Maurice Jones-Drew, Fred Davis, London Fletcher headline Week 7′s injury roundup

21 Oct
2012

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert (left shoulder) and running back Maurice Jones-Drew (left foot) were injured in Sunday's 26-23 overtime loss to the Oakland Raiders. Jones-Drew, a Bay Area native, was injured on just his second carry of the game and took a cart ride from the sidelines to the locker room. Jones-Drew was on crutches on the sidelines during the second half. Also, cornerback Rashean Mathis tweaked his groin on Sunday.

"I don't know to what extent is, but obviously it was not well enough to play. We re-taped it numerous times and it was just too painful," Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey said of Jones-Drew's injury according to Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union.

The severity of Jones-Drew and Gabbert's injuries will be determined this week.

The most costly injury, both to the team and the player, was Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis suffering a torn Achilles, which will end his 2012 season. Playing under the one-year franchise tag worth $5.446 million in base salary, Davis leads the Redskins with 24 receptions for 325 yards and was hoping to parlay a productive season into a long-term commitment from the Redskins. With Davis suffering a season-ending injury less than a calendar year removed from a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, it's hard to see the Redskins committing big-time money to Davis next offseason.

According to Mark Maske, the Redskins have reached an agreement with veteran free agent Chris Cooley, who was released on Aug. 28 and will sign after passing a physical on Monday.

Redskins inside linebacker London Fletcher suffered a right hamstring that will likely require an MRI on Monday, reports Chris Russell of 980 ESPN, the Redskins' flagship station. Fletcher, 37, has played in 231 consecutive games and made 186 consecutive starts.

Cleveland Browns first round running back Trent Richardson was "questionable" for Sunday's game with chest and rib injuries. After gaining eight yards on eight carries in the first half, Richardson did not play in the second half after taking a hard hit when he stuffed for no gain on a 3rd-and-1 play with 4:53 to play in the second quarter. At less than 100 percent, Richardson did not look like the player selected with the No. 3 pick in the draft, but he said that he was willing to play, but head coach Pat Shurmur held him out.

"It hurt me inside not being out there," Richardson said according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. "I didn't want to come out. [Coach Pat Shurmur] knows what's best, he made his decision."

Running back Ben Tate is the biggest injury concern for the Houston Texans coming out of their 43-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Tate suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter. For the Ravens, safety Ed Reed appeared to get hurt late in the game, but afterward said that he'll be fine with the additional time off. The Ravens are heading into their bye week.

A pair of Dallas Cowboys went down with injuries during their 19-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Center Phil Costa was carted off the field with a right ankle injury and appeared ticketed towards missing significant time. Head coach Jason Garrett said that Costa suffered a sprained ankle and could play next Sunday against the Giants. On defense, inside linebacker Sean Lee, the team's leading tackler, sprained the big toe on his right foot, but expects to play next week against the Giants.

"I don't think it is anything too serious," Lee said via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. "I'll have to talk to the doctors and figure it out and we'll go from there."

The Minnesota Vikings have a short week to prepare for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who they'll face on Thursday Night Football. The Vikings will likely be without No. 2 tight end John Carlson, who left Sunday's game with a possible concussion. Carlson has some history with concussions — he sustained a concussion in a 2010 playoff game against the Chicago Bears while with the Seattle Seahawks — and will have to go through the league's concussion protocol before he's cleared to play.

In the fourth quarter of the New York Jets' 29-26 loss to the New England Patriots, running back Shonn Greene appeared to suffer a head or neck injury, but returned to the game in overtime. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez jammed a finger on his left (non-throwing hand) and had the digit wrapped after the game. Jets tight end Jeff Cumberland left the game after injuring his right hand that was placed in a cast. Cumberland is expected to undergo an MRI on Monday. The Patriots lost starting right guard Dan Connolly to an illness early in the game, and while they did not leave the game, tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are clearly not 100 percent, limping their way through the last two games.

