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To learn more about Viking QB Brett Favre’s chances to return to the field this season and his prospects for next year as well, click on the video above.
ARIZONA CARDINALS at CAROLINA PANTHERS
Cardinals WR Steve Breaston (knee)
Jock to Doc Take: Breaston, who had September surgery to repair torn meniscus, had two catches for 18 yards in last week's 43-13 win against Denver but was LIMITED IN PARTICIPATION at practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Rookie John Skelton will remain the starting QB as Derek Anderson still has not practiced since suffering a concussion. Breaston should play, although fantasy football owners probably will keep him on the bench.
Health Rating: Steve Breaston @ 75%
ATLANTA FALCONS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Falcons WR Roddy White (knee)
Jock to Doc Take: The league’s receiving yards leader, nursing a knee injury since last month, DID NOT PRACTICE on Wednesday but returned to practice without restriction Thursday. With the Falcons vying for home field advantage throughout the playoffs, White’s presence on the field is a must.
Health Rating: Roddy White @ 80%
BUFFALO BILLS at MIAMI DOLPHINS
Bills CB Drayton Florence (fibula)
Jock to Doc Take: The Bills veteran cornerback DID NOT PRACTICE on Wednesday but participated fully Thursday. Florence has been a big part of the Bills' defense this season, winning AFC Defensive Player of the Week last month.
Health Rating: Drayton Florence @ 80%
CLEVELAND BROWNS at CINCINNATI BENGALS
Bengals WR Terrell Owens (knee)
Jock to Doc Take: A day after blaming the fall of the defending AFC North champions on the coaches, Owens DID NOT PRACTICE on Wednesday and was limited in participation Thursday. Owens battled through his knee injury last week and played against Pittsburgh, but was held to a single catch for 22 yards. Owens is not alone in being banged up, as teammate Chad Ochocinco (left foot) missed practice Thursday. Owens should play and be more productive this week.
Health Rating: Terrell Owens @ 75%
DENVER BRONCOS at OAKLAND RAIDERS
Broncos WR Brandon Lloyd (calf)
Jock to Doc Take: The Broncos' standout receiver DID NOT PRACTICE on Wednesday but did fully on Thursday. Lloyd hasn’t been as dominating over the past two weeks as he did earlier in the year; he has had only five catches for 63 yards and no touchdowns. He will be on the field this week, but with Tim Tebow the potential starter at QB, it remains to be seen if he can put up big numbers.
Health Rating: Brandon Lloyd @ 85%
DETROIT LIONS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Lions RB Jahvid Best (toe)
Jock to Doc Take: The rookie running back has battled turf toe all season. Best, who had 38 yards on 13 carries last week vs. Green Bay, was LIMITED IN PRACTICE on Wednesday and Thursday. He should play this week, but I expect him to continue to be hampered.
Health Rating: Jahvid Best @ 70%
HOUSTON TEXANS at TENNESSEE TITANS
Texans WR Andre Johnson (ankle)
Jock to Doc Take: Johnson, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 3, was LIMITED IN PRACTICE on Wednesday and Thursday. Although the Texans have lost six of their past seven games, Johnson has been one of the many bright spots in the offense — he dazzled in a nine-catch, 140-yard, two-touchdown performance last week. Arian Foster, the league leader in rushing yards, has caused defenses to creep up and play the run, which allows Johnson to get advantageous matchups. It's hard to believe that Johnson will miss a matchup against Titans CB Cortland Finnegan after their Week 12 brawl.
Health Rating: Andre Johnson @ 75%
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew (knee)
Jock to Doc Take: Jones-Drew, who has been a major reason for the Jags' success on offense, MISSED PRACTICE on Wednesday and Thursday with a lingering knee injury. However, he was limited in practice Thursday and Friday last week and still eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for a sixth straight game. Indianapolis is going to be hard pressed to contain him. Jones-Drew has been spelled by breakout running back Rashad Jennings.
Health Rating: Maurice Jones-Drew @ 85%
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at ST. LOUIS RAMS
Chiefs QB Matt Cassel (appendectomy)
Jock to Doc Take: The Kansas City quarterback was LIMITED IN PRACTICE on Wednesday and Thursday as he recovers from an emergency appendectomy performed last week. Cassel was not able to play against San Diego and was sorely missed: Second-string quarterback Brodie Croyle didn’t lead a single scoring drive. Asked by The Kansas City Star about his chance of playing this week, Cassel responded, “I really don’t know. I can’t give you a percentage. Hopefully 99.99999 percent.”
Health Rating: Matt Cassel @ 70%
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at BALTIMORE RAVENS
Saints WR Courtney Roby (head)
Jock to Doc Take: The Saints kick returner was released from the hospital Wednesday after suffering a neck injury Sunday. Roby, a fifth-year player from Indiana, still is sore and DID NOT PRACTICE on Wednesday or Thursday, and Coach Sean Payton made it clear Roby is not expected to play.
Health Rating: Courtney Roby @ 40%
NEW YORK JETS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Steelers S Troy Polamalu (calf/Achilles)
Jock to Doc Take: Polamalu, the first AFC player to win Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks in more than 20 years, DID NOT PRACTICE on Wednesday or Thursday. The Pro Bowl safety turned his ankle on a fumble return for a touchdown last week against Cincinnati. Despite his injury, Polamalu said he feels about the same. He has not missed a game this season.
Health Rating: Troy Polamalu @ 80%
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at NEW YORK GIANTS
Giants WR Mario Manningham (hip)
Jock to Doc Take: The Giants wide receiver, suffering from a hip flexor strain, DID NOT PRACTICE on Wednesday and was LIMITED AT PRACTICE on Thursday, but told reporters he would be able to go against the Eagles. “Trust me. I’ll be good to go Sunday at 1 o’clock," he said. Meanwhile, the Giants learned Thursday that wide receiver Steve Smith will miss the remainder of the year because of a torn pectoral muscle.
Health Rating: Mario Manningham @ 70%
WASHINGTON REDSKINS at DALLAS COWBOYS
Cowboys RB Marion Barber (calf)
Jock to Doc Take: Barber, unable to go last week against Philadelphia, was LIMITED IN PRACTICE by a strained calf on Wednesday and Thursday, but most observers feel he will be able to go this week. If Barber does not go, expect his carries to be split between Tashard Choice and Felix Jones.
Health Rating: Marion Barber @ 75%
GREEN BAY PACKERS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (concussion)
Jock to Doc Take: The Packers gunslinger DID NOT PRACTICE on Wednesday or Thursday. Rodgers still is feeling effects from Sunday’s hit, and Green Bay is preparing backup Matt Flynn to start Sunday night against New England. With this being his second concussion in the past 10 weeks, Rodgers could miss the remainder of the season.
Health Rating: Aaron Rodgers @ 10%
CHICAGO BEARS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson (toe)
Jock to Doc Take: The Vikings backup aggravated his turf toe Monday night against the Giants while filling in for Brett Favre. Jackson's turf toe is so severe that he was placed on IR, and the Vikings signed veteran Patrick Ramsey this week.
Health Rating: Tarvaris Jackson @ 0%
Health Ratings: So what do the numbers mean?
100-85% = NFL players are tough and still perform at a high level despite injuries. 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 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 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.
