Monday Injury Rounds: Week 7

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 7 Jene Bramel Published 10/13/2019

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.

Sunday Live Gameday podcast > Joining Sigmund Bloom and Matt Waldman at 1000 ET every Sunday morning to discuss and interpret the week's practice participation reports and breaking weekend injury news.

Injury Rounds

Amari Cooper | Left quadriceps contusion | Week 5 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 7

Cooper has been limited by multiple injuries this season. Last week, local writers reported a strained quad as the primary injury of concern and Cooper was unable to continue beyond the first quarter on Sunday.

Aggravated muscle strains often require additional time to rehab. While the Cowboys will work to have Cooper available for Sunday night's game against the Eagles, it will be a tough ask. Expect the Dallas Week 8 bye to factor into the team's decision-making process.

Cooper has played through plantar fasciitis and ankle soreness already this year and will get the veteran benefit of the doubt if possible. But consider him questionable at best unless he returns to practice midweek.

Monday update: Ian Rapoport reported Cooper's injury as a quad contusion. I've incorrectly assumed Cooper's injury was a quad strain. After further review of Dallas' Week 5 game against the Packers, it's clear Cooper suffered a left quad contusion. A contusion may be an easier rehab than an aggravated strain. Unfortunately, Cooper was only able to play three snaps on Sunday and was reportedly in significant pain despite a week of rehab. I'm somewhat more optimistic about Cooper's status this week but he'll need to improve significantly to be effective and play without risk of a compensatory injury.

Alvin Kamara | Left knee injury / Ankle soreness | Week 6 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 7

Sean Payton told reporters Kamara experienced some ankle swelling after a late-week practice injury but was cleared to play. On the first series, Kamara had a tackler fall into his left knee. The stress on the inside of Kamara's knee is worrisome for an MCL sprain. His return to the game suggests a mild sprain but the Saints may have him evaluated further on Monday.

Todd Gurley | Left quad contusion | Week 5 | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 7

Sean McVay told reporters the Rams were caught off-guard when Gurley was unable to practice last Wednesday. Gurley made some progress later in the week but never seemed to have a good chance to play. That's not surprising. Any alteration to Gurley's typical running gait could put stress on his arthritic left knee. As careful as Gurley and the Rams were with Gurley's offseason rehab, it's unlikely we'll see the team push Gurley through any lower-body injuries this season.

Assuming Gurley continues to make progress, there's a good chance he'll return to play this week.

Follow Up Appointments

Saquon Barkley | Right high ankle sprain | Week 3 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 7

Barkley pushed to play in last Thursday night's game after rehabbing quickly through a mid-grade high ankle sprain. Barkley has already returned to individual position drills without a setback. He's likely to be cleared for contact and return to play this week.

Davante Adams | Right toe sprain | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 7

Adams continues to rehab a mid-grade turf toe injury to his right foot. Early imaging studies reportedly showed Adams did not suffer a fractured bone or ligament tear severe enough to require surgery. But Adams has repeatedly described significant pain and limitation, calling his injury "major" despite a wide range of recovery estimates anywhere from 1-6 weeks.

The Green Bay medical staff leans conservative and there's little chance Adams will play until he's able to practice without limitation. To date, Adams hasn't seemed close to any position-specific individual drills. Until we see some form of limited practice, expect Adams to be out. He appears doubtful at best for Week 8.

Evan Engram | Right MCL sprain | Week 5 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 7

Engram sprained his right MCL last week and the short turnaround to a Thursday night game prevented him from playing. The injury is reportedly low grade and Engram has a chance to play this week. I'll update with any news after Monday's press conference.

Drew Brees | Right thumb ligament repair | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Out Week 7

Brees continues to make progress in his rehab from right thumb surgery. His grip strength has improved and he expects to be throwing a regulation-size football soon. While Brees wants to "fast-track" his rehab and hit the six-week end of his recovery timetable, it's unclear whether he'll be healthy enough to play before the team's Week 9 bye.

A.J. Green | Left ankle surgery | Late July | Week-to-Week | Out Week 7

Green returned to positional drills last week, three months into his rehab after a July ankle surgery. It's been clear for weeks now that Green's surgery was more than a clean-up procedure and the Bengals were overly optimistic about Green's return. His limited practices last week were the first glimmers of hope for Green in some time.

Despite the progress to positional drills, Green told reporters he still "has a little ways to go" and remains concerned about recurrent swelling as he increases the stress on the ankle by stopping and cutting during agility work and route-running drills. Green was supposed to run routes in Baltimore on Sunday but did not. While there's been no report of a setback, his Wednesday practice participation will be telling.

