NFL Injury Roundup - Week 10

November 9, 2007
07:55:24

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

The quarterback carousel continues to spin for the Carolina Panthers as it appears veteran quarterback Vinny Testaverde (Achilles') will get the start this Sunday after missing last week's game due to injury. Quarterback David Carr (concussion) suffered a concussion during the team's Week 9 loss to the Tennessee Titans and has not been medically cleared to play. Look for quarterback Matt Moore to serve as Carolina's No. 2 this weekend.

Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler (leg) injured his leg during last Sunday's game and was replaced by backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey. Initial fears that the leg could be broken were quelled by an MRI, which revealed it was merely a bad bruise. Cutler was able to practice Thursday, Nov. 8, and is now expected to start this Sunday.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard (ankle) could return to the lineup this week after missing the team's previous two games. Garrard has taken part in limited practice both Wednesday, Nov. 7, and Thursday, Nov. 8, but quarterback Quinn Gray could still garner the starting nod.

The Rest of the Field...

Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards (wrist) has returned to practice on a limited basis this week but is expected to function as the backup to quarterback J.P. Losman in Week 10... Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (concussion) sustained a concussion last week and may not start this Sunday. Quarterback Brooks Bollinger would likely get the nod in Jackson's absence. 

Running Backs

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson (foot) was injured in the fourth quarter of the team's Week 9 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He suffered a mid-foot sprain and has been ruled out for this week. Some reports suggested Johnson's season could be over, but the team has denied that is the case. Veteran running back Priest Holmes is expected to make his first start since 2005 this Sunday and share carries with rookie running back Kolby Smith.

An already forgettable 2007 season took a turn for the worse for Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (knee, wrist) as he has now added a sprained knee to his list of ailments. He reportedly has a limited range of motion at this point and could miss the team's Week 10 game. If Alexander is inactive this Monday look for running backs Maurice Morris and Leonard Weaver to get increased touches.

St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (groin, back) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Nov. 8, and he is anticipated to make the start this week. However, look for his workload to be limited, which should mean an increased role for running back Brian Leonard.

Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry (knee) injured his left knee last Sunday and was forced to sit the entire fourth quarter. Henry did not participate in practice Wednesday, Nov. 7, or Thursday, Nov. 8, due to swelling in the knee, and could be a game-time decision this week. If he can't play look for running back Selvin Young to get the start.

After missing last week's game with a bad wheel, San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (ankle) should return for this Monday's showdown with Seattle. Gore was limited in practice Thursday, Nov. 8, but head coach Mike Nolan remains hopeful Gore will be able to suit up. If he can't look for running backs Michael Robinson and Maurice Hicks to once again split the load in Week 10.

The Atlanta Falcons will likely be without the services of running back Jerious Norwood (ankle) this Sunday after he injured his ankle in the first quarter of the team's Week 9 game. Norwood has not practiced this week, which means veteran running back Warrick Dunn will likely be asked to shoulder a bigger load this weekend. In anticipation of that, the team limited Dunn in practice Wednesday, Nov. 7, to get him some additional rest.

The Rest of the Field...

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (knee) sat out practice Wednesday, Nov. 7, and was limited the following day, but he is projected to start this week... Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee (concussion) sustained a concussion in the team's loss last Monday night, but he has been able to practice and is expected to start this Sunday... Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (shoulder) is dinged up a bit with a shoulder injury, but he has practiced all week and should be a go this week... Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant (concussion) was cleared for practice Thursday, Nov. 8, after suffering a concussion last week. Grant should start in Week 10... Despite having not suited up since Week 7, New York Giants running back Derrick Ward (groin, ankle) looks as though he needs more time to heal and is not anticipated to play this week... Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman (ankle) should be ready to return to the lineup when the team comes back from their Bye in Week 11... Tennessee Titans running backs LenDale White (toe) and Chris Brown (ankle) are both banged up at the moment, with White missing practice Wednesday, Nov. 7, and Brown having not seen game action since Week 6. White is expected to play this week, while Brown's status for Sunday remains uncertain.

Wide Receivers

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson (neck) received a scare during the team's Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills when he was taken off the field on a stretcher. Luckily the injury was not as serious as initially feared, and Johnson should start this Sunday. Also, wide receiver Chris Henry is expected to see his first action of the season after serving an eight-game suspension to open the campaign.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) missed last Sunday's showdown with the New England Patriots and is anything but a certainty to return this week. Harrison has appeared in just one game since injuring the knee in Week 4. Further compounding the problem is that wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (thumb) dislocated his thumb last week and could be out indefinitely. With the Colts potentially missing both Harrison and Gonzalez, wide receiver Aaron Moorehead might get the start this week.

The Bye week was not enough time to properly heal the troublesome ankle of New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle) who, according to head coach Tom Coughlin, is not expected to practice again this season. He has gutted it out come game day, though, and that should be the case once again this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Rest of the Field...

