Injury Rounds
Russell Wilson | Right finger fracture / Tendon rupture | 4-8 weeks | Out Week 6
Wilson hit his finger on the outstretched arm of a defensive lineman Thursday night. He suffered two separate injuries -- a rupture of the tendon responsible for extending the tip of his middle finger and a fracture of the finger. The injury was complicated enough to require surgery to reattach the tendon and screws to fixate the fractured finger.
The initial return estimates ranged from 4-8 weeks. It's a wider range than we commonly see for finger injuries but reasonable. The fracture will not be healed within four weeks but the screws will provide necessary stability and the pin will allow for full extension of the finger. Full recovery then depends on range of motion and strength in the finger, which will require additional time due to the splint Wilson will need to wear after surgery.
The most optimistic target is Week 10 -- five weeks after surgery and the week following Seattle's bye. Wilson and the team won't know whether he'll be able to meet that target until the end of the month.
Saquon Barkley | Left ankle injury | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 6
Barkley stepped on a defender's foot and severely rolled his ankle. He was carted to the locker room and did not return to play.
Low ankle sprains do not usually require a long period of rehab and recovery. However, high-grade ligament sprains are sometimes unstable enough to need a week or more before return to play. Also, while low ankle sprains are commonly associated with the grotesque amount of swelling shown on the television broadcast, Barkley's swelling was notably higher than the most commonly injured ligaments on the outside of the ankle.
Results of Barkley's in-game x-ray were not immediately released but the location of the swelling raises the possibility of a fibula fracture. I'll update with any details after the game.
Sunday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Barkley's injury is a low ankle sprain that's likely to keep him out at least a week. The Giants will evaluate further on Monday.
Monday update: Joe Judge told reporters imaging studies were more reassuring than expected. That likely rules out a broken bone around the ankle. The Giants are hopeful he'll be able to practice this week. He remains doubtful to play in Week 6.
Chris Carson | Cervical neck condition | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 6
Carson was listed with a neck condition on last week's injury report. Later in the week, Pete Carroll told reporters Carson has been dealing with soreness and inflammation in his neck since late in the preseason. Carroll said the team was waiting to see if the condition would settle down. Despite a pregame report suggesting Carson was 50-50 to play -- closer than might have been expected -- he was kept inactive.
It's likely Carson is dealing with nerve inflammation related to a disc issue in his cervical spine. It's unlikely a muscle injury or ligament sprain would be described as inflammation. It's still unclear whether Carson will require treatment like steroid injections that may require a longer recovery time or if he has healed enough to play this week.
I'll update if Carroll discusses Carson's progress during Monday's press conference.
Joe Burrow | Anterior neck injury | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 6
Burrow was hit multiple times during Sunday's game around the head and neck. He returned to play after each hit.
After the game, Burrow was reportedly having difficulty speaking and was taken to a local hospital for a "possible throat contusion." This will hopefully prove to be precautionary. The likely concern is an injury to the larynx. Injuries to the soft tissues of the neck rarely result in voice changes. Swelling around the larynx, in severe cases, can affect the airway.
If imaging studies and (possibly) direct visualization of the airway are reassuring, Burrow will be released tonight and his symptoms should be treatable and are unlikely to prevent him from playing in Week 6. I'll update if his injuries prove to be more extensive.
Monday update: Burrow did not require overnight observation for his condition and reportedly felt better on Monday morning. He is expected to practice and play this week.
JuJu Smith-Schuster | Right shoulder dislocation / instability | Season-ending injury | Out Week 6
Smith-Schuster did not return after a shoulder injury and required evaluation at the hospital after the game. Video during the game showed Smith-Schuster in pain with the medical staff holding his arm away from the body.
A shoulder dislocation is possible but rarely requires hospital evaluation. The injury and post-game developments are suspicious for an injury to the joint between the sternum and the collarbone where the top of the lung and major blood vessels are located. These injuries require careful evaluation and sometimes surgery to treat them appropriately.
