by Chris Mooney

Here some injury updates I’ve come across:

Quarterbacks

Giant QB Eli Manning (shoulder) threw softly in practice Wednesday to test his bruised/sprained shoulder, according to the Associated Press. Coach Tom Coughlin said is encouraged by Manning’s progress but gave no indication of whether he will play Sunday against the Packers. There may be a big difference between the reality of Manning’s injury and what the Giants are saying publicly about it. The New York Daily News reported that a “very credible” NFL source, who has spoken with Manning over the last few days and is familiar with the results of his MRI, said Manning was told he has a second-degree separation of his right shoulder and that his estimated recovery time would be 3-4 weeks. The source also said noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who also evaluated the MRI, agreed with that assessment. So, it’s not looking good for Manning to play this week. Backup Jared Lorenzen would get the start.

The Newark Star-Ledger reported that Jet QB Chad Pennington (ankle) will not play Sunday against the Ravens, according to three people familiar with the severity of his right ankle injury. Kellen Clemens will make his first NFL start.

Raven QB Steve McNair (groin) did limited work in practice Thursday, according to a report on Sirius NFL Radio, and will likely be questionable at best for Sunday’s game against the Jets. Backup QB Kyle Boller would start if McNair can’t go.

Raider QB Josh McCown was limited in practice Wednesday by both a cracked finger on his throwing hand and a bruised foot, and he might not play Sunday against Denver, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. QB Daunte Culpepper would start if McCown can’t play.

Running Backs

Seahawk RB Shaun Alexander (hand) practiced Wednesday with a cast or brace on his left hand, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. Alexander had limited participation in practice, and the other running backs got more reps than normal.

Giant RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) will miss 3-5 weeks with a sprained MCL in his right knee. Derrick Ward is expected to start at RB Sunday against the Packers; he replaced Jacobs in Week One and rushed for 89 yards on 13 carries and caught four passes for 27 yards, including a 9-yard TD.

Viking RB Chester Taylor (oblique) was limited in practice Wednesday because of a bruised oblique muscle and he is questionable for Sunday’s game at Detroit, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. If he is slowed or unable to go, the Lions could see plenty of Adrian Peterson, and RB Mewelde Moore is expected to be active for Sunday’s game (he was inactive last week).

Buccaneer RB Carnell Williams (ribs) practiced Wednesday and said he is much improved since suffering bruised ribs in Week One, according to the Tampa Tribune, but he is still likely to be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Saints. Coach Jon Gruden said the team is planning for other guys – Michael Pittman, Earnest Graham and B.J. Askew – to have a “bigger role in the running game,” according to the Tribune.

Packer RB Vernand Morency (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Giants, according to the Wisconsin State-Journal. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Morency needs to get over “the final hurdle” of coming out of practice without experiencing soreness in the knee. If he is somehow ready to play Sunday, he would likely be confined to a situational role, with Brandon Jackson still the starter.

Bill RB Marshawn Lynch missed Wednesday’s practice with a stomach flu but he is expected to return Thursday.

Lion RB T.J. Duckett (ankle) did not practice Wednesday because of a high ankle sprain and probably won’t play this week, according to the Detroit Free Press. The Lions re-signed RB Aveion Cason.

Lion RB Kevin Jones (foot) has experienced some expected soreness in his surgically repaired foot but has not suffered a setback and continues to practice, according to the Detroit Free Press. He is not expected to play in Week Two.

Dolphin RB Jesse Chatman (knee) did not practice Wednesday because of a bruised left knee and is questionable for Sunday’s game, according to the Miami Herald. If he can’t play, either rookie Lorenzo Booker or RB Patrick Cobbs would be activated as Ronnie Brown’s backup.

Seahawk backup RB Maurice Morris (hip) was kept out of practice Wednesday with a sore hip, so recently acquired RB Alvin Pearman could see his first action as Shaun Alexander’s backup.

Viking FB Tony Richardson (bruised forearm) was limited in practice Wednesday but should be able to play Sunday.
Charger KR-PR Darren Sproles (concussion) is practicing fully and is expected to be able to play on Sunday.

Receivers

Charger TE Antonio Gates missed practice Wednesday after reporting to the team’s facility with a sore back, according to the San Diego Union Tribune, and was included in Wednesday’s injury report. Gates told reporters that he would practice today. The injury may have occurred during the Week One win over Chicago. Coach Norv Turner said he was concerned about the injury but expects Gates to be able to practice today.

Seahawk WR D.J. Hackett (ankle) is out a least a month with a high right ankle sprain, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. WR Nate Burleson will start and be a primary receiver. To fill their four-receiver sets, the Seahawks will activate either Ben Obomanu, recently recovered from a hamstring injury, or rookie Courtney Taylor.

Cowboy WR Terry Glenn (knee) opted for the less severe arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday rather than micro-fracture surgery, in hopes of playing again this season. There is no timetable for his return, but he will likely miss at least three weeks. WR Patrick Crayton will start in his place again in Week Two, and WR Sam Hurd should also see increased action.

Packer WR Greg Jennings (hamstring) practiced in a limited role Wednesday as he attempts to come back from his pulled hamstring. He has a decent shot of playing on Sunday if he doesn’t have a setback, according to the Green Bay Press Gazette. If not, rookie James Jones would start again in his place.

Ram WR Drew Bennett (quad) practiced again Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday against San Francisco, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Raven WR Mark Clayton (toe) was limited in practice Wednesday and will not be at full strength for Sunday’s game, according to the Baltimore Sun. He might only play in third-down situations and be replaced in the starting lineup by WR Demetrius Williams.

Chief WR Eddie Kennison (hamstring) is out for the Week Two game against Chicago. Rookie Dwayne Bowe is expected to start in his place, and the Chiefs called up WR Bobby Sippio from the practice squad.

Raven TE Todd Heap (elbow) practiced Wednesday and is expected to start. Backup TE Daniel Wilcox (ankle) could miss significant time, so Quinn Sypniewski is the #2 TE.

Eagle TE L.J. Smith (groin) continues to be slowed by a groin strain but is expected to practice Thursday (the Eagles were off Wednesday) and will likely play Monday against the Redskins.

Saint TE Mark Campbell missed practice again Wednesday with a disk problem in his back and is expected to be questionable for Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay.

Bear TE Greg Olsen (knee) has been limited in practice this week but has a better than 50-50 chances of playing this week, according to the Chicago News-Tribune.

The doctor who performed the spinal surgery on Bill TE Kevin Everett told a Buffalo TV station on Tuesday that Everett has voluntary movement of his arms and legs, and that he is now optimistic Everett will walk again.

Place Kickers

Jaguar PK Josh Scobee (quad) is expected to miss at least a month. The Jaguars signed PK John Carney to handle place-kicking duties.

Bengal PK Shayne Graham (hip) re-aggravated his hip injury early in Monday’s game but is expected to be able to play in Week Two.