Hi Folks,

Here's the Injury Report from this weekend's games looking toward the second round of the playoffs. I hope it's good as the first round was!

Joe

Quarterbacks

There were no new injuries of note among the QBs to report on teams advancing after this past weekend's games. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger (sore ribs) and Atlanta's Michael Vick (numbness in throwing hand in season finale linked to a shoulder problem, also has a sore pinkie finger on that left hand) are both expected to be ready to play for their teams in the upcoming games.

Running Backs

Minnesota's Moe Williams injured his right ankle during the game on Sunday. He had to be assisted off the field after the injury, and was on crutches after the game. The team will evaluate his injury further as the week goes along, but initial indications are that Williams is out for the game vs. Philadelphia – the injury is described as "a severely sprained ankle".

St. Louis' Arlen Harris hamstring injury kept him on the sidelines and inactive during the Wild Card playoff game (he was listed as doubtful on Friday). Steven Jackson suffered bruised ribs during the game and was limited after being hurt. He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along – coach Martz characterized Jackson's injury as "very painful" after the game.

Wide Receivers

Minnesota's WR/KR Kelly Campbell sprained his right shoulder in the season finale – he played in a limited role on Sunday, with 1/12/0 to his credit. Randy Moss played through an ankle injury to snag 4/70/2, but ended up on thee sidelines at the end of the game due to his gimpy ankle. He was limping badly after the game. He'll be evaluated further as the week goes along.

New York Jets' WR Wayne Chrebet suffered a mild concussion during the final regular season game, and was sidelined for the first playoff game as a result of his injury. Chrebet is considered "probable" for this week's showdown vs. Pittsburgh. Coach Herman Edwards also admitted after the game that Santana Moss injured a hamstring in practice on Wednesday last week, limiting Moss in practice on Thursday "I just kept him out for the most part." Edwards said – but the injury was not reported on the team's injury report.

Philadelphia's Terrell Owens (broken ankle) is not expected to be available for the game vs. Minnesota. He continues to rehab his injury, with a possible Super-Bowl appearance being the current target for his return to the field (considering the rehab time-frame for this injury).

Pittsburgh's Plaxico Burress was inactive for the season finale, as expected (hamstring, questionable) – the Steelers rested him in anticipation of the playoffs.

Tight Ends

Atlanta's TE Alge Crumpler (injured knee, torn PCL) expects to play in the team's game vs. St. Louis, despite his injury. Keep a close eye on his practice status as the week progresses, as Crumpler is Vick's most reliable target in the passing game.

New England's Daniel Graham (rib injury) missed the season finale, but has enjoyed a bye week which may help him get back on the field this week. The Patriots are being their usual tight-lipped selves regarding reporting players' condition before the official Wednesday injury report is released.

Philadelphia's TE Chad Lewis missed the season finale due to a triceps injury. TE L.J. Smith has struggled to play through a nagging back injury, which he aggravated during the season finale – both players are expected to be ready to go vs. Minnesota, according to reports out of Philadelphia on Monday.

Offensive Lineman

St. Louis' G Tom Nutten re-injured his sprained left knee late in the game on Saturday – he finally collapsed in pain and left to be replaced by Larry Turner on the game-winning TD drive. Nutten will be evaluated as the week goes along – the knee is seriously injured (one ligament is actually torn, according to some reports) and Nutten requires a brace in order to play at all. He's managed to "gut it out" for many weeks now – at this point, it's a question of how much pain Nutten can endure, because the knee isn't getting better until it is rested/treated.

Defensive Lineman

Atlanta's DT Ed Jasper (broken left hand/wrist injury) had his cast removed two weeks ago to help swelling from the injury subside – he's been sidelined 4 games, and still has a broken bone in the hand, but had the cast removed anyway – he spent last week's Thursday practice "testing" his stances despite the injury. He's also expected to have off-season surgery to repair ligament damage to his hand from the week 12 game vs. Tampa Bay (fingers were bent back, damaging connective tissue). Even if he plays, Jasper won't be at 100%, obviously.