Cincinnati Bengals center Jeff Faine exited Sunday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter with a hamstring injury, pressing undrafted rookie Trevor Robinson into service. Faine is playing for Kyle Cook, who was placed on injured reserve (designated for return) in Week 1. Bengals rookie wide receiver Marvin Jones left with a knee injury while blocking on a kick return. In what could be interpreted as a bad sign, the club almost immediately ruled him out for the remainder of the game. Steelers safety Will Allen, starting in place of an injured Troy Polamalu, suffered an ankle injury in the second half and was replaced by Ryan Mundy.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. to take tests on Monday and Tuesday to determine Martinsville status

21 Oct
2012

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. is scheduled to undergo tests, both inside the car and out of it, on Monday and Tuesday to determine his availability for Sunday's Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville.

Junior has missed the previous two Sprint Cup Series races after being diagnosed with a concussion after a last lap pileup at Talladega two weeks ago. At the time, it was also determined that he had suffered a previously undiagnosed concussion at the end of August at Kansas Speedway when he crashed during a Goodyear tire test.

On Sunday, team owner Rick Hendrick originally said before the race that Junior had already been cleared to race at Martinsville. However, in a mid-race press conference on Sunday, Hendrick clarified his remarks, and said that Junior still needed to pass a test in the car at Gresham Motorsports Park on Monday, and would see neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty at Petty's office on Tuesday.

"However, I didn't know until (Hendrick Motorsports PR Director Jesse Essex) informed me that I had gotten ahead of myself and that there is a closed test on Monday that Dr. Petty will attend," Hendrick said. "Dale will be back in the car (for that test) and he'll make the decision with a final test on Tuesday. So, we don't foresee any problems but I didn't read my emails this morning and I kind of got ahead of myself. I talked to the doctor myself and everything went good in Pittsburgh and Dr. petty felt real good about it. And I did know that they were going to shake down a car, but I didn't know that the doctor was going and that he would actually be evaluating him Tuesday. I apologize for that. The test (Tuesday) is in (Dr. Petty's) office. The test Monday is in the car."

Junior saw concussion specialists last week in Pittsburgh, and Hendrick said he would be shocked if Junior wasn't cleared for Martinsville.

"I will be shocked if he's not in the car. Everything looks good. His attitude and the way he feels, he's had no headaches since Thursday or Friday of Charlotte and the tests have gone real well. I think Dr. Petty is just being super-cautious and I applaud him for that," Hendrick said.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. to take tests on Monday and Tuesday to determine Martinsville status

21 Oct
2012

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. is scheduled to undergo tests, both inside the car and out of it, on Monday and Tuesday to determine his availability for Sunday's Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville.

Junior has missed the previous two Sprint Cup Series races after being diagnosed with a concussion after a last lap pileup at Talladega two weeks ago. At the time, it was also determined that he had suffered a previously undiagnosed concussion at the end of August at Kansas Speedway when he crashed during a Goodyear tire test.

On Sunday, team owner Rick Hendrick originally said before the race that Junior had already been cleared to race at Martinsville. However, in a mid-race press conference on Sunday, Hendrick clarified his remarks, and said that Junior still needed to pass a test in the car at Gresham Motorsports Park on Monday, and would see neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty at Petty's office on Tuesday.

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"However, I didn't know until (Hendrick Motorsports PR Director Jesse Essex) informed me that I had gotten ahead of myself and that there is a closed test on Monday that Dr. Petty will attend," Hendrick said. "Dale will be back in the car (for that test) and he'll make the decision with a final test on Tuesday. So, we don't foresee any problems but I didn't read my emails this morning and I kind of got ahead of myself. I talked to the doctor myself and everything went good in Pittsburgh and Dr. petty felt real good about it. And I did know that they were going to shake down a car, but I didn't know that the doctor was going and that he would actually be evaluating him Tuesday. I apologize for that. The test (Tuesday) is in (Dr. Petty's) office. The test Monday is in the car."

Junior saw concussion specialists last week in Pittsburgh, and Hendrick said he would be shocked if Junior wasn't cleared for Martinsville.

