Inseason injury coverage
Footballguys will again provide comprehensive injury coverage during the regular season.
My writing and podcast schedule will include:
Monday Injury Rounds > Published as soon as complete Sunday night and updated through Tuesday morning, this feature will review all the major injuries from the weekend's games, provide follow up analysis on injured players who have yet to return to play, and project when every injured player will return.
Waiver Wire Podcast > Tuesday morning release reviewing all injuries at the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end positions with Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom heading into your weekly waiver run.
Midweek Injury Expectations > Published late Wednesday night after the first weekly practice participation report and updated through Thursday's practice report, this feature will detail the current practice participation of every listed player and project the likelihood each player will play in the coming week.
Thursday Live Audible podcast > Joining Cecil Lammey, Sigmund Bloom, and Matt Waldman at 900 ET every Thursday night for a comprehensive Q&A updating all player injuries.
Gameday Injury Expectations > Published Saturday, this feature will review the practice status of every injured player, provide analysis on player/coach/beat writer comments throughout the week, and discuss how likely and how effective each injured player will be on Sunday.
Injury Rounds
As hoped, nearly every injured veteran who was missing preseason practice returned to the field last week.
While we may see some of these players listed as limited in practice mid-week, all of the following critical names are expected to play in Week 1.
- RB Todd Gurley, LAR
- RB Sony Michel, NE
- RB Derrick Henry, Ten
- RB Kenyan Drake, Mia
- WR Odell Beckham Jr, Cle
- WR Julio Jones, Atl
- WR Mike Evans, TB
- WR Keenan Allen, LAC
- WR Sterling Shepard, NYG
- WR John Ross, Cin
- WR Anthony Miller, Chi
- WR Parris Campbell, Ind
- TE George Kittle, SF
- T Lane Johnson, Phi
- T Caleb McGary, Atl
- G Brian Winters, NYJ
- G Kelechi Osemele, NYJ
- C Weston Richburg, SF
- C Mitch Morse, Buf
- EDGE Demarcus Lawrence, Dal
- EDGE Dee Ford, SF
- DL Fletcher Cox, Phi
- LB Lavonte David, TB
- CB Kevin King, GB
- CB Trumaine Johnson, NYJ
- CB DeAndre Baker, NYG
- S Byron Jones, Dal
I'll update the status of every injured player in our mid-week injury features.
Follow Up Appointments
Cam Newton | Left foot sprain | Preseason Week 3 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1
Newton participated in individual drills through the weekend and reportedly throwing the ball without any limitation. Ron Rivera told reporters there was "no doubt in my mind" Newton would play this week. Rivera's optimism would also indicate Newton will not be limited and the Panthers will have the full offensive playbook at their disposal. It won't be surprising to see Newton listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday but expect a full late week practice and probable gameday listing.
Amari Cooper | Plantar fasciitis | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1
Cooper is expected to return to practice this week after rehabbing a heel injury for weeks. If Cooper's injury involved the plantar fascia and isn't fully healed, it could linger and flare up during the regular season. Cooper has said he's played through a similar condition in the past and does not expect to be limited. A full week of practice would be reassuring here.
***Keke Coutee's Week 1 status remains confusing. Bill O'Brien told reporters early last week Coutee was trending toward playing but every report since has been pessimistic. Don't expect Coutee to have a full workload if he's active this week.
***Jerick McKinnon needs an additional surgical procedure on his injured knee. Multiple episodes of recurrent inflammation are suggestive of a cartilage and/or meniscus lesion and general manager John Lynch told reporters eight weeks was not enough for McKinnon to recover after surgery. McKinnon is ineligible to return this season.
***Theo Riddick, Jake Butt, Derwin James, and Robert Alford are starting the season on injured reserve. All are eligible to return this season.
***Bryce Love (NFI), Cameron Meredith (PUP), Russell Okung (NFI), Jonah Williams (PUP), Jason Pierre-Paul (NFI), Jalen Mills (PUP), and Darqueze Dennard (PUP) will miss a minimum of six weeks and are first eligible to return in Week 7.
INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER
|
Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Cam Newton | Car | Left foot sprain | Preseason Week 3 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Colt McCoy | Was | Right fibula fracture fixation | December 2018 - April 2019 | Week-to-Week | Week 3+ Return | Out Week 1 |
| Robert Griffin III III | Bal | Right thumb fracture | Early preseason | 4-8 Weeks | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 |
| Blaine Gabbert | TB | Left shoulder dislocation | Preseason Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 |
| Drew Lock | Den | Right thumb sprain | Preseason Week 3 | 6-8 Weeks | Inseason IR - return | Out Week 1 |
| Nate Sudfeld | Phi | Left forearm fracture | Preseason Week 1 | 6 Weeks | Week 3+ Return | Out Week 1 |
|
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
|
Mia
|
Right foot injury
|
Preseason Week 2
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 | |
|
Cle
|
Core abdominal muscle repair
|
Preseason Week 4
|
4-6 Weeks | 4-6 Weeks | Suspended eight games | |
|
Den
|
Shoulder fracture
|
Preseason Week 1
|
6-8 Weeks | Inseason IR - return | Out Week 1 | |
|
Cin
|
Left foot injury
|
Preseason Week 1
|
Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 1 | |
|
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| A.J. Green | Cin | Left ankle injury | Early preseason | 6-8 Weeks | Week 4+ return | Out Week 1 |
| N'Keal Harry | NE | Multiple injuries | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1 |
| Amari Cooper | Dal | Plantar fasciitis | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Keke Coutee | Hou | Right high ankle sprain | Preseason Week 1 | Returned to limited practice | Day-to-Day | Doubtful Week 1 |
| DK Metcalf | Sea | Arthroscopic knee surgery | Preseason Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 1 |
| David Moore | Sea | Humerus fracture | Preseason Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 2++ Return | Out Week 1 |
| Marqise Lee | Jac | Left ACL reconstruction / PCL repair | August 2018 | Returned to limited practice | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1 |
| Dante Pettis | SF | Groin strain | Preseason Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Probable Week 1 |
| Trent Taylor | SF | Right fifth metatarsal fracture | Preseason Week 1 | 4-6 Weeks | Week 2++ Return | Out Week 1 |
| Jalen Hurd | SF | Back injury | Preseason | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 1 |
| Jakeem Grant | Mia | Right hamstring injury | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
|
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Trey Burton | Chi | Core abdominal muscle repair | May 2019 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 1 |
| Dallas Goedert | Phi | Calf strain | Preseason Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Probable Week 1 |
| Jordan Reed | Was | Concussion | Preseason Week 3 | Concussion protocol | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 |
| Ben Watson | NE | Concussion | Preseason Week 3 | Concussion protocol | Week-to-Week | Suspended four games |
| Tyler Kroft | Buf | Right foot fracture fixation revision | May 2019 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Out Week 1 |
| Jake Butt | Den | Left ACL reconstruction | September 2018 | Week-to-Week | Inseason IR - return | Out Week 1 |
| Ed Dickson | Sea | Knee surgery | Early preseason | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 1 |
| Josh Oliver | Jac | Hamstring strain | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
|
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Tackles
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Tyron Smith | Dal | Back stiffness | Preseason Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Brian O'Neill | Min | Right elbow injury | Early preseason | Returned to limited practice | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1 |
| Greg Little | Car | Concussion | Preseason Week 3 | Concussion protocol | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Cordy Glenn | Cin | Concussion | Preseason Week 2 | Concussion protocol | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1 |
|
Guards
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Zack Martin | Dal | Disc irritation | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Quenton Nelson | Ind | Ankle injury | Preseason Week 1 | 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 | Calf strain | Early preseason | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 1 |
| Tytus Howard | Hou | Finger fracture | Preseason Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Zach Fulton | Hou | Turf toe | Preseason Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 |
| Quinton Spain | Buf | Right ankle injury | Preseason Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 |
|
Centers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Frank Ragnow | Det | Right low ankle sprain | Preseason Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 |