I'll update further as more details are reported. Expect Smith-Schuster to miss time.
Monday update: Smith-Schuster did dislocate his shoulder. While rare, sometimes it's difficult to relocate the shoulder on site, the shoulder may remain unstable after relocation, and labral tears or fractures around the shoulder socket can complicate the injury. There are reports Smith-Schuster has a labral tear that requires surgery. Rehab and recovery generally takes 3-4 months and will likely end his season.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Right MCL sprain | Week-to-Week | Out Week 6
Edwards-Helaire suffered an MCL sprain in the second half of last night's game and was immediately ruled out. Early reports suggest the injury is relatively high grade and will require at least a month of rehab. He's likely to be placed on injured reserve this week.
Trey Lance | Left knee sprain | Week-to-Week | Bye Week 6
Lance does not remember injuring his knee during Sunday's game but experienced soreness on Monday and was diagnosed with a low-grade knee sprain. Kyle Shanahan expects him to miss a week or two. The Niners have a bye this week and are unsure whether Lance will be ready for Week 7.
Follow Up Appointments
Christian McCaffrey | Left hamstring strain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 6
McCaffrey had a full week of individual drills last week but was not cleared to play. All indications are that his Week 5 absence was precautionary and not due to a late-week setback. If that proves accurate, McCaffrey will have another full week to recondition and should be at low risk of aggravation in Week 6. Expect a full workload if his practice participation looks reassuring this week.
Dalvin Cook | Right high ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 6
Cook labored through his return in Week 5 and had only a limited Friday practice last week before being declared inactive.
There was optimism for Cook earlier last week but he was unable to put in a full workout and his pregame warmup was limited. The Vikings have consistently said they'll clear Cook to play at less than full strength if he feels he can be effective. So -- despite the looming Week 7 bye -- it's possible Cook will play this week even if he's not fully recovered.
Rob Gronkowski | Rib fractures / pneumothorax | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 6
Gronkowski has yet to return to practice after suffering rib fractures and a collapsed lung in Week 3. The lung injury is likely no longer an issue but it is difficult to manage the pain of multiple rib injuries. It's possible Gronkowski will be recovered enough to take contact and play this week. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers have a quick turnaround and travel to Philadelphia for a game Thursday night.
David Montgomery | Left knee sprain | Injured reserve | Target = Week 11
The Bears placed Montgomery on injured reserve with a knee injury that will reportedly require 4-5 weeks of rehabilitation. Television angles did not show a clear view of the injury and All-22 angles continue to be difficult to view through the NFL's website. Media reports have described the injury as a hyperextension and a sprain. Adam Schefter reported the Bears were not concerned about an ACL injury.
Should Montgomery heal quickly, he could return prior to Chicago's Week 10 bye. The most reasonable target is likely Week 11.
Fast Track News and Notes
***Jimmy Garoppolo was unable to practice last week and there are variable reports on the severity of his injury and progress. Some observers do not feel Garoppolo has been moving well in rehab work. Others believe the injury is minor and should not affect his Week 6 availability.
***Justin Fields left briefly after hyperextending his left knee while scrambling. The injury was worrisome for a knee sprain or bone bruise and it's possible Fields will experience limiting pain and swelling after the game. Watch to see whether the Bears express concern on Monday or Fields is unable to practice on Wednesday. Monday update: The Bears do not believe Fields will miss time after a reassuring Monday MRI.
***Damien Harris left the game multiple times after taking shots to the ribs and was eventually ruled out. He'll be re-evaluated on Monday. Expect limited practice and a questionable tag this week, per the usual New England approach.
***Kenny Golladay played through a first-quarter knee hyperextension but was eventually ruled out. He'll be further evaluated on Monday. Monday update: An MRI did not show a season-threatening injury. The Giants currently expect Golladay to miss only 1-2 games.