"I will be shocked if he's not in the car. Everything looks good. His attitude and the way he feels, he's had no headaches since Thursday or Friday of Charlotte and the tests have gone real well. I think Dr. Petty is just being super-cautious and I applaud him for that," Hendrick said.

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Injury Wrap: Waiting game for Ahmad Bradshaw; Jimmy Graham ruled out

19 Oct
2012
by in General

We get one break with the Week 7 Sunday schedule: most of the games are early. As things sit right now, only three games will come after the first segment (the Pats and Jets, the Raiders and Jaguars, and the Bengals and Steelers). So game-time decisions and Sunday calls won't be as hairy this week as they normally are.

Let's get to the clipboard. Please have your copay ready.

Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) missed all of Friday's practice after doing some work Thursday. He's questionable on the injury report and seems like a game-day decision for the match against Washington. Bradshaw's level of play has been stellar in recent weeks and he's one of the toughest pound-for-pound backs in the league, but nonetheless he's been a high-attrition player for most of his career. Andre Brown (post concussion/probable) and rebounding rookie David Wilson are good options if the Giants find themselves in a pinch.

Sunday AM Update: Kimberly Jones of NFL Network is reporting that Bradshaw will play.

• Good news if you own Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers passing options this week: they should be plenty busy Sunday night at Cincinnati. The Steelers have already ruled out their top two running backs, Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) and Isaac Redman (ankle). There's no clear backfield winner for Pittsburgh: they'll probably give the start to Jonathan Dwyer, but Baron Batch and Chris Rainey are also around to steal snaps (especially on passing downs). I'll be surprised if Roethlisberger doesn't wind up chucking it 40 or more times.

• The bye week didn't do much for Jimmy Graham's ankle — the stud tight end was limited in the last two days of work (after sitting Wednesday entirely) and is a game-day call for the Sunday game at Tampa Bay. If you saw Graham hobbling around like Fred G. Sanford back in Week 5 against San Diego, you have every reason to be concerned now. Your depth at the tight end position will determine how you handle Graham. The modestly-talented Dave Thomas will pick up extra snaps if Graham cannot play, but I'd look for someone else to gain the target boost, perhaps slotman Lance Moore or satellite player Darren Sproles.

Saturday Update: Graham has officially been ruled out for Week 7. Get thee to the waiver wire. Go. Now. (Is Scott Chandler still floating around? He's the winner of the Tennessee tight-end lottery this week.)

Trent Richardson (ribs) had a limited Friday but should be able to go against the Colts. The plan is for him to wear a flak jacket on game day. Based on the New York-Indy tape from last week (Shonn Greene's monstrous game), Richardson might not need any padding at all.

Dez Bryant (groin) did not practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday's game against Carolina. It sounds like he'll be a game-time decision, but context clues point to him playing in Week 7.

Those are the big-ticket items. Now for the rest of the news, in usual QB-RB-WR-TE order.

Jake Locker (shoulder) has been practicing and is still aiming at a Week 8 return. Matt Hasselbeck, meanwhile, gets the call Week 7 at Buffalo. The Titans have made it clear that Locker is the starter when he's ready to play again.

Branden Bolden (knee) didn't practice this week and is an iffy Week 7 option. Sounds good if you own Stevan Ridley, or if you need Danny Woodhead as a bye-week spec play.

• With Brian Leonard (ribs) out, Cedric Peerman is the backup to BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Peerman caught eight passes in the loss at Cleveland; not a bad flier if you're desperate in a deep league.

Pierre Garcon (foot) is probably going to need another week. He's listed as doubtful and didn't practice over the past three days. Have fun picking between Santana Moss, Josh Morgan and Leonard Hankerson.

Vincent Jackson's calf was barking Friday but he's still expected to go against the Saints. Again, it's an early game, something we appreciate.

