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
We're still waiting for more information on the more severe injuries from yesterday. I'm betting that the early timetables provided for Jake Locker, C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson and Darren McFadden will all prove to be optimistic guesses. Locker's injury is obviously a longer term recovery, but I wouldn't bet on any of the three running backs playing this week. Jackson will have the best chance, but don't assume that he's a lock to play because he was able to finish yesterday's game.
Also, there are a small handful of players not on this list, most notably LeSean McCoy, who looked limited during their games but weren't noted to have injuries by their coaches in post-game press conferences. I'll add those situations as needed after today's media updates.
jake locker | hip
The Titans are reportedly still waiting for the results of additional tests to determine the severity of Locker's hip injury after x-rays were negative after the game. The negative x-rays are reassuring in some ways -- the very quick immobilization and cart off the field often means providers are worried about a major joint dislocation or fracture that requires immediate stabilization -- but there are other significant hip conditions that may not be seen on a plain x-ray. Injuries to the joint capsule, including small fractures around the hip joint or hip labral tears, may not be diagnosed without an MRI or direct visualization with arthroscopy. Early speculation has been that Locker will miss 4-8 weeks, but it's too soon to guess until the full extent of the injury is known.
C.J. SPILLER | ankle
fred jackson | knee
Television replays showed only one angle of Spiller's ankle injury and it isn't conclusive enough to speculate on the type and severity of the injury. Spiller wasn't optimistic about playing Thursday night when talking to reporters yesterday. That doesn't necessarily mean the injury is a high grade low ankle sprain or a high ankle sprain. Hopefully, we'll hear more details today.
Jackson told reporters he suffered a sprained MCL. Jackson was able to return to the game yesterday, which suggests that there's relatively little instability in the knee and the injury is low grade. That's an injury that skill position players and linebackers have played with the following week. Things can change overnight with knee sprains (swelling, pain, increase in instability), however, so there's no guarantee Jackson can brace and play through the injury in Week 5.
alfred morris | rib
Morris reportedly does not have any rib fractures and will have an extra week to recover with Washington on a bye in Week 5. Rib injuries can be difficult for running backs to play through, even with extra padding and pain injections. Morris' practice participation next week will be a good indication of how limited he'll be the following Sunday.
darren mcfadden | hamstring
McFadden strained a hamstring in the first quarter yesterday and didn't return. The Raiders provided little information on McFadden after the game, but he's not recovered quickly from muscle strains in the past. Consider him more week-to-week than day-to-day until Oakland updates his condition with more optimistic news. The team is also concerned about Marcel Reece's knee injury, which early reports suggest could be severe.
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS
The first two names on the schedule for follow-up appointments today are the same as they've been for the past two weeks. It was no surprise that both Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola were associated with more drama last week. From speculation that both might play to more pessimistic late week updates with juicy gossip tidbits flavoring the reports, we're no closer to knowing where either player stands than this time last week.
Rob gronkowski | arm / back
Last Sunday, it was reported that Gronkowski was being held back by the condition of his arm rather than continued rehab for his back surgery. This weekend, rumors swirled that Gronkowski and his family may be delayed his return until he's absolutely certain he's ready to return. Those rumors included an implication that the Patriots rushed him back too quickly from his first arm fracture last year. Those rumors have since been denied and we're again hearing that Gronkowski could be ready for Week 5. Bottom line: We won't know when Gronkowski will return until he explicitiy tells reporters he's playing or we see him on the active roster. There's no sense in trying to read the tea leaves here any longer. Gronkowski and Bill Belichick have both been purposefully vague for the past month.
danny amendola | groin
I still believe Amendola's recovery will be closer to six weeks than four. Like the Gronkowski situation, don't expect to see Amendola on the field until it happens. There's still some conditioning and range of motion issues to work through and the majority of players who have chosen to not have surgery with this injury didn't return as quickly as what Amendola is attempting. There's a slim chance that Amendola will be on the field in Week 5, but I still think Week 7 is the earliest we'll see him at close to full strength.
terrelle pryor | concussion
Pryor was progressing quickly through the exercise related stages of the return to play protocol, but had headache and light sensitivity symptoms later in the week and was held out of Sunday's game. Expect the Raiders to move Pryor more slowly through the last stages of the protocol this week. We'll know more about his availability in Week 5 after Wednesday's practice and media session.
vincent jackson | rib
Reports on the severity of Jackson's rib injuries were all over the place last week. Immediately after the game and through Monday morning, there were concerns that Jackson had a longer term injury. By Monday afternoon, media members were reporting that Jackson's injury was minor. Yesterday, Ian Rapoport reported that Jackson had injuries to multiple ribs and was unlikely to fully heal for at least four weeks. That suggested a bone or cartilage fracture. While Jackson may continue to try to manage the pain with pain-killing injections and padding, he may not be at full strength for another 2-3 weeks.
jermichael finley | concussion
Finley was briefly unconscious and suffered vision and balance issues after his concussion in Week 3. He posted a video on his personal website last week noting that he had yet to finish all stages of the team's return to play protocols but seemed optimistic that he'd be cleared to play this week.
IN THE TRAINING ROOM
Santonio Holmes left yesterday's game with a hamstring injury. The Jets have yet to comment on the potential severity. The Jets also lost Stephen Hill to a concussion. ... The Patriots lost Vince Wilfork to a torn Achilles last night. It's not known whether the tear is full or partial, but it will be a very tough injury for a 32-year old, 350+ pound nose tackle to recover. ... Brian Cushing will go through the return to play protocol this week after a concussion yesterday. ... Dwight Freeney has a torn quad muscle. That could be a 6-8+ week injury. ... Marlon Brown suffered a thigh injury yesterday and missed time. ... Mark Barron could miss time with a hamstring strain. ... Marcedes Lewis aggravated his calf injury yesterday and is out indefinitely.
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.
