NOTE: During the regular season, this column is a living document through Tuesday morning. 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.
Scroll to the bottom of this article for a quick look table of the week's most pressing injury situations and a review of players on injured reserve / PUP / NFI.
Footballguys will have close and detailed coverage of all injuries this season. Here's a look at my expected schedule. I will do my best to stick to this. Work and family responsibilities may sometimes cause brief delays.
Monday Injury Rounds: Posted Sunday night, updated through Tuesday AM. Detailed analysis of the week's injuries with table for quick review. Offensive injuries will be live Sunday night. Critical defensive and offensive line injuries will be added throughout the day on Monday. I'll be updating with news and analysis through Tuesday.
Midweek Injury Expectations: Posted Wednesday night and updated Thursday. Analysis of the practice participation report with a table including my projection of each injured player's likely game status. Will include discussion of any major breaking injury news.
Sunday Gameday Expectations: Posted by Saturday afternoon, updated through Sunday morning inactives. Will include individual player blurbs with detailed thoughts on the week's injury news and my speculation on player availability and limitations. Will include table highlighting each day's practice participation, official game status, and my availability expectation.
I'll also be contributing to our waiver wire podcast (Tuesday release) and our live Sunday morning pregame show (10 ET Sunday on YouTube). I will also be retweeting 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.
INJURY ROUNDS
Later this week, I'll have an article examining which injured offensive players carry too much risk at their current ADP and which players look safe to draft.
But the early preseason -- which I judge to run through the third preseason game -- can be the toughest time to get a read on an injured player. Teams have little incentive to put an injured player at risk 3-4 weeks before the regular season begins. Veteran players on teams with established offenses, no major personnel changes around them, and little playbook turnover are better served by recovery and conditioning than risking aggravations. Even rookies who could use an extra day of repetitions likely benefit from recovery time.
There's also little incentive for teams to provide specific details on a player's diagnosis or recovery timetable. There are no required practice participation reports or injury designations until the very end of the preseason. Teams have until the 53-man roster deadline to put players on the injured reserve or reserve-PUP lists.
So, determining whether a player's soft tissue injury or recovery from early offseason surgery is significant enough to threaten his playing time during Week 1 isn't easy.
My default stance tends to be optimistic in the early preseason weeks.
Unless...
***A player's known surgery has a recovery timetable that may extend into the regular season.
We know Carson Wentz's injury -- anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) repair -- often takes over nine months of rehab time. We know Alshon Jeffery's rotator cuff repair requires at least 5-6 months of recovery time. Both timetables leave the player little room for error. As detailed below, Wentz's progress allows for progressively more optimism about a Week 1 return. Jeffery may not yet be there.
***There is visible evidence of a longer-term injury occurring during the preseason weeks.
This is difficult. It's rare to get multiple angles of an injury occurring during a preseason practice. But most preseason games have multiple high definition angles for review. The video of Saquon Barkley's hamstring strain was suspicious for more than a low-grade strain. A review of Samaje Perine's injury suggested a low-grade high ankle sprain. Both can be considered more than day-to-day recoveries.
***There is no imminent plan for an increase in practice participation.
No news is not good news for D'Onta Foreman and his Achilles recovery. There's reason to worry when coaches seem to have little idea when Rishard Matthews and Vance McDonald and Sony Michel may return to practice.
Finally, next week is different.
A decade ago, nearly every NFL team used the third preseason week as a dress rehearsal. Starters would play two quarters and a series into the third quarter. While still relatively common, many teams won't risk injury to their key players in any preseason week -- including the third. However, while I don't worry as much if a player misses the third preseason game, it's a clear red flag if they aren't ready to practice the following week.
Injured players need to get back into football condition. The final stage of injury rehab is full football-related activity at speed. Get through this stage without an aggravation and a player can be considered fully recovered. Coaches need to see their players pass this stage to be confident there will be no surprises after they decide upon and install a weekly game plan.
It's possible for a player not to return to practice until the Wednesday before Week 1 games, then fully practice and considered at full strength. But I won't feel confident about those players until 48 hours before game time, if then.
Reference tables with quick notes on all the notable quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends follow extended analysis on the most challenging injury situations.
T.Y. Hilton | Left shoulder sprain | Preseason Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1
Hilton left last week's preseason game with a shoulder injury. He was seen with a wrap on the sideline but follow up reports have all been reassuring. Shoulder injuries can be difficult for receivers to play through but all indications are Hilton has a minor and short-term injury. He's expected to return to practice this week.
