Monday Injury Rounds: Week 5

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 5 Jene Bramel Published 09/30/2019

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

Davante Adams | Right toe sprain | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ Return

Adams hyperextended his right big toe on Thursday night. Initially described as a turf toe injury, Adams had additional testing and a specialist visit to rule out a fracture or more severe injury to the joint. Tests were reassuring and follow up reports suggest Adams could miss a week but is not expected to miss extended time.

Toe sprains are difficult injuries for a wide receiver to overcome, even with an orthotic inside the shoe to provide extra support. Expect the Packers to prioritize their Week 6 Monday night home divisional matchup against Detroit rather than rushing Adams back sooner than he's ready.

Mitchell Trubisky | Left shoulder dislocation | Week 4 | Awaiting Information | Week 7+ Return

Trubisky injured his left shoulder early in the first quarter. Television angles showed a probable dislocation and Trubisky was quickly ruled out. If there are no associated fractures around Trubisky's shoulder joint, he will be able to return to play this season with a harness to support the shoulder. Expect Trubisky to need 2-3 weeks to rehab, though it could be longer. The Bears have a bye in Week 6 - expect Trubisky's earliest return to be Week 7.

Monday Update: Adam Schefter confirmed Trubisky dislocated his shoulder yesterday, suffering a labral tear. Schefter reports Trubisky is likely to travel with the team to London this week but unlikely to play until after the team's Week 6 bye.

Marlon Mack | Left ankle injury | Week 4 | Awaiting Information | Week 5+ Return

Mack told reporters he "tweaked" his ankle late in the first half. After two rushing attempts in the third quarter, the Colts shut him down. A single television angle was inconclusive but didn't rule out a high ankle sprain. Expect Mack to have an MRI on Monday. I'll update if the Colts provide more information.

Follow Up Appointments

Saquon Barkley | Right high ankle sprain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 7+ Return

Barkley is no longer immobilized in a walking boot and is adamant he'll return sooner than the 4-8 week estimate most expect of him.

Despite Barkley's optimism, I think beating the four-week estimate is very unlikely. To play sooner than four weeks would mean Barkley returns for a Thursday night road game in Week 6. I'm confident the Giants will not rush Barkley and risk aggravation just two and a half weeks after a mid-grade sprain.

However, I'm also confident Barkley will return sooner than eight weeks. The Giants chose not to move Barkley to injured reserve, Barkley did not elect to have surgery in attempt to speed his recovery, and he's already progressed out of the immobilization stage of his rehab.

The earliest likely target for Barkley's return is a Week 7 matchup at home. I think the latest we'll see Barkley return is the Week 9 Monday night matchup at home against Dallas.

Cam Newton | Left Lisfranc sprain | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 8+ Return

Multiple reports now clarify Newton's injury as a Lisfranc sprain. An injury to a joint complex in the midfoot, a Lisfranc sprain is sometimes severe enough to require surgical fixation. Newton will not require surgery but his injury will require multiple weeks to heal.

In a YouTube video last week, Newton acknowledged he could not change directions or sprint at any point since trying to recover from his injury during Carolina's third preseason game. That's typical of players with midfoot injuries. The Panthers and Newton are unified in saying Newton will not return to play until he's no longer limited.

In most cases, a Lisfranc injury takes 6-8 weeks to rehab successfully. Local writers have suggested 4-6 weeks as a possible time table for recovery. A return in four weeks would be a very optimistic ask and it's very unlikely the Panthers will push Newton to play in Week 6 with a bye week to follow in Week 7. Even traveling to a road game in San Francisco in Week 8 may prove a difficult goal to reach but that's the earliest you should expect to see Newton return.

Tyreek Hill | Right sternoclavicular dislocation | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ Return

Hill continues to recover from his chest injury. No longer immobilized in a sling and cleared to run routes without pads, Hill is progressing as others with similar injuries have in past seasons. The most direct comparison to Hill would be Danny Amendola's injury in 2002. Amendola returned in five weeks and Hill is on pace to do the same.

Initially, I set the Week 7 divisional matchup as Hill's possible return date. If Hill's imaging studies allow him to return to contact sooner than anticipated, we may see him as soon as Week 6.

Fast Track News and Notes

***T.Y. Hilton had little chance of playing Sunday after aggravating a quad strain in Week 3. On Friday, Hilton told reporters he was ahead of schedule. It's still unclear, however, whether Hilton's optimism and continued recovery will be enough for the Indianapolis medical staff to clear him to return before their Week 6 bye.

***Devin Singletary returned to two limited practices this week but was ultimately ruled out. That suggests he'll have a chance to play in Week 5 rather than waiting through Buffalo's Week 6 bye.

