Unlock More Content Like This With a Footballguys Premium Subscription
"FBG is the best fantasy football advisory service anywhere."
Nigel Eccles, Co-Founder, FanDuel
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
|
Quarterbacks
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
FBG Expectation
|
W17 Availability
|
| Lamar Jackson | Bal | Right ankle contusion | Week 14 | Day-to-Day | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | SF | Right thumb sprain/fracture | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Week 18++ return | Doubtful |
| Justin Fields | Chi | Ankle injury | Week 15 | Day-to-Day | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Andy Dalton | Chi | Hand / groin injuries | Week 14 | Day-to-Day | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Derek Carr | LV | Chest injury | Week 16 | Day-to-Day | Week 17 return | Probable |
| Teddy Bridgewater | Den | Concussion | Week 15 | Concussion protocol | Week 17++ return | Questionable |
| - | ||||||
| COVID-reserve | ||||||
| Taysom Hill | NO | COVID+ | Dec 23 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Trevor Siemian | NO | COVID+ | Dec 23 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Tyler Huntley | Bal | COVID+ | Dec 25 | COVID-reserve | ||
| - | ||||||
| Injured reserve / NFI | Eligible to return 2021 | |||||
| None | ||||||
|
Running Backs
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
FBG Expectation
|
W17 Availability
|
| Elijah Mitchell | SF | Knee injury | Week 13 | Day-to-Day | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC | Right clavicle injury | Week 16 | Week-to-Week | Week 17++ return | Doubtful |
| Miles Sanders | Phi | Hand fracture | Week 16 | Week-to-Week | Week 18+ return | Out |
| Jordan Howard | Phi | Stinger | Week 16 | Day-to-Day | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| DAndre Swift | Det | Right shoulder sprain | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| James Conner | Ari | Heel injury | Week 15 | Day-to-Day | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| James Robinson | Jac | Left Achilles tear | Week 16 | Season-ending injury | Injured reserve | Out |
| Darrell Henderson | LAR | Right MCL sprain | Week 16 | Week-to-Week | Injured reserve | Out |
| Cam Akers | LAR | Right Achilles repair | Jul-2021 | Week-to-Week | Week 17++ return | Doubtful |
| David Johnson | Hou | Quad injury | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Kareem Hunt | Cle | Left high ankle sprain | Week 14 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ return | Doubtful |
| - | ||||||
| COVID-reserve | ||||||
| Dalvin Cook | Min | COVID+ (unvaccinated?) | Dec 23 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Rhamondre Stevenson | NE | COVID+ | Dec 24 | COVID-reserve | ||
| David Johnson | Hou | COVID+ | Dec 27 | COVID-reserve | Quad injury | |
| - | ||||||
| Injured reserve / NFI | Eligible to return 2021 | |||||
| Derrick Henry | Ten | Fifth metatarsal fracture | Week 8 | IR - Eligible Week 12 | Week 17+ return | IR |
| Leonard Fournette | TB | Hamstring strain | Week 15 | IR - Eligible WC round | WC round+ return | IR |
| Giovani Bernard | TB | Right MCL sprain / hip strain | Week 14 | IR - Eligible Week 18 | Week 18+ return | IR |
| J.D. McKissic | Was | Neck condition | Week 15 | IR - Eligible WC round | WC+ round return | IR |
| Carlos Hyde | Jac | Concussion | Week 15 | IR - Team eliminated | 2022 return | IR |
| Trey Sermon | SF | Ankle injury | Week 12 | IR - DTR Week 16 | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Tarik Cohen | Chi | Right ACL reconstruction | Sep-2020 | Reserve - PUP | Week 14+ return | PUP |
| Malcolm Brown | Mia | Quad injury | Week 7 | IR - DTR Week 15 | Week 16 return? | MNF Week 16 |
|
Wide Receivers Injured
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
FBG Expectation
|
W17 Availability
|
| Adam Thielen | Min | Left high ankle sprain | Week 16 | Week-to-Week | Week 18+ return | Doubtful |
