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Good afternoon Sports nation and welcome to the Tuesday chat. Ahhhh...I'm in CA. Fresh off another Niners loss, but I must say this one was one of the most exciting games I can remember in Candlestick. The Niners appeared to emerge relatively unscathed as far as injuries...but not the Saints. Reggie Bush owners need to start shopping...
Hi Stephania, Can you give us a clue on the potential return of Stafford since Schwartz will not? NorCal Rules!
Stan: since i'm in the neighborhood (Menlo Park at this very moment...), you get the first question. I'm not sure Schwartz really can tell you. It's still early. It usually takes more than a week to get full motion back - or at least enough to get the arm overhead to throw) - then he has to get strength, then begin throwing, then throw hard...really is a daily progression and it can be as little as three to four weeks or as many as 6 to 8. Partially depends on how extensive the ligament damage is, then how quickly he heals. If I'm a fantasy owner I'm assuming four weeks to start.
Sorry about your 49'rs Steph, heck of a game! I just read that the Chargers will have no more updates on Ryan Matthews until Wednesday, why the secrecy? Do you think his injury may be worse than they are letting on?
Jason: Thanks for the sympathy...I don't think they're being secretive. They've actually already suggested that he will play this week, that the injury was not major and the evaluations showed no particular structural injury. But Weds is usually the first big practice day for teams, so until then they can't shed a lot of light on how a guy looks. I think that's the message. We want to see how Mathews looks in practice, but so far expect him to play.
Stephania, when do you think Sidney Rice will be back playing (and being productive) for the vikings? week 8, 9, 10? how long does it take for someone to get back up to speed with a hip injury like his once he's cleared to practice? I have him stashed on my bench but im not sure if i keep him there or drop him...Thanks!!!
Terrence: It's pretty clear the Vikings need him. He is now off crutches and he has projected that he would like to return by Week 8. But there's a long way to go between just getting off crutches and getting into football. I think Week 8 is a reasonable goal, but it presumes no setbacks and good healing. And then, I don't really expect him to be flying down the field. We talk about "game shape" all the time, so while he might be out there and contributing, I think it's hard to expect that he'll pick up where he left off. Depends on your needs. If space, go ahead and keep him. But if you need other help, I'd leave him for a couple weeks at least, watch how he's doing and get help where you need it.
I picked up Jason Snelling in the hopes of Turner being out for some time. I know how a groin injury can be more severe than first thought or linger for quit some time. How serious is Turner's injury? Thanks, my team needs the help.
Jay: turner's injury is not serious according to what the team is saying, but I say hang onto Snelling anyway. Last year Turner came back too soon from an injury and we saw how that turned out. Snelling has proven his value, Norwood could be done for the year - and if Turner has a setback, you will be glad you have him. The team is expecting Turner back this week, but I always like to see how the guy is running in practice before I get too confident.
Will it really take six weeks for Bush to return? I have lousy depth at RB. I placed him on the bench and brought up Fred Davis. My only other backup is Brian Westbrook!
Ryan: Not only do I think it takes 6 weeks, I think it could be more. I explain the whole injury in today's blog (coming soon, shameless plug) - but in short, the fracture needs to heal, and then he will have to get his ankle range of motion and strength back. For his style of play, this injury hampers him more than someone else. In the past, Bush has always taken a little longer than projected to get back, which I think is at the least influenced by both his position and the type of player he is. So make some new plans. You need to make a trade for a better RB option!
Stephie Bad News..terrible to watch our Niners go down like that. Anyways...was it a smart move for me to pick up Beanie Wells after a player dropped him after week 1? Will he be ok and will he get the starting nod this week?
Patrick: Yes, it was sad...especially when there was that glimmer of hope at the end!I don't know about "smart" to pick up Wells, I have said since he was drafted that I saw him as a high injury risk after his OSU days. That said, I think Whisenhunt's conservative approach is what pays off in the long run. Bone bruises are notoriously slow and as long as there is joint swelling, he will not play. Which is why there's still a question about this week. They want to see what he can do in practice this week. Whisenhunt essentially said he needs to show him he can practice (and not have swelling after) before he plays him. No guarantees for this Sunday.
Patrick: Yes, it was sad...especially when there was that glimmer of hope at the end!I don't know about "smart" to pick up Wells, I have said since he was drafted that I saw him as a high injury risk after his OSU days. That said, I think Whisenhunt's conservative approach is what pays off in the long run. Bone bruises are notoriously slow and as long as there is joint swelling, he will not play. Which is why there's still a question about this week. They want to see what he can do in practice this week. Whisenhunt essentially said he needs to show him he can practice (and not have swelling after) before he plays him. No guarantees for this Sunday.
Just got a trade proposal with Frank Gore and Steve Smith involved. Do they avoid injury through the whole season so they can have big years?
Adam: If only I could predict the future...but I will say this, I am concerned about Gore. Mostly because Gore is such an obvious target. He carries the ball a million times per game and opposing defenses KNOW he's going to do so, and they come after him. He does not avoid contact, he ends up on the bottom of piles (always an injury risk) and I have to admit to being concerned about whether he'll be able to hold up. But - other than exposure - there is nothing to suggest that either Gore or Smith is on the verge of injury
Is there a chance that Michael Bush will be out one more week? Who do you think gets the majority of the carries when he returns? McFadden or Bush?
