National Football League

Doc Talk: NFL Week 5 injury analysis

Published Oct. 7, 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.

Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills

Eagles QB Michael Vick (finger)

Jock to Doc Take: Vick was a full participant in Wednesday's and Thursday's practices. Although his finger still hurts him, I don't expect to see it affect his play on Sunday in Buffalo.

Health Rating: Michael Vick @ 90%

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

Panthers TE Jeremy Shockey (concussion)

Jock to Doc Take: Panthers veteran TE did not practice Wednesday after dealing with concussion-like symptoms this week. He also aggravated a previously broken finger during last Sunday's game against the Packers, so he is pretty banged up. He was on the practice field Thursday in a limited capacity. He expects to play against the Saints on Sunday, the Gaston Gazette reports.

Health Rating: Jeremy Shockey @ 75%

Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans

Texans WR Andre Johnson (hamstring)

Jock to Doc Take: The superstar receiver had a procedure done on his hamstring Wednesday to prevent scar tissue and speed recovery after sustaining an injury last week against Pittsburgh, according to the Texans website. The Houston Chronicle reports that Johnson will miss three to four weeks, although the Texans have refused to put a number on it thus far.

Health Rating: Andre Johnson @ 0%

Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts

Colts QB Peyton Manning (neck)

Jock to Doc Take: An update on Manning is that he hopes to be back on the field this season. The Indianapolis Star reports he has made significant progress in his recovery from surgery. Meanwhile, Manning's backup and current starter, Kerry Collins, was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a concussion. Collins is not expected to start this week.

Health Rating: Peyton Manning @ 0%; Kerry Collins @ 70%

Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew (unknown)

Jock to Doc Take: Jacksonville's starting RB was limited in practice Wednesday for an undisclosed reason. He looked like he was going full speed on Thursday's practice, however. I would start Jones-Drew on your fantasy roster regardless of why he was limited.

Health Rating: Maurice Jones-Drew @ 80%

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings

Cardinals TE Todd Heap (hamstring)

Jock to Doc Take: The veteran was limited in both Wednesday's and Thursday's practices after suffering a hamstring injury against the Giants last week. His status is questionable, and coach Ken Whisenhunt said Heap likely will be a game-time decision Sunday, the Arizona Republic reports.

Health Rating: Todd Heap @ 65%

Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants

Giants RB Brandon Jacobs (knee)

Jock to Doc Take: Jacobs, who switches off with Ahmad Bradshaw, said he wanted to practice Thursday, but team doctors made him sit out for another day, the New York Daily News reports. His status is questionable, but I expect to see him on the field Sunday.

Health Rating: Brandon Jacobs @ 70%

Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (foot)

Jock to Doc Take: Although Roethlisberger missed Thursday's practice, I don't think he'll miss any time. Last year, he suffered a right foot injury and played through it all of December and January. He also went 4-1 in the postseason and won an AFC title. His foot didn't affect him. Although you shouldn't expect it to slow him down that much, realize he will not be full speed.

Health Rating: Ben Roethlisberger @ 77%

49ers RB Frank Gore (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Gore practiced on a limited basis both Wednesday and Thursday, the NFL's official site reports. It most likely will be a game-time decision, but Gore did say his ankle is better than it was last week.

Health Rating: Frank Gore @ 80%

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

Chargers TE Antonio Gates (foot)

Jock to Doc Take: Gates, who has been struggling with a foot injury, did not practice Thursday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. I do not expect to see Gates on the field that much on Sunday.

Health Rating: Antonio Gates @ 35%

New York Jets at New England Patriots

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (knee)

Jock to Doc Take: Hernandez has been struggling for the past few weeks with a knee injury. He practiced on Thursday in a limited fashion, but said he will be ready to play on Sunday, the Boston Herald reports. The Patriots will need him to play with stars in New York's secondary such as Darrelle Revis.

Health Rating: Aaron Hernandez @ 70%

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons

Falcons WR Roddy White (thigh)

Jock to Doc Take: The past few weeks, White has been struggling with this thigh injury. He did not practice on Wednesday, but did practice in a limited fashion on Thursday. I expect to see him on the field as one of Matt Ryan's targets.

Health Rating: Roddy White @ 80%

Lions WR Calvin Johnson (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Johnson has been struggling with this ankle problem for a while, but he hasn't let it affect him. He continues to dominate every secondary he plays against. Although he did not practice Wednesday, he returned Thursday, the Detroit News reports, and I expect to see him as Matthew Stafford's No. 1 receiver Monday night.

Health Rating: Calvin Johnson @ 81%

Health Ratings: So 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% ... practically never. With a rating in this range expect players to perform at peak levels.

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

55-70 percent = 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 percent = 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 percent = Players will not play but show signs of recovery, opening the door for a return to the active roster the following week.

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

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