Injury Rounds
Joe Mixon | Left high ankle sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5
Mixon did not return to the game after a fourth-quarter left ankle injury on Thursday night football. A single television angle of the injury was consistent with a high ankle sprain.
It can be difficult to judge the severity of a high ankle injury with video alone. Swelling and stiffness in the first 24-48 hours will determine whether Mixon has a chance to play this week. Do not expect the Bengals to keep the media informed on Mixon's progress. Zac Taylor has already answered vaguely twice when asked.
Mixon has extra recovery time after the Thursday night game. If he's practicing by Thursday, he'll have a chance to be effective. Consider him questionable at best.
Monday update: Adam Schefter reports Mixon has a "low grade ankle sprain." While Schefter didn't confirm the type of ankle sprain, he did report Mixon would be considered to week-to-week. That timeframe -- and video -- suggest a high ankle sprain.
Zac Taylor told reporters Mixon was more day-to-day than week-to-week. If Mixon did not experience much stiffness through the weekend, Taylor's assertion may prove true. But Taylor routinely said Mixon was day-to-day during Mixon's multiple-week recovery from what eventually became a season-ending foot sprain last year.
Watch practice participation for details but expect Mixon to miss this week's game.
David Montgomery | Left knee injury | Awaiting information | Doubtful Week 5
Montgomery hyperextended his left knee in the fourth quarter. He limped off the field and did not return. Television angles did not show the moment of injury.
The Bears seemed hopeful Montgomery avoided a season-threatening injury after the game but an MRI is planned for Monday. I'll update with more information after the imaging results are reported.
Monday update: Adam Schefter reports the Bears do not believe Montgomery's injury is season-ending. Ian Rapoport provided a vague timeline of a "few weeks" in an afternoon tweet. Chicago has yet to share details on Monday's MRI. Expect Montgomery to be out at least this week.
Jimmy Garoppolo | Right calf injury | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5
Garoppolo suffered a calf strain and did not return. He admitted to frustration with his inability to stay healthy after the game and told reporters he is hopeful to only miss a couple of weeks. San Francisco has a bye in Week 6, putting Garoppolo's earliest possible return at Week 7. Should Trey Lance play well in Week 5, Garoppolo could be relegated to a backup role.
Monday update: Garoppolo's calf injury isn't as bad as initially feared and Kyle Shanahan told reporters the injury is more of a bruise than a strain. Garoppolo will be re-evaluated midweek and could have a chance to play in Week 5.
Follow Up Appointments
Rob Gronkowski | Rib fractures / pneumothorax | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5
Initial reports suggested Gronkowski's injuries were minor after he returned to play in Week 3. Further imaging studies showed multiple fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. Gronkowski could not be cleared for contact and did not practice last week.
There's an outside chance Gronkowski's lung injury is healed enough to allow contact this week but the multiple rib fractures make his return doubtful. It's possible Gronkowski could play a limited Week 5 role but a Week 6 return for Thursday night football is more likely.
Christian McCaffrey | Left hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5
McCaffrey was not moved to injured reserve last week, making it unlikely he'll be out much longer. It's not clear whether McCaffrey can return to practice this week and it's too soon to expect him to return to a full workload. A Week 6 return is likely.
Elijah Mitchell | Right shoulder injury | Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 5
Last Friday, Kyle Shanahan told reporters Mitchell's return to play would be based on pain tolerance. That's not an issue with stinger injuries -- a player's ability to return from those nerve injuries is based on strength and range of motion. Shanahan's comments suggest that Mitchell may be dealing with an AC sprain in the shoulder.
Those are also difficult injuries for a running back to play through and Mitchell has yet to be cleared for contact. Mitchell was able to do more in practice last week, taking part in individual drills without difficulty. He has a good chance to return in Week 5.
Fast Track News and Notes
***Both A.J. Brown and Julio Jones were unable to practice with hamstring injuries and did not play. Local reports suggested neither player was close to playing but the Titans did not place either player on injured reserve. Practice participation will be our next indication of how close the two veteran receivers are to returning.
***Logan Thomas left with a hamstring injury. Indications after the game were that Thomas' injury may be more than low grade. If he's unable to practice on Wednesday, consider him doubtful for Week 5.
***Amari Cooper (hamstring), Josh Reynolds (knee), and Marquez Callaway (ankle) left and returned. Watch for limited practice this week.
***Teddy Bridgewater is in concussion protocol and questionable for Week 5.
***Andy Dalton continues to improve but was not ready to return last week. Practice video showed poor mobility last week and Dalton may still not be cleared to return this week.
Eligible to Return from Injured Reserve
Rashod Bateman | Core abdominal muscle repair | Eligible Week 4 - Designated to return | Questionable Week 5 | Target Week 5
Sep 26: Bateman is now six weeks from surgery to repair a core abdominal muscle. Last week, John Harbaugh said "We'll see," when asked whether Bateman would be ready. Beat writers believe Week 5-6 to be a more likely return date than Week 4.
