Monday Injury Rounds: Week 4

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 4 Jene Bramel Published 09/27/2020

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.

Injury Rounds

Dallas Goedert | Left high ankle sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 4

Goedert suffered a high ankle sprain when pulled down from behind on a first-quarter catch. The full weight of the defender came down on Goedert's leg and foot on the play, a violent mechanism that usually leads to a multiple-week absence. Ian Rapoport tweeted the Eagles expect Goedert to "miss some time" with a Monday MRI scheduled to further evaluate his injury.

If Goedert's injury does require multiple weeks to recover, the Eagles' Week 7 Thursday night matchup may complicate his return timetable.

Chris Carson | Left knee injury | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 4

Carson had his knee twisted violent at the end of a tackle and did not return. The Seahawks are calling his injury a sprain. If accurate, the most likely ligament injury is the MCL. It's unlikely Carson has a season-ending ligament sprain. We should learn more after a Monday MRI.

Monday Update: Pete Carroll told reporters Carson has a low-grade sprain and could be back soon. Consider him doubtful this week. If his recovery does not progress well, Seattle may not return him until Week 7 after their bye week.

Chris Godwin | Right hamstring strain | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 4

Godwin pulled up on a short out route and immediately grabbed his right hamstring. He did not return to play. Bruce Arians was worried about the effect the long flight home may have on Godwin's muscle strain. That could be an ominous sign for Godwin's Week 4 availability. I'll list him questionable for now but you should consider him more doubtful than questionable unless there are very positive early-week reports.

Tarik Cohen | Right ACL / MCL injuries | Season-ending injury

Most ACL injuries occur without contact. Unfortunately, some occur with a direct blow to the knee. Those are often associated with additional injuries. The Bears suspect an ACL tear for Cohen and have scheduled an MRI to evaluate for further injuries. Video strongly suggests at least an additional MCL sprain. Hopefully, imaging will not show any complicating meniscus injuries. Sadly, Cohen's 2020 season is over.

Jordan Reed | Left knee injury | 6-8 Weeks | Out Week 4

Reed briefly left after a low ankle sprain then returned to play. Later, Reed was hit around the legs and suffered a left knee injury. The Niners don't believe the injury is significant but video suggests an MCL sprain or meniscus injury. Either injury will put Reed's Week 4 status in jeopardy.

Monday Update: Kyle Shanahan told reporters Reed will miss 6-8 weeks with a high-grade MCL sprain. He will be moved to injured reserve shortly. It's possible Reed won't return until after the Niners' Week 11 bye.

Follow Up Appointments

Michael Thomas | Left high ankle sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 4

Teams are least honest about a player's condition and recovery timetable in the first few days after the injury. After a player misses a week, there's less incentive to try to deceive opponents. Despite some optimism in the first 2-3 days after Thomas' high ankle sprain, it's evident now that Thomas' injury was always likely to require multiple weeks of rehab.

Thomas has now missed two weeks of practice. While he's said to have made progress in rehab and was moving well during a Friday reconditioning session, it's still uncertain whether Thomas is actually trending toward a Week 4 return. Continue to consider him doubtful until he returns to consecutive days of individual position drills.

George Kittle | Right MCL sprain / bone contusion | Week-to-Week | Probable Week 4

Kittle continues to make progress in his recovery from a Week 1 MCL sprain and bone contusion. The Niners were never likely to risk a yet-to-be-recovered Kittle on a field they may not have fully trusted after four knee sprains the week prior.

Kyle Shanahan ruled Kittle out on Friday after Kittle did not make as much progress as hoped during a week of reconditioning and individual drills. Most local observers think the Niners are targeting Sunday night's home matchup against Philadelphia for Kittle's return.

Davante Adams | Hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4

Despite some early optimism that Adams would be able to play Sunday night, the Packers -- as they so often do -- chose to remain cautious with their franchise wide receiver. Adams did not return to practice all week and had little chance to convince the team's medical staff he was healthy enough to play in warmups.

