TORONTO -- Toronto FC will be without star striker Jermain Defoe and defensive lynchpin Steven Caldwell for Saturdays game against the Columbus Crew. Wholesale Nike MLB Jerseys . Defoe, who has scored all three of Torontos goals this season, has been sidelined by a slight hamstring strain while Caldwell must serve a suspension. And the injury list could be longer with midfielder Jonathan Osorio facing a second week out with his own hamstring issue. Manager Ryan Nelsen says Defoe, who had a scan Tuesday after leaving Saturdays game in Salt Lake City early, will be out "for the short-term." "Not a major thing but definitely unavailable this weekend," he said. The 31-year-old England striker was substituted in the 61st minute Saturday favouring the back of his left thigh as he went to the dressing room. Caldwell was suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount Wednesday for what MLS called "serious foul play that endangers the safety of an opponent." The hard-nosed Scottish centre back -- TFCs captain -- was yellow-carded for a studs-up tackle on midfielder Ned Grabavoy in the 3-0 loss to Real Salt Lake. Toronto had hoped to avoid a ban, arguing that the referee had seen the incident and decided on the appropriate punishment. But the leagues disciplinary committee disagreed. While Caldwell insisted he was just trying to win the ball, it was an ugly challenge that could have merited a straight red card, which carries with it a minimum one-game suspension. Caldwell is the second Toronto FC player to receive supplemental discipline. Brazilian midfielder Jackson missed the Salt Lake game after getting a one-game ban for an elbow thrown away from the ball in a 1-0 win over D.C. United. The latest suspension is especially worrying because Doneil Henry, Caldwells partner in central defence, has not trained this week because of a jarred knee suffered in Salt Lake City. "There could be a few guys unavailable," said Nelsen, who has repeatedly noted that the teams that succeed in MLS are the ones with the depth to cover such absences. The Toronto manager, who brought in as many as eight new starters in the off-season, is on the lookout for such reserve talent. "They normally play under the radar, they dont get any publicity or anything like that. Theyre the most valuable players on MLS teams and Toronto hasnt had those type of guys. Were trying to build them, were trying to get them, were trying to bring them (in), were trying to develop them ourselves. "For me, (the time) well get very, very, very good is when we can have a number of those guys who throw out seven of 10 (performances) every week." Goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who also took a knock to the knee on the weekend, was back in training Wednesday. And Toronto has Jackson back from suspension. Nelsen declined to say who will partner Brazilian striker Gilberto on Saturday against the unbeaten Crew (3-0-0). Nelsen played Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario up front with Defoe in the opening game of the season in Seattle when Gilberto was not ready. He pointed to De Rosario, Jackson, Andrew Wiedeman and newly signed Issey Nakajima-Farran as possible options. There was no "woe is me" from Nelsen. "Jermains come in and done really well obviously. But he got a slight strain and we move on. Thats life." On the backline, Nelsen has Gale Agbossoumonde and rookie Nick Hagglund at his disposal. American Justin Morrow could also move in from the left flank. Reserve fullback Ashtone Morgan is also dealing with a sore hip. Nelsen has spoken at length the last two days on the leagues supplemental discipline, arguing that it can undermine referees when the league rules on incidents that the on-field officials have already ruled on. "I dont know why the league needs to get involved, to tell you the truth," he said Wednesday. Still he seemed to want to have his cake and eat it too when, awaiting word last week on the Jackson suspension, he argued that Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio deserved a ban for his foul on A.J. DeLaGarza of the Los Angeles Galaxy the previous week. "That could have broken his leg," Nelsen said at the time of the Saborio challenge. "So if Jackson gets suspended, then youd like to hope that a guy whos nearly broken a guys leg is probably going to get suspended as well. "But I dont know, you never know. I dont make those rules." Nelsen was no doubt aware that RSL was already facing a glut of injuries at forward. His argument is that such supplemental discipline sets a precedent, effectively prompting all clubs to seek justice. "So do we slow down all elbows that were hit on Jackson before he did one or the elbow on Steven before that tackle?" he asked. "Its