Stephania Bell

  (11:03 AM)

Good Tuesday morning Sports Nation! Have there been any injuries of significance to you this week? We're about to find out...

Dan the SF fan

What is the status of willie Parker? Also, what is Chris Chambers status?

Stephania Bell

  (11:07 AM)

Hi Dan: Glad to see an SF fan out there. Big news in our neck of the woods today. Anyhow, Parker says he's feeling better but still no definitive word on his status for the week. Apparently Parker thinks he may have pushed too hard early in the week (not clear how that relates to him supposedly stepping in a hole) but that his plan is to take it easier this week. Will he be ready for this week? Still very much a question mark - with all the uncertainty, I would say be prepared for a sub. No new word on Chambers yet this week.

JP (last place)

Hi Stephania, I desperately and urgently need your help. I'm about to make a trade that would land me Sammy Morris. Is he ok or what is the deal with the knee injury last night? Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:09 AM)

JP (and everyone else who's wondering): Sammy Morris has been such an awesome running back - this was a huge blow. Now I need to remind you - it's the Patriots - they gave no indication, other than the signing of Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis, that Maroney was really in trouble for the rest of the season. There has been NO clue from the Pats. But if there's any takeaway, it;s that Belichick seemed much more concerned about Rodney Harrison - whose injury looked serious. Hopefully Morris was minor, but we just don't have any info to go by yet.

Charles (Austin)

Any word on Cutler's finger?

Stephania Bell

  (11:11 AM)

Charles: We know that X-rays were negative on his finger, as in it's not broken (at least at first glance), but obviously it interfered with his play. As to how it impacts him this week, we just have to wait until they practice again to see what he's able to do.

Dennis, NY

Hi Stephania, I have both Romo and Cutler. Whats there status and am I in trouble?

Stephania Bell

  (11:13 AM)

Hi Dennis: Bummer for you. I think the bye helps Cutler, especially as I mentioned in the last post, if the finger is indeed not broken. Romo is being called a gametime decision but here's the thing. Do you really want a QB playing gametime if he doesn't take snaps all week? I think the COwboys need to establish a starter and then practice that way. So unless Romo really practices all week, I would say it is unlikely that he is the starter - and I think it's unlikely anyway as he is still early in the healing from the broken finger. If he has to wear a splint/cast, it will interfere with his ball handling, making him not a good option anyway. I would be scouting the wire for an alternative this week.

Kevin (Chicago)

Good Morning, Ms. Bell. Addai? Yay or nay?

Stephania Bell

  (11:15 AM)

Kevin: Good morning to you too! Well, I think the Colts would like us to think that he is going to be back this week. But you know the deal with hamstrings and speed guys - it's very day-to-day. He may feel really good at rest, but as he increases his speed and difficulty of his workouts, it remains to be seen how the leg responds. So at this point, it appears that they're leaning towards his return, but it's still early to say definitively.

Paul (Boston)

How are Westbrook's ribs holding up? Good enough to play Sunday?

Stephania Bell

  (11:16 AM)

Hi Paul: The bye did not hurt. Since the ribs were not displaced fractures, the time for healing has certainly helped and he is reportedly feeling better. He should be able to increase his practice all week and be ready to go this weekend.

Tom (Boston)

Any word on Stephen Jackson's MRI?

Stephania Bell

  (11:19 AM)

Hi Tom: The team is saying only that he has a mild strain of his quadriceps - probably the best news they could have hoped for here. It sounds as if everyone expects him to play this week. My only concern would be that, as with any muscle strain, this could get worse. And he has a shistory of muscle strains. But that being said, if he's playing and he's on your fantasy team, you've got to play him.

Matt (PA)

Due to Colston's play last week, is he still hurting? What is his deal?

Stephania Bell

  (11:21 AM)

Hi Matt: I just think it was a function of how hard a time they had getting their passing game going. Colston felt like he was ready to go a week earlier and has been catching well in practice. He was held out for an extra week to help ensure healing. I think you're going to see some good Colston action in London this week.

Kevin (Plano,TX.)

Good Morning Stephania, What are the chances of my question getting answered regarding Anquan Boldin's impact this week after returning from his injury? Thank You!

Stephania Bell

  (11:23 AM)

Kevin: Pretty good - if you ask a question! I'm assuming you want to know what his impact will be? Well, first we have to be sure he's playing. It is only now coming to light just how extensive his surgery was to address his fractures. He just now is returning to practice so the team will have to see how he responds to increased activity as the week goes on. My inclination is that he will play, but as to how much, we should have a better idea as the week goes on.

