Injured Garrard Out as Jaguars Face Texans

Garrard will have surgery on the middle finger of his right hand Thursday. Trent Edwards is likely to start in Garrard’s place, essentially giving him an audition with Jacksonville.

Garrard injured his finger when he hit it on an opposing player’s helmet at Indianapolis on Dec. 19. He threw a crucial interception late in that game, and threw two more interceptions in a 20-17 overtime loss to Washington on Sunday. He also fumbled twice.

Garrard would probably miss a first-round game if the Jaguars (8-7) made the postseason. Jacksonville needs to beat Houston and have Tennessee upset Indianapolis to win the A.F.C. South.

Making that even more improbable, the Jaguars will most likely be without their star running back, Maurice Jones-Drew. He missed his fourth consecutive practice Wednesday because of an injured right knee that will probably require off-season surgery.

The Jaguars claimed Edwards off waivers in late September, after he was benched and later released by the . Edwards has played in one game with Jacksonville, completing 14 of 24 passes for 140 yards, with two interceptions.

BEARS A ‘FULL GO’ Quarterback Jay Cutler expects to play the entire game and does not expect key players to sit out when the visit on Sunday. He says the Bears (11-4) will be a “full go” against the Packers, even though they have a first-round playoff bye. The Bears have a remote shot at the No. 1 seed in the N.F.C., although they would need a win and plenty of help to get it.

QUARTERBACK? Seattle Coach Pete Carroll says the Seahawks are moving ahead with plans to start quarterback Charlie Whitehurst in the N.F.C. West title matchup against St. Louis. Carroll said that quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was trying to return from a strained hip, but that it would be “against the odds.” It would be Whitehurst’s second career start.

VICK MAY SIT OUT Coach Andy Reid says he has not decided if ’s leg bruise will keep him out of Sunday’s regular-season finale against the .

Vick sustained a quad contusion on the first play of the Eagles’ 24-14 loss to the on Tuesday night. The Eagles do not need Vick to play Sunday. They are locked into the N.F.C.’s No. 3 seed and will host the No. 6 seed on Jan. 8 or 9.

WILLIS TO MISS START The 49ers Pro Bowl inside linebacker Patrick Willis had a second surgical procedure this week on his broken right hand. He will miss a start for the first time in his four-year career in Sunday’s season finale against Arizona.

FINE CENTER Detroit center Dominic Raiola says the team has fined him $15,000 for his actions after the Lions beat the . Raiola was filmed responding to a fan in Miami with obscene words and a hand gesture as he walked off the field after the Lions’ 34-27 victory Sunday.