Monday Injury Rounds: Week 6 - Footballguys

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 6 - Footballguys Jene Bramel Published 10/08/2018

NOTE: During the regular season, this column is a living document through Tuesday morning. I'll be updating as needed after team press conferences, imaging reports, Monday Night Football injuries, etc. Major changes to the content will be noted in red.

Scroll to the bottom of this article for a quick look table of the week's most pressing injury situations and a review of players on injured reserve / PUP / NFI.


Footballguys will have close and detailed coverage of all injuries this season. Here's a look at my expected schedule. I will do my best to stick to this. Work and family responsibilities may sometimes cause brief delays.

Monday Injury Rounds: Posted Sunday night, updated through Tuesday AM. Detailed analysis of the week's injuries with table for quick review. Offensive injuries will be live Sunday night. Critical defensive and offensive line injuries will be added throughout the day on Monday. I'll be updating with news and analysis through Tuesday.

Midweek Injury Expectations: Posted Wednesday night. Analysis of the practice participation report with a table including my projection of each injured player's likely game status. Will include discussion of any major breaking injury news.

Sunday Gameday Expectations: Posted by Saturday afternoon, updated through Sunday morning inactives. Will include individual player blurbs with detailed thoughts on the week's injury news and my speculation on player availability and limitations. Will include table highlighting each day's practice participation, official game status, and my availability expectation.

I'll be contributing to our waiver wire podcast (Tuesday release) and our live Sunday morning pregame show (10 ET Sunday on YouTube). I will also be retweeting key pieces of news and my own reaction and analysis, so make sure you're following me @JeneBramel and checking my timeline on Twitter throughout the week.


INJURY ROUNDS

Saquon Barkley | Back injury | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 6

Barkley hurdled the sideline to cross the plane of the goal line on a long touchdown play but landed awkwardly. The immediate fear was for a right knee injury as his leg shifted when he landed. But Barkley also twisted his back on the landing and was seen splinting over his side on the bench after the play. Pat Shurmur told reporters after the game Barkley's knee and ankle were fine. While Barkley seems to have avoided a serious injury, I'll update with any unexpected news on Monday.

Jay Ajayi | Left ACL tear | Out for Season

Ajayi didn't return to yesterday's game after fumbling in the third quarter. He didn't reach for either knee on the play and no injury was reported after the game. Ian Rapoport is reporting the injury occurred while pass blocking earlier in the game. Ajayi previously had an ACL reconstruction of his right knee in 2011. He will have surgery this week and is out for the season.

Cooper Kupp | Concussion | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 6

Brandin Cooks | Concussion | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 6

Both Kupp and Cooks were diagnosed with concussions on Sunday. They will have to successfully navigate the return-to-play exercise protocol to be cleared this week. Wednesday's practice report may be the next update on the condition of the Rams' wide receivers. While Cooks' injury was obviously apparent on the field and scary to see, his return will be based on recovery and symptoms rather than the initial appearance of his injury.

Kerryon Johnson | Right ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Bye Week 6

Johnson did not suffer a typical low outside ankle sprain or a high ankle sprain. Video replays suggest it's likely the inside ligament of his right foot that's injured. These injuries can sometimes be severe -- Brandon Marshall needed surgery for a similar injury while playing in New York last season -- but players can usually recover from lower-grade injuries within a short time. The Lions' Week 6 bye will give Johnson two weeks to rehab and recover. Hopefully, Monday's likely MRI study will not show a high-grade sprain.

Others of note:

***Matt Breida suffered a left high ankle sprain. After the game, it was reported that Breida did not suffer a fracture by x-ray. That's great news -- it means Breida avoided a high-grade injury that would require surgery. However, the mechanism was violent and Breida's ligament sprain is likely severe enough to need multiple weeks of rehab. Don't expect to see Breida back for 3-4 weeks.

***Corey Grant suffered a left Lisfranc injury. These injuries can be subtle and difficult to diagnose without an MRI. When immediately diagnosed by exam and/or x-ray, it usually means it's more than a ligament sprain and involves fractured bones or a dislocation in the joint. Those more severe injuries require surgery and 6-9 months of rehabilitation. Expect Grant to see Dr. Robert Anderson for surgery this week and be placed on injured reserve.

***Austin Seferian-Jenkins has been on the injury report all season with a core muscle injury. It's possible for players to finish a full season effectively -- Adrian Peterson once completed a 2000-yard rushing season despite a sports hernia -- but it's very difficult. Seferian-Jenkins chose surgery and short-term injured reserve today. Recovery is usually in the 4-6 week range and Seferian-Jenkins should be able to return later this season. His earliest return would be Week 15.

Offensive line and defensive notes:

***Tennessee tackle Taylor Lewan will have an MRI to further evaluate a foot injury that has bothered him for two weeks.

***Kansas City guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif fractured his fibula and will miss at least 6-8 weeks.

