Here's to 2008! This week we ushered in a new year, and along with it, we welcome the start of the NFL playoffs. This is wild-card weekend and just as is the case during the regular season, injuries are a factor. For those of you in fantasy playoff matches, you will want to keep an eye on the ailing players listed below heading into the weekend.
Out
Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins: Originally there was some thought that Campbell could potentially make it back from a dislocated patella for the playoffs. Campbell is still dealing with a fair amount of swelling in his knee and according to the Washington Post, coach Joe Gibbs says he still has "a long ways to go." Keep in mind that Campbell is actually on track for a normal recovery time frame for this type of injury, so it is not as if he is suffering a major setback. Todd Collins has performed ably in his absence however and will start again this Saturday.
LaBrandon Toefield, RB, Jaguars: Toefield is nursing an ankle injury, but with Taylor and Jones-Drew looking strong heading into the playoffs, the impact of his absence will not be significant.
Mike Peterson, LB, Jaguars: Peterson has a broken hand and has not been medically cleared to return for the Jaguars' first-round playoff game. According to the Florida Times-Union, the Jaguars are not putting Peterson on injured reserve just yet in the event that he could be available for later playoff rounds, should the team advance.
Roydell Williams, WR, Titans: Williams broke his ankle during practice Wednesday and is done for the season. Despite the fact that the fracture appears minor, it takes six weeks for bone to completely heal, meaning Williams does not have enough time to make it back. Too bad, since Williams was leading the team in receptions at the time of his injury.
Here's what we know so far about other players with injury concerns heading into Saturday and Sunday. Given that this is a playoff weekend, the injured players are organized by game.
Saturday, January 5
Washington at Seattle
James Thrash, WR, Redskins: Thrash (questionable) was back in a walking boot Monday after aggravating a high ankle sprain sustained several weeks ago. Thrash did not practice Thursday or Friday and is unlikely to make an appearance against the Seahawks.
Deion Branch, WR, Seahawks: Branch (questionable) has been nursing a calf strain and was not available for practice either Wednesday or Thursday. He is expected to be a game-time decision, and according to Branch himself, as reported in the Tacoma News-Tribune, his concern is his endurance. Even if Branch is able to go, it is likely that his participation will be limited. Interestingly, Branch and teammate D.J. Hackett have seemed to alternate healthy periods. Hackett, who has been badgered by a high ankle injury off and on throughout the season, is healthy now, and will be available along with Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson for receiver duties.
Jacksonville at Pittsburgh
Troy Polamalu, S, Steelers: Polamalu (questionable) has missed four of the past six regular season games because of sprained medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments (MCL, PCL) in his right knee. With injuries to two of the four primary ligaments of his knee, Polamalu has struggled with the speed he is so known for at his position. He has also had ongoing issues with swelling in the knee. Polamalu did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but was able to go fully on Friday, suggesting that he will be available to play Saturday night. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, coach Mike Tomlin expects him to go all out if he does suit up. Given the stakes, it is likely that Polamalu will play and play well. The real test will be how his knee responds the following week if the Steelers advance.
Hines Ward, WR, Steelers: Ward (probable) was held out of competition Week 17 to proactively rest his knee. After not practicing Wednesday, Ward practiced fully on Thursday and Friday and is expected to play.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers: Roethlisberger does not appear on the injury report for Saturday and is ready to start. Roehlisberger sat out Week 17 with a sprained ankle and a sore throwing shoulder, but the week off should have helped his cause heading into the playoffs. One noteworthy item is that starting left tackle Max Starks is out for the remainder of the season with a meniscus injury. Replacing him to cover Big Ben's blind side is Trai Essex, and how well he handles the Jaguars' pass rush may go further in determining Roethlisberger's game durability than anything else.
Sunday, January 6
New York at Tampa Bay
Sam Madison, CB, Giants: Madison sustained a rib/abdominal muscle injury in Week 17 and had so much pain early in the week that he couldn't "laugh or cough without tremendous pain" according to a report in the Newark Star-Ledger. Although Madison made the trip to Tampa with the Giants, he is listed as doubtful and is not expected to play.
Plaxico Burress, WR, Giants: Prior to the game against the Patriots, Burress indicated that his ankle had been feeling better, and it showed. He was able to participate in practice for only the third time this season in preparation for Week 17, and he followed that up with an outstanding game. This week, Burress practiced some each day, despite some soreness in the ankle, but clearly there is nothing that is going to keep him out of this must-win game for the Giants. Burress is listed as probable and is expected to play.
Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway WR, and Earnest Graham, RB, Buccaneers: These three were all held out of Week 17 to try and preserve their health for the playoffs. We'll find out if Gruden's strategy worked. Most of the ailments were aches, pains, strains, bumps and bruises -- the result of playing a full season in the NFL -- and the week of rest should definitely have helped. All three are off the injury report and expected to play.
Tennessee at San Diego
Vince Young, QB, Titans: Young strained his quadriceps, again, in Week 17. This is basically the third time that Young has done something to aggravate the muscle, so we know that it is not gong to be 100 percent by this Sunday. But will it be healthy enough for him to play and play effectively? Earlier in the week things did not look too promising as Young was quite limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday. Young was able to fully practice Friday but according to an Associated Press report he was not up to full speed. Consequently he remains a game-time decision. The Titans will see how he looks in warmups Sunday, and how well he is able to move around the field before committing to him as their starter. Signs point to Young playing, but check before gametime to be sure.
LenDale White, RB, Titans: White has had intermittent problems with his knee, but the knee has not kept him off the field thus far. White missed practice this week, but it was because of the death of his grandmother. Coach Fisher sounded optimistic in the Tennessean, saying that White's knee was "sore, but we'll get him stretched out and have him mentally ready to play." White is listed as questionable, but is expected to play Sunday. In Week 17, White shared some of his carries with Chris Brown, and may do so again. Brown had a minor flare of back pain that kept him out of practice Wednesday, but he was a full participant on both Thursday and Friday. Assuming White plays, which he should, White is likely to get the majority of the work. Brown may cut into that workload if White struggles, but he doesn't pose a huge timesharing threat.
Best of luck in Wild Card Playoff Week! We'll be back next week to update injuries as we head into divisional playoffs.
Stephania Bell
