Photo: Tim Heitman, 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 9:00 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 10:00 ET every Sunday morning to discuss and interpret the week's practice participation reports and breaking weekend injury news.

Follow Up Appointments

Christian McCaffrey | Quad strain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 16

McCaffrey tested his injured quad again last Wednesday in a limited individual workout. The workout did not go well and McCaffrey was held out of practice for the rest of the week.

Adam Schefter and others continue to report McCaffrey wants to return this season and the Panthers are hopeful he'll be able to return. Now nearly three weeks from an injury during the bye week, McCaffrey has yet to be able to get into the football-related activity phase of his reconditioning.

He'll need to make significant progress by Thursday to have any chance at a high workload this week.

Julio Jones | Left hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 16

Jones had a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to speed healing of his injured left hamstring. Recovery is variable after these injections and Jones' decision shows his injury is not responding well to rehab and his ongoing desire to return this year.

If he improves and returns to practice this week, an effective return in Week 16 is possible. More likely, Jones will struggle to return in 2020.

Michael Thomas | Left high ankle sprain | Injured Reserve | Eligible to return Week 18

Thomas aggravated his high ankle sprain in Week 14 and could not practice last week. The Saints have clinched a playoff spot and elected to move Thomas to injured reserve to try to get him closer to full strength by the first week of the playoffs. His 2020 regular season is over.

Ezekiel Elliott | Calf contusion | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 16

Elliott was expected to play through his injury again but was inactive after being unable to practice last week. Mike McCarthy told reporters on Friday that Elliott was "further behind" where he was the previous week, a sign Elliott felt worse after playing in Week 14.

After Sunday's game, McCarthy said the Cowboys "felt it was not in the best interest" for Elliott to play. Elliott told reporters he felt a tug in the area on Saturday and didn't feel he could play effectively. The "tug" raises suspicion for a strain in the muscle and puts his Week 16 prospects in jeopardy. Practice participation will drive Elliott's availability this week.

Antonio Gibson | Toe sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 16

Gibson continues to work to return from a turf toe injury. He's now progressed to individual drills but hasn't looked comfortable on video. He'll need to show he can handle consecutive days of individual drills without a setback before he has any chance to play. A full practice this week would show he's ready for a pre-injury workload.

Currently on COVID list

• RB Myles Gaskin - COVID+ (Dec 12) - Probable Week 16
• WR Henry Ruggs - COVID+ (Dec 15) - Probable Week 16

Injury Rounds

Josh Jacobs | Right knee injury | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 16

Jacobs briefly left Thursday's game and was termed questionable with a knee injury. He returned to the game and looked comfortable and effective. It's unlikely Jacobs has an injury that jeopardizes his Week 16 workload. The Raiders did not express concern and the bandage on his knee suggests a superficial injury rather than anything structural.

Stefon Diggs | Left foot injury | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 16

Diggs left the game in the fourth quarter after having his foot stepped on. The Bills were ahead by 25 points when the injury occurred and Diggs' absence was precautionary. It's possible Diggs is limited in practice this week but he should be full strength in Week 16.

James Robinson | Left high ankle sprain | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 16

Robinson had his left ankle torqued underneath his body in the fourth quarter. Television angles showed an injury consistent with a high ankle sprain.

Expect Robinson to evaluated further on Monday with imaging studies. Video of the injury is worrisome for a higher grade injury. While there's an outside chance Robinson's injury is not as severe as it appeared, prepare for him to need at least one week to recover and it's possible his season is over.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Left hip injury | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 16

Edwards-Helaire had his legs forcefully split and both hip joints driven toward the ground. He was unable to put any weight on his left leg while leaving the field. The Chiefs ruled him out with a hip injury.

Television replays are suspicious for a joint injury. X-rays at the stadium were reportedly negative but Edwards-Helaire will need further imaging of the hip socket to ensure there are no fractures to the area. Do not expect Edwards-Helaire to return until the playoffs and it's possible his 2020 season is over.

Raheem Mostert | Aggravated left high ankle sprain | Awaiting Information | 2021 return

Mostert aggravated his left high ankle sprain a week after experiencing soreness and having an MRI. The Niners have been eliminated from playoff contention after their Week 15 loss and it's unlikely Mostert will recover in time to play again in 2020. His season is likely over.

