NFL Injury Roundup - Week 2

September 14, 2007
16:00:00

By Herija C. Green and Alan Knopf, M.D.
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Welcome to KFFL.com's Injury Roundup. Each week, we keep you up to speed on all the latest injury news from around the NFL. Whether it's a minor injury or a season-altering catastrophe, we're on top of it. Which players may be sitting out of this weekend's key games? Which ones are ready to step back between the white lines?

Quarterbacks

All eyes have been on the Big Apple this week after conflicting reports regarding the severity of the injury that New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (shoulder) suffered during their Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The latest is that Manning has a second-degree separation of his throwing shoulder and he will need three to four weeks to recover, but the team has not acknowledged that report, saying that Manning is a game-time decision. If Manning can't go backup quarterback Jared Lorenzen would get the starting nod.

New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington (ankle) has been limited in practice this week and second-year quarterback Kellen Clemens is expected to make his first career NFL start this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

Speaking of the Ravens it looks as though New York might not be the only team with a different starter under center for their showdown in Week 2. Regular quarterback Steve McNair (groin) has been limited in practice this week and may sit him out to rest his injury Sunday. If they do elect to go this route former first-round quarterback Kyle Boller would get the start.

The Rest of the Field...

New England Patriots Tom Brady (shoulder) kept his Ripken-esque streak of injury report appearances alive by being listed for the 2,346th consecutive week. Of course, he'll play once again in Week 2... Oakland Raiders quarterback Josh McCown (finger, foot) has a cracked bone in his finger and a sore foot, but he practiced Thursday, Sept. 13. He may not start in Week 2. If he doesn't, former Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper would be in line to make his first start for the club.

Running Backs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams (ribs) was knocked out of action in Week 1, but he was able to practice Thursday, Sept. 13, and could play in Week 2 with the aid of a little extra padding to protect his injured ribs.

The news is not as good for New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (knee), who like Williams, was injured in Week 1, but he suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament and has been ruled out for Week 2. Jacobs is expected to miss three to five weeks recovering. Backup running back Derrick Ward is set to start in Jacobs' place against Green Bay this week.

Our third straight ball carrier to be sent to the sidelines in Week 1, Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor (oblique, hip) has been limited in practice throughout the week. He is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional showdown with the Detroit Lions. Taylor's absence would likely mean an increased workload for rookie running back Adrian Peterson, who did a great job in Week 1.

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (hand) saw reduced reps in practice early in the week and was seen wearing a brace or cast on his left hand. He is still expected to start in Week 2.

The Rest of the Field...

Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones (foot) continues to be week to week with a foot injury. He has not suffered any setbacks in practice this week... New York Jets running back Thomas Jones (calf) has been limited in practice this week but is expected to play in Week 2... Miami Dolphins running back Jesse Chatman (knee) did not practice Thursday, Sept. 13, but the team is optimistic he will be available Sunday.

Wide Receivers

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday, Sept. 13, and could return to the field in four to six weeks. The procedure revealed that Glenn made need microfracture surgery down the road, which is the same injury that put the NBA's top overall pick Greg Oden on the shelf for his entire rookie year.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.J. Hackett (ankle) suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 and is expected to miss at least a month recovering from the injury. Wide receiver Nate Burleson is expected to take Hackett's spot in the starting lineup.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mark Clayton (toe) was limited in practice throughout the week and is being listed as questionable for Sunday's game with the New York Jets. If Clayton is unable to go or is limited to third downs, wide receiver Demetrius Williams would likely see an increased role.

Following a dismal Week 1 performance the Kansas City Chiefs will play without wide receiver Eddie Kennison (hamstring) in Week 2 after the veteran receiver suffered a hamstring injury. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by rookie first-round receiver Dwayne Bowe.

The Rest of the Field...

Chicago Bears wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (ankle) sat out of practice Friday, Sept. 14. He did the same thing last week and played, but keep an eye on the situation... Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (hamstring) was limited in practice Thursday, Sept. 13, and could miss his second consecutive game... St. Louis Rams wide receiver Drew Bennett (quad) was unable to finish practice Thursday, Sept. 13, but says he will make his Rams regular season debut this Sunday... Oakland Raiders wide receiver Ronald Curry (hamstring) missed time late in their Week 1 loss with a hamstring injury but appears ready to go in Week 2.