Rashaad Penny | Surgical fixation left index finger | Preseason Week 1 | 3-4 Weeks | Questionable Week 1
Pete Carroll was optimistic about Penny's recovery after the running back had surgery to fixate a broken bone at the base of his index finger last week. Carroll told reporters he expects Penny to have a chance to return in two weeks but allowed the recovery could take longer. Currently, Penny is in a splint but could be cleared to return and play quickly. His ability to grip, catch, and pass block will determine how quickly he'll return. Week 1 is a strong possibility.
Delanie Walker | Toe injury | Preseason Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1
Walker suffered a toe injury during a joint practice with Tampa Bay last week. Observers said the injury occurred when a defender landed on him during a tackle. Sometimes this mechanism is suspicious for a Lisfranc injury. However, Walker's injury has been called a big toe injury, there has been no report of additional imaging or specialist visits, and the early timetables sound more day-to-day than week-to-week. All are positive and reassuring factors. A quick return to practice for Walker would confirm him as probable for Week 1.
Follow-up Appointments
Carson Wentz | Left ACL reconstruction / LCL repair | Mid-December 2017 | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1
Wentz has been cleared to return to team drills this week, a necessary step for him to have any chance at a Week 1 return. Though there has been much discussion about Wentz's recovery in recent weeks, I think this was the timetable all along.
The Eagles allowed Wentz to participate in 11-on-11 work in their June mini-camp, elected not to put him on the PUP list in late July, and have allowed him to participate in everything short of contact drills over the past three weeks. There has yet to be any indication the team's medical staff is worried about Wentz's rehab progress. For Wentz to be deemed ready to play in Week 1, he'll have to show the medical staff he's ready to protect his knee in contact situations and he'll need to show the coaching staff exactly how comfortable he is inside and outside the pocket.
Nick Foles seems to have avoided a serious throwing shoulder injury last week and remains in the mix to start Week 1.
However, I think the team wants Wentz in the huddle. It's unlikely Wentz is healthy enough to be a consistent factor as a runner when a play breaks down or on designed rushes, but he should be a capable pocket passer until his comfort level outside the pocket returns. I still have Wentz listed questionable for Week 1, but he's trending more probable than doubtful. A week of practice without concern would move him to probable for Week 1.
Doug Baldwin | Knee soreness | Early preseason | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1
Baldwin is again running full speed and his rehab is progressing as planned. Baldwin is likely to do more football-specific rehab this week as the Seahawks determine whether he's ready to return to contact practices the following week and the usual practice and Week 1 preparation in two weeks. There can be no setbacks for Baldwin to play in Week 1. Any delay in his recovery will put early-season playing time at risk and could mean trouble for the rest of his 2018 season.
Rex Burkhead | Knee injury | Preseason Week 1 | Returned to practice | Probable Week 1
Beat writer Jeff Howe was the first to report specifics on Burkhead's previously undisclosed injury, tweeting Burkhead was rehabbing a "slight tear" in his knee. That still leaves a wide range of diagnosis -- from low-grade ligament sprain to a worrisome meniscus injury. Reassuringly, Burkhead was back to practice last weekend. While it won't be surprising to see the Patriots limit Burkhead's practice reps over the next few days, his return to practice rules out many of the most concerning injuries. He's looking probable for Week 1.
INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER
Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Phi
|
Left ACL reconstruction / LCL repair
|
Mid-December 2017
|
Started 11-on-11 work
|
Day-to-Day
|
Questionable Week 1 | |
Phi
|
Right shoulder strain
|
PS Week 2
|
Returned to practice
|
Day-to-Day
|
||
Buf
|
Fractured collarbone
|
PS Week 2
|
6+ Weeks
|
6+ Weeks
|
Additional testing pending | |
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
NYG
|
Left hamstring strain
|
PS Week 1
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week-to-Week
|
Probable Week 1 | |
LeSean McCoy
|
Buf
|
Groin strain | PS Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
SF
|
Right calf strain | PS Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Probable Week 1 | |
Was
|
Left ACL tear
|
PS Week 1
|
Injured reserve (exp)
|
Injured reserve | 2019 return
|
||
Ind
|
Left hamstring strain
|
PS Week 1
|
Week-to-Week
|
2-4+ Weeks
|
Questionable Week 1
|
|
NE
|
Fluid aspiration knee joint | PS Week 1 | 2-4 Weeks | 2-4+ Weeks | Questionable Week 1 | |
NE
|
Knee injury
|
PS Week 1
|
Returned to practice |
Day-to-Day
|
Probable Week 1 | |
Sea
|
Fixation left index finger fracture
