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Stephania Bell

  (11:06 AM)

Good morning Sports Nation: Welcome to the injry chat. MNF gave us enough injuries to fill an hour, but I'm sure there are others to discuss as well - so let's get to your questions...

Greg (NJ)

Man oh Man! Cmon Rashard Mendenhall. How can things possibly go any worse right now for Mendenhall owners (like myself)

Stephania Bell

  (11:07 AM)

Greg: They can't. He won't be back for the year. Time to go shopping for a RB...

Bryan (Chicago, IL)

I picked up Mendenhall for the monday night game and hes injured for the season. Who is available as a viable option to replace him.

Stephania Bell

  (11:09 AM)

Bryan: Well, Mewelde Moore is widely available and it looks like he'll see some action for a while. With Tomlin calling Parker week-to-week, it sure sounds as if he's out for more than one. Also look at Rudi Johnson who now reportedly will take over as the No. 1 in Detroit.

Jeff (Harrisburg, PA)

Hi Stephania, how is Engram going to be this week? Is he a lock to play?

Stephania Bell

  (11:10 AM)

Hi Jeff: Holmgren has indicated that he expects Engram back this week and I think he'll be in good shape. The type of injury he had does not have a worry of recurrence associated with it - so I like him out of the gate.

john, canada

help out a canuck eh. boldin ok for week 5? and how about engram?

Stephania Bell

  (11:12 AM)

Hi John North of the Border: Answered the Engram question. Boldin "resting" at home. Supposedly says he wants to play if cleared. It will be a wait and see to see how he does as he is allowed to increase activity, but I would not hold my breath for this week. It's a head injury after all, they have to be cautious.

Vu (Framingham, MA)

Hey, Stephania. Love you on FFN. I am hurting at WR. Any word on Colston and when he might be coming back?

Stephania Bell

  (11:13 AM)

Hi Vu: Thanks for watching! Colston was originally given a 4-6 week timetable, making the earliest return Week 6 - and I think that will be too soon. We haven't ehard much since he's been in a cast, look for the updates to start coming in a week or so.

Roger(Jax. FL)

Good morning Stephania do you think McGahee is going to start next week and is it a good idea to keep McClain because how often McGahee gets injured

Stephania Bell

  (11:15 AM)

Roger: Hard to say on his status next week. He has only seen action for 2 weeks and he has been beaten up terribly. Maybe you saw his still injured eye while he was on the sidelines. THen last night he exited for a while with what is being called a "chest" injury (no more specifics yet) but he looked to be in some major pain. McClain ran beautifully until he had cramps. I would abspolutely hold onto him. McGahee a question mark at this point.

Patrick (College Park)

What about the other Seattle WR ... Is Deion Branch going to play this week? Would you feel confident enough to start him over someone like Bryant Johnson?

Stephania Bell

  (11:16 AM)

Hi Patrick: Holmgren saying Branch could return as well, but that he will want to see how he does in practice and they may limit him in his first outing. I think you want to watch from a distance until you know he can play and be effective - still fairly recent return from the ACL surgery. Keep Johnson for now.

John (Detroit)

Stephania, what's the latest on Joey Galloway? With injuries and byes I'm in a pinch to field a full lineup and may need to make a tough decision to cut someone. How long I have to wait for Joey might determine if he stays or goes.

Stephania Bell

  (11:18 AM)

John: Sorry - no updates yet. He's one that we need to see what he does in practice the first couple of days. If he is still completely out of practice I would say he's not going. Foot injuries can be tough and they haven't given any details - but could be a lingering thing. Hopefully we'll know more Friday.

John (Boston)

Stephania, any word on Dr. Aaron Rodger's self diagnosed separated shoulder? Is he gonna be back this weekend?

Stephania Bell

  (11:21 AM)

Hi John: I've heard all kinds of things about his shoulder - and from Rodgers himself it went from dislocated to separated, which are not the same, even though they get interchanged all the time. The team is being evasive with the "sprained shoulder". Makes it sound to me like he had a mild AC sprain - which is the same joint that "separates" in a more serious injury, but I look to this. He was able to throw a 48 yd TD pass AFTER he got hurt, so it's not too bad. Yes, he has pain and they'll treat it, and he may not be out of the woods, but at this point it appears he will go Sunday. Obviously barring any setbacks during the week.

Jeff (Toronto)

Colston Q...If he got hurt in week 1, wouldnt 4 weeks from that date be week 5? Am I missing something here? Thanks eh

Stephania Bell

  (11:24 AM)

Technically 4 weeks post -surgery which was during the week after Week 1, making the first available Sunday Week 6 - but regardless, I still think that's sooner than when he'll return.

Doug KC

Any word on Brian Westbrook?

