Monday Injury Rounds: Week 8

Photo: USA Today Sports

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.

Scroll to the bottom of this article for a quick look table of the week's most pressing injury situations and a review of the skill position players on injured reserve / PUP / NFI.

INJURY ROUNDS

LeSean McCoy | Aggravated left hamstring strain | Week-to-Week

It's easy to question the decision to use McCoy when you've already questioned the decision before it was made. There were multiple signs that McCoy wasn't at full strength late this week and aggravations are a known risk -- studies on NFL players show a 1/3 chance of aggravation in the first 7-10 days of return to football-related activity.

Leaving aside questions about whether McCoy should have played, there are two other nuggets that interest me here.

First, there was much debate on Twitter prior to game time about the multiple videos of McCoy warming up. Take note for many future situations to come: Those warmup clips mean very, very little. They tell you the player is deciding whether he can play -- and nothing more. Pregame reps are not done at game speed and conditions, even if they look like they are. McCoy told reporters after the game that he felt "amazing" in warmups then felt pain during the game. Consider reports and videos on pregame warmups as the answer to a yes/no question and don't get bogged down in the details.

Second, McCoy said he was "hopeful" he could play this week. The initial strain arguably required two weeks of recovery. Aggravations are almost always at least as severe as the initial injury. There's a chance McCoy's current injury is a minor aggravation of a minor strain. But it's very difficult to see McCoy or the Buffalo medical staff risking another aggravation this week. That would put McCoy's earliest return at Week 9 -- and the Bills have a bye week in Week 10.

Hopefully, pushing to play in Week 7 doesn't result in McCoy sitting through that Week 10 bye.

JORDAN REED | CONCUSSION | WEEK-TO-WEEK | Target Week 10

Reed returned to a limited practice on Wednesday after seeing an independent neurologist early last week -- then didn't practice the rest of the week and was declared out well in advance of Washington's Week 7 game. Prior to the game, Britt McHenry reported Reed was not likely to travel to London this week and would rest through the team's Week 9 bye. Whether the team is continuing to be cautious due to Reed's extensive history of concussions, has concern for lingering or recurrent symptoms, or is taking no chances with a player who's recently avoided reporting symptoms isn't known. And there's been no other confirmation of McHenry's report. We'll see what Washington has planned for Reed's practice participation this week but it's not looking good for a return this week.

Antonio Brown | Quad contusion | Day-to-Day

Brown struggled to finish the second half after taking a hit to his quad. There's likely no concern here -- especially with Pittsburgh on bye this week -- but keep on eye on Brown's progress.

Tevin Coleman | Hamstring strain | Week-to-Week

Coleman left the game in the second half with a hamstring strain and was quickly ruled out. I'll update on Monday with any reports of imaging or concern from the Falcons.

John Brown | Hamstring strain | Week-to-Week

Brown was ruled out this week with a strained hamstring complicated by his sickle cell trait condition. Players with sickle cell trait are at risk of pain, difficulty breathing, and other vascular crises when the shape of their red blood cells change and limit the amount of oxygen able to be carried to body tissue. It's a condition that can be managed and should resolve, but the Cardinals will be watching Brown carefully in the coming days.

Sammie Coates Jr | Lacerated hand / Fractured finger | Week-to-Week

Coates re-injured his hand early in yesterday's game. It's been two weeks after the initial injury. If the laceration opened again, it could be difficult to suture closed. While this may end up being a non-issue with the Steelers headed into their bye week, it's likely this aggravation will require more than a week to heal. Don't be surprised if Coates does very little in practice over the next two weeks and is considered questionable for Week 9 if the laceration is the concern.

Jeremy Hill | Aggravated left AC sprain | Day-to-Day

Hill has left games for multiple snaps in each of the past two weeks with aggravations of his shoulder sprain. Hill was able to fully practice last week, but his aggravation this week shows how difficult a shoulder sprain is to manage for a player who takes multiple hits to the area every week. Expect Hill to be limited in practice this week.

