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Monday Injury Rounds: Week 14

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 14
By Jene Bramel, December 1, 2019

Monday Injury Rounds: Week 14
Photo: USA Today Sports

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 900 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 1000 ET every Sunday morning to discuss and interpret the week's practice participation reports and breaking weekend injury news.

Follow Up Appointments

Adam Thielen | Aggravated hamstring strain | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 14

The Vikings initially minimized Thielen's hamstring strain, refusing to refer to it as a significant injury and denying a significant aggravation. Now four weeks into his recovery from the Week 9 aggravation and it's clear Thielen's injury is a mid-grade strain.

There were reassuring indications Minnesota was using their bye week to ensure Thielen was ready to return in Week 13. But Thielen -- despite moving relatively well in individual drills -- was never cleared for a full practice, told reporters he would not return until he was fully recovered, and was ultimately ruled out of Monday night's game when the Vikings chose to leave him home to rehab rather than travel to Seattle on Sunday afternoon.

After Thielen was declared out, ESPN's Courtney Cronin reported Thielen "had a scare" during Tuesday's outdoor practice that kept him out of Wednesday's workout. Had that information been reported prior to Saturday's questionable listing on the team's game status report, it would have been clear Thielen was more doubtful than questionable. The revelation also puts Thielen's Week 14 status in doubt.

Julio Jones | Right AC sprain | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 14

Dan Quinn told reporters Jones "didn't have enough strength in his shoulder" to play last Thursday night. Quinn implicated the short week as the cause of Jones' absence, suggesting Jones may have been able to play with a full week of rehab and recovery. We'll find out if that's accurate on Wednesday. If Jones is back practicing, he'll likely play this week. If not, this could be a multiple-week injury.

Monday Update: Quinn said Jones was "trending upward" and likely to play this week. Quinn reiterated that Jones would have had a much better chance to play if Atlanta's Week 13 game was on Sunday.

James Conner | Aggravated right AC sprain | Week 11 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 14

Conner discussed his shoulder injury during an early-week radio show last week and revealed the injury could require surgery if he has further setbacks. Telling the radio hosts "the ligaments need to get stronger," Conner admitted his injury was not close to recovered despite taking two additional weeks to rehab after the Week 11 aggravation. Conner returned within three weeks of the initial injury and aggravated the shoulder sprain. While this week marks three weeks from the aggravation, it's clear the Steelers will not clear Conner to return until fully recovered. Consider him doubtful again this week.

T.Y. Hilton | Aggravated calf strain | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Out Week 14

Hilton returned to play in Week 11 but managed only a limited snap count and was ineffective. Last Wednesday, Hilton aggravated his injury during practice and was ruled out of this week's game.

Aggravated soft tissue injuries often require at least as much time to rehab as the initial injury. Hilton was not fully recovered in Week 11, two and a half weeks after his initial strain. Expect him to again need 3-4 weeks of recovery and reconditioning, putting the rest of his season in doubt.

Jordan Howard | Nerve injury | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 14

Early reports indicated Howard's injury was a slow to resolve stinger -- a stretching injury to a nerve in the shoulder / armpit area that often takes weeks to recover if it doesn't improve within a few hours. As the weeks have progressed, local media has hinted Howard's injury was more severe than initially feared and Howard has yet to be cleared for contact.

On Sunday morning, Ian Rapoport referred to Howard's injury as a pinched nerve. This implies an injury to the nerves closer to the spine and suggests some degenerative disc disease. It's likely the Eagles are continuing to hope for interval improvement -- possibly after a steroid injection to treat inflammation -- as Howard rehabs his injury.

Until Howard is cleared for contact, we should consider his absence indefinite. It's possible Howard will gain clearance this week. But if Howard is out Monday night and the Eagles lose and fall further behind the Cowboys in the NFC East race, it's also possible -- as the Eagles currently sit with the 10th best record in the NFC, three games behind the final wild card slot -- the Eagles could choose to shut Howard down.

A.J. Green | Left ankle surgery | Late July | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 14

Green told reporters "everything is trending up" but continued to acknowledge he's not recovered enough to play effectively. Green also said he's not experienced any swelling recently, making it possible he attempts another return to practice soon. Week 15 is likely the earliest possible return.

Injury Rounds

Kalen Ballage | Left Achilles injury | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Out Week 14

Ballage was listed on the injury report with an Achilles injury this week but fully practiced and was cleared to play. Whether the prior Achilles condition played a role in Sunday's injury remains to be seen, but video replays of Ballage's injury suggest a left Achilles tear. The Dolphins did not address Ballage's status after the game and only noted a leg injury during the game.

