Injury Rounds

Dalvin Cook | Left shoulder dislocation | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 13

Cook went down awkwardly after a tackle in the third quarter and reached for the front of his left shoulder and chest.

Former NFL team physicians David Chao and Matthew Provencher are speculating Cook may have suffered an injury to his pectoral muscle. A tendon tear would end his season, while a muscle injury may only require 2-4 weeks of recovery time. The location of Cook's reaction is consistent with the pectoral muscle area.

But it's also possible Cook suffered a dislocated shoulder. Cook has dislocated his left shoulder multiple times previously. The Vikings announced the injury as a shoulder injury rather than a chest injury. And Cook's reaction and limited video of the medical evaluation and treatment on the field are more consistent with a shoulder dislocation. Cook would likely need 2-3 weeks to rehab his shoulder if a dislocation is the diagnosis.

Mike Zimmer said Cook would have an MRI on Monday to define the injury. It's likely the national media will hint at a diagnosis before Monday's MRI. Regardless of the final diagnosis, prepare for Cook to miss multiple weeks. Hopefully, the injury will not be season-ending.

Sunday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Cook dislocated his shoulder. Monday's MRI will assess how much damage occurred around the shoulder. Expect Cook to miss 2-3 weeks but he has dealt with similar injuries before. If his range of motion and pain improve quickly enough, he could return in Week 15.

Monday update: Rapoport tweeted Cook suffered a labral tear in his shoulder. Zimmer denied the report and says Cook is day-to-day. It's very likely Cook has a labral tear, a very common occurrence with a shoulder dislocation. The recovery timetable remains 2-3 weeks regardless of the specifics of the injury. The Vikings have a Thursday night game in Week 14, giving Cook even less time to return after just one missed game.

Darren Waller | Left iliotibial band strain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 13

Waller left Thursday's game after his left knee was bent awkwardly underneath him during a tackle.

Video was suspicious for an MCL sprain but an MRI revealed an IT band strain. That's an unusual injury in the NFL with no available comps. The IT band is a structure that runs along the outside of the leg and ends around the knee. When inflamed, it causes pain around the knee with extension of the lower leg.

The IT band is not critical to the support and structure of the knee joint and may be supported with compression. Waller will have ten days to rehab and recover and will have a good chance to play this week.

Deebo Samuel | Groin strain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 13

Samuel was limited by a groin condition earlier this season. While limited in practice at times, he saw only a slight decrease in his game snaps. Samuel went down in the fourth quarter after feeling tightness in the groin and did not return.

Reassuringly, Samuel was cleared to speak to the media after the game and didn't appear concerned. Kyle Shanahan told reporters the team did not fear a higher-grade strain. Expect limited practice again this week but unless Samuel has increasing tightness or swelling overnight, he looks likely to play in Week 13.

Monday update: Samuel's injury was confirmed to be low grade on Monday's MRI but Kyle Shanahan told reporters Samuel would likely miss 1-2 games.

Christian McCaffrey | Left ankle sprain | Injured reserve

McCaffrey rolled his left ankle in the first half and was unable to stay in the game after attempts to stay loose on the sideline.

Matt Rhule didn't appear seriously concerned during a post-game press conference. But McCaffrey left the locker room in a walking boot and there may have been more to the injury not seen on video after the initial mild roll of the ankle. The walking boot isn't necessarily a major concern. Players are immobilized routinely to limit swelling and help with the initial stages of healing.

Still, it's notable McCaffrey was unable to return from a low ankle sprain. He'll have two weeks to recover before the Panthers next play in Week 14.

Monday update: McCaffrey's ankle swelled significantly overnight and an MRI showed an "injury severe enough" the Panthers chose to move McCaffrey back to injured reserve. A player cannot be designated to return twice in the same season; McCaffrey's season is over.

Video of McCaffrey's rolled ankle did not show a significant injury. It's likely the injury occurred when McCaffrey was bent back over his body and his ankle was obscured from view. The Panthers did not discuss specifics on McCaffrey's injury but reports suggest he won't need surgery if healing goes as planned. Tom Pelissero reported McCaffrey's injury "would've sidelined him at least the remainder of the 2021 season."

Even if surgery is eventually required, McCaffrey should be ready for training camp in 2022.

Follow Up Appointments

Kyler Murray | Left high ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 13
DeAndre Hopkins | Hamstring strain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 13

Both Murray and Hopkins were close to returning in Week 11. Murray had returned to limited practices but the Cardinals elected to allow him to recover through the bye week. Hopkins has yet to return to practice but has made progress in rehab.

