Welcome to the post-Week 2 breakdown. Literally, some more guys are breaking down this week. I think there's a copycat phenomenon happening in the NFL. In the preseason, I thought it was the MCL sprain. Now I think it might be the rib fracture. Forget bruised ribs, these guys are taking it to the extreme with broken bones. When does a fantasy owner need to start worrying about making roster moves? Here's what we have so far ...
AP Photo/Ben Margot
Matt Hasselbeck suffered a broken rib in very similar fashion as Donovan McNabb.
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks: In a chapter out of the Philadelphia Eagles' playbook, Hasselbeck suffered a fractured rib when a San Francisco 49ers player collided with him as he went down to the ground. Hasselbeck struggled to get off the field and there was concern that he might have suffered additional internal injuries. The good news there is that imaging tests showed no internal damage, but unfortunately they did confirm the presence of a broken rib. For his part, Hasselbeck told the Seattle Times that he has "definitely felt worse." He went on to say that he has woken up on a Monday feeling worse than he did this week, which he finds encouraging. Hasselbeck says he hopes to play, but the fact of the matter is that it really comes down to what happens as the week progresses. While his optimism is encouraging, it would not be surprising to see Seneca Wallace start in his place.
Marion Barber, RB, Dallas Cowboys: His injury was painful to watch. Barber, who had been running beautifully, reached for his left leg as he pulled up and then crumbled to the ground. The fact that he reached for the front of his thigh suggested a quadriceps strain, the question was how severe it was. Barber underwent an MRI on Monday and the Dallas Morning News is reporting that the test confirmed a strain. Although the team has not indicated the severity of the strain, we take our clues where we can get them. A confirmation of tissue damage on MRI suggests a Grade II, or moderate, strain, which represents a wide range of injury. Depending on just how much bleeding there is in the area, the healing time frame can range from two weeks to more than a month. Remember that St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson suffered a quadriceps strain last year and it cost him four games and part of a fifth. Coach Wade Phillips says they will "have to wait and see" whether Barber misses any time and certainly his ability to practice will help determine that. Fantasy owners should plan on seeing more Felix Jones and Tashard Choice this week.
Mike Bell, RB, New Orleans Saints: It may be the running back carousel in New Orleans and not necessarily by design. After stepping up ably for the injured Pierre Thomas in the first two weeks, Bell suffered an injury of his own. He sprained his right knee, his medial collateral ligament (MCL) to be exact, just like Thomas. However, it sounds like Bell's injury may be slightly less serious, as his MRI showed no structural damage, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune (suggesting a Grade I, or minor, sprain). This is still something that could cause Bell to miss time, although perhaps only a week or two, so the healing Thomas could ramp up his workload as a result. The Saints are not yet saying whether Bell will sit this week out, but fantasy owners should prepare for that eventuality.
Other quick hits
• Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is still feeling pain where he broke his rib, which is no surprise. After all, this is the kind of injury that hurts for weeks. Just imagine how much worse his pain would be if he had played. There is still a question as to whether McNabb will indeed start Sunday. You have to imagine that if there is any doubt as to whether he can be effective, Kevin Kolb will get the start against the Kansas City Chiefs and McNabb will rest until Week 5 (the Eagles have a bye in Week 4). Once again, it all will depend on whether he can practice this week or not.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
Not surprisingly, Brian Westbrook is banged up again, although for now it looks like he'll be able to go on Sunday.
• Sticking with the Eagles and a familiar name when it comes to injury, running back Brian Westbrook suffered a sprained right ankle in Week 2. It is worth noting that this is the ankle he had surgery on during the summer. This should not come as a complete surprise to regular readers here. As I indicated in June, when Westbrook made the decision to undergo surgery, the damage to the joint likely reflected some instability, and that is likely a contributing factor here. While the injury itself has not been deemed serious, it is probably indicative of the challenges Westbrook will continue to face from week to week. Expect a healthy dose of LeSean McCoy in Week 3. Also, wide receiver DeSean Jackson appeared to aggravate the groin injury suffered in Week 1, although it didn't hurt his fantasy stats. Jackson probably will be held to limited practice this week, but it will not become clear whether the groin will threaten his playing status until later in the week.
• The New York Giants added to their injury roster this weekend. Most notably, defensive end Justin Tuck had a hard fall onto his shoulder. Tuck was not only in pain after the injury, he was angry about how it happened. Tuck was visibly tripped by Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams and referred to the play as "bush league." X-rays taken at the time were negative. However, according to the New York Times, Tuck, who was wearing a sling after the game, was in so much pain that he was having trouble dressing. MRI results have not been released but Tuck says he will play. As a defensive end, he needs to be able to get his arm up high and have enough strength to wrap up an opponent as his shoulder is getting yanked. We will see if he can get to that point in time for this Sunday's contest. Meanwhile, wide receiver Domenik Hixon suffered a knee sprain in that same game, but was seeking to get back into the game, suggesting that it is not terribly serious.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Bryant stayed home this weekend to rest his sore post-surgical knee, skipping the team trip to Buffalo. The Tampa Tribune is reporting that Bryant has a bone bruise, but no timetable has been issued as to when he can return. Much will depend on Bryant's pain, which he currently describes as dull, an improvement over the sharp pain he was experiencing previously. He hopes to play this weekend but is mindful of the big picture, i.e. his availability for the long haul of the season. Fantasy owners should not panic over Bryant's condition at this point as it appears he will be available within the next couple of weeks.
San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore had an awesome week! He also suffered a mild right ankle sprain. X-rays were negative and the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that Gore is probable for this week's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
We will update these injuries and others as the week progresses.
See you at the injury chats (Tuesday 11 a.m.-noon, Friday 11 a.m.-noon and Sunday pre-game 10-10:30 a.m..) and we'll have the latest injury updates affecting Week 2 in the Saturday morning blog!
Stephania Bell
