NOTE: This column is a living document. I'll be updating as needed after team press conferences, imaging reports, Monday Night Football injuries, etc. Major changes to the content will be noted in red. I'll also be retweeting any key pieces of news and my own reaction and analysis, so make sure you're following @JeneBramel and checking my timeline on Twitter throughout the week.
INJURY ROUNDS
arian foster | back / hamstring | week-to-week
Foster's prognosis became more cloudy last night. Already struggling through a hamstring injury that has limited him for weeks, Foster left last night's game with a back issue. It appeared both conditions were bothering him early and he made it through only two plays before leaving the game. On the first play of the game, Foster could be seen stretching at the waist after the play. On the next play, Foster limped into a flat route after play action.
The hamstring injury is relatively straightforward. Aggravations of existing strains often take 2-4 weeks to respond to rehab. Foster was at the early end of that timetable and had managed only a few practice reps.
Unfortunately, the back injury isn't straightforward. Foster missed time in the preseason with a muscle strain and what was described as "disc irritation" in his lower back. Foster improved after an epidural injection and was able to start the season. Whether this injury is related or another cascade-like injury involving muscle spasm or strain is unknown. But the combination of injuries is concerning.
I don't expect to hear anything specific from the Texans early this week and it'll be a longshot to get any meaningful details before this week's game. Consider Foster a game-time decision at best for now and the potential is there for a multi-week absence.
darren sproles | concussion | week-to-week
Sideline providers do not grade concussions. Though past history can guide how quickly a player is cleared, every player progresses through a return to play protocol according to their symptoms. Rarely, players are cleared in time for a Thursday night game or early Friday AM practice, but the best case scenario is generally five days before contact is allowed. And it's unusual to get a meaningful update on a player's progress before the Friday practice report and locker room press availability.
Sproles has had one prior concussion in the NFL -- Week 14, 2010 -- and was cleared to play the next week. That's unlikely enough to significantly adjust his return to play expectation. If he can avoid prolonged or recurrent symptoms, he has a good chance of being cleared for Week 10.
darren mcfadden | hamstring | week-to-week
Here we go again. Yesterday, McFadden re-injured the hamstring that kept him out in Week 5, but looked to be no longer an issue last week. Aggravations of previous injuries are generally more severe than the prior injury, but McFadden's injury doesn't fit within the usual timeframe of 7-10 days after return. That leaves open the possibility that McFadden's injury is low grade and he could get back on the field next week. More likely, however, given McFadden's past and recent history, we'll see him miss at least Week 10 and possibly another 1-3 weeks after that.
terrelle pryor | knee | day-to-day
It's not clear whether Pryor suffered an injury or is dealing with general soreness in his knee. There was little concern in the locker room yesterday and there was no reason to risk Pryor in the second half of a blowout. I'll update this afternoon as news warrants.
robert woods | foot | day-to-day
Doug Marrone would only say that x-rays on Woods' leg were negative yesterday. I didn't see any obvious mechanism of injury during the play, but it seemed that Woods pulled up very slightly midway through his sideline route. That could mean a muscle strain (though x-rays aren't usually done in that case) or a foot injury (soft tissue or bone). I'm going to speculate foot for now, but anything from knee to toes is possible. I'll update later today as news is released.
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS
David Wilson | neck | week-to-week
Today, Wilson will have the MRI he's been anxiously awaiting for a month. If his disc herniation has settled and his medical team is comfortable clearing him with the current degree of spinal stenosis, he could begin rehabbing and re-conditioning in preparation to return to play in a matter of weeks. If the disc issues haven't resolved or there's concern about the location of bone spurs or other factors around the spine, surgery and/or injured reserve remains a possibility. Until the MRI happens, all we know is that there was enough optimism last month that he could return to play this year to let him rest on the active roster.
The Giants released a statement today after Wilson's MRI saying that his herniation has significantly improved but he won't be cleared to return to football-related activity for "several" weeks. Several weeks suggests a minumum of four additional weeks of observation before another MRI. The Giants and Wilson have said nothing about whether injured reserve is likely, but it's likely under consideration.
Doug Martin | shoulder | week-to-week
Last month, multiple orthopedic surgeons told me that Martin could return to play as soon as three weeks after the injury, but that timeframe would be the most optimistic of scenarios. Labral injuries are painful and often increase the risk of joint dislocations. Getting the pain of the injury under control, then strengthening the joint takes time. Even with a harness and anti-inflammatories, three weeks is a tough ask. However, Martin is rapidly reaching a line in the sand. If he's not able to return to position-specific drills and then contact in the next 7-10 days -- meeting a reasonable rehab and return goal of 4-6 weeks post-injury -- I expect we'll be hearing that Martin will undergo surgery sooner than January. Simply put, this is a big week for his 2013 prospects.
demarco murray | mcl sprain | returned to play
Murray only managed four carries (and ten total touches) yesterday on 39 snaps. He did not look limited on those touches and it's likely that his workload had more to do with game script and situation than concern over his health. If he puts in another full week of practice, I expect to see his usage increase next week.
ben tate | ribs | day-to-day
Tate played through his rib injury last night, but looked limited. He'll be sore today and still needs a few weeks to fully heal. Expect the Texans to limit his practice reps, especially with Arian Foster's ongoing issues, but Tate should improve with each passing week.
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Television replays showed a possible elbow dislocation for Jeremy Kerley yesterday. Even if the joint didn't entirely dislocate, there are indications the team is worried about a long term injury. Ligament injuries and fractures around the elbow could necessitate surgery and/or a long rehab process. ... Kyle Rudolph will have an MRI today to evaluate a foot injury suffered during his touchdown catch yesterday. Television replays aren't conclusive, but are suspicious for either a high ankle sprain or a midfoot injury.
I'll be updating this feature throughout the day. Footballguys Insiders will get a full update with additional fantasy perspectives on Wednesday, with analysis of the week's game-time decisions early Sunday morning. Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.