a slippery slope isnt it when you start overturning referees and taking away the human element of it, then every single team will have cases every single week." Unlike the NHL, MLS players are still paid while suspended. Also Wednesday, the leagues disciplinary committee fined Colorado Rapids defender Drew Moor an undisclosed amount for swinging his arm at the back of Sporting Kansas City forward Claudio Bielers head. According to the league, the disciplinary committees mission statement is "to preserve the integrity and reputation of the game and Major League Soccer, and to assist in ensuring player safety." The committee can take further action when the referee has seen or ruled on an incident on the field, if there is unanimous opinion that the play deserved a red card or was of "an egregious or reckless nature, such that the committee must act to protect player safety or the integrity of the game." Discount MLB Jerseys . -- Even as Chris Paul remained evasive about his future, he did what team leaders are expected to do. MLB Jerseys Outlet . Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt and listen on TSN 690. The Canadiens have won three in a row and four of their last five games and recently put the finishing touches on a 3-1-0 road trip. https://www.mlbjerseyschina.us/ . TSN 1290s Jordan Cieciwa, Big Marv and Toby are here to give their predictions on who will leave with the belt and who will take some of the other key bouts on the card. Johny Hendricks vs.NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Titans rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger is doubtful against the New York Jets after aggravating his sprained right shoulder, but coach Ken Whisenhunt says there is a legitimate chance Mettenberger plays for Tennessee again this season.Whisenhunt said Monday that hes hopeful Mettenberger will be back this year and the rookie will be on a week to week basis with three games left this season.Im not going to rule him out until I know for sure that he cant go, Whisenhunt said. I said that he was doubtful he would go this week. But well see as it progresses.Seeing how the rookie responds is key for a franchise that needs to see if Mettenberger can be their starter in 2015. Mettenberger originally sprained his shoulder Nov. 30 in a loss at Houston, but he started Sunday against the New York Giants. He hurt his shoulder again at 10:41 of the fourth quarter when sacked for the fifth time in a 36-7 loss.Whisenhunt said he wasnt happy Mettenberger aggravated the injury. The coach also said he should have done a better job not letting that happen in a game where the Titans played without three starting offensive linemen and were down to a tackle signed Tuesday because of injuries.Going forward I think we are going to be conservative with it to a certain degree, but I think also its important that he stays in it and tries to get back, Whisenhunt said of Mettenberger. Thats an important piece of it. I mean theres a legitimate chance he plays again for us this year. If he has that and hes healthy, we would like to see that no question.Jake Locker is expected to start at quarterbackk if Mettenberger is out. Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys. . The veteran in the final year of his contract was benched in October coming off an injured hand with Mettenberger starting the last six games.Its an opportunity to play, Jake wants that, Whisenhunt said. Prepare it the best he can and do the best job he can. I think thats the way hell look at it. Hes a good pro.Mettenberger was limited in practice all last week with his original sprained shoulder, and returning could be difficult. The Titans (2-11) host the Jets (2-11) on Sunday, then have a short turnaround before visiting Jacksonville (2-11) on Dec. 18.That leaves the season finale hosting Indianapolis (9-4) on Dec. 28 for a team already with 10 players on injured reserve, including six starters. But Whisenhunt said he hopes left tackle Taylor Lewan and right tackle Michael Oher, who have missed two straight games with injuries, could return. Oher is getting his sore left toe checked again Tuesday.Whisenhunt said Mettenberger, who had an MRI exam earlier Monday, was pretty sore.I know he wants to get back and play, Whisenhunt said. Well see as it goes.Notes: S Michael Griffin was using crutches in the locker room Monday for a sore back he hurt on the opening drive of the game. But Griffin said he will play against the Jets and former teammate Chris Johnson. CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, who dislocated his left shoulder against the Giants, was wearing a sling Monday. S Daimion Stafford is in the concussion protocol.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker ' ' '