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Monday Injury Rounds: Week 11

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 11
By Jene Bramel, November 11, 2019

Monday Injury Rounds: Week 11
Photo: USA Today Sports

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.

Follow Up Appointments

James Conner | Right AC sprain | Week 8 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 11

Conner has a high-grade AC sprain limiting his range of motion. The Steelers allowed Conner a trial practice last Wednesday but quickly decided he wasn't close to playing and shut him down for the week. Expect the Steelers to repeat the process early this week in preparation for a Thursday night game in Cleveland.

It's possible Conner was close to playing last week and the quick turnaround to the Thursday night game factored into last week's decision. Conner's Tuesday practice participation will show the Steelers' hand. If Conner manages consecutive limited (or better) practices on Monday and Tuesday, expect him to be active and likely to see his usual workload. If Conner isn't working on Tuesday, he's likely out until Week 12.

Monday Update: In an optimistic start to the week, Mike Tomlin told reporters Conner would have practiced had the Steelers held a Monday workout. Tomlin said he is hopeful Conner will be able to play.

Monday Update: The estimated injury report released by Pittsburgh listed Conner as a full participant had the team practiced.

Adam Thielen | Right hamstring strain aggravation | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 11

Thielen did not practice after aggravating his hamstring strain in Week 9. There continues to be optimism about Thielen's potential return but expect the team to remain cautious with an injury that's already been aggravated once. If Thielen isn't fully recovered this week, the Vikings will likely continue to rehab Thielen through their Week 12 bye.

Jacoby Brissett | Left MCL sprain | Week 9 | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 11

Brissett was limited in practice last week, leading to speculation he was healthy enough to start. The Colts chose to be cautious and elected to keep Brissett inactive and allow him to rehab another week. He'll have a good chance to return in Week 11.

Cam Newton | Left Lisfranc sprain | Week 2 | Month-to-Month | Injured reserve

The Panthers moved Newton to injured reserve last week. While there remains a slim possibility the team could designate Newton to return should they reach the playoffs, the decision essentially ends Newton's season -- and probably career -- in Carolina.

Newton visited multiple foot specialists this month, seeking answers on why his midfoot sprain was not responding to rest and rehab. While the immediate consensus seemed to suggest further rehab was indicated, the Panthers' decision to put Newton on injured reserve may have changed the calculus here.

Ian Rapoport reported Newton may now be considering surgery to stabilize the joint in the hopes of recovering in time to reassure teams pursuing him in free agency. Rapoport reported an 8-12 week recovery timetable for the possible procedure.

That timetable is somewhat misleading, however. It's possible Newton could be cleared to run within 10-12 weeks of surgery to stabilize the Lisfranc joint, he would not be game-ready for some time afterward.

I think it's likely Newton will choose surgery soon. His injury has not healed as expected and there's little incentive to further delay a definitive procedure now that he's on injured reserve.

A.J. Green | Left ankle ligament repair | Late July 2019 | Day-to-Day | Week 11+ Return | Questionable Week 11

Green reportedly wants to return to play but continues to experience stiffness and swelling after each attempt to increase his football-related activity. Green did not practice at all last week and sounded frustrated at his inability to clear the final hurdle of recovery. If Green isn't practicing on Wednesday, he's unlikely to play.

Injury Rounds

Matthew Stafford | Transverse process fracture | Week 9 | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 11

Stafford suffered a broken bone in his spine last week and finished the game. The Lions cleared him for limited practice and Stafford was optimistic when talking to reporters earlier in the week. However, by Saturday, there were signs Stafford would not play and the team ultimately did not clear him for game action.

Multiple quarterbacks have suffered similar injuries in recent years. They've routinely taken a week to rest and rehab. It's a painful injury that often results in stiffness and muscle spasm. Generally, players return the following week and play effectively.

The Lions have been extremely tight with injury information in the Matt Patricia era. We're unlikely to hear anything helpful early this week. Wednesday practice participation may be our first look at whether the Lions believe Stafford can return for Week 11.

Austin Hooper | Left knee sprain | Week 10 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 11

Hooper was hit on the outside of the left knee and didn't return. Video replay showed evidence of an MCL sprain. The Falcons will likely send Hooper for an MRI on Monday. If the MRI shows a low-grade sprain -- and no injury to any other structures -- it's possible Hooper will return in Week 11. More likely, Hooper will need at least a week to recover.

Monday Update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Hooper will have an MRI today to better define his knee injury but "expected to miss some time."

