National Football League

Doc Talk: A look at NFL Week 12 injuries

Published Nov. 25, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Peterson had to be helped off the field during the first quarter of Sunday’s game against Oakland because of an ankle injury. Although his X-rays came back negative, it was determined he has a high ankle sprain and some minor ligament damage, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. His status for this week’s game in Atlanta is doubtful and I don't expect to see him even suit up for the game.

Health Rating: Peterson, 25 percent

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals WR A.J. Green (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Unfortunately for Cincinnati fans, A.J. Green did not play last week during the Bengals' near-comeback against the Ravens; however, this week coach Marvin Lewis is hopeful about Green’s status. He was limited in practice Wednesday but practiced in full on Thursday, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports, and at this rate, I expect to see Green as an excellent addition to Andy Dalton’s passing game.

Health Rating: Green, 85 percent

Carolina Panthers at Indianapolis Colts

Colts TE Dallas Clark (leg)

Jock to Doc take: The Colts' veteran TE sustained a significant injury that will keep him out more than a week, according to the Terre Haute Tribune Star, and it may be season-ending. In any event, he is undoubtedly out this week and if he's on your fantasy roster, he may need to be benched indefinitely.

Health Rating: Clark, 5 percent

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars

Texans WR Andre Johnson (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Johnson will almost certainly be on the field Sunday, but according to head coach Gary Kubiak, the Texans won’t “throw him [Johnson] out there and play him 70 plays.” However, according to the Houston Texans official website, Johnson practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday and is looking like he will be ready to go in Jacksonville on Sunday.

Health Rating: Johnson, 80 percent

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Although head coach Rex Ryan thought the veteran running back would be ready Sunday, Tomlinson suffered a “setback,” according to the official website of the New York Jets and hasn't practiced all week. We will most likely see much less rotation between Tomlinson and starter Shonn Green.

Health Rating: Tomlinson, 60 percent

Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams

Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb (toe)

Jock to Doc take: Kolb is “optimistic” he’ll play Sunday against the Rams, the Associated Press reports, which is a good sign for Cardinals fans who have been waiting for Kolb’s turf toe to heal. However, he practiced this week for the first time in three weeks so I'm not absolutely convinced he will make his return in St. Louis.

Health Rating: Kolb, 70 percent

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tennessee Titans

Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck (elbow)

Jock to Doc take: After getting his injured elbow evaluated this week, tests revealed there was no structural damage, The Tennessean reports. He went through a limited practice Wednesday and Thursday, the official Titans website reports, but the veteran QB is expected to be the starter over rookie Jake Locker, who subbed in for him last week.

Health Rating: Hasselbeck, 75 percent

Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Darren McFadden did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, The Contra Costa Times reports. McFadden has been struggling with an injured foot for the past few weeks, and I'm nearly positive he won't be on the field this Sunday against Chicago.

Health Rating: McFadden, 50 percent

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks QB Tavaris Jackson (pectoral)

Jock to Doc take: Jackson has been battling this chest injury for weeks, but his limitation in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Everett Herald, seems to be precautionary. Expect him to start this Sunday against Washington.

Health Rating: Jackson, 70 percent

New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin (shoulder/hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Maclin was limited in practice on Wednesday but was not spotted on Thursday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. This absence is not a good sign for Eagles fans, and although his status is listed as questionable, it doesn’t look like Maclin will get too much playing time on Sunday.

Eagles QB Michael Vick (ribs)

Jock to Doc take: Vick sat out Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices, the Eagles Insider reports. At this point Vick is looking doubtful for Sunday, and unless we see him practice Friday, Vince Young, who led the Eagles to victory last week, will most likely start.

Health Rating: Maclin, 60 percent; Vick, 65 percent

Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers

Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (knee)

Mathews was limited on Wednesday, but practiced in full on Thursday. Although there is some cause for concern, I expect to see the second-year player on the field against a hot Broncos team.

Health Rating: Mathews, 80 percent

Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (thumb)

Ben Roethlisberger practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday after struggling with a right thumb injury, according to the Steelers’ official website, but he is fully expected, barring any setbacks, to play through his injury in Kansas City on Sunday.

Health Rating: Roethlisberger, 85 percent

New York Giants at New Orleans Saints

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot)

Bradshaw, who has been struggling with a foot injury, is progressing, but he has not been cleared by team doctors to even practice, ESPN.com reports. Seeing that he didn’t go to practice on Wednesday or Thursday, his status for Monday night is extremely questionable.

Health Rating: Bradshaw, 40 percent

HEALTH RATINGS: WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN?

100-85 percent = 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 percent ... practically never. With a rating in this range, expect players to perform at peak levels.

70-85 = In this range, players' performances 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 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.

0-25 = Players will not play, and there is concern that additional games may be missed.
 

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League