All our week 15 content
Week 15 Early Injury Report
by Mark Wimer, Exclusive to
Footballguys.com
Quarterback
QB Marc Bulger - STL - Bulger was inactive on Sunday due to ongoing difficulties with a concussion (he was officially listed as questionable to play on Friday). He commented after the game "It's tough, because you want to tell your guys or tell your coaches, 'OK, yeah, I'm back next week'. But you don't know how you're going to feel the next day. So if I can get through Monday, Tuesday, and get going again, then I hope this will be the week."
QB Daunte Culpepper - OAK - Culpepper missed the game on Sunday as expected, after being listed as doubtful on Friday due to his sore quadricep.
QB Trent Dilfer - SF - Dilfer left the 49ers' game against Minnesota on Sunday due to a head injury shortly before halftime, and did not return to action (he was carted off the field). He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along, but initial indications are he suffered a concussion. Dilfer may miss some time due to this injury. He was hospitalized at Stanford University hospital for observation after suffering the brain trauma.
QB Brett Favre - GB - Favre played through his sore left shoulder and residual pain/side effects from the right forearm/elbow injury from last week, and led his team to 15/23 for 266 yards, 2 TDs and 1 interception outing (plus the "W" over Oakland).
QB Gus Frerotte - STL - Frerotte was inactive on Sunday due to his injured shoulder (listed as doubtful to play on Friday's injury report).
QB Jeff Garcia - TB - Garcia was unable to play on Sunday due to his sore back, after being listed as questionable on Friday. The team held him out to allow him to return to 100% before the divisional showdown with the Falcons (and to be sure he enters the playoffs healthy). Garcia stated after the game this week that he had regained his full range of motion and that the pain had "mostly" subsided. Coach Gruden addressed the topic on Monday, saying ''We felt it was a two-week injury. Jeff could have gone probably [Sunday] because he's tough as hell. We feel we did the right thing, to let the injury get better. And, hopefully, we don't ever have to address this question again, starting Wednesday."
QB Josh McCown - OAK - McCown played Sunday with an injured little finger on his left hand - he wasn't too sharp during the game, but it was unclear how much the injury contributed to his poor outing. He also played through the flu, eventually being forced from the game after receiving intravenous fluids. "I battled as much as I could. It is what it is. It's unfortunate."
QB Philip Rivers - SD - Rivers played through a sprained knee ligament on Sunday (wearing a brace he was fitted with during the game). "He is a tough sucker," C Nick Hardwick said after the game. "His knee is not good. I know it is hurting. He probably shouldn't have been playing in that game anyway, but he does. He just can't help himself. He wants to compete and he does it." Rivers will be evaluated further as the week goes along.
QB Aaron Rodgers - GB - Rodgers was inactive on Sunday due to his injured hamstring (doubtful on Friday's injury report).
QB Matt Schaub - HOU - Schaub missed the game on Sunday as expected (shoulder, out on Friday's injury report).
QB Alex Smith - SF - Smith missed another game on Sunday due to his ongoing problems with his right shoulder and forearm (listed as doubtful on Friday). On Monday, he disputed reports that surgery on his arm is imminent, saying "I never said that...I said it was a possibility."
Running Back
RB Reggie Bush - NO - Bush, who tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last week, will meet with renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday for further examination - he is officially out of the Monday Night Football contest vs. Atlanta.
RB Jesse Chatman - MIA - Chatman missed the game on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday (ongoing difficulties with an ankle injury).
RB Ron Dayne - HOU - Dyane struggled to stay on the field on Sunday due to his sore ankle - rookie RB Darius Walker carried the ball 16 times for 46 yards while Dayne was sidelined during the game.
RB Justin Fargas - OAK - Fargas tweaked his ribs during the 3rd quarter on Sunday - the severity of the injury isn't currently known. "Injuries have ways of healing quick in this league," Fargas said after the game. "It should be OK. But it was a good hit and I'm a little bruised up right now, but I'll be all right."
RB Ahman Green - HOU - Green is on IR now due to his nagging knee injury.
RB Andre Hall - DEN - Hall suffered a thumb injury during the game on Sunday - the severity of the injury isn't currently known.
RB Brandon Jacobs - NYG - Jacobs played through his sore hamstring on Sunday. Afterwards, he commented "I'm a little shook up...But I've got time to get that better."
