TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said he had a long talk with Kurt Warner on the flight home, and the quarterback was “very upbeat and alert” after a blow to the head in Sunday’s’ victory over St. Louis.
Still, Warner’s availability to practice this week or play Sunday at Tennessee will depend on how he does in the mandatory “baseline test” of his cognitive functions.
Whisenhunt said the test probably will be administered today.
“We are obviously optimistic that there won’t be any issues with that whatsoever,” the coach said Monday.
Whisenhunt’s optimism stems from his conversation with the 38-year-old quarterback on the trip home from St. Louis, where Warner made his 41st consecutive start as the Cardinals beat the Rams 21-13 to open a three-game lead in the NFC West.
“We talked about the game. We talked about this week’s opponent, potential plays. He seemed very upbeat and alert, so that was a good sign,” Whisenhunt said.
Warner’s head slammed into the turf on a hit from the Rams safety O.J. Atogwe in the second quarter.
Mangini questions Lions’ injuries
Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini is questioning whether the Detroit Lions faked injuries to slow down Cleveland’s no-huddle offense. Mangini, who bemoaned the final, chaotic seconds of Cleveland’s 38-37 loss Sunday, noted the Lions had several players leave the field injured, only to return. Mangini also believes the officials made an incorrect pass interference call at the end of the game, which gave the Lions an untimed down on the Cleveland 1-yard line and led to a touchdown.
Around the league
The NFL and its players union have approved independent doctors to evaluate head injuries for about half of the 32 teams so far as part of a new program. … The Detroit Lions have sold out the Thanksgiving game against Green Bay, avoiding a local TV blackout. But Lions coach Jim Schwartz said that quarterback Matt Stafford was “extremely sore” after sustaining a separated left shoulder Sunday, and that he wouldn’t play against Green Bay unless the pain subsides. … Pittsburgh backup quarterback Charlie Batch injured his left wrist after replacing Ben Roethlisberger, who left with concussion-like symptoms, during an overtime loss in Kansas City and could miss the rest of the regular season. … Running back Ladell Betts (ACL, MCL) and guard Chad Rinehart (broken leg) are done for the season for Washington. … Green Bay cornerback Al Harris and linebacker Aaron Kampman will both have season-ending knee surgery. … San Diego police said they’re investigating a claim that Chargers defensive back Antonio Cromartie hit someone in the head with a champagne bottle at a Pacific Beach bar.
