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 me @JeneBramel and checking my timeline on Twitter throughout the week.
INJURY ROUNDS
Ryan Tannehill | Right shoulder sprain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 7
Tannehill was driven into the turf onto his right shoulder after a throw against Oakland in Week 3. He has been on-and-off the injury report since over the past three weeks and showed some hesitancy driving throws downfield at times. But he didn't miss practice or any game snaps until this Friday, when the Dolphins held him out of team drills. It's not clear what Tannehill's injury may be -- there's debate among the local media about whether he's dealing with an AC sprain or another type of shoulder injury -- but it is clear he doesn't feel comfortable throwing.
Adam Gase refused to answer questions after Sunday's game, citing health privacy laws that do not apply to NFL players under contract. Hopefully, the extra few days of rest and rehab will prove successful. If Tannehill is dealing with something more ominous than an AC sprain, though, he may struggle to maintain strength and accuracy in the coming weeks and months. I'll update as more details are reported.
Monday Update: Adam Gase would not discuss injury details during his Monday press conference but did suggest Tannehill's injury may have occurred on a sack/strip/fumble that occurred in the team's Week 5 loss to Cincinnati. On that play, Tannehill had his throwing arm motion stopped abruptly when Carlos Dunlap grabbed his hand/forearm. That mechanism is not consistent with an AC sprain and puts many other possibilities on the table, including other ligament sprains, rotator cuff injuries, labral issues. Gase said Tannehill was day-to-day but required continual evaluation to reassess his comfort level while throwing.
Cooper Kupp | Left knee sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 7
A horse collar tackle often doubles a player's torso back over their lower body and commonly results in injury mechanisms that can result in MCL knee sprains and high ankle sprain / fracture / dislocations. Kupp had a similar mechanism but may have had his foot slip forward just before the force was transmitted through his lower leg. Though carted off and reported questionable with a knee injury, Kupp returned to play in the second half.
Monday's evaluation will be critical. Swelling and stiffness are often worse in the hours following the injury. Expect Kupp to have his knee -- and possibly his ankle -- imaged tomorrow. Hopefully, he'll recover quickly through some limited practice time and be ready for Week 7.
Monday Update: Adam Schefter is now reporting Kupp suffered an MCL sprain. Per his source, the Rams are worried he "could miss some time, but not sure yet."
Khalil Mack | Right ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 7
Mack injured his right ankle in the first quarter but finished the game after an examination. His injury mechanism was not violent but this isn't a low ankle sprain. Mack either has a low-grade high ankle sprain or a deltoid ligament sprain. His availability this week will depend on how quickly the stiffness and swelling he's undoubtedly experiencing on Monday resolves. Expect limited practice and possibly a questionable tag by week's end but I'm tentatively expecting Mack to play in Week 7.
Calvin Ridley | Left ankle contusion | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 7
Ridley left yesterday's game with an ankle injury. Video replay was limited but suspicious for a high ankle sprain and Ridley was unable to return. Ridley will be re-examined on Monday and likely undergo an MRI to better define his injury. Though the mechanism was not violent, even low-grade high ankle sprains can limit players for a week or two. I'll update with imaging results and any reported return-to-play expectations on Monday.
Monday Update: Ridley's MRI apparently revealed a bone bruise and Dan Quinn told reporters the Falcons were hopeful Ridley would be able to play Monday night.
Josh Allen | Right elbow contusion | Week-to-Week | questionable Week 7
Allen was hit on the outside of his right elbow. Bruises around the elbow can cause enough pain to change throwing motion and put the shoulder at risk. The Bills chose to protect their rookie quarterback rather than return him to the game. The location of Allen's injury is different than Marcus Mariota's earlier in the year. Pain and swelling limiting Allen's range of motion are more likely factors than weakness and grip strength. However, if Allen isn't practicing on Wednesday or there are reports of nerve-related symptoms, the outlook won't be as promising.
