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Antonio brown and extreme frostbite

The twists and turns around Antonio Brown's first training camp with the Raiders reminds me of a bad Choose Your Own Adventure book.

Extreme frostbite? Paint your own helmet? HBO and Hard Knocks?

Is there really anything to see here? Is Brown in danger of missing Week 1?

In short, I doubt it.

Brown hasn't suffered extreme frostbite. That implies deep tissue damage requiring removal of dead tissue and loss of function. Brown's injury is better characterized as a second-degree cold burn. The blistering and regeneration of new skin is painful and limiting -- but not a long-term concern. Brown's injury occurred sometime in late July. The Raiders activated him off the NFI list within 48 hours and allowed him to practice -- neither of which is consistent with a long-term condition.

It seems more likely that Brown's prolonged absence is due to his concern over the NFL's ban on helmets no longer meeting safety standards. The NFL testing process is not new. And the league has been very transparent in informing players who have previously worn helmets that no longer meet safety standards of the need to find an alternative.

I think the unusual nature of Brown's foot condition has given the story more legs than it may deserve, and I still believe Brown is more day-to-day than week-to-week. The helmet issue has yet to be resolved, but I don't think Brown is likely to retire.

Expect more drama over both issues but -- for now -- consider Brown probable for Week 1.

Injury Rounds

Jerick McKinnon | knee inflammation | chronic | week-to-week | Questionable Week 1

Through most of the offseason, the news was uniformly positive on McKinnon's recovery from last season's ACL reconstruction. Since mini-camp ended, the tone has changed. McKinnon started camp on the PUP list after experiencing knee soreness. Reportedly, that soreness was related to over-zealous rehab as McKinnon prepared for camp. It seemed reassuring when McKinnon was activated last week and began practicing. The inflammation and soreness quickly recurred, however, and McKinnon has again been shut down after a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection.

There are varied indications for PRP injections but not much consensus on the which components may be successful and which conditions may respond best. Around the knee, NFL medical staffs use PRP to address inflammation due to arthritis or patellar tendinopathy or to speed recovery after meniscus repair. In McKinnon's case, the recurrent inflammation is suspicious for arthritic changes after his ACL procedure. It's impossible to judge whether the PRP injection may be successful over the longer term but the additional time off will be helpful.

Unfortunately, the recurrent symptoms raise concern whether McKinnon is headed down the same path as Todd Gurley and Sony Michel. The Niners are already hinting that in-season injured reserve is a possibility and Week 1 is clearly in question. If McKinnon's current absence stretches into the regular season or he's frequently rested during the week, consider a full and productive recovery from ACL reconstruction unlikely.

Keke Coutee | Right high ankle sprain | Preseason Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1

Coutee's right leg was tangled up with a defender during a tackle attempt. After some initial concern about a knee injury -- and video did show a possible MCL sprain -- the injury was reported as an ankle sprain. The type of leg twisting Coutee suffered can also result in a high ankle sprain. With Bill O'Brien telling reporters Coutee's return "won't be soon," it's likely Coutee has a mid-grade high-ankle sprain and will need 4-6 weeks to recover. A Week 1 return is questionable.

***NKeal Harry left the Patriots' Week 1 preseason game with an undisclosed injury. The video suggests a right foot or ankle injury, and local writers do not believe the injury to be serious.

***Dallas Goedert has a calf strain. He is expected to miss the rest of the preseason, but the team considers him likely to play Week 1.

***Theo Riddick suffered a fracture around his shoulder during practice last week and will miss 6-8 weeks.

Follow Up Appointments

Andrew Luck | Calf strain | offseason | week-to-Week | Probable Week 1

The Athletic's Zak Keefer wrote a fantastic article detailing Andrew Luck's calf strain. The article contains a timeline of events through the offseason, thoughts on why Luck may be frustrated with the lingering nature of the injury, and some reassurance on why this injury isn't following the ever-more-pessimistic track Luck's shoulder injury once did.

Still, it's unnerving to continue to read that Luck doesn't feel comfortable practicing with a soft tissue injury first diagnosed in late May. The Colts continue to suggest Luck's recovery is progressing and that he would be available to play if the team had a regular-season game this week. But we're nearly three months into a week-to-week timetable and Luck reportedly won't be cleared for contact this week either.

If Luck isn't ramping up his practice participation next week, it will be time to consider adjusting the probable for Week 1 expectation.

***Damien Williams (hamstring), Daesean Hamilton (hamstring), Andy Isabella (knee), Jurrell Casey (MCL), Trey Flowers (shoulder), and Aaron Jones (hamstring) returned to practice last week. Derrick Henry has begun work on the rehab fields as his recovery from a calf injury continues.

INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER