Strahan Done for the Season

Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan will sit out the rest of the season for the New York Giants after aggravating a right foot sprain last weekend against the New Orleans Saints.

He was put on injured reserve Tuesday and might need surgery, the team said.

The Giants (7-8) can almost surely clinch a playoff berth by beating the Redskins (5-10) in the regular-season finale at Washington on Saturday.

Strahan, 35, who shares the Giants' all-time sacks record of 132 1/2 with Lawrence Taylor, hurt his foot Nov. 5 against Houston. He was playing for the first time since the injury in Sunday's 30-7 loss to New Orleans.

The 14-year veteran had five tackles (three solo) and knocked down a pass before reinjuring the foot late in the game.

Strahan had 50 tackles (34 solo) and three sacks this season, his lowest sacks total since he had one as a rookie in 1993. His sacks total for his career leaves him tied with Taylor and Leslie O'Neal for seventh on the all-time NFL list.

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Bill Cowher apparently won't make anyone wait to learn whether he'll return as the Pittsburgh Steelers' coach next season.

Cowher is expected to announce his plans within a few days of Sunday's season-ending game at Cincinnati, one that is without playoff implications for the Steelers (7-8), last season's Super Bowl champions.

Cowher, 49, who has coached the Steelers since 1992, has a year left on his contract.

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The game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears Sunday at Soldier Field has been moved from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. PST and will be televised by NBC.

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For those who do not know, I started writing a college football blog for 451 Press titled NCAA Endzone.

Since I have a contract to write for them, my college football columns, stories and previews will only be on NCAA Endzone from now on. The Football Fanatics Blog will be pro football only from here on out as long as I continue a relationship with 451 Press.

I hope regular readers of this blog will visit NCAA Endzone for their college football fix. I've been previewing and making predictions for all the 2006 college bowl games. I think you'll enjoy it.


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