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Monday Injury Rounds: Week 6

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Week 6
By Jene Bramel, October 7, 2019

Monday Injury Rounds: Week 6
Photo: Imagn Images

Inseason injury coverage

Footballguys will again provide comprehensive injury coverage during the regular season.

My writing and podcast schedule will include:

Monday Injury Rounds > Published as soon as complete 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 900 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 and Matt Waldman at 1000 ET every Sunday morning to discuss and interpret the week's practice participation reports and breaking weekend injury news.

Injury Rounds

Patrick Mahomes II | Aggravated left high ankle sprain | Week 5 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 6

The Chiefs struggled to protect Mahomes Sunday night and there were multiple instances when his ankle was stressed as the pocket collapsed. Mahomes had his ankle re-taped in the locker room at halftime. Unfortunately, taping does not add much stability to a high ankle sprain and Mahomes was limited in the pocket and limping for much of the second half.

Quarterbacks frequently play through high ankle sprains as teams find ways to support them in the pocket. Mahomes may have more swelling and stiffness on Monday and have his practice time limited through the week. But television replays did not show a violent injury event that's likely to keep him from playing next week.

Sterling Shepard | Concussion | Week 5 | Week-to-Week | Out Week 6

Shepard reported concussion symptoms to the medical staff on Monday and was placed in concussion protocol for the second time this season. The Giants play Thursday night, leaving little time for Shepard to clear protocol this week. Shepard could miss additional games with the Giants likely to take extended time to advance Shepard through the protocol's stages given the short length of time between his two 2019 concussions.

Follow Up Appointments

Saquon Barkley | Right high ankle sprain | Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 6

Within 24 hours of Barkley's high ankle sprain, local and national reports had his expected return timetable at 4-8 weeks. While the eight week end of the timetable didn't seem likely -- Barkley was evaluated by specialists and told surgery was unnecessary -- the consensus was Barkley's return would be closer to six weeks than four weeks.

But Barkley has consistently told reporters he heals quickly and has already returned to limited individual practice. He has clearly targeted this Thursday night's game against New England as his preferred return date. Even if Barkley's injury was never serious enough to warrant a 6+ week rehab, returning in less than three weeks is a big ask.

If Barkley and the medical team decide the ankle is stable enough to play without a high risk of aggravation, we'll likely know by Tuesday or Wednesday's practice. I'm giving Barkley the benefit of the doubt and projecting him questionable for now.

Tyreek Hill | Right sternoclavicular dislocation | Week 1 | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 6

The closest prior NFL comparison for Hill's injury is Danny Amendola's 2002 injury. Amendola was cleared to return in five weeks. Others with similar injuries to the same joint also returned in 4-6 weeks.

Hill's rehab has progressed smoothly. He needed a sling for comfort only briefly and has been seen catching passes for two weeks now. That suggests Hill may have returned to full range of motion without pain. But it does not guarantee his sternoclavicular joint is stable enough to be cleared for contact. The Chiefs will re-evaluate Hill early this week. If they clear him to return to a full practice -- and I think that's possible, if not likely -- he should be in condition and ready to see a full workload immediately in Week 6.

Drew Brees | Right thumb ligament repair | Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Week 8+ Return

The surgical procedure Brees had allowed for immediate range of motion and he's taken full advantage during his rehab. Last week, video showed Brees gripping and throwing a football three weeks after surgery. While that's reassuring, it doesn't mean Brees will shave multiple weeks off the original 6-8 week timetable. It does put the lower end of the timetable in play, however, and it's now possible Brees will play before the Saints' Week 9 bye.

Hunter Henry | Left tibial plateau fracture | Week 1 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 6

Henry was given a 4-6 week timetable after his Week 1 diagnosis. He was running sprints and reconditioning in a knee brace last week but has not been cleared to return to individual drills. The Chargers haven't updated Henry's timetable but expect him to increase his practice participation this week. If his knee responds well, he may return as early as this week.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Mason Rudolph was released after a brief period of observation in a local hospital after sustaining a concussion. He may have difficulty progressing through the return-to-play protocol in time to play this week.

