National Football League

Doc Talk: Week 9 injury analysis

Published Nov. 5, 2010 8:26 p.m. ET

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To learn more about Brett Farve’s health status click on the video above.

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Vikings QB Brett Favre (foot, ankle, chin)

Jock to Doc Take: It’s no secret that Brett Favre has dealt with numerous injuries, not practiced all week and still suited up on gameday. That said, Favre did not practice on Wednesday and saw limited participation in practice Thursday. Favre has been battling two fractures in his ankle and received eight stitches to his chin after being knocked out of Sunday’s game by Patriots DE Myron Pryor. Despite all the injuries to the 41-year-old, he is expected to play on Sunday keeping his streak alive.

Health Rating: Brett Favre @ 70%

CHICAGO BEARS at BUFFALO BILLS

Bears LB Lance Briggs (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: The star linebacker was limited in practice participation on Wednesday but practiced fully Thursday. Briggs rested last week during the Bears' bye and was also inactive the previous week against the Redskins. The Bears were fortunate that the bye week occurred when it did, giving Briggs the luxury of an additional week to heal. He is moving well and should play without limitation.

Health Rating: Lance Briggs @ 80%

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Colts RB Joseph Addai (neck)

Jock to Doc Take: Addai was out last week against the Houston Texans on Monday. The Colts' versatile starting running back did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The Colts will be struggling at the RB position as last week’s starter Mike Hart is out as well after injuring his ankle, plus Donald Brown didn’t finish Monday’s game after a hamstring strain. The good news is that Brown has practiced fully all week and should get the start this week.

Health Rating: Joseph Addai @ 50%
Donald Brown @ 80%
Mike Hart @ 40%

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at OAKLAND RAIDERS

Chiefs WR Dexter McCluster (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: The rookie was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. McCluster didn’t play in last week’s game against the Bills and it has been reported that his injury is a high-ankle sprain. Though there are different degrees of this injury, expect his high ankle sprain to keep him out another week. It would be a surprise to see him play this Sunday.

Health Rating: Dexter McCluster @ 50%

MIAMI DOLPHINS at BALTIMORE RAVENS

Ravens WR Donte' Stallworth (foot)

Jock to Doc Take: Ravens fans may get to see Stallworth make his debut in the purple and black on Sunday against the Dolphins. The wide receiver has been out since the third game of the preseason with a broken foot. He was full participation on Wednesday in practice and had no increased soreness, allowing him to practice fully on Thursday as well. He should be active this week and see time in the slot. I would expect Stallworth to see limited action regardless as he is fourth on the depth chart at WR.

Health Rating: Donte Stallworth @ 75%

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at CLEVELAND BROWNS

Browns QBs Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace (ankles)

Jock to Doc Take: The two quarterbacks have been hampered this season by ankle injuries. Unfortunately for Cleveland it doesn’t look to be getting any better for the signal callers. Both gunslingers did not participate in practice Wednesday or Thursday and rookie QB Colt McCoy looks to be the starter for the third straight week.

Health Rating: Jake Delhomme @ 35%
Seneca Wallace @ 35%

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at CAROLINA PANTHERS

Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (foot)

Jock to Doc Take: Williams did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday and it looks like the Panthers will be without their starting running back for another week. It was reported this week that his sprained foot still has him limping around the locker room. In his place the underperforming Jonathan Stewart will get the start.

Health Rating: DeAngelo Williams @ 30%

NEW YORK GIANTS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Giants DE Osi Umenyiora (knee)

Jock to Doc Take: The team’s leader in sacks did not practice on Wednesday but did participate on a limited basis on Thursday. Umenyiora usually takes a day or two off during the week to stay fresh and he has been dealing with a sore knee all season. If he were to miss Sunday’s game it would be a crushing blow for the Giants defense, which needs to perform well to quiet the Seattle crowd.

Health Rating: Osi Umenyiora @ 85%

NEW YORK JETS at DETROIT LIONS

Lions TE Brandon Pettigrew (ankle

Jock to Doc Take: The former Oklahoma State star was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. The Jets do a good job of blanketing the middle of the field on pass defense, so it will be hard to see Pettigrew contributing much to the Lions' offensive output. He is a favorite outlet of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who returned last week from a separated shoulder, so Pettigrew should have plenty of balls thrown his way as the season progresses.

Health Rating: Brandon Pettigrew @ 70%

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS at HOUSTON TEXANS

Texans WR Andre Johnson (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Johnson has been battling a high ankle sprain all season long and you could really tell it was affecting his play during Monday night’s game. The All-Pro wide receiver could hardly run routes on the final series, but remained in the game as a potential threat. Johnson was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He is expected to play on Sunday which is a huge relief to Matt Schaub and the struggling Texans passing offense.

Health Rating: Andre Johnson @ 70%

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at ATLANTA FALCONS

Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy (neck)

Jock to Doc Take: The Bucs first-round draft pick did not practice on Wednesday after straining his neck in the weight room. It would be a crushing blow to the the Tampa defense if he were unable to play as the Bucs just placed their other rookie DT Brian Price on injured reserve earlier in the week. Thankfully McCoy practiced fully on Thursday and did not show any residual effects of the neck injury. I expect him to play this week without issue.

Health Rating: Gerald McCoy @ 80%

DALLAS COWBOYS at GREEN BAY PACKERS

Cowboys RB Felix Jones (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: The third-year back out of Arkansas did not practice Wednesday and it is reported that he has a left ankle sprain and nagging elbow injury. If Jones can not go Sunday, the Dallas backfield would miss him immensely. With the injury to quarterback Tony Romo the Cowboys would like to have a more balanced attack to ease Jon Kitna’s transition back into the starting lineup. Thankfully Jones practiced fully on Thursday and should be ready to go for this weekend.

Health Rating: Felix Jones @ 80%

PITTSBURGH STEELERS at CINCINNATI BENGALS

Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Joseph missed last week’s game against the Dolphins and was back in practice this week, but only on a limited basis. He was still limited during Thursday's practice, which puts his playing status for this week’s contest in doubt. The long week will give the cornerback some extra rest as the Bengals don’t play until Monday night. I expect Joseph to play and to not be slowed significantly.

Health Rating: Johnathan Joseph @ 75%

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 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.