Engram on mend with ailment diagnosed
Seattle Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram had been waiting to learn whether a virus or an autoimmune disease was causing the thyroid condition that has him out indefinitely.
Turns out, it’s both.
Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said Friday that test results showed a virus and Graves’ disease caused Engram’s hyperactive thyroid and, subsequently, an accelerated heartbeat and fatigue. Engram has lost about 8 pounds while staying at home for the last two weeks.
The team’s leading receiver in 2005 rode an exercise bike and then appeared at practice Friday for the first time since he got sick. Engram exchanged hugs on the sidelines with fellow receivers Deion Branch and Darrell Jackson. He appeared in good spirits – and thinner.
Engram will miss his second consecutive game on Sunday against Minnesota, meaning Branch will start again. Holmgren said he hopes to have Engram back on the practice field sometime next week.
Graves’ disease is a treatable, autoimmune condition in which antibodies the body uses to fight disease begin attacking the body itself, causing the thyroid to produce an excess amount of hormones. Doctors had been waiting for tests to return from a laboratory in North Carolina before they could continue treating Engram, who has 18 receptions and one touchdown in four games this season.
“The tests allowed them to focus in on the medicines he should take. They feel real good about it,” Holmgren said of the doctors. “He’s on a new medication.”
Leftwich listed as questionable
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich missed practice and was scheduled to have tests on his sore left ankle, the same one that caused him to miss five games last season.
Leftwich was added to the team’s injury report and listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Houston.
He took his normal practice repetitions Wednesday and Thursday, but coach Jack Del Rio said he experienced soreness in his ankle Friday morning. Leftwich did not attend the workout and was not available for comment.
Grievance filed for Simon
The NFL Players Association filed a grievance with the league on behalf of Corey Simon, the Colts defensive tackle sidelined the rest of the season because of an undisclosed illness, The Indianapolis Star reported.
The team said two weeks ago that the illness was not football-related and that Simon would not be paid the rest of his 2006 salary, about $2 million.
“Colts Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders and wide receiver Brandon Stokley will not play Sunday against the Washington Redskins.
Sanders has missed the last three games after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Stokley continues to rehab a sprained left knee that he injured in the Colts’ Oct. 8 game against Tennessee.
Around the league
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chris Perry, who sat out the first five games of the season with ankle and knee injuries, was activated. … Bills receiver Roscoe Parrish, guard Tutan Reyes and center Melvin Fowler all practiced and could play Sunday when Buffalo hosts New England.