Photo: Aaron Doster, USA Today Sports

Injury Rounds

Joe Mixon | Left high ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Doubtful Week 16

Mixon was pulled down from behind late in the fourth quarter. Television replays show evidence of a high ankle sprain.

Zac Taylor would not comment on Mixon's status after the game. The next 24-48 hours are critical. If Mixon avoids significant swelling and stiffness overnight, his MRI may show a low-grade injury with a relatively short recovery timetable. Unfortunately, it's more likely Mixon will miss at least one week to recover.

Monday update: Taylor told reporters Mixon would be limited early in the week but described Mixon's situation as "encouraging." Consider him doubtful until we see a return to practice.

Chris Godwin | Right ACL tear / MCL sprain | Season-ending injury
Mike Evans | Hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 16

The Bucs lost two receivers in the first half of Sunday night's game.

Godwin was hit on the outside of his knee. Thankfully, his foot wasn't planted but the contact was violent and Godwin struggled to return to the game. Video suggests an MCL sprain and it's possible follow up imaging may show additional damage. Evans was immediately termed doubtful after his hamstring strain and did not return.

Both players are at high risk of multiple-week absences.

Monday update: Godwin's MRI showed an ACL and MCL injury. He will need surgery and faces an extended offseason rehab. Evans' strain is reportedly relatively low grade. Arians said the Bucs are hopeful to have Evans back soon. Still, he likely remains doubtful to play this week.

Follow Up Appointments

Notes on COVID-reserve

The NFL announced major changes to testing protocols over the weekend. Vaccinated individuals will not be tested unless they have symptoms of illness or are a high-risk close contact. The NFL will also perform targeted spot testing of vaccinated players weekly to minimize risk of asymptomatic spread. In addition, the NFL had announced earlier that testing would change to make it easier for vaccinated players to return from mild infections more quickly.

While there will still be players ill with COVID each week, expect the new protocol to dramatically decrease the number of positive tests.

Lamar Jackson | Right ankle contusion | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 16

A Sunday morning tweet from Adam Schefter further clarified Jackson's injury as a bone bruise of the ankle. Schefter reported Jackson was moving better through the weekend.

Recovery from bone bruises depends on how close the injury is to a weight-bearing surface but it's possible Jackson will be able to return this week. Watch for consecutive days of individual drills before expecting Jackson to be ready to resume a full workload of rushing attempts.

Elijah Mitchell | Knee inflammation / Concussion protocol | Day-to-Day | Doubtful Week 16

Kyle Shanahan told reporters last week Mitchell was in the final stages of the return-to-play protocol and was expected to be cleared for contact on Friday.

Unfortunately, it's been ongoing knee soreness and inflammation that continues to limit Mitchell. When asked whether Mitchell would be available to travel to Thursday night's game in Tennessee, Shanahan said "I'm not optimistic, but I'm hopeful." Expect Mitchell to rest another week and return in Week 17.

Fast Track News and Notes

***A.J. Brown is eligible to return from injured reserve this week. The Titans have not updated Brown's condition but the injury was not expected to be season-ending. He could return immediately.

***Damien Harris was limited in practice last week then downgraded after Friday's workout. Harris aggravated an already strained hamstring against Buffalo in Week 14 and was unlikely to play.

***Antonio Brown returns from suspension this week. Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning Brown will likely be ready to return from his ankle injury immediately.

***Teddy Bridgewater suffered a second concussion this season. Medical personnel are more cautious with multiple concussions and are unlikely to clear Bridgewater to return until Week 17 or later.

***Sam Darnold was designated to return from injured reserve but may not be cleared for contact before the regular season ends.

Injured Players by Position

Injured Players Not Expected to Return in 2021

INSEASON INJURY COVERAGE

My writing and podcast schedule will include:

Monday Injury Rounds > Published 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 at 10:00 ET every Sunday morning to discuss and interpret the week's practice participation reports and breaking weekend injury news.

DECIPHERING THE ALPHABET SOUP OF INJURY LISTS

Players not ready for camp practices are placed on one of two lists – Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) or Non-Football Injury/Illness (NFI).

Physically Unable to Perform (PUP)

Active/PUP – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. This list is commonly used for veterans still recovering from injury and those who fail conditioning tests before camp begins.

Reserve/PUP – Regular season only list. Players still on Active/PUP at the end of camp are eligible to move to Reserve/PUP. Players cannot practice with the team until after Week 6. Teams then have six weeks to evaluate the player before moving to the active roster or to season-ending injured reserve.

Non-Football Injury / Illness (NFI)

Active/NFI – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. Only veterans with a non-football related injury or rookies injured before the NFL draft are eligible for this list.

Reserve/NFI – Regular season only list. Players still on Active/PUP at the end of camp are eligible to move to Reserve/PUP. Players cannot practice with the team until after Week 6. Teams then have six weeks to evaluate the player before moving to the active roster or to season-ending injured reserve.

Injured Reserve – Return Designation

Each NFL team can return an unlimited number of players to the active roster from injured reserve. Teams are not forced to designate this player at the time of the move to injured reserve. Players designated to return can begin practicing and are eligible to return after missing three games. This rule allows a team to continually evaluate the rehab and recovery of their injured players and provides roster flexibility should teams have multiple key injuries early in the season.

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