All our week 18 content

Week 18 Early Injury Report

by Mark Wimer, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Quarterback

QB Jason Campbell - WAS - Campbell's sore knee (dislocated knee cap) kept him sidelined on Sunday - he was listed as out on Friday. Todd Collins played very well in relief of Campbell on Sunday, and led the Redskins to their 4th straight victory and a spot in the playoffs. Right now, it looks like Collins is in the drivers' seat for the first round of the playoffs, at least.

QB Matt Hasselbeck - SEA - Hasselbeck dinged his right wrist during the game on Sunday, but x-rays were negative and the icing was bringing down the swelling as of post-game. Hasselbeck stated after the game he does not anticipate missing any time in practices this week while preparing for the Redskins to come calling. "I was throwing the ball away and hit the ground," Hasselbeck commented. "I don't know if I landed on it or somebody landed on it, but just kind of fell awkwardly."

QB Philip Rivers - SD - Rivers took a hard shot during the game on Sunday that bruised his back - but he stayed in the game. He also seemed to have limited mobility due to his sore knee - the brace he's wearing didn't allow him much maneuverability during the game.

QB Aaron Rodgers - GB - Rodgers' sore hamstring landed him on the inactive list this week (he was listed as doubtful to play before the game). Craig Nall finished the Packers' victory over Detroit after Favre took a seat for precautionary reasons.

QB Ben Roethlisberger - PIT - Roethlisberger's gimpy ankle landed him on the inactive list on Sunday as the team didn't want to risk a re-injury heading into the playoffs. He was officially listed as questionable to play on Friday.

QB Vince Young - TEN - Young suffered a right quadriceps injury during the first half on Sunday night, and then re-injured the muscle during the 3rd quarter, at which point he exited the game and did not return to action. Kerry Collins led the team to a victory and the playoffs in Youngs' absence. The early word is that coach Fisher will decide on a starter for the first round playoff game by mid-week - stay tuned to Footballguys.com players in the news to see who it's going to be. The team will treat Youngs' injury and evaluated him as the week goes along to see how the muscle is responding.

Running Back

RB B.J. Askew - TB - Askew's tender ankle forced him to sit out the season finale, after being listed as questionable to play on Friday.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw - NYG - Bradshaw's sore calf cost him the game on Saturday - he was listed as questionable to play on Friday's injury report.

RB Kyle Eckel - NE - Eckel's stomach problem kept him on the sidelines on Sunday as expected (he was listed as doubtful to play on Friday).

RB Earnest Graham - TB - Graham's sore ankle forced him to sit out the game on Sunday (he was listed as questionable to play on Friday).

RB Ryan Grant - GB - Grant suffered a shoulder/arm stinger on Sunday, and did not return to action after jamming his arm into his shoulder during a tackle. The injury is not considered serious at this time - Grant will be monitored and evaluated as the week goes along.

RB Lorenzo Neal - SD - Neal's broken fibula cost him the game on Sunday as expected (he was listed as out on Friday).

RB Montell Owens - JAX - Owens hurt his ankle in the first half of the game and was held out for the rest of the afternoon. He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.

Wide Receiver

WR Deion Branch - SEA - Branch couldn't play on Sunday due to his smarting ankle (he was listed as questionable to play on Friday).

WR Joey Galloway - TB - Galloway was held out of the game on Sunday due to the team's decision to rest him for the playoffs.

WR Terry Glenn - DAL - Glenn tested his surgically repaired knee in the season finale against Washington, and reported no setbacks after the game. So far, so good for Glenn in his return to action.

WR Anthony Gonzalez - IND - Gonzalez's sore foot forced him to the inactive list on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday.

WR D.J. Hackett - SEA - Hackett returned from the aggravation of his high ankle sprain that cost him 4 games, and didn't suffer a setback. He caught 4 passes for 41 yards during the contest.

WR Marvin Harrison - IND - Harrison tested his sore knee in warmups prior to the game vs. Tennessee, but couldn't go for the contest. He ended up a game-time scratch (inactive) due to his ongoing struggle with this injury, after being expected to play in the finale. He'll be evaluated further as the Colts' bye-week goes along, but his inability to get in the game at this point in time is not a good sign. GM Bill Polian commented on the situation after the game, when asked if he was worried about Harrison being "rusty" for the playoffs. "No, I'm not. Because the knee is fine. If you can get him back in a game, you do it, but the most important stuff is done at practice, and that's where he needs to be 100 percent."

WR Ike Hilliard - TB - Hilliard's sore knee landed him on the inactive list on Sunday - he was questionable to play as of Friday.

WR Greg Jennings - GB - Jennings' sore ankle cost him the season finale this week after being listed as questionable to play on Friday. With a bye week to further rest the joint, he should be able to go in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

WR Sinorice Moss - NYG - Moss missed another game on Saturday, this time due to a sore back (he was listed as doubtful to play on Friday).

