NFL Injury Roundup - Week 3

September 21, 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

After missing a start last week, New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington (ankle) was able to take part in a limited practice Thursday, Sept. 20, and he is likely to return to the starting lineup in Week 3. If he can't go, quarterback Kellen Clemens would be in line for his second straight start.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair (groin) was also missing in action last week as the team went with backup Kyle Boller to allow McNair to rest his sore groin. The rest appears to have paid off as the veteran signal-caller should be back under center this Sunday.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (shoulder) gutted it out and made the start in Week 2, performing reasonably well in New York's 35-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Manning was removed once the game became out of hand, but it was not for health reasons. He should be a go once again in Week 3.

St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger (ribs) took a pounding in Week 2, but he been able to participate in practice throughout the week. Bulger was limited on some throws but is expected to garner the starting nod this week.

The Rest of the Field...

New England Patriots Tom Brady (shoulder) is on the injury report again with a shoulder injury, but we're going to go out on a limb here and say he'll play in Week 3... Oakland Raiders quarterback Josh McCown (ankle) started in Week 2, though Raider Nation probably wishes he hadn't. He appears to be doing better this week and is apparently going to get the start over quarterback Daunte Culpepper.

Running Backs

Already struggling badly to recapture last season's offensive magic, the New Orleans Saints might now be without running back Deuce McAllister (knee, eye) on Monday Night Football after McAllister missed practice Wednesday, Sept. 19. McAllister insists it was general soreness and that he will be ready for Week 3. If he does play, he may be sporting a new face shield to protect an eye injury he suffered last Sunday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams (ribs) played through the pain of injured ribs in Week 2, and it turned out the only ones feeling sore after the game were the Saints as Williams bulldozed his way into the end zone for a pair of scores. The injury is still bothering him, but he should start once again this week.

Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor (oblique, hip) missed the club's Week 2 loss versus the Detroit Lions, and he was limited in practice Thursday, Sept. 20. Taylor is optimistic about his chances of play this Sunday, but he will likely be a game-time decision.

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (wrist) practiced Thursday, Sept. 20, and he should start in Week 3.

The Rest of the Field...

Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones (foot) practiced Thursday, Sept. 20, and could make his 2007 debut this week... New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (knee) remains out of action with a knee injury... Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch (ankle) is currently slowed by a sore ankle but is not expected to miss any time... Oakland Raiders running back LaMont Jordan (back) did not complete practice Thursday, Sept. 20, but is expected to play this Sunday.

Wide Receivers

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (knee) suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament during Houston's Week 2 victory over the Carolina Panthers and has been officially declared out for this Sunday's showdown with the Indianapolis Colts. Johnson's return date is unknown, but he has not ruled out playing Sunday, Sept. 30, against the Atlanta Falcons.

The New York Giants added wide receiver Plaxico Burress (finger, ankle) to their list of walking wounded this week. The talented receiver missed practice both Wednesday, Sept. 19, and Thursday, Sept. 20, but remains hopeful he will play this Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mark Clayton (toe) has been limited in each of the season's first two games, but he is expected to return to the starting lineup in Week 3. That should be a welcome site to both Ravens fans and fantasy football owners alike. He is not listed on the team's injury report for Week 3.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (hamstring) and James Jones (hamstring) both practiced Friday, Sept. 21. Each player's availability for their Week 3 meeting with the San Diego Chargers is unknown. Jones tweaked his hamstring in practice Thursday, Sept. 20, while Jennings has not played this season due to the hamstring injury.

The Rest of the Field...

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Eddie Kennison (ankle) and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.J. Hackett (ankle) both remain out for Week 3... New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder) was limited in practice Thursday, Sept. 20, but should start this week... San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Darrell Jackson (back) did not practice Thursday, Sept. 20, due to a back injury. He is expected to start in Week 3... New England Patriots wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (knee) found himself limited in practice Thursday, Sept. 20, but he likely will be available this Sunday.

Tight Ends

Philadelphia Eagles tight end L.J. Smith (groin) has been bothered by a groin injury through the early stages of the season and underwent surgery for the second time since last season. He is out for Week 3 but is listed as day-to-day beyond this week.

The Indianapolis Colts could be short one weapon in Week 3 if tight end Dallas Clark (neck) is forced to sit out due to a neck injury. Clark missed practice Wednesday, Sept. 19, and Thursday, Sept. 20, leaving his status for Sunday in doubt. If Clark is out expect a larger role for tight end Ben Utecht.

The Rest of the Field...

Atlanta Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler (knee) once again rested his knee during practice Thursday, Sept. 20, but he should play this Sunday... Chicago Bears rookie tight end Greg Olsen (knee) practiced in full Thursday, Sept. 20, and is expected to make his NFL debut this week... Green Bay Packers tight ends Donald Lee (knee) and Bubba Franks (knee) both are dealing with knee injuries, but both are expected to suit up in Week 3.

Place Kickers

Philadelphia Eagles place kicker David Akers (quad) practiced Thursday, Sept. 20, and he is expected to play in Week 3.

Jacksonville Jaguars place kicker Josh Scobee (quad) remains out with a quadriceps injury. Veteran place kicker John Carney is handling the kicking duties in his absence.

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

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 board certified in arthroscopic surgery.

Andre Johnson | Wide Receiver | Houston Texans | Sprained PCL | Status: Out Week 3, Day-to-Day
The PCL, or posterior cruciate ligament, is one of the four major ligaments in the knee. It is in the middle of the knee joint and is crossing (cruciate) behind the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). A ligament connects one bone to another, in this case the femur to the tibia. The PCL is responsible for the twisting stability of the knee along with the other three ligaments and joint capsule. A sprain is a tearing of a ligament. A sprain can be mild (Grade 1) or moderate (Grade 2), each of which is stable and may heal in four weeks, but an athlete may be able to play with a knee brace in three to four weeks. A complete tear (Grade 3) requires reconstructive surgery and the season is over. We do not yet know which grade Johnson had diagnosed from the report.

Steven Smith | Wide Receiver | New York Giants | Broken Scapula | Status: Out At Least Two Weeks
The scapula is the shoulder blade, which holds the upper arm to the body. The fracture heals in four to six weeks. The area of fracture, whether involving the shoulder joint or just the body of the scapula, will affect the type of activity a wide receiver can return to the sport. The body of the shoulder blade fracture can heal in four to six weeks and can be protected with an impact absorbing brace. A player with a fracture involving the joint may take six to eight weeks to return to contact with a protective device. The chance of recurrence is minimal after the fracture has healed. The shoulder protective device would affect the range of motion, however.

Patrick Crayton | Wide Receiver | Dallas Cowboys | Pinkie Finger - Open Dislocation | Status: Returned to the Game
Crayton suffered an open dislocation that required five stitches. One of the little finger (pinkie) joints was dislocated and exposed to air. This usually requires surgery to clean it and stabilize it with seven days of antibiotics. An athlete may return to action but will need a protective device for four weeks. A wide receiver may not be as effective using this device, and the general amount of time off is two to four weeks.

 

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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