National Football League

Doc Talk: NFL Week 3 injury analysis

Published Sep. 23, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Each week, Dr. Mark Adickes shares his analysis of the key injuries in each the NFL weekend's upcoming games.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at BUFFALO BILLS

Bills WR Steve Johnson (groin)

Jock to Doc Take: Although Johnson did not practice Wednesday, he was back to practice Thursday and was running routes, according to the Buffalo Bills’ official website. Johnson had to come out of the game last Sunday, and he remains questionable for Sunday’s game against the Patriots.

Health Rating: Steve Johnson @ 70 percent

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at CAROLINA PANTHERS

Jaguars WR Jason Hill (hip)

Jock to Doc Take: After battling a hip injury, Hill was inactive for last Sunday’s game against the Jets. On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, he came back to practice in a limited capacity to test his hip and ankle. The Jaguars’ starting WR is listed as questionable in Sunday's game against the Panthers. If he does play I expect his performance to be affected.

Health Rating: Jason Hill @ 65 percent

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at CINCINNATI BENGALS

49ers WR Braylon Edwards (knee)

Jock to Doc Take: Edwards had surgery on his right knee this past week, and the 49ers gave no timetable for Edward’s return, according to the San Francisco 49ers’ official website. Edwards will be inactive for a few weeks for sure, but the 49ers hope that he will be back after the 49ers’ bye in Week 7.

Health Rating: Braylon Edwards @ 0 percent

MIAMI DOLPHINS at CLEVELAND BROWNS

Browns WR Mohamed Massaquoi (hamstring)

Jock to Doc Take: Although Massaquoi finally played in last week’s win over the Colts after recovering from a bone chip in his foot, he was limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday due to his still-sore hamstring. He is still listed as questionable in Cleveland’s matchup with the Dolphins. He should play but will not be full speed. It is common for players returning from injuries to sustain muscle strains as they attempt to return to the field.

Health Rating: Mohamed Massaquoi @ 70 percent

DETROIT LIONS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Lions WR Calvin Johnson (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Although Johnson played in last Sunday’s game against the Chiefs after battling an ankle injury, he did not practice Wednesday but returned to practice Thursday. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Minnesota.

Health Rating: Calvin Johnson @ 75 percent

HOUSTON TEXANS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Texans RB Arian Foster (hamstring)

Jock to Doc Take: Foster continues to battle an injured hamstring suffered during the preseason. He did not practice Wednesday and was limited on Thursday of this week. Although he is listed as questionable in Sunday’s matchup in New Orleans, I don’t expect to see him much because the Texans want to save him for later in the season. Also, Foster’s backup, Ben Tate, is filling in incredibly well and is currently third in the league in rushing.

Health Rating: Arian Foster @ 60 percent

NEW YORK GIANTS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Eagles QB Michael Vick (concussion)

Jock to Doc Take: The Eagles claim Vick was a full participant in practice Thursday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. It was also reported that Vick was evaluated and cleared for practice by an independent neurosurgeon before practicing Thursday, so Vick took most of the reps. He is listed as questionable but appears full speed already and, barring any setbacks, should play well Sunday.

Health Rating: Michael Vick @ 90 percent

Giants WR Mario Manningham (concussion)

Jock to Doc Take: After sustaining a concussion Monday night against St. Louis, Manningham has not practiced all week, the Daily News reports. I do not expect Manningham to be on the field on Sunday in Philadelphia.

Health Rating: Mario Manningham @ 10 percent

DENVER BRONCOS at TENNESSEE TITANS

Titans RB Chris Johnson (ribs)

Jock to Doc Take: Johnson returned to practice Thursday and “looked good” after soreness prevented him from practicing on Wednesday, according to The Tennessean. Although Johnson is still listed as questionable, expect to see him in Sunday’s matchup against Denver. It is easy to provide some Kevlar padding that makes play possible with rib injuries but it is always possible that another blow will send Johnson to the bench and break the hearts of all his fantasy owners.

