Doc Talk: A look at NFL Week 11 injuries

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

Bengals WR A.J. Green (knee)

Jock to Doc take: Green was sidelined during last Sunday's loss to the Steelers because of a hyperextended knee. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora has stated "it's not looking great" for Green to play against the Ravens. Although I can't say for sure he won't be on the field Sunday, this knee injury likely will slow him down and cause him to be much less of a weapon than he usually is. I would bench him this week if he were on my fantasy roster.

Health rating: Green, 55 percent

Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns

Browns RB Peyton Hillis (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: The Browns RB has been out with an injured hamstring for weeks, and a timetable for his return has not been given. When coach Pat Shurmur was asked about it, he said "it's hard to say" when Hillis will return to practice, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. I don't expect to see him this week, but I do think he'll start practicing again sometime soon.

Health rating: Hillis, 20 percent

Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions

Lions RB Jahvid Best (concussion)

Jock to Doc take: The Lions' starting RB has not been cleared to practice yet, but he is progressing. "I'll just say this with Jahvid, he is improving," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Thursday. Best has yet to be cleared for any type of physical activity and will remain out until the doctors clear him to practice and play.

Health rating: Best, 10 percent

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers

Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman (thumb)

Jock to Doc take: Freeman practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday after struggling with a thumb injury. He'll be on the field Sunday in Green Bay, but one can't help but think this injury may be a factor in his mediocre play this season. After a blowout loss to Houston last week, Freeman and Tampa Bay need to make some serious changes if they want to compete with a very good Green Bay team.

Health rating: Freeman, 70 percent

Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (foot)

Jock to Doc take: McFadden is listed as "doubtful" for Sunday's game in Minnesota, and Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times in California reported that he can't imagine McFadden playing Sunday. Oakland's best bet is to bench its premier offensive weapon this week and save him for the end of the season and possibly the playoffs. I definitely would bench McFadden if he were on my roster.

Health rating: McFadden, 50 percent

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Austin's listed as doubtful this week against the Redskins and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, according to the Dallas Morning News. He most likely will miss Sunday's game in Washington so that Dallas can save him for their potential playoff run. I don't expect him to play one down this week.

Health rating: Austin, 45 percent

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers

49ers RB Frank Gore (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Gore is expected to start against the Cardinals on Sunday, CSN Bay Area reports. Gore noted that his absence from practice Wednesday was a coach's decision that was related to him getting rest. Although he most likely will be the starter Sunday, he'll be banged up for the game and likely won't be at full strength.

Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb (toe)

Jock to Doc take: Kolb's turf toe, or the painful swelling of his right big toe, likely will keep him out of Sunday's game. He was back on the field Wednesday and Thursday, but was severely limited, and AZCardinals.com's Darren Urban reported that he's "a little ways away from playing." Backup John Skelton likely will start Sunday against a tough 49ers defense.

Health rating: Gore, 75 percent

Health rating: Kolb, 45 percent

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins

Bills WR Steve Johnson (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: Johnson did not practice Wednesday, and despite returning Thursday, he left early for treatment. He remains questionable, but I think he will play go — though his shoulder will affect his play.

Health rating: Johnson, 70 percent

Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams

Rams QB Sam Bradford (ankle)

Jock to Doc take: Bradford practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday and is expected to start Sunday against Seattle. Because of his lack of play, however, I don't expect him to get much going against the Seahawks. So, if he's your fantasy quarterback, I'd keep that in mind.

Health rating: Bradford, 80 percent

Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons

Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring)

Jock to Doc take: Jones' hamstring injury suffered last week against the Saints likely will keep him from playing this Sunday. Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network explained that his chances are "not looking great." He didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, and he'd be on the bench this week if he were on my roster.

Health rating: Jones, 50 percent

San Diego Chargers at Chicago Bears

Bears RB Matt Forte (shoulder)

Jock to Doc take: Forte was limited during both Wednesday's and Thursday's practice because of an ailing shoulder, but he most likely will start Sunday against the Chargers. He's day-to-day with this shoulder injury, and we won't know for sure how well he'll perform with this injury until he's running against the Chargers defense. He'd still be in my starting lineup were he on my fantasy team.

Health rating: Forte, 70 percent

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

Eagles QB Michael Vick (ribs)

Jock to Doc take: Vick didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. He's listed as questionable, and will most likely be a game-time decision. Backups Vince Young and Mike Kafka have been splitting practice reps all week.

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot)

Jock to Doc take: The Giants' starting RB hasn't ruled himself out for Sunday's game against Philadelphia, but it's likely Brandon Jacobs will start for the Giants and carry the rushing reins for the team. I'd sit Bradshaw this week.

Health rating: Vick, 60 percent
Health rating: Bradshaw, 55 percent

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots

Chiefs QB Matt Cassel (hand)

Jock to Doc take: Cassel left the stadium with his hand wrapped after the team's loss to the Broncos last Sunday, and he had surgery on his right hand Monday, The Kansas City Star reported. No timetable has been given on his return, but he's out indefinitely.

Health rating: Cassel, 0 percent

Health ratings: What do the numbers mean?

100-85 percent = NFL players are tough and, despite injuries, still perform at a high level. Let's be honest, when is an NFL athlete really physically 100 percent ... practically never. With a rating in this range, expect players to perform at peak levels.

70-85 = In this range, players' performances will be affected, but they can still get the job done.

55-70 = Players with a rating this low will require assistance to do their jobs. The team might be better served by placing these warriors on the inactive list. Only some All-Pros can get the job done when rated this poorly.

40-55 = These players need more time to heal. Unlikely to be active unless miraculous healing occurs or my rating was based on erroneous information.

25-40 = Players will not play but show signs of recovery, opening the door for a return to the active roster the following week.

0-25 = Players will not play, and there is concern that additional games may be missed.