Highlights From CBS Sports' THE NFL TODAY

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NFL-20120924

THE NFL TODAY's medical consultant Dr. Neal ElAttrache appeared for the first time talking about the injuries of Denver's Peyton Manning, the New York Jets' Darrelle Revis and New England's Aaron Hernandez.

J Ames Brown: After watching Peyton Manning open up with three first-quarter picks on Monday night, there's been a lot of speculation about whether the INTs had anything to do with injuries or poor decision making. Doctor, in your opinion, where is Peyton Manning in terms of his recovery.

DR. NEAL ELATTRACHE: It takes nerve injuries about a year and a half to two years to fully recover. His overall measurable arm strength and arm velocity may be close to a hundred percent. But the small nerve fibers that control the fine?tuned, neuromuscular coordination for accurate throwing have to heal as well. In other words, the computer has to reboot for them to find their arm perfectly again. The good news is we see this type of recovery happen quicker and to more complete degree in the elite athlete. So look out. With every throw, he's rebooting, and he should continue to improve as the season progresses.

DAN MARINO: He's going to have to prove that. There is no doubt. I watched the game film, Boomer, and Peyton Manning would sit here and tell you it was decision making. He tried to force some balls in there and might have floated a little bit. But overall, the thing you said, he didn't hang his head. After three receptions, he was right back in there. Coaching his guys up, back on the field and had a chance to win the game in the end. Peyton Manning is going to be fine.

JB: Darrelle Revis will start against the Dolphins today after suffering a concussion and sitting out last week's game in Pittsburgh. Doc, is Revis more susceptible to another concussion?

NE: Statistically you are more susceptible with every concussion. However, just like he sat out last week's game, there are specific rules with regard to return to play. The NFL has been very, very careful and put a lot of time and effort into making sure that these guys don't go back until they can objectively return to their normal cognitive function. So he'll be watched closely. There will be people watching this on every play. But he wouldn't be back there unless he is returned to a level of cognitive function that would minimize his risk for recurrent concussion.

JB: One of the premier tight ends in the league, the Patriots Aaron Hernandez suffered a high ankle sprain last Sunday. How long will he be out? And how does this injury differ from a regular ankle sprain?

NE: We'll see if we can get this to show here (demonstrating on a medical model of an ankle). A regular ankle sprain involves the lower ligaments of the outer bones of the ankle to the keystone bone of the ankle. So there is inherent stability because of the geometry of that. However, a high ankle sprain tears the ligaments that connect the two bones of the lower leg, the fibula and tibia. So whenever you plant and rotate, those two bones play a part. And that takes a lot longer to heal. To accelerate out of a cut with rotational force, these guys feel a sensation of discomfort, slipping and instability that takes longer to heal. This is why it takes these about six to eight weeks to recover for that kind of a position that he plays rather than a low ankle sprain.

BOOMER: I'm not sure about all that stuff, all I know is that it hurts like heck. And it's going to hurt him without question. This is where Wes Welker now has to kind of get himself re-involved in this offense. He's been obviously ?? I wouldn't say missing. He had a decent game last week.

QUICK HITS

(On Replacement Referees)

SHANNON SHARPE: They're killing the tempo and the flow of the game, Coach, because they go to the sidelines every single call. Okay, did we make the right call or did we get the right down and distance?

BILL COWHER: The numbers are the same, but you're right. The inconsistencies are what is creating the frustration. In terms of the length of the game, it is getting longer. But I would rather them get it right and take longer time than to get the thing wrong.

(On Kansas City-New Orleans)
DAN DIERDORF: Let's be realistic, I don't think a team in the history of this league has had to go through what the Saints have had to go through, the allegations, the lawsuits, the suspensions from the field to the administrative building. It's been tumultuous. As the interim to the interim head coach Aaron Cromer told us, "Hey, here in New Orleans, unfortunately, distractions are the new norm"…There is an air of desperation here in New Orleans. The loser of this game is going to a dark place.

"INSIDE THE NFL" WITH JASON LA CANFORA

(On More Games in London)
LaCANFORA: The NFL is set to announce a second game in London as soon as next month's league meeting. The Vikings are in line to host that game. Minnesota has expressed a desire to host multiple games in London moving forward while their stadium is being constructed. So look out for that. We'll also find out the three finalists to host Super Bowl 50.

Indianapolis' Andrew Luck and Washington's Robert Griffin III seem destined to be linked as rivals and will be compared to each other throughout their careers. THE NFL TODAY sat down with the two rookie quarterbacks to discuss dealing with the pressure of high expectations.