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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 9:00 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 10:00 ET every Sunday morning to discuss and interpret the week's practice participation reports and breaking weekend injury news.

Follow Up Appointments

Christian McCaffrey | Right AC sprain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 14

The Panthers expect McCaffrey to return this week after two weeks of reconditioning leading into their Week 13 bye. A full Wednesday practice would confirm his return and reassure McCaffrey will be ready for a full workload in his first week back.

Josh Jacobs | Right high ankle sprain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 14

Ian Rapoport and Jon Gruden were on record saying Jacobs ankle injury was minor early last week. Video -- which was consistent with a high ankle sprain -- and Jacobs' inability to practice last week argued otherwise. Jacobs was ultimately ruled out on Friday and did not play.

High ankle injuries are difficult recoveries for running backs, even when the exam is more reassuring than expected in the 24 hours after the injury. Jacobs will need to prove his ankle joint is stable enough to allow him to cut laterally at speed. He remains questionable until he returns to practice.

Kenny Golladay | Hip injury | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 14

During a press conference last week, Darrell Bevell suggested Golladay suffered a minor setback two weeks ago. Reports that Golladay traveled with the team to Chicago to rehab with the medical staff suggest his return is close.

DAndre Swift | Illness | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 14

Swift's week was confusing. He was listed limited with a concussion on Wednesday and Adrian Peterson then suggested Swift was slow to recover from his Week 11 injury. 24 hours later, Swift reportedly cleared concussion protocol only to be sent home with an illness. The Lions elected to be cautious with Swift, who likely could've played a limited Week 13 role but should benefit from a full week of practice before returning. Expect him back this week.

Currently on COVID list

• QB Lamar Jackson - Eligible to be activated Dec 6 - Probable Week 13
• TE Mark Andrews - Eligible to be activated Dec 8 - Probable Week 14
• RB James Conner - Eligible to be activated Dec 7 - Probable Week 14
• WR Willie Snead - Eligible to be activated Dec 8 - Awaiting Information
• WR Larry Fitzgerald - Eligible to be activated Dec 5 - Awaiting Information

Eligible to Return from Injured Reserve

Drew Brees | Rib fractures | Eligible Week 14 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 14 | Target = Week 15

Dec 6: Brees is reportedly improving from multiple rib fractures on both sides of his chest. He is eligible to return to practice this week and will want to return as soon as possible. Jay Glazer reported the Saints will evaluate Brees on Wednesday and consider clearing him to play if he can throw without pain. Week 15 still looks like the most likely return date but it's now certain New Orleans will have Brees back during the regular season.

Joe Mixon | Right midfoot sprain | Eligible Week 14 - Remains on IR | Out Week 14 | Target = Week 15+

Dec 6: The Bengals continue to say Mixon will be activated if healthy enough to play. But there has been no indication Mixon is making progress toward a return to practice and he'll likely need at least one week of reconditioning. Cincinnati has no incentive to risk further injury to Mixon this year. The offense continues to struggle without Joe Burrow and behind multiple offensive line injuries. A Week 15 return is theoretically possible but a regular-season return is looking less likely with each passing week.

George Kittle | Right cuboid fracture | Eligible Week 13 - Remains on IR | Out Week 14 | Target = Week 16+

Nov 29: Kittle suffered a fractured cuboid bone in his foot in Week 9. Reported timetables for his return varied but Kittle is expected to need 6-8 weeks to recover. Even the most optimistic timetable would mean he's likely to have a limited impact in Week 16. More likely, Kittle will not return until 2021.

Dec 6: Kittle was told he would need eight weeks to recover. He is adamant he can return in six weeks and told reporters he was "very well on that path" in interviews last week. If Kittle meets his goal, he may return to a limited Week 15 role. It remains a difficult ask.

Julian Edelman | Arthroscopic knee surgery | Eligible Week 11 - Remains on IR | Out Week 14 | Target = Week 15+

Nov 15: Edelman had a clean up procedure on his chronically sore knee three weeks ago. Trusted local reporter Mike Reiss expressed optimism on Edelman's recovery last week, noting a source who watched Edelman moving well with on-field rehab work. If Edelman is designated to return when eligible this week and participates in practice, a Week 11 return is possible.