Reports continue to suggest Adams has a low-grade hamstring strain. If that's accurate, expect Adams to return to practice this week and play on Monday night. If Adams is not practicing on Thursday, however, reset your expectations toward a return after the Packers' Week 5 bye.

Julio Jones | Left hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 4

Jones did not practice last week after admitting to an aggravation of a nagging hamstring injury in Week 2. Like Adams, he'll have an extra day to recover with a Monday night game this week. Jones generally tries to play through muscle strains. Watch his late-week practice participation for indications he's preparing to play or evidence he's now dealing with a multiple-week recovery.

A.J. Brown | Knee contusion | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 4

Late-week reports suggest Brown's bone bruise is not healing as quickly as hoped. That likely means Brown has an injury to a weight-bearing area of his knee joint, an injury that could easily stretch to 4-6 weeks. If the Titans are concerned, they may choose to use the injured reserve list. More likely, they'll continue to carry him on the active roster and hope his rehab progresses more quickly.

Phillip Lindsay | Toe sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 4

After multiple opinions, the Broncos elected to return Lindsay more slowly than initially anticipated. Local observers are reporting Lindsay made good progress in rehab last week and could be on track to return this Thursday against the Jets. Expect a full week of limited -- or better -- practice participation as the Broncos test Lindsay's fitness for game plan purposes.

Jalen Reagor | Thumb ligament repair | Week-to-Week | Out Week 4

Reagor played through a ligament injury in Week 2 but the injury was deemed too unstable to continue to play through and Reagor underwent surgery last week. Initial reports suggested Reagor would be placed on injured reserve with a 5-6 week return timetable. Reagor has yet to be added to injured reserve and later reports left open the possibility for a 2-3 week return.

If Reagor's actual timetable is 5-6 weeks, waiting until this week to move him to injured reserve doesn't change his return date. Any player can return from IR after three weeks this year and the Eagles' bye week is still five weeks away. If Reagor doesn't go to IR this week, it's a good indication he has a chance to return by Week 5 or 6.

Eligible to Return from Injured Reserve

Deebo Samuel | Fifth metatarsal fixation | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 4

The Niners are likely to return Samuel to the active roster this week and get him back on the practice field. Kyle Shanahan told reporters Samuel's rehab has gone well after an early-season setback with soreness at his surgical repair site. Shanahan said Samuel has been running routes without pain. It's unlikely Samuel will play this week but the Niners would love to have him ready to play the following week.

Damien Harris | Fifth finger fracture fixation | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 4

Local reporters believe Harris will return to the active roster when eligible. Expect the Patriots to get him on the gameday roster soon after he's active. If they return him to practice early this week, upgrade his Week 4 status to probable.

Trey Burton | Calf strain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 4

Burton continues to make progress. After Sunday's game, Frank Reich said Burton is "not all the way there yet" but was hopeful Burton could return soon.

Devine Ozigbo | Hamstring strain | Awaiting Information

The Jaguars have not discussed Ozigbo's status since placing him on injured reserve.

Gunner Olszewski | Foot injury | Awaiting Information

The Patriots have not updated Olszewski's status since a setback landed him on injured reserve.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Diontae Johnson left with a concussion. His return will be subject to the standard return-to-play protocol.

***Jimmy Garoppolo was unable to recover in time to play on Sunday but multiple reports suggest he's close enough to consider probable for Week 4.

***Henry Ruggs was effectively playing through an MCL sprain but left practice on Wednesday with a hamstring strain that ended his week. The Raiders have yet to address his injury but it's reassuring they did not add him to the injured reserve list last week. Consider him questionable for now.

***Mike Williams strained a hamstring and did not return. He will be re-evaluated on Monday.

***Bryan Edwards suffered a right high ankle sprain. Video did not suggest a high-grade injury but high ankle sprains often take 24-48 hours to show their severity and likely timetable. Edwards did not return and will likely have an MRI to grade his injury on Monday.

