NFL Injury Roundup - Week 11

November 16, 2007
09:08:00

By Herija C. Green and Alan Knopf, M.D.
Edited by Ryan Dodson and 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

It looks like Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair (shoulder) may have taken his last snap with the club. The veteran has struggled with his health this season, and he has been mostly ineffective when in the lineup. He is expected to miss at least two weeks with his injury and possibly the remainder of the season. Quarterback Kyle Boller is set to make his fourth start of the year this Sunday.

Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Griese (shoulder) suffered a sprained non-throwing shoulder and was replaced by quarterback Rex Grossman against the Oakland Raiders last Sunday. Grossman responded by tossing the game-winning touchdown pass. Griese was limited in practice Thursday, Nov. 15, and head coach Lovie Smith has announced he will be replaced by Grossman in the starting lineup this week. It is not known if the injury is the cause for the switch or if it is more closely related to Griese's erratic play of late.

An injury to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard (neck) looks to have heralded a changing of the guard with quarterback Brodie Croyle set to start this week and quite possibly for the remainder of the season. Croyle could have a tough go of things this Sunday as his first NFL start comes on the road against the defending Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts.

The game of musical quarterbacks continues in the Bay Area as the Oakland Raiders are expected to start quarterback Daunte Culpepper this week after quarterback Josh McCown (quad) sustained a quadriceps bruise in the team's Week 10 loss. Perhaps the most interesting subplot of this situation is that the team could elevate quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, to the No. 2 spot if McCown is not healthy enough to serve in that capacity.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex D. Smith (shoulder) has been experiencing lingering soreness from a shoulder separation he suffered earlier in the season, and the team has announced veteran backup quarterback Trent Dilfer is in line to make the start this week.

The Rest of the Field...

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (concussion) is set to return to the starting lineup in Week 11 after missing the team's last game with a concussion... Barring a setback look for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Byron Leftwich (ankle) to reclaim his starting duties this week from quarterback Joey Harrington... For the first time in three weeks both Carolina Panthers quarterbacks Vinny Testaverde (Achilles') and David Carr (concussion) practiced the same day Wednesday, Nov. 14. Head coach John Fox has yet to announce who will start this week against the Green Bay Packers... Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard (ankle) will likely garner the start this week after missing the team's previous three games... Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna (back) missed some practice time early in the week with a sore back, but he is expected to be under center this Sunday... After missing last week's shutout loss to Green Bay, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (concussion) should get the starting nod in Week 11... Following a one-week reprieve due to the New England Patriots' Bye week, we are once again obligated to report quarterback Tom Brady (shoulder) had limited participation in practice this week. Call it a hunch, but we think he'll suit up Sunday night.

Running Backs

The Minnesota Vikings dodged a sizable bullet when the injury to rookie running back Adrian Peterson (knee) turned out to only be a partially torn lateral collateral ligament that is not expected to require surgery. The injury occurred last Sunday against the Green Bay Packers and will keep Peterson on the sidelines for at least this week. His exact return date is unknown at this time, though the team hasn't ruled him out for their Week 12 contest against the New York Giants. This week veteran running back Chester Taylor is expected to carry the load.

Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch (ankle) sustained a sprained ankle in the team's come-from-behind win over the Miami Dolphins this past week, and head coach Dick Jauron has stated he is not optimistic about Lynch's chances to play this Sunday night. If Lynch is indeed out look for a timeshare scenario with running backs Dwayne Wright and Anthony Thomas receiving approximately a 60-40 split of the workload.

Already slowed by a knee injury, New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (concussion) was knocked out of the team's shocking Week 10 loss to the St. Louis Rams with a concussion. Despite feelings of wooziness after the game, Bush practiced in full both Wednesday, Nov. 14, and Thursday, Nov. 15, and is likely to start this week.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (knee) missed practice for the second straight day Friday, Nov. 16, and is questionable for Week 11. Head coach Andy Reid thinks Westbrook will play, though.

It will be at least another week before Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson (foot) returns to action as he has already been ruled out for Week 11. Veteran running back Priest Holmes is expected to fill in again and after showing some serious durability last week could see upwards of 20 touches if the team doesn't fall too far behind.

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (knee, wrist) was inactive Monday night, which opened the door for backup running back Maurice Morris to have a solid outing. Morris could be in line for his second straight start as Alexander has yet to practice this week, though he hasn't been ruled out at this point.

Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry (knee) did not play for the second time in three weeks last Sunday. Henry returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday, Nov. 15, but his status remains up in the air for Week 11. In addition to the knee injury, Henry is set to make his case in regards to a positive drug test to the NFL Friday, Nov. 16, which means his long-rumored suspension could finally be right around the corner. If Henry is unavailable it should be rookie running back Selvin Young making another start this Monday.

Look for Houston Texans running back Ahman Green (knee) to be active this Sunday, but don't expect him to last the whole game. Green is suffering from knee tendonitis, and the working plan is for him to go as long as he can before giving way to running backs Ron Dayne and Adimchinobi Echemandu. However, the official word as of now is that Green is going to be a game-time decision.

Tennessee Titans running backs LenDale White (knee) and Chris Brown (ankle) were noticeably absent from the team's Week 11 injury report, which means both should be ready to go this Monday night.

The Rest of the Field...

Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (knee) was given the day off Thursday, Nov. 15, but is fully expected to start against the Miami Dolphins this week... Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker (hip) returned to practice Thursday, Nov. 15, after missing the previous day's activities. Parker should start this Sunday, barring a setback... Atlanta Falcons running back Jerious Norwood (ankle) should return to the lineup this week after missing the team's Week 10 game... Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones (foot) has been bothered by soreness in his foot, but he has practiced all week and is expected to start against the New York Giants this weekend... New York Giants running back Derrick Ward (ankle) could be in danger of missing his third straight game in Week 11 after not practicing Wednesday, Nov. 14, or Thursday, Nov. 15... San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (ankle) has been limited in practice this week with the team operating on a short week following their Monday night game. Anticipate Gore starting this Sunday... Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman (ankle) should return to the field this week after missing the team's last four games. Look for Pittman to share carries with running back Earnest Graham (ankle) in Week 11.

Wide Receivers

It would appear the Week 9 Bye had no long lasting medicinal effects for New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle), who was saying his ankle has never felt worse following the team's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He continues to sit out of practice during the week, but he should strap it up this Sunday in a showdown with the Detroit Lions that has definite playoff implications.

The Houston Texans offense appears to be getting a much needed boost with the anticipated return of wide receiver Andre Johnson (knee) this Sunday. Johnson has not played since suffering the injury back in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) has not practiced this week and could miss his fifth game in the team's last six. Harrison sustained the injury in Week 4, returned to the field in Week 7 and has not played since. While Harrison's status remains a mystery, No. 3 wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (thumb) is not expected to play this Sunday but could return the following week.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch (foot) nearly made his return this past Monday night but was placed on the inactive list. He has been able to practice all week, and it would be surprising if he wasn't in the lineup this Sunday.

The Rest of the Field...

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (shin) did not practice Wednesday, Nov. 14, or Thursday, Nov. 15, though the thought is that the team is just being cautious, and Smith should be ready to go in Week 11... Even though he is playing, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (hip) is struggling with a hip injury that head coach Ken Whisenhunt has stated won't be 100 percent this season. He is expected to continue playing through the pain this week... As has been the routine for more than a month the Cincinnati Bengals kept wide receiver Chad Johnson (knee) out of practice Thursday, Nov. 15, to allow his knee to rest. He should start this weekend... Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker (knee) has done some light work in practice this week but appears to be at least a week away from returning... New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles (concussion) is not on the injury report this week after he missed the team's Week 9 contest. He should start this week... Minnesota Vikings wideout Sidney Rice (hamstring) did not play in Week 10 and his status remains unknown for this Sunday... Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter (knee) has been limited in practice with knee soreness but is expected to suit up against the Vikings... Despite aggravating a previous injury in Week 10, St. Louis Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce (hamstring) has been a full participant in practice this week and should play Sunday... An MRI on the ailing heel of Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (heel) came back negative, but he has been unable to practice this week and could miss his second consecutive game this weekend.

Tight Ends

It appears that the return of Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap (hamstring) from injury last week will be short lived. Heap aggravated the injury during the team's Week 10 loss and has not practiced this week. He is not expected to play this Sunday, which means tight end Quinn Sypniewski should be line for the start.

A late scratch in Week 10, Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark (concussion) is expected to return to the lineup this week, which should be music to the ears of quarterback Peyton Manning after he had to work with a patchwork group of options in the passing game last week.

The Rest of the Field...

Green Bay Packers tight end Donald Lee (ribs) was limited in practice Thursday, Nov. 15, but is expected to start this Sunday. Meanwhile, tight end Bubba Franks (knee) is thought to be at least a week away from coming back... Denver Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler (chest) is considered day-to-day after suffering a bruised chest in the team's Week 10 win. He should play this weekend... Atlanta Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler (knee, ankle), who played for the first time since Oct. 15 last Sunday, was held out of practice Thursday, Nov. 15, but he should make his second straight start in Week 11.

Place Kickers

Jacksonville Jaguars place kicker Josh Scobee (quad) appears as though, barring a setback, he will return to the lineup this Sunday for the first time since the season opener. Scobee's return would likely mean the end of the road for veteran kicker John Carney.

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.

Adrian Peterson | Running Back | Minnesota Vikings | Grade 2-Plus LCL Tear | Status: Out Several Weeks
The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) attaches the outside of the thigh bone (femur) to the outside of the shin bone (fibula). It is the outside ligament of the knee. This injury may also be associated with an outside cartilage injury (lateral meniscus tear). The Grade 2-plus tear is probably a complete tear and requires four to six weeks to heal. If a meniscus is torn, arthroscopic correction is necessary. Peterson reportedly did not have any meniscus damage and will not require surgery. The injury, however, could hamper his cutting ability early in his return.

Anthony Gonzalez | Wide Receiver | Indianapolis Colts | Dislocated Thumb | Status: Out 2-3 Weeks
The thumb may be dislocated at the last joint (distal) or near the palm (proximal). The injury can be associated with ligament or tendon damage. If not, it can usually be reduced and protected with tape. Gonzalez may return to find he is catching the ball with pain. If any ligament damage is complete, surgical repair is required. Time for complete healing is four to six weeks.

Dwight Freeney | Defensive End | Indianapolis Colts | Lisfranc Sprain | Status: Out for the Season
A Lisfranc sprain, as discussed last week, is a mid-foot ligament disruption. It depends on the degree of ligament tear. The ligaments support the bones that form the arch (mid-tarsal and metarsal). Grade 1 and Grade 2 sprains require four to six weeks to heal in a brace or cast. A Grade 3 requires surgery since the foot arch is unstable or dislocated. Three to four months to heal is required for complete recovery. The athlete may resume full activity after this time (see last week's discussion of Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson).

 

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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