| Mike Evans | TB | Hamstring strain | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Week 17++ return | Doubtful |
| Jamison Crowder | NYJ | Calf injury | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Rondale Moore | Ari | Ankle injury | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Nelson Agholor | NE | Concussion | Week 15 | Concussion protocol | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Tajae Sharpe | Atl | Foot injury | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Curtis Samuel | Was | Hamstring strain | Week 13 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Marquise Goodwin | Chi | Foot injury | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Jakeem Grant | Mia | Concussion | Week 15 | Concussion protocol | Week 17+ return | Questionable |
| Danny Amendola | Hou | Knee surgery | Week 12 | Day-to-Day | Week 17+ return | Probable |
| - | ||||||
| COVID-reserve | ||||||
| Mike Williams | LAC | COVID+ | Dec 25 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Jalen Guyton | LAC | COVID+ | Dec 22 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Mike Evans | TB | COVID+ | Dec 27 | COVID-reserve | Hamstring injury | |
| Julio Jones | Ten | COVID+ | Dec 27 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | Ten | COVID+ | Dec 27 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Cole Beasley | Buf | COVID+ (unvaccinated) | Dec 21 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Gabriel Davis | Buf | COVID+ (unvaccinated) | Dec 24 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Brandin Cooks | Hou | COVID+ | Dec 22 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Josh Reynolds | Det | COVID+ | Dec 27 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Zach Pascal | Ind | COVID+ | Dec 25 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | GB | COVID+ | Dec 21 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Tajae Sharpe | Atl | COVID+ | Dec 27 | COVID-reserve | Foot injury | |
| Bryan Edwards | LV | COVID+ | Dec 26 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Laviska Shenault | Jac | COVID+ | Dec 24 | COVID-reserve | ||
| John Ross | NYG | COVID+ | Dec 15 | COVID-reserve | ||
| - | ||||||
| Injured reserve / NFI | Eligible to return 2021 | |||||
| DeAndre Hopkins | Ari | MCL repair | Week 15 | IR - Eligible Week 18 | Late playoff return | IR |
| Calvin Ridley | Atl | Behavioral health | Week 9 | NFI - Eligible Week 12 | 2022 return | Doubtful |
| Elijah Moore | NYJ | Quad strain (COVID 12/16) | Week 13 | IR - Eligible Week 17 | Week 17+ return | Doubtful |
| Corey Davis | NYJ | Core muscle surgery | Week 14 | IR - Eligible Week 17 | 2022 return | IR |
| Will Fuller | Mia | Finger fracture | Week 4 | IR - Eligible Week 8 | 2022 return | IR |
| Randall Cobb | GB | Core muscle surgery | Week 14 | IR - Eligible Week 17 | Week 17+ return | IR |
| Quintez Cephus | Det | Left clavicle fixation | Week 5 | IR - Eligible Week 10 | Late 2021 return | IR |
| Marcus Johnson | Ten | Hamstring strain | Week 11 | IR - Eligible Week 16 | Week 17+ return | Doubtful |
| Dante Pettis | NYG | Shoulder injury | Week 9 | IR - Eligible Week 13 | Week 13+ return | IR |
|
Tight Ends Injured
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
FBG Expectation
|
W17 Availability
|
| Travis Kelce | KC | COVID+ | Dec 20 | Day-to-Day | Week 17 return | Probable |
| Darren Waller | LV | Left iliotibial band strain | Week 12 | Day-to-Day | Week 16+ return | Questionable |
| Pat Freiermuth | Pit | Concussion | Week 15 | Concussion protocol | Week 17+ return | Doubtful |
| Jack Doyle | Ind | Ankle injury / Chronic knee | Week 16 | Awaiting reports | Week 16+ return | Questionable |
| - | ||||||
| COVID-reserve | ||||||
| Adam Trautman | NO | COVID+ | Dec 22 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Dan Arnold | Jac | COVID+ | Dec 27 | COVID-reserve | IR - MCL sprain | |
| Tyler Kroft | NYJ | COVID+ | Dec 27 | COVID-reserve | ||
