Monday Injury Rounds: Week 2

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 2 Jene Bramel Published 09/09/2019

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

Tyreek Hill | Right sternoclavicular joint dislocation | Week 1 | 4-6+ Weeks | Out Week 2

Hill suffered a posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation on Sunday. This means the end of his collarbone nearest his breastbone was forced out of place toward his chest cavity. It's a rare, painful, and potentially life-threatening injury due to the major blood vessels lying directly under the joint. Hill's collarbone was reportedly successfully put back into place in the hospital without surgery and without damage to those nearby structures.

Ian Rapoport tweeted Hill is expected to "miss a few weeks."

While the injury is rare, there are a handful of NFL players who have returned to play after injuries to the SC joint.

Hill will stay overnight in Jacksonville to ensure there are no complications from the injury before flying back to Kansas City. The Chiefs play a Thursday night game on the road in Denver in five and a half weeks. It's possible Hill returns sooner, but the Week 7 matchup in Denver may be a more reasonable target.

Patrick Mahomes II | Left high ankle sprain | Week 1 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 2

Mahomes had his left leg caught under a defensive lineman during the second quarter. Though not a violent mechanism, video replay strongly suggests a low-grade high ankle sprain. It's an injury many position players struggle to play through but it shouldn't significantly hamper Mahomes, who plays primarily from the pocket. Swelling and stiffness over the next 24-48 hours may force the Chiefs to limit Mahomes in practice this week, but expect him to be available in Week 2.

Derrius Guice | Right knee injury | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 2

Ian Rapoport tweeted Guice will undergo an MRI on his right knee and is likely to miss some time. Guice tore the ACL in his left knee last August and had recovered to take the lead running back role in Washington despite an infection after reconstructive surgery.

Rapoport implied Guice injured his right knee in college. There were reports of a hyperextension knee injury in August of 2017 at LSU but no further details. At least one local writer believed Guice was favoring his left knee during that season. However, there's been no specific information reported on that college injury and trusted draft analyst Dane Brugler did not comment on which knee or provide a specific diagnostic concern in his 2018 draft guide.

Local writer JP Finlay tweeted Guice "might get stem cell therapy" to treat the knee condition. If accurate, it suggests Guice is dealing with a degenerative cartilage condition. Flare ups with these conditions -- as we've seen with Todd Gurley, Sony Michel, Jerick McKinnon, and many, many others -- are always a risk. Now bordering on speculating on speculation, I'll update further if Rapoport's tweeted fears of missed time prove correct.

Monday update: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Guice is "dealing with a meniscus injury he hopes is a strain and a few weeks recovery." That report does not pass medical muster. The meniscus is a shock absorbing tissue covering the joint surfaces in the knee. It can be torn, but cannot be strained. While that may seem like semantics, it prompts further questioning of the report. The "few weeks" recovery is also questionable. Trimming a fragment of torn meniscus is usually a 3-4 week recovery, repairing a torn fragment requires a 3-4+ month rehab. Regardless, Guice remains doubtful for Week 2 and likely longer.

Fast Track News and Notes

***JuJu Smith-Schuster was tackled late in the Steelers' blowout loss and suffered a toe injury. He told reporters after the game he would be available in Week 2. He may have additional testing today. Monday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Smith-Schuster "is going to be fine" after a negative x-ray.

***Nick Foles will have surgery on his broken left collarbone on Monday. Surgical fixation sometimes shortens the recovery from a fractured collarbone but expect Foles to be out a minimum of 6-8 weeks. The Jaguars have an international trip in eight weeks, then a bye week before a divisional matchup in Indianapolis in Week 11. It won't be surprising if the Jaguars choose injured reserve with the hope of returning Foles in Week 11. Monday update: The Jaguars will place Foles on injured reserve. His earliest return will be Week 11.

***Joe Mixon had his foot and ankle turned during the third quarter. There was no video evidence of a high ankle sprain. Zac Taylor told reporters he wasn't sure about Mixon's status after the game. Monday update: Per Tom Pelissero, Mixon's MRI was reassuring and he has a chance to play in Week 2.

***The Niners appear to be preparing to be without Tevin Coleman for multiple weeks. Coleman suffered an ankle injury while pass protecting in the second quarter but there were no clear television angles showing the injury. Coleman will have an MRI on Monday and Kyle Shanahan was already discussing the possibility of bringing a running back up from the practice squad after the game. Monday update: Coleman was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain. The Niners do not expect him to be available. High ankle sprains commonly require 3-4 weeks to rehab. The Niners have a Week 4 bye, putting Coleman's earliest likely return in Week 5.

