NFL Injury Buzz: Latest on Jahvid Best, James Harrison and More

As the NFL rolls into the second week of the preseason, a number of high-profile injuries continue to dot the league's landscape. Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison highlight the list.

Having said that, a number of high-profile recoveries are also well underway.

In the following slides, we break down the injuries and recoveries as Week 2 of the NFL preseason kicks off on Thursday night.  

Jahvid Best, Lions

Sidelined since October of 2011 after a string of concussions, Best is reportedly a likely candidate to begin the 2012 season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted the news Wednesday.

"Lions RB Jahvid Best is likely to start this season on physically unable to perform list, which would sideline him at least first six games," Schefter said.

Best has suffered through a long history of concussions, including a significant head injury in his final year at Cal that kept him off some draft boards. He suffered another concussion last October, and he hasn't been back on the practice field since. 

News that he'll now miss at least the first six weeks of the 2012 season without another head injury factoring in is a worrisome development. One has to wonder if Best will eventually hit a point when trying to get back on the field isn't worth the risk.

James Harrison, Steelers

Harrison underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Wednesday, and it's possible the Steelers linebacker will miss the entire preseason and begin the regular season on the PUP list. 

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported the knee scope.

Harrison has yet to practice during Steelers training camp because of some irritation behind his knee cap that caused extensive swelling, according to the Beaver County Times. Harrison hopes the scope will clean up the issue before the regular season begins. 

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told the Post-Gazette that he's confident Harrison will be back for Week 1. 

"Shouldn't be long," Tomlin said. "We'll see when we get him back here and start the process of working him back."

If Harrison's return is slowed, the Steelers may be forced to put him on the PUP list. He would miss the first six games in that scenario. However, Pittsburgh was 4-0 in games missed by Harrison last season. 

Adrian Peterson, Vikings

Peterson is just over seven months removed from reconstructive knee surgery, but the Vikings felt comfortable enough with his recovery that he was removed from the preseason PUP list earlier this week. 

Minnesota is now trying to pinpoint when it wants to allow Peterson to be involved in contact drills and later preseason action. 

According to Judd Zulgad of ESPN 1500 in Minneapolis, the Vikings' third preseason game could be the starting point: 

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Given how things are playing out, it would not be surprising if Peterson saw limited action and took contact on the knee for the first time in the Vikings' third preseason game on Aug. 24 against San Diego at the Metrodome.

"

Peterson has donned the red "no-contact" jersey since returning to practice. It's possible that color could be replaced with purple as soon as next week, according to Vikings coach Leslie Frazier. 

"It depends on how he is feeling and where he is," Frazier told ESPN 1500's Tom Pelissero this week. 

Considering how quickly Peterson has rebounded so far, no barrier appears too high to jump over.

Kenny Britt, Titans

Britt has had a difficult offseason, and injuries are just one part of it. However, it appears he's slowly making his way back on that front. 

According the Titans official website, Britt was running routes on the practice field on Wednesday. 

From Titans coach Mike Munchak:

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He’s doing routes now and catching balls. He obviously can’t be in with us on the offensive side of the ball until he’s off PUP, but he’s progressing. He’s doing more and more every day with us, and his knees have been holding up well.

"

When asked when he would be back, Britt responded, "Sooner than you think."

While a suspension is still likely on the horizon for Britt, his knees appear to be healing on schedule. 

Hakeem Nicks, Giants

Nicks returned earlier than expected after being out with a broken foot. The Giants removed their star receiver from the preseason PUP list on Monday afternoon. Now, Nicks has a decent shot at playing this preseason before the Giants kick off the regular season against the Cowboys in early September. 

Nicks is still planning his recovery with an eye toward Week 1 (via Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News):

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This is an indication that we’re right where we should be. We're on schedule. There have been no setbacks. Thank the Lord for that. I’m just going to take it one step at a time and be out there catching passes from Eli (Manning) and eventually getting our timing back. (My foot) feels good. I know it’s probably going to take me getting over it within my head, but that’s going to come with more reps on it and getting those routes down and getting the timing back.

"

Barring an unforeseen setback, plan on Nicks being close to 100 percent for the start of the regular season. 

Miles Austin, Cowboys

The Cowboys are being very cautious with Austin, who suffered his fourth hamstring injury over the past year early in training camp. 

The hope is that Austin can return for the Cowboys' third preseason game on August 25. However, head coach Jason Garrett insists the team won't rush him back (via Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas):

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He’s made some progress. He did some striders (Tuesday), was out there on the walkthrough. He’s inching along, but we’ve got to make sure all of those guys are right before we force them back into practice prematurely.

"

Keep an eye on Austin as he returns. Hamstrings can linger, and as Austin has proved, are a strong candidate for re-injury. 

Jason Witten, Cowboys

Witten suffered a lacerated spleen during the Cowboys' 3-0 win over the Oakland Raiders to kick off the preseason. The Cowboys' Pro Bowl tight end took a vicious hit from Rolando McClain on a short reception that caused the problem.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reported that the spleen injury will keep Witten out for the remainder of the preseason, and possibly beyond. 

Back in 2008, former Packers cornerback Al Harris suffered a similar spleen injury, and he didn't return for almost two months. Witten will be re-evaluated in a week or so, but don't expect him to make a quick return. 

Other Updates

Latest Developments:

- Ryan Mathews says he'll be ready for Week 1

- Jermaine Gresham left the Bengals' preseason game against the Falcons with a knee injury Thursday night.

- Bengals' rookie LB Vontaze Burfict also left the game with a head injury.