Derek Carr | Left groin strain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 16

Carr pulled up and limped off the field with a groin strain early in Thursday night's game.

Ian Rapoport reported Carr suffered a "significant" groin injury and would need 10-14 days to recover. The description and timetable don't match -- higher grade injuries generally require a minimum of 3-4 weeks to rehab. On Friday, Jon Gruden told reporters the Raiders felt Carr was 50-50 to play in Week 16.

Carr is pushing to play, however, and the extra days between the Week 15 Thursday night game and this week's home Sunday game may be enough for Carr to return. Expect limited practice as the team continues to evaluate his progress.

Eligible to Return from Injured Reserve

Joe Mixon | Right midfoot sprain | Eligible Week 14 - Remains on IR | Doubtful 2020 return

Dec 6: The Bengals continue to say Mixon will be activated if healthy enough to play. But there has been no indication Mixon is making progress toward a return to practice and he'll likely need at least one week of reconditioning. Cincinnati has no incentive to risk further injury to Mixon this year. The offense continues to struggle without Joe Burrow and behind multiple offensive line injuries. A Week 15 return is theoretically possible but a regular-season return is looking less likely with each passing week.

Dec 13: It's looking less and less likely Mixon will return this season. He's yet to return to practice and there's no upside in Mixon returning until he's returned to full strength. It's now been eight weeks since the injury and there's been no indication he's close to returning to practice.

Dec 20: Mixon was not cleared to practice last week. Cincinnati has no incentive in returning him to play until 2021.

George Kittle | Right cuboid fracture | Remains on IR - Designated to Return | Questionable Week 16 | Target = Week 16+

Nov 29: Kittle suffered a fractured cuboid bone in his foot in Week 9. Reported timetables for his return varied but Kittle is expected to need 6-8 weeks to recover. Even the most optimistic timetable would mean he's likely to have a limited impact in Week 16. More likely, Kittle will not return until 2021.

Dec 6: Kittle was told he would need eight weeks to recover. He is adamant he can return in six weeks and told reporters he was "very well on that path" in interviews last week. If Kittle meets his goal, he may return to a limited Week 15 role. It remains a difficult ask.

Dec 20: Kittle was cleared to practice last week and is pushing to play. It's possible Kittle can recondition in time for significant and effective snaps in Week 16. With the Niners eliminated from the playoffs, it's possible the team chooses to leave Kittle on injured reserve for the final two games.

John Brown | Right high ankle sprain | Remains on IR - Designated to Return | Probable Week 16 | Target = Week 16

Dec 13: Brown suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 11. Video suggested a higher-grade injury and it was not surprising to see him quickly transitioned to injured reserve. The Bills have not provided updates on Brown's condition but it's unlikely he's ready to return to practice and play this week.

Dec 20: Brown returned to practice last week but was not cleared to play. His progress suggests the Bills may try to bring him back for limited snaps in Week 16 and 17 and recondition him for the playoffs.

Julian Edelman | Arthroscopic knee surgery | Remains on IR - Designated to Return | Probable Week 16 | Target = Week 16+

Nov 15: Edelman had a clean up procedure on his chronically sore knee three weeks ago. Trusted local reporter Mike Reiss expressed optimism on Edelman's recovery last week, noting a source who watched Edelman moving well with on-field rehab work. If Edelman is designated to return when eligible this week and participates in practice, a Week 11 return is possible.

Nov 22: Bill Belichick said Edelman is making progress. The Patriots have yet to designate him to return.

Nov 29: Bill Belichick continues to tell reporters Edelman is "headed in the right direction" but the Patriots have yet to designate him to return to practice. If that doesn't happen early this week, consider Edelman doubtful again.

Dec 6: Edelman was placed on the COVID list last week. After initial optimism for a quick recovery, Adam Schefter is now reporting Edelman is still a "couple of weeks away" from returning. Edelman has yet to be designated to return to practice.

Dec 20: Edelman was designated to return last week and Bill Belichick hinted Edelman would return this week.