WR Terrell Owens - DAL - Owens was inactive on Sunday as expected due to his injured ankle (high ankle sprain). He was listed as out on Friday. With a bye week to rest the injury, the team is hoping he'll be able to play in the second round of the playoffs.

WR Willie Reid - PIT - Reid sprained a shoulder during the game on Sunday - he'll be evaluated further to determine the severity and exact nature of the injury.

Tight End

TE Kyle Brady - NE - Brady's sore foot kept him on the sidelines on Sunday as expected (he was listed as doubtful to play on Friday).

TE Ben Utecht - IND - Utecht's injured shoulder landed him on the inactive list on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday.

Kicker

PK Nate Kaeding - SD - Kaeding played through his bruised left leg on Sunday. "It didn't respond today as well as I'd hoped," he said of his injured limb after the game. "Oh well, it's go time. Nothing is going to hold me back in the playoffs."

Offensive Line

OL Tampa Bay Buccaneers - TB - OG Arron Sears suffered an unspecified ankle injury in the first quarter on Sunday and did not return to action. He'll be evaluated further to determine the exact nature and severity of the ankle - his status for the playoff game is unknown as of Monday.

OL Indianapolis Colts - IND - OT Ryan Diem (knee injury, listed as out on Friday) missed the game on Sunday vs. Tennessee, as expected.

OL Dallas Cowboys - DAL - C Andre Gurode was inactive on Sunday as expected due to his injured knee. He was listed as out on Friday. "Health-wise, it's [sitting out] been great," he said. "The knee's feeling a lot better."

OL New York Giants - NYG - C Shaun O'Hara suffered a sprained knee late in the first half on Saturday night, and did not return to action. The severity of the injury isn't currently known - he'll be evaluated further and receive treatment as the week goes along. An MRI revealed a MCL sprain - coach Coughlin indicated that O'Hara felt much better on Sunday after coming in for treatment with the trainers.

OL Jacksonville Jaguars - JAX - OT Tony Pashos sat out of the game on Sunday due to his sore thigh, despite being listed as probable to play on Friday.

OL Green Bay Packers - GB - OGs Junius Coston and Jason Spitz limped off the field at various points in the game on Sunday. Coston suffered a right calf injury and Spitz went down due to a quadriceps injury - both players will be evaluated further as the week goes along. "I really don't know the severity of it," said Coston after the game. "Hopefully, it's not too bad, and I can get back for the playoffs, but we'll see."

OL New England Patriots - NE - G Steve Neal (ongoing shoulder injury) and OT Nick Kaczur (foot injury) were inactive on Saturday due to their woes - Neal was on the Friday injury report listed as questionable to play.

OL Seattle Seahawks - SEA - OT Walter Jones missed the game on Sunday due to his shoulder injury (he was listed as questionable to play on Friday).

OL Pittsburgh Steelers - PIT - OT Marvel Smith's sore back landed him on the inactive list on Sunday (he was listed as out on Friday). OT Max Starks sustained a left knee injury in the first half on Sunday. Starks didn't return to action after the injury, and the Steelers are short at LT with starter Marvel Smith (see above) sidelined due to a sore back. Both players will be evaluated further as the week goes along.

OL Tennessee Titans - TEN - C Kevin Mawae missed the game on Sunday due to his injured calf - he was listed as questionable to play on Friday.

Defensive Line

DL Robert Bernard - SEA - Bernard's sore groin landed him on the inactive list on Sunday (he was listed as out on Friday).

DL Raheem Brock - IND - Brock missed the game on Sunday as expected (rib, out on Friday's injury report).

DL Luis Castillo - SD - Castillo was back in the starting lineup (and finished the entire game) for the first time since having his ankle surgically repaired in early November. "From the beginning of the last game (vs. Denver) -- to the end of this game, I've gotten a lot more confident in my ability to come back and play, and in the ankle," he said after the contest.

DL Albert Haynesworth - TEN - Haynesworth tweaked his nagging right hamstring during the game on Sunday night and was briefly sidelined, but did return to the action. He'll be evaluated and will receive treatment on the injury as the week goes along.

DL Reggie Hayward - JAX - Hayward returned to action after missing several games with a groin injury. "I felt good," Hayward said afterwards. "There were no aches, no pains. I came out of the game with minor bruises and stuff like that."

DL Robert Mathis - IND - Mathis' sore knee forced him to the inactive list on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday.

DL Ryan Pickett - GB - Pickett's sore groin cost him the game on Sunday (he was listed as questionable to play on Friday).

DL Quinn Pitcock - IND - Pitcock (groin injury) was active but did not play in the season finale, after bieing listed as questionable on Friday's injury report.

DL Jay Ratliff - DAL - Ratliff's sore knee forced him onto the inactive list on Sunday (he was listed as out on Friday).

