National Football League

Doc Talk: Inside NFL Week 17 injuries

Published Dec. 30, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

DETROIT LIONS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

Lions WR Calvin Johnson (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Johnson did not practice Thursday, the Detroit Free Press reports. We will keep an eye out for whether or not he practices on Friday. If he practices, even in a limited fashion, there is a high chance he will be available in Green Bay.

Health Rating: Calvin Johnson @ 65 %

TENNESSEE TITANS AT HOUSTON TEXANS

Texans WR Andre Johnson (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Johnson practiced in a limited fashion this week, and on Thursday coach Gary Kubiak noted that the Texans’ star receiver “was better today, so we’re well on our way to him playing this weekend,” HoustonTexans.com reports. I expect to see him on the field but since the Texans have locked up the No. 3 seed, he will play a limited amount.

Titans RB Chris Johnson (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Johnson did not practice on Thursday, the Tennessean reports. He is generally expected to play on Sunday against Houston, but without practicing all week, his situation is uncertain.

Health Ratings: Andre Johnson @ 70%; Chris Johnson @ 60%

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Jones-Drew did not practice on Thursday and is listed as questionable, ESPN’s Paul Kuharsky reports. However, he played last week after just one limited practice, so I expect to see him play this weekend.

Health Rating: Maurice Jones-Drew @ 75%

NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

Dolphins RB Reggie Bush (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Bush missed Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices, but according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, he was seen walking without a limp. However, things took a downturn and he was ruled out for Sunday.

Health Rating: Reggie Bush @ 0%

CHICAGO BEARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Bears RB Marion Barber (calf)

Doc to Jock take: Barber didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, but we will see how the team lists him on Friday. Kahlil Bell will likely start again if Barber can't go.

Health Rating: Marion Barber @ 55%

BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Patriots QB Tom Brady (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: Tom Brady was officially listed as limited at Thursday’s practice. His questionable status is from a left shoulder injury, and although it is very noteworthy, he will likely start Sunday against the Bills.

Health Rating: Tom Brady @ 85%

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Saints WR Lance Moore (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Moore, who has been struggling with a sore hamstring, left Monday night's game against Atlanta after going down hard. New Orleans will likely save him for the playoffs, for Moore is highly questionable this week.

Health Rating: Lance Moore @ 50%

WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Redskins RB Roy Helu (toe/knee)

Jock to Doc take: Helu was limited in practice on Thursday, but it’s hard to see him sitting out on Sunday. The Redskins haven’t added another running back to the roster, so he and backup Evan Royster are currently the only active runners under contract. I expect to see Helu play.

Philadelphia Eagles RB LeSean McCoy (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: McCoy was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but he was quoted by Philadelphia Inquirer writer Jonathan Tamari that he plans to play on Sunday. Because of this, I fully expect to see him on the field this weekend.

Health Ratings: Roy Helu @ 70%; LeSean McCoy @ 75%

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS

Rams QB Sam Bradford (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: According to the Rams' official Twitter, Bradford did not practice Thursday. This points to him not being on the field on Sunday, and with backup A.J. Feeley also questionable, the Rams are looking at an unfortunate quarterback situation for their final week of play.

Health Rating: Sam Bradford @ 55%

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: Kolb won't play after not practicing all week. John Skelton will start on Sunday, NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports.

Health Rating: Kevin Kolb @ 40%

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

Falcons RB Michael Turner (groin)

Jock to Doc take: The Falcons’ starting running back was a limited participant during Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices, the official team website reports. Barring any setbacks, the Falcons will likely start Turner this Sunday.

Health Rating: Michael Turner @ 72%

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

Bengals WR A.J. Green (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: The star rookie has been limited in practice this week, but given the magnitude of this game coupled with a very tough opponent, I expect to see Cincinnati play him. Also, he played through the injury last week, so this week should be no different barring any setbacks.

Health Rating: A.J. Green @ 75%

Ravens WR Anquan Boldin (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Boldin, who is recovering from knee surgery to repair a slight tear in his meniscus, is ruled out for Sunday’s game in Cincinnati. He will be back in the playoffs, but for this game, Torrey Smith and Lee Evans will be Flacco’s go-to guys.

Health Rating: Anquan Boldin @ 0%

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Big Ben went through another full day of practice on Thursday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. According to Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, “He [Roethlisberger] moved around good today and a little better than yesterday.” It looks like he is going to play, but the Steelers may save him for the playoffs if he is not fully healthy.

Health Rating: Ben Roethlisberger @ 79%

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT OAKLAND RAIDERS

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (foot)

Jock to Doc take: McFadden will likely miss his ninth consecutive game on Sunday, CBSSports.com reports. His foot is still not ready to go, even during an important game like this one.

Health Rating: Darren McFadden @ 25%

DALLAS COWBOYS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

Cowboys QB Tony Romo (hand)

Jock to Doc take: Romo was at practice Thursday and according to Josh Ellis of DallasCowboys.com, his passes looked fine and showed that he is making progress. It is assumed that he will start Sunday against the Giants, seeing that this is the most important game of the Cowboys' season thus far.

Health Rating: Tony Romo @ 69%

HEALTH RATINGS: 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.

share

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

in this topic

National Football League