Jimmy Garoppolo | Right high ankle sprain | Eligible Week 13 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 16 | Target = 2021 return

Nov 29: Garoppolo was in a walking boot for over a week and given a 3-6 week timetable to return from an aggravated high ankle sprain. The Niners remain hopeful for a return sometime in December but it's unlikely Garoppolo will be cleared to return to practice this week.

Dec 6: Kyle Shanahan said the Niners were "holding out hope" Garoppolo could return in Week 16.

Preston Williams | Right foot sprain | Eligible Week 13 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 16 | Target = Week 16++

Nov 29: Brian Flores refused to put a timetable on Williams' return last week.

Dec 13: Flores continues to tell reporters the Dolphins are "hopeful to get Williams back this season" but there remains no timetable for him to return.

LaMical Perine | High ankle sprain | Remains on IR - Designated to Return | Probable Week 16 | Target = Week 16

Dec 13: Perine suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 11. Assuming a 4-6 week return timetable for a higher-grade injury, it's possible the Jets will return Perine to practice. There's no reason for the Jets to rush their young running back, however. Don't expect him to return this week.

Dec 20: Perine was designated to return and practiced last week. While he wasn't close enough to be activated, he looks likely to return in Week 16.

Greg Olsen | Left plantar fascia rupture | Remains on IR - Designated to Return | Questionable Week 16 | Target = Week 16+

Dec 13: Olsen's rehab is reportedly moving quickly but the best hope remains a very late season or playoff return.

Dec 20: Olsen returned to practice last week and continues to impress the Seahawks with his recovery. He has a chance to return this week.

Parris Campbell | Left PCL repair / MCL sprain | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Doubtful 2020 return

Oct 25: Campbell had knee surgery in early October. Any surgical procedure involving the PCL requires a careful and usually long-term rehab. It will be surprising to see Campbell cleared to return in 2020.

Nov 15: Frank Reich told reporters it remained "too early to tell" whether Campbell could return in 2020. A 2021 return remains the most likely outcome.

Dec 6: A source told Zak Keefer it would take "a minor miracle" for Campbell to return this season. Nothing has changed here; Campbell will need the offseason to rehab from his ligament reconstruction.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Cam Akers left to have his left ankle taped but returned. Television replays did not show a clear view of the injury. He was laboring at times in the second half and his practice reps and status should be monitored through the week.

***Daniel Jones made progress but was unable to play through ongoing hamstring soreness and an ankle injury. He has a good chance to return this week.

***Ronald Jones II was moved to the COVID list on December 16. If he is in close contact protocol, he will likely come off the list midweek and test his injured finger to see if he can play. If he's not activated by Wednesday, it suggests he tested positive and he'll not clear protocol in time for an early afternoon game in Detroit on Saturday.

***Jeff Wilson left with ankle and hamstring soreness at the end of the Niners' loss to the Cowboys. He told reporters he was fine after the game but he'll be re-evaluated throughout the week.

***Limited video suggests Jalen Reagor suffered a lower-grade high ankle sprain. Further evaluation will determine whether he can return this season.

Injured Players on Active Roster

To support players with illness and provide a roster buffer, the NFL implemented new injured reserve rules and roster exemptions for players exposed to or diagnosed with COVID.

2020 injured reserve list changes:

• Teams may return an unlimited number of players from injured reserve in 2020
• A player may return to the active roster after three weeks on injured reserve
• Teams have three weeks of practice to decide whether to activate a player designated to return

2020 COVID-related illness list and roster exemptions:

• A player diagnosed with COVID or required to quarantine after exposure to COVID may be placed on a separate exempt list
• Teams will be given a roster exemption after a player with COVID receives medical clearance to return
• Roster exemption for one week if the player was on the exempt list for less than 4 weeks
• Roster exemption for two weeks if the player was on the exempt list for 4+ weeks

Injured Players Not on Active Roster

COVID Opt-Outs | Cannot return until 2021 season

• Damien Williams (RB-KC)
• Albert Wilson (WR-Mia)
• Allen Hurns (WR-Mia)
• Devin Funchess (WR-GB)
• Marquise Goodwin (WR-Phi)
• Brandon Bolden (RB-NE)
• Marqise Lee (WR-NE)
• Geronimo Allison (WR-Det)
• Matt LaCosse (TE-NE)

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the off-season.