Author: Tyler Stearns


QUARTERBACK
 
Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos- Ankle
Orton has not been practicing this week as he nurses an ankle injury. Chris Simms has been taking the snaps with the first offense and it looks like he will be the starter on Sunday. Orton says that he will try to play through the pain, but look for McDaniels to go with the former Texas standout unless Orton shows marked improvement. 

 
RUNNING BACK

Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons – High Ankle Sprain
Turner sprained his ankle on what appeared to be a potential career day against the Panthers. Turner insists that he could still play this week, but fantasy owners are all too familiar with this type of injury and Turner will probably sit two weeks at a minimum. 

*Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins - Concussion
Portis went through a very light workout this week, and continued to experience the side effects from the concussion sustained in Week 9. Portis will not play this Sunday and Ladell Betts is a must have for owners in need of a running back.  

*Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles - Concussion
Westbrook suffered his second concussion in less than a month last week against the Chargers. Westbrook has been seeing concussion specialist and has seen his symptoms improve. That being said, Westbrook is definitely out for this week and his return is uncertain for the coming weeks.     

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals - Hip
Benson has yet to practice this week due to a sore hip. The team signed Kansas City washout Larry Johnson as a precaution and as of now Benson does not appear to be ready for Sunday. If that is the case, Bernard Scott and Johnson will share the workload. Stay updated as gameday nears, but as of now Benson should sit for this week.   

Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints - Knee
Bush did not practice on Thursday because of swelling and soreness in his left knee. The team will be cautious with Bush, but he is not expected to play on Sunday. This knee has caused Bush trouble throughout his career and the team would be smart to play it safe with Bush in Sunday.

Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks – Bruised Lung
Jones is out for this week against the Vikings with a bruised lung. The team has not set a timetable for his return, but Coach Jim Mora hopes to have him back next week. In the meantime, Justin Forsett is someone to keep on your radar while Jones is out.

WIDE RECEIVER

Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis Colts – Ankle
Garcon missed Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury, but it shouldn’t cause him to miss Sunday’s game. The injury appears to be minor and unless he misses practice on Friday he should be good to go.

*Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Knee
Bryant has been practicing this week which is a good sign that he could return after a two week layoff. Coach Morris has said that he will be a gametime decision however. Keep posted if you’re a Bucanneers fan or a Bryant supporter, otherwise he is a non factor at this point in the season. 

*Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints, Ankle
Moore will likely miss his third straight week with a sprained ankle.   
 
*Justin Gage, Tennessee Titans – Broken Back
Gage is out for Sunday’s game against Buffalo with multiple fractures in his back.

*Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings - Hamstring
Berrian was able to play last week with the same hamstring injury and the same should hold true for this week. The difference however is that the emergence of Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin are not leaving many balls for Berrian. With the role of the playmaker already filled, it is unclear how Berrian fits into the Vikings offense. 
 
*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

*Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins – Broken Ankle
Cooley will see a specialist next week who can give a more accurate time table for his return but the team still projects Week 12 as his return date. 
   
Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers - Knee
Finley should return this week from the knee injury that kept him out the past two weeks. 

Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Knee
Winslow returned to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session with a knee injury. He should be ready for Sunday’s game.

Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens - Chest
Heap has not practiced this week because of a chest injury. Heap is not expected to play on Sunday. Look for LJ Smith to get the start.

KICKER

*Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts – Knee Surgery
The team has pegged Thanksgiving as the return date for Vinatieri.

INJURED RESERVE

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.

*Ongoing Injury, been on List for multiple weeks