NFL Injury Roundup - Week 18

January 4, 2008
06:42:04

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 Tennessee Titans' Sunday night win over the Indianapolis Colts put them into the playoffs, but it may have come at a heavy price as quarterback Vince Young (quadriceps) was knocked from the game and did not return. The second-year signal caller has done some work in practice this week, but he has been splitting reps with backup quarterback Kerry Collins, and Young's status remains uncertain. Were Young unable to take the field, the team would look to Collins to lead them against the San Diego Chargers this weekend.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) was held out of the team's Week 17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but he returned to practice Wednesday, Jan. 2, and is expected to start this Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Rest of the Field...

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (wrist) jammed his right wrist during the team's Week 17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but he has practiced all week and looks ready to start this Saturday ... The Washington Redskins have ruled out quarterback Jason Campbell (knee) for Saturday's Wild Card showdown with the Seahawks, which means the team will once again turn to quarterback Todd Collins. The veteran led the team to four straight wins to close out the season and was named the NFC's Offensive Player of the Month for December.

Running Backs

Tennessee Titans running back LenDale White (knee, personal) missed time during the team's Week 17 game due to his knee injury and has not practiced this week due to personal reasons. Also among the walking wounded is halfback Chris Brown (back), who returned to practice Thursday, Jan. 3, after missing the previous day. Both men remain uncertain to play this Sunday, but the team is hopeful to have them both available. If either were to miss time or be limited, running back Chris J. Henry would likely see an increased role.

The Rest of the Field...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tailback Earnest Graham (ankle) was held out of the team's season finale to ensure he would be healthy for their playoff tilt this Sunday. He is expected to start ... New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (leg) did not play last Saturday against the New England Patriots, but he has participated in practice this week and should be available this Sunday ... Although he has made an amazing recovery, San Diego Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal (leg) has not practiced this week and is unlikely to play this week against the Tennessee Titans.

Wide Receivers

The Seattle Seahawks may not have their full complement of receivers when they take the field this Saturday as wideout Deion Branch (calf) did not play last Sunday because of a calf injury and has not practiced this week. He did do some running during practice Thursday, Jan. 3, but his status remains unknown. The team did get receiver D.J. Hackett (ankle) back in Week 17 after a four-game hiatus due to his second high ankle sprain of the season, and he should play this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward (knee) returned to the practice field Thursday, Jan. 3, after missing practice the previous day and being inactive last Sunday. He should be in the starting lineup for Saturday night's clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Tennessee Titans will be without top wide receiver Roydell Williams (ankle) for this Sunday and beyond after he suffered a broken ankle during practice Wednesday, Jan. 2. Veteran receiver Eric Moulds is expected to start in Williams' stead this Sunday.

The Rest of the Field...

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle) was limited in practice Thursday, Jan. 3, but he is expected to start this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also, wideout Sinorice Moss (back), who missed the team's Week 17 contest with a back injury, has practiced all week but remains uncertain for Sunday ... Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Joey Galloway (shoulder) did not play last weekend and has been held out of practice this week in an effort to get him ready for their Sunday battle with the G-Men. Both he and receiver Ike Hilliard (knee), who also missed the Week 17 game, are expected to play.

Tight Ends

The Tennessee Titans' run of bad luck continued as they were forced to place tight end Bo Scaife (liver) on Injured Reserve after he sustained a lacerated liver during the team's Week 17 contest. With Scaife out, look for tight ends Ben Hartsock and Ben Troupe to both see increased roles this Sunday.

Place Kickers

San Diego Chargers place kicker Nate Kaeding (fibula) has not been practicing this week and is expected to give way to place kicker Dave Rayner on kickoffs this Sunday. Kaeding should retain his field goal and extra point duties.

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.

Bo Scaife | Tight End | Tennessee Titans | Lacerated Liver | Status: Season Over
The liver is a large organ that lies under the diaphragm and above the right kidney. It has multiple duties. It filters the blood stream, forms digestive juices (bile) and also is capable of forming blood. It is a soft, sponge-like organ. It has direct connection to the main blood vessels in the abdomen (aorta and vena cava). The liver is suspended in the abdomen by ligaments and attached to the small intestine by bile ducts. A blunt force directed to the right side of the abdominal cavity can cause a laceration in the covering of the liver or rupture the attachment to the blood vessels. The usual injury is a laceration of the covering of the liver (capsule), and this results in a slow bleed (hematoma). This can be handled conservatively by observation in the hospital, which may include X-rays and CT scans (computerized tomography). It may also include an arthroscopic visual exam and aspiration to detect continued bleeding. Eighty percent of these lacerations heal without an operation to control bleeding. Early diagnosis and treatment may be life-saving. A laceration will heal in four weeks, and sports activity may resume in three months. Anytime a direct blow of sufficient magnitude is delivered to the abdomen, the spleen, liver, intestinal tract or kidney may sustain a laceration and bleeding.

 

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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