NFL Injury Roundup - Week 6

October 12, 2007
09:02:18

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 holding out hope that his injury could be healed through rehabilitation, Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (elbow) is now set to undergo season-ending elbow surgery next week. Delhomme has already been placed on Injured Reserve, which officially put an end to his 2007 campaign. Making matters worse is that backup quarterback David Carr (back) missed practice both Wednesday, Oct. 10, and Thursday, Oct. 11, putting his status for Week 6 in doubt. If Carr can't answer the bell, look for newly signed veteran quarterback Vinny Testaverde to get the call in his stead.

The Arizona Cardinals lost starting quarterback Matt Leinart (collarbone) for the season after the second-year signal caller sustained a broken left collarbone in the team's Week 5 victory over the St. Louis Rams. Veteran quarterback Kurt Warner now takes over as the full-time starter, and the team has signed quarterback Tim Rattay to fill the No. 2 role.

It was not the good kind of déjà vu that Miami Dolphins quarterback Trent Green (concussion) experienced last week as the veteran was taken off the field on a stretcher with a serious concussion for the second time in as many seasons. There had been some speculation that this injury would force Green into retirement, but early indications are he'd like to continue his career. He is definitely out this week, which means backup quarterback Cleo Lemon is set to make just his second career NFL start.

There could be a changing of the guard in the works in the Big Apple with New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington (ankle) struggling with his health and on-field performance this season. The team reportedly won't hesitate to make a switch to quarterback Kellen Clemens if Pennington's difficulties continue.

The Rest of the Field...

St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger (ribs) will sit out a second consecutive game in Week 6, meaning veteran quarterback Gus Frerotte is set to make another start... New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (shoulder) is on the injury list again this week, which was about as unexpected as the sun rising in the morning. Needless to say he'll be under center in Week 6... Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair (back) did not practice Thursday, Oct. 11, due to a stiff back. He has missed time this season due to a groin injury, but he should be good to go for Baltimore in Week 6... Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard (shoulder) was knocked out of the team's Week 5 loss, but he practiced in full Thursday, Oct. 11, and is projected to get the start this week... Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (groin) has been splitting first-team snaps with quarterback Kelly Holcomb in practice this week, but Jackson is still expected to make his first start since Week 2 this Sunday... San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex D. Smith (shoulder) is optimistic that the team's Bye this week will allow him enough time to heal so that he can return to the lineup in Week 7... Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, Oct. 10, and is expected to be ready to play when the Bills return from their Bye in Week 7.

Running Backs

Despite getting a Bye last week to recuperate, Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson (hamstring) appears unlikely to return to the lineup for the team's Week 6 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson missed Cincinnati's Week 4 contest, but it appears as though there is a chance that he may play this week. If he does not, he should be replaced by running back Kenny Watson again this week.

Oakland Raiders running back LaMont Jordan (back) has been unable to complete practice both Wednesday, Oct. 10, and Thursday, Oct. 11, due to a lower back injury. Jordan has reportedly received a pain-killing shot to relieve the discomfort, but it doesn't look good for him taking the field this Sunday. If Jordan can't go look for running backs Dominic Rhodes and Justin Fargas to share the load against the San Diego Chargers.

The Philadelphia Eagles should be getting running back Brian Westbrook (abdomen) back this week after he missed the team's last game in Week 4. That is good news for the Eagles, who were only able to muster three points in a loss to the New York Giants with Westbrook on the sideline.

Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis (foot) endured a foot injury on the club's first play from scrimmage during their Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots. Lewis did not practice Thursday, Oct. 11, and has been wearing a protective boot on his injured foot. The team is hopeful he will be able to play this weekend, but if not look for running back Jason Wright to get the majority of the touches.

New England Patriots running back Laurence Maroney (groin) missed his second consecutive game last week, and he was once again limited in practice Thursday, Oct. 11. With Maroney's status in doubt again for this Sunday's battle of unbeaten teams against the Dallas Cowboys, running back Sammy Morris could make his third straight start.

Houston Texans running back Ahman Green (knee) will likely return to the lineup this week after missing the past two games due to a sprained knee. Running back Ron Dayne has carried the load in Green's absence, and both men should see plenty of action this Sunday.

The Rest of the Field...

St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (groin) is out again this week and may not return to the Rams lineup until Week 10... Green Bay Packers running back Brandon Jackson (shin) returned to practice this week and is expected to be available this Sunday. Meanwhile, running back Vernand Morency (knee) did not practice Thursday, Oct. 11, and his status is up in the air for Week 6... The Tampa Bay Buccaneers absorbed the second serious injury to their backfield in as many weeks when running back Michael Pittman (ankle) was lost for up to two months with an ankle sprain. Running back Earnest Graham is in line for the start this Sunday... Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (groin) was limited in practice Thursday, Oct. 11, but should be good to go this Sunday... New York Giants running back Derrick Ward (ankle) did not practice Thursday, Oct. 11, but is likely to play in Week 6... Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai (chest) is anticipated to return to the Colts' lineup in Week 7 following their Bye this week.

Wide Receivers

The Seattle Seahawks lost No. 1 wide receiver Deion Branch (foot) to a foot injury in last week's shutout loss at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team was already without wideout D.J. Hackett (ankle), which means they will be missing both of their preferred starters against the New Orleans Saints this week. Wide receivers Nate Burleson and Bobby Engram should get the nod in Week 6.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (hip) has missed the last two weeks due to a hip injury, and he has not practiced again this week. Boldin is considered to be day-to-day with the injury at this point and could be a game-time decision this Sunday. In addition, wide receiver Bryant Johnson (quad) could also be out this week despite practicing Thursday, Oct. 11. Johnson has been starting in Boldin's place during the past two games.

