NFL Week 3 Injury Report

Lockout affects? The injuries burdening NFL teams depth have already soared in just two weeks. There will be plenty of game time decisions that are going to affect this weekends football games. Here is a look at key players that are either out or status is still up in the air to play this weekend. 

NFL Quarterback Injuries 

Mike Vick – You know the Philadelphia Eagles will wait right up until kickoff on whether or not Vick will be the starter. He is just that dynamic of a player, that they’ll withhold official announcements until it is absolutely necessary. Being diagnosed with a concussion use to see a variety of length of time out. Now you never know with how precautionary teams medical staffs have been over the last two to three years.

Tony Romo – The Dallas Cowboy brought a western style to his Sunday dramatics. Rescuing the Cowboys from a disappointing loss against the 49ers, while doing so with a broken rib and punctured lung. That should be enough of an indicator that Romo shouldn’t miss anytime. They’ll give him extra protective padding for his rib, and get him under center.

NFL Running Back Injuries 

Jamaal Charles – The season ending injury to Charles means that the Kansas City Chiefs offense is going to have to find another way to generate offense. Being that Charles was their main cog, worries should be heightened considering how ineffective the team has been the first few weeks. Expect a time share between Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster.

Felix Jones – Jones separated his shoulder against the San Francisco 49ers. Though he is not expected to miss anytime, the Dallas Cowbiys will likely not put the burden of many carries on him. With solid depth at running back, Demarco Murray and Tashard Choice should see plenty of carries.

Knowshown Moreno – The Denver Broncos like what they saw in Willis McGahee this past weekend. Totaling 100 rushing yards and handling a heavy workload. Even if Moreno is ready, the Broncos seem to be leaning more on giving McGahee the higher percentage of carries.

Arian Foster - The Houston Texans expanded backfield has already took a hit with Derrick Ward officially out. Foster’s hamstring was tweaked again versus Miami. The Texans may take their chances with just Ben Tate and Steve Slaton, and protect Foster from having a season long issue with his hamstring.

Steven Jackson – Jackson almost gave it a go Monday. He still hasn’t participated in practice this week. It may be more of a wait and see approach for the St Loius Rams. They’ll likely let Jackson test it out before Sunday’s game, and decide from there. 

NFL Wide Receivers & NFL Tight End Injuries 

Marcedes Lewis – Last years shot out of nowhere player is having a tough go for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011. Not just because of his quarterback situation, but because of a hampering calf injury. This is the best week for him as he was able to practice Wednesday.

Marques Colston – Colston is still out with a bad shoulder, and will likely miss another few games for the New Orleans Saints. 

Mario Manningham – Domenick Hixon is out for the year after tearing his ACL on Monday Night. Hakeem Nicks battled to play on Monday but obviously wasn’t 100 percent. Manningham’s status with a concussion is of huge concern for the NY Giants. Manningham will need to pass evaluation tests before being cleared to play. 

Michael Crabtree – The foot issues he had while at Texas Tech have carried over to the NFL. San Francisco thinks he’ll be able to give it a go for the first time this season Sunday. With Braylon Edwards out with a knee injury, Crabtree will be welcomed back for a struggling San Francisco 49ers offense.

Aaron Hernandez – The New England Patriots were causing havoc with the two tight end formations involving Hernandez and Gronkowski. With Hernandez out four to six weeks, the offense will need to rely more on their receivers to establish the hurry up offense.

Lee Evans – Evans continues to miss practices. Rumors are that the Baltimore Ravens may hold him out a few weeks to ensure he is fully ready without any setbacks. 

Stevie Johnson – His groin injury isn’t considered to be anything to prevent him from missing Sunday’s big game against the Patriots. How effective he will be for the Buffalo Bills remains to be seen. 

Roy Williams – The Chicago Bears are discounting Williams return anytime soon. Johnny Knox and Dane Sazenbacher will have to fill the void in the mean time. They can run the routes but will Jay Cutler have any time to deliver the football? 

Mohammed Massaquoi – The Cleveland Browns have had a steady offense to start the season. Their passing game has mainly involved their tight ends in Evan Moore and Ben Watson. Massaquoi is on the injury report for the second straight week. Last week it was due to a hamstring and this week it is an ankle injury. He has been limited in practice thus far this week.

Dez Bryant- The Dallas Cowboys is hopeful that Bryant will be able to go Monday night. He missed last week with a quad injury that he suffered against the New York Jets week one. With Austin out, the Dallas medical staff will be working extra hard to do everything in their power to get Bryant out on the field.

Miles Austin – The injury bug hit the Dallas Cowboys hard last week. Austin will be out at least one game with a hamstring injury. He’ll be a tough replacement, considering his monster performance against the 49ers this past Sunday. 

Calvin Johnson- Megatron is no stranger to injuries. Though he has missed the Detroit Lions practices, his past history shows that he’ll be ready on Sunday.

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