ESPN

Stephania Bell

  (11:03 AM)

Happy Tuesday everyone - time to take a look at injury concerns following Week 3 and heading into Week 4. Welcome aboard!!

Jeff, Lincoln-NE

Is LT heading in the right direction with his injury? I have Sproles, not LT and wondered if I should hang on to him! LT looked ok on Monday night. Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:05 AM)

Hi Jeff: You're exactly right. LT is heading in the right direction. He is still not 100% but he is clearly improved from last week. He still can't cut as effectively as the LT we know and love, but this performance, assuming no setbacks (and we haven't heard of any yet) should bode well for his future outings.

Patrick (Berkeley)

Good morning, Starphania. Trying to decide if Big Ben is a good buy-low this week, what's the latest update on his hand/shoulder injuries?

Stephania Bell

  (11:07 AM)

Hi Patrick: I would certainly consider it. Ben has shown he can play through the shoulder. He did take a hard hit on his hand and the good news is that the X-rays were negative, but apparently it was pretty banged up and it remains to be seen what he can do in practice. I have not heard if he has a lot of swelling in the hand which would certainly impede his throwing in the next week, but this does not look to be along term injury, at least based on what we know right now.

Eddie (NYC)

Morning, worth taking a shot on the Det backup QB with Kitna's "sprain"?

Stephania Bell

  (11:09 AM)

Hi Eddie: Very unclear at this point as they have said next to nothing about Kitna. It sounds as if it's minor, and he may be uncomfortable but the team did not seem overly concerned. I would probably go elsewhere if looking for another QB.

Neal Joliet, IL

Hi Stephania, enjoy your appearances on Fantasy Focus. What's your feeling on Brian Westbrook this week? It seems like if he gets in the lineup, he forgets he's ever hurt and plays great. Will he suit up against the Bears? Also, is Donovan gonna have any lingering issues with the contusion?

Stephania Bell

  (11:12 AM)

Hi Neal: Thanks so much. Westbrook said on his radio show that he thinks his injury is "closer to a high ankle sprain" than anything else. If you look at the video, the way his foot got caught in the turf is consistent with how high ankle sprains happen. But the good news is the negative MRI and x-ray, very impt for this type of injury. If they thought it was serious he would be forced to be non-weight bearing, and he was walking last night without crutches. So it's day-to-day, and nobody does rest during the week but play on Sunday better than Westbrook. That being said, it may well be a GTD so have a backup ready. Donovan may be very sore but I think he plays. It may affect his ability to throw hard and deep so may alter the game plan a bit, but I expect him to play.

Tom (Hackensack)

Shockey...what are your thoughts, and should i drop him or find a place on my bench?

Stephania Bell

  (11:13 AM)

Tom: I would drop him now and then go back in about 3-4 weeks and get him. b/c he'll still likely be available. I don't buy the back in 3 weeks post-surgery. Have never seen that even in non-contact guys. I expect closer to 6 weeks but the good news is once these are fixed, they're usually fixed - no residual problems like post-knee surgery.

Shane Round Rock TX

What is the latest on Joey Galloway, will he be ready to go this week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:14 AM)

Shane: Nothing new yet. He's one where we'll have to see if he does anything in practice. Last week he did nothing at all, but check back Friday. Hope to have an update then.

brad (boston)

starphania, when can we expect mcfadden to be back at full speed?

Stephania Bell

  (11:15 AM)

Hi Brad: Hopefully within the next week. Given that he just injured the toe and was in a boot early in the week, I think the fact he was able to go tells us it wasn't too severe. He had troubles with his cleats though and was slipping and sliding on the turf. I expect he improves over the next week - would not be surprised if they control his practice somewhat to give the toe some rest.

Adam (New York)

Hey Injury princess, is there any chance Kevin Curtis will be ready to go this weekend?

Stephania Bell

  (11:18 AM)

Adam: That's a new one - Curtis has been doing well in his rehab and is going to be returning to practice with the scout team which is a good sign. Originally the Eagles were suggesting he'd return by 10/5 - sounds possible, but I wouldn't count on him until another week or two after that.

Jas (Montreal, Canada)

What is bothering Braylon? He is kiling me!