Monday Update: Allen is considered "week-to-week" -- a sign he may be dealing with more than a simple contusion.
Monday Update: New video has surfaced of a sideline exam performed on Allen. The test performed specifically stresses the UCL -- the ligament on the inside of the elbow commonly repaired in Tommy John surgery -- and it looks to be a clearly positive test. While I saw what looked to be mostly a contusion mechanism, it's more likely Allen's elbow was hyperextended. If Allen has a UCL sprain, the degree may determine the treatment plan. Lower grade injuries are now sometimes -- even in MLB pitchers -- treated with rest and rehab rather than surgery. Either way, this is looking like a multiple-week absence for Allen.
Monday Update: Unfortunately, there are now reports confirming an UCL sprain for Allen. He'll have a second opinion by Dr. James Andrews this week but hopefully will be able to rehab rather than have season-ending surgery. The Bills will not rush this recovery. It's difficult to set a recovery timetable but expect multiple weeks of rest.
Others of note:
***Devonta Freeman suffered a foot contusion and groin strain in Week 5 and did not practice last week. Neither condition is related to his recent knee injuries. Dan Quinn has already ruled Freeman out for Week 7.
***Baker Mayfield (ankle) and Derek Carr (shoulder) will be evaluated further on Monday. Neither injury is expected to be serious. Carr will have two weeks to recover through Oakland's Week 7 bye.
***Video review: Niles Paul likely suffered a low-mid grade MCL sprain. Ryan Grant and Quincy Enunwa likely suffered high ankle sprains. All three will have difficulty practicing and playing this week.
Monday Update: Reports today confirmed an MCL sprain for Paul. He's likely to miss at least one week. Reports also confirmed a high-ankle sprain for Enunwa. Ian Rapoport tweeted Enunwa is likely to miss 3-4 weeks. The Colts did not update Ryan Grant's condition.
Offensive line and defensive notes:
***Philadelphia tackle Jason Peters has a torn biceps tendon. It's not a season-ending injury but Peters will have to manage pain and swelling to return. If he recovers quickly, Peters could be available this week. More likely, the Eagles will give Peters some time to rehab and return him when they face Dallas after the Week 9 bye.
***Los Angeles guard Rodger Saffold had his right knee rolled up. Though the mechanism of injury was obscured on the television broadcast, Saffold likely has an MCL sprain. Expect Saffold to have an MRI. He'll be limited in practice but could return to play this week if his injury is low grade.
***Baltimore guard Alex Lewis was taken to the hospital with a neck injury. Initial reports reassured against vertebral fracture but Lewis will need additional imaging to evaluate for ligament injuries. He's doubtful this week.
***Denver guard Ronald Leary likely suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and will require season-ending surgery.
***Cleveland inside linebacker Joe Schobert may have a multiple-week hamstring strain.
***The Bengals rarely move players through the concussion return-to-play protocol quickly, particularly when they have a history of head injury. Consider safety Shawn Williams doubtful this week.
Follow-up Appointments
Leonard Fournette | Aggravated right hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 7
Last week, I argued that another missed week of practice would make it difficult for Fournette to return before Jacksonville's Week 9 bye. The Jaguars will not allow Fournette to return before full recovery, which means he'll likely need more than one week of practice time and at least one week of full practice before returning. It's possible Fournette will start that process this week and recover well enough to join the team in London in Week 8. However, it's much more likely Fournette stays home and rests through the bye week. Don't expect to see him before Week 10.
Dalvin Cook | Left hamstring strain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 7
Cook returned to practice last week but showed little confidence in his recovery from an early-season hamstring strain. After following a full Thursday practice with a limited workout on Friday, Cook had reportedly shown enough to persuade the Vikings he could be helpful in a limited role. Returning Cook before he proved himself recovered would have put him at significant risk of another aggravation and an even longer term absence. After a less-than-convincing pregame warmup, Cook was declared inactive.
It's an easy argument that continuing to rest Cook was the best decision. Assuming Cook didn't suffer an aggravation in warmups, he should be closer to returning in Week 7.
