Monday Injury Rounds: Week 9

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 9 Jene Bramel Published 10/31/2021

Injury Rounds

Kyler Murray | Left ankle injury | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 9

Murray was tackled from behind in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's game. His ankle was turned to the outside, a mechanism that will affect the inside of Murray's ankle or potentially cause a high ankle sprain.

After leaving the stadium in a walking boot, Murray's follow-up evaluations showed enough swelling and stiffness that his Week 9 availability is in doubt. Jay Glazer reported on Sunday morning that Murray could miss 1-2 weeks. While it's possible Murray could return this week, his mobility is likely to be severely limited.

Derrick Henry | Metatarsal fracture | Awaiting information | Out Week 9

Monday update: Henry suffered a foot injury but returned to the game. Further evaluation has reportedly revealed a fifth metatarsal fracture. These injuries require a screw to stabilize and multiple weeks of rehab and recovery.

Players are sometimes given a 6-8 week recovery timetable. Surgery usually stabilizes the injury quickly. But revisions and complications can occur and players rarely return to their pre-injury form for at least eight weeks. Adam Schefter is reporting the Titans have concern for a season-ending injury.

If the MRI confirms the injury, expect surgery immediately. Henry would then move to injured reserve. A smooth and successful rehab could have him back for the playoffs if the Titans qualify.

Monday update: Henry will have surgery on Tuesday and has already been moved to injured reserve. Ian Rapoport tweeted a timetable of 6-10 weeks. Six weeks is extremely unlikely for a running back with Henry's size. Unless the Titans choose to bring him back for a must-win, play-in game in Week 17, Henry's regular season is over.

Jameis Winston | Left ACL / MCL injury | Injured reserve (exp) | 2022 return

Winston was injured on a horse-collar tackle and his left knee was buckled and torqued as his body rotated. Reports suggest Winston suffered an ACL and MCL injury. He'll have an MRI on Monday to confirm. These injuries are often associated with additional meniscus or cartilage damage.

Expect a period of rehabilitation before season-ending surgery for Winston. He will need 9-10+ months of rehab but has a chance to return for training camp in 2022.

Follow Up Appointments

Dak Prescott | Right calf strain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 9

Prescott was reportedly cleared to play by the Dallas medical staff but all involved felt it best to allow Prescott another week to recover. Prescott had a PRP injection early last week to limit inflammation and speed healing. His looked comfortable in a high-intensity pregame warmup on Sunday night and looks likely to return this week.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay have yet to return to practice. Barkley isn't doing any on-field rehab work and may not be close to returning. The Giants believe both players may be able to return in Week 9 but the team has a Week 10 bye and could decide to allow one or both the additional time to get close to full health.

***James Robinson was injured in the first half after being roughly shoved through the Seattle sideline and jamming a foot into a cart. Urban Meyer told reporters Robinson suffered a heel contusion and the team did not yet know the extent of the injury. A simple contusion should not be a long-term injury. I'll update with a more detailed timetable if the Jaguars say more on Monday. Monday update: Adam Schefter reports testing showed no significant injury and Robinson is considered day-to-day.

Currently on Injured Reserve / PUP

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.

Russell Wilson | Fractured finger / tendon injury | Eligible Week 10 | Target = Week 10+

Wilson will be eligible to return from injured reserve after the Seahawks Week 9 bye. Wilson will undoubtedly try to come back as soon as he's able. Week 10 was always the most optimistic end of his 4-8 week timetable. It's now nearly three weeks since Wilson's surgery to pin the extensor tendon and stabilize the fracture of the third finger on his throwing hand. Pain should no longer be an issue. If Wilson has enough range of motion and grip strength to control the football while throwing, he will be back in Week 10. That remains a relatively tough ask.

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

The Niners currently expect Kittle back this week. He's reportedly been moving well and should be designated to return before Wednesday's practice.

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.

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.

Logan Thomas | Right hamstring strain | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Bye Week 9 | 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.

David Montgomery | Left knee sprain | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Out Week 9 | 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.

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."

Michael Gallup | Calf strain | Eligible Week 5 - Designated to return Week 8 | Probable Week 9 | Target Week 9

Gallup was designated to return last week but was not activated. The Cowboys believe he's "just around the corner."

Will Fuller | Finger fracture | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 9 | Target Week 10+

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

Tyrod Taylor | Hamstring strain | Eligible Week 6 - Remains on IR | Questionable Week 9 | Target Week 9+

Taylor wasn't ready to return to practice last week. The Texans have consistently said Taylor would return as the starting quarterback when ready. Houston has a bye in Week 10. It's now possible Taylor won't return until Week 11.

