WR Deebo Samuel | Left high ankle sprain / Left MCL sprain | Week-to-week | Out week 15 | Target Week 17++
Kyle Shanahan told reporters Samuel's left leg injury was "likely a high ankle sprain" without any obvious broken bone on x-ray.
Video replays of Samuel's injury show a violently torqued lower leg. Though an MRI and re-evaluation exam on Monday will ultimately define Samuel's return timetable, the mechanism of Samuel's injury suggests a mid to high-grade sprain.
Expect a minimum 3-4 week absence with the Niners targeting a playoff return for Samuel. He's unlikely to be available during the fantasy playoff weeks.
Monday update: The Niners said Samuel has an MCL sprain and ankle sprain. They expect him to return during the regular season.
The combination of injuries, even if lower grade, is still likely to require multiple weeks of rehab. A return during the regular season may mean a limited set of snaps for conditioning in Week 18 before the playoffs. Do not expect Samuel to return to a full workload during your fantasy playoff weeks.
QB Lamar Jackson | Left PCL sprain | Week-to-week | Doubtful Week 15 | Target Week 16++
Adam Schefter and others reported Jackson's knee injury was a PCL sprain. Most initial estimates have Jackson's timetable in the 1-4 week range.
PCL sprains -- even lower-grade injuries -- can be tricky to predict. The ligament may be loose or stiff longer than expected, regardless of what the MRI suggests. Baltimore plays in Cleveland on Saturday this week and there's not much optimism Jackson will be ready.
If Jackson doesn't return to limited work on Wednesday, expect the Ravens to hold him out until Week 16.
RB Saquon Barkley | Neck injury | Day-to-day | Probable Week 15
Barkley told reporters he suffered a "stinger" during practice on Thursday. The team limited his Friday practice, and his status was reportedly still in doubt on Sunday morning. That's unusual for a stinger. If an athlete's symptoms haven't improved within a few minutes of the injury, it often takes days to weeks for a full recovery.
It's possible Barkley misspoke, or the Giants were showing extra caution with their lead back. Either way, he was cleared to play on Sunday, and there is no indication he'll be limited in the coming weeks. Watch for any evidence of a setback in practice but expect Barkley to be ready for a full Week 15 workload.
RB Ken Walker | Right ankle injury | Day-to-day | Questionable Week 15
Details from Pete Carroll on Walker's injury have been confusing. Last week, Carroll said Walker was dealing with a soft-tissue injury on the inside of the foot and described the condition as rare. After Sunday's game, Carroll told reporters the condition is an "old injury" Walker had "been through...in years past." A review of Walker's college injuries reveals only a left ankle sprain in 2021.
Carroll said Walker remains day-to-day, and it was too soon to know whether he'd be available for Thursday night's home game against the Niners.
WR Tee Higgins | Hamstring strain | Day-to-day | Questionable Week 15
Higgins was limited in practice with recurring hamstring soreness last week but not on Cincinnati's final game status report. He was on the field for the game's third offensive snap but did not return.
Zac Taylor said Higgins tweaked his hamstring during pregame warmup, and the team elected to hold him out. It's unclear whether Higgins aggravated the strain or the team chose to be cautious. Taylor told reporters Higgins was available for red zone packages if needed.
Practice participation will be critical for Higgins this week. If he returns to limited work on Wednesday, he'll have a chance to be full strength and see his pre-injury targets in Week 15. Missed practices could hint at a multiple-week absence.
Monday update: Tom Pelissero reports the Bengals are still evaluating Higgins after yesterday's aggravation. Zac Taylor said the team would see how Higgins feels on Wednesday. He's trending doubtful for Week 15.
More Sunday injuries to monitor
- QB Brock Purdy | Oblique injury | Probable Week 15
- QB Tyler Huntley | Concussion protocol | Doubtful Week 15
- QB Kenny Pickett | Concussion protocol | Questionable Week 15
- QB Russell Wilson | Concussion protocol | Questionable Week 15
- QB Mike White | Rib fractures | Questionable Week 15
- QB Marcus Mariota | Knee injury | Injured reserve (expected)
- RB Dameon Pierce | Ankle sprain | Questionable Week 15
- RB Jeff Wilson | Hip injury | Questionable Week 15
- RB Mike Boone | Right high ankle sprain | Out Week 15 | Target Week 18+
- WR Tyreek Hill | Left ankle injury | Probable Week 15
- WR D.J. Moore | Knee sprain | Questionable Week 15
- WR Tyler Boyd | Finger dislocation | Doubtful Week 15
- WR Corey Davis | Concussion protocol | Questionable Week 15
More recoveries to monitor
- RB Damien Harris | Thigh injury | Questionable Week 15
- RB DeeJay Dallas | High ankle sprain | Doubtful Week 15
- WR Courtland Sutton | Hamstring strain | Doubtful Week 15
- WR Treylon Burks | Concussion protocol | Questionable Week 15
- WR Romeo Doubs | High ankle sprain | Probable Week 15
- WR Nico Collins | Foot injury | Questionable Week 15
- WR Brandin Cooks | Calf strain | Questionable Week 15
- WR Kadarius Toney | Hamstring strain | Questionable Week 15
- WR Rondale Moore | Groin injury | Questionable Week 15
- TE Hayden Hurst | Right calf injury | Questionable Week 15
Designated to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI
- QB Carson Wentz >> Fractured right fourth finger | Backup Week 15
- WR Quintez Cephus >> Left foot injury | Questionable Week 15
- TE Donald Parham >> Aggravated hamstring strain | Probable Week 15
Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI
- WR Cooper Kupp >> High ankle sprain | Target return Week 17+ | Expect 2023 return
- WR Hunter Renfrow >> Oblique strain | Questionable Week 15
- WR Mecole Hardman >> Abdominal illness | Questionable Week 15
- WR Jake Kumerow >> Ankle injury | Questionable Week 15
- TE Dallas Goedert >> Left shoulder injury | Probable Week 15
- TE Darren Waller >> Aggravated hamstring strain | Probable Week 15
- TE Irv Smith >> High ankle sprain | Target return Week 16+
- RB Darrel Williams >> Hip injury | Target return Week 15+
Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 16
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire >> High ankle sprain | Target return Week 16+
- RB Khalil Herbert >> Hip injury | Target return Week 16
- RB Chase Edmonds >> High ankle sprain | Target return Week 16+
Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 17
- RB Elijah Mitchell | MCL sprain | Target return Week 19+
Footballguys injury coverage will return Saturday morning with analysis and Week 15 expectations for key injured players.