***Sammy Watkins suffered a hamstring strain early in the first quarter Sunday night. He will be re-evaluated on Monday.

***Sam Darnold continues to recover from a viral illness and enlarged spleen. Multiple follow up tests last week did not show enough improvement to clear Darnold for contact. He'll have another set of tests early this week.

***Wayne Gallman sustained a concussion. While there have been limited instances when players who suffered a Sunday concussion were cleared to play on Thursday night, it's rare and unlikely. Expect Gallman to be inactive Thursday.

Injured Players on Active Roster

Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Patrick Mahomes II KC Left high ankle sprain Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 6 Return Probable Week 6
Drew Brees NO Right thumb ligament repair Week 2 6-8 Weeks Week 8+ Return Out Week 6
Cam Newton Car Left Lisfranc sprain Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 8+ Return Out Week 6
Matthew Stafford Det Back / hip condition Week 3 Day-to-Day Week 6 Return Probable Week 6
Mitchell Trubisky Chi Left shoulder dislocation Week 4 2-3 Weeks Week 7+ Return Bye Week 6
Sam Darnold NYJ Mononucleosis Week 1 3-4 Weeks Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Mason Rudolph Pit Concussion Week 5 Concussion protocol Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
NYG
Right high ankle sprain
Week 3
 4-8 Weeks Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
NYG
Concussion
Week 5
 Concussion protocol Week 6+ Return Doubtful Week 6
Ari
Back injury
Week 5
 Day-to-Day Week 6+ Return Probable Week 6
Buf
Left hamstring strain
Week 2
 Week-to-Week Week 7 Return Bye Week 6
GB
Concussion
Week 4
 Concussion protocol Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
NE
Foot injury
Week 3
 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
LAC
Calf injury
Week 3
 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Phi
 Quad injury
Week 5
 Awaiting Information Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Cle
Core abdominal muscle repair
PS Week 4
 4-6 Weeks Week 10 Return Suspended eight games
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Davante Adams GB Right toe sprain Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Tyreek Hill KC Right sternoclavicular dislocation Week 1 5-6 Weeks Week 6+ Return Probable Week 6
Sammy Watkins KC Hamstring strain Week 5 Awaiting Information Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
A.J. Green Cin Left ankle injury Late July 6-8 Weeks Week 8+ Return Out Week 6
Sterling Shepard NYG Concussion Week 5 Concussion protocol Week 7++ Return Out Week 6
Brandin Cooks LAR Concussion Week 5 Concussion protocol Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
DeSean Jackson Phi Groin injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Tyrell Williams Oak Foot injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Bye Week 6
Marquise Brown Bal Ankle injury Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 6 Return Probable Week 6
Christian Kirk Ari Right high ankle sprain Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Damiere Byrd Ari Hamstring strain Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Kenny Stills Hou Right hamstring strain Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Albert Wilson Mia Aggravated calf strain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 6 Return Probable Week 6
Phillip Dorsett NE Hamstring injury Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Taylor Gabriel Chi Concussion Week 3 Concussion protocol Week 7+ Return Bye Week 6
Rashard Higgins Cle Knee injury Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Danny Amendola Det Chest injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Parris Campbell Ind Abdominal injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Bye Week 6
James Washington Pit Shoulder injury Week 5 Awaiting Information Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Robert Foster Buf Groin injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Bye Week 6
Allen Hurns Mia Concussion Week 3 Concussion protocol Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Hunter Henry LAC Left tibial plateau fracture Week 1 4-6 Weeks Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
T.J. Hockenson Det Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
James O'Shaughnessy Jac Left ACL tear Week 5 Injured reserve (exp) IR (exp) 2020 return
Jordan Reed Was Concussion PS Week 3 Concussion protocol Indefinite Out Week 6
Vernon Davis Was Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Tyler Kroft Buf Left ankle injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Bye Week 6
Josh Oliver Jac Hamstring strain August Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
Tackles