| Trevon Wesco | NYJ | COVID+ | Dec 27 | COVID-reserve | ||
| - | ||||||
| Injured reserve / NFI | Eligible to return 2021 | |||||
| T.J. Hockenson | Det | Thumb surgery | Week 15 | IR - Eligible Week 18 | Week 18+ return | IR |
| Dan Arnold | Jac | MCL sprain | Week 12 | IR - Eligible Week 16 | Week 17++ return | IR |
| Eric Ebron | Pit | Meniscus tear | Week 11 | IR - Eligible Week 15 | Week 17+ return | Doubtful |
| Donald Parham | LAC | Concussion | Week 15 | IR - Eligible WC round | WC round+ return | IR |
| Blake Jarwin | Dal | Hip injury | Week 8 | IR - Eligible Week 12 | Week 18+ return | IR |
| Kaden Smith | NYG | Knee injury | Chronic | IR - Eligible Week 16 | Week 17++ return | IR |
Injured Players Not Expected to Return in 2021
|
Notable Quarterbacks on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
|
| Daniel Jones | NYG | Neck condition | Nov-2021 | IR - Week 16 | 2022 | 2022 return |
| Jameis Winston | NO | Left ACL / MCL injury | Nov-2021 | IR - Week 8 | Week 12 | 2022 return |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | Was | Right hip subluxation | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 1 | Week 5 | 2022 return |
|
Notable Running Backs on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
|
| Christian McCaffrey | Car | Left ankle injury | Nov-2021 | IR - Week 13 | 2022 | 2022 return |
| J.K. Dobbins | Bal | Left ACL reconstruction+ | Aug-2021 | IR - Aug 2021 | 2022 | 2022 return |
| Gus Edwards | Bal | ACL reconstruction | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 1 | Week 4 | 2022 return |
| Justice Hill | Bal | Achilles repair | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 1 | Week 4 | 2022 return |
| Chris Carson | Sea | Cervical spine fusion | Nov-2021 | IR | 2022 | 2022 return |
| Raheem Mostert | SF | Knee microfracture surgery | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 2 | Week 5 | 2022 return |
| Travis Etienne | Jac | Left Lisfranc repair | Aug-2021 | IR - Aug 2021 | 2022 | 2022 return |
| James White | NE | Right hip injury | Sep-2021 | IR - Sep 2021 | Week 7 | 2022 return |
| Kenyan Drake | LV | Right fibula fracture | Dec-2021 | IR - Dec 2021 | Week 17 | 2022 return |
| Darrynton Evans | Ten | Knee injury | Oct-2021 | IR - Oct 2021 | 2022 | 2022 return |
| Kylin Hill | GB | Right ACL tear | Nov-2021 | IR - Week 8 | Week 12 | 2022 return |
|
Notable Wide Receivers on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
|
| Robert Woods | LAR | ACL tear | Nov-2021 | IR | Week 14 | 2022 return |
| Chris Godwin | TB | Right ACL tear / MCL sprain | Dec-2021 | IR | Week 19 | 2022 return |
| Michael Thomas | NO | Syndesmosis/deltoid repair | Jun-2021 | Reserve-PUP | Week 7 | 2022 return |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | Pit | Right shoulder labrum repair | Oct-2021 | IR - Week 5 | Week 10 | 2022 return |
| Sterling Shepard | NYG | Left Achilles tear | Dec-2021 | IR | 2022 | 2022 return |
| D.J. Chark | Jac | Left ankle fracture | Oct-2021 | IR - Week 4 | Week 9 | 2022 return |
| Jamal Agnew | Jac | Right hip injury | Nov-2021 | IR - Week 11 | Week 15 | 2022 return |
| Parris Campbell | Ind | Left foot surgery | Oct-2021 | IR - Week 6 | Week 10 | 2022 return |
| K.J. Hamler | Den | Left ACL tear | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 3 | Week 7 | 2022 return |
|
Notable Tight Ends on PUP or NFI or IR
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
|
| Logan Thomas | Was | Left knee injury | Dec-2021 | IR - Week 13 | 2022 | 2022 return |
| Irv Smith | Min | Meniscus repair | Sep-2021 | IR - Preseason | Week 4 | 2022 return |
| Robert Tonyan Jr | GB | Right ACL tear | Oct-2021 | IR - Week 9 | Week 12 | 2022 return |
| Maxx Williams | Ari | Right knee injury | Oct-2021 | IR - Week 5 | Week 9 | 2022 return |
| Dalton Keene | NE | Meniscus repair | Jul-2021 | IR - Aug 2021 | 2022 | 2022 return |
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.