Jay (CA)

Like a broken record, here's the weekly "LT" question. What did you think of this past week's performance, and what's his outlook for this coming week? Thank you.

Stephania Bell

  (11:24 AM)

Jay: It's OK - so many fantasy owners so invested in his status. At the risk of me sounding like a broken record, I think we saw what we expected. It's not just LT, it's the o-line as well. But he is not himself - and I think he really, really needs some rest. As in a bye week. So until that happens, I don't expect much more.

Stephania the beautiful's biggest fan! (canada)

hey stephania, i am hoping a bit of flattery will finally get a question of mine answered after two weeks of asking everyday in every chat! what's the word on stokley, and what kind of an impact do you see him making if/when he returns to action?

Stephania Bell

  (11:27 AM)

I think you're fibbing about being the biggest fan - since you are asking questions every day in every chat. But since Stokley is one we haven't covered yet, I'll give it to you Canada. Stokley had another concussion, and he has had several in his time. Reportedly he did not feel so good all week, which is why he was held out ( we were not surprised). Concussions are a daily evaluation. As the player feels better at rest, he gets to do a little more working out. Return to practice and contact are last. Now that there are two more weeks until they line up again, I would expect that, if all goes well, he will be back in 2 weeks.

David(Fayetteville NC)

Do we know for sure how long R. Bush will stay out after his operation?

Stephania Bell

  (11:30 AM)

David: No way to know for sure, b/c as with most of these things, a lot depends on how a player heals. But there are a few clues. First, I will tell you that after a medial meniscectomy (what Bush reportedly had - where they remove a piece of torn meniscus on the inner side of the knee joint), we usually say approx 4-6 weeks to return to play. Factors that influence the time frame are how long the swelling lasts, how long it takes to get quad strength back, and then how long to get "game shape" back. Also, keep in mind that this is the knee that Bush [partially tore his PCL on, so he already has a little less stability in there. That would make it even more critical that he is at full strength before returning. So I do not exepct him back before 4 weeks. And then it could be longer. But 4 would be a reasonable expectation.

Dan (Boston, MA)

Hey Steph, Whats the deal with Shockey? Is he ever going to become healthy? thanks

Stephania Bell

  (11:36 AM)

Dan: The deal is that he went out on the first play of the game, ended up in the "splits" position, felt something in his groin and felt frustratedf, and so he vented as he is prone to doing. Saying maybe he came back too soon, wished it had been diagnosed sooner, etc. Now it is tough to diagnose sports hernias, as they are not something that shows up on imaging, and it;s often a progression from a groin or abdominal strain, so he does not have a case there. He did seem to be headed back a little quickly. Most athletes I have worked with require closer to 8 weeks to get back - although people certainly heal at different rates and apparently he seemed good to go in practice, but this is likely aminor setback, not a major one - as a result though, expect him to be limited in what they allow him to do. If he plays, it will probably be sparingly for now.

Santino(Boston)

Hi Stephania(bella), How serious is Lamont Jordans injury? Morris owner here. Ty

Stephania Bell

  (11:38 AM)

Santino: If only we had a clue. It's the Patriots. We know it's a calf strain and that he hasn't practiced for a couple weeks. But they talk as if they expect him back so it's not season-threatening. Who knows though - could be one or two weeks if we're going with average muscle strain time frames.

John (cleveland,OH)

Any word on McGahee? Is he still in one piece?

Stephania Bell

  (11:38 AM)

John: McGahee had a monster game and by all reports is at his healthiest.

Birdman (Boston)

Good morning from New England Stephania, ESPN needs to get you in on the weekly rankings! What do we need to do to make that happen? Is Cadillac Williams going to be worth owning for the 2nd half of the season in your opinion?

Stephania Bell

  (11:43 AM)

Birdman: Well, I'll pass that on to the powers that be! Cadillac is a risk-reward situation. The good news is that he is expected to start practicing this week. The team has 3 weeks to then decide whether to activate him or place him on IR. Gruden sounds optimistic that Cadillac can be ready to go and contribute. However, this is a big injury (torn patellar tendon) and although he ahs made great strides, the possibility is that as he tries to up his activity, he just can't do enough quickly enough to meet that timeline. If you have space for a "maybe" player, he could be a good pickup for late in your season, but he may not ever suit up.