Indianapolis' DE Robert Mathis suffered a sprained knee in the game on Sunday – the severity of the injury isn't currently known. Mathis will be evaluated further as the week progresses.

Minnesota's DT Spencer Johnson suffered a calf injury during the game on Sunday – he'll be evaluated further later this week.

New England's DE Richard Seymour (injured left knee, probably a MCL sprain, but no confirmation from the Patriots on the exact nature of the injury) is still iffy to play in this week's game vs. Indianapolis, according to reports out of New England on Monday.

New York Jets' DE John Abraham was unable to play on Saturday due to his injured knee – a sprained LCL in his right knee – and although the team is planning on listing him as "probable" this week, indications are that he may not play vs. Pittsburgh. According to coach Edwards: "He doesn't have to have surgery on it. What we don't want to do is have a setback on it where he has to have surgery. He has a significant injury."

Philadelphia's DE Derrick Burgess (sternal separation) and DT Hollis Thomas (elbow injury) missed the final regular season game. After viewing the Viking's victory on Sunday, Thomas remarked to members of the Philadelphia media "…how we come out will be very important… (coming out flat) is always a possibility. We just can't let it happen." Reports out of Philadelphia on Monday indicated the Eagles expect both players to be ready to play vs. Minnesota this week.

St. Louis' DE Tyoka Jackson was sidelined on Saturday due to his injured ankle, while fellow DE Leonard Little played but was limited by his sore groin (Both were listed as questionable on Friday's injury report).

Linebackers

Indianapolis' Gilbert Gardner (shoulder, out) missed the game on Sunday, while Rob Morris (pinched nerve in neck) was forced from the game due to a pinched nerve in his neck. Morris suffered a concussion 2 weeks ago – his head and neck are pretty beat up after recent weeks. After the victory over Denver, Morris asserted that he'd be fine for the next game vs. New England.

Minnesota's Mike Nattiel suffered a sprained right knee in the game on Sunday – the severity of the injury isn't currently known, and Nattiel will be evaluated further later this week.

New England's Matt Chatham (hamstring injury) missed the season's final game for the Patriots.

New York Jets' LB Kenyatta Wright (ankle/foot, probable) continues to be nagged by his injury – he played this week, though.

Philadelphia's LB Nate Wayne (hamstring injury) was active but did not play in the Eagles' season finale. LB Mark Simoneau suffered an ankle injury during the game. After a bye week of rest, the team hopes both players will be available vs. Minnesota.

Pittsburgh's LBs Clark Haggans (groin injury) and Kendrell Bell (groin injury) were both inactive for the team's season finale due to their injuries. Both players have missed multiple games due to their injuries.

Defensive Backs

Atlanta's FS Cory Hall spent the bye week trying to recover from a concussion and the after-effects there (from the Athens Banner-Herald on 1/7/04) "Up until today, I've had the shades drawn, and I haven't even been downstairs. All my food's been brought to me. I couldn't watch TV or stare at anything with light. It was like uncontrollable claustrophobia." Hall failed his concussion test last Monday due to shaky vision, according to the report.

Minnesota's CB Brian Williams suffered from leg cramps during the game – he suffered food poisoning earlier in the week, and was dehydrated due to the illness (which led to the cramps). He's expected to be fine for the next game vs. Philadelphia. Antoine Winfield reported that his rehabbed ankle held up well during the game – he feels great according to all reports out of Minnesota. SS Corey Chavous missed the game due to his broken arm, as expected.

New England's Ss Dexter Reid (shoulder injury) and Eugene Wilson (thigh injury) were hurting heading into the team's bye week – meanwhile, CB Ty Law (broken foot) landed on IR during the bye-week, ending the Patriot's hopes that Law could play during the playoff run. He joins CB Tyrone Poole (knee injury) on IR.

Philadelphia's CB Lito Sheppard (quadriceps) and S Quintin Mikell (shoulder) were both injured to close regular season and missed the Eagles' final game.

Pittsburgh's CB Deshea Townsend (broken hand) missed the season finale for the Steelers, as expected.