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (hip) missed practice Wednesday, Nov. 7, to rest his sore hip but is expected to start this week... Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch (foot) has yet to return to practice, but he has taken part in some individual drills this week and could be active this Monday... Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) continues to get closer to returning from a knee injury that has kept him out all season. However, he remains out for Week 10... Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker (knee) hopes to return to the field in Week 11, but he could still be out another two to three weeks... Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (knee) is expected to be back in the starting lineup for the first time since Week 2 when the Texans return from their Bye in Week 11... Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Eddie Kennison (hamstring) is expected to play this Sunday. Teammate receiver Dwayne Bowe (hamstring) suffered a hamstring injury of his own last week, but he too should be good to go against the Broncos... Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice (hamstring) has not practiced this week, and his status for this weekend is unknown at this point... Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (quad) did not practice Thursday, Nov. 8, but should play this week... Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (heel) is hurting again, this time with a heel injury. Moss missed practice both Wednesday, Nov. 7, and Thursday, Nov. 8, but could still suit up. Teammate wide receiver Antwaan Randle El (hamstring) was held out of Thursday's practice as well, but he is expected to play in Week 10.

Tight Ends

Atlanta Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler (knee, ankle) has returned to practice on a limited basis this week and could be ready to return to action this Sunday. Crumpler has not played since Week 6.

There is also encouraging news for Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap (hamstring) as the veteran practiced on a limited basis both Wednesday, Nov. 7, and Thursday, Nov. 8. Heap has not caught a pass since sustaining the injury in Week 4. He attempted to return in Week 6 but aggravated his hamstring in the game and has not played since. He is hopeful he can play this week.

The Rest of the Field...

Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow (shoulder, knee) was shaken up during the team's Week 9 but was able to return. He should start this Sunday... Green Bay Packers tight end Bubba Franks (knee) remains out with a knee injury... Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark (concussion) has not practiced this week but is expected to play in Week 10.

Place Kickers

Jacksonville Jaguars place kicker Josh Scobee (quad), who has not played since Week 1, has resumed kicking and took part in limited practice this week. However, he is not expected to play this Sunday, which means veteran place kicker John Carney should once again handle the kicking duties for Jacksonville.

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.

Larry Johnson | Running Back | Kansas City Chiefs | Mid-foot Sprain | Status: Likely Out 2-3 Weeks
The foot arch is composed of five foot bones (metatarsals) and five mid-foot bones (mid-tarsal). They are connected by a series of strong ligaments. A Type 1 sprain is an incomplete tear and requires a brace or cast two to four weeks. A Type 2 sprain involves a complete tear with possible subluxation (shift) of the arch and may require surgery, plus a cast, to maintain the arch (healing time 3 months). A Type 3 strain, or Lisfranc dislocation, is an emergency and requires immediate surgery to relocate the arch to prevent loss of blood supply to the toes (healing time three to four months). The Type 3 injury usually requires pins to hold the arch in place, which have to be removed before weight bearing is allowed. The season is over for the athlete if the injury is Type 3. However, with Johnson, the injury's grade is unknown, and he has been ruled out for Week 10.

Dunta Robinson | Cornerback | Houston Texans | Detached Hamstring, Torn ACL | Status: Out for the Season
Hamstrings are a group of four muscles that are responsible for knee flexion, and the muscles bridge two joints (hip and knee). They arise from the pelvis behind the hip and attach below the knee. The hamstring can be detached from the pelvis or from the knee. Since the anterior cruciate ligament (knee) was also torn, the associated hamstring is the biceps femoris attached to the fibula. When the anterior cruciate ligament is repaired the tendon will also be reattached to the fibula (healing time three months). The anterior cruciate ligament, as discussed in prior reports, takes nine to 12 months before return to sports.

Chris Naeole | Offensive Guard | Jacksonville Jaguars | Ruptured Quadriceps Tendon | Status: Out for the Season
The quadriceps is made up of four muscles that join a common tendon and attach to the knee cap (patella). It is the strongest muscle in the body and is responsible for knee extension. Surgical repair is required to correct the rupture, which results in three months wearing a brace and protected weight bearing (crutches). The potential for re-rupture is greater with a 328-pound lineman. Full recovery is generally achieved in 18 months.

Jonathan Vilma | Linebacker | New York Jets | Osteochondritis Dissecans (knee) | Status: Out for the Season
Oste (bone) chondro (cartilage) Dessican (disintegrate) is usually occurring in the growth center of adolescent joints. The cause of this occurring is a possible result of loss of blood supply (avascular necrosis). This may be as a result of injury. It may heal as growth is completed. When it fails to heal in the adult it may result in an area of bone and cartilage that may break loose to form loose bodies (joint mice). These bodies my lead to joint locking, or "catching," and need to be removed to prevent further joint injury. If the area of affected joint surface remains attached by fibrous tissue it can break off the weight-bearing surface of the knee joint (femur) and become a loose body that potentially will lock up the knee. If the fragment is partially detached or large it may be reattached by placing a pin or screw. This fragment may or may not heal. If the fragment fails to heal the joint will eventually develop arthritis. 

Removal of the loose bodies may be done by arthroscopic methods, but the repair of large fragments may require open techniques. If only loose bodies are removed the athlete may return in three to four weeks. If a reattachment or repair is required it may be 18 months to assure healing. If the weight-bearing surface fails to heal running will be painful, and arthritis will occur at an early age (traumatic arthritis).

 

Herija C. Green

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

See More Articles by Author

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

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

One Day FREE Fantasy Contest - $350 in cash prizes (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Danny Hultzen, Roger Kieschnick, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Austin Jackson headed to DL (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: Addison Reed, J.J. Putz, Ernesto Frieri, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Brian Roberts seeing the light at the end of the rehab tunnel (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - AL (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - NL (05/24)
Fantasy baseball players in the news (05/24)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Dee Gordon's problems at bat (05/23)