Soul's Graziani is out again

Tony Graziani didn't last two quarters before suffering the latest injury that will force him out of the Soul's starting lineup. Again.

The concussion he suffered last weekend in a 71-64 win at Dallas will keep the quarterback out of the lineup for the 10th time in 15 games this season. He underwent additional tests this week.

"We're going to hold him out," Soul coach Bret Munsey said. "It'll be wait and see."

The Soul (11-3) can clinch home-field advantage through the conference playoffs with a win against Cleveland at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Wachovia Spectrum and a Dallas loss.

After missing five consecutive starts, Graziani made his anticipated return against rival Dallas only to leave following a hit by Desperados linebacker Duke Pettijohn. He was 8 for 12 for 121 yards and three touchdowns before the injury.

Luckily for Munsey, he's had the luxury of turning to backup Matt D'Orazio.

"We're in a great position," Munsey said. "We have Matt, who's played a lot of snaps and has been in big games."

D'Orazio, a veteran Arena League quarterback, threw for five touchdowns in the win at Dallas last weekend and remains the top-rated passer in the league.

Before the concussion, Graziani was hampered for most of the season with a sprained ligament in his left knee.

He attempted to make a comeback from the knee injury on April 21, but the knee was reinjured in the second quarter against Columbus. He remained out of the lineup until last weekend's game against Dallas.

When Graziani hurt his shoulder in the team's fifth game last year and left the lineup, the Soul lost six in a row.

Munsey hasn't ruled Graziani out for the playoffs, which begin in two weeks.

"We'll get through Saturday night," he said, "and take a look at it Monday."