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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
It's been a long time since we had a midseason week this quiet. There is just a handful of new injuries and it's possible we'll learn of a worrisome injury early this week. But -- assuming Monday night football doesn't bring a major injury -- the bulk of this week's discussion will be on players returning from an injury from Week 8 or earlier. Scroll down for discussion on those followup situations.
Mike Evans | Concussion | Day-to-Day
Evans was diagnosed with a concussion after last Thursday's game. The number of players who take more than seven days to recover from a concussion diagnosis seems to be increasing, but Evans will have the benefit of the extra days following the Thursday game. We'll know more early this week.
Jameis Winston | Knee injury | Day-to-Day
Winston had trouble walking off the field after a failed two point converson last Thursday. However, he told reporters he was fine after the game, did not show a limp, and head coach Dirk Koetter suggested he'd have put Winston back in the game had it been closer. There's been no report that Winston needed a followup imaging study. We'll see if the expectation changes after Tampa's early week press conferences.
Jeremy Maclin | Groin strain | Week-to-Week
Maclin left practice last Thursday with a groin strain and tried to play through the injury on Sunday. He left early and didn't return. As with hamstring strains, groin injuries tend to be as or more severe than the original injury. There's a good chance Maclin will miss Week 10. Hopefully, the Chiefs will update his status on Monday.
Travis Benjamin | PCL sprain | Week-to-Week
Benjamin's knee injury was revealed as a PCL sprain last week. After a second opinion that recommended against surgery, Benjamin returned to practice and was active on Sunday. He was unable to finish the game. PCL injuries are tricky -- NFL medical staffs do not agree on how to approach mid-grade injuries and players like Breshad Perriman have found it difficult to return to form quickly. There's no indication Benjamin will have revisit surgical options, but the Chargers' Week 11 bye could make is easier for him to rest until Week 12 and miss just one game.
Ryan Fitzpatrick | Knee sprain | Day-to-Day
Fitzpatrick returned to the game after a knee injury on Sunday. He'll reportedly have an MRI on Monday to better define the injury.
Others of note: Victor Cruz (ankle) and Allen Hurns (ankle, concussion) left with injury. Derrick Henry (calf) was injured in warmups. All will be re-evaluated on Monday.
FOLLOWUP APPOINTMENTS
Spencer Ware | Concussion | Day-to-Day | Target Week 10
Ware did not return to practice last week but there were no indications his concussion symptoms had persisted. Many players miss one week after a concussion and return to practice and play the following week. We'll find out which category Ware fits into early this week.
Jamaal Charles | Knee surgery | Injured Reserve | Target Week 17
Charles had arthroscopic knee surgery to address a meniscus injury and was placed on injured reserve. The injured piece of meniscus was removed rather than repaired, which could allow Charles to return to play when he is eligible in Week 17. If the meniscus injury was the reason Charles was unable to recover as expected after ACL surgery, rehab could progress as planned. If not, Charles has yet to show he's over the ACL repair from last October and isn't a great bet to return.
Doug Martin | Aggravated hamstring strain | Day-to-Day | Target Week 10-11
Tampa Bay is "hopeful" Martin can return to practice and play after aggravating his hamstring strain four weeks ago. Generally, players need time to recondition with football-related activity before returning to the active roster. Martin has not done so and his recent aggravation may have the Buccaneers more cautious with him than they're suggesting.
Jacquizz Rodgers | Foot sprain | Week-to-Week
Last week, I wrote about the possibility of a midfoot sprain that would keep Rodgers out for multiple weeks. An MRI didn't show a fracture but Rodgers was unable to make the short turnaround. This week's practice participation will be informative. If Rodgers is practicing on Wednesday, the foot sprain was minor and the Thursday game was the limiting factor. If he's not practicing, this could be a 4-6+ week absence.
Carlos Hyde | AC sprain | Week-to-Week | Target Week 10
Hyde was held out in Week 8 with the hopes he'd recover in time for Week 9. It didn't work out as expected, however, as Hyde was not cleared for contact in practice last week and was inactive on Sunday. AC sprains are difficult for running backs to play through. The Niners will remain hopeful that Hyde can play this week.
Tevin Coleman | Hamstring strain | Week-to-Week
Like Jacquizz Rodgers, the Falcons decided to rule Coleman out early with a short week to prepare for Thursday night football. Now two weeks removed from the initial injury, Coleman's injury is looking more like a Grade 2 strain than a low grade injury. With the Falcons' bye week in Week 11, they may choose to rest Coleman this week, too. Look for an update from the team on Monday.
Thomas Rawls | Fibula fracture | Week-to-Week | Target Week 11-12
Pete Carroll told reporters last week that Rawls would likely not be ready for Week 10. With the amount of missed practice time, Rawls realistically needs at least one week of practice before returning. Week 11 is possible, but Rawls needs to get some practice time in by the end of this week. More likely, the team continues to approach Rawls' recovery cautiously.
James Starks | Meniscus surgery | Day-to-Day | Target Week 10
Starks is reportedly moving very well in individual drills and expected to do more this week. If he shows no ill-effects after midweek practices this week, the Packers will likely get him ready to play quickly. I'll be watching Mike McCarthy's comments carefully on Monday.
Dion Lewis | Patellar stress fracture | Day-to-Day | Target Week 10-11
All reports on Lewis' recovery and practice participation have been positive so far. There's a chance Lewis returns this week in a limited role. We'll know the Patriots are ready to return Lewis when they officially move him to the active roster.
