All our week 18 content
Week 18 Early Injury Report
by Mark Wimer, Exclusive to
Footballguys.com
Quarterback
QB Tom Brady - NE - Brady is reportedly far behind in his schedule to return from torn ACL and MCL tendons in his left knee. An infection caused complications and scar tissue to form in the joint, while the tendons are not firmly reattaached - his knee is said to be "far" from full mobility due to the problems. Brady may not be ready to resume practicing when 2009 mini-camps (and perhaps even training camp) rolls around.
QB Brett Favre - NYJ - A MRI is scheduled for Brett Favre's ailing right shoulder - "First and foremost, [how I feel] physically is something I have to pay attention to. I'm 39 years old. That'd be the first thing," said Favre after the game. "Whether or not I'd require surgery, that's something [I'll assess]. If it was surgery, whether I need it, [may determine] whether I'd play or not. I'm 39, I don't want to have a bunch of surgeries to keep playing."
QB Ben Roethlisberger - PIT - Roethlisberger was carted off the field just before halftime on Sunday with a concussion, and he was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for tests and observation. Early indications are that Roethlisberger will return in two weeks when the Steelers host a postseason game. "All tests are negative," coach Mike Tomlin said, "which is a positive...We are optimistic of where he is going to be (in the playoffs). The bye is going to be helpful in regards to that."
QB Tony Romo - DAL - Romo reportedly collapsed in the shower following the Cowboy's 44-6 drubbing at the hands of the Eagles - he evidently has a rib injury of some severity. "Um, you know, I was just a little banged up, I guess," Romo said after the incident.
Running Back
RB Brandon Jacobs - NYG - Jacobs was inactive on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play (knee injury).
RB Adrian Peterson - MIN - Peterson suffered a tweaked ankle during the game vs. New York. "There's always concern about fumbling the football," Vikings coach Brad Childress said after the game. "He twisted his ankle, he tweaked his ankle. That's the point where he lost the football. Still, he's got to hold on to the ball. He knows that." Peterson will have the injury examined further and treated as the week goes along.
RB Dominic Rhodes - IND - Rhodes was inactive on Sunday after being listed as out on the official injury report (chest injury).
RB Ray Rice - BAL - Rice was sidelined on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday due to his calf injury.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson - SD - Tomlinson was sidelined in the 4th quarter on Sunday due to a groin injury. Darren Sproles helped San Diego put the game on ice with 2 scores while subbing for Tomlinson in the game. Tomlinson will be evaluated further as the week goes along. As of Monday, the team is calling the injury a "strained groin" - a MRI is scheduled for later in the day on Monday.
RB Cadillac Williams - TB - Williams may have torn or partially torn his left patellar knee tendon in week 17 - his right patellar tendon was torn in a prior injury that limited him for most of this season. The injury is not as severe as last year's right knee injury that sidelined him 14 months.
"It's more of a tear off the bone, so the rehab process should be much easier," Williams told TBO.com on Monday.
"All indications are he has a chance to be ready for training camp," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said Monday. "It's a long road to recovery."
Wide Receiver
WR Anquan Boldin - ARI - Boldin missed the game on Sunday despite hopes earlier in the week that he would be able to play - he was described as questionable to play due to his injured shoulder prior to the game.
WR Yamon Figurs - BAL - Figurs was inactive on Sunday despite being listed as probable to play on the official injury report (head injury).
WR Malcom Floyd - SD - Floyd was listed as doubtful prior to the game on Sunday night due to his injured lung, and didn't get in the action.
WR Pierre Garcon - IND - Garcon suffered a slight knee injury during the game on Sunday, but initial indications are that the problem isn't serious - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
WR Anthony Gonzalez - IND - Gonzalez suffered a hip injury during the game on Sunday, and did not return to action. However, coach Dungy said after the game that Gonzalez's injury was probably the most serious the team suffered, but that Gonzalez "probably could have gone back in if we needed him."
WR Marcus Maxwell - BAL - Maxwell was inactive on Sunday as expected after being listed as out on Friday (hip injury).
WR Kenneth Moore - CAR - Moore was inactive on Sunday as expected (hamstring, out on the injury report).
WR Darius Reynaud - MIN - Reynaud was inactive on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play (foot injury).
Tight End
TE Kevin Boss - NYG - Boss sat out of the season finale due to his injured ankle (he was doubtful to play on the official injury report). Hopefully the bye week will help him get back near to 100% healthy.
TE Antonio Gates - SD - Gates sat out all of the third quarter after tweaking his ankle, but he returned for a series in the fourth period and said he doesn't believe the injury to be serious. "It's good," Gates said after the game. "I still have to talk to (the doctor), but as of now, it's just an ankle.""
TE David Martin - MIA - Martin suffered neck and head injuries during the game on Sunday, and may have taken a concussion as well - he was forced out of the game due to his injuries, and will be evaluated further as the week goes along.
TE Michael Matthews - NYG - Matthews injured his right ankle in the first half on Sunday, but returned to action in the second half. The injury doesn't appear serious as of Monday morning.
TE L.J. Smith - PHI - Smith was inactive for the season finale due to his shoulder injury, after being listed as doubtful for week 17 on the official injury report.
Kicker
Offensive Line
OL Indianapolis Colts - IND - OG Mike Pollak tweaked an ankle during the game on Sunday, but the injury isn't considered serious as of Monday morning. He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
OL Philadelphia Eagles - PHI - As expected, G Shawn Andrews was out of the game on Sunday after being listed as out on the official injury report for week 17 (back injury).
OL New York Giants - NYG - T Kareem McKenzie was active on Sunday, but sat out after his back spasms flared up during the contest.