Stephania Bell

  (11:26 AM)

Hi Doug: Well, Westbrook said on his radio show this week that during warmups he felt pretty good running straight ahead, but had a lot of trouble pivoting and cutting, not a surprise with the injury he had - and he felt he couldn't perform at 100%. Here's what I like - that he was testing it pregame, that he was able to run straight on and that he was walking full weight without a limp fairly quickly. I like his chances for Sunday, but he will likely be held out again much of this week to rest it. We may know more Friday. Still iffy, but I feel better about his chances this week than last week.

barry (boston)

What's up with the OAK backfield situation? Is Fargas making any progress? What about McFadden's toe?

Stephania Bell

  (11:28 AM)

Barry: Lane Kiffin seems to think Fargas will return after the bye so he must be feeling better. McFadden seemed more limited by his toe this week, making the timing of the week off that much more relevant. I think McFadden will be OK but it may take a couple weeks to get him back to form. And Fargas will likely get the nod to start if he comes back in Week 6.

TreDay (Little Rock)

Hey Steph! Will Curtis be ready to play fantasy wise as soon as he's healthy? Also, what's the latest on Shockey? Thanks!!!

Stephania Bell

  (11:30 AM)

TreDay: The hope is yes. He has reportedly been ahead of schedule and was working with the scout team last week already. Keep an eye on what he does in practice this week, but if he is fully practicing, I would say yes. If he is held to limited reps, I would say they will ease him back in as he may not be at full strength.

Nuclear Power Pants (Orlando)

Good morning Stephania! I have Kitna and Palmer as my two (yuck!) qbs. From an injury perspective, should I be shopping around? Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:31 AM)

Nice name! Yes -go shopping. No specifics on Kitna but that's not surprising given the bye week in there. Should hear more as the week goes on. Palmer, although everyone is talking like he'll play against Dallas, has me worried from a longer term prespective with inflammation in his elbow. I'm not yet convinced that he plays, but a lot will depend on what he can do in practice. I would plan on a backup though, no question.

Danny (TX)

Worried Panthers fan. Any word on the OL (Otah and Gross)?

Stephania Bell

  (11:33 AM)

Gross had a nasty concussion. Wouldn't surprise me if he's out this week. Otah injured his other ankle, not the one that was bad from college, and he thinks it's not that serious. Sounds like he could be back.

Alex (Collegeville, PA)

Great job as always Ms. Bell. Can you please tell me if Donovan McNabb is 100%? It appeared as though Coach Reid didn't want to use him at the goaline Sunday night.

Stephania Bell

  (11:34 AM)

Hi ALex: Thanks for coming. McNabb was playing at less than 100%, still sore from a chest contusion. Pretty effective throwing but the best for him was to avoid unnecessary contact.

James, Ca

Dallas Clark a go at 100% this week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:36 AM)

He should be much better James, after the bye to rest his knee some more and the bump on the head he got in Week 3. They cleared him to return to that game, he just didn't, so I expect him to be good heading into Week 5.

Rebecca (St. Louis)

Stephania, any word on Brandon Lloyd this week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:39 AM)

Rebecca: Lloyd had a hip problem heading into the game but it appeared he injured his knee in Week 4 and had to leave early. It was kept pretty quiet but the Sun-Times is reporting he had a big knee brace on his left knee. Not a good sign but they have not given us a definitive injury. Hope to know more by tomorrow, but it's worrisome, especially given that he was already bothered by the hip.

George (Montgomery)

Not to keep harping on Westbrook, but do you think it's safe for his owners to drop Buckhalter as a handcuff, or is it wise to hang on a few more days?

Stephania Bell

  (11:40 AM)

George: I would keep Buckhalter if Westbrook is your No. 1. I love Westbrook but he has a lot of mileage on him and gets banged up a bit. Buckhalter has shown he can step in and perform right now so I would keep him.

Coop (nyc)

One more shot - Deuce feeling sore? Going to be ok from here on out as an RB2 or Flex player? Or will it take longer to build strength and durability in the knees?

Stephania Bell

  (11:41 AM)

Coop: I think Deuce is feeling good. The Saints are just trying to manage him across a long season. He has two reconstructed knees and then some, which makes him more of an injury risk. He has recovered his strength, durability not something he can really improve with the condition of his knees. But he can be an effective flex back and I think after this weekend they will continue to use him about like that.

Dan (Lansing, MI)

Stephania, Is Ryan Grant still hurt, or is he just not in shape or was last year a fluke?

Stephania Bell

  (11:43 AM)

Dan: Grant supposedly feeling well, seems to be as healthy as he's been, but just can't get the running game going. I think it's more complex than just his hammy.