Stephania Bell

  (11:20 AM)

Jas: The entire Cleveland offense is sputtering. Can't explain the drops - although if you think about it, he missed a lot of preseason action with the wound on his foot (from the cleat injury). Then he had a shoulder problem this week (unspecified by the team) that kept him out of action during much of practice, so he was quesitonable going into the game. Not sure what the answer is here - I think it's a combination of things though, not just injury stuff.

Gregory (St Louis)

Is Kevin Smith from Detroit okay? Thought he would get more carries. Should I pick up Rudi......

Stephania Bell

  (11:20 AM)

Gregory: No injury word on Smith. I just think they were testing Rudi and felt he got hot so kept him in. You saw Rudi catching balls, never something he has been known for. If he's available, he's worth a pickup.

David Cincinnati, OH

What's with Chad? Did you see all his drops on Sunday? Is it his shoulder, or something else?

Stephania Bell

  (11:22 AM)

David: Really hard to say. I think they are totally out of sync. His shoulder is not perfect, but you can't blame his performance on that alone. He can catch balls with that. I think Chad is the big play guy when it happens but you will not see consistent performance out of him, and he is more of an injury risk in the sense that the shoulder risks getting worse if he lands on it wrong, etc.

Jason (Michigan)

JT O Sullivan worth keeping as a starter??

Stephania Bell

  (11:23 AM)

Jason: Sure! Plus, he's helping my beloved 49ers win, and he's (knock on wood) healthy...

Dianne (Detroit)

How about a baseball question Stephania? Any news on Adam LaRoche and his hamstring? And would the apparently healthy Hank Blalock be a safer play? Thanks, YOU are truly an inspiration!

Stephania Bell

  (11:25 AM)

Hi Dianne: Thanks for the kind words. I have not heard about LaRoche who was supposed to be evaluated further yesterday as far as the hamstring. Probably more to come later today. Who would have thought Blalock and healthier would be used together? But right now he's hitting well, may not hurt that it could impact his contract situation. If you can pick up Blalock I would, but watch for news today on Laroche.

Xander (Philly)

Will Justin Gage play this weekend?

Stephania Bell

  (11:27 AM)

Xander: He was struggling so much at the end of last week (could only do straight ahead running), that it is impossible to say right now. We need to see if and how he practices, but based on how tough groin injuries canh be, I would make other plans and then hope for the best. I wouldn't be surprised if this takes him a couple weeks.

Jeff (DC)

Hello, Is there any more updates to the Fargas injury? I was watching when it happened and it looked more serious than they are reporting. What are the chances of Fargas returning to his last year form?

Stephania Bell

  (11:29 AM)

Hi Jeff: It sure did. When he fell to the ground grabbing his inner thigh, that said a lot. And those are the kinds of things we look for as clues. They're not always accurate, but can provide insight. Although the team did not automatically say he was out last week, the word on the ground is that he is likely to miss potentially a few weeks. Just like we were talking about with Gage, the groin injuries are tough because they impact power, speed and directional running. I doubt he's ready to go this week.

Juan (Miami, FL)

Steph, How badly is the injury to the Patriots EGO???

Stephania Bell

  (11:30 AM)

Juan: No surprise coming from a Miami fan. Not my area of expertise - but I'd have to guess that they're being treated for shock...

Joe (St. Louis)

Ms. Bell, how bout a bball question mixed in? I have an NBA draft coming up. When do you expect Arenas to be back playing and when do you think he'll be back to full strength? Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:32 AM)

Hi Joe: Sure, let's throw some NBA love out there. Not good to have 3 surgeries really within roughly a year. This latest setback probably helps him in the long run, but adds a new layer of concern for his overall durability. I don't see him back before December/January and then you have to expect that he will not be an every day player. I just don't see it. He'll need to rest that knee from time to time. Let's face it. It will never be a perfectly healthy knee again. Functional to allow him to contribute? Probably. Good as new? No.

Ed C(NYC, NY)

How's Mcgahee doing after that cut on his eye? And is it true that McClain is now the goal line back in balt? It seemed to me (I was watching) that if McG was healthy he would have been in there at the goal line.

Stephania Bell

  (11:33 AM)

Hi Ed: Haven't heard much about that - but I will try to find out more before I post my Weds column. McClain is certainly getting some love in Baltimore and I'm not surprised that they're using the committee - but I don't know that they've decided on their final formula yet.

