Injury Rounds

Carson Wentz | Fractured right fourth finger | Out Week 7 | Target Week 12+

Wentz finished Thursday night's game despite a fracture in the ring finger on his throwing hand. He's scheduled to see an orthopedic hand specialist early this week to discuss next steps.

The location and severity of the fracture will determine whether surgery is necessary and Wentz's ability to grip and throw the ball will determine his return. The Commanders have not ruled Wentz out for Week 7 yet. However, surgery is likely. Expect a multiple-week absence.

Monday update: Wentz had surgery today. Early estimates have him missing 4-6 weeks.

Marquise Brown | Left foot injury | Out Week 7 | Target Week 14+

Video of Brown's injury is worrisome for a Lisfranc injury or toe sprain. Brown left the locker room in a walking boot and told reporters x-rays were negative. That's reassuring against a fracture in either joint but sprains can also require multiple weeks of rehab.

Brown suffered a Lisfranc injury to the same foot in college and had the screw removed in 2020.

Hopefully, Brown's MRI result will be more reassuring than the video appears but prepare for an extended absence. There's very little chance Brown will play on Thursday night.

Monday update: Brown is seeking additional opinions on his foot injury. Ian Rapoport reports Brown has a "non-surgical fracture" in his foot and could miss at least six weeks. Brown likely won't return until Week 14 after the Cardinals' bye week.

J.K. Dobbins | Knee condition | Day-to-day | Questionable Week 7

Dobbins had just seven touches in Sunday's game. John Harbaugh told reporters Dobbins' knee "tightened up" and prevented him from taking more snaps. Dobbins had a complicated knee injury involving his meniscus and multiple ligaments and a brisk and impressive recovery.

This illustrates why the Ravens chose to be careful with his recovery. Changes in scar tissue, swelling due to cartilage changes, or hamstring tendon tightness are all possible issues. It's unlikely Dobbins will miss time, but it's difficult to project his Week 7 availability until more is reported.

More Sunday injuries to monitor

• Jaylen Waddle | Left shoulder injury | Probable Week 7
• Randall Cobb | High ankle sprain | Doubtful Week 7
• Kenny Pickett | Concussion | Questionable Week 7

Follow Up Appointments

Jonathan Taylor | Ankle sprain | Day-to-day | Questionable Week 7

Taylor practiced last week, reportedly had an MRI that did not show a long-term injury, and most beat writers expected him to play on Sunday. Surprisingly, Taylor was inactive.

The Colts did not discuss Taylor's ongoing recovery after the game, but his absence is likely better for his long-term production. Even low-grade high ankle sprains can be difficult to play through and easy to aggravate. NFL teams routinely return players to game action at the earliest possible opportunity but choosing to wait until Taylor is nearly full strength should limit his risk of future problems.

DAndre Swift | Left shoulder sprain / Left ankle sprain | Probable Week 7

The Lions haven't specifically addressed Swift's timetable for return, but most outlets believe the team had Week 7 -- following their bye -- as their target. Swift aggravated an already limiting ankle sprain and suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder in Week 3.

With a month to rehab and recondition, Swift could be ready for double-digit touches immediately if cleared this week. Wednesday's practice participation will be informative.

Dak Prescott | Right thumb fracture | Day-to-day | Questionable Week 7

Prescott increased his practice reps last week as he continues to recover from thumb surgery. Prescott took snaps under center on Sunday and threw about 50 passes before the Cowboys' Sunday night game.

While he has not been cleared for contact yet and there's no indication of how his grip strength is progressing, Sunday's workout was reassuring. Prescott has a good chance to return in Week 7.

Monday update: MIke McCarthy told reporters Prescott is expected to be cleared early this week.

Tua Tagovailoa | Concussion | Day-to-day | Probable Week 7

Tagovailoa has completed the return-to-play protocol and has been cleared to play by an independent neurologic team. He is expected to return in Week 7.

