Injury Rounds

Tua Tagovailoa | Concussion | Week-to-week | OUT Week 5

Tagovailoa was carted from the field Thursday night with head and neck injuries. Later diagnosed with a concussion, Tagovailoa was able to join his team on the flight home and is reportedly recovering.

There continues to be debate about whether Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in last Sunday's game and detailed discussion on changes to the league's concussion protocol. As I wrote last week, it was difficult to square Sunday's video with the Dolphins' explanation of a back injury. It's also difficult to know what was said in the locker room during the head injury evaluation.

Regardless, the previous NFL concussion protocol should have been enough to rule Tagovailoa out last Sunday and make recovery into for Thursday night clearance difficult to achieve. Sunday video clearly showed helmet-to-turf contact and an unstable gait. That's a "no-go" situation per the protocol and Tagovailoa arguably should have been ruled out before any concussion evaluation in the locker room.

There are many layers to this situation -- how to ensure there's little ambiguity in the concussion protocol, whether all protocols were followed by the team and independent neurologist, whether the player can or should be trusted to provide an accurate history when head injuries are suspected, and how the league manages concussions in the days after diagnosis. Hopefully, this unfortunate instance leads to improvements in all areas.

The return to play protocol defines five stages of recovery. NFL teams often clear players to return within 5-7 days. Often, the ten days between a Thursday night game and the following Sunday is enough time for a player to be cleared to return to the field -- assuming there are no ongoing symptoms in the early stages of the protocol.

However, it's extremely unlikely the Dolphins will clear Tagovailoa to practice this week, whether his symptoms resolve or not. If further investigation raises any suspicion that last Sunday's injury was a concussion -- something Mike McDaniel and the team have continued to strongly deny -- it could be multiple weeks before Tagovailoa is cleared to play.

Monday update: Mike McDaniel told reporters Tagovailoa would not play this week but said it was "a little early for definitive timelines" beyond that.

Jonathan Taylor | High ankle sprain | Day-to-day | Doubtful Week 5

Taylor had his lower leg twisted underneath him. Video showed evidence of a high ankle sprain, and the team expressed concern after the game.

The medical staff will have a better sense of Taylor's recovery time on Monday morning. An MRI will be helpful to grade the sprain, but the amount of swelling and stiffness that develop overnight will guide recovery estimates.

The Colts travel to Denver Thursday night, making it very difficult for Taylor to recover in time to play. Expect the Colts to choose rest and rehab rather than practice this week.

Monday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Taylor's x-ray and MRI were "clean." That's difficult to interpret but hopefully implies Taylor's injury is low grade. It increases the chances Taylor is able to practice and play on Thursday night. Tuesday's practice report will be important. A DNP likely means he's out this week.

Javonte Williams | Right ACL/LCL tear | Season-ending injury

Williams suffered a knee injury on the first play of the second half. Video angles did not show a clear injury, but it appeared Williams was hit on the inside of the right knee. That could stress the outside knee ligament (LCL) or the meniscus or cartilage inside the knee joint.

An MRI will define the injury on Monday and provide a clearer timetable. The Broncos play Thursday night. Anything other than a very mild contusion will likely keep Williams out. Since the Broncos ruled Williams out quickly after the injury, such a minor injury isn't likely.

Sunday update: Mike Klis and Ian Rapoport both report Williams is "feared to have suffered a serious knee injury" and is likely to "be sidelined for an extended period."

Monday update: Williams reportedly has a torn ACL and LCL. Multiple other structures in that area of the knee can be threatened with these injuries, including cartilage, tendons, and nerves. Complicated multiple knee ligament injuries often take more than a year of recovery time. Williams may not be ready for the start of the 2023 season.

Daniel Jones | Left high ankle sprain | Week-to-week | Questionable Week 5

Jones was sacked in the second half and left the game. Video showed evidence of a high ankle sprain.

Quarterbacks can often play through high ankle sprains because the stresses in the pocket are not the same as other position players between the tackles or on downfield plays. If Jones does not experience significant pain and stiffness overnight, he may be available in Week 5.

Monday update: Brian Daboll would not discuss specifics on Jones' ankle injury on Monday, saying only the quarterback was "feeling a bit better." He remains questionable to play this week.

Treylon Burks | Left foot injury | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5

Burks was ruled out with a left foot injury. Video showed a tackler land on the back of Burks' left foot. That often leads to a sprain of the Lisfranc joint.

The Titans did not update Burks' condition, but he was seen on crutches and in a boot after the game. X-rays and an MRI will provide more details, but Burks is doubtful at best for Week 5.