***Television angles showed a probable high ankle sprain for Christian Kirk. Stiffness and swelling overnight will give the Cardinals a better idea of how long Kirk may be out, as will a Monday MRI. The rotation of the ankle at the moment of injury was significant enough to expect Kirk to miss at least one week.

***A.J. Green has been cleared to return but there's yet to be any indication he's close to returning to a full practice. Until we see Green cleared for football-related work in pads, continue to consider him at least two weeks from returning. Monday Update: Adam Schefter is reporting Green is not expected to play until Week 7 at the earliest.

***Josh Allen sustained a concussion. While the exercise and observation protocol supports returning players within seven days of injury, more and more teams are rehabbing players over a two-week period after a concussion. The Bills have a Week 6 bye. If there are any worries about Allen's condition this week, we may not see him play until Week 7.

***Sam Darnold will have another set of scans to evaluate the size of his enlarged spleen. If those scans are reassuring, Darnold has repeatedly told reporters he has maintained his conditioning despite his illness. We'll know early this week whether Darnold has been cleared. Monday Update: Adam Gase told reporters Darnold was cleared for non-contact workouts. That may not be a promising sign for his Week 5 availability. If the team medical staff is not comfortable with contact yet, Darnold is unlikely to show much interval improvement over the next 72 hours.

***The Niners expect to return Tevin Coleman to practice this week. He may return to a rotational role.

Injured Players on Active Roster

Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Drew Brees NO Right thumb injury Week 2 6-8 Weeks Week 10 Return Out Week 5
Cam Newton Car Left Lisfranc sprain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 8+ Return Out Week 5
Josh Allen Buf Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Matthew Stafford Det Back / hip condition Week 3 Day-to-Day Week 5 Return Probable Week 5
Mitchell Trubisky Chi Left shoulder dislocation Week 4 2-3 Weeks Week 7+ Return Out Week 5
Sam Darnold NYJ Mononucleosis Week 1 3-4 Weeks Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Colt McCoy Was Right fibula fracture fixation Dec 2018 Day-to-Day Week 5+ Return Probable Week 5
Nate Sudfeld Phi Left forearm fracture PS Week 1 Day-to-Day Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
NYG
Right high ankle sprain
Week 3
 4-8 Weeks Week 7+ Return Out Week 5
Ind
Left ankle injury
Week 4
 Awaiting Information Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
KC
Right knee contusion
Week 2
 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Buf
Left hamstring strain
Week 2
 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
SF
High ankle sprain
Week 1
 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
GB
Concussion
Week 4
 Concussion protocol Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Sea
Hamstring strain
Week 2
 Week-to-Week Week 5 Return Probable Week 5
LAC
Calf injury
Week 3
 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Cle
Core abdominal muscle repair
PS Week 4
 4-6 Weeks Week 10 Return Suspended thru Week 8
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Davante Adams GB Right toe sprain Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Tyreek Hill KC Right sternoclavicular dislocation Week 1 5-6 Weeks Week 7 Return Out Week 5
T.Y. Hilton Ind Aggravated quad strain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
A.J. Green Cin Left ankle injury July 6-8 Weeks Week 7++ Return Out Week 5
Mike Williams LAC Back injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Travis Benjamin LAC Calf strain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Dontrelle Inman LAC Quad injury Week 4 Awaiting Information Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
DeSean Jackson Phi Groin injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Michael Gallup Dal Left knee meniscectomy Week 2 2-4 Weeks Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Christian Kirk Ari Right high ankle sprain Week 4 Awaiting Information Week 5+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Damiere Byrd Ari Hamstring strain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Terry McLaurin Was Hamstring strain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Jarvis Landry Cle Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Kenny Stills Hou Right hamstring strain Week 4 Awaiting Information Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Albert Wilson Mia Aggravated calf strain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 6 Return Bye Week 5
Taylor Gabriel Chi Concussion Week 3 Concussion protocol Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Rashard Higgins Cle Knee injury Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Danny Amendola Det Chest injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Bye Week 5
Tre'Quan Smith NO Left high ankle sprain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5++ Return Doubtful Week 5
Demaryius Thomas NYJ Aggravated hamstring strain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Allen Hurns Mia Concussion Week 3 Concussion protocol Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Jalen Hurd SF Back injury August Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Hunter Henry LAC Left tibial plateau fracture Week 1 4-6 Weeks Week 7+ Return Out Week 5
