All our week 20 content
Week 20 Early Injury Report
by Mark Wimer, Exclusive to
Footballguys.com
Quarterback
QB Philip Rivers - SD - Rivers tweaked his right knee (the knee he doesn't usually wear a brace on) during the game on Sunday (3rd quarter), and did not return to action following the injury. He said after the game that he could have returned but with Volek in control, he elected to stay on the sidelines. "I'm going to do all I can do to be ready [for New England]," said Rivers after the game. "At this point, that's all I can tell you." Rivers will be evaluated further as the week goes along...stay tuned.
Running Back
RB Kyle Eckel - NE - Eckel was inactive on Saturday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday's injury report (abdominal injury).
RB Lorenzo Neal - SD - Neal did not play on Sunday after being listed as questionable on Friday due to his broken fibula.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson - SD - Tomlinson suffered a left knee injury during the game on Sunday and, after briefly returning to action, was sidelined during the second half of the divisional contest vs. Indianapolis. "I think I'll be ready to play [vs. New England]," he said after the game. "I'll get some treatment and rest it." Tomlinson will be evaluated further during the week - keep an eye on his practice status later this week as we head toward the AFC conference title game.
Wide Receiver
Tight End
TE Antonio Gates - SD - Gates appeared in the game vs. Indianapolis, despite being listed as doubtful to play on Friday due to his dislocated left big toe. "The way I feel today, I don't know [if he can play next week]," Gates said after the game on Sunday, while walking away from the RCA Dome in a protective boot. "I'm putting weight on it, running, cutting. The only thing is, I'm not supposed to be doing it. It is a dislocated toe...A lot of people didn't think I could do it [today]," he added. Gates will be evaluated further as the week goes along.
TE Stephen Spach - NE - Spach, who was listed as questionable to play due to his sore knee on Friday, was active but did not play in the game vs. Jacksonville on Saturday.
Kicker
PK Nate Kaeding - SD - Kaeding's bruised left leg is improving and he hopes to handle all the kicking duties vs. New England: "I'm feeling better," Kaeding said after the game on Sunday. "My plan is to run today. My plan is to kick off this week."
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Linebacker
Defensive Back
DB William Blackmon - GB - Blackmon was inactive on Saturday due to his injured foot - he was listed as questionable to play on Friday's official injury report.
DB Antonio Cromartie - SD - Cromartie played through a stomach virus on Sunday, and was very tired after the contest: "I was so weak [after his 89 yard interception return]," he said after the game. "I'm exhausted. I just want to go to sleep on the plane."
DB Kevin Dockery - NYG - Dockery was inactive for the game on Sunday, as expected. His hip injury is troublesome enough that Dockery was listed as out on Friday.
DB Sam Madison - NYG - Madison was inactive on Sunday due to his sore stomach/abdominal injury during the game on Sunday, and watched as Aaron Ross also went down to injury vs. Dallas. The Giants' secondary is thin entering the NFC Championship game, unless Madison, Ross, and Kevin Dockery can get healthy in a hurry.
DB Aaron Ross - NYG - Ross suffered a right shoulder injury of unknown severity on Sunday - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along. "I kept dislocating it," Ross said after the game. "It happened in the second quarter, and I tried to come back. That didn't work. So, we taped it up at halftime and I tried to come back again. Then I tried to help on another tackle and it happened again...My arm went dead. I had a lot of family here today and I wish I could have finished the game. But it'll be healthy next week."
DB Antwain Spann - NE - Spann was inactive on Saturday due to his sore hamstring, after being listed as questionable to play on Friday's official injury report.
