year veteran. Before his released, he played in three games, with two starts, and had one catch for six yards. Royal, who missed his entire 2002 rookie year while on injured reserve, faces at least 6-8 weeks of rehabilitation.

Indianapolis Colts: Reserve linebacker Jim Nelson, a key to the team's various "sub" packages, has undergone surgery to repair the fractured right clavicle he sustained in an Oct. 6 game at Tampa Bay. The veteran backup will not be placed on injured reserve.

The recovery period for such an injury is 8-12 weeks but Nelson, an integral part of the improved Colts defense when it is in "nickel" and "dime" situations, has vowed to return quickly from surgery.

Miami Dolphins: Starting fullback Rob Konrad will miss the Dolphins' divisional showdown with the New England Patriots on Sunday, as doctors have advised the fifth-veteran to rest his bruised right knee.

Konrad sustained the injury on Oct. 5, then aggravated it last Sunday during the pregame warmups. He started the game against Jacksonville and removed himself on the first series. Konrad was replaced by Obafemi Ayanbadejo for the remainder of the game and the five-year veteran figures to start this week.

Doctors have told Konrad the deep knee bruise simply needs time to heal.

Green Bay Packers: Starting defensive end Joe Johnson has a serious right thigh injury that could sideline him for the entire season.

Results from a test Johnson underwent Monday on his strained thigh weren't yet available, but head coach Mike Sherman acknowledged that the injury was bad enough that Johnson might not return this year

Johnson's woes worsen an already bad situation for the Packers' defensive front four, which failed Sunday to stop the Chiefs and running back Priest Holmes from executing a game-winning comeback in overtime.