I'll update with more details on Monday.

Monday Update: The Dolphins continue to evaluate Ballage and did not update his status on Monday. He remains doubtful to play this week.

Darrel Williams | Left knee hyperextension / hamstring injury | Week 13 | Awaiting Information | Out Week 14

Darrel Williams hyperextended his left knee while planting to make a cut. His knee appeared unstable after he stood and tried to walk off the field. While the Chiefs announced him as questionable to return during the game with a hamstring injury, video replays are suspicious for a multiple ligament knee injury. Williams will have an MRI to further define his injury on Monday. It's possible he'll have an injury requiring surgery and extended rehab.

Monday Update: The Chiefs didn't provide specifics on Williams' injury but Andy Reid didn't think Williams was likely to play this week.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Amari Cooper suffered yet another knee contusion on Thanksgiving Day, this time a direct helmet-to-knee hit. After an MRI, the Cowboys reported no structural damage and cleared Cooper for a light Sunday workout. He's expected to play on Thursday night.

***Baker Mayfield suffered a bruise to his throwing hand while following through on a first-half pass. He returned to the game in the second half and told reporters he "fully expects" to play this week.

***Video replay of T.J. Hockenson's right ankle injury suggests a mid-grade high ankle sprain at minimum. It's possible Hockenson suffered a higher grade injury that could require surgery. Hockenson left the stadium immobilized and on crutches. The team may not discuss his injury until after a Monday MRI. Monday Update: The Lions placed Hockenson on injured reserve today.

