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
James Conner | Right high ankle sprain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 14
Conner left Sunday night's game late in the fourth quarter with what television angles strongly suggest is a high ankle sprain. The injury did not appear particularly violent but Conner struggled off the field and was taken for x-rays. That raises the possibility of a lower leg or foot fracture. Most likely, x-rays will be negative and Conner will have an MRI to better define the injury on Monday.
Recovery from high ankle sprains can be variable. Some running backs and wide receivers return within 7-10 days from low grade injuries, others need 3-4 weeks with higher grade sprains. The Steelers will have a much better idea of Conner's Week 14 availability by Tuesday after the severity of the coming stiffness and swelling is known. Consider Conner a game-time decision until he proves he can cut at game speed without difficulty.
Monday Update: After the game, Mike Tomlin told reporters Conner suffered a leg contusion and then followed up with more reassurance on Monday. Ian Rapoport tweeted that his "understanding is the injury is not to Conner's ankle and not considered major at all." It's still difficult to dismiss video that is consistent with a high ankle sprain. If Conner did indeed only suffer a contusion and there is no significant swelling or stiffness through Tuesday, Conner may have escaped with minimal damage and be able to practice mid week.
A.J. Green | Aggravated right plantar plate strain | Week-to-Week | out Week 14 > likely out for season
Green tried to play through a foot injury that required additional imaging, a specialist evaluation to rule out surgery, and a month of rehabilitation. After a reassuring full week of practice, Green was cleared to return. Unfortunately, Green only made it through a quarter of play before aggravating his injury. Visibly frustrated, Green was carted off the field and did not return.
Surgery was a consideration previously and likely will be again as aggravated injuries are often worse than the initial injury. Even if Green chooses rehab again, he'll likely need another 3-4 weeks of recovery. With the Bengals rapidly falling out of playoff contention, it won't be a surprise to see Green moved to injured reserve this week.
Monday Update: Multiple reports on Monday night have Green strongly considering surgery. He'll visit w/ Dr. Robert Anderson on Tuesday. Expect to hear confirmation of surgery soon. The recovery timetable will likely be reported at 3-4 months but expect Green to be limited through OTAs next year. He should return at full strength for training camp.
Greg Olsen | Plantar fascia tear | Awaiting Information | Out Week 14
Olsen valiantly tried to play through a foot injury all season but a Week 13 aggravation will likely end his season. It was assumed Olsen was dealing with another injury to the bone he's had surgically fixated twice in the past 12 months. But Olsen told reporters after the game, he'd been trying to play through a "plantar" issue all season. He described this injury as a compensatory issue related to his prior injury. He said he felt a pop during the game and knew his foot had finally succumbed to the stress of continued play.
When Olsen described the injury, it sounded like a plantar plate injury -- a strain of the ligaments between the foot and toes similar to what A.J. Green has been trying to play through. Multiple reports later clarified the injury as a torn plantar fascia. That's a painful injury that rarely requires more than rehab. And some players notice that after the pain of the initial rupture fades they actually feel better than when the fascia was only partially strained. However, it sounds like Olsen recognizes his foot isn't healthy enough to aggressively rehab and seems resigned that his latest setback is a season-ending situation.
With the Panthers fighting for a playoff berth, it's possible Olsen will again try to rehab in the hopes of a return in late December or early January. But his Sunday comments suggest injured reserve is the more likely outcome.
Others of note:
***Matt Breida may have zombie blood. Week after week, he aggravates his ankle sprain. Week after week, he returns to play and often plays effectively. After a return to a full Friday practice, Breida wasn't listed on the Niners' game status report this week -- but then aggravated his sprain during pregame warmups and saw very limited duty until backup Jeff Wilson suffered a foot injury. Expect him to again be limited but return to action next week.
Monday Update: Breida is finally choosing to rest. Kyle Shanahan told reporters Breida would not play in Week 14.
***Chris Carson dislocated his index finger. He left the game for an X-ray but Pete Carroll felt Carson was likely to play in Week 14. That should indicate Carson does not have a fracture and, unless there are unexpected issues with ball security, he should be able to return next week.
***Gus Edwards was on last week's injury report with an ankle injury. After a full Friday practice, it looked like his missed Wednesday practice was more maintenance-related than a sign of a worrisome injury. Edwards limped off the field late in the fourth quarter but no replays were shown and there were no clear views of his injury on the broadcast angle. John Harbaugh did not discuss Edwards in the post-game press conference. I'll update with any Monday news.
