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Injury Rounds

Aaron Jones | Right knee injury | Awaiting information | Doubtful Week 11

Initial reports Sunday night suggest Jones suffered an MCL sprain.

Return from an MCL sprain is tricky to predict. Recovery timetables are often in the 1-4 week range for low or mid-grade injuries. Some players have swelling and stiffness limiting range of motion. Others feel looseness in the joint and aren't comfortable playing despite relatively minimal pain and swelling.

Video did not show an obvious MCL injury and Jones showed more discomfort than what might be expected with a low-grade MCL sprain. The physical exam is generally straightforward with knee injuries and there's a good chance an MRI will confirm a short-term injury.

The Packers have a Week 13 bye. Unless Jones has a very minor injury with a reassuring MRI, it's unlikely he'll return until Week 14.

I'll update further after the imaging results are reported.

Monday update: An MRI showed Jones suffered a "mild" MCL sprain. The early timetable is 1-2 weeks. Prepare for Jones to be out until Week 14.

Alvin Kamara | Left MCL sprain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 11

Kamara battled through an MCL sprain in the second half of his Week 9 game. As frequently occurs with MCL injuries, Kamara had more discomfort the day following the game and never recovered enough to be cleared to play.

The Saints did not move Kamara to injured reserve last week. In most cases, that's a reassuring indication that the team feels a player can safely recover and miss less than three weeks of action. It's even more reassuring in Kamara's case as New Orleans has two consecutive Thursday night games in Week 12 and 13.

Still, it's too soon to presume Kamara will be ready to return this week. Local beat writers were expressing concern about Kamara's status even before his missed Wednesday practice last week. Watch for similar clues early this week.

Cordarrelle Patterson | Right high ankle sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 11

Monday update: The Falcons suggested Patterson could have returned to Sunday's game. Upon further evaluation on Monday, Patterson is considered week-to-week. Video suggests a high ankle sprain. There's no chance Patterson recovers in time for Thursday night's game against the Patriots. Week 13 is the earliest reasonable expectation.

Follow Up Appointments

Kyler Murray | Left ankle injury | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 11

Murray reportedly was close to playing on Sunday but the Cardinals elected to be cautious and limit the risk of aggravation and a longer-term absence. It's reassuring Murray is close. The Cardinals have a Week 12 bye. If Murray isn't close to recovering, Arizona could choose to extend the period of caution through next week's game and the following week's bye.

Jay Glazer initially reported a 1-3 week recovery timetable and Murray has now missed a little over two weeks. When asked if the team was thinking ahead to a divisional matchup against Seattle in Week 11 and prioritizing Murray's health for that game, Kliff Kingsbury said that had been in consideration.

Consider Murray to the probable side of questionable for now. If he's not back to practice on Wednesday, it will be concerning.

Monday update: Kingsbury told reporters "it's going to be close" when asked whether Murray would be able to return this week.

Saquon Barkley | Left ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 11

Barkley was unable to practice before New York's Week 9 game while in COVID protocols. Based on local observations of his early bye week practices, his ankle would likely have prevented him from playing anyway.

If Barkley returns to practice on Wednesday and responds well enough to work out again on Thursday, he'll have a good chance to return. It's still too soon to know whether he'll have a limited or full workload if he does return.

Monday update: Barkley was reportedly moving well in a Monday workout. He is trending toward a Week 11 return.

Rob Gronkowski | Back injury | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 11

Initial reports suggested Gronkowski left the game in Week 8 with back spasms. It was reasonable to assume Gronkowski would recover through the bye and play in Week 10. Unfortunately, the report of back spasms was only part of the story.

Gronkowski has a long history of disc issues, including multiple surgeries to address herniations and inflammation around his spine. His inability to practice and play two weeks after leaving a game is suspicious for another flare. Bruce Arians told reporters this week "is a better timeframe" for Gronkowski but week-to-week is still a better expectation.

Fast Track News and Notes

***DeAndre Hopkins has yet to practice, two-and-a-half weeks after aggravating a hamstring strain. The Cardinals are hopeful he'll return for this week's divisional game in Seattle but it's possible Hopkins' absence will extend through their Week 12 bye.

***Antonio Brown did not look close to recovering from an ankle sprain in rehab video from last week. An Instagram note from his trainer implied the injury is a deltoid ligament sprain. That's a difficult injury to rehab and is likely the reason Brown is not yet close to full strength.

***Baker Mayfield suffered a mild right knee hyperextension and bruise. He did not return but the Browns are hopeful he'll avoid swelling and stiffness that would threaten his Week 11 availability.

***Zach Wilson will likely be cleared to return to contact this week. The Jets will need to decide whether they prefer Wilson or Mike White in Week 11.

Currently on Injured Reserve / PUP / NFI

Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Right MCL sprain | Designated to return Week 10 | Questionable Week 11

Late last week, Andy Reid told reporters "it would be a stretch" for Edwards-Helaire to play on Sunday night and the Chiefs chose not to move him to the active roster. It's likely Edwards-Helaire will return to a limited role this week. If there are any concerns in practice this week, however, the Chiefs may elect to keep him on injured reserve through their Week 12 bye.

Monday update: Reid said Edwards-Helaire has a "pretty good chance to play" but that's far from confirmation the Chiefs will clear him before the bye.

Chris Carson | Cervical neck condition | Designated to return Week 10 | Doubtful Week 11

Carson was designated to return from injured reserve and practiced last week. Pete Carroll said Carson was "dying to play" after "two good, hard days" of practice but the team wasn't comfortable returning him to the active roster. General manager John Schneider said the team would continue to be "very, very careful" with Carson's return. The Seahawks are hopeful Carson can return this week.

Monday update: Carroll said the Seahawks would "revisit" Carson's situation on Wednesday. That's considerably less optimistic than their previous statements. It seems highly unlikely Carson plays this week.

Miles Sanders | Left ankle sprain | Eligible Week 11 | Doubtful Week 11

Sanders has not been in a walking boot for over a week. The Eagles have yet to update his condition or status. If they designate him to return early enough to practice on Wednesday, he could return to a limited role this week. Watch the early-week transactions for clues on his availability.

Kareem Hunt | Left calf strain | Eligible Week 10 | Target Week 12++

Players can return from injured reserve after three weeks but Hunt's calf strain is a longer-term, higher-grade injury. Kevin Stefanski ruled Hunt out early last week, despite the team knowing they'd be missing multiple backs due to COVID protocols. Hunt remains at least 1-2 weeks away from returning and may not be cleared until after Cleveland's Week 13 bye.

Logan Thomas | Right hamstring strain | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Target Week 12+

Thomas was sore after rehab early last week and was "just not ready to be on the football field" according to Ron Rivera. Washington has yet to designate him to return. Thomas is at least one week from returning.

Will Fuller | Finger fracture | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Questionable Week 11

Fuller doesn't appear close to returning according to local beat writers. He's doubtful to be activated this week.

Ryan Fitzpatrick | Right hip subluxation | Eligible Week 5 - Remains on IR | 2022 return

An MRI showed Fitzpatrick's hip was not recovering quickly enough and he's unlikely to return this season. This isn't surprising. Fitzpatrick's only hope of returning in 2021 was to rehab without surgery but that was more optimism than expectation.

Injured Players by Position

Injured Players Not Expected to Return in 2021