National Football League

Doc Talk: NFL Week 12 injuries

Published Nov. 23, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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Sunday

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

Vikings WR Percy Harvin (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Harvin took a step back when he left Friday's practice early after not being able to put weight on his injured ankle. He is officially ruled out for Sunday.

Bears QB Jay Cutler (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: After a good practice on Friday with no setbacks, Cutler will get the start Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings after missing a game because of a concussion.

Brandon Marshall (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: Although Chicago’s No. 1 wideout sat out of Wednesday’s practice, he returned in a limited basis during Thursday’s session, the Chicago Tribune reports. There has been nothing to suggest Marshall is anything but a go this week, but owners should make sure during Chicago’s Friday practice.

Health Rating: Percy Harvin @ 0%, Jay Cutler @ 63%, Brandon Marshall @ 75%

Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Neither McFadden nor Mike Goodson were able to practice Thursday, Oakland’s official team website reports. Marcel Reece, who fully practiced this week, will likely lead the Raiders’ Week 12 rushing attack.

Health Rating: Darren McFadden @ 53%

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder/rib)

Jock to Doc take: Coach Mike Tomlin, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, mentioned that his starting quarterback is doubtful for Sunday’s game against Cleveland. He has not practiced this week, and while his status seems murky for this week, Tomlin noted that he is encouraged by his current status. By the looks of it, Roethlisberger should be good for Week 13, but Charlie Batch will likely start this Sunday against a mediocre Browns team.

Health Rating: Ben Roethlisberger @ 57%

Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts

Bills RB Fred Jackson (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: Jackson has been cleared from his concussion to play this week, according to the Buffalo Bills’ team website. While he will factor into the game plan, C.J. Spiller is expected to start and get more carries against Indianapolis. Owners should be aware of this before they start Jackson as one of their running backs. Depending on how the Bills’ utilize both weapons, Jackson could be a viable option as a flex this week against a struggling Colts defense, but if Spiller stays hot (6.63 YPC), the Bills will stick with him down the stretch.

Health Rating: Fred Jackson @ 78%

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Jones-Drew is considered highly doubtful to play this week and Jalen Parmele should start at running back this week against the Titans. Owners should be encouraged that Jones-Drew was no longer sporting a walking boot on Wednesday and that he is “doing everything [he] can to get back,” according to the Florida Times-Union.

Health Rating: Maurice Jones-Drew @ 50%

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe (neck/back)

Jock to Doc take: Bowe practiced fully on Thursday, the Chiefs’ official site reports, and appears to be on track to start this week against the Broncos. Still, Bowe should be a last-resort option this week with Brady Quinn under center, not to mention Kansas City’s matchup against one of the best defenses in the league.

Health Rating: Dwayne Bowe @ 80%

Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins

Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch (back)

Jock to Doc take: It is no surprise that Lynch is on the Seahawks' injury report even though he fully participated in practice this week. Lynch ranks second only to Adrian Peterson in rushing yards, and regardless of what defense Seattle plays, he should always be in the starting fantasy lineup.

Health Rating: Marshawn Lynch @ 75%

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Falcons WR Julio Jones (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Jones returned to practice Thursday but was limited, the Atlanta Journal-Consitution reports. This is his first practice since the beginning of November, and while Atlanta’s Friday practice will give us a better idea regarding his status, it appears Jones is returning to full strength and will undoubtedly be a feared matchup for cornerbacks and safeties the rest of the NFL season.

Health Rating: Julio Jones @ 55%

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals

Rams WR Danny Amendola (foot/heel)

Jock to Doc take: Amendola was sporting a walking boot on Wednesday and did not practice Thursday, which tells us his status for Sunday is very cloudy. We will see what he is able to do Friday, but if he is absent from that session, there is a very good chance he will sit out this week.

Cardinals RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (ribs)

Jock to Doc take: Stephens-Howling was limited in practice this week according to the Cardinals’ official website. While Stephens-Howling seems to be on track to suit up, Beanie Wells was activated this week and the two running backs should split the rushing load. Stephens-Howling should get the majority of the carries, but he seems like a risky option this week for owners.

Health Rating: Danny Amendola @ 53%, LaRod Stephens-Howling @ 66%

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand)

Jock to Doc take: Sproles practiced fully Thursday for a second day in a row, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. Sproles was slated to be out 4-6 weeks, and Sunday’s game against San Francisco is the four-week mark. All factors point to the fact that he will be active and a factor in New Orleans’ explosive offense.

Health Rating: Darren Sproles @ 72%

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

Packers WR Greg Jennings (groin)

Jock to Doc take: According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, coach Mike McCarthy noted after practice that Jennings took a calculated amount of reps Thursday. The team wants to see how much he can do Friday, but until he proves that he can open up his stride, owners should not count on him to start Sunday night.

Health Rating: Greg Jennings @ 55%

Monday

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles RB LeSean McCoy (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: McCoy, who suffered a concussion last week, will not play against the Panthers. He was still experiencing a headache on Wednesday, which isn't a good sign. Bryce Brown has been taking first-team RB reps and will start Monday night.

Health Rating: LeSean McCoy @ 0%

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.