RB Larry Johnson - KC - Johnson missed the game on Sunday as expected (foot injury, out on Friday's injury report).
RB Kenton Keith - IND - Keith re-injured his sprained thumb and was held out of the rout of Baltimore after the re-injury: "Kenton has had a sprained thumb and he re-did it and they wouldn't let him go back in," head coach Tony Dungy said after the game.
RB Lorenzo Neal - SD - Neal had to leave the game on Sunday due to a fractured fibula. He'll be evaluated further, but initial indications are he'll miss at least some time due to the injury (depending on how severe the fracture is). LaDainian Tomlinson commented on the impact of Neal's injury/absence: "We're losing a physical aspect to our team, a guy that's very dominant at what he does, loves to go in there and just stick his head into the linebackers and D-linemen and whatever else that may get in front of him."
RB Adrian Peterson - MIN - Peterson and his knee felt fine for most of the game on Sunday: "There was one play where I felt it, but it wasn't anything serious," he said after the game. "I came out for a play and shook it off."
RB Michael Pittman - TB - Pittman didn't play on Sunday due to his ongoing problem with an ankle injury.
RB Cory Ross - BAL - Ross missed the game on Sunday due to his injured head, despite being listed as probable on Friday.
RB Darren Sproles - SD - Sproles was inactive on Sunday due to his injured knee (listed as questionable to play on Friday's injury report).
RB Anthony Thomas - BUF - Thomas missed the game on Sunday as expected (torn calf muscle, listed as out on Friday). Thomas is now on IR.
Wide Receiver
WR Anquan Boldin - ARI - Boldin missed the game on Sunday due to his sore (dislocated) second toe - the team tried to find an insert for his shoe all week long, but couldn't find one that soothed the sore digit enough. He was listed as questionable to play on Friday.
WR Marty Booker - MIA - Booker missed the game on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday (knee injury).
WR Plaxico Burress - NYG - Burress received treatment on his sore ankle after the game on Sunday, and was hobbling after the game - but he is so far still able to play during the games.
WR Laveranues Coles - NYJ - Coles played through his sore high ankle sprain again this week - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
WR Jerricho Cotchery - NYJ - Cotchery played on Sunday with a splint on his broken right index finger - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
WR Patrick Crayton - DAL - Crayton was wearing a protective boot on his left foot after the game, according to reports out of Dallas. He is scheduled to have an MRI today to evaluate the pain in his limb. Stay tuned...
WR Chris Davis - NYJ - Davis sat out of the game on Sunday despite being listed as probable to play on Friday (shoulder injury).
WR Bobby Engram - SEA - Engram bruised his hip during the first half on Sunday, but was on the field to start the second half. The injury is not considered serious at this time.
WR Terry Glenn - DAL - Glenn missed the game on Sunday as expected (knee rehab, out on Friday's injury report). He is starting to practice extensively, though, and is getting closer to playing (though he's not expected to play vs. Philly): "He looked good on Friday, and he looked good [Saturday]," Jerry Jones said on Sunday. "That's looking up there."
WR D.J. Hackett - SEA - Hackett missed another game on Sunday after being listed as out on Friday (ankle injury).
WR Marvin Harrison - IND - Harrison continues to miss games due to his sore knee, as expected (despite his appearance as questionable on the injury report, the Colts have made it fairly clear they don't expect him back until the playoffs).
WR Jason Hill - SF - Hill missed the game on Sunday after being listed as probable on Friday (groin injury).
WR Ike Hilliard - TB - Hilliard left the game in the first quarter on Sunday and did not return to action (shoulder injury). "We lost Ike Hilliard, which really compromised us," coach Jon Gruden said after the game. "He is a clutch, go-to guy for us, on third downs especially. We're searching right now to find out his availability for next week."
WR Dwayne Jarrett - CAR - Jarrett missed the game on Sunday due to his sore knee (listed as out on Friday).
WR Brandon Jones - TEN - Jones' sore groin sidelined him on Sunday as expected (listed as out on Friday's injury report).
WR Steve Smith - NYG - The Giants' Steve Smith missed the game on Sunday despite being listed as probable on Friday (hamstring injury).
WR Javon Walker - DEN - Walker was inactive on Sunday after his troublesome knee flared up (listed as questionable to play on Friday).
