Monday Injury Rounds: Week 8

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 8 Jene Bramel Published 10/24/2021

Injury Rounds

Darren Waller | Ankle injury | Week-to-Week | Bye Week 8

Adam Schefter reported that Waller tripped over a teammate during Friday's practice and suffered an injury to his inner ankle and heel. Waller was downgraded to questionable after an evaluation on Saturday then declared inactive on Sunday.

There's been nothing specific reported but all indications Waller is dealing with more than a low ankle sprain. The report of an "inner ankle" injury, the Saturday downgrade suggesting the development of significant swelling and/or stiffness, and the inability to play through 48 hours later.

Waller has the benefit of the Raiders' Week 8 bye to recover. Consider him probable for Week 9 unless there are reports of a high ankle sprain or similarly concerning injury this week.

Miles Sanders | Left ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 8

Sanders rolled his left ankle while cutting and could not return. X-ray images did not show a fracture. Video clearly showed a low ankle sprain. While most of these sprains are quick recoveries, some lead to more difficult with pain and stability than expected. Expect limited practice this week but Sanders should have a good chance to play in Week 8.

Zach Wilson | Right PCL sprain | Week-to-Week | Out Week 8

Wilson told reporters he suffered a PCL sprain and would have an MRI to grade the injury. Unfortunately, Wilson also said he felt some looseness in the joint, a sign that he's dealing with more than a low-grade sprain. Limited video suggests the PCL is the only ligament affected and Wilson should be able to rehab without surgery. Expect an early timetable of 3-6 weeks. Injured reserve is a possibility.

Monday update: Adam Schefter reported Wilson's MRI confirmed a PCL injury and has an early return timetable of 2-4 weeks.

Follow Up Appointments

Dak Prescott | Right calf strain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 8

According to the Cowboys, "it would have been tough" for Prescott to play in Week 7. Thankfully, Prescott has two weeks to recover from a Week 6 calf strain. Dallas does not expect Prescott to return to practice until later in the week but the team is optimistic he'll play. If he is able to go, Prescott will likely be limited to playing from the pocket.

Saquon Barkley | Left ankle injury | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 8

Barkley has yet to return to practice after a Week 5 ankle sprain and it's unclear whether he's made enough progress to play in Week 8. Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Barkley has "an outside chance" of playing this week but should be back the following week. If Barkley is participating individual drills on Wednesday, it's a good sign the Giants may clear him to play.

Nick Chubb | Calf strain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 8

Kevin Stefanski told reporters he was "hopeful" Chubb would be available in Week 8. That's generally not a reassuring comment from a coach. It's possible the Browns felt Chubb was close to recovering but didn't want to push him to return on a short turnaround to Thursday night. If that's true, Chubb should be back to individual drills on Wednesday.

Monday update: Josina Anderson reported Chubb is expected to return "barring any setbacks in practice."

Fast Track News and Notes

***Baker Mayfield suffered a small fracture in his shoulder socket after another dislocation last week. Mayfield wants to play -- he took all the first team reps in practice 48 hours after the injury before the team shut him down for Thursday night's game -- but joint stability and range of motion may keep him out this week.

***Josh Jacobs was quickly ruled out after suffering a chest injury. That's often concerning for a longer-term injury but Tom Pelissero reported the Raiders were optimistic Jacobs did not suffer a major injury. Jacobs has two weeks to recover through the Raiders' Week 8 bye.

***Patrick Mahomes II cleared concussion protocol during the game but may miss practice with a neck strain this week. The Chiefs play at home Monday night, giving Mahomes additional time for treatment if needed.

Currently on Injured Reserve / PUP

Jerry Jeudy | Right high ankle sprain | Eligible Week 5 - Designated to return (Week 6) | Probable Week 8 | Target = Week 8

Jeudy returned to practice last week but was not ready to return for Thursday night's game. He is expected to fully practice and be added back to the active roster this week.

Michael Gallup | Calf strain | Eligible Week 5 - Remains on IR | Questionable Week 8 | Target Week 8

Mike McCarthy believes Gallup will return to limited practices this week. If his reconditioning progresses smoothly, he could return and see rotational snaps. Monday update: Gallup was designated to return today.

Will Fuller | Finger fracture | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 8 | Target Week 9+

Fuller is eligible to return this week but some finger fractures require more than three weeks of recovery. It's not clear whether Miami will return Fuller to practice. If he's designated to return early in the week, he should be ready to play immediately. Monday update: Fuller is not expected to play this week.

