Monday Injury Rounds: Preseason Week 1

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Preseason Week 1 Jene Bramel Published 08/12/2019

Antonio brown and extreme frostbite

The twists and turns around Antonio Brown's first training camp with the Raiders reminds me of a bad Choose Your Own Adventure book.

Extreme frostbite? Paint your own helmet? HBO and Hard Knocks?

Is there really anything to see here? Is Brown in danger of missing Week 1?

In short, I doubt it.

Brown hasn't suffered extreme frostbite. That implies deep tissue damage requiring removal of dead tissue and loss of function. Brown's injury is better characterized as a second-degree cold burn. The blistering and regeneration of new skin is painful and limiting -- but not a long-term concern. Brown's injury occurred sometime in late July. The Raiders activated him off the NFI list within 48 hours and allowed him to practice -- neither of which is consistent with a long-term condition.

It seems more likely that Brown's prolonged absence is due to his concern over the NFL's ban on helmets no longer meeting safety standards. The NFL testing process is not new. And the league has been very transparent in informing players who have previously worn helmets that no longer meet safety standards of the need to find an alternative.

I think the unusual nature of Brown's foot condition has given the story more legs than it may deserve, and I still believe Brown is more day-to-day than week-to-week. The helmet issue has yet to be resolved, but I don't think Brown is likely to retire.

Expect more drama over both issues but -- for now -- consider Brown probable for Week 1.


Injury Rounds

Jerick McKinnon | knee inflammation | chronic | week-to-week | Questionable Week 1

Through most of the offseason, the news was uniformly positive on McKinnon's recovery from last season's ACL reconstruction. Since mini-camp ended, the tone has changed. McKinnon started camp on the PUP list after experiencing knee soreness. Reportedly, that soreness was related to over-zealous rehab as McKinnon prepared for camp. It seemed reassuring when McKinnon was activated last week and began practicing. The inflammation and soreness quickly recurred, however, and McKinnon has again been shut down after a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection.

There are varied indications for PRP injections but not much consensus on the which components may be successful and which conditions may respond best. Around the knee, NFL medical staffs use PRP to address inflammation due to arthritis or patellar tendinopathy or to speed recovery after meniscus repair. In McKinnon's case, the recurrent inflammation is suspicious for arthritic changes after his ACL procedure. It's impossible to judge whether the PRP injection may be successful over the longer term but the additional time off will be helpful.

Unfortunately, the recurrent symptoms raise concern whether McKinnon is headed down the same path as Todd Gurley and Sony Michel. The Niners are already hinting that in-season injured reserve is a possibility and Week 1 is clearly in question. If McKinnon's current absence stretches into the regular season or he's frequently rested during the week, consider a full and productive recovery from ACL reconstruction unlikely.

Keke Coutee | Right high ankle sprain | Preseason Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1

Coutee's right leg was tangled up with a defender during a tackle attempt. After some initial concern about a knee injury -- and video did show a possible MCL sprain -- the injury was reported as an ankle sprain. The type of leg twisting Coutee suffered can also result in a high ankle sprain. With Bill O'Brien telling reporters Coutee's return "won't be soon," it's likely Coutee has a mid-grade high-ankle sprain and will need 4-6 weeks to recover. A Week 1 return is questionable.

***NKeal Harry left the Patriots' Week 1 preseason game with an undisclosed injury. The video suggests a right foot or ankle injury, and local writers do not believe the injury to be serious.

***Dallas Goedert has a calf strain. He is expected to miss the rest of the preseason, but the team considers him likely to play Week 1.

***Theo Riddick suffered a fracture around his shoulder during practice last week and will miss 6-8 weeks.

Follow Up Appointments

Andrew Luck | Calf strain | offseason | week-to-Week | Probable Week 1

The Athletic's Zak Keefer wrote a fantastic article detailing Andrew Luck's calf strain. The article contains a timeline of events through the offseason, thoughts on why Luck may be frustrated with the lingering nature of the injury, and some reassurance on why this injury isn't following the ever-more-pessimistic track Luck's shoulder injury once did.

Still, it's unnerving to continue to read that Luck doesn't feel comfortable practicing with a soft tissue injury first diagnosed in late May. The Colts continue to suggest Luck's recovery is progressing and that he would be available to play if the team had a regular-season game this week. But we're nearly three months into a week-to-week timetable and Luck reportedly won't be cleared for contact this week either.

If Luck isn't ramping up his practice participation next week, it will be time to consider adjusting the probable for Week 1 expectation.

***Damien Williams (hamstring), Daesean Hamilton (hamstring), Andy Isabella (knee), Jurrell Casey (MCL), Trey Flowers (shoulder), and Aaron Jones (hamstring) returned to practice last week. Derrick Henry has begun work on the rehab fields as his recovery from a calf injury continues.


INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER

Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Andrew Luck Ind Left calf strain Offseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Alex Smith Was Right leg fracture / Post-surgical infection November 2018 Active - PUP Unlikely to Return to NFL Expect Inseason PUP or IR
Robert Griffin III III Bal Right thumb fracture Early preseason 4-8 Weeks Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 1
Nate Sudfeld Phi Left forearm fracture Preseason Week 1 6 Weeks 6-8+ Weeks Out Week 1
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
LAR
Left knee inflammation
Chronic
Active Roster Limited practice Probable Week 1
NE
Knee inflammation
Chronic
Active Roster Limited practice Probable Week 1
Ten
Left calf strain
Early preseason
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
GB
Hamstring strain
Early preseason
Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
SF
Right ACL reconstruction
September 2018
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
SF
Concussion
Preseason Week 1
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Den
Shoulder fracture
Preseason Week 1
6-8 Weeks Week 3+ Return Out Week 1
Cle
Hamstring strain
Early preseason
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Was
Right ACL reconstruction
December 2018
Active - NFI Inseason return possible Doubtful Week 1
Cin
Right ACL reconstruction
September 2018
Passed physical Day-to-Day Questionable Week 1
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Antonio Brown Oak Foot condition Early preseason Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Julio Jones Atl Foot soreness June 2019 Active Roster Limited practice Probable Week 1
A.J. Green Cin Left ankle injury Early preseason 6-8 Weeks Week 4+ return Out Week 1
John Ross Cin Hamstring tightness Early preseason Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Julian Edelman NE Left thumb fracture June 2019 4-6 Weeks Likely return during camp Probable Week 1
NKeal Harry NE Undisclosed Preseason Week 1 Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Demaryius Thomas NE Left Achilles repair December 2018 Active - PUP Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 1
Amari Cooper Dal Heel injury Early preseason Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Keke Coutee Hou Right high ankle sprain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Sterling Shepard NYG Left thumb fracture Early preseason 4-6 Weeks Limited practice Probable Week 1
Anthony Miller Chi Right ankle sprain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Parris Campbell Ind Hamstring strain aggravation Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Marquise Brown Bal Left Lisfranc joint reconstruction January 2019 Active Roster Limited practice Questionable Week 1
Trey Quinn Was Thumb injury Preseason Week 1 Awaiting information Awaiting information Probable Week 1
Antonio Callaway Cle High ankle sprain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week 3-4+ Weeks Suspended four games
Dede Westbrook Jac Groin strain Preseason Week 1 Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Marqise Lee Jac Left ACL reconstruction / PCL repair August 2018 Active - PUP Unlikely to return during camp Doubtful Week 1
Equanimeous St. Brown GB Knee injury Preseason Week 1 Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
A.J. Brown Ten Left hamstring strain Early preseason Day-to-Day Limited practice Probable Week 1
Trent Taylor SF Right fifth metatarsal fracture Preseason Week 1 4-6 Weeks 6-8 Weeks Doubtful Week 1
Jakeem Grant Mia Right hamstring injury Early preseason Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Kevin White Ari Hamstring strain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
David Njoku Cle Knee injury Preseason Week 2 Awaiting Information Awaiting Information
Dallas Goedert Phi Calf strain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Charles Clay Ari Knee soreness Chronic Active roster Limited practice Probable Week 1
Tyler Kroft Buf Right foot fracture fixation revision May 2019 Active - PUP Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 1
Dawson Knox Buf Hamstring strain Early preseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Josh Oliver Jac Hamstring strain Early preseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Jonnu Smith Ten Left MCL sprain December 2018 Active roster Limited practice Questionable Week 1
Garrett Celek SF Back surgery Offseason Active - PUP Likely inseason PUP Doubtful Week 1
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
Tackles
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Russell Okung LAC Pulmonary embolism June 2019 Active - NFI Could return during camp Doubtful Week 1
Cam Robinson Jac Left ACL reconstruction September 2018 Active roster Limited practice Questionable Week 1
Lane Johnson Phi Knee injury Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Kaleb McGary Atl Cardiac ablation Early preseason 6-8 Weeks Likely early season return Questionable Week 1
Donovan Smith TB Achilles injury Early preseason Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Jonah Williams Cin Labrum repair June 2019 Active - PUP Likely inseason PUP Out Week 1
Shon Coleman SF Ankle dislocation Preseason Week 1 Awaiting Information Likely injured reserve 2020 return
Guards
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Zack Martin Dal Disc irritation Early preseason Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Quenton Nelson Ind Ankle injury Preseason Week 1 Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Marshall Yanda Bal Foot / ankle soreness Early preseason Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Gabe Jackson Oak Left MCL sprain Preseason Week 1 6-8 Weeks Week 3+ Return Out Week 1
Mike Iupati Sea Foot injury Early preseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Brian Winters NYJ Shoulder injury Preseason Week 1 Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Josh Garnett SF Recurrent finger dislocation Early preseason 3-4 Weeks Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Alex Redmond Cin Shoulder surgery ? Offseason Active - PUP Could return during camp Four game PED suspension
Centers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Weston Richburg SF Knee surgery Offseason Active - PUP Likely return during camp Questionable Week 1
Mitch Morse Buf Concussion Early preseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Russell Bodine Buf Oblique strain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Kelechi Osemele NYJ Pectoral strain Preseason Week 2 Day-to-Day Awaiting Information Questionable Week 1
Nick Martin Hou Hamstring injury Early preseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Greg Mancz Hou Left low ankle sprain Preseason Week 1 Awaiting Information Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
Edge Rushers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Demarcus Lawrence Dal Shoulder labrum repair April 2019 Active - PUP May return during camp Questionable Week 1
Robert Quinn Dal Left hand fracture Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Suspended two games
Dee Ford SF Knee tendinitis / PRP injection Chronic Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Nick Bosa SF Right high ankle sprain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Ezekiel Ansah Sea Shoulder labrum repair Offseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Jabaal Sheard Ind Knee inflammation Early preseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Jason Pierre-Paul TB Neck fracture May 2019 Active - NFI Likely inseason PUP Out Week 1
Maxx Crosby Oak Hand fracture Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Defensive Linemen
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Vita Vea TB LCL sprain Preseason Week 1 4-8 Weeks Week 3+ Return Out Week 1
Damon Harrison Det Photos provided by Imagn Images
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