Injury Rounds
Dak Prescott | Right thumb fracture | Injured reserve (expected)
Prescott injured his throwing hand after contacting a defender's hand on a follow-through. Medical staff appeared to be evaluating his thumb on the sideline, taking him into the locker room for imaging.
Expect further updates during post-game interviews and throughout the day on Monday.
Sunday update: X-rays confirmed a fracture at the base of Prescott's right thumb. He will have surgery on Monday. Early recovery estimates range from 6-8 weeks. Expect Prescott to be moved to injured reserve this week.
Monday update: Mike McCarthy confirmed Prescott will have surgery Monday afternoon and told reporters the recovery timetable would be better understood after the procedure.
Even though the fracture may be considered stable sooner than 6-8 weeks, Prescott will need time to regain grip strength and range of motion needed for NFL-caliber accuracy and velocity. It will be tough for him to recover and return before the Cowboys' Week 9 bye.
Elijah Mitchell | Right MCL sprain | Week-to-week | Doubtful Week 2
Mitchell took a direct blow to the outside of his right knee and did not return.
Video of the injury is consistent with an MCL sprain, but it's possible Mitchell suffered additional damage to the meniscus or cartilage of the knee joint. It's unlikely the ACL is affected, but further testing may be needed to confirm.
Recovery from an isolated MCL sprain is variable. The initial timetable will depend on the severity of the sprain. Low-grade sprains can be rehabbed in 1-2 weeks, mid-grade sprains often take 3-4+ weeks of rehab, and high-grade sprains may require surgery and a long-term absence. Video suggests Mitchell's injury is mid-grade or higher. Any associated damage could lengthen the recovery timetable.
Mitchell will have an MRI on Monday. I'll update when additional details are reported.
Monday update: Adam Schefter confirmed Mitchell's injury as an MCL sprain this afternoon. Schefter's tweet did not mention any associated injuries or need for surgery but reported a timetable of "about two months."
A complete tear of a ligament like the MCL generally needs six weeks or more to scar and begin remodeling. Eight weeks is within the range of possible outcomes for a high-grade MCL sprain but there may be additional yet-to-be-reported damage (i.e. bone bruise, cartilage injury, meniscus).
Expect Mitchell to be moved to injured reserve by the end of the week. We may not learn more about his recovery timetable until October. Today's reporting means it's unlikely Mitchell will return before San Francisco's Week 9 bye.
Najee Harris | Left Lisfranc sprain | Day-to-day | Questionable Week 2
Harris had his left leg bent back underneath his body during a second-half tackle and did not return. He reportedly took off his shoe and pointed to his foot. Harris left the locker room with a protective boot on his left foot.
Mike Giardi of NFL Network tweeted Harris' injury is "not considered a big deal" after Pittsburgh's post-game press conference. Mike Tomlin did not provide details on the injury.
Video did not provide a clear view of the injury. The Steelers' designation of a foot injury makes a high ankle sprain unlikely. Harris battled a Lisfranc sprain during training camp, but it's unknown which foot was injured. Video doesn't show obvious evidence of a Lisfranc aggravation.
Expect Harris to have an MRI Monday morning. I'll update with any reports after tomorrow's imaging.
Monday update: Ian Rapoport reported Harris' injury was an aggravation of his August Lisfranc sprain but said the Steelers weren't concerned about a major setback. Adam Schefter later reported "tests...were negative" and Harris "should be good to go" in Week 2.
Expect the Steelers to treat the injury aggressively and limit Harris' practice time during the week. It still won't be surprising for Harris to be listed questionable as a game-time decision. A return to a full practice would reassure he's ready to return to a full workload immediately.
Keenan Allen | Left hamstring strain | Week-to-week | Doubtful Week 2
Allen left with a hamstring strain in the first half and did not return.
For wide receivers, recovery from lower body soft tissue strains is difficult to project. When players immediately reach back to grab an injured hamstring and cannot return, the injury usually requires a multiple-week rehab.
The Chargers travel to Kansas City on Thursday night, compressing Allen's rehab timetable to 72 hours. Unless the strain is very low-grade, it's highly unlikely he'll recover in time to play this week.
