National Football League

Doc Talk: NFL Week 16 injury report

Published Dec. 22, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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Saturday

Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions

Falcons WR Roddy White (knee)

Jock to Doc take: White’s status for Saturday’s game against the Lions is questionable, according to the Falcons’ official website. After sitting out of Wednesday’s practice, he was present for Thursday’s, and it would surprise me if he weren’t on the field Saturday night.

Health Rating: Roddy White @ 70%

Sunday

New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant (finger)

Jock to Doc take: Bryant will continue to tough his injury out Sunday against the Saints. It should be a shootout, and both Saints and Cowboys receivers are good starts for fantasy owners this week.

Health Rating: Dez Bryant @ 60%

Tennessee Titans at Green Bay Packers

Packers WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Jordy Nelson will not play against Tennessee on Sunday after missing practice this week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Nelson may return for next week’s matchup, but until he comes back, Greg Jennings, James Jones, and Randall Cobb are going to get more looks than normal from Aaron Rodgers.

Health Rating: Jordy Nelson @ 55%

Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (abdomen/groin)

Jock to Doc take: Peterson was a full participant during Friday’s practice and will continue to work towards breaking the single-season rushing record against the Texans. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but it was likely to give him rest before Minnesota’s big game against Houston.

Health Rating: Adrian Peterson @ 70%

New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm)

Jock to Doc take: Gronkowski will not play this week against the Jaguars, the Boston Globe reports. If the Patriots decide to give Gronk some tuneup snaps before the playoffs, the earliest we will see him is next week.

Health Rating: Rob Gronkowski @ 45%

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins

Dolphins WR Brian Harline (back)

Jock to Doc take: Hartline was limited during Friday’s practice, the team's official website reports. Because Davone Best has already been ruled out, the Dolphins could use Hartline this week; he should play against Buffalo’s mediocre defense.

Health Rating: Brian Hartline @ 65%

San Diego Chargers at New York Jets

Jets TE Dustin Keller (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: The New York Daily News reports that Dustin Keller is doubtful for Sunday’s game against San Diego. He has not been ruled out, but, because he missed practice all week, it is extremely likely that he won’t suit up.

Health Rating: Dustin Keller @ 50%

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles

Redskins QB Robert Griffin III (knee)

Jock to Doc take: RGIII is probable for this weekend’s game against the Eagles, the Washington Times reports. He fully participated in every practice this week and is a go for Sunday.

Eagles RB LeSean McCoy (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: LeSean McCoy will play Sunday, the Eagles' official website reports. This is expected; he is a safe start as a second running back option this week.

Health Rating: Robert Griffin III @ 55%, LeSean McCoy @ 70%

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers WR Emmanuel Sanders (ribs)

Jock to Doc take: Sanders was a full participant in Thursday’s practice after being limited during Thursday’s session, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. He will be on the field Sunday as the Steelers face the Bengals in a must-win situation.

Health Rating: Emmanuel Sanders @ 80%

St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rams RB Stephen Jackson (illness)

Jock to Doc take: Jackson is a good start for fantasy owners this week; he has been running well and has been distancing himself from backup Daryl Richardson. Although he has been sick this week (and limited in practice), he will start against Tamp Bay and should continue doing a good job at carrying the Rams’ rushing load.

Health Rating: Stephen Jackson @ 70%

Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos

Browns RB Trent Richardson (ribs)

Jock to Doc take: Coach Pat Shurmur said the Browns are not considering shutting down Richardson for the team’s final two games, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. He has been doing well this season and has maintained his fantasy value with his scores in the last four games; however, don’t expect the Broncos’ defense to allow him much room to run.

Health Rating: Trent Richardson @ 75%

Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals

Bears WR Brandon Marshall (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Marshall was added to the injury report on Thursday, but his hamstring is a non-issue. He is one of the top fantasy receivers and is a must-start for owners as the Bears continue to fight for a playoff berth.

Health Rating: Brandon Marshall @ 75%

New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens

Ravens WR Torrey Smith (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: Smith is questionable against the Giants and is expected to play, the Baltimore Sun reports. He should play this week; however, with fantasy championships on the line, owners should check before the kickoff at 4:25 ET before locking Smith into their lineup.

Health Rating: Torrey Smith @ 63%

Monday

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks WR Sidney Rice (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Rice is looking highly questionable after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, the Seahawks’ official website reports. He might not be on the field Monday, but, luckily for Seattle fans, they are unbeatable at home this year.

Health Rating: Sidney Rice @ 55%

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 players 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-Pro’s 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.