Monday Injury Rounds: Week 14

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 14 Jene Bramel Published 12/05/2022

QB Lamar Jackson | Left knee sprain | Week-to-Week | Out Week 14 | Target Week 16++

Jackson had his left knee driven into the ground during a tackle and did not return. John Harbaugh told reporters Jackson's injury was not season-ending, but his recovery was more likely to be weeks than days.

Television angles of Jackson's injury were suspicious for multiple possible injuries, including a PCL sprain, a bone bruise around the knee, or a hip joint injury. Ian Rapoport tweeted the injury was a knee sprain, leaving a PCL injury -- the ligament at the back of the knee joint -- as the most likely diagnosis.

Jackson will have an MRI on Monday to further define and grade the sprain, but PCL injuries are tricky. If isolated, Jackson's timetable could be anywhere from 2-6 weeks, depending on the severity of the sprain and how quickly he regains comfort and range of motion with the joint.

I'll update after Monday's imaging and reporting.

Monday update: Ian Rapoport reported Jackson's knee sprain is "mild" suggesting a low-grade injury. John Harbaugh said Jackson was unlikely to play in Week 14 but not impossible, describing Jackson's status on week-to-week. Expect Jackson to miss at least one week.

RB Ken Walker | Right ankle injury | Day-to-day | Questionable Week 14

Pete Carroll told reporters Walker "jammed his ankle" and that the injury was not a sprain. That suggests Walker could have a bruise of one of the bones around the ankle joint. It's hard to speculate on a timetable without more detail, but these injuries tend to be week-to-week rather than day-to-day.

The Seahawks will know more after Monday's imaging tests and re-examination but prepare for Walker to be out this week.

Monday update: Walker's injury is being described as a strain to the inside of his foot. Pete Carroll said the injury was "unusual" and the team would hope the area would improve enough to return this week. Walker remains questionable but today's reports suggest the injury won't require a long recovery.

Jimmy Garoppolo | Right foot fracture | Season-ending injury

Kyle Shanahan said Garoppolo "broke a few things" in his foot and would require season-ending surgery this week. It's the worst-case scenario for an injury initially reported as an ankle injury by the team.

Monday update: Reports on Garoppolo's injury took an unexpected turn today. After an immediate post-game report suggesting a season-ending fracture, it's possible further imaging studies did not show a more severe Lisfranc injury. It's hard to understand what fracture would be confused for a Lisfranc injury on an x-ray then look more reassuring on MRI. Garoppolo is seeing a foot specialist to confirm the injury and treatment plan.

Joe Mixon | Concussion protocol | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 14

Local reports were optimistic late last week that Mixon would return from a Week 12 concussion after a full week of limited practice. It was surprising to see weekend reports that Mixon had yet to be sent to the independent neurologist for clearance to play.

Mixon's inability to move through the last stage of the concussion protocol means one of two things.

Either (a) Mixon was still having symptoms early this week and Mixon was steadily progressing through the final stages later in the week but just not ready yet or (b) Mixon had a recurrence of symptoms sometime this week. Mixon was on the sideline during Sunday's game, making scenario (a) much more likely and he should return to practice by Wednesday and return in Week 14.

If Mixon did experience a recurrence in symptoms, it could be days or weeks until he returns.

Monday update: According to Zac Taylor, it was a team decision to hold Mixon out on Sunday. There's no concern for a setback and Mixon is expected to return to practice and play.

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TE Darren Waller | Aggravated hamstring strain | Day-to-day | Target Week 15
WR Hunter Renfrow | Oblique strain | Day-to-day | Target Week 15

Both Waller and Renfrow are on injured reserve but are eligible to return to practice this week and play.

Josh McDaniels told reporters last week both players were "close" to returning but expressed doubt the team would be comfortable returning either player to practice and activating them in time for a Thursday night game in Week 14. Do not expect Waller and Renfrow back until Week 15.

J.K. Dobbins | Arthroscopic knee injury | Designated to return from injured reserve | Day-to-day | Questionable Week 14

Dobbins returned to practice last week after having arthroscopic knee surgery to clean up scar tissue after last year's reconstructive knee surgery. During a recent interview, Dobbins said he didn't feel comfortable after returning to game action and wanted to be closer to full strength going into the team's end of regular season and playoff run.

Expect the Ravens to remain cautious with Dobbins. While he'll assuredly be activated before his practice window closes prior to the team's Week 16 game, there's no guarantee he's ready to see a meaningful workload before Week 15 or 16.

More Sunday injuries to monitor

  • QB Tua Tagovailoa | Ankle injury | Probable Week 14
  • WR Jaylen Waddle | Leg injury | Probable Week 14
  • WR Treylon Burks | Concussion protocol | Questionable Week 14
  • WR Courtland Sutton | Hamstring strain | Questionable Week 14
  • TE Hayden Hurst | Right calf injury | Doubtful Week 14
  • RB DeeJay Dallas | High ankle sprain | Doubtful Week 14
  • TE Foster Moreau | Concussion protocol | Doubtful Week 14 (***Thursday game***) Moreau returned to the game. My apologies for the error. (JB)
  • WR Quez Watkins | AC sprain | Questionable Week 14

More recoveries to monitor

Designated to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI

  • RB J.K. Dobbins >> Arthroscopic knee surgery | Target return Week 14+
  • QB Carson Wentz >> Fractured right fourth finger | Backup if active Week 14
  • WR James Washington >> Left fifth metatarsal fixation | Target return Week 14

Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI

  • TE Darren Waller >> Aggravated hamstring strain | Target return Week 14+ (***Thursday game***)
  • WR Hunter Renfrow >>Oblique strain | Target return Week 14+ (***Thursday game***)
  • TE Irv Smith >> High ankle sprain | Target return Week 16+
  • TE Donald Parham >> Aggravated hamstring strain | Target return Week 14+
  • RB Darrel Williams >> Hip injury | Target return Week 14+
  • RB Damien Williams >> Rib injury | Target return Week 14+
  • WR Quintez Cephus >> Left foot injury | Target return Week 14+

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

  • WR Cooper Kupp >> High ankle sprain | Target return Week 17+ | Expect 2023 return
  • TE Dallas Goedert >> Left shoulder injury | Target return Week 15+
  • WR Mecole Hardman >> Abdominal illness | Target return Week 15+
  • WR Jake Kumerow >> Ankle injury | Target return Week 15+

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

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

  • TE Kyle Pitts >> Right MCL sprain | Target return 2023

Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 17

Footballguys injury coverage will return Saturday morning with analysis and Week 14 expectations for key injured players.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
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