Injury Updates

[Hache Man]

Injury Updates
Chris Simms (QB, TB)

The argument may go on for some time as to when he suffered a damaged spleen but quick action by the Bucs medical staff saved him from a very difficult situation. Simms underwent a splenectomy (removal of the spleen) Sunday evening and was released from the hospital a couple days later. The spleen acts as a reservoir of extra blood that the body calls on in emergencies by releasing blood to increase the body's blood volume. A player can return to action without a spleen but he'll need to be watched closely by the medical staff. The current speculation has Simms missing 6-to-8 weeks; most likely, he's done for the year. There isn't any sense in risking his health just to play a couple of games late in the season.

Shaun Alexander (RB, SEA)

In the three days since the last week's game, Alexander's status has gone from being out 4-6 weeks with a fractured bone in his foot, to the possibility he might play this week. Alexander has a non-displaced fracture of a bone in his left foot. It looks like he suffered the injured foot during the second game of the season. There are reports in Seattle suggesting the bone is in a non-weight bearing spot in his foot. Because of the location and Alexander's pain tolerance, he's trying to convinced head coach Mike Holmgren to let him play this week. Even though this week's game is a key one against the Chicago Bears, it doesn't make sense for the Seahawks play him and risk further injury. Seattle has a bye in week five, so they can rest him this week and he gets almost three weeks recovery time before the October 15 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Terrell Owens (WR, DAL)

I don't have any extra insight into the latest Terrell Owens' soapbox opera. My opinion based on what I've read and seen is he didn't attempt to commit suicide. Now that we have that out of the way, let's look at his injured finger. He has a fractured right index finger that needed a plate inserted in it to assist the healing process. Our estimate last week was he would miss this week's game, get next week off because of the bye and return for the Philly game. We don't see anything in the current news that changes that likely scenario.

Donte' Stallworth (WR, PHI)

Stallworth has battled hamstring problems all the way back to his days at the University of Tennessee. Part of this can be explained away by the beginning of his athletic career. He did a lot of training as a track and filed sprinter in high school and college. Track players can be more susceptible to pulls and strains, this would explain his tendency to pull hamstrings and quad muscles. In the first two years in the NFL, he missed eight games, due in part to hamstring pulls. Stallworth missed last week's game with a hip injury, which was later changed to a hamstring spasm. Last week, he was tagged as probable, yet he didn't play. At press-time, he's listed as questionable, suggesting he won't play this week either. Hamstring issues can linger and this is likely to hamper Stallworth for the next few weeks.

Vernon Davis (TE, SF)

Davis suffered a bruised right shin during practice on September 22. Is this when he suffered a fracture of the fibula? It's possible. The fibula is the inside bone in the lower leg that isn't a weight-bearing bone. While we might compare Davis' injury to the one the Colts' Dallas Clark suffered in November 2003, he had ligament damage and needed surgery. Davis doesn't. This works in Davis' favor as does the type of fracture. It sounds like the fracture is a non-displaced type and doesn't need surgery. The current estimate is four weeks, though Davis states it will be three weeks. The 49ers have a bye in week seven, giving him almost five weeks to recover. Look for Davis to return for the October 29 game at Chicago.

Steve Smith (WR, CAR)

Smith surprised almost everyone by playing in 77% of the Panthers plays last Sunday. He didn't report any pain after the game or early this week in his hamstrings. He is complaining of some soreness in his thigh, an ailment that is expected to clear up by the end of the week. As long as he remains injury free, Smith should improve each week as he improves his overall strength. If Smith is able to play in 80-85% of the Panther's plays this week, his owners should be able to breathe a sigh of relief that the worst is behind him

Reuben Droughns (RB, CLE)

Droughns had an MRI on his bruised shoulder before last week's game, one that he eventually sat out. Reportedly, the reason he didn't play was the shoulder was too weak and they didn't want to risk further injury against the Baltimore Ravens. He's listed as questionable for this week's game. Look for a game-time decision by the Browns.

Matt Jones (WR, JAX)

Jones played last week even though he had a tight groin injury that caused him to limp during last week's game. As the game wore on, (he didn't catch a pass) it became obvious he wasn't close to 100% and the Jaguars were using him as a decoy. He is listed as probable for this week's game and should be a bigger part of this week's offense.

Desmond Clark (TE, CHI)

Clark was seen wearing a boot cast on his lower left leg after last week's game against the Vikings. While the Bears remained tight lipped about his ailment, one veteran Bears observer indicates it's a high ankle sprain. This type of injury is a slow healer and he won't play this week versus Seattle. If it indeed is a high ankle sprain it can linger, making his return questionable for a couple of weeks. Clark owners should be prepared to be without him for 2-4 weeks.