This weekend's NFL injury report features a number of key players, with the status of Bears QB Jay Cutler (groin) most prominent among a number of players whose availability is in doubt. Here are some key injuries, and their impact, for Week 10.
Quarterbacks
Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears, groin
CHI (5-3) vs. DET (5-3), 1:00 p.m.
Keepers Week 10
Cutler appears to be on track to start this afternoon against the Lions despite suffering a tear to the groin muscle in Week 7 against the Redskins. The Chicago QB was initially expected to miss four weeks at a minimum but has made a speedy recovery, was cleared to return this past Thursday and has had no issues in practice. The Bears benefitted last week from a solid performance from backup Josh McCown against Green Bay, and if for some reason Cutler suffers a setback, the team would be in good hands when they face Detroit.
Running backs
Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals, ribs
CIN (6-3) @ BAL (3-5), 1:00 p.m.
The Bengals' rookie RB has been practicing on a limited basis this week due to bruised ribs he suffered in the team's Week 9 loss to Miami. The most significant issue with rib injuries is pain management, and players often wear protective jackets during the game to lessen the effect of hits to the affected area. BenJarvus Green-Ellis would get an even larger share of the carries this week if Bernard is unable to withstand his usual workload.
Trent Richardson, Indianapolis Colts, ankle
IND (6-2) vs. StL (3-6), 1:00 p.m.
Richardson was added to the Colts injury this week with an ankle injury and missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Despite experiencing some swelling in the joint, he returned on Friday but remains listed as questionable on the team's official injury list. That said, it appears likely Richardson will suit up today against the Rams, with backup Donald Brown waiting in the wings.
Wide receivers
Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints, knee
NO (6-2) vs. DAL (5-4), 8:30 p.m.
Colston has been practicing on a limited basis all week with a knee injury that kept him out of last week's loss to the New York Jets and is listed as questionable for tonight's contest against Dallas. With the emergence of rookie Kenny Stills as a legitimate playmaker in Sean Payton's offense, Colston's impact has been diminished this season, and his effectiveness today is in question even if he is able to suit up.
Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons, hamstring
ATL (2-6) vs SEA (8-1), 1:00 p.m.
White missed the past threeweeks due to a hamstring injury, and this follows a high ankle sprain that he had played through earlier in the season. He was back on the practice field this week, although doing limited work, and is questionable for today's matchup with Seattle. With Julio Jones already out for the season, the slumping Falcons could badly use White on the field this afternoon, and he will be a game-time decision.
Tight ends
Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals, groin
CIN (6-3) @ BAL (3-5), 1pm
Gresham suffered a groin injury in last week's game with Miami and has missed all team practices since Wednesday. Groin injuries are notoriously slow to heal and prone to reinjury if the player returns to action without having completely healed, so it is possible that rookie TE Tyler Eifert will see more playing time than usual when the Bengals take the field this afternoon against Baltimore.
More from SB Nation NFL
• Vikings win but lose Ponder | RG3 shines in Washington's loss
• Keepers: How to replace Aaron Rodgers, Jamaal Charles and more
• NFL Week 10 picks: Hazing your way to victory
• Celebrity Hot Tub: The road to 0-16 | Uffsides: Week 10 previews
• Breaking Madden: One team, 46 guys named Johnson | More