NFL Injury Roundup - Week 19

January 11, 2008
02:04:30

By Herija C. Green and Alan Knopf, M.D.
Edited by Nicholas Minnix 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

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (quadriceps) added a quad injury to his already jammed right wrist during the team's Wild Card win over the Washington Redskins. The veteran has been able to practice this week and is expected to start this Saturday's Divisional Round matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

The Rest of the Field...

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (shoulder) takes his weekly spot on the injured list heading into the Divisional Round of the playoffs, but he's a pretty safe bet to be under center when the Pats host the Jacksonville Jaguars this Saturday night ... Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (thumb) is not on the team's injury report this week after struggling with a thumb injury over the final two games of the regular season. Perhaps his much discussed rendezvous with Jessica Simpson had medicinal properties.

Running Backs

Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant (stinger) suffered a stinger during the team's regular season finale that forced him from the game, but he has been able to practice all week and is no longer on the injury report. Starting fullback Korey Hall (hip) is also back at practice after missing the team's final two games with a hip injury. Look for both to be in the starting lineup this Saturday.

The Rest of the Field...

New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (undisclosed) sustained an undisclosed injury during the team's Wild Card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but appears fine for Sunday ... San Diego Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal (fibula) was back on the practice field Wednesday, Jan. 9, and Thursday, Jan. 10, just one month after breaking his leg. However, his status for Sunday remains undetermined.

Wide Receivers

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens (ankle), who missed the team's final game with a sprained ankle, was on the practice field running routes and taking part in some drills Thursday, Jan. 10. Head coach Wade Phillips maintains Owens will be a game-time decision this Sunday, though TO has said he will definitely be in the lineup. Also, receiver Terry Glenn (knee) has practiced without any setbacks this week and should be available against the New York Giants. Glenn made his 2007 debut in Week 17 but did not record a catch.

The Indianapolis Colts are expected to have their full complement of wide receivers for the first time since Week 7, as wideouts Marvin Harrison (knee) and Anthony Gonzalez (foot) both participated in practice Thursday, Jan. 10, and should play this Sunday. Harrison missed the team's last 10 games with his injury, while Gonzalez was held out of their final game of the season. Neither was in the lineup the last time the Colts played the San Diego Chargers, a 23-21 road loss back in Week 10.

Seattle Seahawks receiver D.J. Hackett (ankle) aggravated the same ankle sprain that has sidelined him twice this season during practice Wednesday, Jan. 9, and his availability is in doubt for Saturday's matchup with the Packers. Head coach Mike Holmgren called him a game-time decision and said that Hackett missed practice as more of a precaution, though. In better news for Seattle, wideout Deion Branch (calf) is back at practice after missing the team's Wild Card game and should start this week.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (groin) is expected to start despite being limited in practice Thursday, Jan. 10. Receiver Koren Robinson (knee) was also limited, though wideout James Jones (hamstring) was a full participant after slightly straining his hamstring Wednesday, Jan. 9. All three should play this weekend.

The Rest of the Field...

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Jan. 9, but he is expected to be in the starting lineup against the Cowboys come Sunday ... New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (team decision) was limited in practice Thursday, Jan. 10, but is expected to start this weekend ... Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Reggie Williams (back) did not practice Thursday, Jan. 10, but should start in the team's Saturday night showdown with the Pats ... San Diego Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers (undisclosed) was able to practice Thursday, Jan. 10, after missing the previous day with what was described as general soreness. He will likely start this Sunday.

Tight Ends

The San Diego Chargers suffered a potentially devastating blow when Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates (toe) sustained a dislocated big toe during the team's Wild Card win over the Tennessee Titans. Gates has not practiced this week and could require surgery to correct the problem. He remains a game-time decision for this Sunday. If he can't play, look for tight end Brandon Manumaleuna to see an expanded role.

New York Giants tight end Kevin Boss (illness) did not practice Thursday, Jan. 10, and is not a sure thing to play this Sunday. Head coach Tom Coughlin remains hopeful Boss will play, but if not, tight end Michael Matthews is expected to start. The team is already without tight end Jeremy Shockey (leg), who is on Injured Reserve after suffering a broken leg.

The Rest of the Field...

Indianapolis Colts tight end Ben Utecht (shoulder) practiced Thursday, Jan. 10, and should be available this Sunday.

Place Kickers

San Diego Chargers place kicker Nate Kaeding (fibula) continues to be limited by his leg injury and is once again only expected to handle the place-kicking duties. Kicker Dave Rayner should continue kicking off for the club.

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.

Antonio Gates | Tight End | San Diego Chargers | Dislocated Toe | Status: Unlikely to Play
Big toe injuries have been covered in my past reports as "turf toe." The big toe is the last point of contact of the body when running or jumping. Think of trying to stand on your toes. The maximum point of contact of your leg to the ground is your big toe. The first toe ray (metatarsal), or foot bone, connects to the big toe by ligaments and capsule. A sprain or dislocation tears this complex to allow a subluxation or dislocation, also known as a turf toe injury. It may be associated with cartilage damage or avulsion (forcible tear) of bone from the ligament attachment to the big toe joint.

The injury requires reduction of the dislocation and immobilization to allow healing. This can be maintained with strapping or taping and a hard sole brace or shoe that prevents hyperextension of the big toe. Healing time is three to four weeks. There is pain with any weight bearing during this time.

Improper treatment and healing time can lead to arthritic changes in the big toe joint (bunion). The athlete may be fitted with a shoe with a toe plate that prevents hyperextension, strapping (buddy splint) and anesthetic therapy prior to the athletic activity, but this may limit his performance as well as potentially leading to chronic turf toe. Therefore, the factors of pain tolerance and risk of chronic injury would affect the game-time decision in a star athlete.

 

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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