***Monday Update: Christian Kirk is headed to injured reserve with a broken foot. Most commonly, these injuries are fifth metatarsal fractures requiring surgery and 8-12 weeks of rehab. They're also extremely prone to re-injury and revision surgery. The full offseason of rehab and recovery will be helpful. Expect Kirk to be ready well in advance of training camp.
***Monday Update: Colt McCoy left Monday night's game with a leg injury. X-rays showed a fractured fibula, ending McCoy's season.
Offensive line and defensive notes:
***The Broncos have lost Chris Harris to a broken fibula. There's an outside chance he can return if Denver makes the playoffs but he'll likely be placed on injured reserve before the end of the season.
***Arizona guard Mike Iupati has an MCL sprain and is being evaluated for additional injuries. The Cardinals have announced Iupati will go on injured reserve, joining fellow starting guard Justin Pugh.
Follow-up Appointments
Melvin Gordon | Right MCL sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 14
Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Gordon's return "won't be long now." Last week's MRI revealed a Grade 2 sprain. As noted last week, there's a wide range of expectations for mid-grade injuries. The Chargers believe Gordon's injury is a week-to-week situation. That's a great sign but not necessarily indisputable evidence Gordon will play this week. With a critical divisional matchup on the road in Kansas City on Thursday night in Week 15, Gordon will have to be fully recovered sometime this week for the Chargers to risk any minor aggravation or conditioning issue that prevents him from returning in a short week in the arguably more important game next week.
If that sentence is too convoluted to follow, here's the upshot on Schefter's Sunday report: Gordon does not have a 4-6 week recovery timeline and the vagaries of the Chargers' schedule point to a Week 15 return.
Watch for Gordon to return to limited practices this week. If he's somehow cleared for a full practice by the end of the week, there's an outside chance the Chargers could activate him in some role in Week 14. If he's not practicing, Gordon's Week 15 return then becomes questionable as well.
Kerryon Johnson | Left knee sprain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 14
Johnson had little chance of playing on the short Thanksgiving Day week but was tentatively expected to practice and play in Week 14. Instead, Johnson did not practice at all this week and was declared out on Friday. The specifics of Johnson's knee sprain remain unknown and there were no updates on his status from the team or local media this week. If we don't get more from Matt Patricia on Monday, Johnson's Wednesday practice participation is key. If he's not limited or better, he will have very little chance of playing this week and his recovery timetable becomes even more nebulous.
Joe Flacco | Hip injury | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 14
Flacco returned to practice this week but was not fully cleared to return to game action. John Harbaugh told reporters Flacco would continue to increase his practice participation this week but wouldn't say whether Flacco might be ready to play. He also told reporters he would not discuss his starting quarterback during the week. It's likely that Flacco will not be fully recovered this week -- surgery was considered recently and he's yet to return to full practices -- and Jackson has been playing well. The odds are strong that Jackson will continue to start.
Others of note:
***Mitchell Trubisky continues to improve in rehab. He's now been cleared to throw while the team monitors his strength and range of motion. Barring an unexpected setback, Trubisky should be back next week.
***Sam Darnold is close to returning but the Jets want him full strength before playing. While nearly there last week, the team did not clear Darnold to practice fully. If Darnold is back to a full practice at any point this week, he'll play in Week 14.
***Sammy Watkins did not play in Week 10 with a foot injury that was not expected to be severe. He returned in Week 11 but managed just five snaps then did not practice last week after the Chiefs' Week 12 bye. The delay in his return is suspicious for an aggravation of his prior foot injury. Given Watkins' history of a revised Jones' fracture surgery, there's reason for concern about a longer absence. I'll update if Andy Reid addresses Watkins' status on Monday.
Offensive line and defensive notes:
***Tyron Smith missed last Thursday's game with a stinger. It's unrelated to the disc herniation that has plagued him for multiple years and the Cowboys expect him to practice and play this week.
INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER
Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Mitchell Trubisky | Chi | Right shoulder injury | Week 11 | Week-to-Week | Week 13+ Return | Probable Week 14 |
Joe Flacco | Bal | Hip injury | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Week 13+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Sam Darnold | NYJ | Right foot sprain | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Week 14 Return | Probable Week 14 |
Colt McCoy | Was | Right fibula fracture | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Out for Season | Out for Season |
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Pit
|
Right ankle contusion
|
Week 13
|
Day-to-Day | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 | |
Melvin Gordon
|
LAC
|
Right MCL sprain
|
Week 12
|
Week-to-Week | Week 15+ Return | Doubtful Week 14 |
Det
|
Left knee sprain
|
Week 11
|
Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 | |
Sea
|
Finger dislocation |
Week 13
|
Day-to-Day | Week 14 Return | Probable Week 14 | |
SF
|
Aggravated high ankle sprain
|
Week 14
|
Week-to-Week | Week 15+ Return | Out Week 14 | |
Bal
|
Ankle injury
|
Week 13
|
Awaiting Information | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 | |
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Cin
|
Right foot injury
|
Week 8
|
Week-to-Week | Out for Season | Out Week 14 | |
KC
|
Foot injury
|
Week 9
|
Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 | |
Hou
|
Hamstring strain aggravation |
Week 12
|
Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 | |
Ari
|
Foot fracture |
Week 13
|
Injured reserve | IR | 2019 return | Out for season | |
SF
|
Knee injury
|
Chronic
|
Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 | |
TB
|
Thumb injury
|
Week 10
|
Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 | |
Mia
|
Right knee injury
|
Week 12
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 14 | |
Dal
|
Groin strain
|
Week 6
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 14 | |
Oak
|
PCL sprain
|
Week 10
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 14 | |
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
NYG
|
Hamstring strain
|
Week 12
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 14+ Return
|
Questionable Week 14 | |
Car
|
Plantar fascia tear
|
Week 13
|
Awaiting Information
|
Week 16+ Return
|
Out Week 14 | |
Dal
|
Wrist fracture fixation
|
Week 11
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 14++ Return
|
Doubtful Week 14 | |
Mo Alie-Cox
|
Ind
|
Calf strain
|
Week 12
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week 14+ Return
|
Questionable Week 14 |
Det
|
Shoulder injury
|
Week 12
|
Week-to-Week
|
Week-to-Week
|
Questionable Week 14 | |
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Tackles
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Tyron Smith | Dal | Neck injury | Week 12 | Day-to-Day | Week 14 Return | Probable Week 14 |
Terron Armstead | NO | Right pectoral strain | Week 10 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Bryan Bulaga | GB | Knee injury | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 14 |
Marcus Gilbert | Pit | Knee injury | Week 7 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Cordy Glenn | Cin | Back injury | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
D.J. Humphries | Ari | Knee injury | Week 10 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
James Hurst | Bal | Back injury | Week 7 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Demar Dotson | TB | Knee / hamstring injuries | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Guards
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Trai Turner | Car | Neck injury | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 14 |
D.J. Fluker | Sea | Hamstring strain | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Week 14++ Return | Doubtful Week 14 |
Byron Bell | GB | Knee injury | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 14 |
Mike Iupati | Ari | MCL sprain | Week 13 | Injured reserve (exp) | IR | 2019 return | Out for Season |
Alex Lewis | Bal | Shoulder injury | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 14 |
John Miller | Buf | Oblique strain | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Zach Fulton | Hou | Hand injury | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 14 |
Centers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Ryan Kelly | Ind | Left MCL sprain | Week 11 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Travis Swanson | Mia | Ankle injury | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Russell Bodine | Buf | Fibula fracture fixation | Week 13 | Injured reserve (exp) | IR | 2019 return | Out Week 14 |
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
Edge Rushers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Defensive Linemen
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
David Irving | Dal | High ankle sprain | Week 7 | Week-to-Week | Week 14 Return | Probable Week 14 |
Larry Ogunjobi | Cle | Biceps injury | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 14 |
Derek Wolfe | Den | Rib injury | Week 13 | Day-to-Day | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Linebackers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Sean Lee | Dal | Hamstring strain | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Week 14 Return | Probable Week 14 |
Jordan Hicks | Phi | Calf injury | Week 11 | Week-to-Week | Week 14++ Return | Doubtful Week 14 |
Vontaze Burfict | Cin | Concussion | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Week 15+ Return | Doubtful Week 14 |
K.J. Wright | Sea | Chronic knee injury | Week 10 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Brandon Marshall | Den | Knee injury | Week 8 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Devon Kennard | Det | Hip injury | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 14 |
Deone Bucannon | Ari | Chest injury | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Defensive Backs
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
Eric Berry | KC | Heel injury | Early preseason | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Justin Evans | TB | Toe injury aggravation | Week 13 | Week-to-Week | Week 15+ Return | Doubtful Week 14 |
Kentrell Brice | GB | Ankle sprain / Concussion | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Week 14+ Return | Questionable Week 14 |
Tony Jefferson | Bal | Ankle injury | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 14 |
Mike Mitchell | Ind | Calf injury | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 14 |
Xavier Rhodes | Min | Right hamstring strain | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Week 14 Return | Probable Week 14 |
Photos provided by USA TODAY Sports
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just now
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