***Minnesota tackle Riley Reiff (foot), Jacksonville tackle Josh Wells (groin), Miami tackle Laremy Tunsil (concussion), Denver tackle Garrett Bolles (ankle), and Arizona guard Mike Iupati (shoulder) will all have injuries re-evaluated early this week.


Follow-up Appointments

Leonard Fournette | Aggravated right hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Out Week 6

Fournette was ruled out on Wednesday and did not practice last week. Aggravated muscle strains require as long to recover as the initial injury if not longer, the Jaguars have repeatedly shown they'll be cautious with Fournette's rehab, and Fournette missed two weeks with his initial injury. It would be shocking if Fournette played this week.

Much more important is Fournette's practice participation. Expect the Jaguars to want to see Fournette practicing for two weeks without a setback before returning him to play. Therefore, if Fournette does not return to limited individual drills this week, the earliest he would return would be Week 8. And with a long trip to London in Week 8 followed by a bye in Week 9, no practice this week should raise concern that the Jaguars could hold Fournette out until Week 10.

Dalvin Cook | Left hamstring strain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 6

Mike Zimmer told reporters Cook would be listed questionable early last week. He made good on that expectation, prompting speculation that Cook may be considered a game-time decision. In reality, the Vikings were never going to allow Cook -- who repeatedly told reporters last week he was not fully recovered -- to play. The hamstring and quadricep muscles help stabilize the knee joint. With Cook still within the window of risk after last year's ACL reconstruction, the Vikings will not push his return. If Cook is more optimistic and doing more in practice midweek, we could see him return in Week 6. Until he proves healthy enough to practice fully, continue to consider Cook questionable.

Greg Olsen | Refracture right fifth metatarsal | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 6

On Sunday morning, Ian Rapoport tweeted that "there is confidence [Olsen] will play in Week 6...if he has a good week of practice." While Olsen was reportedly moving well in individual drills last week, it will be a part-Herculean, part lottery-winning effort if he's able to finish the season effectively and without additional setback. He'll need revision surgery in the future.

DOnta Foreman | Left Achilles repair | Reserve - PUP | Eligible to Return Week 7

There continues to be optimism about Foreman's recovery and indications he'll be ready to return to practice and game action shortly after becoming eligible to come off the PUP list in Week 7. Still, Foreman's injury is a tough recovery. There are no positive comps for a running back returning from Achilles reconstruction. That could be a sample size issue, however, and it's also notable that the list of running backs who have returned after an Achilles rupture doesn't include an elite talent. There are many wide receivers, defensive backs, offensive tackles, and edge rushers who have effectively returned after Achilles surgery. It's too soon to write Foreman off. He'll be a very important data point for future injuries.

Others of note:

***T.Y. Hilton had no chance of recovering in time for a Thursday night game. It's not yet known whether his hamstring strain is more than a low grade injury, but Frank Reich told reporters on Friday the team hadn't yet determined whether Hilton was day-to-day or week-to-week. That's likely not a optimistic sign. Teams usually go out of their way to list their players as day-to-day -- even when they know they aren't. Hopefully, Hilton is practicing on Wednesday and plays this week but prepare for another week on the sideline.

***Randall Cobb told Stacey Dales he "really wanted to go" on Sunday. While that may be true, it's not supported by his practice participation. Cobb hasn't practiced since straining his hamstring while preparing for the Week 4 game against Buffalo. The Packers play on Monday night this week, then have a bye in Week 7. That could work for or against Cobb. His Thursday practice participation will be telling.

***Giovani Bernard has a mid-grade MCL sprain and will reportedly miss 2-4 weeks. Like many others we've discussed this year -- Doug Baldwin, Evan Engram, etc. -- Bernard will both have to feel comfortable while stopping and cutting and have no joint looseness when examined to return to play. That could happen quickly. If Bernard's rehab progresses slowly, the Bengals' Week 9 bye could come into play.

***Marquise Goodwin was unable to play through a hamstring strain and ongoing quad soreness in the same thigh. It's becoming a complicated recovery and increases the risk of an aggravation during his rehab. He'll have an extra day to recover before the Niners travel to Green Bay on Monday night. Divisional matchups against the Rams and Cardinals follow.

***Anthony Miller is reportedly week-to-week after Matt Nagy told reporters his wide receiver did not need surgery. Unfortunately, players who dislocate their shoulder are prone to repeat episodes until the joint is tightened and stabilized surgically. If Miller returns this week, he'll will be at risk of another episode.

***Lamar Miller was active on Sunday night, but not cleared to play through a painful chest wall injury. Specifics on the injury were not reported.

***John Ross did not practice last week with a groin injury. He will be re-evaluated this week before the Bengals' critical divisional matchup with Pittsburgh.

Offensive line and defensive notes:

***Los Angeles edge rusher Joey Bosa continues to recover from a foot injury. He remains weeks away from a return.

***Indianapolis linebacker Darius Leonard was unable to play through a low-grade high ankle sprain on a short week but there were encouraging practice reports. He has a chance to play in Week 6.