Others of note:
***So far, so good for Greg Olsen, who felt good enough to play all but one offensive snap on Sunday. Olsen saw seven targets and caught four passes and did not show any ill effects. While a great first game back, I still consider Olsen snap-to-snap and game-to-game.
***Deshaun Watson played through a painful chest wall contusion on Sunday. While the Texans limited the playbook and the number of designed runs, they weren't able to fully protect Watson from getting hit. The Bills sacked Watson seven times and hit him five more on just 25 pass attempts. The next three matchups aren't favorable either. Houston goes on the road to face an angry Jacksonville team this week, then has a short turnaround against Miami on Thursday night, then travels to the thin air in Denver before finally reaching their Week 10 bye.
***T.Y. Hilton has yet to practice after a Week 4 hamstring strain. Still considered week to week, Hilton needs to have a strong Wednesday practice to have any chance at returning in Week 7.
***Tyler Kroft was seen on a scooter early in the week, unable to bear weight on what has since been reported to be a fractured foot. On Sunday, it was reported Kroft will seek additional opinions this week and may need surgery. He's trending toward the injured reserve list unfortunately.
Monday Update: D'Onta Freeman will not be activated off the PUP list this week, which means he will not be ready to return when first eligible. It's not yet clear whether the Texans are being cautious or if Foreman suffered a setback in the past two weeks.
Offensive line and defensive notes:
***A host of offensive line talent continues to recover but should be close to returning. Los Angeles tackle Joe Barksdale (knee), Denver tackle Jared Veldheer (knee), Oakland guard Kelechi Osemele (knee), and Washington guard Shaun Lauvao (calf) were all able to practice in limited capacity last week and could be back soon. Minnesota tackle Riley Reiff (foot) and Cincinnati center Billy Price (foot) may be further away.
INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER
Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Deshaun Watson | Hou | Chest contusion | Week 5 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 7 |
Baker Mayfield | Cle | Left ankle sprain | Week 6 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 7 |
Derek Carr | Oak | Left shoulder injury | Week 6 | MRI pending | Day-to-Day | Bye Week 7 |
Ryan Tannehill | Mia | Right shoulder injury | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 7 |
Josh Allen | Buf | Right UCL sprain | Week 6 | Week-to-Week | Week 8++ Return | Out Week 7 |
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Jac
|
Aggravated right hamstring strain
|
Week 4
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 8++ Return
|
Doubtful Week 7
|
|
Min
|
Left hamstring strain
|
Week 3
|
Day-to-Day
|
Week 7+ Return
|
Questionable Week 7
|
|
Atl
|
Foot contusion / Groin strain
|
Week 5
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 8+ Return
|
Out Week 7
|
|
Det
|
Right ankle sprain
|
Week 5
|
Day-to-Day
|
Week 7 Return
|
Probable Week 7
|
|
Cin
|
Left MCL sprain
|
Week 4
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 8+ Return
|
Doubtful Week 7
|
|
SF
|
Left high ankle sprain
|
Week 5
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 7 Return
|
MNF Week 6
|
|
Was
|
Rib / Knee injuries
|
Week 5
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Questionable Week 7
|
|
Phi
|
Hamstring strain
|
Week 1
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 8++ Return
|
Doubtful Week 7
|
|
Ind
|
Right shoulder injury
|
Week 6
|
Awaiting Information
|
Week-to-Week
|
Questionable Week 7
|
|
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Ind
|
Left hamstring strain
|
Week 4
|
Week-to-Week | Week 7+ Return | Questionable Week 7 | |
LAR
|
Left MCL sprain
|
Week 6
|
Week-to-Week | Week 7+ Return | Questionable Week 7 | |
GB
|
Hamstring strain
|
Week 4
|
Week-to-Week | Week 8 Return | Bye Week 7 | |
Oak
|
Concussion
|
Week 6
|
Week-to-Week | Week 8+ Return | Bye Week 7 | |
Atl
|
Left ankle contusion
|
Week 6
|
Day-to-Day | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 7 | |
NE
|
Left shoulder injury
|
Week 6
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 7 | |
SF
|
Shoulder injury
|
Week 5
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | MNF Week 6 | |
GB
|
Hamstring strain
|
Week 4
|