Tight Ends

San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (back) returned to practice Thursday, Sept. 13, after missing the previous day due to soreness in his back. He is expected to start this Sunday.

Atlanta Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler (knee) sat out practice Thursday, Sept. 13, to rest his sore knee but returned to participate in practice the following day. He should be good to go against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2.

The Rest of the Field...

Chicago Bears rookie tight end Greg Olsen (knee) was limited in practice Friday, Sept. 14, and is expected to be a game-time decision this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs... Green Bay Packers tight end Donald Lee (knee) was added to the club's injury report after being limited in practice Thursday, Sept. 13. His status for Sunday's game is up in the air.

Place Kickers

Jacksonville Jaguars place kicker Josh Scobee (quad) suffered an injured quadriceps during pregame warmups in Week 1 and is expected to miss six to eight weeks as a result. The team signed veteran place kicker Josh Carney to replace him.

Cincinnati Bengals place kicker Shayne Graham (hip) aggravated his hip injury in Week 1 and was forced to miss practice Wednesday, Sept. 12. His status remains unknown, but our sources believe he will play.

New York Giants place kicker Lawrence Tynes (calf) did not kick during practice Thursday, Sept. 13, but was able to run sprints on the sideline. Tynes says he will be ready to play this Sunday.

The Fantasy Sports Doc - Expert Analysis - Dr. Alan Knopf's Take

Dr. Knopf has been a clinical professor of orthopedic reconstructive surgery and joint implant service at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. He worked for 30 years at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Group in Los Angeles, where he specialized in knee, shoulder, ankle, hip and trauma surgery. Knopf is board certified in arthroscopic surgery.

Eli Manning, Quarterback, New York Giants - Sprained AC Joint
The acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) is the top of the shoulder where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the shoulder at the tip (acromion). Three ligaments are responsible for stability. First- and second-degree sprains are stable but painful for three to four weeks. Taping or bracing and anesthetic injections may allow a throwing motion in Days 7-10. A third-degree AC injury is completely unstable and must be repaired by surgery in an athlete. It is usually season-ending. Manning appears to be in the first or second degree of the sprains, but the team is playing coy with the true severity of the injury. It is difficult to judge the accurate amount of time that he will miss, but fantasy owners will want to look elsewhere for Week 2.

D.J. Hackett, Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks - High Ankle Sprain
A high ankle sprain is a major disruption of the ankle's binding ligament (syndesmosis) between the tibia (major bone - "shin") and the small bone (fibula) above the ankle. In serious cases it must be repaired with surgery, usually a screw, which must be removed after healing at six to eight weeks. This is a season-ending injury (three months) before returning to sports. More typical ankle sprains are disruptions of the ligaments between the attachment of the tibia and fibula to the foot. There are many variations of inside ligaments and outside ligaments in regards to ligament tears. The key factor is whether the ankle is stable or unstable. Unstable ankle sprains require surgery and bracing to heal within four to six weeks. Stable ankle sprains heal in four weeks. A high ankle sprain is unstable. Low ankle sprains may be stable (first and some second degree) but unstable sprains are of the third degree. Hackett is expected to miss four weeks of action, so it is fair to assume his injury is of the lesser degrees. Fantasy owners can feel free to part ways with Hackett if they need an extra body, and the receiver replacing him, Nate Burleson, is a quality addition to your team if you are ailing at the position.

 

Herija C. Green

Herija is a graduate from California State University - San Marcos. He was a contributing writer and editor with KFFL.com

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Alan Knopf, M.D.
Dr. Alan Knopf has been a clinical professor of orthopedic reconstructive surgery and joint implant service at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. He worked for 30 years at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Group in Los Angeles, where he specialized in knee, shoulder, ankle, hip and trauma surgery. Dr. Knopf is certified in arthroscopic surgery.

See More Articles by Author

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