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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
Nick Chubb | Right knee injury | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5
Chubb was hit on the outside of his right knee while pass blocking and did not return. Video of the injury is most consistent with an MCL sprain but additional injuries cannot be ruled out. The Browns wouldn't discuss specifics after the game, saying only Chubb would have an MRI on Monday to further evaluate the injury.
Thankfully, this injury is not to the same knee that Chubb injured (multiple ligament, including ACL) at Georgia.
Even an isolated, low-grade MCL sprain causes pain and stability issues that limit a running back's ability to play. Prepare for a multiple-week absence.
Monday Update: Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport are confirming a high-grade MCL sprain for Chubb. He may miss six weeks and will be moved to injured reserve today.
Mike Evans | Right high ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 5
Evans returned to the game after limping off with what video suggests is a high ankle sprain. Although he looked limited at times, Evans was effective for the rest of the game and Bruce Arians told reporters he thought Evans would play Thursday night.
However, as we often see, the 24-48 hours after a high ankle sprain are critical. Except in clearly higher-grade injuries, it can be difficult to predict the amount of swelling and stiffness that develop in the hours after the game. The quick turnaround to Thursday won't help Evans.
Arians' optimism sounds reassuring but we may hear more pessimism as the week progresses.
Cam Newton | COVID - reserve | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5
Newton was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday night, prompting the league to postpone New England's travel to Kansas City while the team further evaluated and observed Newton's close contacts.
It's not known whether Newton is experiencing symptoms. Hopefully, he will have mild illness and a quick and complete recovery. Assuming he recovers quickly and does not have severe or prolonged symptoms, Newton will be isolated until he has two negative tests on consecutive days or ten days have passed since his positive test. It's highly unlikely he meets the first criteria prior to the team's Week 5 game.
Josh Allen | Left shoulder injury | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 5
Allen briefly left before returning with a harness to support his shoulder injury. Video and the need for a supportive harness suggests Allen suffered a subluxation -- brief or partial dislocation -- of his shoulder. He'll have an MRI to further evaluate the injury on Monday but may not miss time. Expect limited practice this week. If Allen has enough strength and range of motion to protect himself in the pocket from future hits, he'll be cleared to play.
Austin Ekeler | Left hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5
Ekeler was hit and hyperextended his left knee as he tried to recover his footing. He immediately grabbed the back of his left leg, could not bear weight on the leg, and was carted to the locker room. After the game, Ekeler was seen leaving on crutches and in a knee brace.
The brace and crutches suggest there may be concern for a knee sprain. If it's only a hamstring condition, the immobilization is worrisome for a high-grade injury. Either way, this is likely a multiple-week absence for Ekeler and it won't be surprising to hear him moved to injured reserve before the end of the week.
Monday Update: Ian Rapoport is reporting Ekeler's hamstring injury is "serious" and he's likely to be moved to injured reserve.
Sam Darnold | Right AC sprain | Day-to-Day | Doubtful Week 5
Darnold returned to play despite a sprained shoulder after being slammed into the turf on a first-quarter sack. Darnold was reportedly in much more pain the morning after the game and the Jets are not sure whether he'll recover in time to play this week.
Even low-grade shoulder sprains are serious issues for quarterbacks when the throwing shoulder is involved and the throwing motion may be impacted. Darnold will need to have free and mostly painless range of motion to play. He's questionable at best and more likely doubtful.
Follow Up Appointments
Michael Thomas | Left high ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 5
Thomas had a full week of limited practices but was ruled out on Friday. The Saints play a home Monday night game this week followed by a Week 6 bye. Ian Rapoport and others believe Thomas has a good chance to play on Monday, which seems to be supported by last week's conditioning and individual drills.
Chris Godwin | Right hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5
Godwin reportedly has at least a significant lower grade strain and looks to be out multiple weeks. Even if Godwin recovers more quickly than initially expected, it will be tough for him to recondition in time for Tampa Bay's road Thursday night game this week.
Leonard Fournette | Left high ankle sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5
After further video review, Fournette looks to have suffered a high ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of last week's game. Although not a particularly violent mechanism on video, high ankle sprains can be a tough projection on video alone and Fournette has had chronic ankle issues since college.
Bruce Arians essentially ruled Fournette out during an early-week radio spot last week. While he said Fournette has a chance to play in Week 5, the quick turnaround to travel to Chicago for a Thursday night game is a difficult ask. Expect Week 6 to be Fournette's more likely return date.
Eligible to Return from Injured Reserve
LeVeon Bell | Left hamstring strain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 5
Bell is expected to return to practice and play this week. He believes he ready for a full workload immediately.
