Inseason injury coverage

My writing and podcast schedule will include:

Monday Injury Rounds > Published 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

Saquon Barkley | Right ACL reconstruction/meniscus repair | October 2020 | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1

The Giants consistently told reporters that Barkley's return would not be rushed in the early weeks of the regular season. Since coming off the PUP list, steady progress in camp has sparked optimism, but the team has yet to commit to anything more than a limited workload for Barkley in Week 1.

Do not expect Barkley to see more than 50% of the team's offensive snaps this week. New York has a late Sunday afternoon game in Week 1 and will then travel to Washington on Thursday night in Week 2. If he's productive on 12-18 touches in Week 1, he could quickly return to a full workload in Week 2. But Week 3 remains the earliest opportunity for Barkley to return to a 20+ touch workload. It's also possible Barkley will struggle to regain his pre-injury agility and explosiveness for some time. His performance in September will be under heavy scrutiny.

Carson Wentz | Left metatarsal avulsion fracture | Preseason | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1

Wentz recovered quickly from surgery to remove a bone fragment from his foot early in the preseason. After sailing through the early stages of his rehab, Wentz aggressively ramped up his return to football activity. He was taking full reps in team drills before spending five days in COVID quarantine. Now off the COVID-reserve list and back to first-team reps in practice, Wentz is almost certain to be under center this week.

Observers are consistently sharing positive reports about Wentz's mobility. Improving strength and residual soreness will be the final hurdle for Wentz to clear to return to full form. Inconsistent play and fewer rushing plays are likely until Wentz fully recovers.

DAndre Swift | Groin strain | Preseason | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1

Dan Campbell told reporters the Lions would likely limit Swift's workload until he proved he was fully conditioned for football. Those watching the final practices of camp reported Swift to be moving well. Expect Jamaal Williams to be involved frequently in Week 1 as the team assesses Swift's fitness.

Dak Prescott | Right latissimus muscle strain | Preseason | Day-to-Day | Expected to Play Week 1

After a tumultuous ten months of multiple ankle surgeries and an early preseason muscle strain, Prescott successfully worked through a throwing program in August and is ready to return.

Prescott is confident he can make all the throws necessary in a high-upside Dallas offense. Don't be surprised if Prescott's ankle injury limits him from his pre-injury rushing volume and success. But he's likely to be efficient and productive in the passing game immediately.

T.Y. Hilton | Cervical microdiscectomy | Preseason | Month-to-Month | Injured Reserve | Target Week 10++

Hilton underwent surgery for a disc injury in his neck last week. Though the Colts did not provide specifics on the injury, Hilton likely had a part of the disc tissue removed to relieve inflammation. Frank Reich said Hilton noticed an immediate improvement in his symptoms. Most players are cleared to return in 10-12 weeks, but it can take longer to recover strength and conditioning fully.

Hilton is eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 4, but do not expect him to return to the active roster until midseason -- at the earliest.

Trey Lance | Right index finger fracture | Preseason | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 1

Kyle Shanahan described Lance's injury as a small chip off a bone in the finger. The initial return timetable suggested Lance could return in seven days. That would be an extremely optimistic recovery expectation -- even with a minor injury. Lance hasn't begun throwing yet and may not be ready for Week 1.

The Niners have no reason to rush Lance early in his career. If Lance is on the active roster on game day, he'll have only a small package of plays. Thankfully, there's no concern this injury will limit him much further into the regular season.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Clyde Edwards-Helaire sprained his ankle during the final preseason game two weeks ago. He was able to participate in individual drills 48 hours after the injury. Despite concerns for a longer-term injury after reports of an "inside" ankle sprain, Edwards-Helaire should have a good chance to see a full, expected workload.

***Brandon Aiyuk has not practiced in four days with a hamstring strain. The Niners have yet to address Aiyuk's condition. There are no reported concerns but watch Aiyuk's early-week status closely.

***Noah Fant has not practiced in two weeks with an undisclosed leg injury. The Broncos have not expressed concern about his Week 1 availability.

***Kenny Golladay returned to full padded practices last week as he works to recondition from an early-camp hamstring strain. He remains within the window for aggravation but is tracking to play in Week 1.

***Evan Engram suffered a calf strain in the final preseason game. Initial reactions can be misleading but were suspicious for more than a low-grade injury. Engram worked in pads on the rehab field last week, but the team's beat writers do not sound confident Engram will be ready for Week 1.

***Irv Smith had a meniscus repair. The more extensive procedure will require 4-6 months of rehab but is better for the long-term health of Smith's knee and his career longevity. The Vikings left the door open procedurally for a late-season return by placing him on Reserve-NFI but don't expect Smith to return until 2022.

***Giovani Bernard is working through a reportedly mild high ankle sprain. Bruce Arians told reporters Bernard was "fine" and is currently expected to take reps as the passing-down back in Week 1.

Injured Players on Active Roster

Injured Players Not on Active Roster

DECIPHERING THE ALPHABET SOUP OF INJURY LISTS

Players not ready for camp practices are placed on one of two lists – Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) or Non-Football Injury/Illness (NFI).

Physically Unable to Perform (PUP)

Active/PUP – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. This list is commonly used for veterans still recovering from injury and those who fail conditioning tests before camp begins.

Reserve/PUP – Regular season only list. Players still on Active/PUP at the end of camp are eligible to move to Reserve/PUP. Players cannot practice with the team until after Week 6. Teams then have six weeks to evaluate the player before moving to the active roster or to season-ending injured reserve.

Non-Football Injury / Illness (NFI)

Active/NFI – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. Only veterans with a non-football related injury or rookies injured before the NFL draft are eligible for this list.

Reserve/NFI – Regular season only list. Players still on Active/PUP at the end of camp are eligible to move to Reserve/PUP. Players cannot practice with the team until after Week 6. Teams then have six weeks to evaluate the player before moving to the active roster or to season-ending injured reserve.

Injured Reserve – Return Designation

Each NFL team can return an unlimited number of players to the active roster from injured reserve. Teams are not forced to designate this player at the time of the move to injured reserve. Players designated to return can begin practicing and are eligible to return after missing three games. This rule allows a team to continually evaluate the rehab and recovery of their injured players and provides roster flexibility should teams have multiple key injuries early in the season.

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the off-season.