Monday Injury Rounds: Week 5

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 5 Jene Bramel Published 10/04/2020

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

Nick Chubb | Right knee injury | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5

Chubb was hit on the outside of his right knee while pass blocking and did not return. Video of the injury is most consistent with an MCL sprain but additional injuries cannot be ruled out. The Browns wouldn't discuss specifics after the game, saying only Chubb would have an MRI on Monday to further evaluate the injury.

Thankfully, this injury is not to the same knee that Chubb injured (multiple ligament, including ACL) at Georgia.

Even an isolated, low-grade MCL sprain causes pain and stability issues that limit a running back's ability to play. Prepare for a multiple-week absence.

Monday Update: Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport are confirming a high-grade MCL sprain for Chubb. He may miss six weeks and will be moved to injured reserve today.

Mike Evans | Right high ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 5

Evans returned to the game after limping off with what video suggests is a high ankle sprain. Although he looked limited at times, Evans was effective for the rest of the game and Bruce Arians told reporters he thought Evans would play Thursday night.

However, as we often see, the 24-48 hours after a high ankle sprain are critical. Except in clearly higher-grade injuries, it can be difficult to predict the amount of swelling and stiffness that develop in the hours after the game. The quick turnaround to Thursday won't help Evans.

Arians' optimism sounds reassuring but we may hear more pessimism as the week progresses.

Cam Newton | COVID - reserve | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5

Newton was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday night, prompting the league to postpone New England's travel to Kansas City while the team further evaluated and observed Newton's close contacts.

It's not known whether Newton is experiencing symptoms. Hopefully, he will have mild illness and a quick and complete recovery. Assuming he recovers quickly and does not have severe or prolonged symptoms, Newton will be isolated until he has two negative tests on consecutive days or ten days have passed since his positive test. It's highly unlikely he meets the first criteria prior to the team's Week 5 game.

Josh Allen | Left shoulder injury | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 5

Allen briefly left before returning with a harness to support his shoulder injury. Video and the need for a supportive harness suggests Allen suffered a subluxation -- brief or partial dislocation -- of his shoulder. He'll have an MRI to further evaluate the injury on Monday but may not miss time. Expect limited practice this week. If Allen has enough strength and range of motion to protect himself in the pocket from future hits, he'll be cleared to play.

Austin Ekeler | Left hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5

Ekeler was hit and hyperextended his left knee as he tried to recover his footing. He immediately grabbed the back of his left leg, could not bear weight on the leg, and was carted to the locker room. After the game, Ekeler was seen leaving on crutches and in a knee brace.

The brace and crutches suggest there may be concern for a knee sprain. If it's only a hamstring condition, the immobilization is worrisome for a high-grade injury. Either way, this is likely a multiple-week absence for Ekeler and it won't be surprising to hear him moved to injured reserve before the end of the week.

Monday Update: Ian Rapoport is reporting Ekeler's hamstring injury is "serious" and he's likely to be moved to injured reserve.

Sam Darnold | Right AC sprain | Day-to-Day | Doubtful Week 5

Darnold returned to play despite a sprained shoulder after being slammed into the turf on a first-quarter sack. Darnold was reportedly in much more pain the morning after the game and the Jets are not sure whether he'll recover in time to play this week.

Even low-grade shoulder sprains are serious issues for quarterbacks when the throwing shoulder is involved and the throwing motion may be impacted. Darnold will need to have free and mostly painless range of motion to play. He's questionable at best and more likely doubtful.

Follow Up Appointments

Michael Thomas | Left high ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 5

Thomas had a full week of limited practices but was ruled out on Friday. The Saints play a home Monday night game this week followed by a Week 6 bye. Ian Rapoport and others believe Thomas has a good chance to play on Monday, which seems to be supported by last week's conditioning and individual drills.

Chris Godwin | Right hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5

Godwin reportedly has at least a significant lower grade strain and looks to be out multiple weeks. Even if Godwin recovers more quickly than initially expected, it will be tough for him to recondition in time for Tampa Bay's road Thursday night game this week.