David Njoku | Right MCL sprain | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 5
Njoku was expected to miss three weeks with an MCL sprain. There are no local reports on whether the Browns believe he's ready to practice or not.
Denzel Mims | Hamstring strains | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 5
Mims is reportedly healthy enough to return but there's no guarantee the Jets move him to the active roster until he shows he's fully recovered and ready for a significant number of snaps and routes.
Fast Track News and Notes
***A weekend report suggests Drew Lock is "legitimately 50-50" to return in Week 5. The Broncos will evaluate Lock during the week before making a decision. I'm skeptical. There's very little chance Denver takes any chances returning their franchise quarterback from a throwing quarterback before he's fully reconditioned. However, it's now looking likely Lock will return before Denver's Week 8 bye.
***Raheem Mostert has yet to return to practice after a Week 2 knee sprain. The Niners did not move him to injured reserve, suggesting they were hopeful Mostert could return within three weeks. MCL sprains are tricky recoveries, however, and Mostert remains doubtful until he's cleared for individual drills.
***O.J. Howard suffered an Achilles' tear while making a cut on a fourth-quarter route and will miss the rest of the season.
Injured Players on Active Roster
|
Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Josh Allen | Buf | Left shoulder injury | Week 4 | Day-to-day | Week 5 Return | Probable Week 5 |
| Cam Newton | NE | COVID - reserve | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ Return | Doubtful Week 5 |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | SF | Right high ankle sprain | Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Drew Lock | Den | Right shoulder injury | Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Week 5+ Return | Doubtful Week 5 |
| Sam Darnold | NYJ | Right AC sprain | Week 4 | Day-to-Day | Week 5++ Return | Doubtful Week 5 |
| Tyrod Taylor | LAC | Chest injury / complication | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 5++ Return | Doubtful Week 5 |
|
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Nick Chubb | Cle | Right MCL sprain | Week 4 | 6 weeks | IR expected | Out Week 5 |
| Austin Ekeler | LAC | Left hamstring strain/knee sprain | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | IR likely | Out Week 5 |
| Raheem Mostert | SF | Right MCL sprain | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Leonard Fournette | TB | Left high ankle sprain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Doubtful Week 5 |
| LeSean McCoy | TB | Right ankle injury | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ Return | Doubtful Week 5 |
| Phillip Lindsay | Den | Toe sprain | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week 5 Return | Probable Week 5 |
| Sony Michel | NE | Quad injury | Week 3 | Injured reserve | Week 8 Return | |
| Cam Akers | LAR | Rib injury | Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Week 5 Return | Probable Week 5 |
| Carlos Hyde | Sea | Shoulder injury | Week 3 | Day-to-Day | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Zack Moss | Buf | Toe sprain | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Ryquell Armstead | Jac | COVID - reserve | Sep 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ Return | Doubtful Week 5 |
|
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Michael Thomas | NO | Left high ankle sprain | Week 1 | Day-to-Day | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Davante Adams | GB | Hamstring strain | Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Week 6 Return | Bye Week 5 |
| Julio Jones | Atl | Left hamstring strain | Week 1 | Day-to-Day | Week 4+ Return | MNF |
| Calvin Ridley | Atl | Ankle injury | Week 3 | Day-to-Day | Week 4 Return | MNF |
| Chris Godwin | TB | Right hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ Return | Doubtful Week 5 |
| Mike Evans | TB | Right high ankle sprain | Week 4 | Day-to-Day | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| A.J. Brown | Ten | Knee contusion | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Doubtful Week 5 |
| Adam Humphries | Ten | COVID - reserve | Week 4 | Day-to-Day | Week 6+ Return | Doubtful Week 5 |
| Diontae Johnson | Pit | Concussion | Week 3 | Concussion protocol | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Henry Ruggs | LVR | Hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Bryan Edwards | LVR | Right high ankle sprain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Doubtful Week 5 |
