National Football League

Doc Talk: NFL Week 11 injuries

Published Nov. 15, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Sunday

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

Falcons WR Julio Jones (leg)

Jock to Doc take: Julio Jones sat out of Wednesday and Thursday practices and is considered a game-time decision Sunday, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. While coach Mike Smith mentioned that his wideout is moving in the right direction, the Falcons have decided to wait until Saturday or Sunday to make a decision on his status for the game against Arizona. If Jones misses a game, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez will have added fantasy value.

Falcons RB Michael Turner (groin)

Jock to Doc take: Turner was a limited participant during Atlanta’s Thursday practice, according to the teams’ website. Because he has missed just 10 games during his eight-plus year career, it would surprise us if he was absent Sunday. He has, however, been limited in drills this week so owners should keep an eye on his status as Sunday approaches.

Health Rating: Julio Jones @ 60%, Michael Turner @ 75%

Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray (foot)

Jock to Doc take: The Cowboys’ official site reports that Murray was a non-participant at practice Thursday, and while he was able to do some rehab work on the side, it seems unlikely that he will be able to play. It looks like Felix Jones is in line for another start this week.

Health Rating: DeMarco Murray @ 55%

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

Packers WR Greg Jennings (groin)

Jock to Doc take: Jennings has been ruled out for Sunday’s game in Detroit, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Mike McCarthy is still reportedly unsure if Jennings will be able to participate in drills after this week. That being said, it seems like Jennings is a ways from being able to suit up, but we will see how much progress he has made after this week.

Packers WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring/foot)

Jock to Doc take: The Packers’ official site reports that Nelson was limited in practice Thursday. While this marks two days in which the wideout has been held back, the Packers’ move to rest him seems precautionary, and he should be able to play Sunday.

Health Rating: Greg Jennings @ 25%, Jordy Nelson @ 70%

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans

Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Jones is out for Sunday’s game, the Florida Times-Union reports, and Rashad Jennings will start and lead the Jaguars’ rushing attack against the Texans’ lights-out defense. A timetable for Jones-Drew has not been determined.

Texans TE Owen Daniels (hip)

Jock to Doc take: Daniels was practiced on a limited basis once again Thursday, according to the team’s official website. While his status on Friday will tell more about his availability Sunday, his outlook seems optimistic for Sunday.

Health Rating: Maurice Jones-Drew @ 0%, Owen Daniels @ 68%

Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe (thigh)

Jock to Doc take: Bowe practiced fully Thursday, according to the Chiefs’ official website. While he was limited Wednesday, he appears to be slated to play Sunday barring any significant setbacks. Owners should check his status Friday for confirmation.

Health Rating: Dwayne Bowe @ 75%

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins

Eagles QB Michael Vick (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Vick missed practice Thursday. Then on Friday, the team ruled Vick out. Nick Foles will start against the Redskins.

Health Rating: Michael Vick @ 0%

New Orleans Saints at Oakland Raiders

Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand)

Jock to Doc take: Sproles practiced fully on Thursday, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and this is the first time he has done so since having surgery to repair his broken left hand. Sproles appears to be ready to rejoin the Saints’ backfield, but his return coupled with a crowded Saints backfield that includes Chris Ivory, Mark Ingram, and Pierre Thomas may cause him to have less fantasy value than normal.

Raiders WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Heyward-Bey missed Thursday’s practice, according to the Contra Costa Times, after he tweaked his right hamstring during practice Wednesday. He was reportedly walking around Thursday, which is good news, but his status Friday should tell owners whether or not he is a go on Sunday. Rod Streater could see some added Week 11 opportunity if Heyward-Bey’s workload is limited this weekend.

Raiders RBs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Neither McFadden nor backup Mike Goodson practiced Thursday, according to the Contra Costa Times. While Coach Dennis Allen has not ruled them out, both statuses look iffy for this week. Marcel Reece and Taiwan Jones are next in line to lead the Raiders rushing attack.

Health Rating: Darren Sproles @ 70%, Darrius Heyward-Bey @ 68%, Darren McFadden @ 65%, Mike Goodson @ 65%

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (neck)

Jock to Doc take: Mathews is dealing with a stiff neck that developed Sunday against Tampa Bay and missed Thursday’s practice, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Coach Norv Turner mentioned that he would play on Sunday if he was able to practice Thursday and Friday, and his absence Thursday does not bode well for fantasy owners. If he is able to practice Friday, expect him to be on the field, but if not, backup Jackie Battle will start.

Health Rating: Ryan Mathews @ 65%

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

Patriots WR Wes Welker (ankle)

Jock to Dock take: Welker missed Thursday’s practice, but he was present for the team’s walk-through before the session officially began, the Boston Globe reports. His presence hints that he should be able to play Sunday, and his absence was likely because he had to receive treatment on his ankle.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Hernandez was limited during Thursday’s practice, ESPN.com reports. His continued practice bodes well for his status this week, but fantasy owners should keep eyes on his workload during New England’s Friday practice.

Colts RB Donald Brown (knee)

Jock to Doc take: The Colts’ official website reports that Brown did not practice Thursday, and it is unclear whether or not he suffered another setback in his return from a knee injury. If he is present during Friday’s practice, even in a limited fashion, expect him to be on the field against the Patriots.

Health Rating: Wes Welker @ 70%, Aaron Hernandez @ 70%, Donald Brown @ 63%

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers WR Antonio Brown (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review said Wednesday that Brown’s ankle is “the size of an Olympic softball,” and while Brown said that he is going to try to practice Friday, fantasy owners should not bank on his play. Expect his status to be listed as no better than doubtful as the game approaches.

Health Rating: Antonio Brown @ 60%

Monday

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers

Bears QB Jay Cutler (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: Cutler was absent from Thursday’s practice. As a result, Jason Campbell took QB reps with the first team. Cutler has been ruled out of Monday's night game as extra rest is what he needs. Campbell will start Monday night.

49ers QB Alex Smith (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: Smith was a limited participant during Thursday’s practice, CSN Bay Area reports. This move is obviously precautionary as the 49ers work to avoid setting back his recovery from a concussion. While it seems likely he will start, owners should realize he is facing a very tough challenge against the Chicago defense.

Health Rating: Jay Cutler @ 0%, Alex Smith @ 67%

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.