Giants Will Play Without Shockey

Tight end Jeremy Shockey and linebacker Reggie Torbor will sit out the New York Giants’ game at Oakland today because of injury.

Both players were hurt during last week’s 35-20 loss to the Washington Redskins. Shockey injured his ankle, and Torbor aggravated a hamstring injury. Neither practiced this week, and both had been listed as questionable as recently as Thursday.

Torbor’s injury, as well as injuries to linebackers Antonio Pierce (high ankle sprain) and Carlos Emmons (strained right pectoral muscle), means that New York will be without its three starting linebackers who began the season.

The Giants can clinch their first NFC East title since 2000 with a victory over the Raiders.

*

The Jacksonville Jaguars will wait until just before Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans before deciding whether quarterback Byron Leftwich will return to the lineup.

Leftwich, sidelined since breaking his left ankle Nov. 27, returned to practice this week.

“Byron has progressed well during the week and was a little better each day,” Coach Jack Del Rio said. “But I’m not going to declare whether he’ll play until I have to.”

During Leftwich’s absence, backup David Garrard guided the Jaguars to three wins in four games and the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs.

*

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison probably will return to the Indianapolis Colts’ starting lineup for Sunday’s season finale against the Arizona Cardinals.

Harrison sat out last week’s 28-13 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks because of a broken bone in his right hand that he hurt against the San Diego Chargers two weeks ago.

*

Carolina Panther linebacker Dan Morgan, who injured his left shoulder during last week’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, was downgraded to doubtful for Sunday’s game in Atlanta.

Morgan would leave a huge defensive void for Carolina (10-5) if he can’t play. The Panthers must win to clinch an NFC playoff spot and they are 1-9 in Atlanta.

*

The Houston Texans put backup running back Jonathan Wells on injured reserve, leaving rookie Vernand Morency as the starter for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Wells, who bruised his thigh against Jacksonville last week, started the last two games in place of Domanick Davis, who was put on injured reserve earlier this week.