Christian McCaffrey | Left hamstring strain aggravation | Eligible Week 9 | Target = Week 9+

McCaffrey is not eligible to return to the active roster until Week 9. The Panthers have yet to provide a return timetable but McCaffrey missed two weeks after the initial injury and aggravations commonly require as much or more recovery time. It's questionable at best that McCaffrey will return to practice and see his usual workload immediately in Week 9.

George Kittle | Calf strain | Eligible Week 9 | Target = Week 9

Kittle was playing through his calf condition until the Niners elected to shut him down. It's likely he'll be able to return in some capacity in Week 9.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Right MCL sprain | Eligible Week 9 | Target Week 9+

Most mid-grade MCL sprains require 3-4 weeks to rehab. Early indications are the Chiefs used injured reserve to ensure Edwards-Helaire did not rush his return. If that's accurate, it's reasonable to expect Edwards-Helaire to return in 3-4 weeks rather than 4-6 weeks. However, if the Chiefs do not return him to practice quickly, he may be rested through their Week 12 bye.

Tyrod Taylor | Hamstring strain | Eligible Week 6 - Remains on IR | Questionable Week 8 | Target Week 8

The Texans have said Taylor will return as the starting quarterback when ready. He's yet to be designated to return to practice. Monday update: Taylor does have a chance to return to practice and could play in Week 8.

Logan Thomas | Right hamstring strain | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 8 | Target Week 10

Thomas is eligible to return to practice this week but there's been no indication from Washington he'll be able to play. With a bye in Week 9, Thomas' earliest return is likely Week 10.

Michael Thomas | Syndesmosis / deltoid ligament repair | Eligible Week 7 - Remains on PUP | Target = Week 10+

Thomas has reportedly been rehabbing with the team but is reportedly a "few weeks away" from returning. That's not surprising. Recovery is variable from these surgeries. While it is reasonable to expect clearance for contact in 3-4 months, most players take considerably longer to recover the strength and range of motion necessary to return to pre-injury form. It will likely be mid-late November before Thomas is ready for anything close to a full workload.

Chris Carson | Cervical neck condition | Eligible Week 10 - Remains on IR | Target = Week 10+

Carson still has no timetable for return. The speculative diagnosis is inflammation due to a herniated disc in the neck with ongoing symptoms and a limited response to steroid injections. If Carson needs to regain strength and range of motion in his upper body, Week 10 is hopeful at best. Watch for further details from Pete Carroll this week.

Jeff Wilson | Meniscus repair | Eligible Week 7 - Remains on PUP | Target = Week 10+

General manager John Lynch told reporters last week Wilson is progressing well but won't return "in the next couple of weeks."

David Montgomery | Left knee sprain | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Out Week 8 | Target = Week 11

The initial timetable on Montgomery was 4-5 weeks. Although he's eligible this week, he's unlikely to return until Week 11 after Chicago's bye. With Khalil Herbert running effectively and Damien Williams available, the Bears will not need to push the limits of Montgomery's recovery.

Ryan Fitzpatrick | Right hip subluxation | Eligible Week 5 - Remains on IR | Out Week 8 | Target = Week 12+

Fitzpatrick remains on crutches and is likely at least a month from returning to practice. Do not be surprised if he's not cleared to return in 2021.