***Quintez Cephus injured his left shoulder and was ruled out. Dan Campbell's post-game comments were worrisome for an injury to the collarbone. Expect a multiple-week absence. Monday update: Campbell told reporters Cephus fractured his collarbone and may not be able to return this season.
***Matthew Stafford (finger), Tyler Higbee (shoulder), Darrell Henderson, Tom Brady (right thumb), and Amari Cooper (right lower leg) suffered injuries but continued to play.
Eligible to Return from Injured Reserve
Rashod Bateman | Core abdominal muscle repair | Eligible Week 4 - Designated to return | Questionable Week 5 | Target Week 5
Sep 26: Bateman is now six weeks from surgery to repair a core abdominal muscle. Last week, John Harbaugh said "We'll see," when asked whether Bateman would be ready. Beat writers believe Week 5-6 to be a more likely return date than Week 4.
Oct 3: Bateman is likely to be activated this week. Expect the Ravens to ease him into a limited number of passing packages.
Oct 10: Bateman is expected to be promoted to the active roster in advance on Baltimore's Monday night game in Week 5.
TreQuan Smith | Aggravated hamstring strain | Eligible Week 4 - Currently on IR | Doubtful Week 6 | Target = Week 6+
Sep 26: In Week 1, Smith aggravated a hamstring strain that limited in for weeks during training camp. The Saints have not updated his condition but he's unlikely to return in Week 4.
Oct 10: Smith was not designated to return last week. It's not clear if he's progressed enough to be returned yet. We should know more on Monday.
Jerry Jeudy | Right high ankle sprain | Eligible Week 5 - Currently on IR | Out Week 6 | Target = Week 7+
Sep 26: Jeudy suffered a significant sprain in Week 1. Although x-rays did not show a broken bone and surgery was not necessary, Jeudy is likely to need 4-6 weeks to fully recover. The Broncos travel to Cleveland for a Thursday night game in Week 7. That's likely the best-case scenario for Jeudy but don't be surprised if he's held out until the following week.
Oct 10: Jeudy continues to progress in his recovery from a significant high ankle injury. There's an outside chance he'll be designated to return and prepare to play in Week 6. If not, the quick turnaround to the Week 7 Thursday night game may further complicate his return timetable.
Michael Gallup | Calf strain | Eligible Week 5 - Currently on IR | Out Week 6 | Target Week 8
Sep 26: Gallup continues rehab and is expected back shortly after he's eligible to return.
Oct 10: Mike McCarthy has said Gallup may not return until after Dallas' Week 7 bye.
Ryan Fitzpatrick | Right hip subluxation | Eligible Week 5 - Currently on IR | Out Week 6 | Target = Week 10+
Sep 26: Fitzpatrick chose not to have surgery to address a likely tear in his hip labrum. He's expected to be out at least 6-8 weeks.
Jarvis Landry | MCL sprain | Eligible Week 6 | Currently on IR | Questionable Week 6 | Target = Week 6+
Oct 10: The Browns have not updated Landry's status but most mid-grade MCL sprains are 3-4 week recoveries. He could return to play immediately.
Tua Tagovailoa | Left rib fractures | Eligible Week 6 - Currently on IR | Probable Week 6 | Target = Week 6
Oct 10: Tagovailoa has resumed throwing and is now eligible to return from injured reserve. Local observers expect him to play in Week 6.
Michael Thomas | Syndesmosis / deltoid ligament repair | Eligible Week 7 - Currently on PUP | Target = Week 8++
Oct 10: Thomas is eligible to practice and return to play after Week 6. Recovery is variable from these surgeries. While it is reasonable to expect clearance for contact in 3-4 months, most players take considerably longer to recover the strength and range of motion necessary to return to pre-injury form. Thomas could be cleared to return around Week 7 but it will likely be November before he's closer to full recovery.
Jeff Wilson | Meniscus repair | Eligible Week 7 - Currently on PUP | Target = Week 8++
Oct 10: Recovery from meniscus repair generally requires 4-6 months of rehab. The Niners are hopeful to have him back for the second half of the season.
