Doc Talk: NFL Week 10 injuries

Sunday

PAIN TRAIN

Injuries are a part of football, but these players have been hit particularly hard.

Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens

Raiders RBs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Neither McFadden or his backup, Mike Goodson, practiced Thursday, according to the Contra Costa Times. While Coach Dennis Allen has not ruled them out, both statuses look cloudy for this week. Taiwan Jones is next in line to lead the Raiders rushing attack.

Health Rating: Darren McFadden @65%, Mike Goodson @65%

Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers

Panthers WR Brandon LaFell (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: LaFell participated this week in practice and is slated to start on Sunday. According to the Associated Press, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that LaFell, who missed last Sunday’s game against the Redskins, will be the Panthers’ No. 2 receiver this weekend against Denver.

Health Rating: Brandon LaFell @ 85%

New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals

Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Nicks, who according to the Newark Star-Ledger was limited during Thursday’s practice, said that his knee swelling has gone down and that he plans on starting this Sunday. Expect Nicks to get a lot of looks from Eli Manning this week.

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Bradshaw returned to a limited practice Thursday after missing Wednesday. Although fantasy owners should monitor his Friday workload, Bradshaw should play through his foot issue like he did last week.

Health Rating: Hakeem Nicks @ 80%, Ahmad Bradshaw @70%

Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins

Titans QB Jake Locker (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: Jake Locker is expected to start this week, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Locker has not played since dislocating his shoulder against Houston on Sept. 30, but his matchup against a porous Miami secondary makes him a good start for fantasy owners with no other options.

Health Rating: Jake Locker @76%

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

Lions WR Calvin Johnson (knee/head)

Jock to Doc take: NFL Network reports that the Lions all-star receiver, who has been nursing a knee injury, suffered nerve damage in both arms from a hit across the middle in Week 4 against the Vikings. Although the Lions deny that he has a concussion, he is obviously banged up and the ailments are affecting his play. Megatron has one touchdown reception this year; he had 11 at this point last season.

Lions WR Titus Young (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Young missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, but there has been nothing to suggest that his status for Week 10 is in danger. Young’s workload during Detroit’s Friday practice should give a better indication regarding his status.

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Vikings WR Percy Harvin (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Harvin did not practice Thursday and is reportedly still limping badly, according to NFL Network. He is listed as doubtful and will likely have a decreased workload if he suits up for Sunday’s game, but Percy has exhibited tolerance for pain in the past. Stephen Burton would replace him if he is unavailable.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (illness)

Jock to Doc take: The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Peterson left the team facility early Thursday with a stomach illness. We will see if he returns Friday, and although this is disconcerting for fantasy owners, a stomach illness bodes much better than an ankle or knee setback, so I expect to see Peterson leading the Vikings rushing attack on Sunday.

Health Rating: Calvin Johnson @70%, Titus Young @75%, Percy Harvin @60%, Adrian Peterson @80%

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Hernandez was limited during New England’s Wednesday and Thursday practices, the Patriots’ official site reports. He will be on the field Sunday and fantasy owners could finally see Hernandez produce, seeing that Tom Brady is matching up against a struggling Bills defense.

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Bills WR Steve Johnson (thigh contusion)

Jock to Doc take: Johnson participated in Thursday’s practice, according to the Bills’ official website, and seems to be in no danger of missing Sunday’s game. Johnson noted that everything was good and that, although his thigh is somewhat weak, his injury is much better than he thought it would be at this point. It would be very surprising if Johnson is not starting against a beatable Patriots secondary.

Health Rating: Aaron Hernandez @75, Steve Johnson @80%

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints

Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand)

Jock to Doc take: Sproles had his broken hand surgically repaired last week and is highly questionable for Sunday’s game against Atlanta. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, he did not practice Thursday and coach Joe Vitt said that his status is “wait and see.” We will know more after Friday’s practice, but Sproles owners should not count on him this week.

Health Rating: Darren Sproles @60%

San Diego Chargers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chargers WR Robert Meachem (hamstring)

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Jock to Doc take: Meachem missed last Thursday’s game against Kansas City with an ailing hamstring, but he seems ready for this week’s matchup against the Bucs. He participated during practice this week and will be in Philip Rivers arsenal in Tampa Bay.

Health Rating: Robert Meachem @80%

New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch (back/wrist)

Jock to Doc take: Marshawn Lynch has been on the injury report the past two weeks because of back spasms but has consistently participated in practice this week. Seeing how tough this bruising back is, he will lead the Seahawks rushing attack unless his wrist injury is major.

Health Rating: Marshawn Lynch @ 75%

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Murray was listed as a non-participant during Thursday’s practice, the Cowboys’ official website reports, he was present and ran around some. He is not expected to play, and it is highly likely that the Cowboys will keep him at rest until he is closer to 100%.

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Health Rating: DeMarco Murray @60%

St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers

Rams WR Danny Amendola (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: Amendola, who has not played since his clavicle fracture on Oct. 4, is expected to return this week barring any setbacks. Fantasy owners should be wary, however, for his workload may be limited and the 49ers defense is extremely tough.

Health Rating: Danny Amendola @ 65%

Houston Texans at Chicago Bears

Texans TE Owen Daniels (hip)

Jock to Doc take: Daniels missed Thursday’s practice, according to the Texans’ official website. Coach Gary Kubiak noted that his injury is “some kind of hip pointer” but that he “has made improvement.” A hip pointer is not a serious injury but it is very painful, and in the event that he does not play, Garrett Graham and James Casey will fill in for him.

Health Rating: Owen Daniels @ 70%

Monday

EYE CANDY

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Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles)

Jock to Doc take: Mendenhall did not practice this week and is not expected to return until next week, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. While Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer are more than capable of carrying the Steelers rushing attack, fantasy owners should keep him on the roster. Running backs coach Kirby Wilson said Wednesday that Mendenhall will return to the starting position when he returns.

Steelers WR Antonio Brown (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Brown did not practice Thursday, according to the Steelers’ official website, and coach Mike Tomlin indicated that he is doubtful for Monday night’s game. Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders will likely get an increased amount of looks from QB Ben Roethlisberger.

Health Rating: Rashard Mendenhall @60%, Antonio Brown @ 55%

POWER RANKINGS

Which teams are looking up in this week's NFL power rankings?

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 players performance will be affected but they 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-Pro’s can get the job done when rated this poorly.
40-55% = 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% = 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.