Week-to-Week | Week 8 Return | Bye Week 7 | |
NYJ
|
Right high ankle sprain
|
Week 6
|
Week-to-Week | Week 10+ Return | Questionable Week 7 | |
Atl
|
Hip injury
|
Week 6
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 7 | |
Was
|
Knee injury
|
Week 5
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 7 | |
NO
|
Knee injury
|
Chronic
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 7 | |
Ind
|
Left high ankle sprain
|
Week 6
|
Awaiting Information | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 7 | |
Cin
|
Groin strain
|
Week 4
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 7 | |
NYJ
|
Groin strain
|
Week 6
|
Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 7 | |
Dal
|
Groin strain
|
Week 6
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 7 | |
NYG
|
Hamstring strain
|
Week 6
|
Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 7 | |
Cle
|
MCL sprain
|
Week 5
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 7 | |
SF
|
Left knee injury
|
Week 4
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Out Week 7 | |
LAC
|
Aggravated foot injury
|
Week 4
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Out Week 7 | |
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 7+ Return
|
Doubtful Week 7 | |
Ind
|
Hip injury
|
Week 2
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 7+ Return
|
Doubtful Week 7 | |
Cin
|
Right foot fracture
|
Week 5
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 8++ Return
|
Out Week 7 | |
NYG
|
Foot injury
|
Week 5
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Questionable Week 7 | |
Sea
|
Back injury
|
Week 5
|
Day-to-Day
|
Day-to-Day
|
Bye Week 7 | |
Jac
|
Left MCL sprain
|
Week 6
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 8+ Return
|
Doubtful Week 7 | |
Mia
|
Knee injury
|
Week 3
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week-to-Week
|
Questionable Week 7 | |
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Tackles
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Jason Peters | Phi | Biceps strain | Week 6 | Week-to-Week | Week 8+ Return | Doubtful Week 7 |
Joe Barksdale | LAC | Knee injury | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 7 |
Riley Reiff | Min | Foot injury | Week 5 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 7 |
Jared Veldheer | Den | Knee injury | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 7 |
Guards
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Kelechi Osemele | Oak | Knee injury | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 8+ Return | Bye Week 7 |
Rodger Saffold | LAR | Right knee injury | Week 6 | Awaiting Information | Week 7+ Return | Questionable Week 7 |
Alex Lewis | Bal | Neck injury | Week 6 | Day-to-Day | Week 7+ Return | Doubtful Week 7 |
Mike Iupati | Ari | Back injury | Week 6 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 7 |
T.J. Lang | Det | Concussion | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 7 |
Ronald Leary | Den | Achilles tear | Week 6 | Inseason IR (exp) | IR | 2019 return | 2019 return |
Shaun Lauvao | Was | Calf injury | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 7 |
Vlad Ducasse | Buf | Left knee injury | Week 6 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 7 |
Josh Garnett | SF | Toe dislocation | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | MNF Week 6 |
Centers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Mitch Morse | KC | Concussion | Week 6 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 7 |
Billy Price | Cin | Foot injury | Week 2 | 2+ Weeks | Week 8++ Return | Out Week 7 |
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Edge Rushers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Khalil Mack | Chi | Right ankle injury | Week 6 | Awaiting Information | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 7 |
Joey Bosa | LAC | Left foot sprain | PS Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week 8++ Return | Out Week 7 |
Demarcus Lawrence | Dal | Left shoulder labrum tear | Chronic | Day-to-Day | Day-
Photos provided by USA TODAY Sports
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Geronimo Allison
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Travis Benjamin
Giovani Bernard
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Matt Breida
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Calais Campbell
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