Monday Update: Rapoport followed up with a tweet confirming an MCL sprain diagnosis. Rapoport reports Hooper will have additional opinions to determine his recovery timetable. That's an ominous report and suggests a mid-grade or worse, multiple-week injury.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Saquon Barkley was seen exiting the x-ray room after the game. Pat Shurmur said Barkley was "banged up." A frustrated Barkley would not answer questions about his health after the game. Barkley remained in the game until the last snap and it's not unusual for players to have x-rays after the game. I'll have more on Barkley's status should the Giants discuss his condition on Monday.

Monday Update: Pat Shurmur told reporters Barkley was "feeling a lot better" on Monday. When asked if there were thoughts of shutting Barkley down, Shurmur said, "Absolutely not."

***Michael Thomas may also be dealing with an injury after taking a hard hit on the final play of the game. Thomas was reportedly down on the field talking to trainers after time expired. The Saints did not disclose an injury after the game and there was no obvious injury on replay. I'll update here on Monday with any news.

***Devonta Freeman did not return after halftime with what was reported as either a foot or ankle injury. There were no obvious injuries in the snaps preceding halftime, including a late first-half run and the Falcons did not address Freeman's status after the game. I'll update on Monday as further news is reported.

Monday Update: Freeman is undergoing an MRI today. Ian Rapoport tweeted the initial diagnosis is a foot sprain but did not speculate on a recovery timetable. Foot sprains are difficult injuries for a running back to play through. It's likely Freeman will need at least a week to recover but it's difficult to estimate the length of time Freeman may miss without a more precise diagnosis.

Monday Update: Rapoport followed up by reporting Freeman's injury is expected to be out two weeks.

