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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 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 and Matt Waldman at 10:00 ET every Sunday morning to discuss and interpret the week's practice participation reports and breaking weekend injury news.

Follow Up Appointments

Christian McCaffrey | Quad strain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 15

McCaffrey reportedly strained a quad muscle while working out during Carolina's bye week. A Wednesday workout didn't go well and McCaffrey was shut down for the rest of the week.

On Sunday morning, Adam Schefter reported McCaffrey "does want to return...and does not believe his season is over." Coming on the heels of McCaffrey's inability to practice a week after the quad strain, Schefter's report is ominous.

The Panthers travel to Green Bay this Saturday night. McCaffrey faces a tough turnaround to get ready for a Friday flight. He's questionable at best this week.

Monday Update: Ian Rapoport is reporting the Panthers hope McCaffrey shows enough improvement in practice on Tuesday to prepare him to play this week. He remains questionable at best.

Julio Jones | Left hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 15

Jones told reporters he felt great going into Week 13, played 94% of the Falcons' offensive snaps, and had six catches on ten targets. Unfortunately, his chronic hamstring soreness did not respond well to the workload. Jones did not practice last week and was declared out on Friday.

On Friday, Raheem Morris told reporters Friday the team was still evaluating whether Jones could return this season. After Sunday's game, Morris sounded more optimistic but wasn't ready to commit to when Jones might return.

The Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention but Jones routinely tries to play through injury and it's unlikely he'll choose to shut down unless he's unable to play.

Currently on COVID list

• WR D.J. Moore - COVID+ (Dec 7) - Probable Week 15
• RB David Johnson - High-risk contact (Dec 11) - Probable Week 15
• RB Myles Gaskin - COVID+ (Dec 12) - Out Week 15

Injury Rounds

Deebo Samuel | Left hamstring strain | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 15

Samuel re-injured his left hamstring on an endaround on the first play of the game. His immediate reaction was frustration and resignation and he was unable to return to the game.

Samuel originally injured the hamstring in Week 7 and missed four weeks before returning effectively over the past two weeks. Following the game, Kyle Shanahan told reporters Samuel's injury "didn't look good." An MRI will inform the team on Monday but prepare for Samuel to miss time. A higher-grade injury will end Samuel's season.

Daniel Jones | Right hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 15

Jones struggled throughout the second half with limited movement in the pocket and limitations in his follow-through as he tried to play through the hamstring strain he suffered in Week 12. Jones minimized his difficulties in a post-game press conference but his Week 15 availability is in question. Monday's exam and Wednesday's practice availability will determine whether Jones will miss another week.

Antonio Gibson | Toe sprain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 15

Gibson was unable to practice after spraining his big toe last week. Toe sprains are extremely difficult for running backs to play through and impact both straight-line and lateral mobility and explosiveness. Ron Rivera told reporters Gibson was making progress in rehab last week. Unfortunately, unless Gibson is able to return to individual drills early this week, he's likely to need at least another week to heal to limit the risk of an aggravation.

Mike Gesicki | Right shoulder dislocation | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 15

Gesicki appeared to dislocate his right shoulder and left the field for treatment. If confirmed, Gesicki will miss at least 2-3 weeks and may not return until the playoffs.

Matthew Stafford | Rib injury | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 15

Stafford was bent sideways and grabbed for the left side of his ribcage on a scramble play and was unable to return. The Lions were unsure of the extent of Stafford's injury after the game and replacement Chase Daniel would not speculate on whether he was likely to play next week.

Stafford has played through painful injuries in previous seasons. The Lions are out of playoff contention, however, and Detroit held Stafford out of games last season in a similar situation.

Monday Update: Stafford status is reportedly "in doubt" according to Tom Pelissero but the Lions won't make a final decision until later this week.

Eligible to Return from Injured Reserve

Drew Brees | Rib fractures | Eligible Week 14 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 15 | Target = Week 15+

Dec 6: Brees is reportedly improving from multiple rib fractures on both sides of his chest. He is eligible to return to practice this week and will want to return as soon as possible. Jay Glazer reported the Saints will evaluate Brees on Wednesday and consider clearing him to play if he can throw without pain. Week 15 still looks like the most likely return date but it's now certain New Orleans will have Brees back during the regular season.

Dec 13: Brees was evaluated last Wednesday and the Saints elected to continue to rehab him rather than designate him to return to practice. The Saints plan the same this week. Both Ian Rapoport and Jay Glazer reported Sunday morning that Brees will have to show significant improvement to be cleared to play in Week 15. Glazer believes the Christmas Day game in Week 16 is now the target. If the Saints don't designate Brees to return by Wednesday, he's still a week away.

Joe Mixon | Right midfoot sprain | Eligible Week 14 - Remains on IR | Out Week 15 | Doubtful 2020 return

Dec 6: The Bengals continue to say Mixon will be activated if healthy enough to play. But there has been no indication Mixon is making progress toward a return to practice and he'll likely need at least one week of reconditioning. Cincinnati has no incentive to risk further injury to Mixon this year. The offense continues to struggle without Joe Burrow and behind multiple offensive line injuries. A Week 15 return is theoretically possible but a regular-season return is looking less likely with each passing week.

Dec 13: It's looking less and less likely Mixon will return this season. He's yet to return to practice and there's no upside in Mixon returning until he's returned to full strength. It's now been eight weeks since the injury and there's been no indication he's close to returning to practice.

