National Football League

Analysis of NFL Week 2 injury report

Published Sep. 16, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

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Several notable players suffered concussions in Week 1. Want to know what coaches and medical staff are studying when players suffer head injuries? Watch the video above as I explain concussion tests.

Also, I've examined this week's injury report and give you a brief take on some key players.

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons
Cardinals RB Chris “Beanie” Wells (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Wells practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday and was expected to do more Thursday. The plan is for him to be full go on Friday. Given a contusion (bad/deep bruise) led to his missing Week 1 and he is complaining of limited pain and stiffness, I believe he will play and be effective this week against Atlanta. It is important to note that Tim Hightower fumbled twice in Week 1, which will make Coach Ken Whisenhunt want to put the ball in Wells' hands in short yardage and goal-line situations.

Health Rating: Beanie Wells @ 85%

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Ravens TE Todd Heap (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: Heap practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday after a game in which he was targeted by Joe Flacco 11 times. He had six catches for 72 yards and injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter. No specifics about the injury have leaked and all we know at this time is that Heap has a "sprained" shoulder. He said he "can't say right now" whether he will play against the Bengals, but that he would prepare like he was going to participate fully. Given his increased role in the offense, the Ravens tight end will be very motivated to return and perform well.

Health Rating: Todd Heap @ 88%

Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers
Packers CB Charles Woodson (toe)

Jock to Doc take: Woodson did not participate in practice on Wednesday with a toe injury. He has a history of turf toe, which is a sprain of the tissues surrounding the toe joint. He initially injured the toe in last Friday's practice and his performance was unaffected on Sunday. With Al Harris on the physically-unable-to-perform list, the Packers can’t afford to be without Woodson. I believe this is a move to ensure that Woodson (in his 14th season as a perennial All-Pro) will be full go on Sunday. Expect Woodson's play to be unhindered by his toe injury.

Health Rating: Charles Woodson @ 99%

Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys
Bears WLB Lance Briggs (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Briggs did not practice Monday and Wednesday because of issues with his right ankle, which was originally sprained in the preseason. It is important to note that this injury occurred in preseason and last week he led the team in tackles with 10 — nine of which were solo. He also caused a fumble and recovered one. A performance like that coming off an injury makes it easy to play the "get out of practice free" card and have fresh legs for the Week 2 contest against "America's Team."

Health Rating: Lance Briggs @ 95%

Houston Texans at Washington Redskins
Redskins NT Albert Haynesworth (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Haynesworth was limited in Wednesday's practice because of an ankle sprain suffered last week against the Cowboys. Trade talks/rumors with the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets continue to percolate and Haynesworth's health will certainly affect his next move. That said the injury does not appear to be serious and a full recovery is expected by Sunday.

Health Rating: Albert Haynesworth @ 66%

Jacksonville Jaguars at San Diego Chargers
Chargers LS David Binn (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Binn is done for the season after being placed on injured reserve after suffering torn hamstring during the Monday night loss against the Chiefs. Although Binn was expected to miss six to eight weeks, head coach Norv Turner didn’t want to deal with the uncertainty of re-injury and a revolving door at an invisible but vital position of long snapper. For that reason he ended the 17-year veteran’s season.

Health Rating: David Binn @ 0%

Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns
Browns QB Jake Delhomme (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Delhomme did not practice Wednesday after an ankle injury against Tampa Bay left him limping in an orthopedic boot following the game. Delhomme had an MRI but no news is available regarding the results of that test. His participation against the Chiefs in Week 2 is uncertain at this point. His progress will need to be monitored closely as game time approaches and a decision regarding play may not be made until game time.

Health Rating: Jake Delhomme @ 30%

Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings
Dolphins LB Channing Crowder (groin)
Vikings WR Percy Harvin (hip)

Jock to Doc take: Crowder has not practiced in a month since injuring his hip in the preseason opener. His progress has been slow and frustrating for the player, the coaches and the team. There is some talk that he may be placed on injured reserve, ending his season completely.

Health Rating: Channing Crowder @ 15%

Harvin, after battling migraines all preseason, was limited in practice on Wednesday with a hip injury. Brett Favre has to be frustrated with his lack of receiving talent with Harvin limited and Sidney Rice out with injury. Favre, although full go in practice Wednesday, is nursing a sore back and ankle. The Vikings need Favre and Harvin at full speed to mount an effective passing attack.

Health Rating: Percy Harvin @ 85%

New England Patriots at New York Jets
Patriots RB Fred Taylor (toe)

Jock to Doc take: Taylor has an unspecified toe injury. He practiced without restriction Thursday and looked unimpaired. In fact it was reported that he looked faster than ever. At 34 years of age a running back is certainly considered to be in the twilight of his career but Taylor has a chip on his shoulder after being released by Jacksonville in February 2009. I think Taylor may be poised for a fabulous season and will be hampered only by the Patriots' preference for passing the ball.

Health Rating: Fred Taylor @ 90%

Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions
Lions QB Matt Stafford (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: Stafford has a right (throwing) shoulder Grade 2 AC separation. He flew to Birmingham, Ala., to see Dr. James Andrews and was reassured that his labrum and rotator cuff are fine. The diagnosis of a Grade 2 AC separation was confirmed. Stafford will miss this week's game and perhaps next week's game as well but will return thereafter and should perform well.

Health Rating: Matt Stafford @ 50%

Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans
Steelers LT Max Starks (high ankle sprain)

Jock to Doc take: Starks has a high ankle sprain and will miss two to four weeks. He did not participate in practice Wednesday or Thursday and will not play this week. With the loss of Starks, Pittsburgh will have a tough time throwing deep as the longer routes require the line to protect for more time.

Health Rating: Max Starks @ 0%

St. Louis Rams at Oakland Raiders
Rams RB Steven Jackson (right knee)

Jock to Doc take: Jackson did not practice on Wednesday and had an MRI because of inflammation in his knee. He practiced without restriction Thursday and looked well. If his knee does not suffer any setbacks prior to game time Jackson should perform well this week. When Jackson gets the ball you can bet he will feel no pain and run as hard as ever.

Health Rating: Steven Jackson @ 80%

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
Bucs TE Kellen Winslow (knee) DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE on Wednesday. Coach Raheem Morris says Winslow’s absence was a normal rest day for the veteran TE.

Jock to Doc take: Winslow has had six operations on his knees and they have a tendency to get sore. He was held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday but is expected to be full go on Friday. Coach Raheem Morris said this was normal routine for a veteran player to limit the wear on his knees. Winslow should have fresh legs by game time and play well.

Health Rating: Kellen Winslow @ 85%

New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts
Colts SS Bob Sanders (torn biceps muscle)

Jock to Doc take: Sanders had his distal biceps tendon surgically repaired this week after rupturing it last week against the Texans. It is interesting that Sanders was not placed on IR given that he will require three to six months of recovery time. It tells you how important he is to the success of the defense and the Colts' hope that he will be able to return in time for the playoffs.

Health Rating: Bob Sanders @ 0%

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers
49ers WR/returner Ted Ginn Jr. (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Ginn did not practice Wednesday or Thursday with an MCL sprain of the knee. He was initially listed as day to day but it now it appears he will miss two to four weeks. Phillip Adams and Josh Morgan will likely handle the return duties, with Dominique Zeigler moving into the No. 3 receiver spot.

Health Rating: Ted Ginn Jr @ 0%