National Football League

Doc Talk: Week 2 injury analysis

Published Sep. 16, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Each week, Dr. Mark Adickes shares his analysis of the key injuries in each the NFL weekend's upcoming games.

OAKLAND RAIDERS at BUFFALO BILLS

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (shoulder)

Jock to Doc Take: After taking a rough fall Monday night against the Broncos, Oakland’s starting RB was limited at practice on Wednesday of this week, but participated fully in Thursday’s practice. McFadden is expected to be a full-go for Sunday’s game against the Bills, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Health Rating: Darren McFadden @ 90%

GREEN BAY PACKERS at CAROLINA PANTHERS

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Finley was limited during both Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices, but is still listed on the injury report as “probable,” according to the official Green Bay Packers website. He should play and be effective vs. the Panthers.

Health Rating: Jermichael Finley @ 80%

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at DETROIT LIONS

Lions WR Calvin Johnson (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Detroit’s superstar WR sat out of both Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices, the Detroit Free Press reports. Johnson rolled his ankle in the Lions’ win against Tampa Bay last Sunday. Even so, the Detroit Free Press later reported that Johnson said he'll be fine for Detroit’s home opener. He'll be impacted by the injury, but given his tremendous skill set he should get the job done.

Health Rating: Calvin Johnson @ 75%

CLEVELAND BROWNS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Browns WR Mohamed Massaquoi (hamstring)

Jock to Doc Take: Massaquoi was limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday due to a sore hamstring, although the issue appears to be minor. Massaquoi also seems fully recovered from the foot injury that caused him to miss all four preseason games. I expect to see him finally ready to play.

Health Rating: Mohamed Massaquoi @ 85%

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Buccaneers TE Kellen Winslow (non-injury related)

Jock to Doc Take: The eight-year veteran TE didn't take part in Wednesday’s or Thursday’s preparations to play the Vikings. He is currently listed as questionable for the game this weekend. If he was on my fantasy team, he'd be on the bench this Sunday.

Health Rating: Kellen Winslow @ 100% (physical), 60% (non-injury related)

CHICAGO BEARS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Saints WR Marques Colston (collarbone)

Jock to Doc Take: After breaking his collarbone while making a catch in the final minute of last week’s loss to Green Bay, the Saints' No. 1 receiver has been ruled out for at least four weeks, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Unfortunately, for Drew Brees and the Saints, Colston’s backup Lance Moore is listed as questionable because of a groin injury.

Health Rating: Marques Colston @ 0% (6-8 week absence likely); Lance Moore @ 70%

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at NEW YORK JETS

Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (calf)

Jock to Doc Take: After leaving last week’s game against the Titans due to a calf injury, the Jags’ starting TE didn't practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday according to the Florida Times-Union. According to a NewsCore report, Lewis was deemed doubtful for Sunday's game after testing his injury in Friday's practice.

Jets WR Santonio Holmes (knee, quadriceps)

Jock to Doc Take: Although still listed as questionable, Holmes was able to participate in a limited fashion in practice on Thursday. Newsday reports that Holmes has “made it clear” he will play against the Jaguars on Sunday.

Health Rating: Marcedes Lewis @ 40%; Santonio Holmes @ 75%

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Seahawks WR Sidney Rice (shoulder)

Jock to Doc Take: The shoulder of the Seahawks’ top offseason acquisition continues to bother him. After participating in limited practice Wednesday, Rice practiced fully on Thursday, making it his first full practice in three weeks. I expect to see Rice play a good amount in Sunday’s battle with the Steelers and provide Tarvaris Jackson with a deep threat.

Health Rating: Sidney Rice @ 78%

BALTIMORE RAVENS at TENNESSEE TITANS

Ravens WR Lee Evans (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Although he was seen in a protective boot, Evans assured media it is a precaution only and that he plans on playing Sunday against the Titans, the Carrol County Times reports. If he doesn’t play, Anquan Boldin will be busy this weekend.

Health Rating: Lee Evans @ 70%

ARIZONA CARDINALS at WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Redskins TE Chris Cooley (knee)

Jock to Doc Take: Cooley, the eight-year veteran for the Redskins, was limited in practice Tuesday, but returned to practice in full on Wednesday. According to the Washington Post, coach Mike Shanahan said the tight end continues to practice without limitation despite dealing with a knee injury all preseason. I don’t expect to see the TE at full strength.

Health Rating: Chris Cooley @ 80%

DALLAS COWBOYS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant (quad)

Jock to Doc Take: Bryant missed Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices after injuring his quad in last week’s game against the Jets. Despite these circumstances, Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones said the wideout will play Sunday at San Francisco.

Health Rating: Dez Bryant @ 70%

CINCINNATI BENGALS at DENVER BRONCOS

Bengals QB Andy Dalton (wrist)

Jock to Doc Take: After injuring his wrist in the season opener, the Bengals’ starting QB was limited in practice Wednesday, but practiced Thursday. Coach Marvin Lewis is confident Dalton will be available Sunday against the Broncos and said he looked “good” in practice.

Broncos WR Brandon Lloyd (groin)

Jock to Doc Take: The Broncos’ superstar WR did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, the Denver Post reports. Broncos writer Lee Rasizer believes, “it’s going to take some major convincing” for Lloyd to suit up against the Bengals. I don't expect to see him playing this Sunday.

Health Rating: Andy Dalton @ 70%; Brandon Lloyd @ 50%

HOUSTON TEXANS at MIAMI DOLPHINS

Texans RB Arian Foster (hamstring)

Jock to Doc Take: The Texans’ breakout star is finally expected to play Sunday at Miami, the official Houston Texans online website reports. We cannot be too sure of his performance, however, because Foster was cryptic when asked whether or not he was going to play. “That’s the plan (to play Sunday), but you never know with hamstring injuries. They’re tricky, man. Sometimes they’ll sneak up on you.”

Health Rating: Arian Foster @ 80%

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Chargers WR Patrick Crayton (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: After battling with an ankle injury since the preseason, Crayton practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday and is expected to play on Sunday in New England, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. He should be ready to put up some decent numbers.

Health Rating: Patrick Crayton @ 85%

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at ATLANTA FALCONS

Falcons WR Roddy White (knee)

Jock to Doc Take: The Falcons’ star WR, who caught eight balls for 61 yards against the Bears last Sunday, has been nursing a balky knee. Even so, he was a full participant in Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices and has made it clear he'll be playing on Sunday night against the Eagles.

Health Rating: Roddy White @ 85%

ST. LOUIS RAMS at NEW YORK GIANTS

Rams QB Sam Bradford (finger)

Jock to Doc Take: After bruising his finger in last Sunday’s game, Bradford was throwing at full strength during Wednesday’s practice and practiced fully on Thursday as well. His X-rays came up negative according to the Rams’ official site. He should be fine for Monday night's game against the Giants.

Health Rating: Sam Bradford @ 90%

Health Ratings: So what do the numbers mean?

100-85% = NFL players are tough and despite injuries still perform at a high level. Let’s be honest, when is an NFL athlete really physically 100% . . . practically never. With a rating in this range expect players to perform at peak levels.

70-85% = In this range a player's performance will be affected but they can still get the job done.

55-70% = Players with a rating this low will require assistance to do their jobs. The team might be better served by placing these warriors on the inactive list. Only some All-Pros can get the job done when rated this poorly.

40-55% = These players need some more time to heal. Unlikely to be active unless miraculous healing occurs or my rating was based on erroneous information.

25-40% = Players will not play but show signs of recovery opening the door for a return to the active roster the following week.

< 25% = Players will not play and there is concern that additional games may be missed.

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