Greg Jennings (groin) is already washed out for Week 7 (at least we get to see him 457 times every weekend on commercials). But the Packers fully expect Aaron Rodgers (calf), Jermichael Finley (shoulder) and Alex Green (shoulder) to play at St. Louis — they're all listed as probable.

Laurent Robinson (post concussion) is out for another week. It will be interesting to see if Justin Blackmon, off the bye, can do anything at Jacksonville.

Jerome Simpson (leg/back) is healthy enough to be considered a Week 7 starter in Minnesota. He's termed probable on the injury report. Send it in, Jerome.

• The Patriots are listing a bunch of passing options as questionable, notably Wes Welker (ankle), Aaron Hernandez (ankle) and Rob Gronkowski (hip). They're all expected to play, barring some hidden situation or game-day setback. Julian Edelman (hand) is also questionable but it seems more legitimate in his case - he hasn't played in several weeks.

Todd Heap (knee) remains questionable and hasn't played in over a month.

• The Bills remain without two key offensive line starters, tackle Cordy Glenn (ankle) and guard Kraig Urbik (ankle).

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Joe Staley, Brandon Jacobs active for the 49ers

18 Oct
2012

San Francisco 49ers left tackle Joe Staley is active for Thursday night's game against the Seattle Seahawks. Staley suffered a concussion during Sunday's 26-3 loss to the New York Giants and needed to pass the league's concussion protocol before being cleared to play. That Staley is active means that occurred on Thursday.

Also active on Thursday night is running back Brandon Jacobs, who will make his 49ers debut after missing the first six weeks and losing $75,000 in "per game active" roster bonuses. Wide receiver Mario Manningham (shoulder) is inactive and will lose out on a $15,625 "per game active" roster bonus.

For the Seahawks, the only real surprise is that seventh round pick J.R. Sweezy is inactive, leaving the team with just seven offensive linemen dressed for Thursday night's game. Sweezy opened the season as the starting right guard and has played in 30.42 percent of the offensive snaps and 29.94 percent of the Seahawks' special teams snaps this season.

Seattle: WR Charly Martin, G John Moffitt, G J.R. Sweezy, DT Jaye Howard, CB Danny Gorrer, CB Byron Maxwell, S Winston Guy

San Francisco: QB Scott Tolzien, RB LaMichael James, WR A.J. Jenkins, WR Mario Manningham, G Joe Looney, NT Ian Williams, S Trenton Robinson

Tags: , , Joe Staley, , mario manningham, , , protocol, , , , , Wide
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James Harrison says that new helmet padding protects him after ‘double-digit concussions’

17 Oct
2012

Through his career, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison has been suspended for a game and fined well over $100,000 for hits the NFL deemed illegal, but when it came to concussion protection and prevention, Harrison had to find his own solution outside the boundaries of the NFL.

The four-time Pro Bowler now uses a helmet with CRT padding by Unequal Technologies, which adapts equipment used by military personnel for their own protection.

The helmets weigh more, but after suffering what he estimates to be "double-digit" concussions, Harrison doesn't care, and neither do the more than 100 players who have joined him in using the technology.

"To protect my head I'd take a pound more," he told the Associated Press. "I haven't seen any spots or had any blackouts."

Harrison wasn't given the heads-up by a league that continues to insist that it's being proactive about head injuries and hasn't done enough to advance helmet technology in recent years -- he was told about it by Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, a member of the NFLPA's Executive Council, introduced player representatives to it last year. Harrison, looking for additional protection around his head and face after fracturing his orbital bone, found that the padding had many benefits.

Unequal technologies president Robert Vito told the AP that while the company does not claim that its products prevent concussions, anecdotal data based on player testimonials indicate that they're on to something. The padding includes a layer of Kevlar, the material used in bulletproof vests.

"Anybody who tells you they can prevent or stop concussions, you should walk away. No such product exists,'' Vito said at a Tuesday news conference. Vito said that the added padding voids helmet warranties for the thousands of amateur athletes who use it, so the company has taken the step to assume those warranties.

Harrison, who has long been critical of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, wanted to know why advanced helmet technology isn't given more than lip service by the league.