| Greg Mancz | Hou | Left low ankle sprain | Preseason Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable 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 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1 |
| Robert Quinn | Dal | Left hand fracture | Preseason Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Suspended two games |
| Nick Bosa | SF | Right high ankle sprain | Preseason Week 1 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1 |
| Ezekiel Ansah | Sea | Shoulder labrum repair / Groin strain | Preseason Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1 |
| Jabaal Sheard | Ind | Knee inflammation | Early preseason | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 |
| Maxx Crosby | Oak | Hand fracture | Preseason Week 1 | Returned to limited practice | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Anthony Nelson | TB | Right MCL sprain | Early preseason | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 1 |
|
Defensive Linemen
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Fletcher Cox | Phi | Foot surgery | April 2019 | Returned to limited practice | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Vita Vea | TB | LCL sprain | Preseason Week 1 | 4-8 Weeks | Week 1+ Return | Questionable Week 1 |
| Sheldon Rankins | NO | Achilles repair | January 2019 | Returned to limited practice | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 1 |
| L.J. Collier | Sea | Ankle injury | Early offseason | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 |
|
Linebackers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Lavonte David | TB | Knee meniscectomy | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Deone Bucannon | TB | Knee injury | Preseason Week 3 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Jarrad Davis | Det | Right high ankle sprain | Preseason Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 1+ Return | Questionable Week 1 |
| Nigel Bradham | Phi | Toe injury | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Kamu Grugier-Hill | Phi | MCL sprain | Early preseason | 6-8 Weeks | Week 1+ Return | Questionable Week 1 |
| Haason Reddick | Ari | Left knee meniscectomy | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1 |
| Todd Davis | Den | Calf strain | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Quincy Williams | Jac | Knee meniscectomy | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1 |
| Oren Burks | GB | Torn pectoral muscle | Preseason Week 1 | Day-to-Day | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 |
| Sean Lee | Dal | Right MCL sprain | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
|
Defensive Backs
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Derwin James | LAC | Fifth metatarsal stress fracture | Preseason Week 2 | 3-4 Months | Inseason IR-return | Out Week 1 |
| Marquise Blair | Sea | Back contusion | Preseason Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1 |
| Kevin King | GB | Hamstring strain | Early preseason | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
| Robert Alford | Ari | Tibia fracture | Preseason Week 2 | 6-8+ Weeks | Inseason IR-return | Out Week 1 |
| Jason Verrett | SF | High ankle sprain | Preseason Week 1 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 1 |
| K'Waun Williams | SF | Arthroscopic knee surgery | Preseason Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 1 |
| Cre'von LeBlanc | Phi | Foot sprain | Early preseason | Week-to-Week | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1 |
|
Kickers Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Adam Vinatieri | Ind | Knee inflammation | Preseason Week 1 | Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1 |
Injured Players Not on Active Roster
|
Notable Quarterbacks on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Alex Smith | Was | Right leg fracture / post-surgical infection | November 2018 | Reserve - PUP | PUP | Eligible to return W7 | Unlikely to return to football |
|
Notable Running Backs on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
|
Was
|
Right ACL reconstruction
|
December 2018
|
Reserve - NFI
|
NFI | Eligible to return W7
|
Possible 2019 return
|
|
|
Hou
|
Left ACL reconstruction / MCL sprain
|
Late August 2019
|
Injured reserve
|
IR | Ineligible to return
|
2020 return
|
|
|
SF
|
Right ACL reconstruction
|
September 2018
|
Injured reserve
|
IR | Ineligible to return
|
2020 return
|
|
|
Cin
|
Right ACL reconstruction
|
Early September 2019
|
Injured reserve
|
IR | Ineligible to return
|
2020 return
|
|
|
Oak
|
Achilles repair
|
May 2019
|
Injured reserve
|
IR | Ineligible to return
|
2020 return
|
|
| Ind |
Ankle surgery
|
Early preseason
|
Reserve - PUP | Reserve - PUP | Eligible to return W7, seeking settlement | |
| Bal |
Undisclosed
|
Undisclosed
|
Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | Injury settlement likely | |
|
Notable Wide Receivers on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Cameron Meredith | NE | Arthroscopic knee surgery | November 2018 | Reserve - PUP | PUP | Eligible to return W7 | Possible 2019 return |
