Having a week off has done little to restore the Falcons’ skill position injury situation. In fact, the Falcons could be in worse shape because it appears Roddy White probably isn’t going to play against the Buccaneers.
White has been hampered by a high ankle sprain that has rendered him practically useless. He also is bothered by a hamstring injury. Since Julio Jones is lost for the season, the Falcons’ No. 1 wide receiver becomes Harry Douglas, who has always been a fantasy disappointment whenever a daring owner actually picked him out of the free agent pool.
The hope that Steven Jackson could return from his hamstring injury following the bye appears to be dashed, too. Don’t look for Jackson to be back this week. Jackson is 30, which for a running back means he’s eligible for social security.
The news in Buffalo for the Bills is better. Thad Lewis, C.J. Spiller and Stevie Johnson are all banged-up, but all should play against the Dolphins. The best thing about Lewis starting from a Bills perspective is it keeps Matt Flynn off the field.
On the quarterback front, look for Nick Foles to get his second straight start as Michael Vick is not 100 percent from his pulled hamstring of two weeks ago. If Foles plays well against Dallas, it’s conceivable he will keep the starting position regardless of Vick’s health.
Matt Schaub sat out practice on Wednesday with foot and ankle injuries. Schaub has been absolutely brutal, perhaps being solely responsible for the Texans failing to cover a game this season. But backups T.J. Yates and Case Keenum aren’t upgrades.
A defensive injury to watch is Colts strong safety LaRon Landry. He’s been in-and-out with an ankle injury. Right now it appears Landry will play against Denver, which upgrades Indianapolis’ run defense.
Those who drafted Danny Amendola fairly high in their drafts will never do it again. The guy is just way too injury prone. His latest injury is a concussion, which probably is going to sideline him for at least this week leaving Tom Brady with his motley collection of Julian Edelman, Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson as his wide receiving targets.
As for Rob Gronkowski, why even ask. The U.S. government has been more forthcoming about the Kennedy assassination than Bill Belichick has about Gronkowski’s status.
