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Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams and fullback Rob Konrad are expected to play through injuries against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Williams has battled a shoulder injury throughout the season, and Konrad is recovering from a concussion.
``I just love football and it's my last chance to play for a long time,'' Williams said. ``Playing in pain is something I've done my whole career and it's something I take pride in.''
Williams can also reach financial incentives if he plays well.
Konrad missed last week's 20-3 win over Buffalo after suffering a concussion the week before. Coach Dave Wannstedt said Konrad was cleared by doctors.
This year, Jaguars defensive end Tony Brackens has a knee injury that could end his season one game short. Last year, he dealt with one that threatened to end his career.
So, even if Brackens misses Sunday's finale against Atlanta, the 2003 season will have to be considered a good one for the eight-year veteran. He has played in the first 15 games, made six sacks and, clearly, missing a single game can't tarnish his comeback.
``I always expected
the best,'' Brackens said. ``I am grateful for the things I was able to do.''
The pass-rushing right end of old -- the threat Brackens was for most of his
first seven years -- is gone, maybe forever, replaced by a man who underwent
one of the riskiest operations a player can have.
Last year, he had ``microfracture'' surgery on his left knee, a process in which doctors drill small holes in the knee to encourage the formation of scar tissue, which acts similarly to cartilage that has been damaged or removed.
It is almost universally considered a last resort for players, and for every successful comeback -- Bruce Smith and Kevin Hardy -- there are at least as many failures -- Andre Wadsworth and Eric Swann.
Brackens made it back. And even though he may never be the top-notch pass rusher he once was, and may never reach 12 sacks again, the way he did in 1999, Brackens will always have a successful comeback story to tell.
``I can't really compare how I was this year to how I was in years past,'' Brackens said. ``My first obstacle was to get back in there. I was able to do that. I'm grateful the organization gave me the opportunity to see if I could do it.''
Knowing he wouldn't have the same mobility, and that the Jaguars had signed free agent pass rusher Hugh Douglas, Brackens restructured his contract to take less money. He agreed to move from right to left end. Coach Jack Del Rio limited him in practice all season to allow him to be ready for games. Brackens' stats through 15 games are nothing to scoff at -- 15 starts, 53 tackles, six sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.
After a two-sack game on Dec. 7 against Houston brought him to six for the season, it appeared a host of contract incentives Brackens bargained for when he renegotiated his contract might kick in. Had he reached 10 sacks and hit a few other incentives, the bonuses could have reached $4.3 million. But he was held without a sack the next two games, and a minor injury to his right knee -- his ``good'' knee -- has left him doubtful for Sunday's game.
Del Rio says he admires Brackens, because it's rare to see a guy who was once one of the best at his position pursue a less-flattering second act as aggressively as Brackens has.
``I think it shows that, first and foremost, Tony really loves to play football,'' Del Rio said.
Where will he play next year?
Del Rio would like to have him back, although both sides would have to agree to another reworked contract. But if Brackens thinks he can make more money elsewhere, Del Rio said, ``we would let him pursue that.''
All Brackens wants, meanwhile, is the same thing he got this year: a chance to play.
``This is a business and it's year to year,'' Brackens said. ``But most definitely, I want to play. I think I've got a few good years left in me.''