NFL Week 11 injury roundup: Key actives/inactives
Santonio Holmes will see the field for the first time since Sept. 29. (Al Pereira/Getty Images)
In the NFL’s constant war of attrition, injuries can decide games, seasons and a whole lot of futures. Here’s who will give it a shot, and who will not, as we head into Week 11 of the 2013 season:
Active
Percy Harvin, WR, Seattle Seahawks (hip): The Seahawks traded a first-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for the services of Harvin, who suffered a hip injury on the first day of training camp and has not played a down for Seattle to date. But he was able to practice with no limitations late in the week, and on Friday, head coach Pete Carroll said that Harvin was "in the probable category." Look for the Seahawks to package about 10-15 plays with Harvin on the field as they face those very same Vikings.
Ed Reed, S, New York Jets: Reed won't just be the lineup for the Jets, who acquired him on Nov. 14 after the Houston Texans released him -- he will start at free safety alongside Dawan Landry. Reed has experience with Rex Ryan and defensive coordiantor Dennis Thurman from their days together in Baltimore, and the recent demotion of Antonio Allen made this move more likely.
Santonio Holmes, WR, New York Jets (hamstring): Holmes will be active for the first time since Week 4, when he developed a hamstring issue. Rex Ryan said this week that Holmes will be on a pitch count -- “We’re not going to put him out there for 80 snaps," the coach said. "But does he look good to me? He absolutely looks good to me."
Harry Douglas, WR, Atlanta Falcons (knee): White should see a lot of Darrelle Revis when the Falcons face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which makes the participation of Douglas and tight end Tony Gonzalez crucial to Atlanta's success. Douglas, who has enjoyed a bit of a breakout month in White's stead, missed Thursday's practice with a knee injury but had limited participation on Friday.
Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints (foot/elbow): Graham has been on a snap count over the last three weeks, but was ridiculously productive in his first two games back from the foot injury he suffered against the New England Patriots on Oct. 13. He caught just five passes for 59 yards in last Sunday's thrashing of the Dallas Cowboys, but Graham said this week that the relatively limited snap count had nothing to do with any setbacks.
Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons (toe): Gonzalez was limited in practice with a toe injury this week, but he'll continue a streak of consecutive games played that goes back to 2006. However, the Falcons will surely want to see more production from their veteran target -- he has just one touchdown in his last five games.
Inactive
Terrelle Pryor, QB, Oakland Raiders (knee): The Raiders will hold Pryor out against the Houston Texans due to a right knee sprain, with Matt McGloin taking his place. The Raiders have signed Tyler Wilson from the practice squad to add depth. There may be more to this story over time, as reports continue to come out of the Bay Area that the Raiders aren't convinced Pryor is their quarterback of the future. According to the NFL Network's Mike Silver, McGloin, the man some Raiders sources compare to a "poor man's Jeff Garcia," could grab an inside track to the starting job if he performs well in Houston.
Mike Pouncey, C, Miami Dolphins (kidney/gallbladder): Pouncey checked himself into a Miami hospital with kidney and gallbladder issues and will not play against the San Diego Chargers. With Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito already out for reasons well-discussed, Miami will have to face San Diego's defense with just two of their five starting offensive linemen from the start of the season. Nate Garner, who subbed for Incognito on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, could move inside if Sam Brenner or David Arkin don't take that role.
Haloti Ngata, NT, Baltimore Ravens (knee): Ngata played through the knee injury he had early in last Sunday's win over the Bengals, but we won't go against the Chicago Bears. It's a big loss against a Chicago offense that will likely lead with the running game with backup quarterback Josh McCown replacing Jay Cutler.
Kareem Jackson, CB, Houston Texans (chest):