Photo: Douglas DeFelice, USA Today Sports

Injury Rounds

James Robinson | Left Achilles tear | Season-ending injury

Robinson tore his left Achilles tendon and will need season-ending surgery.

Achilles' tears have become increasingly more common over the past decade. Although many players at other positions recovered well in that time, return from Achilles injuries has been variable at best for running backs. With continued advances in surgical technique and rehab protocols, the trend may be reversing.

DOnta Foreman has returned to periods of effectiveness for Tennessee this season after being out of the league. Marlon Mack recovered and looked capable earlier this season in Indianapolis. And Cam Akers is reportedly near returning after his July injury.

Still, it's a long path to recovery for Robinson. He'll be in danger of starting next year's training camp on the PUP list.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Right clavicle / shoulder injury | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17

Edwards-Helaire injured his right chest when a defender landed on him while tackling. He did not return.

The Chiefs announced the injury as a clavicle condition during the game. Ian Rapoport tweeted x-rays were negative. That doesn't guarantee a follow-up MRI will not show a broken collarbone, however. Of note, Andy Reid said the injury was to Edwards-Helaire's shoulder. We'll know more after Monday's MRI.

Monday update: An MRI showed an intact collarbone. Edwards-Helaire reportedly has a bruised shoulder and is considered week-to-week. That likely leaves him doubtful this week.

Darrell Henderson | Right MCL sprain | Injured reserve (expected) | Out Week 17

Henderson was pulled down and injured his right knee on his lone Week 16 carry. Video suggests an MCL sprain.

Ian Rapoport tweeted the Rams "hope [the injury] is minor but [Henderson] will have an MRI on Monday to tell the full story." Even a low-grade MCL sprain will threaten Henderson's availability in Week 17. With Sony Michel firmly entrenched as the team's lead back, Henderson's lone carry did not come until the fourth quarter on Sunday. Expect him to be inactive in Week 17 and he's doubtful to return during the regular season.

Monday update: Sean McVay told reporters Henderson has an MCL injury and will likely miss 4-6 weeks. The team is expected to move Henderson to injured reserve this week.

Jimmy Garoppolo | Right thumb sprain with fracture | Week-to-Week | Doubtful

Monday update: Garoppolo reportedly suffered a sprained ligament on the outside of his thumb and a fracture yesterday. Further testing will define the need for surgery and his recovery timetable but he's unlikely to play in Week 17 and could miss multiple weeks.

Follow Up Appointments

Lamar Jackson | Right ankle contusion | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 17

Jackson reportedly made enough progress 7-10 days ago to be considered questionable to play in Week 15. Not surprisingly, despite that positive note, he was inactive after not practicing all week. The bone bruise again kept Jackson from practicing last week and the team did not clear him to travel -- even with Tyler Huntley on the COVID list and no other quarterback but Josh Johnson on the roster.

If Jackson wasn't healthy enough to be used as a pocket passer in an emergency situation in a divisional game with playoff implications, it's reasonable to wonder if he remains doubtful to play again this week. Monday's press conference and Wednesday's practice report will be important signposts in his recovery.

Elijah Mitchell | Knee inflammation | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 17

Mitchell reportedly continues to progress from a Week 13 knee injury. The Niners have not provided specifics on Mitchell's condition but video of the injury, which reportedly occurred on the same play as the helmet-to-helmet contact that led to his concussion, suggests a left MCL or meniscus injury.

Kyle Shanahan told reporters Mitchell was improving but didn't have enough time to be evaluated on the short week. He's likely on the probable side of questionable for Week 17.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Darren Waller could return to practice on Wednesday. Consider him doubtful until there's clear evidence he's been cleared for contact.

***Cam Akers now "has a chance to play" after the Rams said he'd be unlikely to return until the postseason.

***Adam Thielen aggravated his high ankle sprain and was unable to finish the game. He's unlikely to play this week. Monday update: Mike Zimmer said Thielen was "a little bit sore" and was hopeful Thielen could return Sunday night.

***Miles Sanders injured his hand, was ruled out quickly, and left the stadium in a wrap. Hand injuries are concerning for running backs and leave Sanders on the doubtful side of questionable. Monday update: Sanders did break a bone in his hand and will not play this week. The Eagles hope he'll be able to return in Week 18.

***DAndre Swift was not cleared for contact through Friday's practice but has returned to light drills. The Lions could allow Swift to return this week.

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.