***Game notes on recovering players:

  • Josh Jacobs -- 16 rush attempts, 4 targets -- workload remained high after Week 2 hip flexor strain
  • Darren Waller -- 2 catches, 4 targets -- Patriots routinely scheme to take away primary offensive option
  • Kenny Golladay -- 6 catches, 7 targets -- awaiting snap count percentage and All-22 but tied for team lead in targets

Injured Players on Active Roster

Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Jimmy Garoppolo SF Right high ankle sprain Week 2 Day-to-Day Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Drew Lock Den Right shoulder injury Week 2 3-5 Weeks Week 6+ Return Out Week 4
Tyrod Taylor LAC Chest injury / injection complication Week 2 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 4
Joe Flacco NYJ Cervical spine procedure Apr 2020 Day-to-Day Week 4 Return Probable Week 4
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Chris Carson Sea Left knee sprain Week 3 1-2 Weeks Week 5+ Return Doubtful Week 4
Raheem Mostert SF MCL sprain (right?) Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Jerick McKinnon SF Rib injury Week 3 Awaiting Information Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Phillip Lindsay Den Toe sprain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Cam Akers LAR Rib injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Tarik Cohen Chi Right ACL/MCL injury Week 3 IR (expected) 2021 return
Zack Moss Buf Toe sprain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 4++ Return Questionable Week 4
Ryquell Armstead Jac COVID - reserve Sep 4 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Doubtful Week 4
Duke Johnson Jr Hou Left ankle sprain Week 1 Day-to-Day Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Justin Jackson LAC Quad injury Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Michael Thomas NO Left high ankle sprain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Doubtful Week 4
Davante Adams GB Hamstring strain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Julio Jones Atl Left hamstring strain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Russell Gage Atl Concussion Week 3 Concussion protocol Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Chris Godwin TB Right hamstring strain Week 3 Awaiting Information Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
A.J. Brown Ten Knee contusion Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 4++ Return Doubtful Week 4
Diontae Johnson Pit Concussion Week 3 Concussion protocol Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
D.J. Chark Jac Chest / back injuries Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Henry Ruggs LVR Hamstring strain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Bryan Edwards LVR Right high ankle sprain Week 3 Awaiting Information Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
John Brown Buf Calf injury Week 3 Awaiting Information Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Christian Kirk Ari Groin strain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Jamison Crowder NYJ Hamstring strain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Breshad Perriman NYJ Left high ankle sprain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 4++ Return Doubtful Week 4
Alshon Jeffery Phi Right Lisfranc fixation Dec 2019 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Doubtful Week 4
DeSean Jackson Phi Hamstring strain Week 3 Day-to-Day Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Jalen Reagor Phi Thumb ligament repair Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 4++ Return Out Week 4
Mike Williams LAC Hamstring strain Week 3 Awaiting Information Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Michael Pittman Ind Compartment syndrome Week 3 6+ Weeks Week 8+ Return Injured reserve (exp)
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
George Kittle SF Right MCL sprain / bone contusion Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 4 Return Probable Week 4
Dallas Goedert Phi Left high ankle sprain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Doubtful Week 4
Jordan Reed SF Left MCL sprain Week 3 6-8 Weeks Week 12+ Return Injured Reserve (exp)
Dawson Knox Buf Concussion Week 2 Concussion protocol Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4
Hunter Bryant Det Hamstring strain Preseason Week-to-Week Week 4++ Return Doubtful Week 4
Josiah Deguara GB Ankle injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 4+ Return Questionable Week 4

