EDEN PRARIE, 8 November 2004 — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss will not play for the first time in his NFL career tonight with a slight tear in his right hamstring.
Moss has not practiced this week and is expected to sit in the coaches’ booth if he travels to the RCA Dome when the Vikings will take on the Colts.
Moss, who was downgraded to doubtful, had not missed a contest since he was drafted by the Vikings in 1998. He had played in every preseason, regular season and playoff game since then. The seven-year veteran out of Marshall will be re-evaluated next week in preparation for the Green Bay Packers. Moss has played sparingly the past two weeks without making a contribution. He suffered the problem in a Week 6 triumph at New Orleans. In a 20-3 win over Tennessee on Oct. 24, the wideout started and lined up for just two offensive plays in order to keep his consecutive games streak alive. Moss then suited up this past Sunday in a setback against the New York Giants and was able to go for only nine snaps. He had just one ball thrown his way and ran with noticeable pain.
Moss has 26 catches for 394 yards and eight touchdowns this year for the 5-2 Vikings, who will square off with the 4-3 Colts.
Dolphins Sign Kicker Bill Gramatica
The Miami Dolphins have signed kicker Bill Gramatica, the National Football League team said Saturday.
The younger brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers placekicker Martin Gramatica, Bill Gramatica played the last three seasons for the Arizona Cardinals but signed with the New York Giants as a free agent in May before being released at the end of the preseason.
The 26-year-old has scored 162 points in 33 career games, converting all 60 extra-point attempts and 34-of-45 field goals, including a pair of 50-yarders. Gramatica missed the final 12 games of last year with a back injury.
With Olindo Mare and Matt Bryant already on the roster, the Dolphins became the first team since the NFL went to 53-man rosters in 1993 to have three placekickers on the roster at the same time.
