It's Not Easy Being Ahman

[Hache Man]

Brian Westbrook (RB, PHI) - Westbrook didn't play in Monday night's game against the Packers. Combine this fact with the news he did not practice on Wednesday and it's starting to look a bit more serious regarding his troublesome right knee. More insight comes from head coach Andy Reid who said, "the team isn't sure there isn't some cartilage damage." Still, Reid believes he will play this Sunday. The long-term question is this; Westbrook's right knee has inflammation in it, it's been drained and he likely has cartilage damage.

The Eagles are trying to protect him by reducing his practice time but missing last's week's game, even against the lowly Packers, is a warning flag. The longer the inflammation and questionable playing status drags on, the closer Westbrook moves toward having arthroscopic knee surgery. If he's able to post a decent game this week, his owners should look to deal him and avoid being stuck with a RB who could need knee surgery during the season.

Ahman Green (RB, GB) - Green missed Sunday's game with a strained hamstring. One hamstring has been an issue for the past couple of weeks, now both hamstrings are a problem. The first question that comes to mind now that Green has missed a game due to a hamstrings problem, is it related to the major quad tendon problem of 2005? Last year, Green needed surgery to repair a ruptured tendon of a quad muscle. It goes without saying he's lost some flexibility and strength in his legs from the surgery. It's easy to conclude a ripple effect is in order here. The Packers took the cautious approach and didn't play him last week. If he doesn't play this week (local media says he's questionable), then the hamstring issues are bigger than we are led to believe and it might be a chronic problem he deals with all season long.

Brett Favre (QB, GB) - Will 'the streak' end this week? Farve suffered what appeared to be a 'stinger' in the 4th quarter of Monday night's game. A stinger is known medically as a brachial plexus or bundle of nerves that goes from the spinal column, across the shoulder and down the arm. In a lot of cases, it leaves the affected arm weak and numb. Farve says he's still a little sore but believes he'll be ready for this week's game. Considering his ability to play through pain and injuries in the past, we don't question his ability to fight through the ailment and play this week.

Donte' Stallworth (WR, DAL) - Surprise! Stallworth is struggling with a sore hamstring -- again. This latest news only reinforces his reputation of having chronic hamstring problems. On Wednesday's injury report, Stallworth is listed as doubtful. It is possible he could miss all the practices this week yet play Sunday in a key game against the Cowboys. This isn't the last time this season he'll struggle with his hamstrings.

Chris Simms (QB, TB) - Eight days after suffering a ruptured spleen and having it removed, Simms was released from the hospital on Monday. While some sources indicate Simms is done for the year, it's interesting to note Simms is listed as out for this week but the Bucs haven't placed him on the IR— yet. This fact suggests Tampa Bay is taking a wait and see approach to his health before making a final decision on his playing status.

Reuben Droughns (RB, CLE) - The Browns' sat Droughns in week three due to a bruised AC (acromioclavicular) joint. The AC joint is where the end of the clavicle (collarbone) and shoulder meet at the top of the shoulder. Bruises to this area of the shoulder can reduce a player's ability to fully extend and move the affected arm. His range of motion improved by last weekend, Cleveland elected to play him and he played well before re-injuring the shoulder. His status for this week is questionable but if Droughns suffers a relapse in practice to the level of week three pain, the Browns won't play him this week.

Reggie Brown (WR, PHI) - Brown suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder during the Packers game on Monday. He left the game and did not return. Brown suffered the injury when he jammed the shoulder into the ground after making a catch. This likely caused some minor damage to one or more of the ligaments in his shoulder. Rest is the best healer for this type of injury but he did practice on Wednesday. This tells us the shoulder isn't damaged as badly as we first thought on Monday night. If he doesn't do more damage to the shoulder in practice this week, he should play against Dallas.

Matt Jones (WR, JAX) - The banged up Jones may not play this week due to both a strained hamstring and groin. Veteran observers with the Jaguars indicate they believe he suffered the hamstring pull trying to protect the groin injury that hadn't healed yet. Jones' owners will know more by Saturday after a couple more chances to practice this week. If he doesn't practice, he'll likely sit for this weekend's game. Beyond that, it depends on how quickly he responds to treatment.

Cedric Houston (RB, NYJ) - Houston suffered a hyperextended left knee during last Sunday's clash with the Colts. Initially, it was projected he'd miss 2-4 weeks due to the injury. With the first official injury report now available, he's listed as doubtful. By the looks of things, four weeks is a more accurate projection than just missing two weeks.