OL Carolina Panthers - CAR - RT Jeff Otah left the game on Sunday in the second half with a hurt toe. RG Geoff Hangartner -- starting in place of Keydrick Vincent, who's out for the rest of the season with a groin injury -- suffered an ankle injury during the game as well. Both Otah and Hangartner will be evaluated further as the bye week goes along, and receive any necessary treatments.
OL Tennessee Titans - TEN - C Kevin Mawae was inactive on Sunday as expected after being listed as out on Friday (elbow injury).
Defensive Tackle
DT Dave Ball - TEN - Ball was inactive on Sunday as expected after being listed as doubtful on Friday (back injury).
DT Barry Cofield - NYG - Cofield was inactive on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play (knee injury).
DT Albert Haynesworth - TEN - Haynesworth was inactive on Sunday as expected after being listed as out on Friday (knee injury).
DT Maake Kemoeatu - CAR - Kemoeatu was inactive on Sunday after being listed as questionable prior to the game (ankle injury).
DT Damione Lewis - CAR - Lewis sat out of the game on Sunday due to his injured shoulder, as expected (listed as doubtful in week 17).
DT Gabriel Watson - ARI - Watson was inactive on Sunday after being listed as questionable due to a team decision (he's been nursing a knee injury) on the week 17 injury report.
DT Pat Williams - MIN - Williams sat out of the game vs. New York as expected due to his broken shoulder (listed as out on the official injury report).
Defensive End
DE Victor Abiamiri - PHI - Abiamiri was inactive on Sunday due to his injured foot as expected (listed as out for week 17).
DE John Abraham - ATL - Abraham played one half on Sunday, but was pulled to allow him to rest his sore thigh. He should be good to go for the playoffs as long as he doesn't suffer a setback.
DE Jamaal Anderson - ATL - Anderson was inactive on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on the injury report (ankle injury).
DE Ray Edwards - MIN - Edwards injured his left knee late in the 2nd quarter and did not return to action. Head coach Brad Childress said Edwards suffered a strain; he will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam Monday. Edwards said after the game that he doesn't think the injury is serious and that he expects to play next week. "It feels good," Edwards said. "I'm going to go home, get the Game Ready (electronic stimulation machine) and just get some of the swelling out of it, and see how it feels tomorrow. I think I'll be ready whenever we've got to play."
DE Dwight Freeney - IND - Freeney was inactive on Sunday due to circumstances that were not injury related.
DE Kenny Iwebema - ARI - Iwebema was inactive on Sunday after being listed as questionable on the week 17 injury report (concussion).
DE Robert Mathis - IND - Mathis was inactive on Sunday, but the reason was not injury related.
DE Justin Tuck - NYG - Tuck was pulled in the second half to get some rest, but he was seen holding his lower left leg on the sidelines. It looked like a team mate fell on his leg during the play before he left the contest. He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along, but with a bye week to rest up this hopefully shouldn't be a problem when the Giants host their first game 2 weeks from now.
DE Kyle Vanden Bosch - TEN - Vanden Bosch was inactive on Sunday as expected after being listed as out on Friday (groin injury).
Inside Linebacker
ILB Gary Brackett - IND - Brackett was inactive on Sunday after being listed as out on the official injury report (fibula injury).
ILB Brandon Siler - SD - Siler was listed as doubtful prior to the game on Sunday night, and didn't see action due to his injured foot.
Outside Linebacker
OLB Antwan Barnes - BAL - Barnes was inactive on Sunday as expected after being listed as out on Friday (chest injury).
OLB James Harrison - PIT - Harrison sat out of the season finale due to a hip injury - he was listed as questionable to play prior to the contest.
OLB Freddie Keiaho - IND - Keiaho was inactive on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play due to his hamstring injury.
OLB Travis Laboy - ARI - LaBoy was inactive on Sunday after being listed as doubtful to play on the week 17 injury report (ankle injury).
OLB Josh Stamer - TEN - Stamer suffered a groin injury during the game on Sunday and did not return to action - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
OLB David Thornton - TEN - Thornton was inactive on Sunday as expected after being listed as doubtful on Friday (hip injury).
OLB Philip Wheeler - IND - Wheeler suffered a slight thigh injury during the game on Sunday, but it isn't considered serious as of Monday morning.
OLB Gerris Wilkinson - NYG - Wilkinson was inactive on Sunday as expected after being listed as out during week 17 (knee injury).
Cornerback
CB Nick Harper - TEN - Harper was inactive on Sunday as expected after being listed as doubtful on Friday (groin injury).
CB Sam Madison - NYG - Madison broke his right ankle late in the 3rd quarter of the Giants' game on Sunday, and will almost certainly be out for the entire playoffs.
CB Aaron Ross - NYG - Ross missed the game on Sunday as expected due to his concussion (he was listed as out in week 17).
CB Matt Ware - ARI - Ware was inactive on Sunday due to his injured calf (listed as doubtful on the injury report).
CB Fabian Washington - BAL - Washington was sidelined on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on Friday due to his toe injury.
Safety
S Melvin Bullitt - IND - Bullitt was inactive on Sunday due to his shoulder injury after being listed as questionable to play on the official injury report.
S Tyrone Carter - PIT - Carter left the game on Sunday in the 1st quarter with a head injury but returned to action in the second half. Initial indications are that the injury is not serious.
S Ryan Clark - PIT - Clark was inactive on Sunday as expected after being listed as out on the week 17 injury report (shoulder injury).
S Michael Johnson - NYG - Johnson left the game in the first half with a thigh bruise - he'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.
S Lawyer Milloy - ATL - Milloy was inactive on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play on the injury report (back injury).
S Bob Sanders - IND - Sanders was inactive on Sunday after being listed as questionable to play due to his knee injury.