"The league is mandating next year that we wear thigh and knee pads," Harrison said. "I don't know how many people's career has been ended on a thigh or knee bruise. We have guys now that are 30, 31 years old that are having to quit the game because they have severe headaches ... I think you should be focusing more on [the helmet] than knee or thigh pads."

"We are aware of it and are looking into it," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told USA Today of the padding, adding that "It is currently the player's choice" whether to use it.

Why the NFL isn't jumping to join this particular campaign -- or spearheading it, so to speak -- is a legitimate question.

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Chiefs QB Cassel cleared for non-contact practice (Yahoo! Sports)

16 Oct
2012
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel, who sat out last week's game at Tampa Bay with a concussion, has been cleared for non-contact practice and could play in the Chiefs' next game on Oct. 28 against Oakland.
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Jesper Jensen stretchered off after Marcus Nilson’s check in Swedish Elite League (VIDEO)

15 Oct
2012

Here's one of those litmus tests for hockey fans: Was Marcus Nilson finishing his check on Rögles defenseman Jesper Jensen, or was this a late hit into the boards well after Jensen released the puck?

The incident occurred in a Swedish Elite League game on Saturday between Rögles and HV7, the home of former AHL scoring hero and beloved NHL journeyman Jason Krog. Jensen's head slammed into the boards near the HV71 bench, and he remained flat on his back until he was finally stretchered off the ice.

He was taken to a hospital and diagnosed with a concussion. The first period was postponed until after the first intermission, when it was completed. HV71 won the game, 3-2, in overtime.

Another look:

Nilson, who played for the Florida Panthers and the Calgary Flames in the NHL, didn't receive a penalty on the play, which is surprising for one reason: politics.

It had been less than a week since HV71 forward Oscar Sundh hit his head on the ice and their game against Lulea was postponed to a later date for completion. Do you think there might have been a penalty in the NHL given that context, and their penchant for overreaction?

As for Jensen, a point of concern: He's two years removed from a devastating concussion suffered when he was 18 years old, and this was his third concussion overall. According to HD.se, Jensen will miss two weeks after the Nilson hit.

Tags: , , , , HV71, Jason Krog, Jesper Jensen, , litmus, Marcus Nilson, , stretchered, Swedish Elite League
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RG3 runs for 138 yards; Redskins top Vikings 38-26 (Yahoo! Sports)

14 Oct
2012

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) turns with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) -- Robert Griffin III's concussion was on everyone's mind as he dropped back on a third-and-6, with the Washington Redskins trying to put the game away.


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Giants coach Roberto Kelly out with concussion until at least Game 3

14 Oct
2012
by David Brown in Fantasy Baseball, General

SAN FRANCISCO — Giants first base coach Roberto Kelly stayed home Sunday because of a concussion and won't work until at least Game 3 of the NLCS, manager Bruce Bochy said. In his place, Joe Lefebrve, an assistant hitting coach who coached first base for the Giants during its 2002 World Series season, will do so again for Games 1 and 2.

Buster Posey hit Kelly, 48, in the head with a line drive during a team workout at AT&T Park. Kelly was knocked woozy and needed help leaving the field.

"Roberto will not be on the field. He's got a concussion," Bochy said. "I don't see him being out there at least these two games, if not longer. He's at home, he's resting well [but] he didn't sleep much last night. He hasn't come in yet. Dave Groeschner, our trainer, and I were hoping he could come in so they could check him out again."

[More MLB: Tigers pitching making quick work of impotent Yankees]

A first base coach is easier to replace than, say, a pitching coach, but it'll still take some getting used to for the Giants. And their minds, from time to time, will be on Kelly. But the players are familiar with Lefebvre (pronounced "Le FAY"), and he knows the job. One thing he'll have to remind base runners: That catcher Yadier Molina likes to throw the ball — even to first base.

"Joe, he's got some experience," Bochy said. "He's been coaching in the big leagues.  He's been here all year."

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