Z - From The Sidelines...

NFL Injury Roundup - Week 16

December 21, 2007
02:00:18

By Herija C. Green
Edited by Ryan Dodson

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

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (thumb) suffered a thumb injury to his throwing hand during the team's Week 15 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. X-Rays taken on the thumb were negative, and Romo is expected to start this Saturday night.

With Baltimore Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller (concussion) still suffering the effects of a concussion, head coach Brian Billick announced that rookie quarterback Troy Smith will make his first NFL start this week against the Seattle Seahawks.

New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens (rib) was knocked out of the team's Week 15 game and has been limited in practice this week. A decision as to who will start Sunday against the Tennessee Titans has not been made, but if Clemens is unable to go expect quarterback Chad Pennington to get the nod.

The Rest of the Field...

Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman (knee) remains out for this week with quarterback Kyle Orton set to make his second straight start ... It sounds as though Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (shoulder) might go under the knife for his shoulder injury, though a final decision has not been made. Quarterback Sage Rosenfels stands ready to make another start this weekend ... Even though one would think a 14-0 record might be a good opportunity for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (shoulder) to rest his "chronic" shoulder injury, we think he'll be under center once again in Week 16 ... San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trent Dilfer (concussion) will not play this week and is not expected to return this season ... Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell (knee) has made some progress in recovering from a dislocated kneecap, but he won't play this Sunday.

Running Backs

After missing the last two games with a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, New Orleans Saints halfback Reggie Bush (knee) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, Dec. 19, but did not practice the following day. He figures to be a game-time decision in Week 16, but whether or not he plays, look for veteran running back Aaron Stecker to continue getting the majority of the carries.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson (hamstring) hasn't practiced this week due to tightness in his hamstring, and he is out for Week 16. Johnson missed three games earlier this season with the same injury. Look for the team to take an extended look at running back DeDe Dorsey.

The Oakland Raiders will be without their top offensive weapon, halfback Justin Fargas (knee), after he sustained a sprained medial collateral ligament in Week 15. In Fargas' absence running backs Dominic Rhodes and LaMont Jordan are likely to split the load.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson (foot) appears highly unlikely to return to the lineup this Sunday after suffering a setback during practice Wednesday, Dec. 19. Halfback Kolby Smith should get another start.

Tennessee Titans running back LenDale White (knee) missed practice both Wednesday, Dec. 19, and Thursday, Dec. 20, and is considered questionable for Sunday's game against the New York Jets. If White were to miss, halfback Chris Brown should see the bulk of the carries.

It looks as though Miami Dolphins tailback Jesse Chatman (ankle) will return to the field this Sunday barring a setback. His return should push running back Samkon Gado back into a reserve role.

The Rest of the Field...

New York Giants halfback Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) aggravated an old hamstring injury that kept him out of two games earlier in the season but is expected to start this Sunday ... Houston Texans running back Ron Dayne (ankle) was limited in practice Thursday, Dec. 20, but he is likely to start against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16 ... Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (knee) continues to rest his knee during the week but should start this Sunday. The team is also anticipating the return of backup halfback Correll Buckhalter (concussion) after he missed last week's game ... Atlanta Falcons tailback Jerious Norwood (knee) sustained a slight knee injury in last Sunday's loss but should be good to go in Week 16 ... San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (ankle) has been limited in practice but is expected to start this week ... Tampa Bay Buccaneers tailback Michael Pittman (ankle) practiced in full Wednesday and Thursday and should play this Sunday against the 49ers ... Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis (illness) has been slowed by a stomach flu but is line to start in the club's critical Week 16 game.

Wide Receivers

Arizona Cardinals wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald (groin) and Anquan Boldin (toe) continue to be hampered by injuries. Both were limited in practice Wednesday, Dec. 19, with Fitzgerald seeing even less work the following day. Despite being eliminated from playoff contention last week both players are expected to be in the lineup this Sunday.

The Denver Broncos could be without wide receiver Brandon Stokley (knee) this Sunday after he missed the team's Week 15 game. The veteran has been limited in practice this week and could be a game-time decision Monday night against the San Diego Chargers. Meanwhile, receiver Javon Walker (knee), who was inactive in Week 14 but played last week, appears as though he will suit up on Christmas Eve.

New York Jets receiver Laveranues Coles (ankle) lasted just one play into last Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots after he aggravated his ankle injury the day before when a training table he was on fell over. He is uncertain to play this week. Coles' running mate, wideout Jerricho Cotchery (finger), has been a full go in practice this week and should start in Week 16.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Roy Williams (knee) was placed on Injured Reserve this week, officially ending his 2007 season.