Oct 3: Bateman is likely to be activated this week. Expect the Ravens to ease him into certain packages this week.
TreQuan Smith | Aggravated hamstring strain | Eligible Week 4 - Currently on IR | Doubtful Week 5 | Target = Week 5+
Sep 26: In Week 1, Smith aggravated a hamstring strain that limited in for weeks during training camp. The Saints have not updated his condition but he's unlikely to return in Week 4.
Jerry Jeudy | Right high ankle sprain | Eligible Week 5 - Currently on IR | Out Week 5 | Target = Week 7+
Sep 26: Jeudy suffered a significant sprain in Week 1. Although x-rays did not show a broken bone and surgery was not necessary, Jeudy is likely to need 4-6 weeks to fully recover. The Broncos travel to Cleveland for a Thursday night game in Week 7. That's likely the best-case scenario for Jeudy but don't be surprised if he's held out until the following week.
Michael Gallup | Calf strain | Eligible Week 5 - Currently on IR | Doubtful Week 5 | Target Week 6+
Sep 26: Gallup continues rehab and is expected back shortly after he's eligible to return.
Ryan Fitzpatrick | Right hip subluxation | Eligible Week 5 - Currently on IR | Target = Week 10+
Sep 26: Fitzpatrick chose not to have surgery to address a likely tear in his hip labrum. He's expected to be out at least 6-8 weeks.
Injured Players by Position
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Quarterbacks
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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FBG Expectation
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W5 Availability
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| Jimmy Garoppolo | SF | Right calf strain | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ return | Doubtful |
| Teddy Bridgewater | Den | Concussion | Week 4 | Concussion protocol | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Andy Dalton | Chi | Left knee bone bruise | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ return | Doubtful |
| - | ||||||
| Tua Tagovailoa | Mia | Left rib contusions | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 6 return | IR |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | Was | Right hip subluxation | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 5 | Week 10+ return | IR |
| Tyrod Taylor | Hou | Hamstring strain | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 6+ return | IR |
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Running Backs
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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FBG Expectation
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W5 Availability
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| Christian McCaffrey | Car | Left hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ return | Doubtful |
| Joe Mixon | Cin | Left high ankle sprain | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Doubtful |
| Josh Jacobs | LV | Ankle injury | Week 1 | Questionable MNF | Week 4+ return | Questionable |
| David Montgomery | Chi | Left knee injury | Week 4 | Awaiting details | Week 5++ return | Doubtful |
| Damien Williams | Chi | Quad contusion | Week 4 | Day-to-Day | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Elijah Mitchell | SF | Right shoulder injury | Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Carlos Hyde | Jac | Shoulder injury | Week 3 | Day-to-Day | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Giovani Bernard | TB | Left MCL sprain | Week 3 | Day-to-Day | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Mike Boone | Den | Quad strain | Aug-2021 | IR - DTR Week 4 | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| - | ||||||
| Jeff Wilson | SF | Meniscus repair | May-2021 | Reserve - PUP | Week 7++ return | PUP |
| JaMycal Hasty | SF | Left high ankle sprain | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 7 | Week 7+ return | IR |
| Tarik Cohen | Chi | Right ACL reconstruction | Sep-2020 | Reserve - PUP | Week 7+ return | PUP |
| Rashaad Penny | Sea | Calf strain | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 7 | Week 7++ return | IR |
| Jalen Richard | LV | Left foot injury | Aug-2021 | IR - Eligible Week 4 | Week 5++ return | IR |
| Darrynton Evans | Ten | Knee injury | Aug-2021 | IR - Eligible Week 4 | Week 5+ return | IR |
| Anthony McFarland | Pit | Undisclosed | Aug-2021 | IR - Eligible Week 4 | Week 5+ return | IR |
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Wide Receivers Injured
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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FBG Expectation
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W5 Availability
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| A.J. Brown | Ten | Hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Julio Jones | Ten | Hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Tee Higgins | Cin | Left shoulder injury | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 5 return | Probable |
| Chase Claypool | Pit | Hamstring strain | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Sterling Shepard | NYG | Right hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Darius Slayton | NYG | Hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Will Fuller | Mia | Finger fracture | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6++ return | Doubtful |
| D.J. Chark | Jac | Left ankle fracture | Week 4 | IR (expected) | 2022 return | Out |
| Dyami Brown | Was | Knee injury | Week 4 | Awaiting details | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Cam Sims | Was | Hamstring strain | Week 4 | Awaiting details | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Rashod Bateman | Bal | Core abdominal muscle repair | Aug-2021 | IR - DTR Week 4 | Week 5 return | Probable |
