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. 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 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
JIMMY GAROPPOLO | LEFT ACL TEAR | OUT FOR SEASON
Garoppolo suffered a non-contact knee injury on a scrambling run. Unfortunately, the mechanism of injury was classic for an ACL tear and Garoppolo will have an MRI to confirm the inevitable tomorrow. Assuming no additional meniscus or ligament damage, Garoppolo should be ready for training camp next summer.
a.j. green | groin injury | awaiting information | questionable week 4
It's unclear what type of injury Green sustained Sunday. The team reported a groin injury. Green told reporters he "came down on my hip and I guess my two bones just hit," calling the injury just a bruise. Initially declared probable to return, Green was downgraded to questionable by the team and ultimately never returned to play.
The Bengals rarely provide actionable information about injuries during press conferences but multiple national writers are close to Green and often report useful information. It's too soon to handicap the odds that Green plays this week. There may prove to be no concern with Green fully practicing and returning to his usual workload in Week 5. Or we may hear reports he'll need an MRI and have to monitor his status closely through the week. I'll have more on Monday as more details are reported.
evan engram | right mcl sprain | week-to-week | Doubtful week 4
Engram was hit on the front of the right knee and then twisted the same knee after he somersaulted to the turf following the hit. After the game, Engram said he wanted to return but the knee "just didn't feel right." He left the stadium in a brace and will reportedly have an MRI on Monday. Anything from a ligament sprain (possibly PCL), meniscus tear, or a bruise around the joint could be possible. Consider Engram questionable for Week 4 until his imaging results are known.
Update: Adam Schefter is reporting Engram has an MCL sprain and is considered week-to-week. That's arguably a best-case scenario. If the sprain is low grade, it may prove to be only a 1-2 week absence. Many of the other possibilities would have been longer-term recoveries. Engram's return to play will be based on the stability of his knee on examination and how soon his knee feels stable when cutting.
anthony miller | left shoulder dislocation | week-to-week | doubtful week 4
The Bears reported Miller dislocated his left shoulder on Sunday. He will have additional testing on Monday to determine whether there are any associated injuries. Shoulder dislocations involve higher-grade ligament sprains and also often involve labral tears. The ligament sprains will take multiple weeks to heal, while labral injuries require surgery to stabilize the shoulder joint. Some players attempt to play through these injuries after their pain resolves and strength and range of motion return. Doing so usually involves a harness, which would limit the catch radius of a wide receiver. Miller and the Bears will decide how to proceed after tomorrow's MRI. At minimum, this will be a 2-4 week absence. If it's decided immediate surgery is necessary, Miller's season will be over.
Others of note:
***Deshaun Watson has bruised ribs but is not expected to miss time.
***Blaine Gabbert suffered a concussion and is in the return-to-play protocol.
***Tyrod Taylor suffered a concussion Thursday night. Sunday morning reports suggested he was recovering well and was expected to complete the return-to-play protocol in time to be available to play in Week 4.
***Jack Doyle was able to play nearly three quarters in Week 2 after his hip injury but the Colts now consider week-to-week. Details on his injury are not known.
Offensive line and defensive notes:
***Andrus Peat was a surprise addition to the inactive list after practicing through an ankle injury last week.
***Billy Price will be in a walking boot for two weeks and then have a foot injury re-evaluated. He denied a Lisfranc injury but the team's medical staff was paying particular attention to the top of his midfoot on the field in Week 2. Expect a minimum 3-4 week absence.
***Bryan Bulaga left the game with a back injury. There were no further details provided by the Packers.
***Morgan Moses and Donald Penn are both in the return-to-play protocol after suffering concussions.
***Sean Lee is now dealing with hamstring strains in both legs. He's likely to need time to recover.
***Muhammad Wilkerson will miss the rest of the season after having an ankle fracture/dislocation addressed emergently in the hospital yesterday.
***Multiple defensive backs suffered injuries yesterday. Ricardo Allen likely tore his Achilles tendon. Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, Richard Sherman, and Patrick Robinson are all doubtful at best for Week 4.
