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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

Tua Tagovailoa | Right hip dislocation / acetabular fracture

Tagovailoa suffered a hip dislocation in Alabama's game on Saturday.

Briefly, the large bone of his thigh was pushed backward out of the hip socket when tackled. It's a painful injury and it is often difficult to reposition the hip without anesthesia. In Tagovailoa's case, the Crimson Tide medical staff was able to reduce the dislocated hip in the locker room. Unfortunately, part of the hip socket was fractured when this occurred. Tagovailoa will have surgery to stabilize the fracture this week, a procedure that could require as much as nine months of rehab.

There are two potential long-term issues of concern with this injury.

First, the blood supply to the hip socket is sometimes not sufficient to allow the bone to heal. When that happens, bone and cartilage loss occurs leading to pain, loss of range of motion, and arthritis. If this occurs, it's a career-threatening complication. It's difficult to estimate the likelihood of such a complication and Tagovailoa will be monitored carefully during the rehab process.

Second, any disruption of a joint surface can lead to cartilage loss and early arthritic changes. The extent of the cartilage degeneration would define the amount of short- and long-term limitations. While not necessarily career-threatening, this would be a career-shortening complication.

The Alabama medical staff released a statement stating they "anticipate a full recovery." That's hopeful but still uncertain. What is certain is a closely-watched and extensively reported pre-draft medical process for Tagovailoa, who was considered the possible top overall draft pick next April.

At any other position, this injury would be a devastating development for a prospect's draft stock. Assessing a quarterback may be different. Arm ability, intangibles, and the scarcity of talent at the position are important factors here. If Tagovailoa's early rehab and post-surgical imaging are favorable, he may not drop nearly as far as players at other positions. It's also possible Tagovailoa waits and enters the 2021 draft.

I'll continue to update Tagovailoa's progress throughout the offseason.

Monday Update: Tagovailoa's Monday surgery was said to be successful. Alabama orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lyle Cain told reporters he anticipates Tagovailoa to begin athletic activity in three months and resume throwing in the spring if rehab progresses as expected.

Deshaun Watson | Right high ankle sprain | Week 11 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 12

Television angles showed an injury consistent with a low-grade high ankle sprain during the first half. Watson did not miss any snaps and did not appear to be significantly limited by the injury in the second half.

The severity of high ankle sprains is best defined by the stiffness and swelling that occurs after the game in the 24 hours following the injury. Watson's injury did not appear violent and there's reason for optimism. Watson told reporters he was "fine" and expected to "be ready to go."

Unfortunately, Watson and the Texans play Thursday night. I expect Watson to play but the injury may limit him more on Thursday than it did in Sunday's game.

Marlon Mack | Right hand fracture | Week 11 | Week-to-Week | Out Week 12

Mack fractured a bone in his right hand and will have more studies and a specialist visit to determine whether surgery is necessary. His timetable is still unknown but he will not play on Thursday night.

Whether Mack has surgery or not, pain management and the ability to perform all the duties of his position (ball security, catching passes, blocking) will determine how quickly he may return. It's reasonable to set the early timetable at 2-4 weeks but the Colts won't know which end is more likely until after further evaluation.

Monday Update: Mack had surgery to fixate his hand fracture and will miss multiple weeks.

Tyler Lockett | Leg contusion | Week 10 | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 12

Lockett was observed overnight for compartment syndrome last week, a condition in which a bruise continues to expand and puts too much pressure on the muscles and vessels in the lower leg. Lockett did not require surgical intervention and has improved through the bye week. Pete Carroll was optimistic about Lockett's playing status on Monday.

Follow Up Appointments

George Kittle | Left knee contusion | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 12

Kittle hyperextended his left knee early in Thursday's Week 9 matchup against Arizona. Despite returning to play -- and effectively -- that night, Kittle has been unable to practice since finishing the game.

The Niners haven't provided details on Kittle's injury but multiple reports suggest it's a multiple-week injury. Video replays suggest a bone contusion around the knee. While Kittle has also been listed with an ankle injury, it's likely the knee injury is the most limiting condition.

Kyle Shanahan refuses to rule Kittle out in deference to Kittle's ability to play through injury but consider him doubtful until he's cleared to return to individual drills. He's unlikely to play this week.

Matthew Stafford | Thoracic spine fractures | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Out Week 12

Stafford's injury was initially reported as multiple fractures to the transverse processes of the spine, which are bony protuberances to the side of the spinal column that provide the framework for the ligaments and muscles (and sometimes ribs) along the side of the spine.

In the days after the Week 9 injury, Stafford was cleared to take first-team reps in practice and was reportedly preparing to play. The Lions listed him questionable for their Week 10 game prior to the team's medical staff ruling him out on Saturday. Stafford did not practice this week and was ruled out on Friday. Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter then broke the news of a longer-term injury on Sunday morning.

Schefter and Rapoport both reported an extended recovery timetable of as long as six weeks for Stafford. The precise nature of Stafford's injury remains unclear. Rapoport reported Stafford has "tiny, non-displaced fractures in the upper thoracic spine." It's possible the injuries are to the transverse process but the extended recovery timetable raises the question of an injury closer to the center of the vertebrae.