Nov 22: Bill Belichick said Edelman is making progress. The Patriots have yet to designate him to return.

Nov 29: Bill Belichick continues to tell reporters Edelman is "headed in the right direction" but the Patriots have yet to designate him to return to practice. If that doesn't happen early this week, consider Edelman doubtful again.

Dec 6: Edelman was placed on the COVID list last week. After initial optimism for a quick recovery, Adam Schefter is now reporting Edelman is still a "couple of weeks away" from returning. Edelman has yet to be designated to return to practice.

Jimmy Garoppolo | Right high ankle sprain | Eligible Week 13 - Remains on IR | Out Week 14 | Target = Week 16+

Nov 29: Garoppolo was in a walking boot for over a week and given a 3-6 week timetable to return from an aggravated high ankle sprain. The Niners remain hopeful for a return sometime in December but it's unlikely Garoppolo will be cleared to return to practice this week.

Dec 6: Kyle Shanahan said the Niners were "holding out hope" Garoppolo could return in Week 16.

Justin Jackson | Right MCL sprain | Eligible Week 13 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 14 | Target = Week 15+

Nov 29: The Chargers have not discussed Jackson's rehab from an MCL sprain. It's not clear whether he has a lower-grade 3-4 week injury or a longer-term 4-6 week injury. With Austin Ekeler returned and healthy, Jackson is unlikely to be returned until full strength.

Preston Williams | Right foot sprain | Eligible Week 13 - Remains on IR | Out Week 14 | Target = Week 15++

Nov 29: Brian Flores refused to put a timetable on Williams' return last week.

Rashaad Penny | Left ACL reconstruction | Eligible Week 7 - Remains on PUP | Out Week 14 | Target = Week 15+

Dec 6: Pete Carroll told reporters Penny would return to practice this week. He'll have a three-week window to prove himself healthy enough to contribute.

Parris Campbell | Left PCL repair / MCL sprain | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Doubtful 2020 return

Oct 25: Campbell had knee surgery in early October. Any surgical procedure involving the PCL requires a careful and usually long-term rehab. It will be surprising to see Campbell cleared to return in 2020.

Nov 15: Frank Reich told reporters it remained "too early to tell" whether Campbell could return in 2020. A 2021 return remains the most likely outcome.

Dec 6: A source told Zak Keefer it would take "a minor miracle" for Campbell to return this season. Nothing has changed here; Campbell will need the offseason to rehab from his ligament reconstruction.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Daniel Jones is likely to return in Week 14. The Giants are reportedly "very optimistic" Jones will play after he made progress toward the end of the week.

***Alexander Mattison had an appendectomy last weekend and will likely need at least one week to recover. His earliest return is Week 15.

***ProFootballTalk reported Sunday that Philip Rivers will need surgery to repair a torn plantar plate, the connective tissue that supports the joint between the big toe and midfoot. Rivers will continue to play through the injury with the help of an orthotic in his shoe.

***Eligible to Return From Injured Reserve in Week 15

• WR John Brown - Bills have not provided a timetable or return from high ankle sprain
• RB LaMical Perine - Jets have not given an estimate for return from high ankle sprain

Injured Players on Active Roster

To support players with illness and provide a roster buffer, the NFL implemented new injured reserve rules and roster exemptions for players exposed to or diagnosed with COVID.

2020 injured reserve list changes:

• Teams may return an unlimited number of players from injured reserve in 2020
• A player may return to the active roster after three weeks on injured reserve
• Teams have three weeks of practice to decide whether to activate a player designated to return

2020 COVID-related illness list and roster exemptions:

• A player diagnosed with COVID or required to quarantine after exposure to COVID may be placed on a separate exempt list
• Teams will be given a roster exemption after a player with COVID receives medical clearance to return
• Roster exemption for one week if the player was on the exempt list for less than 4 weeks
• Roster exemption for two weeks if the player was on the exempt list for 4+ weeks

Injured Players Not on Active Roster