Follow-up Appointments
leonard fournette | right hamstring strain | Day-to-Day | questionable Week 4
Last Friday, the Jaguars said Fournette was running at near 100% but felt a grab in his hamstring that prompted the team to remain cautious and keep him inactive in Week 2. After a week of limited practice, it appeared Fournette would be cleared to play this week. But the Jaguars have yet to allow Fournette to play through any injury with a risk of aggravation. He was rested last year with an ankle sprain until able to fully practice and that seems to be the plan this year as well. Consider Fournette questionable to play again this week until he is able to handle a full practice.
Joe mixon | arthroscopic right knee meniscectomy | week-to-week | Doubtful week 4
Mixon's recovery is reportedly going well one week after a scope to address a meniscus tear in his right knee. Mixon was on the rehab field pushing to run by midweek and had to be held back by the Bengals' medical staff. Jason La Canfora reported Mixon could have a chance to return this week. Two weeks is a quick -- but not impossible -- recovery after arthroscopic surgery. The Bengals will not push their lead back, however, and have a very capable replacement in Giovani Bernard. Cincinnati travels to Atlanta this week, which may also play a role in the team's decision. If Mixon isn't cleared for Week 4, it's looking likely he'll be ready to return in Week 5.
devonta freeman | knee contusion | week-to-week | doubtful week 4
Early last week, Adam Schefter reported Freeman would need 3-4 weeks to recover from a bruised knee. Falcons' head coach Dan Quinn bristled at that report, arguing the team had no timetable for Freeman's return and considered him day-to-day. It's been two full weeks of missed practice for Freeman, however, and players often need more than one week to recondition after returning to practice. Expect the Falcons to continue to refer to Freeman as day-to-day but it will be practice participation that defines whether Freeman is close to returning this week or not.
dalvin cook | left hamstring strain | week-to-week | questionable week 4
There were reasons to be suspicious about Cook's claim that his hamstring had only cramped last week. Though a tough location to return from a cramp, the Vikings had no reason for being cautious with Cook in an overtime game against a divisional opponent. The missed practice on Wednesday confirmed the true nature of Cook's injury and videos of light rehab work were also telling. With the quick turnaround to this week's Thursday night contest in Los Angeles, the Vikings chose to keep Cook inactive. Like Fournette last week, Cook's practice participation will be key. If he's fully practicing on Tuesday, he'll be ready to go. If not, prepare for another week of uncertainty.
doug baldwin | right mcl sprain | week-to-week | doubtful week 4
Early in the week, Pete Carroll was asked about Baldwin's recovery and told reporters, "There's nothing to say about him returning at this point." When players are close to returning, Carroll tends to be more optimistic and specific -- as he was at the end of the preseason when Baldwin was nearing a return from a knee procedure. Baldwin is making progress in his recovery and Carroll said he'd been cleared to run later in the week. What isn't known is whether Baldwin is doing more than running in a straight line and whether the Seahawks' medical staff feels any residual looseness in his knee joint. To return to play, Baldwin will have to feel comfortable cutting at game speed and the medical staff will have to be confident his joint is stable for play. If Baldwin returns to individual drills early this week, there's an outside chance he'll be cleared to play in Week 4.
greg olsen | refracture right fifth metatarsal | week-to-week | week 4 bye
Olsen is no longer in a walking boot and has been cleared to do some light running. He has two weeks to recondition and determine whether or not he can return in Week 5. Though highly motivated to play, it's hard to see Olsen finishing the season without further setbacks. He will need revision surgery on his foot injury.
jay ajayi | back injury | week-to-week | questionable week 4
Ajayi was hit with a face mask in the right lower back, then bent awkwardly backward on the same play and struggled to walk off the field. He told reporters he needed to "get right" early last week but was unable to practice. It remains unclear whether Ajayi is struggling to recover from back spasms only -- or whether his spasms are caused by another injury. Doug Pederson has been relatively forthcoming with injury information during his Monday press conferences and could give us an indication whether Ajayi will be able to practice and play in Week 4.
marcus mariota | right ulnar nerve contusion | day-to-day | questionable week 4
Mariota was forced to play on Sunday after Blaine Gabbert left with a concussion. The Titans had hoped to continue to rest Mariota and allow his right elbow more healing time. Mariota played with a padded sleeve over his elbow and a half-glove over the fourth and fifth fingers on his right hand. Mariota didn't throw the ball downfield often and his limited grip kept him from throwing tight spirals but he was effective enough to lead the Titans to victory.