Both are expected to return this week.

Alvin Kamara | Left MCL sprain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 13

Recovery from MCL sprains is variable from player to player. Relatively low-grade sprains can take longer to rehab than expected as stiffness or looseness in the joint limits comfort with football-related activity and movement.

Kamara tested his knee joint two weeks ago and wasn't ready to practice. The Saints held him out on a short week last week rather than push the limits of his recovery. Over the weekend, Sean Payton told reporters he would not be discussing the status of any of his injured players. That leaves practice participation as the primary data point for evaluation this week.

If the Saints clear Kamara to practice on Monday or Tuesday -- they play again on Thursday night this week -- it's a sign they're evaluating Kamara's fitness to play. If Kamara is cleared for consecutive practices by Wednesday, it suggests he's preparing to play.

Kamara is likely on the probable side of questionable but practice reports will be critical in gauging his readiness.

Monday update: Kamara was listed as limited in practice on Monday. Local writers reported Kamara was doing individual drills on Sunday. Another limited practice on Tuesday would put Kamara in line to play.

Ezekiel Elliott | Right knee contusion | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 13

Elliott told reporters he's been dealing with pain and stiffness since suffering a bruised knee in Week 4. After he limped through the Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day game, there are reports Dallas may limit his touches in future weeks to ensure Elliott is healthier for the final weeks of the regular season and playoffs.

Elliott says he'll be able to continue managing the injury and the team has yet to approach him about limited game day snaps. It won't be surprising to see Tony Pollard's usage increase but there's no current indication Elliott will miss this Thursday night's game to recover further.

Monday update: Elliott fully practiced on Monday and is trending toward playing on Thursday.

DAndre Swift | Right AC sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 13

Swift aggravated an AC sprain during Thursday's game and did not return.

Shoulder sprains are painful injuries and difficult for running backs to play through successfully. Injections and padding are helpful but it's impossible to protect the joint from hits during the game. Swift attempted to play with the injury last week and managed just 10 snaps before the aggravation ended his day.

Dan Campbell said Swift was day-to-day and the ten-day recovery period will help but expect Swift to be limited in practice and questionable to play on Sunday.

Monday update: Campbell told reporters Swift was still sore on Monday and "it's hard to say you'd see him playing" this week.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Monday update: Darrell Henderson injured his quad and will be limited in practice this week. He's questionable for Week 13 but local reporters do not believe the injury will result in a multiple-week absence.

***Aaron Rodgers has hinted he may undergo surgery for a fractured fifth toe during the Packers' bye this week. It's an unusual approach for a fractured fifth toe and one he's unlikely to choose if there's any chance he'll miss time while recovering. Monday update: Matt LaFleur told reporters Rodgers was still "gathering other opinions" but multiple reports suggest surgery is unlikely.

***Miles Sanders (ankle), Jalen Hurts (ankle), Teddy Bridgewater (shin contusion), Ben Roethlisberger (right arm, pectoral) all struggled with injuries on Sunday but returned to play. Expect limited practice reps for each of them this week. Monday update: Nick Sirianni told reporters Hurts is dealing with a sore ankle. Adam Schefter tweeted the injury "could impact [Hurts'] availability this week." The Eagles have a Week 14 bye and could elect to rest Hurts with the following two weeks to recover.

***Further imaging revealed Justin Fields has multiple cracked ribs. The injuries were visible only on more detailed images. It's possible, though unlikely, Fields could return this week.

***Zach Wilson told reporters his knee joint remains loose and bothersome after a midseason PCL sprain. He will try to continue to play through the sprain.

Currently on Injured Reserve / PUP / NFI

Calvin Ridley | Behavioral health recovery | Eligible Week 12 - Remains on NFI | Doubtful

The Falcons have not updated Ridley's status since the decision to place him on the Non-Football Injury list. It's unknown how close Ridley is to returning or whether his conditioning is sufficient to allow him to return immediately when ready. Hopefully, Ridley is getting the care he needs.

Julio Jones | Hamstring strain | Eligible Week 14

Jones has been battling a hamstring strain since the preseason. The Titans moved Jones to injured reserve in the hopes that a full month of rehab would allow him to be healthy enough to be effective in the final weeks of the regular season. It's possible Jones will return after Tennessee's Week 13 bye.

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

Fuller was said to be trending in the right direction two weeks ago but has yet to be designated to return to practice after a Week 4 finger fracture. It's now been nearly two months since Fuller has practiced, an odd timeline for a finger injury.

Injured Players by Position

Injured Players Not Expected to Return in 2021