Monday Injury Rounds: Week 9

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 9 Jene Bramel Published 10/31/2022

Injury Rounds

Cooper Kupp | Ankle injury | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 9

Kupp was pulled down from behind during the fourth quarter and needed assistance on the field. After the game, Kupp told reporters he "dodged a bullet" with the injury but would be re-evaluated on Monday.

Video angles of the injury did not show clear evidence of a high ankle sprain or toe/foot sprain. If Kupp has a lower-grade low ankle sprain and does not develop significant swelling, he should be near full strength for Week 9.

Monday update: Sean McVay told reporters Kupp was dealing with swelling but an MRI did not show structural damage. The Rams expect Kupp to be available this week. Watch practice participation for guidance.

Mark Andrews | Right shoulder sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 9

Andrews left Thursday night's game after a defensive back tackled him to the turf on his shoulder. He was unable to return.

It is difficult to judge the severity of shoulder sprains by video alone. Return will depend on pain and range of motion. Injections and padding can be helpful and the ten-day timeframe before games may be enough to push Andrews to the probable side of questionable this week.

More Sunday injuries to monitor

  • Jonathan Taylor >> Ankle injury (returned to game) | Probable Week 9
  • Gus Edwards >> Hamstring strain | Doubtful Week 9 | Target Week 11 (Bye Week 10)
  • Rashod Bateman >> Aggravated right midfoot sprain | Out Week 9 | Target Week 12++
  • DeVante Parker >> MCL sprain | Doubtful Week 9 | Target Week 11
  • Christian Watson >> Concussion | Questionable Week 9
  • Mark Ingram >> MCL sprain | Out Week 9 | Target Week 12+
  • Irv Smith >> High ankle sprain | Doubtful Week 9 | Target Week 10++

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Follow Up Appointments

JaMarr Chase | Right hip injury | Week-to-Week | Out Week 9

After playing through what was previously reported as a hip flexor strain, including an impressive 5-catch, 112-yard, 2-touchdown first-half performance in Week 8, news broke last Thursday that Chase's hip injury was more severe and would require multiple weeks of rehab.

While there has been speculation about a fracture around the hip joint, it's an unlikely diagnosis. Usually, those injuries prevent a player from weight-bearing comfortably. A joint fracture is not something likely to be confused with a hip flexor strain, and it's hard to see Chase getting clearance or playing through such an injury. An isolated labral tear is also unlikely, given the reporting about a fracture and the multiple-week timetable.

Additional reporting by Paul Dehner, Jr. of The Athletic suggests Chase's injury is a pelvic avulsion fracture, a condition in which part of the bone of the pelvis is pulled away when a tendon forcefully contracts. It's a rare condition but supported by video replays of Chase's Week 6 injury and fits the currently reported 4-6 week recovery timetable.

Initial reports hinted Chase would likely be moved to injured reserve. The Bengals, recognizing that using injured reserve would result in a five-week absence due to their Week 10 bye, elected to keep Chase on the active roster. This does not mean Chase will return at 3-4 weeks but gives the team an option to return him sooner if scans show enough healing and Chase has the strength and range of motion to return earlier than the 4-6 week estimate.

Assuming average healing and no reconditioning injury, Chase should return to full strength in time for the fantasy playoffs -- and possibly 1-2 weeks sooner.

Ezekiel Elliott | Right knee sprain | Bye Week 9 | Day-to-Day | Target Week 10

Elliott hyperextended his right knee in Week 7. Last season, Elliott injured the same knee, suffering a PCL sprain that derailed his season.

The Cowboys elected to hold Elliott out of practice all week with their bye in Week 9, giving him three weeks to recover. Elliott told reporters he was dealing with an MCL sprain rather than another PCL injury. It's also possible he suffered a bone bruise, a common occurrence with a knee hyperextension.

A simple and low-grade MCL sprain should not keep Elliott from returning in Week 10. Expect him to return to practice during the bye week.

Deebo Samuel | Hamstring strain | Bye Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Target Week 10+

Like many teams, the Niners chose to use a bye week to extend the rehab and recovery time for a player with a soft tissue injury. Samuel did not practice last week but the 2-3 week recovery period could be enough to get him healthy through the bye.

Mike Williams | Right high ankle sprain | Out Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Target Week 11+

Brandon Staley told reporters Williams would miss multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain. Although the Chargers chose not to use injured reserve for Williams last week, they may continue to evaluate him through the end of the week. There's no guarantee the Chargers will have him back within four weeks.

Cordarrelle Patterson | Arthroscopic knee surgery | Eligible to return from injured reserve | Questionable Week 9

Patterson released video of his rehab progress last week, showing himself sprinting in a straight line. Local writers believe he may be available immediately. If the Falcons return Patterson to practice early this week, he may be active in Week 9.

More recoveries to monitor

Designated to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Updates

  • Kyren Williams (RB-LAR) >> High ankle sprain | Returned to practice Week 8 | Week 9 return
  • Calvin Austin (WR-Pit) >> Left foot injury | Returned to practice Week 5 | Practice window expired | 2023 return

Currently Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI

Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 9

Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 10

  • Treylon Burks (WR-Ten) >> Left toe sprain | Target return Week 10+
  • Quintez Cephus (WR-Det) >> Left foot injury | Target return Week 10+

Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 11

  • Marquise Brown (WR-Ari) >> Left foot fracture | Target return Week 14+
  • Carson Wentz (QB-Was) >> Fractured right fourth finger | Target return Week 12+
  • Randall Cobb (WR-GB) >> Left high ankle sprain | Target return Week 11+
  • D.J. Chark (WR-Det) >> Ankle injury | Target return Week 11+

Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 12

  • J.K. Dobbins (RB-Bal) >> Arthroscopic knee surgery | Target return Week 12++
  • Joshua Kelley (RB-LAC) >> MCL sprain | Target Week 12

Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 13

  • Mike Boone (RB-Den) >> High ankle sprain | Target return Week 13

Footballguys injury coverage will return Saturday morning with analysis and Week 9 expectations for key injured players.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
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