National Football League

Doc Talk: A look at NFL Week 13 injuries

Published Dec. 2, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears

Bears QB Jay Cutler (thumb)

Jock to Doc take: Cutler has three screws and two pins in his thumb and won't be seen on the field until next year. Fantasy owners should drop him and search for a new quarterback.

Health Rating: Jay Cutler @ 0%

Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans

Falcons RB Michael Turner (groin)

Jock to Doc take: Turner missed practice both Wednesday and Thursday, the Falcons website reports. Although there has not been word on his status for Sunday's game, his lack of practice coupled with a tough Houston defense does not bode well for teams with Turner on their fantasy roster.

Health Rating: Michael Turner @ 70%

Texans QB Matt Leinart (collarbone)

Jock to Doc take: Leinart, who was filling in for injured starting quarterback Matt Schaub, suffered a broken left collarbone on Sunday in Jacksonville and acknowledged "there's probably a strong possibility I won't be coming back this season." He's probably right. Rookie and third-string quarterback T.J. Yates will take the reins on Sunday, so the Texans will have to rely on the running game more than they expected for the rest of the year.

Health Rating: Matt Leinart @ 0%

Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (foot)

Jock to Doc take: The Raiders' starting running back again is not expected to play Sunday. After McFadden was unable to practice Wednesday or Thursday, according to the Contra Costa Times, the Raiders once again will rely on Michael Bush to carry their running game.

Health Rating: Darren McFadden @ 50%

Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Peterson did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but he's "getting more movement" with his ankle, Jeremy Fowler of the Pioneer Press reports. The Vikings' starting running back expects a decision to be made Saturday, but I do not expect to see him on the field. The Vikings won't be in the playoffs, so I would think Minnesota would be smart and not push his return.

Health Rating: Adrian Peterson @ 30%

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Bengals RB Cedric Benson (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Benson did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, after hurting his foot last week against Cleveland. His status for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh has yet to be determined. Depending on what he is able to do Friday in practice, we will see if backup Bernard Scott will get his second start of the year Sunday.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (thumb)

Jock to Doc take: Big Ben was limited this week in practice, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Although this lingering injury seems to affect him, fantasy owners should not fret, for he will be on the field Sunday against a hot Bengals team.

Health Ratings: Cedric Benson @ 60 %; Ben Roethlisberger @ 85%

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman (right shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: Freeman took "mental reps" this week instead of practicing, according to the Buccaneers site. He was not throwing this entire week, but depending on what he can do during Friday's practice, we may not see a decision until game-time Sunday. In any event, this injury does not bode well for the Buccaneers, who are trying to avoid falling into a tie for last place in the NFC South.

Health Rating: Josh Freeman @ 80%

New York Jets at Washington Redskins

Redskins WR Santana Moss (hand)

Jock to Doc take: Moss is active for Sunday's game against New York. The Redskins receiver caught four passes last week for 29 yards, his first action since breaking his hand earlier this season. I expect him to be even more ready to go on Sunday, despite a sore hand.

Health Rating: Santana Moss @ 85%

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

Browns RB Peyton Hillis (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: The Browns running back, who has been battling a lingering hamstring injury, practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Browns website. He will be on the field Sunday and the Browns will rely on him to forge a run game against a solid Ravens defense.

Health Rating: Peyton Hillis @ 90%

Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals

Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: The Cowboys and Tony Romo most likely will be missing their dynamic weapon in the passing game again this week. Austin did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, according to the Cowboys website, and it is likely that the Cowboys, who are still in the playoff hunt, will give him another week of rest before using him.

Health Rating: Miles Austin @ 50%

Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb (turf toe)

Jock to Doc take: Kolb is expected to start on Sunday. Although the Dallas secondary is beatable, starting Kolb, who is coming off a significant injury, on your fantasy roster is very risky.

Health Rating: Kevin Kolb @ 75%

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Coach Tom Coughlin told the Newark Star-Ledger that Bradshaw, who has been out with a foot injury, must practice Friday to have a chance to play against the Packers. Although the Giants' starting RB has not ruled himself out of Sunday's game, it is likely Brandon Jacobs will start and get the majority of the carries.

Health Rating: Ahmad Bradshaw @ 60%

Giants WR Mario Manningham (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Manningham did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, according to the team's site, and is highly questionable for Sunday. This, coupled with the questionable status of fellow receiver Hakeem Nicks, does not look good for the New York offense, which most likely will have to score multiple times to keep up with the dynamic Packers.

Health Rating: Mario Manningham @ 40%

St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers

Rams QB Sam Bradford (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Bradford, who was expected to practice in full this week, did not practice Thursday, according to the Rams' official Twitter feed. He apparently suffered a setback, so unless he practices Friday, it would be a very poor decision to start him against a stout San Francisco defense.

Health Rating: Sam Bradford @ 50%

49ers RB Frank Gore (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Gore was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, CSN Bay Area reports, but if he is on your fantasy roster, I would start him. He is fully expected to start this week against a Rams defense that gave up 228 rushing yards to Beanie Wells last Sunday.

Health Rating: Frank Gore @ 80%

San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars

Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Last week, CBS's morning fantasy football show said Mathews would be limited Sunday and Mike Tolbert will start, but Mathews surprised everyone by rushing for 137 yards on 22 carries. Although he is still on the injury report, I expect Mathews to start again and lead the Chargers offense against a struggling Jaguars team.

Health Rating: Ryan Mathews @ 85%

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 a player's performance will be affected, but he still can 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.

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