***Baker Mayfield suffered a right wrist injury. X-rays were reportedly negative and Mayfield told reporters he would "be fine." Injuries to a quarterback's throwing shoulder, elbow, or wrist are always worrisome, however, and Mayfield's progress should be watched closely this week.

***Mike Williams suffered a right knee injury. Television angles were inconclusive. Williams did not return to a close game that went to overtime. I'll update his condition on Monday.

***Devin Funchess landed on his left side and immediately reached for the front of his upper chest. That's generally more suspicious for a collarbone injury than a shoulder injury. Colts' beat writer Stephen Holder tweeted that Funchess had "no use of his left arm...after the game" and shared a concern that the injury was not minor. Sunday update: Tom Pelissero tweeted Funchess fractured his collarbone. Expect him to miss 6-8+ weeks. Monday update: Funchess will be placed on injured reserve. His earliest return will be in Week 11.

***Dante Pettis fully practiced last week and was not included on the Niners' game status report. He played only three snaps on Sunday, a decision Kyle Shanahan implied was at least partially related to Pettis' groin injury.

Follow Up Appointments

A.J. Green | Left Ankle injury | Late July 2019 | Week-to-Week | Week 4+ Return

Specifics on Green's ankle injury and surgical procedure are still unknown. Shortly after his surgical procedure, Dave Lapham, the Bengals' radio color commentator, former offensive lineman, and reasonable and trusted source suggested the team had targeted the Week 4 Monday night game in Pittsburgh as a possible return date for Green.

That's looking less and less likely now.

On Sunday, Green was photographed on the field in Seattle -- still immobilized in a walking boot nearly six weeks after ankle surgery. While the Bengals seemed optimistic about Green's early-season availability when they chose not to put him on injured reserve to start the season, it's looking less and less likely Green will be ready for the Pittsburgh game in three weeks.

INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER

Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Patrick Mahomes II Ari Left high ankle sprain Week 1 Day-to-Day Week 2 Return Probable Week 2
Baker Mayfield Cle Right wrist injury Week 1 Day-to-Day Week 2 Return Probable Week 2
Nick Foles Jac Left clavicle fixation Week 1 Injured reserve IR | Eligible to return W11 Out Week 2
Colt McCoy Was Right fibula fracture fixation Dec 2018 - April 2019 Week-to-Week Week 3+ Return Out Week 2
Blaine Gabbert TB Left shoulder dislocation Preseason Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Nate Sudfeld Phi Left forearm fracture Preseason Week 1 6 Weeks Week 3+ Return Out Week 2
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Cin
 Left ankle injury
Week 1
 Day-to-Day Week 2 Return Probable Week 2
SF
High ankle sprain
Week 1
 Week-to-Week Week 5 Return Doubtful Week 2
Was
Right knee injury
Week 1
 MRI Monday Week 3++ Return Doubtful Week 2
Cle
Core abdominal muscle repair
Preseason Week 4
 4-6 Weeks Week 10 Return Suspended eight games
Cin
Left foot injury
Preseason Week 1
 Week-to-Week Week 2++ Return Doubtful Week 2
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Tyreek Hill KC Right sternoclavicular dislocation Week 1 Multiple Weeks Week 7 Return Out Week 2
JuJu Smith-Schuster Pit Toe injury Week 1 Day-to-Day Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
A.J. Green Cin Left ankle injury Early preseason 6-8 Weeks Week 4++ Return Out Week 2
Mike Williams LAC Right knee injury Week 1 Awaiting Information Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Sterling Shepard NYG Concussion Week 1 Concussion protocol Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Albert Wilson Mia Aggravated calf strain Week 1 Awaiting Information Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Dante Pettis SF Groin strain Preseason Day-to-Day Week 2 Return Probable Week 2
Keke Coutee Hou Right high ankle sprain Preseason Week 1 Day-to-Day Week 2 Return Questionable Week 2
Devin Funchess Ind Left clavicle fixation Week 1 Injured reserve (exp) IR | Eligible to return W11 Out Week 2
Randall Cobb Dal Rib injury Week 1 Day-to-Day Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Demaryius Thomas NE Hamstring strain Preseason Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
David Moore Sea Humerus fracture Preseason Week 3 4-6 Weeks Week 2++ Return Out Week 2
Trent Taylor SF Right fifth metatarsal fracture Preseason Week 1 4-6 Weeks Week 2++ Return Out Week 2
Jalen Hurd SF Back injury Preseason Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
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 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Jordan Reed Was Concussion Preseason Week 3 Concussion protocol Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
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 2+ Return Doubtful Week 2
Will Dissly Sea Right knee injury Week 1 Awaiting Information Awaiting Information Questionable Week 2
Josh Oliver Jac Hamstring strain Early preseason Day-to-Day Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
Tackles
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Cam Robinson Jac Right knee sprain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 3+ Return Doubtful Week 2
Cedric Ogbuehi Jac Hamstring strain Preseason Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Marcus Cannon NE Left shoulder injury Week 1 Awaiting Information Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Marcus Gilbert Ari Knee injury Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 3+ Return Out Week 2
Kendall Lamm Cle Knee injury Week 1 No timetable Week 2++ Return Doubtful Week 2
Greg Little Car Concussion Preseason Week 3 Concussion protocol Day-to-Day Questionable Week 2
Cordy Glenn Cin Concussion Preseason Week 2 Concussion protocol Day-to-Day Questionable Week 2
Guards
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Gabe Jackson Oak Left MCL sprain Preseason Week 1 6-8 Weeks Week 3+ Return Out Week 2
Kevin Pamphile Ten Left knee injury Week 1 Awaiting Information Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Centers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Maurkice Pouncey Pit Ankle injury Week 1 Awaiting Information Awaiting Information Questionable Week 2
Chris Lindstrom Atl Foot fracture Week 1 Injured reserve (exp) IR | Eligible to return W11 (exp) Out Week 2
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
Edge Rushers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
T.J. Watt Pit Hip injury Week 1 Awaiting Information Awaiting Information Questionable Week 2
Robert Quinn Dal Left hand fracture Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 3+ Return Suspended two games
Ezekiel Ansah Sea Shoulder labrum repair / Groin strain Preseason Week 2 Day-to-Day Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Bruce Irvin Car Hamstring strain Preseason Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Jabaal Sheard Ind Knee inflammation Early preseason Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Kareem Martin NYG Knee injury Week 1 Awaiting Information Awaiting Information Questionable Week 2
Defensive Linemen
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Sheldon Rankins NO Achilles repair January 2019 Day-to-Day Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Mario Edwards NO Hamstring strain Preseason Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Marcell Dareus Jac Elbow injury Preseason Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Jonathan Allen Was MCL sprain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 3+ Return Doubtful Week 2
Malik Jackson Phi Left foot injury Week 1 Multiple Weeks Week 4++ Return Out Week 2
L.J. Collier Sea Ankle injury Early offseason Day-to-Day Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Poona Ford Sea Right calf strain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 3+ Return Doubtful Week 2
Quinnen Williams NYJ Ankle injury Week 1 Awaiting Information Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Linebackers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
C.J. Mosley NYJ Groin strain Week 1 Awaiting Information Awaiting Information Questionable Week 2
Jarrad Davis Det Right high ankle sprain Preseason Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Kamu Grugier-Hill Phi MCL sprain Early preseason 6-8 Weeks Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Todd Davis Den Calf strain Early preseason Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Jatavis Brown LAC Ankle injury Preseason Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Oren Burks GB Torn pectoral muscle Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 2+ Return Questionable Week 2
Defensive Backs
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Photos provided by Imagn Images
Tags:
Injuries Mackensie Alexander Robert Alford Jonathan Allen Danny Amendola Michael Badgley Oren Burks Randall Cobb Tevin Coleman L.J. Collier Keke Coutee Jarrad Davis Sean Davis Darqueze Dennard Will Dissly Mario Edwards Jr Justin Evans Nick Foles Poona Ford Blaine Gabbert A.J. Green Kamu Grugier-Hill Joe Haden Tyreek Hill Kareem Hunt Bruce Irvin Malik Jackson Derwin James Jr. Micah Kiser Tyler Kroft Jake Kumerow Drew Lock Patrick Mahomes II Baker Mayfield Colt McCoy Jerick McKinnon Sony Michel Jalen Mills Joe Mixon David Moore Fabian Moreau C.J. Mosley Robert Nkemdiche Josh Oliver Dante Pettis Jason Pierre-Paul Robert Quinn Sheldon Rankins Ben Roethlisberger Jabaal Sheard Sterling Shepard Jeffery Simmons Jimmy Smith JuJu Smith-Schuster Equanimeous St. Brown Jace Sternberger Ryan Succop Nate Sudfeld Trent Taylor Jordan Thomas Jason Verrett Jimmie Ward Kahale Warring T.J. Watt Eric Weddle Avery Williamson Mike Williams Quinnen Williams Trayveon Williams Albert Wilson Tavon Young
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