| Miles Boykin | Bal | Hamstring strain | Aug-2021 | IR - DTR Week 4 | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Russell Gage | Atl | Right ankle injury | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Elijah Moore | NYJ | Concussion | Week 3 | Concussion protocol | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Danny Amendola | Hou | Hamstring strain | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| Dee Eskridge | Sea | Concussion | Week 1 | Concussion protocol | Week 5+ return | Questionable |
| - | ||||||
| Michael Thomas | NO | Syndesmosis/deltoid repair | Jun-2021 | Reserve-PUP | Week 7+ return | PUP |
| TreQuan Smith | NO | Hamstring strain | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 4 | Week 5++ return | Doubtful |
| Jerry Jeudy | Den | Right high ankle sprain | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 5 | Week 7+ return | IR |
| Jarvis Landry | Cle | MCL sprain | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 6 return | IR |
| Michael Gallup | Dal | Calf strain | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 5 | Week 5+ return | IR |
| T.Y. Hilton | Ind | Cervical microdiscectomy | Aug-2021 | IR - Eligible Week 4 | Week 10+ return | IR |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | GB | Hamstring strain | Week 3 | IR - Eligible Week 7 | Week 7+ return | IR |
| Nico Collins | Hou | Shoulder injury | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 6+ return | IR |
| Scott Miller | TB | Toe sprain | Week 4 | IR - Eligible Week 7 | Week 7+ return | IR |
| Tyrell Williams | Det | Concussion | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 6+ return | IR |
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Tight Ends Injured
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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FBG Expectation
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W5 Availability
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| Rob Gronkowski | TB | Rib injuries / Punctured lung | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Doubtful |
| Logan Thomas | Was | Right hamstring strain | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 5++ return | Doubtful |
| - | ||||||
| James OShaughnessy | Jac | Right high ankle sprain | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 6+ return | IR |
| Nick Boyle | Bal | Knee injury | Nov-2020 | IR - Eligible Week 4 | Week 4+ return | Doubtful |
Injured Players Not Expected to Return in 2021
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Notable Quarterbacks on PUP or NFI or IR
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
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Notable Running Backs on PUP or NFI or IR
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
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| Cam Akers | LAR | Right Achilles repair | Jul-2021 | Reserve - NFI | Week 7 | 2022 return |
| J.K. Dobbins | Bal | Left ACL reconstruction+ | Aug-2021 | IR - Aug 2021 | Not Eligible in 2021 | 2022 return |
| Gus Edwards | Bal | ACL reconstruction | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 1 | Week 4 | 2022 return |
| Justice Hill | Bal | Achilles repair | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 1 | Week 4 | 2022 return |
| Raheem Mostert | SF | Knee microfracture surgery | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 2 | Week 5 | 2022 return |
| Travis Etienne | Jac | Left Lisfranc repair | Aug-2021 | IR - Aug 2021 | Not Eligible in 2021 | 2022 return |
| James White | NE | Right hip injury | Sep-2021 | IR - Sep 2021 | Week 7 | 2022 return |
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Notable Wide Receivers on PUP or NFI or IR
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
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| K.J. Hamler | Den | Left ACL tear | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 3 | Week 7 | 2022 return |
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Notable Tight Ends on PUP or NFI or IR
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
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| Irv Smith | Min | Meniscus repair | Sep-2021 | IR - Preseason | Week 4 | 2022 return |
| Dalton Keene | NE | Meniscus repair | Jul-2021 | IR - Aug 2021 | Not Eligible in 2021 | 2022 return |
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 at 10:00 ET every Sunday morning to discuss and interpret the week's practice participation reports and breaking weekend injury news.
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
Photos provided by USA TODAY SportsTags Injuries Cam Akers Danny Amendola Rashod Bateman Giovani Bernard Mike Boone Miles Boykin Nick Boyle Teddy Bridgewater A.J. Brown Dyami Brown Marquez Callaway D.J. Chark Jr Chase Claypool Nico Collins Amari Cooper Andy Dalton J.K. Dobbins Gus Edwards Dee Eskridge Travis Etienne Jr. Darrynton Evans Ryan Fitzpatrick Will Fuller V Russell Gage Michael Gallup Jimmy Garoppolo Rob Gronkowski KJ Hamler JaMycal Hasty Tee Higgins Justice Hill T.Y. Hilton Carlos Hyde Josh Jacobs Jerry Jeudy Julio Jones Dalton Keene Trey Lance Jarvis Landry Christian McCaffrey Anthony McFarland Jr Scotty Miller Elijah Mitchell Joe Mixon David Montgomery Elijah Moore Raheem Mostert James O'Shaughnessy Rashaad Penny Josh Reynolds Jalen Richard Sterling Shepard Cam Sims Darius Slayton Irv Smith Jr. Tre'Quan Smith Tua Tagovailoa Tyrod Taylor Logan Thomas Michael Thomas Marquez Valdes-Scantling James White Damien Williams Tyrell Williams Jeff Wilson Jr.