Chris Godwin | Hamstring strain | Week-to-week | Doubtful Week 2
Godwin left with a hamstring strain after awkwardly contorting his lower body to make a catch in the first half and did not return.
Already on a snap count in his first live game action after last season's ACL injury, Godwin will now have to work through a soft-tissue injury. While it's possible the injury was minor and the Bucs chose to be cautious about returning him after halftime, Godwin will likely need at least one week to recover.
Monday update: There are conflicting reports on the severity of Godwin's strain. Tom Pelissero tweeted that Godwin "could be sidelined a few weeks" while Todd Bowles told reporters the injury was not as serious as feared and Godwin could "return sooner than later" if he responded well to treatment.
It's best to consider Godwin doubtful and week-to-week until he returns to back-to-back practices.
Patrick Mahomes II | Left wrist injury | Day-to-day | Probable Week 2
Mahomes injured his left wrist/thumb on a first-half touchdown pass. He felt more comfortable avoiding that hand during running back handoffs at times during the game but had no difficulty throwing the ball during a five-touchdown effort.
X-rays were reportedly negative. While Mahomes told reporters he was sore after the game, an injury to his non-throwing arm won't limit him next week. Expect Mahomes to play in Week 2.
Tee Higgins | Concussion | Day-to-day | Questionable Week 2
Higgins was ruled out with a concussion.
Players must pass multiple stages of exercise and neurological tests, including an exam by an independent neurologist, to be cleared to play after a concussion. Most players require a minimum of 4-5 days to recover. A significant number take longer than a week to earn clearance to return.
If Higgins returns to drills on Wednesday, consider him on track to play. Any missed practices will put his Week 2 status in doubt.
Mac Jones | Back injury | Day-to-day | Probable Week 2
Jones needed x-rays after the game to evaluate a back condition. Imaging was reportedly negative, but the Patriots canceled Jones' post-game media session. He is now scheduled to speak to reporters by video on Monday afternoon.
Observers noted Jones stretching his head and neck in the locker room after the game. Jones must show full strength and range of motion in his neck and back and prove he can protect himself to be cleared to play next week. If there are no additional imaging tests and Jones keeps his appointment with the media on Monday, consider him likely on track to play in Week 2.
Monday update: Further imaging on Jones' back was reassuring today and he is believed to be suffering from muscle spasms. There's a strong chance he'll improve enough to play by Sunday.
Follow Up Appointments
J.K. Dobbins | ACL recovery | Day-to-day | Questionable Week 2
Dobbins defended his recovery and readiness to play relentlessly on social media throughout August and September but was not cleared to play against the Jets.
After a week of limited practice and pregame warmup, the Ravens elected to remain cautious with Dobbins and hold him out. Dobbins reportedly told ESPN's Dianna Russini he wanted to play, but the team chose to make him inactive.
Lamar Jackson told reporters last week he expected Dobbins back in a week or two. Barring a setback in practice this week, Dobbins looks likely to return in Week 2. It's still unclear whether the team will immediately trust him with 12-15+ touches. I'll have more on Dobbins' Week 2 projection in next weekend's Gameday Expectations article.
George Kittle | Groin strain | Week-to-week | Questionable Week 2
Kittle could not return to practice after a Monday groin strain and was inactive.
The flooded field conditions in Chicago may have played a role in Kittle's status, but there was never any optimism for Kittle to play during the week. If the injury was lower grade, Kittle may return to practice and prepare to play in Week 2.
Fast Track News and Notes
***Zach Wilson continues to recover from a preseason bone bruise in his knee but is unlikely to return for another 2-3 weeks.
***Damien Williams suffered a rib injury but was able to return.
***Allen Lazard (ankle) and Rondale Moore (hamstring) were inactive.
***Ken Walker was cleared to run and recondition last week and could be close to earning clearance for contact.
***Kyren Williams will reportedly have surgery to repair a high ankle sprain and will miss 6-8 weeks.
***WanDale Robinson (knee) and Justin Watson (chest) left and did not return.
Footballguys injury coverage will return Saturday morning with analysis and Week 2 expectations for key injured players.