A six-week recovery would set Stafford's return expectation around Week 15 or 16. Both Schefter and Rapoport also report Stafford is pushing to play sooner and that repeat imaging studies may allow Stafford to accelerate his return. Even with reassuring imaging, however, it's unlikely Stafford returns until after the Lions' Thanksgiving Day game.

James Conner | Aggravated right AC sprain | Week 11 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 12
Benny Snell | Knee meniscectomy | Week 8 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 12

After two and a half weeks of rest and a reassuring full week of practice, Conner managed only 13 snaps on Thursday night before leaving with an aggravation of his Week 8 shoulder sprain. Aggravated sprains often require a rehab of similar or longer length than the initial injury. It's unlikely Conner will be cleared to play in Week 12 and his absence could extend into early December.

Snell had surgery to remove a meniscus fragment in Week 8. He's yet to return to practice but players -- including running backs -- commonly recover within 3-4 weeks. It's possible Snell has reconditioned enough to return to practice and play this week but should still be considered questionable at best.

Jordan Howard | Stinger | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 12

Howard did not return to practice this week after reportedly suffering a stinger in Week 9. Athletes with stinger symptoms (e.g. weakness, pain) persisting longer than 15-30 minutes often have those symptoms last for weeks. Many players with prolonged symptoms are not cleared to return for 3-4 weeks. Howard has a chance to return to practice this week but should be considered doubtful to play until he's cleared for individual drills.

A.J. Green | Left ankle ligament repair | Late July 2019 | Week-to-Week | Week 13++ Return | Doubtful Week 12

Green has experienced swelling in his ankle on each attempt to return to football-related activity. It's difficult to predict when he'll clear the final hurdle but there's been little reason for optimism since his most recent failure to progress. Green reportedly wants to return to action and there are no indications Cincinnati is planning to move him to injured reserve. Unfortunately, that outcome grows more likely with each missed practice.

Fast Track News and Notes

***The Niners rested Matt Breida after he aggravated a low ankle sprain in Week 10. It's unlikely Breida's ankle will be full strength this week and it's unlikely the Niners will clear him to return until it's fully recovered. Consider him on the doubtful side of questionable for now.

***JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson are both in concussion protocol. The extended recovery time between last Thursday night's game and this Sunday's game will give the team additional time to re-evaluated both receivers. The Steelers often take two weeks to recover players with concussions and it's possible Pittsburgh will be without one or both players against Cincinnati in Week 12.

Monday Update: Adam Schefter is reporting Smith-Schuster injured his left knee on the same play he suffered the concussion. There were no details provided. Video shows a knee-to-knee collision at the moment of impact but there are no clear views of Smith-Schuster's knee as he went to the ground. I'll update with more details after the All-22 video is released or if the Steelers further update his condition.

***Jameis Winston suffered a sprained ligament on the inside of his right ankle. He finished the game but the injury likely affected his accuracy and led to multiple interceptions. This injury isn't a simple low ankle sprain (occurs on the outside of the ankle) and isn't a high ankle sprain (occurs between the two lower leg bones). As with all sprains, recovery is based on the severity of the sprain. Bruce Arians told reporters he was concerned and the team plans more imaging on Monday.

Monday Update: Bruce Arians told reporters Winston's ankle "appears to be fine." He's likely to be limited in practice but now looks probable to play.

***Early last week, Delanie Walker told reporters he planned to begin reconditioning with a plan to return against Jacksonville in Week 12.

Designated to Return by Team

• Green Bay (1): TE Jace Sternberger (W7-now active)
• New England (2): WR N'Keal Harry (W7-now active), G Isaiah Wynn (W9)
• New York Giants (1): DB Sam Beal (W7-now active)
• Oakland (2): DB Isaiah Johnson (W7-now active), LB Marquel Lee (W10)
• Jacksonville (1): QB Nick Foles (W8-now active)
• Kansas City (1): QB Chad Henne (W8-now active)
• Tennessee (2): PK Ryan Succop (W8-now active), DB Joshua Kalu (W9)
• Cleveland (1): OL Drew Forbes (W8-now active)
• Washington (1): RB Derrius Guice (W9-now active)
• Baltimore (2): DB Iman Marshall (W9-now active), DB Brynden Trawick (W10)
• Denver (2): WR Tim Patrick (W9-now active), QB Drew Lock (W10)
• Detroit (1): DL Austin Bryant (W9)
• Minnesota (1): WR Josh Doctson (W9-now active)
• Seattle (1): TE Ed Dickson (W9)
• Miami (2): T Julien Davenport (W9-now active), LB Andrew Van Ginkel (W10)
• Houston (1): TE Jordan Thomas (W10)
• Cincinnati (1): WR John Ross (W10)
• Indianapolis (1): WR Devin Funchess (W10)
• New Orleans (1): WR Keith Kirkwood (W10)
• Los Angeles Chargers (1): DB Adrian Phillips (W10)

Injured Players on Active Roster