The Training Room: Week 3 Injury Updates

Week 2 has come to a close with a lot of premiere names hitting the infirmary. Owners needs to be prepared to possibly be without some of their top draft picks this upcoming week. Below we take a look at some of the many injuries that occurred this past week:

Ray Rice

Hip Flexor Strain - The hip flexors are a group of muscles in the front part of the hip/thigh that allows your knee to be lifted up properly with walking/running.

Coach Harbaugh states that Rice is day to day and will most likely not practice this week. He did leave the door open that Rice could play this Sunday against the Texans even without practicing.

Bottom Line - grab Bernard Pierce if he's still available in your leagues. If Rice doesn't improve significantly throughout the week then I'd expect the Ravens to hold him out. I don't think this will be a major issue moving forward as Rice has never really had any injury history prior to this.

Reggie Bush

Knee Contusion - Direct trauma to the knee can cause it to swell and bruise.

Bush took a helmet to the knee and was forced from the game. The MRI on his knee came back negative. The Lions are saying he could be ready by this weekend.

Bottom Line - Bush might be a frequent flyer here in the training room, as he's already been banged up in each of the first two games. The Lions aren't easing up in him either, as he was used frequently before hurting his knee. I believe he suits up, and if he does, use him as you normally would.

Larry Fitzgerald

Strained Hamstring - The hamstring is the main muscle in the back of the thigh which is responsible for bending the knee and extending the hip. When it relates to sports, it's a very important muscle to help accelerate/decelerate the lower body to allow proper running and cutting.

Fitzgerald was questionable heading into this past week's game but was able to suit up and give it a go. Unfortunately he was taken out of the game as it seemed his hamstring started to give him trouble again in the second half.

Bottom Line - The Cardinals would be wise in giving him time to rest and let his hamstring recover. Hamstring injuries can linger for an extended time if not managed properly. Look for updates on him this week but I think it's safe to say he'll try to play this Sunday if there are no setbacks.

Vernon Davis

Strained Hamstring - See above for description.

Davis was taken out of Sunday night's game as he pulled up reaching for the back of his thigh as he was running a route.

Bottom Line - Because Davis suffered the injury on Sunday night, his timetable is pushed back as the start of his treatment is delayed compared to the earlier games. Look to see what his status is later in the week but have a plan in place just in case he can't go.

Maurice Jones-Drew

Ankle Inversion Sprain - An inversion sprain is often referred to as "rolling" your ankle. The ligaments/tendons/muscles on the outside of the ankle get overstretched and cause pain.

Reports are that MJD is dealing with a strain to a tendon around the ankle and not your typical ankle sprain which involves ligaments. He states feeling better but hasn't tested it out.

Bottom line - with the Jaguars set to play Seattle this weekend, it might not be a bad idea for owners to look elsewhere. Even though reports say it's a tendon issue and not a ligament issue, it still could take some time for MJD to come back feeling the way he should. Regardless of what tissues are involved, they all work together to allow the ankle/foot to function pain free.

Steven Jackson

Strained Quad - Your quadricep muscle is the main muscle in the front of your thigh. Its main job is to help straight the knee but also to help decelerate/accelerate the knee when trying to run/cut.

Shortly after catching a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Rams, S-Jax had to leave the game due to pain in his thigh. There hasn't been much in the way of updates as to how he's feeling since.

Bottom Line - consider Jackson to be day to day for now. Keep an eye on his status as Jackson has dealt with a quad injury in the past which he didn't recover well from. I wouldn't doubt the Falcons making him a game time decision as they'll give him time to rest and see if he can test it out before this Sunday.

Martellus Bennett

Strained Shoulder - The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. There are many ligaments/tendons/muscles that need to stabilize it due to its mobility. The lack of stability leads to the shoulder being strained easily.

Bennett hasn't missed a snap even though he has been telling the media that he's been in a lot of discomfort.

Bottom Line - I don't doubt Bennett is in pain, but his productivity hasn't really changed since he's been dealing with his shoulder. Unless anything drastically changes, use him as you would normall.

Concussions

Concussion - Concussions are an insult to the brain from direct trauma. The brain suffers microtrauma and scarring with a variety of symptoms presenting, depending on where the trauma is located.

Andre Johnson - Reports are good as Johnson was able to do some light cardiovascular activity on Monday, which is always important when managing concussions. He's still not out of the woods yet as sometimes symptoms may not fully kick in right away, but it's an encouraging sign. If Johnson passes all the concussion testing and feels himself when attempting to do football activities, he will be ready to play against the Ravens. Keep an eye out for a status update later in the week to make sure that he's cleared all the tests required.

Eddie Lacy - Lacy suffered a helmet to helmet hit that knocked him out of the game after his first carry. His situation is different as the Packers haven't given any update on his status. It's looking like Lacy's concussion is significant which could put him out multiple weeks. Make sure you have a backup plan.

Malcolm Floyd - Floyd had to be carted off the field after taking a hit to the head. He is currently in a collar and will be continually evaluated through the week. Floyd is ruled out for this week and more than likely the next few weeks. Eddie Royal was getting most of the targets at the wide receiver position even when Floyd was healthy, so look for that to continue.