WR Troy Walters - DET - Walters suffered a concussion returning a kickoff in the first quarter and did not return to action - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
WR Brandon Williams - STL - Williams was inactive on Sunday due to his injured ankle (questionable on Friday's injury report).
WR Demetrius Williams - BAL - Williams missed the game on Sunday due to his sore ankle (listed as out on Friday).
WR Roy Williams - DET - Williams missed the game on Sunday due to his injured knee (listed as out on Friday).
WR Troy Williamson - MIN - Williamson was unable to play on Sunday due to ongoing problems with his concussion/after-effects from the concussion. He was listed as questionable on Friday's official injury report.
Tight End
TE Casey Fitzsimmons - DET - Fitzsimmons left the game on Sunday with a lower leg contusion - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
TE Bubba Franks - GB - Franks was inactive on Sunday due to his injured knee (doubtful on Friday's injury report).
TE Tony Gonzalez - KC - Gonzalez injured an ankle during the third quarter of the team's Week 14 game. He later returned to the game, though - this looks more like a tweak than a serious sprain.
TE Todd Heap - BAL - Heap missed another game this week due to the nagging hamstring/thigh injury he's been plagued by this year (listed as questionable to play on Friday).
TE Leonard Pope - ARI - Pope suffered a dislocated right ankle, and possibly fractured the bones in the joint. He's likely out for the season as of Monday, although the team will conduct further evaluations.
TE L.J. Smith - PHI - Smith's injury-plagued season continued when he left the game with an injury to his right knee after being hit by cornerback Aaron Ross and linebacker Antonio Pierce following an 8-yard reception. Coach Andy Reid said Smith would undergo an MRI examination on Monday - some in Philly are speculating that Smith may have played his last game as an Eagle.
TE Ben Watson - NE - Watson was shook up in the third quarter on Sunday following an 8-yard reception when he took a hard hit out of bounds. He did return to action, though - the injury doesn't appear to be serious as of Monday.
Kicker
Offensive Line
OL San Francisco 49ers - SF - LT Adam Snyder left the game late in the fourth quarter on Sunday due to a sprained neck - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
OL Cincinnati Bengals - CIN - T Willie Anderson missed another game on Sunday due to his ongoing knee woes (listed as out on Friday).
OL Denver Broncos - DEN - OG Isaac Snell was inactive on Sunday despite being listed as probable on Friday (thigh injury).
OL Kansas City Chiefs - KC - OT's Damion McIntosh (knee injury) and Kyle Turley (back injury) both sat out of the game on Sunday as expected (listed as out on Friday). Turley's back injury is an ongoing problem that flares up from time to time.
OL Indianapolis Colts - IND - OT Ryan Diem missed the game on Sunday due to his sore knee (listed as questionable on Friday).
OL Philadelphia Eagles - PHI - OG Shawn Andrews suffered a sprained ligament in his right knee early in the game on Sunday, but he returned and completed the game. He is scheduled for an MRI examination Monday - Andrews said after the game that he believes he'll be "fine".
OL New York Giants - NYG - C Shaun O'Hara was taken for X-rays after the game for an unspecified injury - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
OL Green Bay Packers - GB - OT Chad Clifton injured his shin and right shoulder on Sunday. "The shin's definitely not a problem," Clifton said after the game. "The shoulder, we just don't know. We did some X-rays on it. We'll find out later in the week."
OL Carolina Panthers - CAR - RG Jeremy Bridges missed the game due to an abscessed molar. "Actually I went to the dentist last Tuesday, and we scheduled an appointment for this Tuesday to get it taken out," Bridges said after the game. "I got up and ate the pregame meal this (Sunday) morning and food got in it or something, and it went haywire."
OL New England Patriots - NE - OG Steve Neal was inactive on Sunday due to his injured shoulder (questionable on Friday's injury report).
OL Oakland Raiders - OAK - C Jake Grove missed the game on Sunday as expected, after being listed as doubtful on Friday due to his sore knee.
OL St. Louis Rams - STL - OT Rob Petitti was inactive on Sunday due to his ongoing problems with a concussion (he was listed as out on Friday's injury report). C Brett Romberg's sore ankles kept him out, too - despite being listed as probable on Friday.