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

Notable Quarterbacks on PUP or NFI or IR
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Notable Running Backs on PUP or NFI or IR
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Christian McCaffrey Car Right high ankle sprain Week 2 IR (Week 3) Eligible Week 6 Probable 2020 return (W6+)
Tevin Coleman SF Knee sprain Week 2 IR (Week 3) Eligible Week 6 Probable 2020 return (W6+)
LeVeon Bell NYJ Left hamstring strain Week 1 IR (Week 2) Eligible Week 5 Probable 2020 return (W5+)
Damien Harris NE Fifth finger fracture fixation Preseason IR (Week 1) Eligible Week 4 Probable 2020 return (W4)
Devine Ozigbo Jac Hamstring strain Preseason IR (Week 1) Eligible Week 4 Probable 2020 return (W4+)
Rashaad Penny Sea Left ACL reconstruction + Dec 2019 PUP (Reserve) Eligible W7 Questionable 2020 return (W8++)
Saquon Barkley NYG Right ACL/meniscus/MCL Week 2 IR 9-12 months 2021 return
Marlon Mack Ind Right Achilles tear Week 1 IR 9-12 months 2021 return
Notable Wide Receivers on PUP or NFI or IR
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Deebo Samuel SF Fifth metatarsal fixation Jun 2020 IR (Week 1) Eligible Week 4 Probable 2020 return (W4)
Richie James SF Hamstring strain Week 1 IR (Week 2) Eligible Week 5 Probable 2020 return (W5+)
Parris Campbell Ind Left PCL/MCL sprain Week 2 IR (Week 3) Eligible Week 8 Doubtful 2020 return
Sterling Shepard NYG Toe sprain Week 2 IR (Week 3) Eligible Week 6 Probable 2020 return (W6+)
Denzel Mims NYJ Hamstring strains Week 2 IR (Week 2) Eligible Week 5 Probable 2020 return (W5+)
Gunner Olszewski NE Foot injury Week 1 IR (Week 1) Eligible Week 4 Probable 2020 return (W4+)
Courtland Sutton Den Left ACL/MCL tear Week 2 IR 9-12 months 2021 return
Tyrell Williams LVR Shoulder labrum tear Aug 2020 IR (Reserve) Ineligible 2020 2021 return
Jalen Hurd SF ACL reconstruction Aug 2020 IR (Reserve) Ineligible 2020 2021 return
Kelvin Harmon Was ACL reconstruction Jul 2020 IR (Reserve) Ineligible 2020 2021 return
Notable Tight Ends on PUP or NFI or IR
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
David Njoku Cle Right MCL sprain Week 2 IR (Week 2) Eligible Week 5 Probable 2020 return (W5+)
Trey Burton Ind Calf strain Preseason IR (Week 1) Eligible Week 4 Probable 2020 return (W4+)
Blake Jarwin Dal Right ACL tear Week 1 IR (Week 2) 9-12 months 2021 return
C.J. Uzomah Cin Right Achilles tear Week 1 IR (Week 2) 9-12 months 2021 return
Josh Oliver Jac Foot fracture Aug 2020 IR (Reserve) Ineligible 2020 2021 return

COVID Opt-Outs | Cannot return until 2021 season

Tags:
Injuries Davante Adams Cam Akers Geronimo Allison Ryquell Armstead Saquon Barkley Le'Veon Bell Brandon Bolden A.J. Brown John Brown Parris Campbell Chris Carson D.J. Chark Jr Tevin Coleman Jamison Crowder Josiah Deguara Bryan Edwards Joe Flacco Russell Gage Jimmy Garoppolo Chris Godwin Dallas Goedert Kenny Golladay Marquise Goodwin Damien Harris DeSean Jackson Justin Jackson Josh Jacobs Richie James Blake Jarwin Diontae Johnson Duke Johnson Jr Julio Jones Christian Kirk George Kittle Dawson Knox Matt LaCosse Phillip Lindsay Drew Lock Marlon Mack Christian McCaffrey Jerick McKinnon Denzel Mims Zack Moss Raheem Mostert David Njoku Josh Oliver Gunner Olszewski Devine Ozigbo Rashaad Penny Breshad Perriman Michael Pittman Jr Jalen Reagor Henry Ruggs III Deebo Samuel Sterling Shepard Courtland Sutton Tyrod Taylor Michael Thomas C.J. Uzomah Darren Waller Damien Williams Mike Williams Tyrell Williams Albert Wilson
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