There are now multiple layers to Mariota's Week 4 availability. Mariota is not likely to be fully recovered by next week and the Titans had intended to rest him until he was. However, Mariota has now proven he can play effectively enough and Gabbert won't see many first team reps as he progresses through the return-to-play protocol this week. Strictly from a health perspective, Mariota should be considered questionable this week. But Gabbert's health could force the Titans' hand again in Week 4.
Others of note:
***Alshon Jeffery has still not been cleared for contact but is very close to returning. He did more in practice last week and was listed questionable on the final injury report. Look for Doug Pederson to give an optimistic update on Monday. Update: Pederson told reporters Jeffery was not yet cleared for contact but would continue to increase his practice participation.
***Darren Sproles has yet to practice after a Week 1 hamstring strain and there doesn't appear to be much optimism about his status. That is worrisome for a higher-grade strain and a longer term (3-4 week minimum) absence. Update: Doug Pederson told reporters Sproles could return this week barring setbacks. He'll still need to have a smooth week of reconditioning to play in Week 4. NOTE: The Eagles later clarified Pederson's comments, saying Sproles would return to practice this week. His game status has yet to be determined.
***LeSean McCoy was not able to play through a painful rib cartilage injury and is still day-to-day.
***Marlon Mack suffered a right foot injury in Week 2. He was able to return to the game and Frank Reich suggested Mack would be fine early last week. But Mack did not practice and was declared out on Friday. Mack's mechanism of injury wasn't suspicious for a long-term recovery but his missed practices are worrisome. He was also still listed with a hamstring injury on this week's injury report. I'll update with more on Monday.
Offensive line and defensive notes:
***Jack Conklin could be back this week for Tennessee. He continues to do more in practice and may be cleared for contact in Week 4.
***David DeCastro and Marcus Gilbert did not practice last week and may not be ready for Week 4.
***Trai Turner hasn't practiced in two weeks after a Week 1 concussion, suggesting his progress has been slow. His Wednesday practice participation is critical.
***Joey Bosa is out at least another 2-4 weeks with his foot contusion.
***C.J. Mosley returned to practice and tested his injured knee but wasn't able to play. His practice was unexpected and a promising sign for Week 4.
INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER
Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
GB
|
Left knee injury
|
Week 1
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Probable Week 4 | |
Hou
|
Rib contusion
|
Week 3
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Probable Week 4 | |
SF
|
Left ACL tear
|
Week 3
|
Inseason IR (exp)
|
IR | 2019 return
|
Out for season | |
Ten
|
Right elbow nerve palsy
|
Week 1
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Questionable Week 4 | |
Ten
|
Concussion
|
Week 3
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week-to-Week
|
Questionable Week 4 | |
Cle
|
Concussion
|
Week 3
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Probable Week 4 | |
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Jac
|
Right hamstring strain
|
Week 1
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Questionable Week 4
|
|
Cin
|
Arthroscopic right knee surgery
|
Week 2
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 4+ Return
|
Doubtful Week 4
|
|
Atl
|
Knee contusion
|
Week 1
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 4+ Return
|
Doubtful Week 4
|
|
Min
|
Left hamstring strain
|
Week 3
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Questionable Week 4
|
|
Phi
|
Hamstring strain
|
Week 1
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week-to-Week
|
Questionable Week 4
|
|
Phi
|
Back injury
|
Week 2
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week-to-Week
|
Questionable Week 4
|
|
Was
|
Ankle sprain
|
Week 3
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Probable Week 4
|
|
Buf
|
Rib cartilage injury
|
Week 2
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Questionable Week 4
|
|
NE
|
Neck injury
|
Week 3
|
Awaiting Information
|
Day-to-Day
|
Questionable Week 4
|
|
Ind
|
Right foot injury / Left hamstring strain
|
Week 2
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week-to-Week
|
Questionable Week 4
|
|
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Cin
|
Groin injury
|
Week 3
|
Day-to-Day | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 4 | |
Sea
|
Right MCL sprain
|
Week 1
|
Week-to-Week | Week 4+ Return | Doubtful Week 4 | |
Ari
|
Right hamstring strain
|
Week 2
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 4 | |
Phi
|
Right rotator cuff repair
|
Mid-February 2018
|
Week-to-Week | Week 4+ Return | Questionable Week 4 | |
Chi
|
Left shoulder dislocation