***Oakland guard Kelechi Osemele did not make the trip to Los Angeles after not practicing with a knee injury.

***Cincinnati center Billy Price remains in a walking boot. He won't be re-evaluated until Week 7 and is still weeks away from returning.

***Philadelphia edge rusher Derek Barnett did not practice or play with a shoulder injury of unknown severity.


INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER

Photos provided by Imagn Images
Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
None
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
NYG
Back injury
Week 5
Day-to-Day
Day-to-Day
Probable Week 6
Jac
Aggravated right hamstring strain
Week 4
Week-to-Week
Week 7++ Return
Out Week 6
Min
Left hamstring strain
Week 3
Day-to-Day
Week 6+ Return
Questionable Week 6
Det
Right ankle sprain
Week 5
Day-to-Day
Week 7 Return
Bye Week 6
Cin
Left MCL sprain
Week 4
Week-to-Week
Week 7+ Return
Doubtful Week 6
SF
Left high ankle sprain
Week 5
Awaiting Information
Week 9+ Return
Out Week 6
Hou
Chest injury
Week 4
Day-to-Day
Day-to-Day
Questionable Week 6
Phi
Left ACL tear
Week 5
Inseason IR (exp)
IR | 2019 return
Out for season
Phi
Hamstring strain
Week 1
Week-to-Week
Week 7+ Return
Doubtful Week 6
Phi
Quad injury
Week 3
Day-to-Day
Day-to-Day
Questionable Week 6
Jac
Left Lisfranc injury
Week 5
Inseason IR (exp)
IR | 2019 return
Out Week 6
Ind
Left hamstring strain
Week 2
Day-to-Day
Day-to-Day
Questionable Week 6
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Ind
Left hamstring strain
Week 4
Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
LAR
Concussion
Week 5
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
LAR
Concussion
Week 5
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
SF
Right hamstring injury
Week 4
Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Questionable Week 6
GB
Hamstring strain
Week 4
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Chi
Left shoulder dislocation
Week 3
Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Cin
Groin strain
Week 4
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
SF
Shoulder injury
Week 5
Awaiting Information Awaiting Information
GB
Concussion
Week 4
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
NO
Knee injury
Week 4
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Bye Week 6
Was
Heel injury
Week 4
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Cle
MCL sprain
Week 5
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 6
Mia
Quad strain
Week 4
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
SF
Left knee injury
Week 4
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Out Week 6
LAC
Aggravated foot injury
Week 4
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Out Week 6
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
NYG
Right MCL sprain
Week 3
Week-to-Week
Week 6++ Return
Doubtful Week 6
Car
Refracture right fifth metatarsal
Week 1
Week-to-Week
Week 5+ Return
Questionable Week 6
TB
MCL sprain
Week 4
Week-to-Week
Week 6+ Return
Doubtful Week 6
Ind
Hip injury
Week 2
Week-to-Week
Week 6+ Return
Doubtful Week 6
Jac
Core abdominal muscle repair
Week 5
Inseason IR (exp)
IR | Eligible Week 15
Probable to return late season
Cin
Right foot injury
Week 5
Awaiting Information
Awaiting Information
Mia
Knee injury
Week 3
Week-to-Week
Week-to-Week
Questionable Week 6
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
Tackles
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Anthony Castonzo Ind Hamstring strain Aggravated Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Taylor Lewan Ten Foot injury Week 5 Awaiting Information Awaiting Information Questionable Week 6
Joe Barksdale LAC Knee injury Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Russell Okung LAC Groin strain Week 4 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Riley Reiff Min Foot injury Week 5 Awaiting Information Awaiting Information Questionable Week 6
Josh Wells Jac Groin strain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Laremy Tunsil Mia Concussion Week 5 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Garrett Boles Den Right ankle injury Week 5 Awaiting Information Awaiting Information
Jared Veldheer Den Knee injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 6
Andre Smith Ari Hamstring strain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 6
Guards
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Kelechi Osemele Oak Knee injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif KC Fibula fracture Week 5 Awaiting Information Week 10-12+ return Out Week 6
Mike Iupati Ari Shoulder injury Week 5 Awaiting Information Awaiting Information
T.J. Lang Det Concussion Week 4 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Bye Week 6
Shaun Lauvao Was Calf injury Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 6
Ethan Pocic Sea Ankle injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Josh Garnett SF Toe dislocation Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Centers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Billy Price Cin Foot injury Week 2 2+ Weeks Week 8+ Return Out Week 6
Weston Richburg SF Knee injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
Edge Rushers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Joey Bosa LAC Left foot sprain PS Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Out Week 6
Everson Griffen Min Behavioral health Week 2 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Out Week 6
Derek Barnett Phi Shoulder injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Justin Houston KC Hamstring strain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 6
Olivier Vernon NYG Ankle sprain / contusion PS Week 4 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 6
Ezekiel Ansah Det Shoulder injury Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Bye Week 6
Cameron Wake Mia Knee injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week
Markus Golden Ari Knee injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week