Leonard Fournette | Left high ankle sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 5

After further video review, Fournette looks to have suffered a high ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of last week's game. Although not a particularly violent mechanism on video, high ankle sprains can be a tough projection on video alone and Fournette has had chronic ankle issues since college.

Bruce Arians essentially ruled Fournette out during an early-week radio spot last week. While he said Fournette has a chance to play in Week 5, the quick turnaround to travel to Chicago for a Thursday night game is a difficult ask. Expect Week 6 to be Fournette's more likely return date.

Eligible to Return from Injured Reserve

LeVeon Bell | Left hamstring strain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 5

Bell is expected to return to practice and play this week. He believes he ready for a full workload immediately.

David Njoku | Right MCL sprain | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 5

Njoku was expected to miss three weeks with an MCL sprain. There are no local reports on whether the Browns believe he's ready to practice or not.

Denzel Mims | Hamstring strains | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 5

Mims is reportedly healthy enough to return but there's no guarantee the Jets move him to the active roster until he shows he's fully recovered and ready for a significant number of snaps and routes.

Fast Track News and Notes

***A weekend report suggests Drew Lock is "legitimately 50-50" to return in Week 5. The Broncos will evaluate Lock during the week before making a decision. I'm skeptical. There's very little chance Denver takes any chances returning their franchise quarterback from a throwing quarterback before he's fully reconditioned. However, it's now looking likely Lock will return before Denver's Week 8 bye.

***Raheem Mostert has yet to return to practice after a Week 2 knee sprain. The Niners did not move him to injured reserve, suggesting they were hopeful Mostert could return within three weeks. MCL sprains are tricky recoveries, however, and Mostert remains doubtful until he's cleared for individual drills.

***O.J. Howard suffered an Achilles' tear while making a cut on a fourth-quarter route and will miss the rest of the season.

Injured Players on Active Roster

Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Josh Allen Buf Left shoulder injury Week 4 Day-to-day Week 5 Return Probable Week 5
Cam Newton NE COVID - reserve Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Jimmy Garoppolo SF Right high ankle sprain Week 2 Day-to-Day Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Drew Lock Den Right shoulder injury Week 2 Day-to-Day Week 5+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Sam Darnold NYJ Right AC sprain Week 4 Day-to-Day Week 5++ Return Doubtful Week 5
Tyrod Taylor LAC Chest injury / complication Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5++ Return Doubtful Week 5
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Nick Chubb Cle Right MCL sprain Week 4 6 weeks IR expected Out Week 5
Austin Ekeler LAC Left hamstring strain/knee sprain Week 4 Week-to-Week IR likely Out Week 5
Raheem Mostert SF Right MCL sprain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Leonard Fournette TB Left high ankle sprain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Doubtful Week 5
LeSean McCoy TB Right ankle injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Phillip Lindsay Den Toe sprain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 5 Return Probable Week 5
Sony Michel NE Quad injury Week 3 Injured reserve Week 8 Return
Cam Akers LAR Rib injury Week 2 Day-to-Day Week 5 Return Probable Week 5
Carlos Hyde Sea Shoulder injury Week 3 Day-to-Day Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Zack Moss Buf Toe sprain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Ryquell Armstead Jac COVID - reserve Sep 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Doubtful Week 5
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 Day-to-Day Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Davante Adams GB Hamstring strain Week 2 Day-to-Day Week 6 Return Bye Week 5
Julio Jones Atl Left hamstring strain Week 1 Day-to-Day Week 4+ Return MNF
Calvin Ridley Atl Ankle injury Week 3 Day-to-Day Week 4 Return MNF
Chris Godwin TB Right hamstring strain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Mike Evans TB Right high ankle sprain Week 4 Day-to-Day Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
A.J. Brown Ten Knee contusion Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Adam Humphries Ten COVID - reserve Week 4 Day-to-Day Week 6+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Diontae Johnson Pit Concussion Week 3 Concussion protocol Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Henry Ruggs LVR Hamstring strain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Bryan Edwards LVR Right high ankle sprain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Doubtful Week 5
Breshad Perriman NYJ Left high ankle sprain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Alshon Jeffery Phi Right Lisfranc fixation Dec 2019 Day-to-Day Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
DeSean Jackson Phi Hamstring strain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside Phi Calf injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Mike Williams LAC Hamstring strain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Steven Sims Jr Was Toe injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
K.J. Hamler Den Hamstring strain Week 4 Awaiting Information Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Jared Cook NO Groin strain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Noah Fant Den Right ankle injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Out Week 5
O.J. Howard TB Achilles tendon tear Week 4 Season-ending injury IR (exp) 2021 return
Tyler Eifert Jac Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Jordan Akins Hou Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 5+ Return Questionable Week 5
Hunter Bryant Det Hamstring strain Preseason Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Bye Week 5
Marcedes Lewis GB Knee injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Bye Week 5
Josiah Deguara GB Ankle injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 5+ Return Bye Week 5