OL Houston Texans - HOU - OG Kasey Studdard was hurt during a return on Sunday and was knocked out of the game. Coach Kubiak described his injury as follows: "Studdard was out. Lights out. He's got a neck, head (injury). He was lights out." Studdard will be further evaluated as the week goes along - initial indications are that he was concussed.
OL Tennessee Titans - TEN - LG Jacob Bell suffered a stinger in the first half on Sunday and did not return to action. We're going to have to do some tests on Jacob," Coach Jeff Fisher said after the game. RG Benji Olson also suffered an unspecified injury that kept him out of a few series during the game.
OL Minnesota Vikings - MIN - OG Artis Hicks was unable to play on Sunday due to his tender back. He was listed as questionable on Friday's official injury report.
Defensive Line
DL Anthony Adams - CHI - Adams was placed on IR Monday due to an elbow injury.
DL Victor Adeyanju - STL - Adeyanju suffered a hip pointer on Sunday, but the injury isn't considered serious at this time.
DL Justin Bannan - BAL - Bannan missed the game on Sunday as expected (knee, out on Friday).
DL Raheem Brock - IND - Brock missed the game on Sunday due to his injured ribs (listed as out on Friday).
DL Copeland Bryan - BUF - Bryan missed the game on Sunday as expected (knee injury, listed as out on Friday).
DL Luis Castillo - SD - Castillo missed the game on Sunday as expected (ankle, out on Friday).
DL Ronald Fields - SF - Fields suffered a shoulder sprain of unspecified severity on Sunday - He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
DL Antonio Garay - CHI - Garay was placed on IR Monday due to an ankle injury.
DL Albert Haynesworth - TEN - Haynesworth said after the game on Sunday that he might have aggravated his hamstring injury during the contest. He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
DL Reggie Hayward - JAX - Hayward missed the game on Sunday as expected (groin injury, out on Friday's injury report).
DL Erasmus James - MIN - James missed the game on Sunday as expected (knee injury, listed as out on Friday). He's now on IR due to his re-injured ACL.
DL Johnny Jolly - GB - Jolly was inactive on Sunday due to his injured shoulder (out on Friday's injury report).
DL Chris Kelsay - BUF - Kelsay missed the game on Sunday as expected (ankle injury, listed as out on Friday).
DL Ross Kolodziej - ARI - Kolodziej missed another game on Sunday after being listed as out on Friday (quadricep injury).
DL Robert Mathis - IND - Mathis left with a knee injury during the game on Sunday but returned to action - the injury is not considered serious at this time.
DL David McMillan - CLE - McMillan missed the game on Sunday due to his injured knee, after being listed as questionable on Friday.
DL Haloti Ngata - BAL - Ngata will also undergo an MRI on Monday to examine his left knee, injured during the Sunday night game. The severity and nature of the problem have yet to be determined.
DL Matt Roth - MIA - Roth missed the game on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday (groin injury).
DL Greg Spires - TB - Spires didn't play on Sunday due to his sore calf (listed as questionable on Friday).
DL Marcus Stroud - JAX - Stroud was carried off the field in the second half due to a right ankle injury. HC Del Rio said after the game that doctors feared Stroud had a significant shin injury but X-rays showed no broken bones. He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
DL Jason Taylor - MIA - Taylor hurt his right ankle but played with the injury on Sunday - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
Linebacker
LB Boss Bailey - DET - Bailey woke up with the flu on Sunday and did not play in the game.
LB Nick Barnett - GB - Barnett suffered a scratched cornea in his left eye during the game on Sunday. He's going to be further evaluated by an eye doctor on Monday.
LB Danny Clark - HOU - Clark sat out of the game on Sunday (groin, questionable on Friday's injury report).
LB Channing Crowder - MIA - Crowder missed the game on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday (foot injury).
LB Landon Johnson - CIN - Johnson hurt his left ankle twice on Sunday, once early and the second time at the 2-minute warning at the end of the game. He did not return after the re-injury - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
LB Shawne Merriman - SD - Merriman was forced from the team's Week 14 game with a left knee injury. He did not return to action, and will be evaluated further as the week goes along.
LB Antwan Peek - CLE - Peek, who has battled numerous injuries this year, hurt his right ankle early in the second quarter on Sunday and did not return to action. The severity of the injury isn't currently known - he'll be evaluated further.
LB Mike Peterson - JAX - Peterson missed the game on Sunday as expected (broken hand, out on Friday's injury report).
