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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
JOrdan Reed | Ac sprain | Day-to-Day
Reed looked to be done in the first half of Washington's Thanksgiving game after returning from the locker room in a sling. He came out in pads after halftime and was effective in an impressive second half. After the game, Reed was back in the sling and having difficulty dressing. Jay Gruden would later tell reporters Reed's MRI showed a Grade 3 shoulder separation.
A Grade 3 shoulder separation isn't actually an injury to the shoulder. More accurately termed an AC sprain, the injury involves the joint between the end of the collarbone and the top of the shoulder blade just to the inside of the shoulder. A Grade 3 injury means all three ligaments of the joint are torn. Years ago, this injury was repaired surgically, especially in athletes who need to extend their arms away from their body. Surgery is much less common now but torn ligaments need 4-6 weeks to heal.
However, it's unlikely Reed miss 4-6 weeks, if he misses time at all. While Reed will undoubtedly have more pain and swelling with less strength and range of motion this week than he did shortly after the injury last week, it's possible Reed and the medical staff will be able to manage his pain well enough to allow him to play this week.
Expect Reed to be limited in practice this week -- at best -- with his availability in question until late in the week when Washington sees how he's responded to treatment.
Rob Gronkowski | Back injury | Day-to-day
Gronkowski returned from his lung injury but left in the second quarter after a hard fall to the turf on a long pass play that was compounded by a defender landing on his side after the fall. He did not return and the team ruled him out with a back injury. Indications after the game were that Gronkowski's injury is not serious. It's also unlikely that the injury is related to his recent chest injury or his previous back surgeries. I'll update on Monday with any helpful media updates but it should be reasonable to consider Gronkowski day-to-day for now.
T.Y. Hilton | Back Injury | Day-to-Day
Hilton briefly tried to return after hurting his back on a hard fall to the turf but left quickly and didn't return. He was seen to be moving gingerly after the game but was cleared to talk to the media. Though x-rays are not definitive, it's unlikely Hilton would have been cleared to return with a structural concern. Hopefully, any contusion/spasm will resolve this week. The extra days after last week's Thanksgiving night game should help.
Lamar Miller | Aggravated ankle sprain | Day-to-Day
The mechanism wasn't clear on the television angle and no replays were shown but Miller appeared to aggravate his left ankle injury late in the fourth quarter. Miller was able to practice last Wednesday and the practice participation report will likely be our next indication of Miller's status. I'll update if the Texans share information in their Monday press conference.
Tyrell Williams | Hand injury | Day-to-Day
Williams went down in pain and didn't return after having a high pass deflect off his hand. The Chargers didn't update Williams' condition after the game but he most likely suffered a finger or hand injury. Closeups of Williams after the injury did not show any deformities on his hand. We should learn more by midweek.
Others of note: Derek Carr dislocated his right pinky finger and returned after one series. LeSean McCoy appeared to pull up favoring his right leg at the end of a long run after a screen catch but did not miss many snaps. Jeremy Hill injured his ankle but returned later in the game. DeVante Parker left late in the fourth quarter with back spasms but is not expected to miss time. John Brown left with a hamstring strain. Chris Ivory left with a hamstring strain and did not return.
FOLLOWUP APPOINTMENTS
Andrew Luck | CONCUSSION | DAY-TO-DAY
On Sunday, multiple reports suggested Luck would have been active had the Colts played on Sunday rather than Thursday last week. That implies Luck has already cleared the final stages of the return to play protocol and will return this week.
Adrian Peterson | Meniscus repair | Injured Reserve | Week-to-Week
This week's update sharply defines why Peterson's injury and surgical procedure isn't something that can be overcome easily. Despite recent reports that Peterson would have a chance to return in early December, Ian Rapoport reported during a pregame interview on NFL Network that Peterson is running on an underwater treadmill at 30% of his body weight. While Peterson's rehab continues to progress well, he's still multiple weeks from being cleared to do individual drills. Late December remains the best case scenario for his return.
Shane Vereen | Triceps tear | Injured Reserve | Week-to-Week
Multiple beat writers tweeted Sunday morning that Vereen's rehab has progressed well and he's likely to return in Week 13.
Others of note: Stefon Diggs (knee injury) was close to playing on Thanksgiving and likely to return to practice this week. Jeremy Maclin (groin strain) has yet to return to practice after aggravating his injury in Week 8. Ryan Mathews (MCL sprain) is likely to miss at least one more week. Julius Thomas (back) has an unknown condition and did not practice last week. Robert Woods (MCL sprain) is also likely out at least one more week. DeAngelo Williams (meniscus cleanup) is now three weeks removed from surgery and could return to practice soon. Charles Sims (knee injury) has returned to practice but is not eligible to return to the active roster until Week 14. Jay Cutler (labral tear) hopes to successfully rehab his shoulder and return soon. Robert Griffin III III (coracoid fracture) has been activated from injured reserve and is practicing.
Eddie Lacy (ankle) and Chris Johnson (foot) are now officially out for the season after their teams designated other players to return from the injured reserve list.
Quarterbacks Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Andrew Luck | Concussion | W11 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Jay Cutler | Shoulder injury | W11 | Possibly Out for Season | 2017 Return | |
Cody Kessler | Concussion | W11 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Robert Griffin III III | Left AC sprain / Coracoid fracture | W1 | Returned to practice | Week-to-Week | |
Running Backs Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Lamar Miller | Shoulder / Ankle / Aggravated Ankle | W7 / W10 / W12 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Jacquizz Rodgers | Foot sprain | W8 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
C.J. Prosise | Scapula injury | W11 | Multiple weeks | 4-6+ Weeks | |
Ryan Mathews | MCL sprain | W11 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
Chris Ivory | Hamstring strain | W12 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
Charles Sims | Knee injury | W4 | Returned to practice | Day-to-Day | |
Alfred Blue | Calf strain | W10 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
Mike Gillislee | Hamstring strain | W12 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
DeAngelo Williams | Knee surgery | W9 | 2-4 Weeks | Week-to-Week | |
Wide Receivers Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
A.J. Green | Hamstring strain | W11 | Week-to-Week | 4+ Weeks | |
Odell Beckham | Thumb injury | W12 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
T.Y. Hilton | Back injury | W12 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Jeremy Maclin | Groin strain | W8 | Day-to-Day | Week-to-Week | |
DeVante Parker | Back injury | W12 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Stefon Diggs | Knee injury | W11 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Robert Woods | Knee sprain | W11 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
Tight Ends Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Rob Gronkowski | Back injury | W12 | No timetable given | Day-to-Day | |
Jordan Reed | AC sprain | W12 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Julius Thomas | Back injury | W11 | No timetable given | Day-to-Day | |
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 | |
Geno Smith | ACL tear | W7 | IR | 2017 Return | |
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 | 2017 Return | Ineligible to return in 2017 |
Jamaal Charles | Arthroscopic knee surgery | W9 | IR | 2017 Return | Eligible to return W17 |
Gio Bernard | ACL tear | W11 | IR | 2017 Return | |
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 | |
Chris Johnson | Core abdominal strain / surgery | W4 | IR | 2017 Return | Ineligible to return in 2017 |
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 | Activated off NFI in W12 |
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 | |
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 | |
Markus Wheaton | Shoulder injury | Preseason | IR | 2017 Return | |
Notable Tight Ends on PUP/NFI/IR | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Zach Miller | Foot fracture | W11 | IR | 2017 Return | |
Jacob Tamme | Shoulder injury | W8 | IR | 2017 Return | |
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.