| Hakeem Butler | Ari | Hand fracture | Mid-August 2019 | Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | 2020 return |
| Equanimeous St. Brown | GB | Left high ankle sprain | Late August 2019 | Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | 2020 return |
| Corey Coleman | NYG | ACL reconstruction | Late July 2019 | Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | 2020 return |
| Jermaine Kearse | Det | Left ankle fracture / dislocation | Early August 2019 | Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | 2020 return |
|
Notable Tight Ends on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
|
Notable Offensive Linemen on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Tackles
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Russell Okung | LAC | Pulmonary embolism | June 2019 | Reserve - NFI | NFI | Eligible to return W7 | Questionable 2019 return |
| Jonah Williams | Cin | Shoulder labrum repair | June 2019 | Reserve - PUP | PUP | Eligible to return W7 | Questionable 2019 return |
| Yodny Cajuste | NE | Quadriceps injury | March 2019 | Reserve - NFI | NFI | Eligible to return W7 | Questionable 2019 return |
| LaAdrian Waddle | Buf | Quadriceps strain | Early August 2019 | Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | 2020 return |
|
Guards
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
|
Centers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| David Andrews | NE | Pulmonary embolism | August 2019 | Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | 2020 return |
|
Notable Defensive Players on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Edge Rushers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Jason Pierre-Paul | TB | Cervical spine fracture | May 2019 | Reserve - NFI | NFI | Eligible to return W7 | Questionable 2019 return |
|
Defensive Linemen
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Robert Nkemdiche | Mia | ACL reconstruction | December 2018 | Reserve - PUP | PUP | Eligible to return W7 | Qustionable 2019 return |
| Jeffery Simmons | Ten | ACL reconstruction | February 2019 | Reserve - NFI | NFI | Eligible to return W7 | 2020 return |
|
Linebackers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Micah Kiser | LAR | Pectoral tendon tear | Mid-August 2019 | Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | 2020 return |
| Avery Williamson | NYJ | Right ACL tear | Mid-August 2019 | Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | 2020 return |
|
Defensive Backs
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Jalen Mills | Phi | Foot injury | October 2018 | Reserve - PUP | PUP | Eligible to return W7 | Questionable 2019 return |
| Darqueze Dennard | Cin | Arthroscopic knee surgery | Offseason 2019 | Reserve - PUP | PUP | Eligible to return W7 | Questionable 2019 return |
| Tavon Young | Bal | Cervical disc herniation | Early August 2019 | Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | 2020 return |
| J.J. Wilcox | Atl | Right ACL reconstruction | July 2019 | Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | 2020 return |
|
Notable Kickers on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Ryan Succop | Ten | Arthroscopic knee surgery | Offseason | Injured reserve | IR | Ineligible to return | 2020 return |
DECIPHERING THE ALPHABET SOUP OF INJURY LISTS
Players not ready for camp practices are placed on one of two lists – Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) or Non-Football Injury/Illness (NFI).
Physically Unable to Perform (PUP)
Active/PUP – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. This list is commonly used for veterans still recovering from injury and those who fail conditioning tests before camp begins.
Reserve/PUP – Regular season only list. Players still on Active/PUP at the end of camp are eligible to move to Reserve/PUP. Players cannot practice with the team until after Week 6. Teams then have six weeks to evaluate the player before moving to the active roster or to season-ending injured reserve.
Non-Football Injury / Illness (NFI)
Active/NFI – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. Only veterans with a non-football related injury or rookies injured before the NFL draft are eligible for this list.
Reserve/NFI – Regular season only list. Players converted from the Active/NFI list to the Reserve/NFI list are out for the entire season.
Injured Reserve – Return Designation
Each NFL team can return two players to the active roster from injured reserve. Teams are not forced to designate this player at the time of the move to injured reserve. Players designated to return can begin practicing six weeks after being placed on injured reserve and are eligible to return to the active roster eight weeks after being placed on injured reserve. This rule allows a team to continually evaluate the rehab and recovery of their injured players and provides roster flexibility should teams have multiple key injuries early in the season.
Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the off-season.