|
PS Week 1
|
3-4 Weeks
|
3-4 Weeks
|
Questionable Week 1 | |
SF
|
AC (shoulder) sprain
|
PS Week 1
|
2-4 Weeks |
2-4 Weeks
|
Probable Week 1
|
|
D'Onta Foreman
|
Hou
|
Left Achilles repair
|
Late November 2017
|
Active / PUP
|
Month-to-Month
|
Doubtful Week 1
|
Was
|
Right fibula fixation
|
Early December 2017
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 | |
NYJ
|
Concussion
|
PS Week 1
|
Returned to drills
|
Day-to-Day
|
Probable Week 1 | |
GB
|
Ankle sprain
|
PS Week 2
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Probable Week 1 | |
GB
|
Hamstring strain
|
Early preseason
|
Returned to practice
|
Day-to-Day
|
Suspended through Week 2 | |
TB
|
Right knee sprain (? MCL)
|
PS Week 2
|
Day-to-Day
|
Week-to-Week
|
Probable Week 1 | |
Was
|
Left high ankle sprain
|
PS Week 2
|
Week-to-Week
|
2-4 Weeks
|
Questionable Week 1 | |
Phi
|
Left leg injury
|
PS Week 1
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
||
Dal
|
Hip injury
|
PS Week 2
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
||
NYJ
|
Foot fracture fixation
|
Late July 2018
|
3-6 Weeks
|
6+ Weeks
|
Doubtful Week 1 | |
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Pit
|
Quad flexor strain
|
Early preseason
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 | |
Odell Beckham Jr/div>
|
NYG
|
Left high ankle / fibula fracture w/ surgery
|
Early October 2017
|
Practicing | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
Sea |
Knee condition / soreness
|
Early preseason
|
Week-to-Week | 3-4 Weeks | Questionable Week 1 | |
Ind
|
Left shoulder sprain
|
PS Week 2
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 | |
Den
|
Wrist injury
|
PS Week 2
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 | |
Phi
|
Right rotator cuff repair
|
Mid-February 2018
|
Active / PUP | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 | |
Ten
|
Undisclosed
|
May-June 2018
|
Active / PUP | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 | |
Phi
|
Undisclosed
|
Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 | |
Sea
|
Toe injury
|
PS Week 2
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 | |
Mia
|
Left ankle/calf injury
|
PS Week 1
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 | |
Dal
|
Groin strain
|
PS Week 2
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 | |
NYJ |
Fractured ankle fixation / Hip strain
|
May 2018
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Probable Week 1 | |
Mia
|
Finger fracture
|
PS Week 1
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Probable Week 1 | |
Ari
|
Foot injury
|
PS Week 2
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 | |
GB
|
SC sprain |
PS Week 2
|
2-4 Weeks | 2-4 Weeks | Questionable Week 1 | |
Hou
|
Hamstring strain
|
Early preseason
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 | |
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Was
|
Sesamoidectomy?
|
? January 2018
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Probable Week 1
|
|
Ten
|
Toe injury
|
PS Week 2
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Probable Week 1
|
|
Cin
|
Microdiscectomy
|
Late October 2017
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Probable Week 1
|
|
Chi
|
Right ankle sprain
|
PS Week 2
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Probable Week 1 | |
Pit
|
Right foot injury
|
Early preseason
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week-to-Week
|
||
SF
|
AC (shoulder) sprain
|
PS Week 1
|
2-4 Weeks
|
2-4 Weeks
|
Probable Week 1 | |
LAR
|
Shoulder injury
|
Early preseason
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week-to-Week
|
||
Ari
|
Right Achilles repair
|
Late December 2017
|
Active / PUP
|
Active / PUP
|
Doubtful Week 1 | |
LAC
|
Right ACL reconstruction
|
Late May 2018
|
Injured reserve (exp)
|
Injured reserve | 2019 return
|
||
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Tackles
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Coming Week 1 | ||||||
Guards
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Coming Week 1 | ||||||
Centers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Coming Week 1 | ||||||
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Edge Rushers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Coming Week 1 | ||||||
Defensive Linemen
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Coming Week 1 | ||||||
Linebackers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Coming Week 1 | ||||||
Defensive Backs
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Coming Week 1 |
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
|
Notable Wide Receivers on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Ind
|
Photos provided by USA TODAY Sports
Tags
Injuries
Offseason
Nelson Agholor
Saquon Barkley
Cole Beasley
Odell Beckham Jr
Matt Breida
Antonio Brown
Rex Burkhead
Corey Clement
Keke Coutee
Gerald Everett
Nick Foles
Hunter Henry
T.Y. Hilton
Aaron Jones
George Kittle
Jake Kumerow
Tyler Lockett
Marlon Mack
AJ McCarron
Jerick McKinnon
Sony Michel
DeVante Parker
Rashaad Penny
Samaje Perine
Adam Shaheen
Kenny Stills
Carson Wentz
Jamaal Williams
just now
|