Ladarius Green | Ankle surgery | Week-to-Week
Green told reporters this week he still felt hesitant to fully practice and wasn't himself. We're now nearly 10 months after Green's ankle surgery. Although these surgeries commonly take longer than estimated to recover from, it's hard not to see this recovery as well outside expectation. The Steelers certainly weren't expecting a prolonged recovery when they signed Green in March. It's now possible Green gets shut down for the season rather than moved to the active roster. This week is huge for his 2016 prospects.
Quarterbacks Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Jameis Winston | Knee injury | W9 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Ryan Fitzpatrick | Knee injury | W9 | MRI pending | Awaiting Information | |
Tony Romo | L1 compression fracture | PS W3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
Running Backs Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Spencer Ware | Concussion | W8 | No timetable given | Day-to-Day | |
Jacquizz Rodgers | Foot sprain | W8 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
Carlos Hyde | Shoulder injury | W6 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Doug Martin | Aggravated right hamstring strain | W2 / W6 | Week-to-Week | Day-to-Day | |
Tevin Coleman | Hamstring strain | W7 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Falcons have W11 bye |
Matt Jones | Knee injury | W7 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
Thomas Rawls | Fibula fracture | W2 | Week-to-Week | Target W11+ | |
James Starks | Meniscus tear / surgery | W6 | No timetable given | 3-4+ Weeks (Target W10+) | |
Derrick Henry | Calf strain | W9 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
Wide Receivers Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Mike Evans | Concussion | W9 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Jeremy Maclin | Groin strain | W8 | Day-to-Day | Week-to-Week | |
Travis Benjamin | PCL sprain | W6 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
Eddie Royal | Toe injury | W6 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
Victor Cruz | Ankle injury | W9 | No timetable given | Awaiting Information | |
Allen Hurns | Ankle injury / Concussion | W9 | No timetable given | Awaiting Information | |
Tight Ends Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Hunter Henry | Knee injury | W8 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
Jared Cook | High ankle sprain | W4 | Week-to-Week | 3-4 Weeks (Target W10) | |
Notable Quarterbacks on PUP/NFI/IR | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Teddy Bridgewater | Left knee dislocation/ACL tear/+ | Late August | IR / 2017 | 9-12 Mo + (2017) | Associated damage key |
Brian Hoyer | Forearm fracture | W7 | IR / 8+ Weeks | 2017 Return | |
Robert Griffin III III | Left AC sprain / Coracoid fracture | W1 | IR / 10-12 Weeks | 2017 Return | |
Geno Smith | ACL tear | W7 | IR | Out for Season | |
Notable Running Backs on PUP/NFI/IR | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Adrian Peterson | Right knee meniscus tear / surgery | W2 | IR / 3-4 Months | 2017 Return | Eligible to return W10 |
C.J. Anderson | Meniscus tear / surgery | W7 | IR / Month-to-Month | 2017 Return | Chance at NFL playoff return |
Eddie Lacy | Ankle sprain / surgery | W6 | IR / 8+ Weeks | Chance of 2016 Return | Eligible to return W14 |
Dion Lewis | Left ACL tear / Arthroscope during rehab | PS W4 | PUP / Practicing W8 | Return ~ W10 | Now practicing |
Jamaal Charles | Arthroscopic knee surgery | W9 | IR | 2017 Return | Eligible to return W17 |
Ameer Abdullah | Left foot sprain | W2 | IR / 8-10 Weeks | 2017 Return | Eligible to return W10 |
Danny Woodhead | Right ACL tear | W2 | IR / 2017 | 2017 Return | |
Charles Sims | Knee injury | W4 | IR | 2017 Return | Eligible to return W12 |
Chris Johnson | Core abdominal strain / surgery | W4 | IR | Chance of 2016 Return | Eligible to return W12 |
Shane Vereen | Triceps tear | W3 | IR / 2 Months | 2017 Return | Eligible to return W13 |
Darren McFadden | Right elbow fracture | Early Jun 2015 | NFI / 2-3 Months | 2017 Return | Eligible to return |
Keith Marshall | Left UCL sprain | PS W3 | IR / 3-4 Weeks | 2017 Return | Eligible to return |
Notable Wide Receivers on PUP/NFI/IR | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Keenan Allen | Right ACL tear | W1 | IR / 2017 | 2017 Return | |
Sammy Watkins | Fifth metatarsal fracture | W4 | IR / Chance to return 2016 | 2017 Return | Eligible to return W12 |
Eric Decker | Rotator cuff strain / Labral tear | W3 | IR / 2017 | 2017 Return | |
Kevin White | High ankle sprain / fibula fracture | W4 | IR | 2017 Return | Eligible to return W12 |
Vincent Jackson | ACL sprain | W7 | IR | 2017 Return | |
Josh Doctson | Achilles tendinitis | W7 | IR | 2017 Return | Eligible to return W15 |
Bruce Ellington | Hamstring strain | PS W3 | IR / 2+ Months | 2017 Return | |
Notable Tight Ends on PUP/NFI/IR | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Ladarius Green | Ankle surgery | January | PUP / Practicing W8 | Week-to-Week | Now practicing |
Jordan Cameron | Concussion | W3 | IR | 2017 Return vs Retire |
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.