Injured Players by Position
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Quarterbacks
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Player
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Team
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Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
FBG Expectation
|
W6 Availability
|
| Russell Wilson | Sea | Fractured finger / tendon injury | Week 5 | IR (expected) | Week 10+ return | Out |
| Joe Burrow | Cin | Anterior neck injury | Week 5 | Day-to-Day | Week 6 return | Probable |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | SF | Right calf strain | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 7 return | Bye |
| Trey Lance | SF | Left knee sprain | Week 5 | Week-to-Week | Week 7+ return | Bye |
| Justin Fields | Chi | Left knee hyperextension | Week 5 | Day-to-Day | Week 6+ return | Probable |
| Daniel Jones | NYG | Concussion | Week 5 | Concussion protocol | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Taysom Hill | NO | Concussion | Week 5 | Concussion protocol | Week 7+ return | Bye |
| - | ||||||
| Tua Tagovailoa | Mia | Left rib fractures | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 6 return | Probable |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | Was | Right hip subluxation | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 5 | Week 10+ return | IR |
| Tyrod Taylor | Hou | Hamstring strain | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
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Running Backs
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Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
FBG Expectation
|
W6 Availability
|
| Christian McCaffrey | Car | Left hamstring strain | Week 3 | Day-to-Day | Week 6 return | Probable |
| Dalvin Cook | Min | Aggravated right high ankle sprain | Week 4 | Day-to-Day | Week 6 return | Probable |
| Saquon Barkley | NYG | Left ankle injury | Week 5 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Doubtful |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC | Right MCL sprain | Week 5 | Week-to-Week | Week 10+ return | Out |
| Chris Carson | Sea | Cervical neck condition | Chronic | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Damien Harris | NE | Rib injury | Week 5 | Day-to-Day | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Samaje Perine | Cin | COVID-reserve | Oct 11 | Day-to-Day | Week 6+ return | Doubtful |
| Justin Jackson | LAC | Groin injury | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Peyton Barber | LV | Toe sprain | Week 4 | Day-to-Day | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Rex Burkhead | Hou | Hip injury | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Doubtful |
| Mike Boone | Den | Quad strain | Aug-2021 | IR - DTR Week 4 | Week 6 return | Probable |
| Darrynton Evans | Ten | Knee injury | Aug-2021 | IR - DTR Week 5 | Week 6 return | Probable |
| Anthony McFarland | Pit | Undisclosed | Aug-2021 | IR - DTR Week 5 | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| - | ||||||
| David Montgomery | Chi | Left knee sprain | Week 4 | IR - Eligible Week 8 | Week 11 return | IR |
| Jeff Wilson | SF | Meniscus repair | May-2021 | Reserve - PUP | Week 8++ return | PUP / Bye |
| JaMycal Hasty | SF | Left high ankle sprain | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 7 | Week 7+ return | IR / Bye |
| Tarik Cohen | Chi | Right ACL reconstruction | Sep-2020 | Reserve - PUP | Week 7+ return | PUP |
| Rashaad Penny | Sea | Calf strain | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 7 | Week 7++ return | IR |
| Tony Jones | NO | Right ankle injury | Week 4 | IR - Eligible Week 9 | Week 9+ return | IR / Bye |
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Wide Receivers Injured
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||||||
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Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
FBG Expectation
|
W6 Availability
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| Julio Jones | Ten | Hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | Ten | Hamstring strain | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Kenny Golladay | NYG | Knee hyperextension | Week 5 | Week-to-Week | Week 8+ return | Doubtful |
| Sterling Shepard | NYG | Right hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Darius Slayton | NYG | Hamstring strain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Kadarius Toney | NYG | Ankle injury | Week 5 | Awaiting information | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| DeVante Parker | Mia | Hamstring strain | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | Pit | Right shoulder dislocation | Week 5 | IR (expected) | 2022 return | IR |