Health Rating: Chris Johnson @ 80 percent

NEW YORK JETS at OAKLAND RAIDERS

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (shoulder)

Jock to Doc Take: After taking a rough fall two weeks ago against the Broncos, Oakland’s RB was limited at practice on Wednesday of this week but participated fully on Thursday. McFadden is expected to be a full-go for Sunday’s game against the Jets, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Health Rating: Darren McFadden @ 80 percent

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles (knee)

Jock to Doc Take: The Chiefs’ star was carted off the field last week after suffering a torn ACL. He was placed on IR on Monday and the Chiefs have given no timetable on his return. Although this ends his 2011 campaign he should be back full speed next season.

Health Rating: Jamaal Charles @ 0 percent

BALTIMORE RAVENS at ST. LOUIS RAMS

Ravens WR Lee Evans (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Evans rested his left ankle Wednesday and had plans to return to practice Thursday but did not because of the nagging injury. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in St. Louis. If he is on your fantasy team, he is better off on the bench for this week.

Health Rating: Lee Evans @ 60 percent

GREEN BAY PACKERS at CHICAGO BEARS

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (ankle)

Jock to Doc Take: Finley was limited last week in practice but caught five passes for 68 yards in Sunday’s win over the Panthers. He is listed as probable, and although he has been battling an ankle injury, expect to see Finley ready to play. Given his status last week he should be even more ready to go this week.

Health Rating: Jermichael Finley @ 85 percent

ARIZONA CARDINALS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks WR Sidney Rice (shoulder)

Jock to Doc Take: Though Rice suffered a torn labrum, coach Pete Carroll still thinks Rice can play in Sunday’s game against Arizona, the Seattle Times reports. He practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday, so expect to see him ready to play.

Health Rating: Sidney Rice @ 88 percent

ATLANTA FALCONS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Falcons QB Matt Ryan (knee)

Jock to Doc Take: Ryan was a limited participant in Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices but is expected to be the starter against Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. There is no way he will miss this NFC division matchup.

Health Rating: Matt Ryan @ 85 percent

PITTSBURGH STEELERS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Colts QB Peyton Manning (neck)

Jock to Doc Take: Manning is still recovering from neck surgery and the Colts have not given a return time for him. Manning is, however, fighting to be on the field as quick as possible. Prior to surgery he flew to Europe to participate in a stem cell transplant that is not practiced in the US in an effort to speed his recovery. Don’t expect to see him back this season, if at all.

Health Rating: Peyton Manning @ 0 percent

WASHINGTON REDSKINS at DALLAS COWBOYS

Cowboys QB Tony Romo (punctured lung)

Jock to Doc Take: Romo suffered a broken rib and a punctured lung in Sunday’s comeback victory over the 49ers. He did not participate in practice Wednesday or Thursday, the official Dallas Cowboys website reports. The Cowboy’s ordered a CT scan on Thursday to better assess both the rib fracture and the status of the pneumothorax (air between chest wall and lung) before making any further updates to Romo’s status for this week. I fully expected him to play after he returned to the game last week. Now I’m not so sure.

Health Rating: Tony Romo @ 55 percent

Cowboys RB Felix Jones (shoulder)

Jock to Doc Take: With a backup quarterback possibly playing in Monday night’s matchup, the Cowboys may need to rely on the run slightly more; however, Jones is listed as questionable after spraining his shoulder against the 49ers. He has not practiced this week and he is looking like a game-time decision.

Health Rating: Felix Jones @ 60 percent

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant (quad)

Jock to Doc Take: Bryant did not practice Wednesday or Thursday due to a quad injury. Since the game is on Monday night, he has an extra day to heal, but I still don’t expect to see him get too much action. Currently he is listed as questionable but in reality he may be closer to doubtful.

Health Rating: Dez Bryant @ 60 percent

Health Ratings: So what do the numbers mean?

100-85 percent = 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 percent = In this range a player's performance will be affected but they can still get the job done.

55-70 percent = 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 percent = 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 percent = Players will not play but show signs of recovery, opening the door for a return to the active roster the following week.

0-25 percent = Players will not play and there is concern that additional games may be missed.

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