Monday Injury Rounds: Week 12

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 12 Jene Bramel Published 11/21/2022

Injury Rounds

Kyle Pitts | Right MCL sprain | Injured reserve

Pitts was hit directly on his right knee by a defender and did not return. Video replays show a severe hyperextension injury concerning for a season-ending multiple-ligament injury. The best case scenario is a bone bruise or isolated MCL or PCL sprain and a 3-4+ week absence. Unfortunately, an ACL and/or posterior joint injury is also possible. Those injuries would require surgery and months of rehab.

An MRI will define Pitts' injuries on Monday. Expect his season to be over.

Monday update: According to Ian Rapoport, an MRI revealed Pitts suffered a high-grade MCL sprain that will require surgery. The Falcons moved Pitts to injured reserve. His earlier return is Week 17 but recovery from an MCL repair is likely to take at least six weeks. It's possible Pitts has additional damage. His season is almost certainly over.

Justin Fields | Left shoulder dislocation | Week-to-week | Questionable Week 12

Fields told reporters after the game he was in pain after he landed on his left shoulder in the fourth quarter. The Bears allowed Fields to discuss the team's loss with the media, a rare occurrence if a player has suffered a severe injury.

A sprain of the AC joint of his non-throwing shoulder is the most likely condition and shouldn't limit him much this week. Expect limited practice for Fields but he's likely to play in Week 12.

Monday update: Ian Rapoport reported Fields dislocated his left shoulder. The Bears declared Fields day-to-day but these injuries often require more than a week to regain strength and range of motion. While the injury is to Fields' non-throwing shoulder, he's now questionable at best this week and could miss extended time if further evaluation reveals additional injury.

Monday update: Adam Schefter reported tonight that Fields did not dislocate his shoulder. Some still refer to an AC joint sprain as a separated shoulder -- a confusing but completely different injury than a dislocation or subluxation (brief and partial dislocation). The difference is important to Fields' recovery timetable. Watch for further clarification as the week progresses.

Joe Mixon | Concussion protocol | Questionable Week 12

Mixon was diagnosed with a concussion. Cincinnati has cleared players to play the following week after a concussion in the past. If Mixon is back to a limited practice by Thursday, he'll have a chance to see his usual workload on Sunday.

More Sunday injuries to monitor

Follow Up Appointments

JaMarr Chase | Hip avulsion fracture / Labral injury | Doubtful Week 12

Chase was cleared to fully bear weight off crutches last week and could be cleared to practice this week.

Ian Rapoport suggested Chase could return to game action in Week 12, but it's unlikely he'll be cleared for contact and be in game condition less than ten days after requiring a month of rest on crutches.

Still, Chase's progress means he's tracking favorably to be full strength well in advance of Week 15 and the fantasy playoff weeks. Expect him to begin working back into Cincinnati's offense in Week 13 or 14.

Already a subscriber?

Continue reading this content with a PRO subscription.

Join Now

Cooper Kupp | High ankle ligament repair | Injured reserve | Target Week 17++

Kupp elected to have surgery to stabilize the syndesmosis ligament last week, a procedure that usually requires 4-6+ weeks of rehab.

Multiple reporters set Kupp's timetable at 6-8 weeks. After the Rams' loss dropped their record to 3-7 and the bottom of the NFC West, it's unlikely Kupp will return unless the team manages an unlikely winning streak between now and Week 15-16. His season is most likely over.

Dallas Goedert | Left shoulder subluxation | Injured reserve | Target Week 15+

The Eagles moved Goedert to injured reserve after he injured his shoulder in Week 10. Video suggested a shoulder subluxation (brief and incomplete dislocation) or dislocation, an injury that often requires 2-4 weeks to rehab. Philadelphia does expect Goedert to return before the end of the season but the move to injured reserve will keep him out until Week 15 at the earliest.

More recoveries to monitor

Designated to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Updates

Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI

  • J.K. Dobbins (RB-Bal) >> Arthroscopic knee surgery | Target return Week 13++
  • Carson Wentz (QB-Was) >> Fractured right fourth finger | Target return Week 12+
  • James Washington (WR-Dal) >> Left fifth metatarsal fixation | Target return Week 13
  • Joshua Kelley (RB-LAC) >> MCL sprain | Target Week 12+
  • Damien Williams (RB-Atl) >> Rib injury | Target return Week 12+
  • Quintez Cephus (WR-Det) >> Left foot injury | Target return Week 12+

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

  • Irv Smith (TE-Min) >> High ankle sprain | Target return Week 16+
  • Mike Boone (RB-Den) >> High ankle sprain | Target return Week 13
  • Donald Parham (TE-LAC) >> Aggravated hamstring strain | Target return Week 13++

Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 14

Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 15

  • Cooper Kupp (WR-LAR) >> High ankle sprain | Target return Week 17+
  • Dallas Goedert (TE-Phi) >> Left shoulder injury | Target return Week 15+
  • Mecole Hardman (WR-KC) >> Abdominal illness | Target return Week 15+
  • Jake Kumerow (WR-Buf) >> Ankle injury | Target return Week 15+

Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 16

Footballguys injury coverage will return Saturday morning with analysis and Week 12 expectations for key injured players.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
Share This Article