Photo: Kyle Terada, USA Today Sports

Inseason injury coverage

Footballguys will again provide comprehensive injury coverage during the regular season.

My writing and podcast schedule will include:

Monday Injury Rounds > Published as soon as complete Sunday night and updated through Tuesday morning, this feature will review all the major injuries from the weekend's games, provide follow up analysis on injured players who have yet to return to play, and project when every injured player will return.

Waiver Wire Podcast > Tuesday morning release reviewing all injuries at the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end positions with Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom heading into your weekly waiver run.

Midweek Injury Expectations > Published late Wednesday night after the first weekly practice participation report and updated through Thursday's practice report, this feature will detail the current practice participation of every listed player and project the likelihood each player will play in the coming week.

Thursday Live Audible podcast > Joining Cecil Lammey, Sigmund Bloom, and Matt Waldman at 9:00 ET every Thursday night for a comprehensive Q&A updating all player injuries.

Gameday Injury Expectations > Published Saturday, this feature will review the practice status of every injured player, provide analysis on player/coach/beat writer comments throughout the week, and discuss how likely and how effective each injured player will be on Sunday.

Sunday Live Gameday podcast > Joining Sigmund Bloom and Matt Waldman at 10:00 ET every Sunday morning to discuss and interpret the week's practice participation reports and breaking weekend injury news.

Injury Rounds

Marlon Mack | Right Achilles tear | Season-Ending / Injured Reserve (expected)

Shortly after a non-contact leg injury, multiple reports noted the team's concern was an Achilles injury for Mack. An MRI has been scheduled for Monday but imaging is nearly always a formality with Achilles injuries. Expect the Colts to confirm the injury and a need for season-ending surgery.

Monday Update: The Colts confirmed a torn Achilles for Mack today. He will have surgery and rehab to return in 2021.

Michael Thomas | Left high ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 2

Thomas' left leg was twisted underneath Latavius Murray at the end of a run late in the second half. Video replays are consistent with a high ankle sprain. Thankfully, the injury mechanism was not violent and it's likely Thomas has a low-grade injury.

The next 24-48 hours are critical. Most low-grade injuries do not result in significant pain or stiffness and players can recover in time to play the following week. Multiple rehab courses are possible. It's possible early-week reports will sound more concerning than they are. Thomas could require a walking boot and have an MRI tomorrow and still have a mild injury. He could be limited in practice much of the week and still have a mild injury.

I'll update Thomas' condition on Monday and throughout the week.

Monday Update: Tom Pelissero reports Thomas' injury is a high ankle sprain but is "something [Thomas] believes he can play through." The Saints do not play until Monday night, which could be a critical extra 24 hours of rehab. Hopefully, Thomas hasn't developed significant swelling and stiffness already. Any practice on Thursday would be welcome sign for his availability and chances of effective plan in Week 2.

George Kittle | Right knee hyperextension | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 2

Kittle was hit directly on the front of his right knee. Images of the resulting hyperextension were striking but it was reassuring to see Kittle's foot off the ground and not planted when the contact occurred. That may ultimately save him from a multiple-week injury and recovery.

Kittle returned to play in the second half and told reporters he felt "fantastic" and his knee was "not an issue at all."

However, it won't be surprising to see reports that Kittle will have a Monday MRI or for him to be limited in practice this week. Kittle returned to play in the same game after a similar injury in 2019 -- and then missed multiple games. I'll update with any Monday news.

Monday Update: Mike Shanahan told reporters Kittle suffered a knee sprain and would be re-evaluated through the week. Expect limited practice through the week. It's possible Kittle is trending toward a game-time decision.

DeVante Parker | Aggravated hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 2

Parker left with a hamstring strain -- presumably an aggravation of the same strain which limited him during the final days of training camp and in practice leading into Week 1. Aggravated muscle strains commonly require as much or more rehab than the initial injury. Expect Parker to need at least a week of rehab and reconditioning. He's doubtful for Week 2.

LeVeon Bell | Left hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Out Week 2 | Week 3++ Return

Bell strained his hamstring in the first half. After trying to return with a wrap in the first series of the second half, Bell was declared out and didn't return. There was no obvious aggravation during that series but Adam Gase told reporters he was disappointed he allowed Bell back in the game. That's suspicious for a more severe injury and leaves Bell questionable at best for Week 2.

Monday Update: Unfortunately, Gase told reporters Bell was likely to miss "a couple weeks" with this injury. That suggests a mid-grade injury, a strain that will more likely require 3-4 weeks of rehab rather than 1-2 weeks.

MNF INJURIES

***James Conner reportedly suffered an ankle sprain early in the game and did not return. There were no obvious injury events on television replay and Mike Tomlin would only say Conner would continue to be evaluated through the week. I'll update if the Steelers provide more information on Tuesday.

***The Broncos say Phillip Lindsay is battling turf toe and could not finish the game. Toe sprains are difficult to project and easily aggravated. The Broncos appear hopeful Lindsay can recover for Week 2 but expect limited practices this week.

Follow Up Appointments

Miles Sanders | Right hamstring strain | Preseason | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 2

Despite much local optimism about his availability for Week 1 and three limited practices, the Eagles chose to declare Sanders out on Saturday rather than risk an in-game aggravation.

In a pregame podcast, Adam Caplan reported Sanders has a Grade 2 hamstring strain. If accurate, Sanders was always likely to need a 3-4 week recovery and the training camp reports stating Sanders had a good chance to play Week 1 were overly optimistic. A Grade 2 injury and cautious month-long rehab would also argue against an alternative hypothesis that Sanders suffered a late-week setback.

