NFL Injury Roundup - Week 12

November 23, 2007
09:07:55

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

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (ankle, thumb) was knocked out of the team's Week 11 victory over the Miami Dolphins and has not practiced this week. McNabb's thumb injury has become a secondary concern to his still swollen ankle. He will like be a game-time decision for the Eagles' Week 12 showdown with the New England Patriots. Quarterback A.J. Feeley would likely get the start were McNabb unable to play.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex D. Smith (shoulder) is expected to miss at least two more weeks after visiting Dr. James Andrews to have his shoulder examined earlier this week. After the two weeks he is set to be re-examined to determine if season-ending surgery is required. Veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer is positioned to make his fourth start of the year this Sunday.

The Rest of the Field...

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (ribs) took a pounding last week and did not practice Wednesday, Nov. 21, or Thursday, Nov. 22, but he is still expected to start this Sunday... New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (shoulder) makes his usual appearance on the injury report this week, which was only slightly less unexpected than eating turkey yesterday... Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young (quad) suffered a quad contusion in Monday night's loss but will likely start in Week 12.

Running Backs

Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes (neck) announced his retirement Wednesday, Nov. 21, after re-injuring his neck during the team's Week 11 game. The loss of Holmes coupled with the lingering injury to running back Larry Johnson (foot), who is out for this Sunday, likely leaves rookie running back Kolby Smith as the team's primary ball carrier for Week 12.

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (shin) has been limited in practice this week, and didn't practice Friday, due to a bruised left shin. If he can't play look for running backs Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas to see an increased workload this Sunday.

A hamstring injury looks to be putting New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) on the shelf for at least this week and possibly longer. The team will likely turn to running back Reuben Droughns to start with running back Ahmad Bradshaw serving as the primary backup this week. Running back Derrick Ward (groin) has returned to practice on a limited basis this week and has an outside shot of playing in Week 12.

The Denver Broncos could be decidedly short-handed in the backfield this Sunday as running backs Travis Henry (knee) and Selvin Young (knee) have both missed practice this week. Young appears the more likely to play of the two, though neither has been ruled out at this point. If both were forced to miss the game running back Andre Hall should get the starting nod.

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (wrist, knee) will miss his third straight game this Sunday due to his sprained left knee. Running back Maurice Morris should get the start while Alexander's return date remains uncertain.

Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch (ankle) missed the team's Week 11 blowout loss and has been ruled out for this Sunday. Veteran tailback Anthony Thomas should get the majority of the carries in Lynch's absence.

It looks like the Minnesota Vikings will be without the services of rookie running back Adrian Peterson (knee) again this Sunday even though he returned to practice Wednesday, Nov. 21. The team plans to play it safe with Peterson, and they have the luxury of a quality backup in running back Chester Taylor. While he hasn't been ruled for Week 12, it appears more likely that Peterson could return the following week.

Miami Dolphins running back Jesse Chatman (ankle) has been limited in practice this week but should play in Week 12. Regardless of Chatman's status, look for recently reinstated running back Ricky Williams to make his 2007 debut this Monday night.

The Rest of the Field...

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (ankle) has been limited in practice this week but should start in Week 12... Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (toe) did not practice Wednesday, Nov. 21, but returned the following day and should play this Sunday... Houston Texans running back Ahman Green (knee) has not been officially ruled out for this Sunday, but it seems as though he'll miss his fifth game of the season. Running back Ron Dayne is expected to once again shoulder the load... Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (thigh) was limited in practice Wednesday, Nov. 21, but should play this week... The deadline to activate Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush (leg) from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list has passed, meaning he will remain there for the rest of the season... Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman (ankle) re-injured his ankle in Week 11, which was his first game back after missing the previous four, and he has been ruled out for Sunday.

Wide Receivers

A surprise scratch last Sunday, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (shin) returned to practice Wednesday, Nov. 21. Head coach John Fox is optimistic that Smith will be back in the lineup this week against the New Orleans Saints.

It appears as though Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker (knee) will finally make his return to the lineup this Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Walker, who has not played since Week 3, has been able to practice all week.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (ankle) sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh's upset loss in Week 11. He has not practiced this week and is considered doubtful for Sunday.

Washington Redskins wide receivers Santana Moss (heel) and Antwaan Randle El (clavicle) are a bit banged up at the moment. Both men were limited in practice Thursday, Nov. 22, but they should be in the starting lineup in Week 12.

The Rest of the Field...

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back) returned to practice Friday, Nov. 23, after missing the previous two days. He is expected to play this Sunday... Chicago Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian (toe) did not practice Wednesday, Nov. 21, or Thursday, Nov. 22, but the team's remains hopeful he'll be available in Week 12... New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle) is not practicing again this week but should play this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings... Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.J. Hackett (knee) did not practice Thursday, Nov. 22, due to some minor swelling in his knee. Hackett is expected to start in Week 12.

Tight Ends

Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap (hamstring) continues to struggle in his attempted return to the lineup. He did not practice Thursday, Nov. 22, and though he has not been ruled out, he is not expected to play this week. Look for tight end Quinn Sypniewski to make another start in Heap's stead.

The Rest of the Field...

Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (nose) suffered a broken nose last week but is expected to play this Sunday... Miami Dolphins tight end David Martin (head) sat out the second half of the team's Week 11 loss with a head injury, but he should start in Week 12.

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.

DeShaun Foster | Running Back | Carolina Panthers | Turf Toe | Status: Uncertain
Turf toe is and injury to the great toe (metatarsal-phalangeal) joint capsule (bottom surface). It is a result of hyper-extension of the mid-foot on the big toe. The capsule and small ligaments are sprained or stretched. The toe becomes too painful to flex (run or jump). It is the last take off point of balance of the foot with the ground. It is an injury aggravated by synthetic turf. It requires four weeks to heal while being protected with a stiff toe box and sole in the shoe to prevent hyperextension.

Priest Holmes | Running Back | Kansas City Chiefs | Neck Injury | Status: Announced Retirement
The report of the injury to the neck (cervical spine) of a "lump" on the spinal cord is probably a ruptured disc. The distance between the bony housing and the spinal cord is minimal in the neck. I often tell my patients, "It is like a partial collapse of the subway tunnel that may rub on the cars coming through." A further injury to the neck may cause paralysis or crush the spinal cord. Unfortunately, this means the end of a football career.

Owen Daniels | Tight End | Houston Texans | Broken Nose | Status: Expected to Start
The nasal bone is shaped like a chevron (inverted V). If one or both of the sides is pushed in, the airway is closed. The breathing airway is then shifted to the mouth. The fracture, or break, is reduced at the time of the injury and can be held in place with an internal splint, which can be removed. The nasal bone can be protected with an external device or face mask. The swelling in the nasal passage usually is reduced in 7-10 days. Expect the tight end to not reach peak breathing capacity for two weeks.

Zach Thomas | Inside Linebacker | Miami Dolphins | Migraine Headaches | Status: Unlikely to Play
Migraine headaches are usually a result of spasm (vasodilatation) of the arteries in the brain. It may be as a result of prior head injuries (concussions) and aggravated by acute injuries (whiplash), such as auto accident. It can be treated with medicine but is benefited by rest an avoidance of head trauma and physical or mental stress for up to 72 hours until it clears. Severe migraines my require hospitalization with intravenous (IV) medicine. The exact cause is multiple and may even be genetic.

 

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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