A statement said Tagovailoa met with multiple experts "who unanimously cleared him" and "all agreed that his scans showed no signs of long-term impact to the brain." The first part of the statement is indisputable -- Tagovailoa has been cleared. That's a welcome and reassuring sign for his current recovery process.

However, clearing a player who suffered two concussions within five days to participate in contact practices two weeks after the second concussion is still risky. And there's absolutely no way any neurologist can make any definitive statements about what a scan suggests about the long-term effects of Tagovailoa's injuries. It's critically important to be clear and careful about discussing the impact of head injuries.

All the best to Tagovailoa in his continued recovery from his head injury.

More recoveries to monitor

• Michael Thomas | Foot/toe injury | Doubtful Week 7 (Thursday night game)
• Jarvis Landry | Ankle sprain | Doubtful Week 7 (Thursday night game)
• Chris Olave | Concussion | Probable Week 7 (Thursday night game)
• Jameis Winston | Spine fractures/ankle sprain | Probable Week 7 (Thursday night game)
• James Conner | Rib injury | Questionable Week 7 (Thursday night game)
• Darrel Williams | Knee injury | Doubtful Week 7 (Thursday night game)
• Keenan Allen | Left hamstring strain | Doubtful Week 7 | Target Week 9 (after Week 8 bye)
• Damien Harris | Hamstring strain | Questionable Week 7
• Rashod Bateman | Midfoot sprain | Doubtful Week 7
• Jahan Dotson | Hamstring strain | Questionable Week 7
• Dalton Schultz | PCL sprain | Questionable Week 7
• Nyheim Hines | Concussion | Probable Week 7
• Pat Freiermuth | Concussion | Questionable Week 7
• D.J. Chark | Ankle injury | Probable Week 7
• Marvin Jones | Hamstring strain | Questionable Week 7
• Julio Jones | PCL sprain | Questionable Week 7
• Mac Jones | Left high ankle sprain | Probable Week 7
• Baker Mayfield | Left high ankle sprain | Doubtful Week 7
• Cameron Brate | Concussion/neck injury | Doubtful Week 7
• Logan Thomas | Calf strain | Questionable Week 7

DEsignated to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Updates

• Gus Edwards (RB-Bal) >> ACL reconstruction | Returned to practice Week 5 | Target return Week 8+
• Calvin Austin (WR-Pit) >> Left foot injury | Returned to practice Week 5 | Target return Week 7
• Greg Dulcich (TE-Den) >> Hamstring strain | Returned to practice Week 6 | Activated Week 6 MNF

Players on injured reserve | PUP | NFI Updates

• Elijah Mitchell (RB-SF) >> Right MCL sprain + | Eligible to return Week 6 | Target return Week 10+
• Cordarrelle Patterson (RB-Atl) >> Arthroscopic knee surgery | Eligible to return Week 10 | Target return Week 10
• Damien Williams (RB-Atl) >> Rib injury | Eligible to return Week 7 | Target return Week 7
• Travis Homer (RB-Sea) >> Rib injury | Eligible to return Week 8 | Target return Week 8
• Sammy Watkins (WR-GB) >> Hamstring strain | Eligible to return Week 7 | Target return Week 7+
• Van Jefferson (WR-LAR) >> Knee surgery | Eligible to return Week 8 | Target return Week 8+
• Jameson Williams (WR-Det) >> ACL reconstruction | Eligible to return Week 5 | Target return Week 10++
• Treylon Burks (WR-Ten) >> Left toe sprain | Eligible to return Week 10 | Target return Week 10+
• James Washington (WR-Dal) >> Left fifth metatarsal fixation | Eligible to return Week 5 | Target return Week 10+
• Quintez Cephus (WR-Det) >> Left foot injury | Eligible to return Week 10 | Target return Week 10+

Footballguys injury coverage will return Saturday morning with analysis and Week 7 expectations for key injured players.