How are teams holding up at the halfway mark of the season? Here's how some of the injury news is shaping up in Week 9.
Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys: The results are in. ESPN's Ed Werder reports that Witten's MRI confirmed that he indeed suffered a fractured rib. Witten, however, has already informed the Cowboys' coaching staff that he intends to try to play through the injury. Can he do it? There is no arguing with Witten's ability to play through pain. He has already played this season with a separated shoulder, and has played while recovering from a broken jaw in the past. It is possible to help alleviate some of the pain through an injection of painkiller into the rib, and protective padding can be placed over the affected rib to help protect against contact. Neither mechanism is likely to eliminate pain, however. The question will become whether Witten can run (think: breathe deeply), twist (making a reception), absorb contact and protect the football adequately despite the injury. Last Sunday after the injury, Witten attempted to return to the game, but pain eventually forced him out. A week of rest should help to some degree, but rib fractures are nothing to sneeze at (sneezing really hurts!) and Witten is a target for contact while on the field, which means his pain will increase as the game goes on. Even Witten, according to Werder, said his prognosis was "not great." Fantasy owners should have a backup plan in case the rib gets the better of Witten this week.
Clinton Portis, RB, and Santana Moss, WR, Redskins: Portis has been the workhorse of the Redskins without a doubt, and his body is paying the price. Prior to Week 7 Portis was dealing with a hip flexor strain that forced him to miss most of practice that week and resulted in a questionable designation. Not only did Portis play in Week 7, he racked up 175 yards. Portis was again limited in practice to some degree heading into Week 8, then turned in another solid performance but emerged from that contest with a sprained ankle. The Washington Post reports that coach Jim Zorn acknowledges that Portis is tired and beat up, but that he expects him to play Monday night. The extra day heading into the game undoubtedly helps, but the bye week the Redskins have in Week 10 will help even more for the second half of the season.
Meanwhile teammate Santana Moss is dealing with a hamstring injury, unfortunately nothing new for the spry receiver. The Post reports that Moss has some swelling in the hamstring but the team is hopeful that the extra day this week will allow Moss to be available Monday. The concern here, as it is for any running back or receiver, is whether the athlete risks making the injury worse by playing. When the athlete is one who has a history of soft tissue injuries, the risk dial does get turned up. Moss battled hamstring injuries in 2004 and 2006, and in 2007 he dealt with hamstring and groin injuries that cost him a couple of early regular-season games. Moss has amazing quickness and is probably the Redskins' most potent receiving threat. But those skills are dependent on healthy hamstrings. Even though Zorn has told the Post that he does not think the hamstring will keep him out Monday, Moss may end up as a game-time decision.
Some other players to keep an eye on as the week progresses
• Colts running back Joseph Addai could return this week. He returned to practice Wednesday and, if he responds well, is expected to take the field this Sunday according to coach Tony Dungy. The day after is often critical in revealing how healing tissue responds to the stress of increased work, so we should know more Thursday afternoon. Interestingly, fellow running back Dominic Rhodes, who has been starting while Addai has been sidelined, did not practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury. Receiver Reggie Wayne did not participate either because of a knee issue. The team has not issued any specifics related to their injuries.
• Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck continues to struggle with weakness in his leg related to his sciatic nerve problems. He will be out again in Week 9, which does not come as a great surprise. Teammate Deion Branch is also struggling with his heel and he has been declared out for Sunday as well.
• After his initial declaration that he thought Steven Jackson would be ready for Sunday's contest, Rams coach Jim Haslett said Wednesday that Jackson's status would be a "day-to-day thing" according to the Bellevue News-Democrat. Jackson was able to participate in only about one-third of the team's offensive drills Wednesday, making his Sunday status a bit more dubious. These muscle strains are never a sure thing. The hope would be that as the week goes on Jackson is able to do more, but it could be another game-time decision.
• Bears receiver Brandon Lloyd, who has missed three games with a sprained knee, was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, suggesting he is not yet back to full strength. The Lake County News-Sun reports that Lloyd does see progress and hints that there's "a possibility" that he could be 100 percent by Sunday. The good news for the Bears is that wide receiver/kick returner Devin Hester was not on the practice injury report Wednesday so his strained quad must have benefited from the week of rest.
• Eagles receiver Reggie Brown was able to participate fully in practice Wednesday as he attempts to return to the lineup from a groin strain. Teammate Kevin Curtis, who returned in Week 8 from sports hernia surgery, remains a starter so Brown would likely come in at the No. 3 spot if he returns Sunday. Although Curtis had only three catches, he played almost every snap, so he appears fully healthy. Curtis' stamina is still recovering from the time off but he is not being limited by his recent surgery.
• Two bum toes? Apparently so for the Raiders' Darren McFadden. He first injured his right big toe in mid-September and that injury has nagged him since. Two weeks ago, however, McFadden injured his left big toe, which ultimately is what forced him (somewhat surprisingly) out of last Sunday's contest according to news reports. McFadden was unable to practice Wednesday and is now sporting a protective boot on the left foot. An injury to both big toes is death to a running back's productivity. We have seen how much San Diego Chargers ace running back LaDainian Tomlinson has struggled in the first half of the season with pushing off one ailing toe (which by the way is much improved as evidenced by the resurgence of his trademark spin move in London). McFadden's performance has dropped off since Week 2, which not coincidentally is when he first injured himself. With both feet giving him trouble, do not be surprised if McFadden is unable to play this Sunday.
• Bucs coach Jon Gruden told the Tampa Tribune that in retrospect the team should not have allowed running back Warrick Dunn to suit up Sunday. Apparently the pinched nerve in his neck/back was bothering him more than anyone let on and Dunn, although tough enough to willingly take the field, could not perform at his usual level. Dunn did not practice Wednesday and Gruden's tone did not imply great confidence for the upcoming week. If Dunn does not go Sunday, then teammate Earnest Graham's fantasy stock rises.
As usual, practice throughout the week will give us a better hint as to what the final status of these players will be heading into Week 9. Remember there are bye weeks for New Orleans, San Francisco, San Diego and Carolina so we will not get much information on player injury updates for those teams until next week. See you Friday at the injury chat and we'll have the latest injury updates affecting Week 9 in the Saturday blog!
Stephania Bell