Andrew (Boston)

Good morning to you Stephania. What happened to Reggie Brown, reports on friday said he practiced and was probably for the game on sunday? do you see him playing this week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:35 AM)

Hi Andrew: Well, he was active - he just didn't catch any passes. I have to admit to not being surprised in that the team said they would ease him back in. And last week in my chat I suggested watching him for a week or two to see how he fared before starting him. I'd still watch another week. I expect him to see more action, but not a ton.

Nick (Danville, KY)

You say "nobody does rest during the week but play on Sunday better than Westbrook." But what about Plaxico Burress's performances last season?

Stephania Bell

  (11:36 AM)

Nick: OK, not bad. But Westbrook has done it two years in a row. He wins.

Lindsey (SC)

Any update on Jerry Porter? Is he even worth a roster spot at this point?

Stephania Bell

  (11:37 AM)

Lindsey: He's been practicing and we keep hearing he's ready to go, but he's coming off surgery on the hamstring, and they clearly do not want to fool around with that at all. I think this week we'll actually see something from him. I'd hang on.

Nick (Danville, KY)

What about Ronnie Brown's game Sunday? Fluke or precursor of things to come?

Stephania Bell

  (11:38 AM)

Nick. Things to come. Ronnie needed this game to show him that he can have confidence in that reconstructed knee, and to show the coaching staff that he can handle the work. His cuts and his acceleration to the hole were fabulous, just what you want to see as a guy comes back from this type of thing. Keep in mind he and Williams had about the same number of touches, but he got the TDs.

Chris (Pittsburgh)

Hello, Have you heard anything about Donte Stallworth? Will he be playing this weekend?

Stephania Bell

  (11:40 AM)

Chris: Only that the quad strain has still been nagging. This is another one of those muscle strains where we het our hints based on what the athlete does in practice, so won't have a better idea until later in the week.

Jon (KC)

Any word on Dallas Clark? Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:42 AM)

Hi Jon: Just that he took a hard hit to the head (which if you saw the game you already know). He was in fact cleared to return to the game so it appears that this will not be a factor heading into Week 4. He had been out previously because of the knee but no word yet on how that held up. Another one to watch in practice.

Corey (Atlanta, GA)

Hello Stephania, any updates on Sidney Rice?

Stephania Bell

  (11:43 AM)

Hi Corey: Sprained PCL. It sounds like they considered playing him last week so not that serious. But PCLs can sometimes be a little more finicky, even minor ones. Maybe this week, maybe next - probably not longer than that unless he has a setback.

Brian (Georgia)

Hey Hey, have you heard if Ryan Grant is back to normal or is he still having a problem with his hammy? He still only had 13 touches this week for a total of 3 points.

Stephania Bell

  (11:44 AM)

Brian: Grant says it's feeling better. I think overall he's improving but needs another week or two to show it.

bob (ohio)

How bad is L.J. Smith injury?

Stephania Bell

  (11:45 AM)

Hi Bob: Sounds as if his back sprain was significant in the fact that he's still being evaluated. He's another one that we may not knwo much until later in the week.

Adam (Columbus)

I feel Beanie Wells definitely tore something. What is the real deal with his injury?

Stephania Bell

  (11:46 AM)

Adam: It sure appears that way -but we are getting zero information as to what exactly is his injury so no way to know for sure.

Dave (Ca)

regarding Ronnie's ACL injury. If it has properly healed (from sunday it looks like that) is he any more of a risk for another ACL injury than someone that hasnt had that injury before?

Stephania Bell

  (11:47 AM)

Dave: Nope. In fact, many times the knee is more stable with the new graft in place. The risk in coming back too soon is another injury aorund the knee, muscle strains, etc - sometimes athletes even tear the other side if their knees are so inclined, but it is rare to repat tear an ACL.