At minimum, Green needs two full weeks of limited practice work before he plays. More likely, the Bengals will want Green to put in a full practice or two to prove his ankle is ready for game speed and contact. There's a slim chance Green is active in two weeks for Cincinnati's international game in London. But it's much more likely Green is targeting the home matchup against Baltimore in Week 10 after the team's Week 9 bye.

Cam Newton | Left Lisfranc sprain | Week 2 | Day-to-Day | Bye Week 7

Adam Schefter reported Monday night that Newton's foot sprain has "healed well" and should be ready to practice next week. Reports through the weekend suggested the Panthers could choose to continue starting Kyle Allen even when Newton returns to full strength. If Schefter's report proves accurate and Newton's return to practice goes smoothly, Carolina may have that decision to make as soon as Week 8.

Fast Track News and Notes

***James Conner left Sunday night's game with a quad injury. I'll update with any post-game news.

***It's possible the Chiefs held Sammy Watkins out with a low-grade injury in anticipation of this week's quick turnaround to Thursday night's road game in Denver. More likely, Watkins has a higher-grade strain and will need multiple weeks to recover.

***Baker Mayfield returned after a left hip injury. He did not miss an offensive snap and will have two weeks to recover through Cleveland's bye week.

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 ligament repair Week 2 6-8 Weeks Week 8+ Return Out Week 7
Cam Newton Car Left Lisfranc sprain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 8+ Return Bye Week 7
Baker Mayfield Cle Left hip injury Week 6 Day-to-Day Week 8 Return Bye Week 7
Mitchell Trubisky Chi Left shoulder dislocation Week 4 2-3 Weeks Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Mason Rudolph Pit Concussion Week 5 Concussion protocol Week 7+ Return Bye Week 7
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 Probable Week 7
NYG
Concussion
Week 5
 Concussion protocol Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
NO
Ankle / knee injuries
Week 6
 Awaiting Information Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Pit
Quad injury
Week 6
 Awaiting Information Week 8 Return Bye Week 7
LAR
Quad contusion
Week 5
 Day-to-Day Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Buf
Left hamstring strain
Week 2
 Week-to-Week Week 7 Return Probable Week 7
NE
Foot injury
Week 3
 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Pit
Left knee arthroscopic surgery
Week 5
 3-4 Weeks Week 10+ Return Bye Week 7
Sea
Hamstring strain
Week 5
 Day-to-Day Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
LAC
Calf injury
Week 3
 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Phi
 Quad injury
Week 5
 Week-to-Week Week 7++ Return Doubtful Week 7
Cle
Core abdominal muscle repair
PS Week 4
 4-6 Weeks Week 10 Return Suspended eight games
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 8++ Return Doubtful Week 7
Geronimo Allison GB Concussion Week 6 Concussion protocol Week 8+ Return Doubtful Week 7
Amari Cooper Dal Left quad contusion Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Randall Cobb Dal Hip / back injuries Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Sammy Watkins KC Hamstring strain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 7++ Return Doubtful Week 7
A.J. Green Cin Left ankle injury Late July 6-8 Weeks Week 10+ Return Out Week 7
Sterling Shepard NYG Concussion Week 5 Concussion protocol Week 7++ Return Doubtful Week 7
DeSean Jackson Phi Groin injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 7++ Return Questionable Week 7
Tyrell Williams Oak Foot injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Josh Gordon NE Left knee injury Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Emmanuel Sanders Den Knee injury Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Marquise Brown Bal Ankle injury Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Christian Kirk Ari Right high ankle sprain Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Deebo Samuel SF Quad strain Week 6 Awaiting Information Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Kenny Stills Hou Right hamstring strain Week 4 Day-to-Day Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Phillip Dorsett NE Hamstring injury Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Taylor Gabriel Chi Concussion Week 3 Concussion protocol Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Marqise Lee Jac Right ankle sprain Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 8+ Return Doubtful Week 7
Tre'Quan Smith NO Left high ankle sprain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Parris Campbell Ind Abdominal injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 9+ Return Out Week 7
James Washington Pit Shoulder injury Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 10+ Return Bye Week 7