Virgil Green LAC Groin injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Vance McDonald Pit Shoulder injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
T.J. Hockenson Det Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 6+ Return Bye Week 5
Jordan Reed Was Concussion PS Week 3 Concussion protocol Indefinite Out Week 5
Ben Watson NE Concussion PS Week 3 Concussion protocol Week 5 Return Probable Week 5
Tyler Kroft Buf Left ankle injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5++ Return Doubtful Week 5
Josh Oliver Jac Hamstring strain August Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
Tackles
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Tyron Smith Dal Right high ankle sprain Week 4 Awaiting Information Week 6++ Return Doubtful Week 5
Joe Staley SF Left fibula fracture Week 2 6-8 Weeks Week 10+ Return Out Week 5
Eric Fisher KC Core abdominal muscle repair Week 2 4-6 Weeks Week 7+ Return Out Week 5
Bryan Bulaga GB Shoulder injury Week 4 Awaiting Information Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Cordy Glenn Cin Concussion PS Week 2 Concussion protocol Week 5++ Return Doubtful Week 5
Ja'Wuan James Den Left knee sprain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Jesse Davis Mia Right arm injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Bye Week 5
Kendall Lamm Cle Knee injury Week 1 Week-to-week Week 5+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Guards
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Trai Turner Car Ankle injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Kyle Long Chi Hip injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Gabe Jackson Oak Left MCL sprain PS Week 1 6-8 Weeks Week 7+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Brandon Scherff Was Ankle injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Ethan Pocic Sea Neck injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Jamon Brown Atl Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Josh Kline Min Concussion Week 3 Concussion protocol Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Kevin Pamphile Ten Left knee injury Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Centers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Chase Roullier Was Knee injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
Edge Rushers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Melvin Ingram III LAC Right hamstring strain Week 4 Awaiting Information Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Bradley Chubb Den ACL tear Week 4 Injured reserve (exp) IR (exp) 2020 return
Zach Allen Ari Shoulder injury Week 4 Awaiting Information Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Charles Omenihu Hou Knee injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Anthony Chickillo Pit Foot injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Defensive Linemen
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Akiem Hicks Chi Knee injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Kawann Short Car Shoulder injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Timmy Jernigan Phi Foot injury Week 2 4+ Weeks Week 6+ Return Out Week 5
Mike Daniels Det Right foot injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 6++ Return Bye Week 5
Tyrone Crawford Dal Hip bursitis Chronic Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Antwaun Woods Dal Left MCL sprain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Quinnen Williams NYJ Photos provided by Imagn Images
Tags:
Injuries Johnathan Abram Davante Adams Robert Alford Josh Allen Zach Allen Danny Amendola Alex Anzalone Michael Badgley Saquon Barkley Travis Benjamin Oren Burks Damiere Byrd Bryce Callahan Tevin Coleman Ryan Connelly Mike Daniels Ronald Darby Sam Darnold Sean Davis Darqueze Dennard Quandre Diggs Justin Evans Nick Foles Blaine Gabbert Michael Gallup A.J. Green Hunter Henry Akiem Hicks Rashard Higgins Tyreek Hill T.Y. Hilton T.J. Hockenson Malik Hooker Kareem Hunt Melvin Ingram III DeSean Jackson Donte Jackson Justin Jackson Malik Jackson Derwin James Jr. Josey Jewell Taron Johnson Sidney Jones IV Christian Kirk Christian Kirksey Micah Kiser Tyler Kroft Jarvis Landry Marquel Lee Shaquille Leonard Tyquan Lewis Drew Lock Marlon Mack Avonte Maddox Bobby McCain Colt McCoy Jerick McKinnon Terry McLaurin Jalen Mills C.J. Mosley Keanu Neal Cam Newton David Njoku Robert Nkemdiche Alec Ogletree Josh Oliver Charles Omenihu Rashaad Penny Denzel Perryman Adrian Phillips Harrison Phillips Jason Pierre-Paul Jalen Ramsey Ben Roethlisberger Trevor Siemian Jeffery Simmons Devin Singletary Darius Slay Jimmy Smith Matthew Stafford Equanimeous St. Brown Jace Sternberger Kenny Stills Ryan Succop Nate Sudfeld Trent Taylor Jordan Thomas Mitch Trubisky Denzel Ward Jimmie Ward Kahale Warring Devin White Avery Williamson Damien Williams Greedy Williams Jamaal Williams Mike Williams Quinnen Williams Albert Wilson Antwaun Woods Tavon Young
Share This Article

Featured Articles

 

Unlocking Fields By Grounding Jets; Hall Losing Ground? The Fantasy Notebook 

Bob Harris

Bob Harris brings you a big-picture look at fantasy-specific news and notes from around the NFL with the Fantasy Notebook.

07/12/25 Read More
 
What to Expect from the New Play-Callers
Jason Wood
07/11/25 Read More
 
Team Vibes: Tennessee Titans
07/11/25 Read More
 
Drafters Best Ball Report 2.0
James Brimacombe
07/11/25 Read More
 
NFFC ADP Movement: How High-Stakes ADP Is Changing
Clayton Gray
07/11/25 Read More
More Featured Articles