Author: Tyler Stearns


Jamal Lewis: Lewis was placed on injured reserve with post concussion syndrome. The 10 year veteran has decided to call it a career following this season and I would like to acknowledge the career that he has had. Despite his issues, Lewis rushed for over 10,000 yards in his career leaving at #21 All-time on the career rushing list, #2 on the Single-Season rushing list with 2,066 and the #2 Single-game rushing record with 295. If that is a career not worth commending then I do not know what is. So hats off to you Jamal and good luck in the future. 


QUARTERBACK
 
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons – Turf Toe
Ryan will not play this week because of a Turf Toe injury. The severity of the injury is unknown and Ryan will see a specialist this week. Chris Redman will start in place of Ryan this week.  

Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals – Concussion
Warner has been splitting time in practice with Matt Leinart because of concussion sustained last week. Warner should play if he continues to feel healthy, but check gameday for his status because last week he was supposedly ready, but didn’t feel ready on Sunday.

Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers – Broken Finger
Delhomme will not play this week because of a broken finger and it is unlikely that he will return this season. Unless the team contends for the playoffs there is no reason for Delhomme to return once the injury heals by Week 13 or 14.


RUNNING BACK

Steve Slaton, Houston Texans – Neck
Slaton has not practiced this week because of an undisclosed shoulder injury. It appears highly unlikely that he will play on Sunday, but check for the official injury report with his status.

Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons – High Ankle Sprain
Turner forced himself back into the action last week against the Buccaneers further aggravating the high ankle sprain.  It is unlikely that he will play this week and if Coach Mike Smith further jeopardizes his franchise running back than it would be a very unwise career decision. The Falcons are in the midst of a playoff race and Matt Ryan is hurt therefore the health of Turner is essential to this team’s success and a much needed week off will be the remedy. 
  
Bernard Scott, Cincinnati Bengals – Turf Toe
Popular waiver wire pick up Bernard Scott will be out this week with Turf Toe. Cedric Benson is expected to return this week and Larry Johnson will also see a lot of work.

Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams – Back
Jackson has been held out of practice all week because of a back injury. Expect him to play as Jackson did not practice last week either, but still was ready on Sunday.   

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers – Ankle
Williams is questionable for this week against the Buccaneers. Williams has been held out practice with an ankle injury and the team has said he will be a gametime decision on Sunday. My instinct tells me that Williams will play especially with the question mark at quarterback. Check prior to gametime for the official decision on his status.   

*Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins - Concussion
Portis has been ruled out of this Sunday’s game again and Rock Cartwright will see the bulk of the work in his wake.   

*Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles - Concussion
Westbrook is still suffering form his 2nd concussion that he sustained over a month ago. He will be miss his 4th straight game this Sunday and his return this season is still unclear.
*Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals - Hip
Benson will return to the field this week and is a decent play. However, with Larry Johnson coming off a 100 yard performance, the amount of work that Benson will get is unclear.    

Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints - Knee
Bush is expected to return this week despite limited practice. Mike Bell is questionable for the week so I think that Bush will see some action with Pierre Thomas.

Mike Bell, New Orleans Saints – Knee, Neck
Bell is listed as probable this week because of knee and neck injuries. He practiced on a limited basis and with Bush returning from a knee injury expect Thomas to see the bulk of the carries and the former Heisiman winner on passing downs. Bell may see a bit of work, but it is unlikely that he will see very much.

Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks – Bruised Lung
Jones is expected to return on Sunday which could complicate the backfield with Justin Forsett’s status unknown.

Justin Forsett, Seattle Seahawks – Quad
Forsett tweaked his quad during practice on Friday and it is unclear what his status on gameday will be. With Julius Jones returning from his bruised lung, Forsett may see less carries, but with his recent performance it would be difficult to keep him off the field if he wants to play.

WIDE RECEIVER

DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles – Concussion
Jackson has been ruled out of the Eagles game against the Atlanta Falcons. He suffered a concussion the Redskins last week, but should return next week for the fantasy playoffs in most leagues.

Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons – Knee
White has been limited in practice all week because of a knee injury. White has been playing through the injury for a significant part of the season and this week should not be any different.

*Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals - Knee
Breaston has been playing injured most of the season and the same is expected this weekend.

*Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles - Knee
Curtis is out indefinitely and probably won’t make an impact this season.     

TIGHT ENDS
   
Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings - Ribs
Shiancoe is listed as questionable this week with a rib injury. He played through the same injury last week and I expect him to do the same this week.  

Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens - Chest
Heap has not practiced this week because of a chest injury. Heap is still expected to play on Sunday, but expect his effectiveness to be limited.

KICKER

*Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts – Knee Surgery
Vinatieri continues to recover from knee surgery, his return date is still uncertain. 

INJURED RESERVE

Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams – Fractured Shin
Bulger will miss at least 3 weeks with a fractured shin, it is likely that he will miss the rest of the season. Bulger’s future with the Rams appears to be in jeopardy and I can’t imagine seeing him with the team next season.   

Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins - Foot
Brown has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the season following a foot injury sustained last Sunday against the Buccaneers. Ricky Williams will now be the focal point of the rushing offense with Lex Hilliard backing him up.

*Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals - Forearm
Henry will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his broken left forearm. Andre Caldwell will take his spot as the team’s third wide receiver.     

*Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins - Shoulder
Pennington suffered a season ending shoulder injury last week against San Diego. He will undergo surgery soon and hopes to return next season at full strength.

*Fred Taylor, New England Patriots - Ankle
Taylor continues to recover from the ankle injury sustained earlier in the season. He is still out for the immediate future.  

*James Davis, Cleveland Browns – Torn Labrum
Davis will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum that he suffered during a post practice workout. A story to look into, Davis was reportedly hit by a linebacker who was wearing shoulder pads while Davis himself was not. The hit ended his season and is being investigated by the NFL. 

*Leon Washington, New York Jets – Fractured tibia and fibula
Washington was placed on injured reserve after he experienced a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula against the Oakland Raiders. He underwent season ending surgery last week and hopes to return next year.

*Owen Daniels, Houston Texans – Torn ACL
Daniels tore has a torn ACL and will be lost for the season. Daniels was on pace for over 1,000 yards and 10 Tds this season.

*Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis Colts - Knee
Gonzalez continues to be held out of practice and his return still appears doubtful for this season.    

*Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins – Broken Ankle
Cooley has officially been placed on IR ending his season.   

*Ongoing Injury, been on List for multiple weeks