***Evan Engram missed last week's game with a foot sprain. He's hopeful he can return after the Giants' Week 11 bye.

Designated to Return by Team

Injured Players on Active Roster

Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Matthew Stafford Det Transverse process fracture Week 9 Day-to-Day Week 11 Return Questionable Week 11
Jacoby Brissett Ind Left MCL sprain Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Case Keenum Was Concussion Week 8 Concussion protocol Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Pit
Right AC sprain
Week 8
 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Benny Snell
Pit
Arthroscopic knee surgery
Week 8
 Week-to-Week Week 12+ Return Out Week 11
Atl
Foot / ankle injury
Week 10
 Week-to-Week Week 12+ Return Doubtful Week 11
Ari
Left hamstring strain
Week 8
 Week-to-Week Week 12+ Return Doubtful Week 11
Det
Concussion
Week 10
 Concussion protocol Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Was
Toe injury
Week 6
 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Doubtful Week 11
Ind
Left ankle injury
Week 10
 Awaiting Information Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Adam Thielen Min Right hamstring strain Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
T.Y. Hilton Ind Calf strain Week 8 3-4 Weeks Week 13+ Return Out Week 11
Parris Campbell Ind Hand fracture fixation Week 9 3-4+ Weeks Week 12+ Return Out Week 11
A.J. Green Cin Left ankle injury Late July 6-8 Weeks Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Emmanuel Sanders SF Rib injury Week 10 Awaiting Information Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Dede Westbrook Jac Shoulder / neck injury Week 8 Day-to-Day Week 11+ Return Probable Week 11
Sterling Shepard NYG Concussion Week 8 Concussion protocol Week 12+ Return Bye Week 11
Brandin Cooks LAR Concussion Week 8 Concussion protocol Week 12+ Return Out Week 11
Will Fuller Hou Hamstring strain Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Doubtful Week 11
Corey Davis Ten Hip injury Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 12+ Return Bye Week 11
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
George Kittle SF Knee / ankle soreness Week 9 Day-to-Day Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Austin Hooper Atl Left knee sprain Week 10 Week-to-Week Week 12++ Return Doubtful Week 11
Evan Engram NYG Left foot sprain Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 12+ Return Bye Week 11
Delanie Walker Ten Ankle injury Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 12+ Return Bye Week 11
Chris Herndon NYJ Rib fracture Week 10 Week-to-Week Week 12++ Return Out Week 11
Matt LaCosse NE Knee injury Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Vernon Davis Was Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Jeff Heuerman Den Knee injury Week 8 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
Tackles
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Laremy Tunsil Hou Shoulder injury Week 8 Day-to-Day Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Jason Peters Phi Knee injury Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Eric Fisher KC Core abdominal muscle repair Week 2 4-6 Weeks Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Mitchell Schwartz KC Knee sprain Week 10 Day-to-Day Week 11 Return Probable Week 11
Martinas Rankin KC Right patellar tendon tear Week 10 Injured reserve (exp) IR (exp) 2020 return
Andrus Peat NO Arm injury Week 10 Awaiting Information Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Rob Havenstein LAR Meniscus injury Week 10 Week-to-Week Week 12+ Return Out Week 11
Russell Okung LAC Groin strain Week 10 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Sam Tevi LAC Knee meniscectomy Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 13+ Return Out Week 11
Nate Solder NYG Concussion Week 10 Concussion protocol Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Rick Wagner Det Concussion Week 10 Concussion protocol Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Mike Remmers NYG Back injury Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 12+ Return Bye Week 11
Cordy Glenn Cin Concussion PS Week 2 Concussion protocol Week 11+ Return Doubtful Week 11
Greg Little Car Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Justin Murray Ari Knee injury Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Ja'Wuan James Den Left knee injury Week 8 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Guards
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif KC Ankle injury Week 8 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Connor Williams Dal Arthroscopic knee surgery Week 10 Awaiting Information Week 12++ Return Out Week 11
Brian Winters NYJ Recurrent shoulder dislocation Week 10 Injured reserve (exp) IR (exp) 2020 return
Ramon Foster Pit Concussion Week 8 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Centers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Ryan Kalil NYJ Knee injury Week 8 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Joe Halapio NYG Hamstring strain Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 12+ Return Bye Week 11
Brian Allen LAR Left knee injury Week 10 Injured reserve (exp) IR (exp) Out Week 11
Greg Mancz Hou Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
Edge Rushers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Olivier Vernon Cle Right knee injury Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Alex Okafor KC Ankle injury Week 8 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Emmanuel Ogbah KC Pectoral tendon tear Week 10 Injured reserve (exp) IR (exp) 2020 return
Carl Nassib TB Groin injury Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Zach Allen Ari Recurrent stinger Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Defensive Linemen
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Jurrell Casey Ten Shoulder injury Week 8 Week-to-Week Week 12+ Return Bye Week 11
Linval Joseph Min Knee injury Week 10 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Justin Jones LAC Shoulder injury Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Linebackers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
C.J. Mosley NYJ Core muscle strain Week 7 5-6 Weeks Week 14+ Return Out Week 11
Nigel Bradham Phi Ankle injury Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Jayon Brown Ten Groin injury Week 9 Week-to-Week Week 12+ Return Bye Week 11
Danny Trevathan Chi Left elbow dislocation Week 10 Awaiting Information Week 12++ Return Out Week 11
Quincy Williams Jac Hamstring strain Week 7 Week-to-Week Week 11+ Return Questionable Week 11
Defensive Backs
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Lano Hill Sea Elbow injury Week 6 Week-to-Week Week 10+ Return MNF
Reshad Jones Mia Chest injury Photos provided by USA TODAY Sports
Tags Injuries Johnathan Abram Nasir Adderley Kwon Alexander Robert Alford Zach Allen Alex Anzalone Saquon Barkley Sam Beal Travis Benjamin James Bradberry Jacoby Brissett Jayon Brown Austin Bryant Bryce Callahan Parris Campbell Blake Cashman Bradley Chubb Corey Clement James Conner Ryan Connelly Brandin Cooks Carlton Davis III Corey Davis Sean Davis Pierre Desir Quandre Diggs Will Dissly Josh Doctson Chase Edmonds Evan Engram Justin Evans Joe Flacco Nick Foles Devonta Freeman Kendall Fuller Will Fuller V Blaine Gabbert Tashaun Gipson Sr Robbie Gould A.J. Green D.J. Hayden Chad Henne Chris Herndon Akiem Hicks T.Y. Hilton Austin Hooper Xavien Howard DeSean Jackson Malik Jackson Derwin James Jr. Tony Jefferson John Johnson III Kerryon Johnson Lonnie Johnson Jr. Ty Johnson Justin Jones Karl Joseph Linval Joseph Lamarcus Joyner Case Keenum Arden Key Christian Kirksey Dre Kirkpatrick Micah Kiser George Kittle Matt LaCosse Marshon Lattimore Marquel Lee Drew Lock Jerick McKinnon Pernell McPhee C.J. Mosley Carl Nassib Keanu Neal Cam Newton David Njoku Emmanuel Ogbah Alex Okafor Will Parks Tim Patrick Patrick Peterson Adrian Phillips Harrison Phillips Bradley Roby Ben Roethlisberger John Ross Emmanuel Sanders Sterling Shepard Trevor Siemian Ito Smith Benny Snell Jr. Matthew Stafford Equanimeous St. Brown Jace Sternberger Ryan Succop Geoff Swaim Trent Taylor Adam Thielen Jordan Thomas Michael Thomas Tedric Thompson Danny Trevathan Desmond Trufant Kemoko Turay Jason Verrett Tracy Walker III Kahale Warring J.J. Watt Dede Westbrook Jordan Wilkins Avery Williamson Preston Williams Quincy Williams Quincy Wilson Ahkello Witherspoon Tavon Young

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