Doc Talk: NFL Week 15 injury report

PAIN TRAIN

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

Sunday

New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (sprained knee)

Jock to Doc take: Bradshaw did not practice Thursday, the Newark Star-Ledger reports, and while his status remains cloudy, keep in mind that he is one of the tougher running backs in the league. Expect his listing to be no better than questionable on Friday, but he should be on the field Sunday.

Falcons WR Roddy White (knee)

Jock to Doc take: White did not practice Thursday and will be a game-time decision, according to head coach Mike Smith, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The Falcons hoped he would be able to practice Thursday, but the knee injury he suffered Sunday against the Panthers seems like it is a real concern.

Health Rating: Ahmad Bradshaw @ 60%, Roddy White @ 55%

Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens

Ravens RB Ray Rice (hip pointer)

Jock to Doc take: Rice was limited at practice again Thursday, the Ravens’ official site reports. While owners should revisit his status Friday, they have nothing to worry about. Rice will be the starter this week as two AFC powers meet.

Health Rating: Ray Rice @ 70%

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

Packers WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Nelson was unable to practice for the second day in a row on Thursday, indicating that he will be unable to suit up Sunday. Greg Jennings is back from his abdominal surgery, so Green Bay is more than likely resting Nelson so that he and the entire Packers’ receiving corps is healthy for the playoffs.

Bears QB Jay Cutler (neck/knee)

Jock to Doc take: The Bears’ starter is dealing with both neck and knee injuries, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. He practiced in a limited capacity Thursday and said that he is ready for Sunday’s game. Coach Lovie Smith downplayed the injury, so I don’t see it as a concern as Sunday’s divisional rivalry game approaches.

Health Rating: Jordy Nelson @ 65%, Jay Cutler @ 75%

Washington Redskins at Cleveland Browns

Redskins QB Robert Griffin III (sprained LCL)

Jock to Doc take: Coach Mike Shanahan had indicated Thursday that he didn't know whether Griffin would play Sunday in Cleveland, though FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer reported Saturday night that RG3 would not, in fact, start — giving way to fellow rookie Kirk Cousins. RG3 was officially questionable, but the question seems to have been answered.

Health Rating: Robert Griffin III @ 40%

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

Texans TE Garrett Graham (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: The backup tight end passed his concussion test Wednesday and has been cleared to play in Week 15, the Texans’ official Twitter page reports. Expect the Texans to come out in their normal two-tight end look, with Graham getting some solid playing time.

Health Rating: Garrett Graham @ 75%

Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins

Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: While his status for Sunday’s game remains uncertain, the Florida Times-Union reports Shorts was cleared for limited practice work. Shorts explained, “I’m definitely going to be smart about this. As much as I want to play and would like to play, my health is more important.” Because the Jaguars’ season is almost over, Shorts may sit out this week to recover and avoid further injury.

Health Rating: Cecil Shorts @ 65%

Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams

Rams WR Danny Amendola (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Amendola was a limited participant Thursday, the Rams’ official Twitter page reports. His limited participation two days in a row suggests that he has a shot to be active Sunday against the Vikings; if he has a workload on Friday, expect him to be on the field Sunday.

Health Rating: Danny Amendola @ 50%

Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals

Lions WR Calvin Johnson (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Johnson’s practice reps were limited for a second consecutive day due to a knee concern, the Lions’ official website reports. While there has been nothing to suggest his status is in any jeopardy, Friday’s injury report should clear up his status.

Health Rating: Calvin Johnson @ 65%

Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills

Seahawks WR Sidney Rice (foot)

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Jock to Doc take: Rice didn’t practice for a second straight day, the Everett Herald reports. Looking on the bright side, he was not wearing a walking boot. His load Friday should tell us how much he can or can’t do, but for now his status is looking like it’s going to be a game-time decision.

Health Rating: Sidney Rice @ 55%

Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers

Panthers WR Brandon LaFell (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Brandon LaFell missed Thursday’s practice, the Charlotte Observer reports. He is still dealing with turf toe and a chipped foot; he more than likely will be absent again this week.

Health Rating: Brandon LaFell @ 50%

Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant (finger)

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Jock to Doc take: Bryant told reporters Thursday that the “only thing y’all need to know is I’m playing,” the Dallas Morning News reports. Bryant was reportedly able to catch some passes at practice Thursday, but Bryant’s comment makes his status very optimistic as Sunday approaches.

Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Murray returned to a limited practice Thursday, the Fort-Worth Star-Telegram reports. He has topped 20 carries in each of his two games since returning from the injury, and he should be a good start against Pittsburgh this week.

Health Rating: Dez Bryant @ 60%, DeMarco Murray @ 67%

San Francisco 49ers at New England Patriots

49ers WR Mario Manningham (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: According to San Francisco’s official website, Manningham appeared more active during practice Thursday than he did Wednesday. This is good news for his status; he should be on the field Sunday night as the 49ers travel to Foxborough.

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Health Rating: Mario Manningham @ 68%

Monday

New York Jets at Tennessee Titans

Titans WR Kenny Britt (knee)

Jock to Doc take: The Tennessean reports that Kenny Britt, who posted his season highs in receptions (8) and yards (143) last week, is “not totally 100%” but is making progress. “I’ve been feeling better, feeling more confidence in going out there and running routes,” Britt noted Thursday. He should receive a few deep shots down the field on Monday night against the New York Jets.

Health Rating: Kenny Britt @ 80%

Health Ratings: So what do the numbers mean?

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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.