|
Week 3
|
Week-to-Week | Week 6+ Return | Out Week 4 | |
NE
|
Hamstring strain
|
Week 2 aggravation
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 4 | |
LAC
|
Foot injury
|
Week 1
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 | |
Hou
|
Hamstring strain
|
Week 3
|
Awaiting Information | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 | |
Car
|
Cardiac procedure
|
PS Week 4
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 | |
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
NYG
|
Right MCL sprain
|
Week 3
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 5+ Return
|
Doubtful Week 4 | |
Car
|
Refracture right fifth metatarsal
|
Week 1
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 5+ Return
|
Week 4 Bye | |
Ind
|
Hip injury
|
Week 2
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 5+ Return
|
Doubtful Week 4 | |
Bal
|
Foot stress fracture fixation
|
PS Week 3
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 4+ Return
|
Doubtful Week 4 | |
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Tackles
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Andrus Peat | NO | Ankle injury | Week 1 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 4 |
Jack Conklin | Ten | ACL reconstruction | Early January 2018 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Anthony Castonzo | Ind | Hamstring strain | Aggravated PS Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 4 |
Joe Barksdale | LAC | Knee injury | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 4 |
Bryan Bulaga | GB | Back injury | Week 3 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 4 |
Marcus Gilbert | Pit | Hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Morgan Moses | Was | Concussion | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Donald Penn | Oak | Concussion | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Andre Smith | Ari | Elbow injury | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Joe Haeg | Ind | Ankle injury | Week 3 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 4 |
Guards
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
David DeCastro | Pit | Fractured hand | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 3 |
Trai Turner | Car | Concussion | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Shaun Lauvao | Was | Calf injury | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 4 |
Justin McCray | GB | Shoulder injury | Week 3 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | |
Ethan Pocic | Sea | Ankle injury | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
Josh Garnett | SF | Toe dislocation | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
A.J. Cann | Jac | Triceps strain | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | |
Centers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Travis Frederick | Dal | Guillain-Barre Syndrome | Preseason | Week-to-Week | Week 9+ Return | Out Week 4 |
Billy Price | Cin | Foot injury | Week 2 | 2+ Weeks | Week 6+ Return | Out Week 4 |
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Edge Rushers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Joey Bosa | LAC | Left foot sprain | PS Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ Return | Out Week 4 |
Everson Griffen | Min | Knee injury | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Olivier Vernon | NYG | Ankle sprain / contusion | PS Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Ezekiel Ansah | Det | Shoulder injury | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Trey Flowers | NE | Concussion | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Dee Ford | KC | Groin strain | Week 3 | Awaiting Information | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Nick Perry | GB | Concussion | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Emmanuel Ogbah | Cle | Ankle injury | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 4 |
Takkarist McKinley | Atl | Groin strain | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Shaq Lawson | Buf | Hamstring strain | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4 |
Defensive Linemen
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Photos provided by USA TODAY Sports
Tags
Injuries
Ricardo Allen
Eli Apple
Denico Autry
Travis Benjamin
Giovani Bernard
Joey Bosa
Rex Burkhead
Dalvin Cook
Jack Doyle
Evan Engram
Trey Flowers
Dee Ford
D'Onta Foreman
Leonard Fournette
Devonta Freeman
Blaine Gabbert
Jimmy Garoppolo
Josh Gordon
A.J. Green
Everson Griffen
Vernon Hargreaves III
Hunter Henry
Mack Hollins
Hayden Hurst
Adoree' Jackson
Deion Jones
Kevin King
Christian Kirksey
Jake Kumerow
Shaq Lawson
Tyquan Lewis
Marlon Mack
Marcus Mariota
Marcus Maye
Jerick McKinnon
Takk McKinley
Anthony Miller
Joe Mixon
C.J. Mosley
Keanu Neal
Emmanuel Ogbah
Adrian Peterson
Marcus Peters
Aaron Rodgers
Eric Rowe
Curtis Samuel
Adam Shaheen
Richard Sherman
Jaquiski Tartt
Tyrod Taylor
Vita Vea
Jason Verrett
Deshaun Watson
Cedrick Wilson Jr.
K.J. Wright
just now
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