The Rest of the Field...

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (illness) missed practice Tuesday, Dec. 18, because of an illness, but he should be ready to play this Saturday ... Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) has been ruled out for Week 16 ... Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Dec. 20, after missing the previous day to receive treatment on his ankle. Look for him to play this week ... Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice (ankle) is doubtful to play in Sunday night's showdown with the Washington Redskins ... Dallas Cowboys wideout Terry Glenn (knee) did not accompany the team on their trip to Charlotte, N.C., and will not play in Week 16 ... Kansas City Chiefs wideout Eddie Kennison (ribs) is banged up again, this time suffering a rib injury that has kept him out of practice all week. His status for Sunday remains up in the air ... New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle) has not practiced this week but should play in Week 16 ... Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Reggie Brown (knee) was limited in practice Thursday, Dec. 20, but is likely to be in the lineup this week against the New Orleans Saints ... Seattle Seahawks wideout D.J. Hackett (ankle) will not play this Sunday, but the team is hopeful he can return for their regular season finale ... Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (illness) has been suffering from the flu, but he returned to practice Thursday, Dec. 20, and should start in Sunday's primetime matchup with the Vikings.

Tight Ends

The New York Giants were dealt a tough blow when tight end Jeremy Shockey (leg) sustained a fractured left fibula during the team's Sunday night loss to the Washington Redskins. He has been placed on Injured Reserve and will undergo surgery this week. Rookie tight end Kevin Boss figures to start in Shockey's stead.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap (hamstring) can't quite seem to get over the hump and return to action. Heap has not played since Week 10, but the team's reluctance to place him on Injured Reserve indicates they are still holding out hope he'll return. That being said, he's not expected to play in Week 16.

New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson (ankle), who did not play last Sunday, has been limited in practice this week and could be in danger of missing his second straight game.

The Rest of the Field...

Buffalo Bills tight end Robert Royal (foot) has been held out of practice this week due to a sore foot, but he is likely to play against the "G-Men" this weekend ... Green Bay Packers tight end Bubba Franks (knee) continues to participate in some portions of practice each week but has yet to return to the lineup. It could happen this weekend, but that is anything but a certainty ... New Orleans Saints tight end Eric Johnson (groin) did not practice Thursday, Dec. 20, after limited participation the previous day. His status for Sunday is unknown ... New York Jets tight end Chris Baker (back) was limited in practice this week but should start in Week 16.

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.

For more information regarding Dr. Knopf's work, please click here.

Jeremy Shockey | Tight End | New York Giants | Broken Fibula | Status: Season Over
The ankle joint is made up of ligaments on the inside (medial) and outside (lateral) that give the ankle stability for inside or outside torque forces. The top of the ankle joint is made up of the tibia (shin bone). The inside ankle bone is an extension of the tibia (medial malleolus). The outside to the ankle is the small adjacent bone, the fibula (lateral malleolus). This structure is known as the ankle mortis.

The mortis is like a house structure with a roof (tibia), an inside wall (medial malleolus) and an outside wall (lateral malleolus). The foundation of the ankle is the talus (the large bone on top of the heel). The talus is the saddle joint of the ankle. Each end of the saddle has stirrups (malleoli). If one stirrup is broken, the rider (talus) slips off the saddle or out of the house. The walls or malleoli must be fixed in order for the foundation of the house (talus) to remain stable. This requires screws, pins or plates (internal fixation).

The fibula or outer wall (lateral malleolus) usually requires a plate and screws in order to support the wall. Healing time usually is six to eight weeks. In the athlete the hardware needs to be removed. Additional healing of the screw holes requires at least six weeks. Once rehabilitation is completed, in about one month the athlete may resume full activity. The total time healing is four months.

Takeo Spikes | Linebacker | Philadelphia Eagles | Torn Rotator Cuff | Status: Season Over
Rotator cuff tear - the shoulder works like a pulley with a rope on top attached to a weight, the arm. When the rope tears at the pulley junction the arm cannot lift away from the body with power or a greater distance than 45 degrees. Thus, the linebacker has lost considerable power and range in the affected arm. The pulley mechanism must be repaired within 10 days of the repair otherwise the rope retracts and the strength of the repair is not as good or may re-tear with stress. The healing time for a complete tear is two months in a splint, and the rehabilitation is another two months. The power is usually restored, as is the range of shoulder motion. This is not true of a chronic tear (greater than four to six weeks from injury). The rotator cuff is the main stabilizer of the shoulder.