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++)
Bryce Love Was Chronic knee swelling Chronic IR (Week 4) Eligible W7 Probable 2020 return (W7+)
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
Tarik Cohen Chi Right ACL/MCL injury Week 3 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
Parris Campbell Ind Left PCL repair/MCL sprain Week 2 IR (Week 3) Eligible Week 8 Doubtful 2020 return
Michael Pittman Ind Compartment syndrome Week 4 IR (Week 4) Eligible Week 8 Probable 2020 return (W8+)
Sterling Shepard NYG Toe sprain Week 2 IR (Week 3) Eligible Week 6 Probable 2020 return (W6+)
Allen Lazard GB Core abd muscle repair Week 4 IR (Week 4) Eligible Week 8 Probable 2020 return (W8+)
Jalen Reagor Phi Thumb ligament repair Week 4 IR (Week 4) Eligible Week 7 Probable 2020 return (W7+)
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+)
Richie James SF Hamstring strain Week 1 IR (Week 2) Eligible Week 5 Probable 2020 return (W5+)
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
Dallas Goedert Phi Left high ankle sprain / fibula fracture Week 3 IR (Week 4) Eligible Week 7 Probable 2020 return (W7+)
David Njoku Cle Right MCL sprain Week 2 IR (Week 2) Eligible Week 5 Probable 2020 return (W5+)
Jordan Reed SF Left MCL sprain Week 4 IR (Week 4) Eligible Week 7 Questionable 2020 return (W7++)
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) Photos provided by Imagn Images
Tags:
Injuries Davante Adams Cam Akers Jordan Akins Josh Allen Geronimo Allison J.J. Arcega-Whiteside Ryquell Armstead Saquon Barkley Le'Veon Bell Brandon Bolden A.J. Brown Parris Campbell Nick Chubb Tevin Coleman Jared Cook Sam Darnold Josiah Deguara Bryan Edwards Austin Ekeler Mike Evans Noah Fant Leonard Fournette Jimmy Garoppolo Chris Godwin Dallas Goedert Marquise Goodwin KJ Hamler Damien Harris O.J. Howard Adam Humphries Carlos Hyde DeSean Jackson Richie James Blake Jarwin Diontae Johnson Julio Jones Matt LaCosse Allen Lazard Marcedes Lewis Phillip Lindsay Drew Lock Marlon Mack Christian McCaffrey Sony Michel Denzel Mims Zack Moss Raheem Mostert Cam Newton David Njoku Josh Oliver Gunner Olszewski Devine Ozigbo Rashaad Penny Breshad Perriman Michael Pittman Jr Jalen Reagor Calvin Ridley Henry Ruggs III Sterling Shepard Steven Sims Jr Courtland Sutton Tyrod Taylor Michael Thomas C.J. Uzomah Damien Williams Mike Williams Tyrell Williams Albert Wilson
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