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
Spencer Ware | Concussion | Day-to-Day
Ware was diagnosed with a concussion on Sunday and will be in the return-to-play protocol this week. While we may get an update from Andy Reid earlier in the week, the Wednesday practice participation report will likely be our first indication of Ware's Week 9 status.
Jacquizz Rodgers | Foot injury | Awaiting Information
There was only one television angle shown and the precise mechanism of injury was mostly lost in shadow. But there was a hint of a midfoot sprain mechanism as the play ended and the camera focused on the pile. It's too early for more than speculation but I'm hopeful we won't hear about MRI studies, specialist opinions, and the possibility of a multiple-week absence on Monday.
Monday Update: Jenna Laine is reporting this afternoon that Rodgers has a foot sprain and is in a walking boot. According to Laine, an MRI showed no fracture. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean Rodgers will not miss time. We're now on Dr. Robert Anderson watch. Hopefully, Rodgers won't need his opinion and any absence will be short term. But prepare for at least one missed game and possibly much more.
Jamaal Charles | Knee injury | Week-to-Week
Charles will reportedly travel to see Dr. James Andrews for a follow-up exam on his ongoing knee troubles. After resting more than a month into the regular season, Charles has managed just 14 touches on 27 snaps before recurrent knee swelling shelved him again. The swelling may be a sign of an underlying cartilage issue. If that's the case, Charles will need more rest (or surgery) and his season may be in jeopardy.
Will Fuller | Leg Injury | Awaiting Information
Fuller left the game with a leg injury and didn't return. The Texans didn't update Fuller's condition after the game and there was no obvious mechanism of injury on his final snaps of the day. Fuller has been on the injury report with a hamstring strain on two separate occasions this season and missed the Week 6 game. We'll find out whether it's an aggravation of that injury or a new condition later this week.
Others of note: Alex Smith (concussion, ear laceration) will enter the return-to-play protocol. Monday Update: The Chiefs are saying Smith did not suffer a concussion yesterday.
FOLLOWUP APPOINTMENTS
BEN ROETHLISBERGER | KNEE INJURY | WEEK-TO-WEEK | Target Week 9+
Adam Schefter tweeted Sunday morning that a source told him on Thursday that Roethlisberger was "no sure thing" for next week and could be "still a few weeks out." That would support reports soon after Roethlisberger's arthroscopic surgery suggesting his recovery could go 4-6 weeks due to associated cartilage findings. I still think Roethlisberger will try to play through his injury -- even if significantly limited -- in a divisional matchup against Baltimore this week. But Schefter's report is notable. The Steelers aren't likely to give us much information this week but they won't be able to hide Roethlisberger's practice participation.
LESEAN MCCOY | AGGRAVATED LEFT HAMSTRING STRAIN | WEEK-TO-WEEK
Foresight and hindsight argued the Bills should have rested McCoy last week after a midweek hamstring strain. An aggravation after halftime may have convinced McCoy to rest and he was inactive on Sunday after not practicing all week. McCoy and the Bills will now have to decide whether they're willing to risk another aggravation on Monday night in Week 9 or let McCoy rest another two full weeks through the team's Week 10 bye.
DOUG MARTIN | Aggravated HAMSTRING STRAIN | WEEK-TO-WEEK | TARGET WEEK 10
Martin has now missed two more weeks of practice after aggravating a hamstring strain early in Week 6. He missed more than three weeks between the initial injury and the aggravation and most players who miss multiple weeks of practice need at least a week of football-related conditioning before returning to play. There's an outside chance at a limited return this week -- especially if Rodgers' injury is significant -- but I think Week 10 is the earliest we'll see Martin return.
STEVE SMITH | HIGH ANKLE SPRAIN | WEEK-TO-WEEK | Target Week 9
Smith missed two weeks of practice before the Baltimore Week 8 bye. There was no report on Smith's progress through the bye week but it's likely he'll return to practice this week and possibly return to play four weeks after his high ankle sprain.