Drew (DC)

So Kendall Simmons has a torn achilles... Is that an injury that's going to hurt him for the rest of his career, or something that can be fully healed?

Stephania Bell

  (11:44 AM)

Drew: It can fully heal, it's just a lengthy rehab. It has to be really strong to help a large lineman push off and hold his position.

Mike ( Toms River, NJ)

Hey Stephania, any updates on Ryan Torrain in Denver? He looked like a promising sleeper before injuring his elbow before the season and I haven't heard much since.

Stephania Bell

  (11:46 AM)

Hi Mike: Well, they don't offer much in Denver when a player is not yet practicing with the team. Torain's 3 month timetable should put him back around Week 8 and hopefully soon we will see him in practice so that we can gauge how he's looking. But I saw him in camp, and yes, he's really, really good.

Derek - Lincoln

Who do you think will get the work in NE's back-field this week? I already have a hurting McGahee or Norwood as my other options. Thanks

Stephania Bell

  (11:48 AM)

Derek: It's NE. More well guarded info than Fort Knox. I wouldn't be surprised if Maroney is active since he had a full practice last Friday, but I still expect Sammy Morris to do more.

Dan, Rochester

SB, Any update on Shockey and when do you think he makes his return and it is a lingering injury for the rest of the year?

Stephania Bell

  (11:52 AM)

Dan: Reports last week out of New Orleans suggested that Shockey's sports hernia "damage" was not as extensive as it can be making him more likely for an early return. Supposedly Payton hopes he'll be back by Week 6 and that he's already doing well. But I have to tell you that I think that would be quite early (only about 3 weeks post-srugery). I'd think at least another week. Most guys take 6 weeks plus. Won't probably know too much more this week, but his activity - epsecially whether he can run at full speed by early next week will give us the clue.

Shawn (cincy)

Any news on Delhomme?

Stephania Bell

  (11:54 AM)

Hi SHawn: Just that he had a quad contusion as a result of a knee to the thigh on Sunday and he was limping a bit after the game, but since he's not a RB or WR, i don't see it keeping him out, at least not yet. He's another one who i want to see on the practice field within the next few days to decide.

Chris (Boston)

Stephania, do you see A. Green coming back next week and taking carries away from S. Slaton?

Stephania Bell

  (11:55 AM)

Hi Chris: You know, even if he does come back, I really don't see him cutting into Slaton's game. He will return in a backup role and I expect to see his activity limited.

John, Kansas city

do you expect to hear any more about willie parkers injury or is he going to be a guy that we'll have to wait each week and see?

Stephania Bell

  (11:57 AM)

John: I think after all the fiasco around Roethlisberger's injury information, we have gotten what we will get related to fast willie, at least in terms of a diagnosis. So we have to look at what he does and how well he's moving to take our cues. Unfortunately that means wait each week and see.

Tom (WI)

Hi Stephania, any word on if Andre Johnson has an injury that's bothering him? He just doesn't look 100%. Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:59 AM)

Hi Tom: You know, he jsut hasn't looked like himself, but I'm not sure it's attributable to injury. He did have the groin problem in the preseason, but that seemed to be behind him and there has been no word of anything else. I agree though - not himself, but I'm optimistic that ultimately he is the No. 1 receiving target there.

Chris (FL)

Is LT's toe still an issue for him, or maybe he's just hitting the 30 yr old wall? He just doesn't seem to have the same old explosiveness.

Stephania Bell

  (12:00 PM)

Chris: His toe is still not 100% so it's hard to judge him completely. I would not write him off due to age just yet. He's still hurting with cutting and pivoting so can't really perform like himself.

Rich (San Jose)

Stephania, love your esteemed opinion! Got a basketball draft coming up... T-Mac (as usual) has issue with his knee but now his shoulder. How long (or little) does he hold up through an 82 game season?

Stephania Bell

  (12:03 PM)

Hi Rich: Have to throw in a b-ball question. This certainly does not help his value. Sounds like he's announcing now all the reasons why he may not be able to perform at the level folks are hoping for. Not that the reasons aren't legit. It's just that you're hearing the "whys" for when he's not at full tilt. Hard to day how long he holds up, but I think what you'll see is that the team will rest him more frequently or he'll see less total playing time per game as a precautionary move to protect him over a long season.

Stephania Bell

  (12:05 PM)

OK Gang: Time for me to go. Be sure to check the chat wrap as some of the late questions were addressed early in the chat and you can see all the posts there. Thanks for all of your excellent questions. I will have an injury blog update again Wednesday and Saturday and will talk about the updates as we get them Friday on ESPNews and of course, we bring you all the up-to-the-minute- info on Fantasy Football Now at Noon EST on Sunday. Have a great week!