All our week 19 content
Week 19 Early Injury Report
by Mark Wimer, Exclusive to
Footballguys.com
Quarterback
QB Ben Roethlisberger - PIT - Roethlisberger missed practice several times last week as he continues to recover from a concussion suffered in the season finale. He's expected to be ready for this week's game. "He'll be fine, and if he's not we won't play him," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "We're going to run what we run and be who we are, but he'll be fine." On Roethlisberger missing practice, Arians replied, "He wouldn't have gotten any reps anyway. Byron (Leftwich) needed the reps. Dennis (Dixon) needs the reps." Stay tuned to the practice reports this week to monitor whether and/or when Roethlisberger returns to action.
Running Back
RB Brandon Jacobs - NYG - Jacobs sat out of practices during the bye week to rest his sore knee. Keep an eye on practice reports later this week to monitor his participation as the team preps for their playoff rematch against the Eagles.
RB Willie Parker - PIT - Parker, who has been playing through a torn labrum in his shoulder (suffered November 3rd), and the injury has improved enough that he is no longer wearing a protective harness that he had been fitted with: "It lasted probably two games," Parker said last Friday. "It's restrictive, being a running back. I can't move around. I had to get rid of it."
RB Ray Rice - BAL - Rice didn't play on Sunday due to his injured calf, though he was suited up - he was listed as questionable on Friday.
RB Darren Sproles - SD - Sproles was reportedly banged up with lots of bumps and bruises after the game vs. Indianapolis, but he escaped any serious injuries. "We've got (Sproles) packed in ice back in the training room right now. We'll let him out on Friday," Coach Norv Turner commented after the game. "Yeah, there's a concern. He was absolutely exhausted. We'll get him a lot of rest this week."
RB LaDainian Tomlinson - SD - Tomlinson is very doubtful to play in the Chargers' playoff game vs. the Steelers, according to reports out of San Diego. His injured groin kept him on the sidelines for most of the game vs. Indianapolis, and he was in obvious pain while in the game. However, the Chargers don't plan to put Tomlinson on I.R. - "He might be able to play in another week if we were able to go on," coach Norv Turner said when addressing Tomlinson's injury. "Or maybe he could play in another week after that." For his part, Tomlinson commented: "I'm worried about my health. I'm very concerned...It's obvious that I couldn't play. If I could have played, I would have been in there." The team isn't confirming reports that Tomlinson has a detached tendon in his groin - coach Turner reiterated "It's a strained groin. That's what our medical report is."
Wide Receiver
WR Anquan Boldin - ARI - Boldin was able to get back in the action vs. Atlanta despite his sore shoulder, and caught a 71 yard TD pass in the victory. However, he strained his left hamstring during the 71 yard reception and didn't return to the game thereafter. As of Monday morning, the team hasn't updated his status for the next game - keep an eye on practice reports later this week to monitor his status for the game vs. Carolina.
WR Domenik Hixon - NYG - Hixon sat out of practices during the bye week while attempting to get his sore ankle/foot healed up. Keep an eye on his participation this week while the team preps for their rematch with Philadelphia this weekend.
WR Greg Lewis - PHI - Lewis was carted from the field about a half hour before the game started with what was later called an ankle injury. He did return to the lineup early in the game, though, but didn't make much of an impact on the contest.
"He rolled his ankle before the game," head coach Andy Reid said. "He will also have an MRI in the morning [Monday]."
Tight End
TE Antonio Gates - SD - Gates played through his sore ankle vs. Indianapolis, and didn't suffer any setbacks according to reports after the game. The ankle is still sore, but he is expected to play through the injury vs. Pittsburgh.
TE Michael Matthews - NYG - Matthews sat out of practices during New York's bye week in order to rest/heal up his injured ankle. Hopefully he'll be able to return to practices this week as the team preps for their rubber match against the Eagles.
TE Leonard Pope - ARI - Pope was inactive for the playoff game vs. Atlanta due to his injured knee after being listed as questionable to play on Friday.
