NFL Injury Updates: Cards LB Paris Lenon Out With 'Sore Tailbone'

The Arizona Cardinals announced today that linebacker Paris Lenon missed practice today with what was describe as a "sore tailbone".

According to Kent Somers, he's expected to play Sunday when the Cardinals face the Chargers in San Diego.

But is he really?

Given the Cardinals recent history of "downplaying" injuries can we really take this report from the team at face value? For all we know, Lenon's ass is completely broke.

We sincerely apologize for the "broke-ass" comment but honestly, we had to go there.

XTRA Sports 910’s Mike Jurecki is reporting that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston had knee surgery today for a torn meniscus (sound familiar?) and will miss the next couple of games.

So, let’s see … Larry Fitzgerald is still hobbled by his knee, Early Doucet is still recovering from his sports hernia surgery, and now Steve Breaston is down for a couple of weeks. The entire starting receiving corps for the Cards is ailing.

That means undrafted rookie Stephen Williams will be the #2 receiver against the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints. Welcome to the fire, Stephen!

And so the truth begins to come out. Though most fans suspected that Chris "Beanie" Wells' bruised knee was more than was being leaked out, the Arizona Cardinals stuck to their story, until today.

The Arizona Republic's Kent Somers tweets that Wells was actually suffering from a torn meniscus and had undergone surgery to repair it.

"I had my knee scoped," Wells said. "I had to take some time off and I'm back from it. It was a torn meniscus."

The NFL is notoriously cloak-and-dagger when it comes to injury reports and this is yet another example of such tomfoolery.

Beanie Wells practiced in pads for the first time in weeks yesterday, but still didn't participate in any team activity, which makes you wonder what the pads were for if he's not taking any hits? Conditioning, one would imagine, and perhaps hitting of tackling dummies. 

Wells is suffering from a mysteriously named "bruised knee" and is hopeful he will finally get to play this Sunday against the Oakland Raiders in the Cardinal's home opener.

"I didn't do team (part of practice) just because they didn't want to pound on me too much, but we plan to increase a bit more each day," Wells told reporters after practice.

"It seems like it's a broken record now," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We're saying the same thing (as last week), but I think he'll do a lot more in practice (Thursday) if there's not any swelling or reaction to what he did today. He did more today than he's ever done (the past few weeks). I expect him to be more integrated into practice (Thursday) if we don't have a setback."

Early Doucet had his sports hernia repaired (for full description see this) last week. He's up to walking now, which, like all of mankind before him, will be followed by running. He hopes to play on October 24 against the Seahawks, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.

It has been reported by a handful of outlets now that Early Doucet will indeed undergo surgery for a sports hernia.

The timetable for recovery has been placed at three to six weeks.

In the meantime, it is expected that undrafted rookie and camp standout Stephen Williams will step into the three spot, followed by rookie Andre Roberts and Max Komar.

With the issue of punt/kick returning still up unresolved, Doucet’s absence will likely prevent Breaston from returning to the role to avoid opportunities for further injury among the top receivers.

The Arizona Cardinals, along with multiple local media outlets, are reporting that wide receiver Early Doucet is sidelined with what’s described as a possible sports hernia.

Running back Beanie Wells, who missed Game 1 of the season with a sore knee, was limited in practice today and will be tested on Thursday to see if he’s cleared to play this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

No word yet on how much time Doucet could miss.

Kent Somer's reports that RB Beanie Wells' knee injury may be still be lingering. Beanie hasn't practiced for a week because of the injury. Wells' status is uncertain for Sunday's game in St. Louis.

RB Jason Wright is also questionable because of turf toe, though it is likely that he will play.

WR Larry Fitzgerald has been cleared to start Sunday's game. He sat out the last three preseason games with a MCL sprain.

It is not clear when the injury occurred, but Arizona Cardinals fine punt and kick returner (and back up running back) LaRod Stephens-Howling is reportedly suffering from a concussion according to Kent Sommers of the Arizona Republic and Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.

No word yet on how much time Stephens-Howling will miss, especially now with the NFL's new attention to head injuries.