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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

Josh Jacobs | Right scapula fracture | Week 7 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 15

Jacobs revealed last week he has been playing through a fracture in his shoulder blade since Week 7, taking injections to allow him to finish games despite the painful injury. Oakland's medical staff was comfortable clearing him to play until Week 14 when Jacobs was reportedly made inactive after taking yet another injection.

The pre-game injection is odd given there was little indication Jacobs was going to able to play.

Jacobs self-reported precise details of his injury early in the week, something that usually happens only when a player is aware he's unable to play with a condition he previously had battled through. Multiple reports last week suggested Jacobs did less in practice than any previous week and local observers reported Jacobs' availability was "iffy" at best. And Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning Jacobs was already scheduled for a Monday MRI to re-evaluate how well his fracture was healing.

Jacobs clearly wants to play through the injury. However, the team's medical staff seems less certain. The Monday MRI will provide more information. With the Raiders now three and a half games out of first place in the AFC West and a three-way tie for eighth in the conference, the risks of playing are ever-closer to outweighing the benefits. While Jacobs may not be ruled out for the season, he remains on the doubtful side of questionable for Week 15 until the Raiders confirm otherwise.

Derrick Henry | Hamstring strain | Week 12 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 15

When teams put players on the practice report with a soft tissue injury, it's rarely a maintenance issue. Henry was listed with a hamstring injury leading into both Week 13 and Week 14 but was not listed on the game status report. In Week 13, Henry out-touched Dion Lewis 29-1 and did not appear limited.

On Sunday, however, Henry seemed to have difficulty reaching top speed at times and did not return after the team moved out to a multiple touchdown lead. Dion Lewis had eight carries in the fourth quarter with the game out of hand. Henry reportedly wanted to return to the game and there's no indication he suffered a higher-grade aggravation.

Expect Henry to continue to miss practice time. For now, this situation resembles that of another Tennessee running back who continued to manage a productively high workload despite a hamstring strain -- DeMarco Murray. If Henry isn't able to return to a full practice by the end of the week, it's possible his gameday workload could change in Week 15.

Adam Thielen | Aggravated hamstring strain | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 15

Thielen reportedly had a "scare" ten days ago while preparing to return for Minnesota's Week 13 game. After not practicing at all last week, there were reports on Sunday that Thielen's recovery was limited by scar tissue in the muscle. Though that report may sound frightening for Thielen's rest-of-season prospects, it may be more reassuring than it appears.

Had Thielen's Week 13 scare been due to another aggravation of his Week 9 strain, it's likely he would have needed another month to recover. Scar tissue in the muscle is common with mid-grade injuries and can be overcome with reconditioning. There remains a risk of aggravation until Thielen's range of motion returns but it's possible Thielen returns to practice this week.

James Conner | Aggravated right AC sprain | Week 11 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 15

During a pregame show on NFL Network Sunday morning, Mike Garafolo reported Conner planned to return in Week 15. Conner has not been confident in his health, however, and has told reporters he could need surgery to stabilize his AC joint. If Conner feels any discomfort in practice this week, he may choose surgery that would end his season. If he survives contact practices and game action, he may be able to finish the season. I'll have more on Conner's prospects in Wednesday's post-practice article and Sunday's gameday expectations feature.

Injury Rounds

Mike Evans | Right hamstring strain | Week 14 | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 15

Evans reached for his right hamstring after a touchdown catch and was quickly ruled out. Bruce Arians told reporters he would be surprised if Evans was able to return this season. Evans' reaction suggests a strain high on the hamstring muscle rather than in the middle of the muscle, an injury that often requires 3-4 weeks or longer to heal. With the Buccaneers now eliminated from the playoffs, there's no incentive for Evans to push the optimistic limits of his return timetable.

Mark Andrews | Right quad contusion | Week 14 | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 15

Andrews suffered a quad contusion and did not return. John Harbaugh told reporters the "indication is that it's nothing major" but the Ravens play the Jets on Thursday night. Muscle bruises may not heal quickly as fluid buildup within the muscle can lead to pain and weakness requiring days of rehab and healing. If treatment proves effective, Andrews could return Thursday but the quick turnaround will be a tough ask. The Ravens likely won't know Andrews' status until midweek.

Odell Beckham | Core abdominal muscle strain | Offseason | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 15

Whenever a player is listed on the injury report with a chronic abdomen or hip or groin injury, consider it a core muscle injury. There are many variations and combinations of these muscle strains. While many players choose surgical repair -- and the accompanying 4-8 week rehab and recovery period -- many others choose to play through the injury and delay surgery until absolutely necessary.

The Browns are on the verge of elimination from this year's playoff bracket. If and when that occurs, it will not be surprising if Beckham chooses to get a jump start on his offseason rehab.

Calvin Ridley | Abdomen | Week 14 | Season-ending injury | Out Week 15

Ridley left the game after halftime after being carted off the field with abdominal pain. Ridley was targeted just before halftime but didn't appear to suffer a traumatic injury on the play. He returned after halftime, was not targeted. Later seen coming out of the medical tent, reporters described Ridley collapsing then leaving on a cart.

It's possible Ridley was dealing with an illness and ruled out. Hopefully, he didn't suffer a traumatic internal injury -- something that seems less likely given the lack of worrisome reports after the game.

Monday Update: Ridley posted on Instagram that his abdominal injury will end his season. He did not provide any additional details.

D.J. Chark | Left high ankle sprain | Week 14 | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 15

Chark suffered a left high ankle sprain late in the fourth quarter. The rotation to the ankle was significant and it's likely Chark has a mid-grade injury. In a walking boot and using a scooter after the game, it's likely Chark will need 3-4 weeks to recover. With the Jaguars eliminated from the playoffs, it will be surprising to see Chark return this season.

