Damage Report: Daunte Done?
We've seen the injury report hit epidemic levels this week, with piles of fantasy heroes sprinkled throughout. This week, the "season-ending" tag may have claimed its first consensus first-round pick with the knee injury suffered by Daunte Culpepper. Running backs continue to absorb the blows and carry on, but at what point will their backups be called upon to shoulder the load? Thomas Jones, Priest Holmes and Fred Taylor are but three of the players under the fantasy X-ray in this week's Damage Report .
The 2005 campaign for the Vikings continues to slide downhill with the loss of Daunte Culpepper to a knee injury. Test results are expected Monday, but Coach Mike Tice and the training staff did not rule out a torn ACL in post-game comments. Culpepper was on crutches and wearing a brace following the game. His loss puts Brad Johnson into the starting role for the Vikings. Johnson completed 13-of-28 passes for 162 yards and a score in relief of Culpepper. It will be interesting to watch Johnson in action these next three weeks, as the Vikings take on division rivals Detroit (195 passing yards per game allowed) and Green Bay (14 TD passes allowed), with the Giants (30th-ranked passing defense), fresh off the shutout of the Redskins, sandwiched in between them.
Anquan Boldin may miss significant time after he re-injured the knee that kept him out of six games a year ago. Boldin said that his knee had been bothering him all week, but that he experienced significant pain on Sunday. An MRI is scheduled for Monday, and Dennis Green hopes that his fears are not confirmed with a full tear. This injury elevates Bryant Johnson to the No. 2 role. With the attention afforded Larry Fitzgerald, Johnson should find room to operate.
Priest Holmes sustained what has been deemed "mild head trauma" (aka, a concussion) in Sunday's loss to the Chargers. His availability for the Week 9 meeting with Oakland is currently unknown. If Holmes is unable to go, the very capable (six carries for 55 yards) Larry Johnson will assume the starting duties. The Raiders rank 19th against the run, allowing 115.9 yards and a touchdown per game.
Thomas Jones injured his ribs in Sunday's OT thriller against the Lions. Jones fully expects to answer the bell for Week 9 against the Saints (28th against the run, allowing 134 yards per game and over a touchdown per game).
The Eagles lost Jevon Kearse in the first quarter to a shoulder injury (joint sprain), and then watched Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell run wild in the Broncos' 42-21 victory. He's currently questionable for Week 9 against Washington, who will be eager to establish the ground game and avenge the embarrassing loss to the Giants.
Randy Moss added another injury to his already extensive list when he took a blow to the head in Sunday's win over Tennessee. He was limited to 20-25 plays and was quite sore following the contest. His absence forced Jerry Porter into a bigger role, and he put forth his best effort of the '05 campaign (123 yards and two scores). Moss will likely to continue to play in a limited capacity.
He's not really hurt, but I'm wondering how Fred Smoot's psychological "ankles" are feeling today when he watches the tape of Steve Smith abusing him?
Courtney Roby and Erron Kinney are truly the "last men standing" in the Titans receiving corps. Both Tyrone Calico (calf) and Ben Troupe (high ankle sprain) left Sunday's game against Oakland, and they are both considered unlikely to play against Cleveland at this point.
Clearly, Fred Taylor wants to change his image to one of durability, as he played through significant pain in his ankle and ran for 165 yards on 22 attempts. He'll likely show up on the injury report this week, but unless there's a loss of mobility, Taylor will be on the field against the 32nd-ranked Texans defense (165 yards per game with 10 touchdowns allowed).
Patrick Pass started the Sunday night game against Buffalo, only to exit in the second quarter with an ankle injury. He did not return to the game, and forced Corey Dillon into action. Those owners who believed pre-game reports that Dillon would be back in the lineup and thus started him this week, caught a huge break with Pass' injury.
Chris Cooley sustained a hip injury early in the second quarter on Sunday and had to be carted to the locker room. He later returned to action, but proved to be a non-factor this week, catching only three balls for 19 yards and losing a fumble in the 36-0 debacle.
Andre Johnson missed his third straight game with a calf injury this week, but is reportedly running and ready to return to action against the Jaguars. After registering their first win on Sunday against the Browns, the Texans are looking for a winning streak.
Julius Jones sat out for the second straight week with a high ankle sprain. The Cowboys now head to the bye week, which will give Jones an extra week to recuperate. However, one has to wonder how Marion Barber will fit into the mix going forward after his second straight solid performance (27 carries, 127 yards and two scores).
And, though not an injury issue, it merits noting here that Charles Rogers is eligible to return from his suspension this week. Jeff Garcia will try to lead the Lions back to the top of the NFC North against the Vikings, and Rogers is currently looking at a starting role for that contest. The Vikings are allowing two TD passes per game, so chances for a solid effort out of the Detroit offense are good.