COREY COLEMAN | HAND FRACTURE | WEEK-TO-WEEK | TARGET WEEK 9
Coleman was cleared to return to football-related activity last week but not cleared to catch passes. He expected to be cleared this week and return to play. Expect an update from Hue Jackson on Monday. Coleman should have been able to remain in good condition while his hand healed and last week's limited work should have helped his timing. If he does return this week, he'll likely see his pre-injury workload.
SAMMIE COATES | LACERATED HAND / FRACTURED FINGER | WEEK-TO-WEEK
I may be making too much of Coates' injury but I'm not convinced he'll be ready to practice mid-week after aggravating his hand injury in Week 7. If Coates' laceration re-opened, it could well need 10-14 days to heal. If Coates isn't able to practice on Wednesday and Thursday, his availability for this week will be in question. Hopefully, it'll be proven to be a non-issue.
Ty Montgomery | Hematuria | Week-to-Week
The Packers listed Montgomery as limited with an illness all week and there was no obvious concern from the local media about his availability for Week 8. Montgomery was inactive, however, and it was later reported that his "illness" was a "kidney ailment" -- specifically blood in his urine after taking a hit last week. Presumably, imaging studies showed no serious injuries (bruise or laceration to the kidney) and the hematuria resolved quickly. I doubt the Green Bay medical staff would have cleared him for any football-related work in practice. Reports on Sunday implied there was no concern for a long term absence but watch developments closely here.
Monday Update: Montgomery's hematuria was reportedly due to sickle cell trait. There are multiple reasons why persons with sickle cell trait and disease can have blood in the urine, with some much more concerning than others. Thankfully, reports today suggest that the condition has resolved and Montgomery is preparing to play this week.
Quarterbacks Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Ben Roethlisberger | Left knee torn meniscus / Right knee contusion | W6 | No timetable given | 3-6 Weeks (Target W9) | Steelers have W8 bye |
Tony Romo | L1 compression fracture | PS W3 | 6-10 Weeks | 8-10 Wk (Target W8+) | |
Cody Kessler | Concussion | W7 | No timetable given | Day-to-Day | |
Running Backs Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
LeSean McCoy | Aggravated left hamstring strain | W7 | Day-to-Day | Week-to-Week | |
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 | 49ers have W8 bye |
Doug Martin | Aggravated right hamstring strain | W2 / W6 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
Tevin Coleman | Hamstring strain | W7 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
Jamaal Charles | Knee swelling | W6 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
Jerick McKinnon | Ankle injury | W7 | No timetable given | Awaiting Information | |
Matt Jones | Knee injury | W7 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
Thomas Rawls | Fibula fracture | W2 | Week-to-Week | Target W9+ | |
DeAngelo Williams | Knee injury | W6 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
James Starks | Meniscus tear / surgery | W6 | No timetable given | 3-4+ Weeks (Target W10+) | |
Lance Dunbar | Knee injury | W4 | Week-to-Week | 3-4 Weeks (Target W8) | Cowboys have W7 bye |
Wide Receivers Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Antonio Brown | Quad contusion | W7 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Julio Jones | Right leg injury | W8 | No timetable given | Day-to-Day | |
Corey Coleman | Fractured hand | W3 | 4-6 Weeks | 4-6 Weeks (Target W7+) | |
Steve Smith | High ankle sprain | W5 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
Will Fuller | Leg injury | W8 | No timetable given | Awaiting Information | |
Sammie Coates Jr | Lacerated hand / Fractured finger | W5 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
Eddie Royal | Toe injury | W6 | No timetable given | Week-to-Week | |
Ty Montgomery | Hematuria | W7 | Day-to-Day | Week-to-Week | |
Marquise Goodwin | Concussion | W7 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | |
Markus Wheaton | Aggravated shoulder injury | W6 | Week-to-Week | Target W9 (post-bye) | |
Tight Ends Injured But on the Active Roster | |||||
Player | Injury | Date | Player/Team Says | FBGs Expects | Notes |
Dwayne Allen | High ankle sprain | W6 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
Jared Cook | High ankle sprain | W4 | Week-to-Week | 3-4 Weeks (Target W8) | |
Jordan Cameron | Concussion | W3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
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 |
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 | W9 Return | Now practicing |
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.