Jameis Winston | Right thumb fracture | Week 14 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 15

Winston suffered a small fracture of his throwing thumb during the first half. Bruce Arians said Winston struggled to grip the football but was cleared to return. Winston seemed to grow more comfortable as the second half progressed and finished the game. Though it appears Winston's injury isn't severe enough to require further treatment, swelling and stiffness could limit his practice participation. I'll update Monday with any change in expectations.

Monday Update: Winston will reportedly seek additional opinions but is still expected to play this week.

Derrius Guice | Left MCL sprain | Week 14 | Week-to-Week | Out Week 15

Guice will have an MRI to define the severity of his sprain on Monday but it's rare for running backs to return within seven days of an MCL sprain. With just three weeks remaining in the year, even a relatively low-grade injury could end Guice's season.

Monday Update: Washington ruled out Guice for this week's game.

Alshon Jeffery | Right Achilles tear | Week 14 | 2020 return

The Eagles have yet to confirm the severity of Jeffery's injury but video showed a right Achilles tendon tear. Jeffery will need a season-ending tendon repair surgery.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Monday Update: Lamar Jackson missed Monday's practice with a quad contusion. The injury is not considered serious but John Harbaugh told reporters Jackson would continue to be evaluated throughout the week.

***Dalvin Cook avoided another aggravation of his sternoclavicular sprain. The Vikings chose to rest him for much of the second half, however, with Alexander Mattison getting nine carries to Cook's lone rush attempt. The clean game should allow Cook to be closer to full strength next week. It's also reassuring the Vikings trusted Cook to his usual workload before the positive game script allowed for rest.

***The Dolphins moved Kalen Ballage to injured reserve with an Achilles injury. Brian Flores said the injury was not a "long-term" concern, implying Ballage's condition could be rehabbed without surgery. Ballage is currently expected to return for OTAs.

***Le'Veon Bell did not play due to a flu-like illness, according to Adam Gase. If accurate, Bell should be able to return this week. It's unlikely the Jets will have Bilal Powell, who suffered an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter. Though the exact moment of injury was obscured on television replays, the angle at which Powell fell suggests a high ankle sprain.

***Rashaad Penny's non-contact knee injury is suspicious for an ACL tear. Video was limited and it's possible his knee injury was more hyperextension than rotational. If there are no additional reports in the post-game press conference, expect the team to update the media with more detail during Monday's press conference. Even if Penny's ACL is intact, nearly every other possible injury is likely to end his regular season.

Monday Update: Carroll told reporters Penny suffered an ACL sprain after the game. Partial ACL sprains nearly always require surgery due to an unstable knee joint. Even in the unlikely case that Penny's injury is low-grade and he chooses rehab, his season is over.

***Ryan Griffin suffered a left high ankle sprain while blocking early in the first quarter and was ruled out. Griffin should be considered doubtful this week and it's possible he'll not be able to recover before the end of the season.

***The Bengals have yet to provide details on Auden Tate's knee injury. While video is not conclusive, it's likely Tate's knee injury occurred before he was tackled and is suspicious for an ACL tear. I'll update with more details after a likely Monday MRI.

***DeVante Parker and Jared Cook were among the players who suffered concussions. Most players are now advanced through the return-to-play protocol over a two-week period. Wednesday practice participation will be our next indication of whether either player may be cleared for Week 15.

***Monday Update: Parris Campbell suffered a right foot fracture during the first quarter. Although he finished the game, the injury ends his season as the Colts placed him on injured reserve today.

Designated to Return by Team

• Green Bay (1): TE Jace Sternberger (W7-now active)
• New England (2): WR N'Keal Harry (W7-now active), G Isaiah Wynn (W9-now active)
• New York Giants (2): DB Sam Beal (W7-now active), EDGE Kareem Martin (W13-now active)
• Oakland (2): DB Isaiah Johnson (W7-now active), LB Marquel Lee (W10-now active)
• Jacksonville (1): QB Nick Foles (W8-now active)
• Kansas City (2): QB Chad Henne (W8-now active), DT Xavier Williams (W13)
• Tennessee (2): PK Ryan Succop (W8-now active), DB Joshua Kalu (W9)
• Cleveland (2): OL Drew Forbes (W8-now active), TE David Njoku (W11-now active)
• Washington (1): RB Derrius Guice (W9-now active)
• Baltimore (2): DB Iman Marshall (W9-now active), DB Brynden Trawick (W10-now active)
• Denver (2): WR Tim Patrick (W9-now active), QB Drew Lock (W10-now active)
• Detroit (2): DL Austin Bryant (W9-now active), RB Kerryon Johnson (W13)
• Minnesota (1): WR Josh Doctson (W9-now active)
• Seattle (2): TE Ed Dickson (W9-active then returned to IR); C Ethan Pocic (W12)
• Miami (2): T Julien Davenport (W9-now active), LB Andrew Van Ginkel (W10-now active)
• Houston (1): TE Jordan Thomas (W10-now active)
• Cincinnati (2): WR John Ross (W10-now active), DB Darius Phillips (W11-now active)
• Indianapolis (1): WR Devin Funchess (W10-stays on IR)
• New Orleans (1): WR Keith Kirkwood (W10-stays on IR)
• Los Angeles Chargers (2): DB Adrian Phillips (W10-now active), S Derwin James (W12-now active)
• Carolina (1): T Jordan Mills (W12)
• Philadelphia (1): DB Cre'Von LeBlanc (W12-now active)
• Atlanta (2): P Matt Bosher (W13-returned to IR), G Chris Lindstrom (W13-now active)
• Chicago (1): DL Akiem Hicks (W13)
• San Francisco (1): DL Kentavius Street (W13)

Injured Players on Active Roster