National Football League

Doc Talk: NFL Week 9 injuries

Published Nov. 1, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Sunday

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

Browns RB Trent Richardson (chest/ribs)

Jock to Doc take: Richardson was limited at practice Thursday, the Browns’ official site reports. While he obviously is not 100 percent, he should be on the field this week, barring any setbacks.

Health Rating: Trent Richardson @ 75%

Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: Finley was limited at Thursday’s practice, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. There is little doubt that he will be available Sunday, but his continuing shoulder issues and his decrease in production make him a risky start this week for fantasy owners

Packers WR Greg Jennings (torn abdominal muscle)

Jock to Doc take: Coach Mike McCarthy said that Jennings, whose surgery went well, will need a couple weeks at a minimum before he comes back, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report. This should be encouraging for fantasy owners because we could see Jennings on the field before December, so I suggest keeping him on your roster.

Health Rating: Greg Jennings @ 0%, Jermichael Finley @ 75%

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans

Texans TE Owen Daniels (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Daniels was limited during Thursday’s practice, according to the Texans’ official website. While he is usually on the injury report, his limitation Thursday may suggest that owners should track his status as Sunday’s game approaches.

Health Rating: Owen Daniels @ 65%

Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts

Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill (knee/quad)

Jock to Doc take: Coach Joe Philbin said that his rookie quarterback practiced on a limited basis Thursday and that he will “make the best decision for the team” as Sunday approaches, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. After wearing a brace and compression sleeve over his left knee at practice Thursday, Tannehill said, “I’m just going to do everything I can to be ready.” Yahoo is reporting that he had his knee drained twice this week, so it seems like it is going to be a gametime decision. We will check Friday, but it seems fantasy owners should keep him on the bench unless they have no other options.

Dolphins WR Brian Hartline (groin)

Jock to Doc take: Hartline was limited at the Dolphins’ Thursday practice, according to their official website. This is a good sign regarding his status for Sunday’s game, so owners should continue to track his status and expect him to play this weekend.

Colts RB Donald Brown (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Brown sat out of Thursday’s practice, according to the Colts’ official site, and whether this is indicative of a setback or management, I still expect him to split time in the backfield with Vick Ballard.

Health Rating: Ryan Tannehill @ 53%, Brian Hartline @ 75%, Donald Brown @ 65%

Detroit Lions at Jacksonville Jaguars

Lions WR Calvin Johnson (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Megatron did not practice Thursday, according to the Detroit Free Press. While we have heard nothing that suggests his status is in danger, seeing him on the practice field Friday should ease fantasy owners’ concerns.

Health Rating: Calvin Johnson @ 70%

Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans

Titans QB Jake Locker (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: The Tennessean reports that Locker participated in 11-on-11 passing drills with the Titans but has yet to be cleared for contact. Head coach Mike Munchak stated that Locker has no chance of playing, and there is a good chance that Locker won’t play until after the team’s Week 11 bye.

Health Rating: Jake Locker @ 25%

Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins

Panthers WR Brandon LaFell (head)

Jock to Doc take: LaFell passed the concussion protocol during Sunday’s loss to Chicago but did not practice Wednesday, the Charlotte Observer reports. The earliest that he can practice is Friday, so it seems like it is going to be a gametime decision.

Redskins WR Pierce Garcon (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Garcon has been ruled inactive this week, and coach Mike Shanahan said that the receiver won’t try to play again until after the Redskins’ Week 10 bye, the Washington Post reports.

Health Rating: Brandon LaFell @ 60%, Pierce Garcon @ 25%

Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks

Vikings WR Percy Harvin (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: The Vikings' explosive wide receiver has been dealing with a tight hamstring and did not practice Thursday because of a family issue, 1500espn.com reports. While this is very concerning, coach Leslie Frazier indicated that he is “pretty convinced” Harvin will play against Seattle, so his status looks optimistic as Sunday approaches.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Peterson was limited for a second consecutive day Thursday, and while his ankle continues to bother him, his status is in no danger Sunday. Expect him to play full speed this weekend against a tough Seahawks defense.

Health Rating: Percy Harvin @ 70%, Adrian Peterson @ 75%

Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants

Steelers RBs Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles’) and Jonathan Dwyer (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: According to the Steelers’ official site, Dwyer returned to Thursday’s practice in a limited fashion after missing practice Wednesday. Mendenhall, who participated in individual workouts Wednesday, also was limited during Thursday’s practice. With Isaac Redman practicing fully for a second consecutive day, there is a chance we might see all three of the backs against New York. We will see how much Rashard Mendenhall does during Friday’s practice, but Dwyer’s strong performances could have earned him a chance to lead the Steelers’ rushing attack against the Giants.

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot)

Jock to Doc take: Bradshaw returned to a limited practice, The Newark Star-Ledger reports. He has been dealing with a foot issue lately, and while we

Health Rating: Rashard Mendenhall @ 65%, Jonathan Dwyer @ 65%, Ahmad Bradshaw @ 65%

Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons

Cowboys RBs DeMarco Murray (foot) and Felix Jones (knee/shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: NFL Network reports that Murray did not practice Thursday. As Sunday quickly approaches, the outlook is grim. Felix Jones, who has been carrying the rushing load while Murray has been gone, is currently dealing with shoulder and knee issues and has been limited in practice. Phillip Tanner is the Cowboys' third string back, but it seems like Jones has a much greater chance of starting than DeMarco Murray does.

Health Rating: DeMarco Murray @ 50%, Felix Jones @ 65%

Monday

Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints

Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand)

Jock to Doc take: Sproles did not practice Thursday due to a hand injury, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. As long as this is nothing major, a hand injury is better than a hamstring or ankle injury, so we will likely see Sproles on the field Monday night.

Health Rating: Darren Sproles @ 70%

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-Pros 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.