Injured Players by Position

Quarterbacks
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Current Status
FBG Expectation
W8 Availability
Dak Prescott Dal Right calf strain Week 6 Day-to-Day Week 8 return Questionable
Trey Lance SF Left knee sprain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Questionable
Baker Mayfield Cle Left shoulder dislocation Chronic Day-to-Day Week 8+ return Questionable
Zach Wilson NYJ Right PCL sprain Week 7 Awaiting information Week 10++ return Out
Taysom Hill NO Concussion Week 5 Concussion protocol Week 8+ return Questionable
-
Russell Wilson Sea Fractured finger / tendon injury Week 5 IR - Eligible Week 10 Week 10+ return IR
Ryan Fitzpatrick Was Right hip subluxation Week 1 IR - Eligible Week 5 Week 12+ return IR
Tyrod Taylor Hou Hamstring strain Week 2 IR - Eligible Week 6 Week 8+ return Questionable
Running Backs
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Current Status
FBG Expectation
W8 Availability
Saquon Barkley NYG Left ankle injury Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Doubtful
Nick Chubb Cle Calf injury Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Doubtful
Miles Sanders Phi Left ankle sprain Week 7 Awaiting information Week 8+ return Questionable
Latavius Murray Bal Left ankle injury Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Bye
Malcolm Brown Mia Quad injury Week 7 Injured reserve Eligible Week 11 IR
Josh Jacobs LV Chest injury Week 7 Day-to-Day Week 9 return Bye
Peyton Barber LV Toe sprain Week 4 Day-to-Day Week 9 return Bye
Tevin Coleman NYJ Hamstring strain Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Questionable
Anthony McFarland Pit MCL sprain Aug-2021 IR - DTR Week 5 Week 8 return Probable
-
Christian McCaffrey Car Left hamstring strain Week 3 IR - Eligible Week 9 Week 9+ return IR
Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC Right MCL sprain Week 5 IR - Eligible Week 9 Week 10+ return IR
David Montgomery Chi Left knee sprain Week 4 IR - Eligible Week 8 Week 11 return IR
Chris Carson Sea Cervical neck condition Chronic IR - Eligible Week 10 Week 10+ return IR
Kareem Hunt Cle Left calf strain Week 6 IR - Eligible Week 10 Week 10++ return IR
Jeff Wilson SF Meniscus repair May-2021 Reserve - PUP Week 10+ return PUP
Tarik Cohen Chi Right ACL reconstruction Sep-2020 Reserve - PUP Week 10+ return PUP
Tony Jones NO Right ankle injury Week 4 IR - Eligible Week 9 Week 9+ return IR
Wide Receivers Injured
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Current Status
FBG Expectation
W8 Availability
Davante Adams GB COVID+ Oct 24 COVID-reserve Week 9+ return Doubtful
Mike Williams LAC Knee contusion Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 8 return Probable
Antonio Brown TB Ankle injury Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Questionable
Sterling Shepard NYG Hamstring strain Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Questionable
Kenny Golladay NYG Knee hyperextension Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Doubtful
Kadarius Toney NYG Ankle injury Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 8+ return Questionable
Curtis Samuel Was Aggravated groin strain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Questionable
Dyami Brown Was Right knee injury Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Doubtful
Cam Sims Was Hamstring strain Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Questionable
T.Y. Hilton Ind Right quad strain Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Questionable
Sammy Watkins Bal Hamstring strain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 9 return Bye
DeVante Parker Mia Hamstring strain Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Questionable
Terrace Marshall Car Concussion Week 6 Concussion protocol Week 8+ return Questionable
-
Michael Thomas NO Syndesmosis/deltoid repair Jun-2021 Reserve-PUP Week 10+ return PUP
Jerry Jeudy Den Right high ankle sprain Week 1 IR - DTR Week 6 Week 8 return Probable
Will Fuller Mia Finger fracture Week 4 IR - Eligible Week 8 Week 9+ return Doubtful
Michael Gallup Dal Calf strain Week 1 IR - DTR Week 8 Week 8 return Questionable
Marquez Valdes-Scantling GB Hamstring strain Week 3 IR - Eligible Week 7 Week 8+ return Questionable
Quintez Cephus Det Left clavicle fixation Week 5 IR - Eligible Week 10 Late 2021 return IR
Scott Miller TB Toe sprain Week 4 IR - Eligible Week 7 Week 10++ return IR
Tyrell Williams Det Concussion Week 2 IR - Eligible Week 6 Week 9++ return IR
Dee Eskridge Sea Concussion Week 1 IR - Eligible Week 8 Week 9++ return IR
Tight Ends Injured
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Current Status
FBG Expectation
W8 Availability
Darren Waller LV Ankle injury Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 9 return Bye
Rob Gronkowski TB Rib injuries / Punctured lung Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 8 return Probable
Dawson Knox Buf Right hand fracture Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Out
Jonnu Smith NE Shoulder injury Week 7 Awaiting information Week 8+ return Questionable
Tyler Kroft NYJ Back injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Questionable
Darrell Daniels Ari Hamstring strain Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 8+ return Questionable
-
George Kittle SF Calf strain Week 1 IR - Eligible Week 9 Week 9 return IR
Logan Thomas Was Right hamstring strain Week 4 IR - Eligible Week 8 Week 9+ return Doubtful
Albert Okwuegbunam Den Hamstring strain Week 4 IR - Eligible Week 8 Week 8+ return Questionable
James OShaughnessy Jac Right high ankle sprain Week 2 IR - Eligible Week 6 Week 8+ return IR
Nick Boyle Bal Knee injury Nov-2020 IR - DTR Week 7 Week 8+ return IR / Bye

Injured Players Not Expected to Return in 2021

Notable Quarterbacks on PUP or NFI or IR
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Current Status
 Eligible to Return
FBG Return Target
Notable Running Backs on PUP or NFI or IR
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Current Status
 Eligible to Return
FBG Return Target
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 2022 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 2022 2022 return
James White NE Right hip injury Sep-2021 IR - Sep 2021 Week 7 2022 return
Notable Wide Receivers on PUP or NFI or IR
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Current Status
 Eligible to Return
FBG Return Target
Photos provided by Imagn Images
Share This Article