1.  DEFENSIVE LINE: Tony Casillas returns from Dallas on Monday to continue rehabilitation after back surgery and will miss at least one more month.

2.  Defensive lineman Jason Nicastro, defensive back Travis Campbell, linebacker Cos Abercrombie, offensive lineman Keith Kincaid and receiver Jamaal Perry are expected to miss practice all week.

3.  Defensive lineman Leon Lett will be back next month from his drug suspension.

4.  Defensive tackle and captain Pete Holland will not play because of a disc injury to his lower back.

5.  Defensive tackle Bernard Riley and defensive back Darrell Rideaux are also guaranteed playing time.

6.  Defensive tackle Ryan Nielsen of Simi Valley Royal High (back spasms) did not practice all week but is expected to play.

7.  Defensive tackle Ryan Nielsen twisted his back in practice Tuesday and was carted off the field.

8.  Defensively, he is not as agile laterally or getting back on transition.

9.  Defensively, the back line of Matthaus, Bixente Lizarazu, Sami Kuffour and Jens Jeremies might be the best in Europe.

10.  Defensively, the Lakers can gamble more, and emotionally, the club will have its captain and enforcer back.