Monday update: Sources told Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport that Burks was diagnosed with a toe sprain. Surgery isn't necessary but Burks is likely to miss multiple weeks. Rapoport suggested injured reserve remains a possibility,

Follow Up Appointments

Dak Prescott | Right thumb fracture | Day-to-Day | questionable Week 5

The Cowboys would not commit to Prescott playing in post-game press conferences, but Jerry Jones said the team was "very happy" they chose not to put Prescott on injured reserve.

Prescott has already been able to practice with the team. His availability will depend on how much grip strength Prescott can recover. A four-week recovery is still optimistic, however, and the Cowboys may prefer a closer-to-full-strength Prescott in Week 6 against division rival Philadelphia than risk any setbacks in this week's game.

Monday update: Mike McCarthy told reporters Prescott was scheduled for a follow up exam on Tuesday. McCarthy also said the team would prefer Prescott to have a full week of practice before returning. Watch for more detail on Wednesday's practice report.

DAndre Swift | Left shoulder sprain / Left ankle sprain | Week-to-week | doubtful Week 5

The Lions suggested Swift's shoulder sprain was significant enough to keep him out multiple weeks and his ongoing ankle recovery further complicates his availability. Detroit has a Week 6 bye. Unless Swift is considerably better and able to take contact without pain early this week, do not expect him to return until after the bye.

Alvin Kamara | Rib cartilage injury | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 5

After playing 70% of the Saints' offensive snaps in Week 3 and managing a full week of limited practice, Kamara was surprisingly inactive on Sunday morning. It's unclear whether Kamara suffered a late-week setback and the Saints did not address Kamara's status after the game.

Practice participation wasn't informative last week. Look for a return to a full practice or a clear indication from Kamara he'll play in Week 5 before trusting him in your lineup.

Michael Thomas | Toe injury | Week-to-week | Questionable Week 5

Early reports suggested a minor foot injury but Thomas did not practice last week and was unable to play. The Saints have yet to update Thomas' condition.

Keenan Allen | Left hamstring strain | Week-to-week | Questionable Week 5

For the second consecutive week, Allen was limited in practice through Thursday, only to miss Friday practice and Sunday's game. It's an odd practice line for a hamstring strain. Until Allen returns to a full practice or works on Friday, consider him doubtful to return.

Cordarrelle Patterson | Arthroscopic knee surgery | Week-to-week | Injured reserve | Target Week 9+

Monday update: After trying to play through pain yesterday, Patterson underwent a procedure to address knee pain on Monday. Ian Rapoport reported Patterson would be placed on injured reserve but was expected to be available in four weeks. That suggests surgeons removed a meniscus fragment only rather than more extensive surgery.

David Montgomery | Right high ankle sprain / Right MCL sprain | Week-to-week | Doubtful Week 5 | Target Week 6+

The Bears did not move Montgomery to injured reserve last week, a reassuring sign that he doesn't have a long-term ankle/knee injury. However, high ankle sprains are difficult recoveries for running backs, and avoiding injured reserve does not mean Montgomery will be back after a 1-2 week absence.

Expect Montgomery to be out this week and hopefully begin reconditioning soon.

Mac Jones | Left high ankle sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5 | Target Week 7+

Reports last week suggested Jones was debating surgery to stabilize a high ankle sprain but decided to rehab instead. The Patriots did not use injured reserve for Jones and both player and medical staff are hopeful Jones can return in a short time.

While quarterbacks may be able to recover sooner than position players, a sprain severe enough to consider surgery is likely to keep Jones out at least one more week.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Monday update: Russell Wilson was limited in Monday's practice with a shoulder condition but is expected to play Thursday night.

***Monday update: Rashod Bateman missed the fourth quarter with what John Harbaugh termed a "midfoot injury." Multiple ligaments and bones are included in the midfoot. A Lisfranc injury could limit Bateman for weeks. A lesser sprain may be more day-to-day.

***Hunter Renfrow (concussion), Jameis Winston (ankle and back injuries), Boston Scott (ribs) were all inactive. Monitor practice participation this week.

***Two teams face multiple quarterback injuries this week. The Patriots, already likely without Mac Jones, had Brian Hoyer leave with a concussion. The Giants may be without Daniel Jones and their backup, Tyrod Taylor, also left with a concussion.

***Quintez Cephus (foot) and Jamison Crowder (ankle) left with injury. Monday update: Crowder will be out indefinitely with an ankle fracture. His season is likely over.

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 5 expectations for key injured players.