DL Paul Spicer - JAX - Spicer's sore ankle cost him the game on Sunday (he was listed as doubtful to play on Friday).

DL Jamal Williams - SD - Williams' injured ankle cost him the game on Sunday despite being listed as probable to play on Friday. "I think he didn't feel like he was 100 percent," coach Norv Turner said of Williams' strained hip flexor. "I think Jamal will be back 100 percent and be ready to go next Sunday."

DL Manuel Wright - NYG - Wright's sore ankle landed him on the inactive list on Saturday night, after being listed as questionable to play on Friday.

Linebacker

LB Keith Bulluck - TEN - Bulluck left the Tennessee victory late in the game on Sunday night due to an undisclosed injury - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.

LB James Farrior - PIT - Farrior sustained a stinger during the game on Sunday, but the injury isn't considered serious at this time.

LB Andre Frazier - PIT - Frazier's sore groin cost him the game on Sunday (he was listed as probable to play on Friday's injury report).

LB Gilbert Gardner - TEN - Gardner missed the game on Sunday due to his sore calf, after being listed as questionable to play on Friday's injury report.

LB Korey Hall - GB - Hall missed the game on Sunday as expected due to his injured hip (he was listed as out on Friday).

LB Marques Harris - SD - Harris' injured hand cost him the game on Sunday (he was listed as doubtful to play on Friday).

LB James Harrison - PIT - Harrison left the game on Sunday due to a shoulder contusion, but he later returned and is expected to be fine for Saturday's game against Jacksonville.

LB Niko Koutouvides - SEA - Koutouvides' injured knee landed him on the inactive list on Sunday (he was listed as out on Friday).

LB Clint Kriewaldt - PIT - Kriewaldt's injured neck cost him the game on Sunday as expected (he was listed as out on Friday).

LB Kawika Mitchell - NYG - Mitchell suffered a sprained knee during the game vs. New England on Saturday night - a MRI revealed a sprained MCL in his knee. Coach Coughling reported on Sunday that Mitchell has improved and felt much better after receiving treatment on Sunday.

LB Mike Peterson - JAX - Peterson's broken hand landed him on the inactive list on Sunday (he was listed as out on Friday).

Defensive Back

DB Willie Andrews - NE - Andrews was inactive on Sunday due to his injured foot - he was listed as questionable to play on Friday.

DB Antoine Bethea - IND - Bethea (knee injury) was active but did not play in the season finale, after bieing listed as questionable on Friday's injury report.

DB William Blackmon - GB - Blackmon was carted off the field after tweaking his right foot (broken twice already during his career) during the game on Sunday. However, after evaluation the team expects Blackmon to be fine for the playoff game in 2 weeks. "My foot got caught in the ground and just to be safe, I took myself out," Blackmon said after the game. "I turned and aggravated it a little bit. Yeah, it scared me, but it's not a tear or a break. So I'm good."

DB Craig Dahl - NYG - Dahl suffered a knee sprain of unknown severity during the game on Saturday night - unfortunately, a MRI on Sunday revealed a torn ACL. He's out for the rest of post-season, and faces a long rehabilitation of the injury.

DB Keith Davis - DAL - Davis suffered a knee injury during the game on Sunday, and an MRI is scheduled to further evaluate the injury. "I wanted to go in, but they were holding me out," Davis said. "Two weeks from now when we tee it off, I'll be ready."

DB Kevin Dockery - NYG - Dockery missed the game on Saturday due to his sore hip (he was listed as doubtful to play on Friday).

DB Michael Green - SEA - Green's injured knee kept him on the sidelines on Sunday despite being listed as probable to play on Friday.

DB Sam Madison - NYG - Madison suffered an abdominal strain during the game on Saturday night, and then was badly beaten for a TD on the next play. After the game, Madison said, "I'm okay. I'll be out there next week." He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.

DB Bryant McFadden - PIT - McFadden reinjured the ankle that he sprained earlier this season on Sunday - the severity of the reinjury isn't currently known - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.

DB Terence Newman - DAL - Newman's sore knee cost him the game on Sunday as expected (he was listed as out on Friday).

DB Troy Polamalu - PIT - Polamalu's ongoing knee injury woes cost him another game on Sunday (he was listed as doubtful to play on Friday).

DB Keiwan Ratliff - IND - Ratliff's sore hamstring forced him to the inactive list on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday.

DB Allen Rossum - PIT - Rossum's sore hamstring landed him on the inactive list on Sunday (he was listed as questionable to play on Friday).

DB Pat Watkins - DAL - Watkins' sore ankle cost him the game on Sunday (he was listed as out on Friday).

DB Charles Woodson - GB - Woodson's sore toe landed him on the inactive list on Sunday (he was listed as doubtful to play on Friday).