| James Washington | Pit | Hamstring strain | Week 5 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Curtis Samuel | Was | Aggravated groin strain | Week 5 | Week-to-Week | Week 6++ return | Doubtful |
| Dyami Brown | Was | Knee injury | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Cam Sims | Was | Hamstring strain | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Rashod Bateman | Bal | Core abdominal muscle repair | Aug-2021 | IR - DTR Week 4 | Week 5 return | MNF Week 5 |
| Miles Boykin | Bal | Hamstring strain | Aug-2021 | IR - DTR Week 4 | Week 5+ return | MNF Week 5 |
| Quintez Cephus | Det | Left clavicle fracture | Week 5 | IR (expected) | ? 2021 return | IR |
| Russell Gage | Atl | Right ankle injury | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 7 return | Bye |
| Danny Amendola | Hou | Hamstring strain | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| - | ||||||
| Michael Thomas | NO | Syndesmosis/deltoid repair | Jun-2021 | Reserve-PUP | Week 7++ return | PUP |
| TreQuan Smith | NO | Hamstring strain | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 4 | Week 7+ return | IR / Bye |
| Jerry Jeudy | Den | Right high ankle sprain | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 5 | Week 7+ return | IR |
| Jarvis Landry | Cle | MCL sprain | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 6 return | Questionable |
| Will Fuller | Mia | Finger fracture | Week 4 | IR - Eligible Week 8 | Week 8+ return | IR |
| Michael Gallup | Dal | Calf strain | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 5 | Week 8 return | IR |
| T.Y. Hilton | Ind | Cervical microdiscectomy | Aug-2021 | IR - Eligible Week 4 | Week 10+ return | IR |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | GB | Hamstring strain | Week 3 | IR - Eligible Week 7 | Week 7+ return | IR |
| Nico Collins | Hou | Shoulder injury | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 8+ return | IR |
| Scott Miller | TB | Toe sprain | Week 4 | IR - Eligible Week 7 | Week 7+ return | IR |
| Tyrell Williams | Det | Concussion | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Dee Eskridge | Sea | Concussion | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 8 | Week 8++ return | IR |
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Tight Ends Injured
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Player
|
Team
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Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
FBG Expectation
|
W6 Availability
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| Rob Gronkowski | TB | Rib injuries / Punctured lung | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Week 6+ return | Doubtful |
| Maxx Williams | Ari | Right knee injury | Week 5 | Awaiting information | IR | Out |
| Adam Shaheen | Mia | Knee injury | Week 5 | Awaiting information | Week 6+ return | Questionable |
| Tyler Kroft | NYJ | Back injury | Week 4 | Week-to-Week | Week 7+ return | Bye |
| - | ||||||
| George Kittle | SF | Calf strain | Week 1 | IR - Eligible Week 9 | Week 9 return | IR / Bye |
| Logan Thomas | Was | Right hamstring strain | Week 4 | IR - Eligible Week 8 | Week 8+ return | IR |
| Albert Okwuegbunam | Den | Hamstring strain | Week 4 | IR - Eligible Week 8 | Week 8+ return | IR |
| James OShaughnessy | Jac | Right high ankle sprain | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 6+ return | IR |
| Nick Boyle | Bal | Knee injury | Nov-2020 | IR - Eligible Week 4 | Week 6+ return | Doubtful |
Injured Players Not Expected to Return in 2021
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Notable Quarterbacks on PUP or NFI or IR
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
|
|
Notable Running Backs on PUP or NFI or IR
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||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
|
| Cam Akers | LAR | Right Achilles repair | Jul-2021 | Reserve - NFI | Week 7 | 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 |
| 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 |
|
Notable Wide Receivers on PUP or NFI or IR
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||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
|
| D.J. Chark | Jac | Left ankle fracture | Oct-2021 | IR - Week 4 | Week 9 | 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
|
| Irv Smith | Min | Meniscus repair | Sep-2021 | IR - Preseason | Week 4 | 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.