Sean: It sounds like the Raiders think Bush could make his return this week. He has been steadily progressing but there has to be concern about contact too early after surgery (which is why I think he's not played yet). But now he might be cleared. If he does play, don't assume that Oakland throws him to the wolves off the bat. But as he progresses, he may steal more action from McFadden.
Brandon Jacobs has an injured ego apparently. He seems pretty worthless now, just drop him and try to get Tolbert or Snelling?
Matt: I would. Right now he's not showing fantasy value - and both of the other guys have more at this time.
OK, I'm gonna ask about old man Favre. Hows the ankle and can I play him against Detroit or should I go with Cutler on Monday against Green Bay's solid secondary
I just think Favre looks like he's aged ten years since last year. The ankle might be a big part of it, but I think he looks a step slower all around. And disappointed in his entire receiver corps - not to mention, I think the lack of practice before the season takes a toll. I wouldn't be playing Favre until proof that he can actually perform.
Stephie Bad News...not injury related, but why did Gore get benched for that goal-line TD score? That would have won me this week! Now i'm 0-2.
Matthew: he didn't. He pulled himself b/c he'd been in on 276 plays before that and needed to come out.
Wondering if there are any worries that Andre Johnson will be less productive w/ a lingering ankle injury all season or if it is a non issue?
Dan: The team is calling it a mild sprain and there were a couple of good signs. he came back into the game after the injury and he made a spectacular leaping catch after the injury. Kubiak is already saying that they expect him this weekend. Might be a little dinged up but I think he's already shown that he can perform despite the injury so not especially worried just yet.
Alright so I've got a trade in the works in my PPR league that would send my Pierre Thomas/Matt Forte (not both) and Mike Williams(TB) for his Miles Austin. My problem here is I can't make up my mind who to keep. I was going to stick with Forte but now that Reggie Bush is injured for a good chunk of time, do you think Thomas' value jumps high enough to hold onto him over Forte?
Alex: I definitely think Thomas' value jumps up. They've shown that he is the workhorse there - and I like Ivory as the next in line (he's still out with a MCL but I don't think for long). They will spell Thomas from time to time but he is the main guy who also catches passes out of the backfield - perhaps more so now with the Bush injury.
Starphania!!!! How's my boy Witten going to be this week? Is he going to play? Thanks!!!
Having trouble posting questions so just going to post an answer to one here. Witten suffered a concussion and a lot of folks saw him arguing his case trying to get back in the game. He was unsuccessful (expect to see more of that as the year goes on) but reports no headaches the day after and the news from the team so far is good. It will be important to see how he responds to exercising but at this stage looks like he could be back on the field this week.
Baseball!! Hi Star! Any good news on Mauer??? Thanks!!
Tyler: Well, knee still bothering him, getting an MRI. So far team sort of downplaying in the sense that there isn't great concern about a serious injury (yet), but I don't think they're returning him to the lineup anytime soon. They're really wanting him for the late stretch.
Stephie, Boston Globe just reported Kevin Faulk out rest of season with torn ACL.
Thanks for sharing the info with us here...Fred Taylor is still the main guy in New England as of this moment.
Is Hakeem Nicks ankle going to be a lingering problem, or is it something that will just be luck (or unluck) if it gets injured again?
Nicks made it sound like ankle feels fine. He's already said he expects to practice fully this entire week, something he couldn't do last week (we'll see if he does) but the fact he was able to play (and still score) last week tells me not to be too worried at this point. Prob slighter increased risk of aggravating it, but not something that would keep him out of my lineup.
Baseball playoffs! Is Coco Crisp likely to play or is he done for the year?
Jeremy: He may be done for the baseball year - he's definitely done for the fantasy playoff year.
Well, if you are Bad News, then I must say bad news never looked so good. Any insight into Portis' wrist?
Oh Josh...flattery gets you everywhere...but unfortunately not much light to shed on this one. We all know that Portis didn't have much to say last week once he got reprimanded for talking about, ahem, something other than football specificall...so we didn't learn much from him. Team couldn"t have been too concerned since he practiced everyday. Of course then he had ice on it later in the game Sunday, but he had also scored a pair of TDs...so while it may have been bothering him, didn't seem to be affecting him. Other than those observations, need to see what he does this week in practice.
Hi Stephania can you give us the news with Revis and his strained hammy? Will he be affected by it all season?
Joe: This is one of those situations where the answer likely depends on whether he allows it to heal enough before returning. Clearly it was not ready for this week's game. Revis has now said he will not return before it's ready, but the problem is that there's no way to really test a hamstring at game speed until you're in the game. He expects he could miss a week or two - I think that's very likely. If he's back for a few consecutive weeks without incident, probably safe to say it's behind him. But no way to truly evaluate it until he tests it.
Any news on Josh Hamilton? Need him for the playoffs!
Ronnie: Wouldn't count on it at all. The rib situation (fractures) tells you that it's going to be harder to return. Even if he does try to press through it, I think his power will be affected just from the presence of the pain. I'm not optimistic here.
Is Steve Smith good to go on Sunday or is there any reason for concern?
Merrill: He said the wrist was sore - and it brought back some bad memories (so he must have been concerned about a fracture) - but tests were negative so I suspect he will be active this week, but would not be surprised if they limit him in practice to allow the wrist some recovery.
OK everyone - time for me to exit the chat room. Thanks so much for coming - great questions as always giving me some food for thought as the week continues.Blogs to come throughout the week...podcast will post today with myself, TMR and Mr. Michael Smith. Follow along on Twitter @ Stephania_ESPN for updates when I get them. Have a great week!!