Ryan Fitzpatrick | Right hip subluxation | Eligible Week 5 - Remains on IR | Out Week 9 | 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
W9 Availability
Kyler Murray Ari Left ankle injury Week 8 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Doubtful
Dak Prescott Dal Right calf strain Week 6 Day-to-Day Week 9 return Probable
Jameis Winston NO Left ACL / MCL injury Week 8 Injured reserve (exp) 2022 return Out
Zach Wilson NYJ Right PCL sprain Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 10++ return Out
Sam Darnold Car Concussion Week 8 Concussion protocol Week 9+ return Questionable
Taysom Hill NO Concussion Week 5 Concussion protocol Week 9+ 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 / Bye
Tyrod Taylor Hou Hamstring strain Week 2 IR - Eligible Week 6 Week 9+ return Questionable
Running Backs
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Current Status
FBG Expectation
W9 Availability
Derrick Henry Ten Metatarsal fracture Week 8 IR Week 17+ return Out
Saquon Barkley NYG Left ankle injury Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Doubtful
Elijah Mitchell SF Rib injury Week 8 Day-to-Day Week 9+ return Questionable
James Robinson Jac Heel contusion Week 8 Day-to-Day Week 9+ return Questionable
Latavius Murray Bal Left ankle injury Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Questionable
Jamaal Williams Det Hip injury Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 10 return Bye
Peyton Barber LV Toe sprain Week 4 Day-to-Day Week 9 return Probable
Tevin Coleman NYJ Hamstring strain Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Doubtful
Chris Evans Cin Hamstring strain Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 11 return Doubtful
Kylin Hill GB Right ACL tear Week 8 Injured reserve (exp) 2022 return Out
-
Christian McCaffrey Car Left hamstring strain Week 3 IR - Eligible Week 9 Week 9+ return Doubtful
Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC Right MCL sprain Week 5 IR - Eligible Week 9 Week 10+ return Doubtful
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
Miles Sanders Phi Left ankle sprain Week 7 IR - Eligible Week 11 Week 11+ 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
Malcolm Brown Mia Quad injury Week 7 IR _ Eligible Week 11 Week 11+ return IR
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
W9 Availability
Davante Adams GB COVID+ Oct 24 COVID-reserve Week 9+ return Probable
Allen Lazard GB COVID (unvaccinated contact) Oct 26 COVID-reserve Week 9 return Probable
DeAndre Hopkins Ari Hamstring strain Week 8 Day-to-Day Week 9+ return Questionable
Deebo Samuel SF Calf strain Week 8 Day-to-Day Week 9+ return Questionable
Antonio Brown TB Ankle injury Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Bye
Julio Jones Ten Hamstring strain Chronic Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Questionable
Corey Davis NYJ Hip injury Week 8 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Questionable
Sterling Shepard NYG Quad strain Week 8 Awaiting information Week 10+ return Doubtful
Kenny Golladay NYG Knee hyperextension Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Doubtful
Kadarius Toney NYG Thumb injury Week 8 Awaiting information Week 9+ return Questionable
Curtis Samuel Was Aggravated groin strain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 10+ return Bye
Dyami Brown Was Right knee injury Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 10+ return Bye
T.Y. Hilton Ind Concussion Week 8 Concussion protocol Week 9+ return Questionable
Jalen Reagor Phi Ankle injury Week 8 Awaiting information Week 9+ return Questionable
Donovan Peoples-Jones Cle Groin injury Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Questionable
Sammy Watkins Bal Hamstring strain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Questionable
Terrace Marshall Car Concussion Week 6 Concussion protocol Week 9+ return Questionable
-
Michael Thomas NO Syndesmosis/deltoid repair Jun-2021 Reserve-PUP Week 10+ return PUP
Will Fuller Mia Finger fracture Week 4 IR - Eligible Week 8 Week 10+ return Doubtful
Michael Gallup Dal Calf strain Week 1 IR - DTR Week 8 Week 9 return Probable
Marquez Valdes-Scantling GB Hamstring strain Week 3 IR - Eligible Week 7 Week 9+ 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
W9 Availability
Darren Waller LV Ankle injury Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 9 return Questionable
Rob Gronkowski TB Back spasms Week 8 Awaiting information Week 10 return Bye
Dawson Knox Buf Right hand fracture Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Doubtful
Robert Tonyan Jr GB Left ACL tear Week 8 Injured reserve (exp) 2022 return IR
Eric Ebron Pit Hamstring strain Week 8 Week-to-Week Week 9+ return Questionable
-
George Kittle SF Calf strain Week 1 IR - Eligible Week 9 Week 9 return Probable
Logan Thomas Was Right hamstring strain Week 4 IR - Eligible Week 8 Week 10 return Bye
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

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
Darrynton Evans Ten Knee injury Oct-2021 IR - Oct 2021 2022 2022 return
Notable Wide Receivers on PUP or NFI or IR
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Current Status
Photos provided by Imagn Images
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