TE L.J. Smith - PHI - Smith was inactive on Sunday due to his injured shoulder - he was listed as questionable to play on Friday.
Kicker
Offensive Line
OL San Diego Chargers - SD - Nick Hardwick banged up a shoulder during the game vs. Indianapolis, but he is expected to play as usual vs. Pittsburgh despite the bumps and bruises.
OL Philadelphia Eagles - PHI - G Shawn Andrews missed the game on Sunday as expected due to his injured back (he was listed as out on Friday).
OL Philadelphia Eagles - PHI - OL Mike McGlynn suffered a strained hamstring during the game vs. Minnesota. He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along to determine the severity of his injury and to determine appropriate treatments.
OL New York Giants - NYG - RT Kareem McKenzie was back in the lineup late in the week for the Giants, after missing some time early during the bye week due to his achy back.
OL Tennessee Titans - TEN - C Kevin Mawae (elbow injury) didn't practice last Thursday due to his injury. It is unclear if he'll be able to go vs. Baltimore this weekend - stay tuned to the practice reports later this week to monitor his participation heading into the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Defensive Tackle
DT Dave Ball - TEN - Ball, struggling with a groin injury, didn't practice last Thursday during the Titans' bye week and looks iffy for the playoff game vs. Baltimore. Keep an eye on his practice participation during this week.
DT Albert Haynesworth - TEN - Haynesworth (knee injury) didn't practice last Thursday but he did some running for the first time since suffering the injury in the Dec. 14 game at Houston. Keep an eye on the practice reports this week to monitor if he'll be able to go vs. Baltimore.
DT Dan Klecko - PHI - Klecko left early in the 3rd quarter on Sunday due to a strained shoulder, forcing Correll Buckhalter to play fullback for most of the second half. Head coach Andy Reid said Klecko would have an MRI exam on Monday to help determine the severity of his injury.
Defensive End
DE Victor Abiamiri - PHI - Abiamiri missed the game on Sunday as expected due to his injured foot (he was listed as out on Friday).
DE Justin Tuck - NYG - Tuck, who sat out of practices early in the Giants' bye week to rest his sore knee, had rejoined sessions by the end of the week.
DE Kyle Vanden Bosch - TEN - Vanden Bosch, who had surgery last month to help a groin injury, went through extensive rehab work last Thursday. Working in a cone drill with trainers, he showed more burst and movement than at any time since the surgery. Vanden Bosch said it was "by far the most" extensive work he's done. The team hopes he'll be able to get back in action vs. Baltimore this weekend.
Inside Linebacker
ILB Brandon Siler - SD - Siler sat out of the game vs. Indianapolis due to his injured foot (he was listed as doubtful on Friday). However, reports after the game indicate that the team expects him to return to action vs. Pittsburgh as long as he avoids any setbacks in practices this week.
Outside Linebacker
OLB Antwan Applewhite - SD - Applewhite tweaked his lower back during the game vs. Indianapolis, but he is expected to play vs. Pittsburgh despite the injury.
OLB Antwan Barnes - BAL - Barnes missed the game on Sunday due to his injured shoulder - he was listed as questionable on Friday's official injury report.
OLB Travis Laboy - ARI - LaBoy sat out of the game vs. Atlanta due to his injured ankle after being listed as questionable to play on Friday.
OLB Josh Stamer - TEN - Stamer was placed on IR during the team's bye week due to his groin injury - his season is over.
Cornerback
CB Samari Rolle - BAL - Rolle left the game early before half time, due to dehydration, but he returned to action in the second half and is not injured. He'll be back to action as usual vs. Tennessee.
Safety
S Ryan Clark - PIT - Clark was back in weightlifting workouts during the Steelers' bye week, and hopes to begin practicing this week in the runup to the playoff game vs. San Diego. He's been battling a re-injured right shoulder with the latest episode occurring on December 21st. Stay tuned to the practice reports this week to monitor his participation (or lack thereof) in sessions.
S Michael Johnson - NYG - Johnson missed some practice sessions early on during the bye week, but was back in action by the end of week despite his sore thigh.
