National Football League

Go inside NFL Week 14 injury report

Published Dec. 10, 2010 6:39 p.m. ET

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To learn more about Kansas City QB Matt Cassel’s chances to return to the field just days after his appendectomy, click on the video above.

ATLANTA FALCONS at CAROLINA PANTHERS

Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Gonzalez, who sprained an ankle in Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers, did not practice Wednesday but returned Thursday. He told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday, “I'll be fine. I've got to enjoy this. Especially at my age, I have to enjoy this. I can't remember the last time I was 10-2. It's been awhile. This doesn't come around too often. We're having a great time." Expect to see Gonzalez on the field.

Health Rating: Tony Gonzalez @ 80%

CINCINNATI BENGALS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Steelers TE Heath Miller (concussion)

Jock to Doc Take: Miller, injured on a big hit in the third quarter of Sunday night's win over the Ravens, did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. "Heath Miller is experiencing the discomfort that goes along with concussions,” Coach Mike Tomlin told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "We'll see if it picks up as the week goes along. Of course, if we're going to err, we're going to err on the side of caution when it comes to players' health."

Health Rating: Heath Miller @ 40%

CLEVELAND BROWNS at BUFFALO BILLS

Browns QB Colt McCoy (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: The rookie QB sustained a high ankle sprain Nov. 21 against Jacksonville and has missed the past two games and did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Browns coach Eric Mangini said Wednesday that McCoy could practice this week, but it looks like Jake Delhomme will get the start again this week.

Health Rating: Colt McCoy @ 50%

DENVER BRONCOS at ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals QB Derek Anderson (concussion)

Jock to Doc Take: Anderson, who sustained a concussion in Sunday’s loss to the Rams, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and had not been cleared to play as of Thursday. Even with Anderson playing, the once-potent Arizona passing attack has been stagnant. With backup QB John Skelton likely under center this week, the Cardinals' offense certainly won’t be improved.

Health Rating: Derek Anderson @ 50%

GREEN BAY PACKERS at DETROIT LIONS

Lions DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (neck)

Jock to Doc Take: Vanden Bosch was placed on injured reserve Thursday after undergoing surgery to repair a bulging disk in his neck. Lions coach Jim Schwartz told The Detroit Free Press that Vanden Bosch has "had some symptoms" of a bulging disk before, but the injury he suffered this year "was one they didn’t think would go away with just time." Generally players return to play without issue after a discectomy (trimming of bulging disk), but unfortunately for the Lions, they won't get their prized free-agent signing back until next season.

Health Rating: Kyle Vanden Bosch @ 0%

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Chargers TE Antonio Gates (toe, foot)

Jock to Doc Take: Gates, battling turf toe and plantar fasciitis for weeks, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. But he told The San Diego Union-Tribune: "This is more of a dire need. Considering how important this game is and what this mean to our whole season, I'd like to say that, speaking in the third person, Antonio Gates will play." Gates will play, but will be hampered by his injuries.

Health Rating: Antonio Gates @ 65%

MIAMI DOLPHINS at NEW YORK JETS

Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall (hamstring)

Jock to Doc Take: Marshall, who missed the past two games after straining his hamstring in a Week 11 loss to the Bears, had limited participation in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Hamstring injuries can linger for an entire season if not allowed to heal sufficiently. This will be a game-time decision.

Health Rating: Brandon Marshall @ 60%

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at CHICAGO BEARS

Bears RB Chester Taylor (knee)

Jock to Doc Take: Taylor did not practice Wednesday but returned in a limited role Thursday. The Chicago Tribune reports that Coach Lovie Smith expects Taylor to practice fully Friday. As Chicago’s goal-line running back, Taylor plays an important role. If he cannot go, that certainly will be a blow to the Bears, who need all the help they can get against the surging Patriots.

Health Rating: Chester Taylor @ 75%

NEW YORK GIANTS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Vikings QB Brett Favre (ankle, chest, right shoulder)

Jock to Doc Take: Favre, who sprained the SC joint in his right shoulder in the first quarter and couldn't finish Sunday’s win over the Bills, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, although he was on the field for Thursday's session. Favre will be a game-time decision, but as always it is expected that he will play.

Health Rating: Brett Favre @ 75%

OAKLAND RAIDERS at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Asomugha, who missed two games with a sprained ankle before returning for the past two games, did not practice Wednesday but did in a limited role Thursday. The more an athlete depends upon acceleration, speed and cutting ability, the more an ankle injury can affect play and limit playing time. Any attempt to return to play early will only prolong symptoms. Asomugha is obviously pushing himself to the limit to keep the Raiders' playoff hopes alive. As Oakland’s shutdown corner, he certainly will be needed against the Jaguars' surging offense.

Health Rating: Nnamdi Asomugha @ 70%

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Seahawks WR Mike Williams (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Williams, who sprained his left ankle in Sunday's win over the Panthers and had been nursing a strained foot, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Coach Pete Carroll told The Olympian newspaper: “We think he’s got a chance. It was not a real bad sprain. We just kind of couldn’t tell what happened with the sprain and the foot problem that he has. He couldn’t get up on it and get running.” With no practice and two injuries, Williams is unlikely to play, and if he does, he surely will be affected by his injuries.

Health Rating: Mike Williams @ 40%

ST. LOUIS RAMS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Saints RB Pierre Thomas (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Thomas, who missed nine games with a severely sprained ankle, is expected play Sunday after practicing fully Wednesday and Thursday, Coach Sean Payton said. With Chris Ivory running well, Thomas should be eased into the mix slowly.

Health Rating: Pierre Thomas @ 80%

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Redskins QB Donovan McNabb (hamstring)

Jock to Doc Take: McNabb has been playing with sore hamstrings for a good deal of the season, and they’re still sore, even though he had a bye week in Week 9. However, he practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday, and McNabb’s 34-year-old legs will hold up just fine for the rest of the season, although he certainly will being playing in pain.

Health Rating: Donovan McNabb @ 80%

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at DALLAS COWBOYS

Eagles CB Asante Samuel (knee)

Jock to Doc Take: Samuel, who missed the past two games with a knee injury, practiced in a limited role Wednesday but not at all on Thursday. But Coach Andy Reid seems hopeful about his status for Sunday. Generally when a player practices Wednesday but not Thursday, it is because he developed a fair bit of soreness, and the medical and training staff felt the only way to get him on the field for the game was to rest him completely. Samuel definitely will be a game-time decision.

Health Rating: Asante Samuel @ 60%

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 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.
< 25% = Players will not play and there is concern that additional games may be missed.