Mike (jax beach)

Comments on Kevin Curtis' return to the lineup? Thanks Steph!

Stephania Bell

  (11:48 AM)

Mike: Curtis looks to be back in action this week. He traveled with the team to SF but did not play, but that tells you that the team had the idea they could use him if necessary. He has been looking good in practice, and I think the extra time was wise as he felt like he needed to get back to game-shape, even though he felt good earlier from a healing perspective. Receivers need explosiveness and often feel a little tight after sports hernia surgery. Extra time to get to where they can really open up helps. I'm looking forward to seeing how he looks back on the field. With Reggie Brown's status in question, they could use him.

John, nyc

Hey Steph! What's going on with Jerricho Cotchery? He seemed to miss a ton of plays on Sunday, and I've heard he was hurt. Any idea? Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:50 AM)

John: There was some report that he had an injury in the first half "undisclosed" - and we've ehard nothing since. Mangini has taken a chapter out of the Patriots non-disclosure book when it comes to injuries, so really don't have any new useful info. This is another one of those "we have to wiat and see" based on what he does in practice this week. Murky.

Jake (OH)

Pre-draft Basketball help please. I was wondering what your take is on Gilbert Arenas for the upcoming season? Thank you.

Stephania Bell

  (11:51 AM)

Jake: Thanks for asking an NBA question. But that's a long answer - and I did a full piece on Arenas as part of the NBA draft kit (all free on our NBA page) -so please take a look b/c it's much more in depth than what I can give you here.

Todd (Seattle, WA)

What is going on in Seattle? Is anyone going to be healthy enough to play this week-end?

Stephania Bell

  (11:53 AM)

Todd: It really is a MASH unit up there. Now we are hearing Hasselbeck is not looking like he'll play (btw, not a surprise if you've been following my posts). His situation could really drag on. Not clear who will start at QB in his place since neither backup has been very effective. Branch still quesitonable. I guess Jones is healthy. That's something I suppose.

John (Tampa)

Hey Stephania. Great job as always. Any word on Dunn's injury? I'm an Ernest Graham owner, and you never want players getting injured, but Dunn's status effects me a great deal. Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:55 AM)

John: Early word is a pinched nerve in his neck. Never good - but whether he misses time depends on the severity. For example, in Hasselbeck's case, he has weakness in his leg - more serious, more time. Sometimes there is just pain (if pinched in neck will show up as pain radiating into arm) or tingling and although very uncomfortable, sometimes pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatories and/or injection. Will be watching this throughout the week.

SEC Ref

Do you think I could fill in at LB for the injured Rodney Harrison?

Stephania Bell

  (11:55 AM)

With the block you threw in that game? Why not?

Glenn (NJ)

any news on Justin Gage, thanks

Stephania Bell

  (11:57 AM)

Glenn: All we have is that Jeff Fisher is saying that he hopes Gage will be back on the practice field this week. So he msut have some reason to think that Gage is improving (and reportedly he was able to do some side running last week). But that's a long way from actual practice - so really won't know much until late in the week.

James (FL)

I have Joey Galloway and WR depth with Ward, Welker, White, and Hester. Should I drop Galloway for Curtis or is his foot feeling better? P.s. How is Hester's Quad?

Stephania Bell

  (11:59 AM)

James: Galloway still considered week-to-week, despite the fact that we were encouraged last week by his return to practice, but then he was inactive. Still uncertain. I would make the move to Curtis. No word on Hester's quad - and we won't likely get much with the bye. Not until next week.

Greg (ID)

How does Ryan Torain look?

Stephania Bell

  (12:02 PM)

Greg - and everyone else (LOTS of Torain questions today, not surprising after last night); He has been limited in practice as they're keeping him out of contact (or they were last week). My impression would be that they step it up with him when they return to practice, and after the bye, he could return (11/2) - this was actually his projected return date. So if he continues to do well in practice, I think we will see him emerge then. Will he be the No. 1 guy? No, not right away - but he was moving up the depth chart fast in preseason and could do the same again.

Chris, Toronto ON

Stephania, another from the great white north! Any new news on Ike Hilliard? I read he was released from the hospital, but anything further?

Stephania Bell

  (12:02 PM)

Sorry Chirs - that's all I've got too.

Stephania Bell

  (12:03 PM)

OK everyone - that's it for my time. Thanks so much for coming. I will, fo course, update the injuries throughout the week on my blog. And please come back to chat Friday morning - and again Sunday with our team. Have a great - and healthy -week!!!