Who’s starting at quarterback is a big deal for many teams

Lots of NFL teams are playing Monday-morning quarterback these days — not second-guessing themselves, but trying to figure out who will be their quarterback come Monday morning.

On a day marked by weirdness in Washington — an out-of-the-blue (and into-the-green) contract extension for Donovan McNabb only two weeks after he was benched — various injury problems left several other teams scrambling for answers.

First, McNabb. At the end of a loss at Detroit on Halloween, the Redskins benched him in favor of Rex Grossman. But on Monday, McNabb and the club reportedly agreed to a five-year deal that includes $40 million guaranteed and makes him the NFL’s second-highest-paid player, behind only New England’s Tom Brady.

McNabb has publicly insisted that he and Washington Coach Mike Shanahan have put their differences behind them. The new deal clearly reflects that.

So, for the moment, there’s some certainty in Washington. But that doesn’t last long in the most unpredictable of leagues.

Consider the quarterback twists and turns in other cities:

Miami: The Dolphins beat Tennessee for their first home victory Sunday but needed four quarterbacks to win. Starter Chad Pennington was sidelined because of a separated shoulder — a possible career-ending injury — then backup Chad Henne suffered a knee injury. The Dolphins had Ronnie Brown run the wildcat, then turned to third-string quarterback Tyler Thigpen, who finished the game.

Even though he hasn’t taken a practice snap with the first-team offense all season, Thigpen could get the start Thursday against Chicago. Coach Tony Sparano said Henne is “day to day.”

Tennessee: The Titans were hoping to buy more time for Vince Young, who is nursing an ankle injury and missed two of the last three starts. But Young was pressed into action early Sunday when replacement Kerry Collins left because of a severe calf injury. Collins, who has played in the last three games, will “probably miss several weeks,” Coach Jeff Fisher told reporters.

Carolina: Jimmy Clausen suffered a concussion against Tampa Bay, meaning the Panthers might have to turn to rookie sixth-round pick Tony Pike for Sunday’s game against Baltimore. Behind Pike, who has thrown 12 passes in the pros, is fellow rookie Armanti Edwards, who played quarterback at Appalachian State but was converted to receiver by Carolina.

Minnesota: More Brett Favre drama, as the 41-year-old quarterback told ESPN he felt a sharp jab in his right shoulder Saturday while putting on a T-shirt before practice. He said the pain was severe enough that he considered taking a shot of painkiller before Sunday’s game against Chicago, which the Bears won, 27-13.

Favre and the Vikings suspect the pain could be related to the torn rotator cuff that doctors discovered when they repaired his injured biceps tendon in the spring of 2009.

Detroit: Matthew Stafford, dealing with another shoulder injury, sat out Sunday for the sixth time in nine games. Seeking a second opinion, he was examined Monday by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. It’s not clear whether Stafford, the No. 1 pick in 2009, can sufficiently rehabilitate his shoulder to return this season, or if he will have to undergo surgery.

In the meantime, Shaun Hill is filling in as the starter, having returned to action Sunday only four weeks after sustaining a broken left forearm.

Seattle: The talented but oft-injured Matt Hasselbeck suffered cracked bones in his left wrist in Sunday’s victory at Arizona and now will play with a protective splint.

Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that it’s expected to take four to six weeks for Hasselbeck’s wrist to heal, “but he’ll be more comfortable with it if we can have good fortune with him not banging it in the next couple of weeks.”

Head games

Carolina’s Clausen was injured when he was stuffed short of the goal line on a fourth-down keeper against Tampa Bay. Replays showed Buccaneers Aqib Talib and Sean Jones diving at the quarterback, and the helmets of Talib and Clausen colliding. After the play, Panthers receiver Steve Smith received a 15-yard penalty for shoving Talib.

“Despite what people might think, actually I am a team player and I’ll do it again, and I’ll do it 10 out of 10 times, 100 out of 100 times,” Smith said. “Guys going in there, [Talib] goes in there head first, so I’m going to follow.”

Getting a grip

Kansas City Coach Todd Haley said Monday that he regretted not shaking the hand of Denver Coach Josh McDaniels a day earlier after the Broncos blew out the Chiefs, 49-29.

Haley said he allowed his emotions to get the better of him, “and I apologize. I apologize to the fans and to Denver and to Josh.”

The teams — and coaches — meet again Dec. 5 in Kansas City.

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