Kevin (Manassas)

I know this is not really fantasy related, unless you have the Redskins defense, but what is the latest on Jason Taylor? Will he only miss one week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:50 AM)

Hi Kevin: I've heard that he had to have some blood drained that pooled in his calf after getting kicked in the leg. Usually what happens is that the blood starts putting pressure on other vessels and nerves in the area, and they have to do a fasciotomy, where they cut tissue (fascia) to release the pressure. Sounds bad - but it's not really. The soft tissue then needs to heal. If that's what happened, he'll likely miss more time. I'm trying to get more details now and hope to be able to write more about it this week.

alan (houston)

tavaris jackson and his MCL...any news? And how does one rehab the MCL or does it jsut take time to heal? Thanks Starphania

Stephania Bell

  (11:52 AM)

Hi Alan: It heals on its own in the sense that it has to just form scar tissue and firm up. But we do rehab to help decrease pain, enhance the mobility of the knee and work on muscle strength around the knee while the tissue heals. It may always be a little less stable depending on the degree of injury and how it heals. I'm assuming he's recovering decently from it but as you saw when he played he was still affected in terms of mobility.

g (nyc)

Stephania Bellania, any news on Maroney? I know they have a bye this week so that'll help but will he be 100% when they play next? does it even matter if he's 100% because of Morris, Jordan, Faulk, etc.?

Stephania Bell

  (11:54 AM)

Hi G: Remember we get very little from the Patriots. I think you can expect him to play after the bye week since he was able to fully participate in practice on Friday before last Sunday's game. The extra time should help. But - I still think they will be mixing it up in NE and no one gets the outright majority of carries.

Danny ( Atlanta)

How is B.Engram doing ? Will he be able to come back and contribute right away ? Was dropped in my league wanted to know if he is worth picking up ?

Stephania Bell

  (11:56 AM)

Hi Danny: I think he's worth a pickup. He is expected to return in Week 5, after the bye and he had a cracked bone in his shoulder. THe big issue was ensuring that the bone was healed (typically 6 weeks) and he was rehabbing to make sure the shoulder/arm strength was good after the bone healed. Week 5 will be 8 weeks post-injury so I expect him to come back and be productive right away.

Chris (FL)

What's up with Al Harris?

Stephania Bell

  (11:58 AM)

Chris: I am not sure of the definitive answer but he had blood in his urine and there was some discussion that he may have ruptured his spleen. If indeed that was the case, he is done for the season.

Jeremy (Orlando)

How bout Deion Branch? Who comes back first? Engram or Branch?

Stephania Bell

  (11:59 AM)

Jeremy: Branch may come back the same week as Engram, but I think he comes back in a more controlled fashion. He had an ACL reconstruction and is just hitting the 9 month mark. Will take some game time to get his confidence back in the leg, etc and they have to "test" it so to speak. So I think you might see him, but his playing time will be controlled.

Paul (Providence)

Hi Stephania.. Sort of a general question. If a player is injured but he can still run (i.e. Marques Colston and his thumb), does he still practice with the team? Will he be up to speed with the playbook and his team? Or will there be an adjustment period?

Stephania Bell

  (12:01 PM)

Paul: Great question. Depends on the guy and the injury. Usually foir a receiver with a hand injury, he'll do side work. Running, agility work, but nothing in the 11 on 11 as he could risk further injury and can''t really contribute effectively anyway. He is in a cast for 4 weeks, when he comes out of that we may see him integrated more into the practices.

jack SD

damon huard, is he still dizzy? thigpen looks horrible.

Stephania Bell

  (12:02 PM)

Jack: No word yet. Will be interesting to see what he's able to do in practice this week.

Jordan (NJ)

General question if I may. What is the difference of a player breaking a bone in the joint of the ankle, as opposed to breaking a bone in another part of the ankle?

Stephania Bell

  (12:04 PM)

Jordan: Know you've been trying to get this one in. I'm not sure if I'm answering your question but I'll try. If you break a bone that is actually inside the joint, that can be a far worse problem in terms of setting you up for arthritis down the line, etc. A broken bone outside of a joint, other than causing the joint to get stiff while the bone is in a cast to heal itself, does not tend to result in as seriosu of consequences within the joint itself. Hope that helps.

Stephania Bell

  (12:05 PM)

OK everyone - my turn at the helm is over here. I will try to answer some of your other questions that I couldn't get to in my blog Wednesday. Sometimes the information emerges later in the week so come back Friday morning, same time, for the chat and check the blog Saturday for the late injury pregame updates. Have a great week and thanks for coming!!!