LB Antonio Pierce - NYG - Pierce almost didn't play on Sunday due to pain in his sprained ankle, but decided to go. He'll be monitored as the week goes along. "It wasn't broken this time," Pierce said after the game. "Looking at my teammates and just knowing the legacy of the linebackers and how Giants fans and Giants linebackers are, if it ain't broke, you need to be out there."
LB Donnie Spragan - MIA - Spragan hurt his neck in the first half on Sunday but finished the game - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
LB Jeff Ulbrich - SF - Ulbrich tweaked an ankle during the game on Sunday - the severity of the injury isn't clear as of Monday morning. He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
LB Tracy White - GB - White was inactive on Sunday due to his injured ankle (doubtful on Friday's injury report).
LB Lamarr Woodley - PIT - Woodley was inactive on Sunday due to his injured hamstring (questionable to play on Friday's injury report).
Defensive Back
DB Hamza Abdullah - DEN - Abdullah was poked in the eye during the game on Sunday. Abdullah didn't return but said after the game that he is "fine".
DB Oshiomogho Atogwe - STL - Atogwe suffered a mild groin strain on Sunday - he should be OK, though. The injury is not considered serious as of Monday.
DB Rashad Baker - NE - Baker was inactive on Sunday due to his injured ankle (questionable on Friday's injury report).
DB Eric Bassey - STL - Bassey was inactive on Sunday due to his injured knee (out on Friday's injury report).
DB Antoine Bethea - IND - Bethea suffered a sprained knee during the first half on Sunday night and did not return to action - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
DB James Butler - NYG - Butler's sore hamstring kept him on the sidelines on Sunday. He was listed as questionable to play on Friday.
DB Jerametrius Butler - BUF - Butler missed the game on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday (calf injury).
DB Jarrod Cooper - OAK - Cooper missed the game on Sunday as expected, after being listed as out on Friday due to his injured knee.
DB Brian Dawkins - PHI - Dawkins left briefly in the second half on Sunday because of cramping, but returned to action.
DB Michael Doss - MIN - Doss missed the game on Sunday as expected (hamstring injury, listed as doubtful on Friday).
DB Nick Ferguson - DEN - Ferguson missed the game on Sunday after being listed as doubtful to play on Friday (knee injury).
DB Aaron Francisco - ARI - Francisco missed another game on Sunday after being listed as out on Friday (calf injury).
DB LaMarcus Hicks - DET - Hicks has been placed on IR due to his injured ankle.
DB Chris Hope - TEN - Hope was placed on IR last week due to a spinal injury. He'll continue to receive treatment and evaluation, but his season is over.
DB Marcus Hudson - SF - Hudson missed the game on Sunday as expected, after being listed as out on Friday (knee injury).
DB Kenoy Kennedy - DET - Kennedy left during the second half on Sunday due to a hamstring injury - the severity of the injury isn't currently known.
DB Michael Lehan - MIA - Lehan missed the game on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday (groin injury).
DB Chris McAlister - BAL - McAlister missed the game on Sunday due to his sore knee (he was listed as questionable on Friday).
DB Troy Polamalu - PIT - Polamalu was inactive on Sunday due to his injured knee (doubtful on Friday's injury report).
DB Samari Rolle - BAL - Rolle was active, but did not play, on Sunday due to his sore shoulder (he was listed as questionable on Friday).
DB Mark Roman - SF - Roman missed the game on Sunday due to his sore ankle. He was listed as questionable on Friday's official injury report.
DB Gerome Sapp - BAL - Sapp missed the game on Sunday due to his sore thigh (he was listed as questionable on Friday).
DB Shawntae Spencer - SF - Spencer missed the game on Sunday due to his sore quadricep (listed as doubtful to play on Friday).
DB Madieu Williams - CIN - Williams missed the game on Sunday due to his sore thigh (listed as questionable on Friday.
DB Tank Williams - MIN - Williams missed the game on Sunday as expected (knee injury, listed as doubtful on Friday).
DB Gibril Wilson - NYG - Wilson missed the game as expected (knee, out on Friday).
DB Josh Wilson - SEA - Wilson missed the game on Sunday due to his sore quadricep (listed as out on Friday).
DB Coy Wire - BUF - Wire missed the game on Sunday as expected (neck injury, listed as out on Friday).
