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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.

Injury Rounds

Kyler Murray | Right leg contusion | Questionable Week 17

Murray was hit just below the right knee on the final play of the game. The Cardinals will evaluate him during the week. If he's able to return to practice by midweek, he'll have a good chance to play this week. Any concern would likely prompt the team to hold him out.

Monday Update: The Cardinals did not update Murray's condition. Kliff Kingsbury would only say the team was "hopeful" Murray would be able to return this week. While he's more likely probable than doubtful, watch practice participation carefully this week.

Deshaun Watson | Right arm injury | Questionable Week 17

Watson injured his right arm on two separate plays and was able to finish the game. The Texans plan imaging studies on Monday. Watson said he felt "pretty fine" after the game and expects to play. Video showed stress on his throwing elbow, however, and any weakness or stiffness in the joint early this week will likely prompt Houston to sit Watson this week.

Monday Update: Initial indications are Watson's injury is "not serious" and Romeo Crennel told reporters Watson would play if cleared by the team's medical staff.

Christian McCaffrey | Quad strain | Doubtful Week 17

The Panthers have said McCaffrey will be cleared to play if healthy. Unfortunately, McCaffrey hasn't practiced on consecutive days for over a month and did not attempt individual drills last week. He's not in football condition and Carolina has already held him out with two separate injuries until fully recovered. His season is almost certainly over.

Monday Update: Matt Rhule said the Panthers are "leaning towards no" when asked if McCaffrey would play this week. That's not surprising. McCaffrey's season is over.

Julio Jones | Left hamstring strain | Doubtful Week 17

Jones will try to play if possible this week. There's no indication a platelet-rich plasma injection has sped the healing process and Jones hasn't practiced in over two weeks. Jones can never be ruled out but his season is likely over. If he's not practicing by midweek to test his fitness, look for him to be inactive again this week.

Monday Update: Raheem Morris told reporters Jones was able to work out "a little" on Monday but would "wait until he's right" to allow him to play. His trend remains doubtful.

James Robinson | Left high ankle sprain | Doubtful Week 17

The Jaguars tried to argue Robinson had a chance to play through a high ankle sprain in Week 16 earlier in the week. Robinson never had a legitimate chance to practice, much less play, and was inactive. He's doubtful again this week.

Monday Update: Robinson "still has swelling in his ankle" and isn't likely to practice this week, per Doug Marrone. Do not expect him to play this week.

Terry McLaurin | High ankle sprain | Doubtful Week 17

McLaurin has been fighting an ankle injury for weeks and the team elected to allow him to rest and receive treatment last week. With Washington in a must-win situation in Week 17, expect McLaurin to return if he's close enough to be cleared.

Monday Update: Ron Rivera revealed McLaurin has a new injury -- a high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 15. Still immobilized in a walking boot, it's unlikely McLaurin will practice and play this week.

Keenan Allen | Hamstring strain | Questionable Week 17

Allen managed only a limited Friday practice after struggling through his Week 15 game the previous Thursday night. Allen will work to return in Week 17 but joins the list of veterans with soft-tissue injuries who may not be healthy enough to be cleared to finish the regular season.

Matthew Stafford | Right ankle injury | Questionable Week 17

Stafford rolled his ankle on a defender's foot on Saturday and could not return. The Lions don't believe the injury is serious and Stafford routinely plays through injury but the combination of thumb, rib, and ankle injuries may combine to end Stafford's season.

Darrell Henderson | Left high ankle sprain | Doubtful Week 17

Henderson is likely to join teammate Cam Akers on the sideline in Week 17 after suffering a high ankle sprain. Video showed an injury likely to be more than a low-grade sprain. Expect the team to rule Henderson out early this week.

Jared Goff | Right thumb dislocation | Doubtful Week 17

Goff dislocated his thumb but was able to finish the game. The Rams will evaluate with x-rays and further imaging on Monday. All dislocations involve ligament disruption. Depending on the joint involved and the strength of his grip, Goff may be in jeopardy of missing this week's game.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter is reporting the Rams "fear Goff's thumb is broken" and may not be able to play next week.

Sunday Update: Mike Silver reports Goff's injury will "need surgery to repair" and Goff is "unlikely to play" next week.

Monday Update: Goff is seeking second opinions on a fractured thumb. He wants to delay surgery until after the season but remains uncertain to play this week.

Currently on COVID list

• Ronald Jones II (Dec 16 - COVID+) -- Jones will clear COVID protocol this week but remains questionable with a broken finger
• Jarvis Landry (Dec 16 - COVID high-risk contact) -- Probable Week 17
• Rashard Higgins (Dec 16 - COVID high-risk contact) -- Probable Week 17
• Donovan Peoples-Jones (Dec 16 - COVID high-risk contact) -- Probable Week 17
• Hunter Henry (Dec 24 - COVID+) -- Unlikely to clear COVID protocol this week
• John Brown (Dec 28 - COVID reserve) -- Activated from injured reserve, unclear whether COVID+ or close contact

Eligible to Return from Injured Reserve

Joe Mixon | Right midfoot sprain | Eligible Week 14 - Remains on IR | 2021 return

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.

Dec 13: It's looking less and less likely Mixon will return this season. He's yet to return to practice and there's no upside in Mixon returning until he's returned to full strength. It's now been eight weeks since the injury and there's been no indication he's close to returning to practice.

Dec 20: Mixon was not cleared to practice last week. Cincinnati has no incentive in returning him to play until 2021.

Dec 28: Zac Taylor finally confirmed Mixon will not return to play this season.

Julian Edelman | Arthroscopic knee surgery | Remains on IR - Designated to Return | 2021 return

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.

Dec 20: Edelman was designated to return last week and Bill Belichick hinted Edelman would return this week.

Dec 28: The Patriots did not active Edelman for Monday night and are unlikely to return him to play this year.

Jimmy Garoppolo | Right high ankle sprain | Eligible Week 13 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 17 | 2021 return

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.

Preston Williams | Right foot sprain | Eligible Week 13 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 17 | 2021 return

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

Dec 13: Flores continues to tell reporters the Dolphins are "hopeful to get Williams back this season" but there remains no timetable for him to return.

Parris Campbell | Left PCL repair / MCL sprain | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | 2021 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.

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