Robert Foster Buf Groin injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Evan Engram NYG Right MCL sprain Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Will Dissly Sea Left Achilles injury Week 6 Injured reserve (exp) IR (exp) 2020 return
Chris Herndon NYJ Hamstring strain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 8+ Return Doubtful Week 7
Geoff Swaim Jac Concussion Week 6 Concussion protocol Week 7+ Return Doubtful Week 7
Vernon Davis Was Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Tyler Kroft Buf Left ankle injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Josh Oliver Jac Hamstring strain August Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
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 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
La'El Collins Dal Left MCL sprain Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Joe Staley SF Left fibula fracture Week 2 6-8 Weeks Week 10+ Return Out Week 7
Mike McGlinchey SF Right knee arthroscopic surgery Week 5 4-6 Weeks Week 10+ Return Out Week 7
Jason Peters Phi Knee injury Week 6 Day-to-Day Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Eric Fisher KC Core abdominal muscle repair Week 2 4-6 Weeks Week 8+ Return Out Week 7
Duane Brown Sea Biceps injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Cordy Glenn Cin Concussion PS Week 2 Concussion protocol Week 7++ Return Doubtful Week 7
Andre Smith Cin Ankle injury Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Greg Little Car Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 8+ Return Bye Week 7
Kelvin Beachum NYJ Ankle sprain Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Cody Ford Buf Concussion Week 5 Concussion protocol Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Demar Dotson TB Calf / hamstring injuries Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 8+ Return Bye Week 7
Ja'Wuan James Den Left knee sprain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Tytus Howard Hou Left MCL sprain Week 6 4-6 Weeks Week 11+ Return Out Week 7
Guards
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Trai Turner Car Ankle injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 8+ Return Bye Week 7
Gabe Jackson Oak Left MCL sprain PS Week 1 6-8 Weeks Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Andrew Wylie KC Left ankle sprain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Kyle Long Chi Hip injury Chronic Injured reserve (exp) IR (exp) 2020 return
D.J. Fluker Sea Hamstring strain Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Joe Noteboom LAR Right ACL tear / MCL sprain Week 6 Injured reserve (exp) IR (exp) 2020 return
Alex Cappa TB Fractured arm Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 9+ Return Bye Week 7
Kelechi Osemele NYJ Shoulder / knee injuries Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Centers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Mitch Morse Buf Ankle injury Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Greg Mancz Hou Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
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 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Questionable Week 7
Clay Matthews LAR Jaw fracture Week 5 4-6 Weeks Week 10+ Return Out Week 7
Clelin Ferrell Oak Concussion Week 4 Photos provided by Imagn Images
Tags:
Injuries Johnathan Abram Davante Adams Nasir Adderley Robert Alford Zach Allen Henry Anderson Alex Anzalone Michael Badgley Saquon Barkley Marquise Brown Rex Burkhead Bryce Callahan Parris Campbell Bradley Chubb Corey Clement Randall Cobb James Conner Ryan Connelly Amari Cooper Mike Daniels Ronald Darby Sean Davis Darqueze Dennard Quandre Diggs Will Dissly Phillip Dorsett Carlos Dunlap Evan Engram Justin Evans Clelin Ferrell Nick Foles Blaine Gabbert Wayne Gallman Josh Gordon A.J. Green Nate Hairston Trey Hendrickson Chris Herndon Akiem Hicks Anthony Hitchens Malik Hooker Xavien Howard Kareem Hunt Melvin Ingram III DeSean Jackson Donte Jackson Justin Jackson Malik Jackson Derwin James Jr. Tony Jefferson John Johnson III Taron Johnson Byron Jones Chris Jones Alvin Kamara Christian Kirk Christian Kirksey Dre Kirkpatrick Micah Kiser Tyler Kroft Marquel Lee Shaquille Leonard Tyquan Lewis Drew Lock Avonte Maddox Baker Mayfield Jerick McKinnon Matt Milano Jalen Mills C.J. Mosley Keanu Neal Steven Nelson Cam Newton David Njoku Robert Nkemdiche Alec Ogletree Josh Oliver Patrick Onwuasor Rashaad Penny Adrian Phillips Harrison Phillips Jason Pierre-Paul Jalen Ramsey Bradley Roby Ben Roethlisberger John Ross Mason Rudolph Deebo Samuel Jaylen Samuels Emmanuel Sanders Darnell Savage Sterling Shepard Trevor Siemian Jeffery Simmons Devin Singletary Darius Slay Jimmy Smith Equanimeous St. Brown Jace Sternberger Kenny Stills Ryan Succop Geoff Swaim Trent Taylor Jordan Thomas Mitch Trubisky Desmond Trufant Kemoko Turay Jason Verrett Denzel Ward Kahale Warring James Washington Sammy Watkins Avery Williamson Greedy Williams Tyrell Williams Ahkello Witherspoon Blidi Wreh-Wilson Tavon Young
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