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Tyron Smith Dal Right high ankle sprain Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
La'El Collins Dal Left MCL sprain Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Joe Staley SF Left fibula fracture Week 2 6-8 Weeks Week 10+ Return Out Week 6
Eric Fisher KC Core abdominal muscle repair Week 2 4-6 Weeks Week 7+ Return Out Week 6
Cordy Glenn Cin Concussion PS Week 2 Concussion protocol Week 6+ Return Doubtful Week 6
Andre Smith Cin Ankle injury Week 5 Awaiting Information Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Greg Little Car Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 7+ Return Doubtful Week 6
Cody Ford Buf Concussion Week 5 Concussion protocol Week 7+ Return Bye Week 6
Demar Dotson TB Calf / hamstring injuries Week 5 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Doubtful Week 6
Ja'Wuan James Den Left knee sprain Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Jesse Davis Mia Right elbow injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Guards
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Trai Turner Car Ankle injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Gabe Jackson Oak Left MCL sprain PS Week 1 6-8 Weeks Week 7+ Return Bye Week 6
Brandon Scherff Was Ankle injury Week 3 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Andrew Wylie KC Left ankle sprain Week 5 Day-to-Day Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Ethan Pocic Sea Neck injury Week 2 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
D.J. Fluker Sea Hamstring strain Week 5 Awaiting Information Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Jamon Brown Atl Concussion Week 4 Concussion protocol Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Alex Cappa TB Fractured arm Week 5 Awaiting Information IR (exp) Out Week 6
Kelechi Osemele NYJ Shoulder / knee injuries Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Kevin Pamphile Ten Left knee injury Week 1 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Centers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Mike Pouncey LAC Neck injury Week 5 Awaiting Information Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Corey Linsley GB Concussion Week 5 Concussion protocol Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Mitch Morse Buf Ankle injury Week 5 Awaiting Information Week 7+ Return Bye Week 6
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
Edge Rushers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Melvin Ingram III LAC Right hamstring strain Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Clay Matthews LAR Jaw fracture Week 5 4-6 Weeks Week 10+ Return Out Week 6
Clelin Ferrell Oak Concussion Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 7+ Return Bye Week 6
Alex Okafor KC Hip injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Trey Hendrickson NO Neck injury Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Cameron Wake Ten Hamstring strain Week 4 Week-to-Week Week 6+ Return Questionable Week 6
Kemoko Turay Ind Right ankle fracture / dislocation Week 5 Injured reserve (exp) IR (exp) 2020 return
Photos provided by Imagn Images
Tags Injuries Johnathan Abram Davante Adams Nasir Adderley Mackensie Alexander Robert Alford Zach Allen Danny Amendola Henry Anderson Alex Anzalone Michael Badgley Saquon Barkley Marquise Brown Rex Burkhead Damiere Byrd Bryce Callahan Parris Campbell Bradley Chubb Ryan Connelly Brandin Cooks Mike Daniels Ronald Darby Sam Darnold Sean Davis Darqueze Dennard Quandre Diggs Phillip Dorsett Justin Evans Clelin Ferrell Nick Foles Blaine Gabbert Wayne Gallman A.J. Green Trey Hendrickson Hunter Henry Akiem Hicks Rashard Higgins Tyreek Hill Anthony Hitchens T.J. Hockenson Malik Hooker Kareem Hunt Melvin Ingram III DeSean Jackson Donte Jackson Justin Jackson Malik Jackson Derwin James Jr. Tony Jefferson Josey Jewell David Johnson Taron Johnson Chris Jones Kevin King Christian Kirk Christian Kirksey Micah Kiser Tyler Kroft Marquel Lee Shaquille Leonard Tyquan Lewis Drew Lock Avonte Maddox Patrick Mahomes II Bobby McCain Jerick McKinnon Matt Milano Jalen Mills C.J. Mosley Keanu Neal Cam Newton David Njoku Robert Nkemdiche Alec Ogletree Alex Okafor Josh Oliver Adrian Phillips Harrison Phillips Jason Pierre-Paul Jalen Ramsey Ben Roethlisberger John Ross Mason Rudolph Darnell Savage Sterling Shepard Trevor Siemian Jeffery Simmons Devin Singletary Darius Slay Jimmy Smith Matthew Stafford Equanimeous St. Brown Jace Sternberger Kenny Stills Ryan Succop Trent Taylor Jordan Thomas Mitch Trubisky Kemoko Turay Jason Verrett Denzel Ward Kahale Warring James Washington Sammy Watkins Avery Williamson Greedy Williams Jamaal Williams Tyrell Williams Xavier Williams Albert Wilson Antwaun Woods Tavon Young

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