Injury Rounds

Dalvin Cook | Left shoulder dislocation | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4

Cook suffered his third shoulder dislocation in four seasons. For years, he has played with an unrepaired labral tear in his left shoulder. He missed two games after dislocating the shoulder in 2019 and another game last season after a Week 12 dislocation.

Kevin O'Connell said after the game Cook told him he would play next week, and multiple national reports are tweeting Cook may be able to return with a harness to improve the stability of his shoulder.

It's too soon to know Cook's status for certain. The Vikings may choose to re-evaluate with an MRI, but the amount of pain and stiffness that develop overnight will be more important to Cook's Week 4 availability.

Last season, Cook missed one week before returning the following Thursday night and rushing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. Expect limited practice time and a game-time decision designation, but there's a reasonable chance Cook can return productively this week.

Monday update: Kevin O'Connell told reporters Cook was "pretty sore" but the shoulder subluxation injury was "something that [Cook] was familiar with." Cook is considered day-to-day and will have a chance to play this week.

Tua Tagovailoa | Back condition | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 4

Tagovailoa's injury prompted the most recent concussion-related controversy in the NFL. After falling backward and hitting his helmet on the turf just before halftime, Tagovailoa got up and stumbled back to the huddle.

He was taken to the locker room, and the Dolphins' medical and media relations teams reported he was being evaluated for a head injury. Surprisingly to most observers, Tagovailoa returned after the half and finished the game.

During the second half, Ian Rapoport tweeted that Tagovailoa's primary condition was muscle spasms after hyperextending his back on the previous play. Mike McDaniel and Tagovailoa asserted the same after the game. The NFL has an increasingly well-defined concussion evaluation, combining cognitive testing and an independent neurologist evaluation with video assessment to diagnose head injuries. While it's difficult to square what appeared to be evidence of neurologic dysfunction after helmet-to-turf contact, it's possible that Tagovailoa passed a thorough head injury evaluation and was dealing only with back spasms.

The Dolphins travel to Cincinnati for a Thursday night game this week. Ongoing back spasms, imaging showing a more concerning back condition, or the development of head injury symptoms in the next 24 hours would all jeopardize his Week 4 availability.

The NFLPA has asked the league to further investigate Tagovailoa's evaluation.

Monday update: Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa is not in concussion protocol but was sore in the locker room on Monday. McDaniel suggested Tagovailoa was undergoing further testing on his ankle and back injuries. Even with the short week, Tagovailoa is likely to be cleared to play on Thursday.

David Montgomery | Right high ankle sprain / MCL sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 4

Montgomery was rolled up while blocking and had his body bent back around his right lower leg. Video of the injury showed evidence for both an MCL sprain and a high ankle sprain. Matt Eberflus told reporters there are "a couple things going on" with the injury, essentially confirming the team is concerned about both injuries.

While Eberflus said Montgomery was day-to-day, these are tough injuries to rehab in a single week by themselves. Returning to play next week will be difficult if both ligaments are injured, even if both injuries prove to be low grade.

The Bears will need imaging studies on Monday to further define the injury. However, the amount of stiffness and swelling that develop around the ankle or knee will be the best guide of Montgomery's Week 4 status. Expect little, if any, practice this week. Unless both injuries are very low-grade, Montgomery will need at least a week to recover.

Mac Jones | Left high ankle sprain | Week-to-week | Out Week 4

Video of Jones' leg injury is consistent with a high ankle sprain. Post-game x-rays did not show a fracture. While that should rule out a season-ending high ankle sprain with fracture, it's likely Jones has a ligament sprain significant enough to keep him out more than a week.

Swelling and stiffness commonly develop overnight and will guide the Patriots' recovery plan as much as a Monday MRI.

Pocket quarterbacks can return sooner than other players -- even with higher-grade injuries -- but consider Jones doubtful to play in Week 4 unless the Patriots report a better-than-expected MRI result on Monday.

Monday update: Media reports characterize Jones' injury as a "pretty severe" high ankle sprain. Higher grade ligament injuries are sometimes repaired surgically. Jones would not discuss any injury specifics, treatment plans, or recovery estimates in his press conference. Expect Jones to miss anywhere from 4-8 weeks.

Follow Up Appointments

Julio Jones | PCL sprain | Week-to-week | Questionable Week 4

Jay Glazer reported Jones' injury -- which was previously reported as a "banged knee" -- is a sprained PCL. Like other knee ligament injuries, PCL sprains can be difficult recoveries. Pain and either stiffness or looseness around the knee joint may not match the severity of the MRI findings. It's not surprising to see Jones continue to struggle to practice and return. Although he's missed the past two weeks, Jones may be closer to playing in Week 4.

Chris Godwin | Hamstring strain | Week-to-week | Doubtful Week 4

Godwin has yet to return to practice after a Week 1 hamstring strain. The Buccaneers will allow Godwin multiple weeks to recondition. If he gets two full weeks of individual drills and practices before returning, Week 5 would be his soonest return date.

Keenan Allen | Left hamstring strain | Week-to-week | Questionable Week 4

Allen was limited in practice last Wednesday and Thursday, then did not practice on Friday. It's unclear whether Allen suffered a setback -- which would make him doubtful for Week 4 and likely beyond -- or whether he just needed a little more recovery time.

Fast Track News and Notes

***DAndre Swift managed just 10 touches as he continues to battle a left ankle sprain. Detroit beat writers also questioned whether Swift may have injured his left shoulder after watching him favor that arm in the locker room after the game. Monday update: Further imaging of Swift's shoulder revealed a ligament sprain. Tom Pelissero reported Swift is not expected to need surgery but is likely to miss time. Swift also told reporters he re-injured his ankle in Sunday's game. There's a chance he may not return until after Detroit's Week 6 bye.

***Michael Thomas (toe) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) suffered injuries that prevented them from playing after initially being termed probable to return. Monday update: Neither injury is expected to be serious. Watch mid-week practice reports for guidance on Week 4 availability.

***Zach Wilson is expected to be cleared to return to practice this week. The Jets haven't confirmed a starting quarterback but expect Wilson to be under center in Week 4.

***A.J. Green was ruled out with a knee injury.

***Jalen Guyton suffered a torn ACL and will have season-ending surgery.

Injured reserve | PUP | NFI Updates

• Elijah Mitchell (Right MCL sprain + | Eligible to return W6 | Target return W10+)
• Brian Robinson (Lower leg surgery | Eligible to return W5 | Target return W5)
• Sammy Watkins (Hamstring strain | Eligible to return W7 | Target return W7+))

Footballguys injury coverage will return Saturday morning with analysis and Week 4 expectations for key injured players.