Practice participation and media interviews will again be critical to track this week. A return to a full practice would indicate Sanders will play and could see 12-15 targets in Week 2.

Deebo Samuel | Fifth metatarsal fixation | Injured Reserve | Eligible to Return Week 4

The Niners moved Samuel to injured reserve this week. I've written about this possibility since the league amended this season's injured reserve rules to allow an unlimited number of players to return after only three weeks on the list. I was unaware the league had put restrictions on certain offseason injuries like Samuel's. The league adjusted that rule last Thursday and the Niners took advantage.

This isn't a sign Samuel's recovery is progressing slowly or that he's experienced a setback. His most realistic return timetable was 10-12 weeks -- mid-September -- with a gradual return to a full gameday workload. Although San Francisco needs help at wide receiver, giving Samuel until Week 4 to return lessens his chances of an injury recurrence.

Monday Update: I didn't believe the Niners' decision to use injured reserve for Samuel was evidence of a setback. Unfortunately, Kyle Shanahan told reporters Monday that Samuel did experience soreness as he increased his reconditioning. Shanahan said Samuel was "real sore after running one day" and didn't improve within 48 hours.

Shanahan said the goal is to have Samuel back for Week 4. Expect the Niners to allow Samuel to rest than restart the reconditioning process. There are no reports of re-injury but it's too soon to assume Samuel will be ready later this month.

Courtland Sutton | AC sprain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 2

Sutton was unable to play Monday night. Adam Schefter reported Sutton was "really close" and implied Sutton has a good chance to return to play this week.

A Thursday shoulder injury severe enough to require an MRI is a tough turnaround for a wide receiver. If he was truly close to playing Monday, it's a strong indication he'll return to practice by the end of the week and prepare to play in Week 2.

Kenny Golladay | Hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 2

Golladay injured his hamstring on Wednesday and didn't return to practice. The Lions rarely update the condition of their injured players so we're likely left to intrepret practice participation as the week progresses.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Game notes on recovering players:

• Mike Evans (4 targets, 1 catch, 2 yards, TD) -- Didn't appear as limited as stat line suggests. Drew two pass interference calls. [65 snaps-93%]
• David Montgomery (13 rushes, 64 yards; 3 targets, 1 catch, 10 yards) -- Less than full workload but 14 touches reassuring.
• Mike Williams (9 targets, 4 catches, 69 yards) -- Great range of motion, landed hard on both shoulders repeatedly. [58 snaps-78%]
• Jarvis Landry (6 targets, 5 catches, 61 yards) -- 52 of 73 snaps (71%) in blowout loss

***David Njoku did not return after suffering a right knee injury. Replays of his final catch are suspicious for a low-grade right MCL sprain. I'll update if the Browns discuss his condition on Monday.

Monday Update: The Browns have moved Njoku to the injured reserve list. Specifics of the injury weren't reported. It's possible Njoku could return in Week 5 under the 2020 injured reserve rules but it's difficult to provide a return timetable without more information on Njoku's injury.

Monday Update: Adam Schefter is reporting Njoku's injury is a sprained MCL. The MRI likely suggested a mid-grade injury today, prompting the move to injured reserve. Njoku isn't expected to miss extended time. Assuming rehab progresses smoothly, he could miss the minimum three weeks and return in Week 5.

***Henry Ruggs returned to the game after leaving with what video suggests to be a low-grade MCL sprain. The Raiders will re-evaluate on Monday, likely with an MRI to define the extent of the sprain. Recovery from a low-grade MCL is variable. Some players have little pain and stiffness and are comfortable with the stability of the knee and do not miss time. Others struggle more than expected during the week following the injury.

***Duke Johnson Jr is considered week-to-week with an ankle injury. Video of the injury was limited and obscured but suggests a left high ankle sprain. That's consistent with the timeframe given by the team. Johnson is doubtful for Week 2.

***Blake Jarwin suffered a non-contact knee injury and did not return. Replays are suspicious for an ACL injury. It's notable, however, that Jarwin reached for the back of his knee. That leaves open the possibility for an LCL sprain or meniscus injury. Even the best-case scenario will have Jarwin missing multiple weeks; hopefully, it proves not to be a season-ending ACL tear.

Monday Update: The Cowboys announced Jarwin's injury as an isolated ACL tear today. He will have surgery soon and should return in 2021.

Injured Players on Active Roster

To support players with illness and provide a roster buffer, the NFL implemented new injured reserve rules and roster exemptions for players exposed to or diagnosed with COVID.

2020 injured reserve list changes:

• Teams may return an unlimited number of players from injured reserve in 2020
• A player may return to the active roster after three weeks on injured reserve
• Teams have three weeks of practice to decide whether to activate a player designated to return

2020 COVID-related illness list and roster exemptions:

• A player diagnosed with COVID or required to quarantine after exposure to COVID may be placed on a separate exempt list
• Teams will be given a roster exemption after a player with COVID receives medical clearance to return
• Roster exemption for one week if the player was on the exempt list for less than 4 weeks
• Roster exemption for two weeks if the player was on the exempt list for 4+ weeks

Injured Players Not on Active Roster

COVID Opt-Outs | Cannot return until 2021 season

• Damien Williams (RB-KC)
• Albert Wilson (WR-Mia)
• Allen Hurns (WR-Mia)
• Devin Funchess (WR-GB)
• Marquise Goodwin (WR-Phi)
• Brandon Bolden (RB-NE)
• Marqise Lee (WR-NE)
• Geronimo Allison (WR-Det)
• Matt LaCosse (TE-NE)

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the off-season.