St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt (knee) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 10, due to swelling in his surgically repaired knee. Luckily for St. Louis he was back at practice Thursday, Oct. 11, and is expected to start against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. However, wideout Isaac Bruce (hamstring) remains unlikely to play this Sunday due to his hamstring injury, meaning wide receiver Drew Bennett should make his second start.

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (knee) continues to make progress in coming back from a sprained posterior cruciate ligament that has sidelined him since Week 2. He is still a long shot to play this week and a Week 7 return seems imminently more plausible.

The Rest of the Field...

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (back) returned to the lineup in Week 5 after missing the previous game, but he left early due to stiffness in his back. He should play this week... New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle) continues to rest his sore ankle during the week but should start this Sunday... Chicago Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian (toe) has been held out of practice this week due to a toe injury he suffered last Sunday night. He is still expected to start in Week 6... San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury during the team's Week 5 domination of the Denver Broncos. He did miss practice early in the week but returned Thursday, Oct. 11, and will likely start this week... Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (hamstring, shoulder) was limited in practice Thursday, Oct. 11, but is expected to start in Week 6... Washington Redskins wide receiver Antwaan Randle El (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, Oct. 11, but he remains hopeful he can play against Green Bay this Sunday... Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker (knee) continues to make progress with his bothersome knee, and he is projected to return to the lineup in Week 7 when the team comes back from the Bye week... Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) should be back in the starting lineup for Week 7. The Colts are on a Bye this week.

Tight Ends

Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap (hamstring) did not play in the team's Week 5 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, but he is expected to return to the starting lineup this week.

The Rest of the Field...

Philadelphia Eagles tight end L.J. Smith (groin) practiced Thursday, Oct. 11, and is expected to start this week. Smith has not played since Week 2... Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow (shoulder) has been limited in practice this week, but he should start against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday... Seattle Seahawks tight end Marcus Pollard (leg) missed practice Thursday, Oct. 11, and might miss this Sunday's game... Atlanta Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler (knee, ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Oct. 10, but should start in Week 6... San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (knee) hopes to be ready to play when the team returns from their Bye in Week 7.

Place Kickers

Houston Texans place kicker Kris Brown (foot) did not practice Thursday, Oct. 11, due to a sore left foot. He is still expected to handle the kicking duties for Houston this week.

New Orleans Saints place kicker Olindo Mare (groin) did enough in practice Thursday, Oct. 11, that head coach Sean Payton gave him the green light to play in Sunday night's tilt with the Seattle Seahawks.

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

Dr. Alan Knopf has been a clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Joint Implant Service at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. He is an attending staff member of the school's County General Hospital - Keck School of Medicine. He specializes in knee, shoulder, ankle, hip and trauma surgery. Dr. Knopf is board certified by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Board of Arthroscopic Surgery.

Matt Leinart | Quarterback | Arizona Cardinals | Broken Left Collarbone | Status: Placed on Injured Reserve
The collarbone (clavicle) has attachment of some of the neck muscles to the collarbone as well as some of the chest muscles. It supports the ligaments that attach to the shoulder blade (scapula). Therefore, a throwing motion would accentuate the pain factor. It is secured by a restraint, sling or shoulder immobilizer for two to three weeks. This bone heals in six weeks on an X-ray but clinically in three. Minimum time out would be six to eight weeks. Once healed, the collarbone is not prone to re-fracture. Early motion may inhibit the healing of the break.

Jake Delhomme | Quarterback | Carolina Panthers | Elbow Ligament Replacement | Status: Placed on Injured Reserve
Delhomme is only the third NFL player ever to undergo Tommy John surgery. The other players were quarterbacks Craig Erickson and Rob Johnson, but never really had a chance to test out the elbow in a full-time capacity like Delhomme is expected to do in 2008.

"Tommy John" surgery is the rebuilding of the inside elbow ligament or ulnar (medial) collateral ligament. This procedure restored the pitching career of pitcher Tommy John in 1974.

The elbow is a hinge-type joint. It has two supporting ligaments, the outside (lateral-radial) or inside (medial-ulnar) collateral ligament. A complete tear of the inside ligaments need a tendon graft repair (reconstruction). If the inside ligament is completely torn (Grade 3 sprain) the elbow hinge joint is unstable. A partial tear (Grade 1 or 2) is known as a "dead arm" in a baseball pitcher. Before surgical reconstruction was developed, this injury ended a pitcher's career. The throwing motion of a pitcher also involves torque (twisting). Tommy John added another 13 years to his career. The recovery is eight to 12 months, and full strength in a quarterback may take 24 months.

Trent Green | Quarterback | Miami Dolphins | Grade 3 Concussion | Status: Out Indefinitely
The brain is protected in a housing, much like a football helmet. It floats in a body of fluid (cerebral spinal fluid). A motion of the body that is suddenly stopped causes the brain to hit the skull and bleeding occurs. The initial increase in fluid (blood) increase the pressure of the fluid encased in the skull. This may be mild (headache) to severe (blackout). If the bleeding is severe the blood needs to be evacuated by opening the skull to release the pressure buildup and avoid permanent damage brain injury or death. That is the reason the injury should be observed in a hospital. After the initial injury the scar tissue may form outside the brain or inside and may lead to episodes of dizziness or convulsions (seizure). Repeated episodes of concussions may lead to long-term brain deterioration (dementia) depending on the region of the brain injured. Green had a prior Grade 3 concussion. His long-term health, if he continues in football, is in definite jeopardy. 

 

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.

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