Others of note: Brian Hoyer (forearm fracture/surgery) will need at least eight weeks to recover and will likely be placed on injured reserve this week. Jerick McKinnon (ankle) left the game twice yesterday and will likely be re-evaluated on Monday. Cody Kessler (concussion) is in the return to play protocol and should be considered questionable for Week 8. Geno Smith (knee) may have suffered a meniscus injury and has an MRI scheduled for Monday.

FOLLOWUP APPOINTMENTS

DEZ BRYANT | TIBIA CONTUSION | WEEK-TO-WEEK | TARGET WEEK 8

Bryant has been adamant he'll return after the Cowboys' Week 7 bye and was reportedly close to playing in Week 6. Barring a setback, he should return this week. His deliberate rehab and extra two weeks of recovery should allow him to return to a full workload immediately.

BEN ROETHLISBERGER | KNEE INJURY | WEEK-TO-WEEK | Target Week 9+

Reports remain varied on Roethlisberger's return to play expectation. I think Roethlisberger likely had a procedure that might keep most players out four weeks or more. But Roethlisberger's history of returning at the early edge of his return to play estimates is compelling. He also plays a position that makes it relatively easier to play at less than full strength. I give Roethlisberger a good chance to play in Week 9.

DOUG MARTIN | Aggravated HAMSTRING STRAIN | WEEK-TO-WEEK | TARGET WEEK 8+

Aggravated hamstring strains are usually as severe as the initial injury. If that's the case with Martin, he'll not practice this week and could be out until Week 10. We should get an indication of Martin's status in Monday's press conference. I'll update here if the Buccaneers discuss Martin's recovery.

DONTE MONCRIEF | SCAPULA FRACTURE | WEEK-TO-WEEK | TARGET WEEK 8+

We're still waiting for Moncrief's shoulder blade to heal enough to be cleared for contact. The original recovery timetable was 4-6 weeks. We're now just past the five-week mark in Moncrief's rehab. Chuck Pagano told reporters Moncrief was "getting closer" last week. The team will likely image the shoulder this week; if enough healing has occurred we'll see Moncrief return to practice. Conditioning shouldn't be an issue and Moncrief should be able to return quickly after he's cleared for contact.

STEVE SMITH | HIGH ANKLE SPRAIN | WEEK-TO-WEEK | Target Week 9

Smith has now missed two full weeks of practice with his high ankle sprain. The Ravens are on bye in Week 8. Most players with mid-grade high ankle sprains return after four weeks. Look for Smith to slowly recondition over the bye week with a hope to return in Week 9.

COREY COLEMAN | HAND FRACTURE | WEEK-TO-WEEK | TARGET WEEK 8+

Coleman will again have an x-ray early this week to assess healing in his hand. We'll learn whether he's been cleared to practice by early this week.

Tony Romo | L1 compression fracture | Day-to-Day | Target W8+

Romo will likely be cleared to return to practice and take contact soon. Most reports after Romo's injury targeted Week 8 as the most likely return. While Romo may be cleared to return this week, it's hard to see him back in the lineup over Dak Prescott.

Jay Cutler | Right thumb sprain | Day-to-Day

Cutler's first missed game was in Week 3 and he was given a 2-3 week return estimate. It's now five weeks after Cutler aggravated his thumb injury. Although Cutler hasn't returned to practice, it's possible he's nearly recovered. With Brian Hoyer likely to go on injured reserve with a broken forearm, Cutler could be starting again this week.

LADARIUS GREEN | ANKLE SURGERY | PUP - ELIGIBle to return | Target Week 9

The Steelers are on bye this week and need to make a decision on returning Green to the active roster over the break. There remains no timetable for him to return to practice, however, which again raises questions about what may be holding him back. We'll see if Mike Tomlin updates Green's status on Monday.

JOSH DOCTSON | ACHILLES TENDINITIS | Injured Reserve

Moving Doctson to injured reserve seemed inevitable. He's been dealing with Achilles' tendinitis since May. There's a chance he'll recover in time to be returned to the active roster late this season, but it's most likely the team will give Doctson well into the offseason before returning him to football-related activity.

I'll be updating this feature throughout the day. Footballguys Insiders will get a full update from Craig Zumsteg with additional fantasy perspectives on Wednesday and 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.