Designated to Return by Team

Injured Players on Active Roster

Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Matthew Stafford Det Thoracic spine fractures Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 15+ Return Doubtful Week 14
Baker Mayfield Cle Right hand contusion Week 13 Day-to-Day Week 14 Return Probable Week 14
Daniel Jones NYG Ankle injury Week 13 Day-to-Day Week 14 Return Probable Week 14
Sam Darnold NYJ Left foot injury Week 13 Day-to-Day Week 14 Return Probable Week 14
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Pit
Aggravated right AC sprain
Week 11
 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Doubtful Week 14
KC
Rib cartilage injury
Week 11
 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
KC
 Left knee injury / ? hamstring
Week 13
 Week-to-Week Week 15++ Return Out Week 14
SF
Aggravated left low ankle sprain
Week 10
 Week-to-Week Week 14 Return Probable Week 14
Ind
Right metacarpal fracture
Week 11
 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Doubtful Week 14
Mia
Left Achilles injury
Week 13
 Awaiting Information Week 14+ Return Doubtful Week 14
Phi
Stinger
Week 9
 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Doubtful Week 14
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Amari Cooper Dal Left knee contusion Week 14 Day-to-Day Week 14 Return Probable Week 14
Adam Thielen Min Aggravated right hamstring strain Week 9 Day-to-Day Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Julio Jones Atl Right AC sprain Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
T.Y. Hilton Ind Aggravated calf strain Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 15+ Return Out Week 14
Parris Campbell Ind Hand fracture fixation Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Chester Rogers Ind Left knee fracture Week 13 Injured reserve (exp) 2020 return Out Week 14
JuJu Smith-Schuster Pit Left knee contusion Week 11 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
A.J. Green Cin Left ankle surgery Late July Week-to-Week Week 14++ Return Doubtful Week 14
Hunter Renfrow Oak Rib fracture / Pneumothorax Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 15++ Return Out Week 14
Golden Tate NYG Concussion Week 12 Concussion protocol Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Taylor Gabriel Chi Concussion Week 12 Concussion protocol Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Paul Richardson Jr Was Aggravated hamstring strain Week 11 Week-to-Week Week 15+ Return Doubtful Week 14
Trey Quinn Was Concussion Week 13 Concussion protocol Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Dante Pettis SF Knee sprain Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Austin Hooper Atl Left MCL sprain Week 10 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Evan Engram NYG Left foot sprain Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Rhett Ellison NYG Concussion Week 11 Concussion protocol Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Gerald Everett LAR Right knee injury Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Doubtful Week 14
Greg Olsen Car Concussion Week 13 Concussion protocol Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
T.J. Hockenson Det Right high ankle sprain Week 13 Awaiting Information Week 15++ Return Out Week 14
Luke Willson Sea Hamstring strain Week 11 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Ben Braunecker Chi Concussion Week 12 Concussion protocol Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
Tackles
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Joe Staley SF Finger fracture fixation Week 10 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Andrus Peat NO Arm injury Week 10 Week-to-Week Week 16+ Return Out Week 14
Terron Armstead NO Left high ankle sprain Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Morgan Moses Was Back injury Week 13 Awaiting Information Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Rob Havenstein LAR Meniscus injury Week 10 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Greg Little Car Ankle injury Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Bobby Massie Chi High ankle sprain Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 15+ Return Doubtful Week 14
Chuma Edoga NYJ MCL sprain Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 14++ Return Doubtful Week 14
Greg Robinson Cle Concussion Week 12 Concussion protocol Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Guards
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Connor Williams Dal Right ACL tear Week 13 Injured reserve (exp) 2020 return 2020 return
Ted Karras NE Right MCL sprain Week 13 Day-to-Day Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Ty Nsekhe Buf Right ankle injury Week 11 Week-to-Week Week 15+ Return Out Week 14
Alex Cappa TB Elbow injury Week 13 Awaiting Information Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Centers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
Edge Rushers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Jadeveon Clowney Sea Core muscle strain Week 11 Week-to-Week Week 13++ Return Questionable MNF
Dee Ford SF Right hamstring strain Week 11 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Doubtful Week 14
Von Miller Den Left knee injury Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Frank Clark KC Shoulder injury Week 13 Awaiting Information Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Ryan Kerrigan Was Concussion Week 12 Concussion protocol Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Defensive Linemen
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Damon Harrison Det Knee injury Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Linval Joseph Min Knee injury Week 10 Week-to-Week Week 13+ Return MNF
Antwaun Woods Dal Knee injury Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Michael Bennett Dal Foot injury Week 13 Day-to-Day Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Derek Wolfe Den Left elbow dislocation Week 13 Awaiting Information Week 16+ Return Out Week 14
Linebackers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
C.J. Mosley NYJ Core muscle strain Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 15+ Return Doubtful Week 14
Leighton Vander Esch Dal Cervical disc herniation Chronic Week-to-Week Week 15+ Return Out Week 14
Sean Lee Dal Pectoral strain Week 13 Day-to-Day Week 14 Return Probable Week 14
Myles Jack Jac Knee injury Week 12 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Jerome Baker Mia Chest injury Week 13 Awaiting Information Week 14+ Return Questionable Week 14
Danny Trevathan Chi Left elbow dislocation Week 10 Week-to-Week Week 14+ Return Doubtful Week 14
Defensive Backs
Team
Photos provided by USA TODAY Sports
Tags Injuries Johnathan Abram Jamal Adams Nasir Adderley Kwon Alexander Robert Alford Zach Allen Alex Anzalone Jerome Baker Kalen Ballage Sam Beal Travis Benjamin Ronald Blair III Matt Breida Austin Bryant Artie Burns Bryce Callahan Parris Campbell Blake Cashman Bradley Chubb Frank Clark Corey Clement Jadeveon Clowney James Conner Ryan Connelly Amari Cooper Sam Darnold Sean Davis Will Dissly Josh Doctson Eric Ebron Evan Engram Justin Evans Gerald Everett Joe Flacco Nick Foles Dee Ford Blaine Gabbert A.J. Green Anthony Harris Ronnie Harrison Jr. Jeff Heath Chad Henne Chris Herndon Akiem Hicks T.Y. Hilton T.J. Hockenson Austin Hooper Jordan Howard Xavien Howard DeSean Jackson Malik Jackson Myles Jack Derwin James Jr. Tony Jefferson John Johnson III Kerryon Johnson Daniel Jones Julio Jones Karl Joseph Linval Joseph Ryan Kerrigan Arden Key Christian Kirksey Dre Kirkpatrick Keith Kirkwood Micah Kiser Marquel Lee Drew Lock Marlon Mack Baker Mayfield Bobby McCain Jason McCourty Jerick McKinnon Pernell McPhee Rashaan Melvin Von Miller C.J. Mosley Keanu Neal Cam Newton David Njoku Emmanuel Ogbah Josh Oliver Tim Patrick Jabrill Peppers Dante Pettis Adrian Phillips Darius Phillips Harrison Phillips Hunter Renfrow Ben Roethlisberger Chester Rogers John Ross Adam Shaheen Trevor Siemian Ito Smith JuJu Smith-Schuster Matthew Stafford Equanimeous St. Brown Jace Sternberger Ryan Succop Geoff Swaim Trent Taylor Adam Thielen Jordan Thomas Tedric Thompson Danny Trevathan Kemoko Turay Leighton Vander Esch Andrew Van Ginkel Jason Verrett Kahale Warring J.J. Watt Avery Williamson Darrel Williams Damien Williams Greedy Williams Preston Williams Derek Wolfe Antwaun Woods Tavon Young

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