| Breshad Perriman | NYJ | Left high ankle sprain | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Alshon Jeffery | Phi | Right Lisfranc fixation | Dec 2019 | Day-to-Day | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| DeSean Jackson | Phi | Hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| J.J. Arcega-Whiteside | Phi | Calf injury | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Mike Williams | LAC | Hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Steven Sims Jr | Was | Toe injury | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| K.J. Hamler | Den | Hamstring strain | Week 4 | Awaiting Information | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
|
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Jared Cook | NO | Groin strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Noah Fant | Den | Right ankle injury | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ Return | Out Week 5 |
| O.J. Howard | TB | Achilles tendon tear | Week 4 | Season-ending injury | IR (exp) | 2021 return |
| Tyler Eifert | Jac | Concussion | Week 4 | Concussion protocol | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Jordan Akins | Hou | Concussion | Week 4 | Concussion protocol | Week 5+ Return | Questionable Week 5 |
| Hunter Bryant | Det | Hamstring strain | Preseason | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Bye Week 5 |
| Marcedes Lewis | GB | Knee injury | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Bye Week 5 |
| Josiah Deguara | GB | Ankle injury | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ Return | Bye Week 5 |
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
|
Notable Quarterbacks on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
|
Notable Running Backs on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Christian McCaffrey | Car | Right high ankle sprain | Week 2 | IR (Week 3) | Eligible Week 6 | Probable 2020 return (W6+) |
| Tevin Coleman | SF | Knee sprain | Week 2 | IR (Week 3) | Eligible Week 6 | Probable 2020 return (W6+) |
| LeVeon Bell | NYJ | Left hamstring strain | Week 1 | IR (Week 2) | Eligible Week 5 | Probable 2020 return (W5+) |
| Damien Harris | NE | Fifth finger fracture fixation | Preseason | IR (Week 1) | Eligible Week 4 | Probable 2020 return (W4) |
| Devine Ozigbo | Jac | Hamstring strain | Preseason | IR (Week 1) | Eligible Week 4 | Probable 2020 return (W4+) |
| Rashaad Penny | Sea | Left ACL reconstruction + | Dec 2019 | PUP (Reserve) | Eligible W7 | Questionable 2020 return (W8++) |
| Bryce Love | Was | Chronic knee swelling | Chronic | IR (Week 4) | Eligible W7 | Probable 2020 return (W7+) |
| Saquon Barkley | NYG | Right ACL/meniscus/MCL | Week 2 | IR | 9-12 months | 2021 return |
| Marlon Mack | Ind | Right Achilles tear | Week 1 | IR | 9-12 months | 2021 return |
| Tarik Cohen | Chi | Right ACL/MCL injury | Week 3 | IR | 9-12 months | 2021 return |
|
Notable Wide Receivers on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Parris Campbell | Ind | Left PCL repair/MCL sprain | Week 2 | IR (Week 3) | Eligible Week 8 | Doubtful 2020 return |
| Michael Pittman | Ind | Compartment syndrome | Week 4 | IR (Week 4) | Eligible Week 8 | Probable 2020 return (W8+) |
| Sterling Shepard | NYG | Toe sprain | Week 2 | IR (Week 3) | Eligible Week 6 | Probable 2020 return (W6+) |
| Allen Lazard | GB | Core abd muscle repair | Week 4 | IR (Week 4) | Eligible Week 8 | Probable 2020 return (W8+) |
| Jalen Reagor | Phi | Thumb ligament repair | Week 4 | IR (Week 4) | Eligible Week 7 | Probable 2020 return (W7+) |
| Denzel Mims | NYJ | Hamstring strains | Week 2 | IR (Week 2) | Eligible Week 5 | Probable 2020 return (W5+) |
| Gunner Olszewski | NE | Foot injury | Week 1 | IR (Week 1) | Eligible Week 4 | Probable 2020 return (W4+) |
| Richie James | SF | Hamstring strain | Week 1 | IR (Week 2) | Eligible Week 5 | Probable 2020 return (W5+) |
| Courtland Sutton | Den | Left ACL/MCL tear | Week 2 | IR | 9-12 months | 2021 return |
| Tyrell Williams | LVR | Shoulder labrum tear | Aug 2020 | IR (Reserve) | Ineligible 2020 | 2021 return |
| Jalen Hurd | SF | ACL reconstruction | Aug 2020 | IR (Reserve) | Ineligible 2020 | 2021 return |
| Kelvin Harmon | Was | ACL reconstruction | Jul 2020 | IR (Reserve) | Ineligible 2020 | 2021 return |
|
Notable Tight Ends on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Dallas Goedert | Phi | Left high ankle sprain / fibula fracture | Week 3 | IR (Week 4) | Eligible Week 7 | Probable 2020 return (W7+) |
| David Njoku | Cle | Right MCL sprain | Week 2 | IR (Week 2) | Eligible Week 5 | Probable 2020 return (W5+) |
| Jordan Reed | SF | Left MCL sprain | Week 4 | IR (Week 4) | Eligible Week 7 | Questionable 2020 return (W7++) |
| Blake Jarwin | Dal | Right ACL tear | Week 1 | IR (Week 2) | 9-12 months | 2021 return |
| C.J. Uzomah | Cin | Right Achilles tear | Week 1 | IR (Week 2) | 9-12 months | 2021 return |
| Josh Oliver | Jac | Foot fracture | Aug 2020 | IR (Reserve) | Ineligible 2020 | 2021 return |
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.