George Kittle | Right cuboid fracture | Eligible Week 13 - Remains on IR | Out Week 15 | Target = Week 16+

Nov 29: Kittle suffered a fractured cuboid bone in his foot in Week 9. Reported timetables for his return varied but Kittle is expected to need 6-8 weeks to recover. Even the most optimistic timetable would mean he's likely to have a limited impact in Week 16. More likely, Kittle will not return until 2021.

Dec 6: Kittle was told he would need eight weeks to recover. He is adamant he can return in six weeks and told reporters he was "very well on that path" in interviews last week. If Kittle meets his goal, he may return to a limited Week 15 role. It remains a difficult ask.

John Brown | Right high ankle sprain | Eligible Week 15 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 15 | Target = Week 16+

Dec 13: Brown suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 11. Video suggested a higher-grade injury and it was not surprising to see him quickly transitioned to injured reserve. The Bills have not provided updates on Brown's condition but it's unlikely he's ready to return to practice and play this week.

Julian Edelman | Arthroscopic knee surgery | Eligible Week 11 - Remains on IR | Out Week 15 | Target = Week 16+

Nov 15: Edelman had a clean up procedure on his chronically sore knee three weeks ago. Trusted local reporter Mike Reiss expressed optimism on Edelman's recovery last week, noting a source who watched Edelman moving well with on-field rehab work. If Edelman is designated to return when eligible this week and participates in practice, a Week 11 return is possible.

Nov 22: Bill Belichick said Edelman is making progress. The Patriots have yet to designate him to return.

Nov 29: Bill Belichick continues to tell reporters Edelman is "headed in the right direction" but the Patriots have yet to designate him to return to practice. If that doesn't happen early this week, consider Edelman doubtful again.

Dec 6: Edelman was placed on the COVID list last week. After initial optimism for a quick recovery, Adam Schefter is now reporting Edelman is still a "couple of weeks away" from returning. Edelman has yet to be designated to return to practice.

Jimmy Garoppolo | Right high ankle sprain | Eligible Week 13 - Remains on IR | Out Week 15 | Target = Week 16+

Nov 29: Garoppolo was in a walking boot for over a week and given a 3-6 week timetable to return from an aggravated high ankle sprain. The Niners remain hopeful for a return sometime in December but it's unlikely Garoppolo will be cleared to return to practice this week.

Dec 6: Kyle Shanahan said the Niners were "holding out hope" Garoppolo could return in Week 16.

Preston Williams | Right foot sprain | Eligible Week 13 - Remains on IR | Out Week 15 | Target = Week 16++

Nov 29: Brian Flores refused to put a timetable on Williams' return last week.

Dec 13: Flores continues to tell reporters the Dolphins are "hopeful to get Williams back this season" but there remains no timetable for him to return.

LaMical Perine | High ankle sprain | Eligible Week 15 - Remains on IR | Awaiting Information | Target = Week 15++

Dec 13: Perine suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 11. Assuming a 4-6 week return timetable for a higher-grade injury, it's possible the Jets will return Perine to practice. There's no reason for the Jets to rush their young running back, however. Don't expect him to return this week.

Greg Olsen | Left plantar fascia rupture | Eligible Week 15 - Remains on IR | Out Week 15 | Target = Week 16++

Dec 13: Olsen's rehab is reportedly moving quickly but the best hope remains a very late season or playoff return.

Rashaad Penny | Left ACL reconstruction | Eligible Week 7 - Remains on PUP | Questionable Week 15 | Target = Week 15+

Dec 6: Pete Carroll told reporters Penny would return to practice this week. He'll have a three-week window to prove himself healthy enough to contribute.

Dec 13: Carroll said, "[Penny] exceeded our expectations with his movement and his quickness and all of that. He’s really in good shape. I don’t know what that means for next week, but he looked as healthy as anybody out there." He could return this week.

Parris Campbell | Left PCL repair / MCL sprain | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Doubtful 2020 return

Oct 25: Campbell had knee surgery in early October. Any surgical procedure involving the PCL requires a careful and usually long-term rehab. It will be surprising to see Campbell cleared to return in 2020.

Nov 15: Frank Reich told reporters it remained "too early to tell" whether Campbell could return in 2020. A 2021 return remains the most likely outcome.

Dec 6: A source told Zak Keefer it would take "a minor miracle" for Campbell to return this season. Nothing has changed here; Campbell will need the offseason to rehab from his ligament reconstruction.

Fast Track News and Notes

***There were a handful of players injured late in games or who suffered tweaks and returned to action. All will require monitoring through Monday's press conferences and midweek practices

• DK Metcalf -- Right low ankle sprain -- returned to play -- Probable Week 15
• Calvin Ridley -- Slight aggravation of right midfoot sprain -- returned to play -- Probable Week 15
• Hunter Henry -- Left ankle hip injury -- late 4th quarter -- Awaiting Information
• Drew Lock -- Right leg hyperextension -- late 4th quarter -- Probable Week 15
• Marvin Jones -- Right knee contusion -- late 4th quarter -- Probable Week 15

Monday Update: The Chargers play Thursday night and have multiple players to monitor after their Monday injury report. Keenan Allen (hamstring), Austin Ekeler (quad), Hunter Henry (hip), and Mike Williams (back) missed Monday's walkthrough.

Injured Players on Active Roster

To support players with illness and provide a roster buffer, the NFL implemented new injured reserve rules and roster exemptions for players exposed to or diagnosed with COVID.

2020 injured reserve list changes:

• Teams may return an unlimited number of players from injured reserve in 2020
• A player may return to the active roster after three weeks on injured reserve
• Teams have three weeks of practice to decide whether to activate a player designated to return

2020 COVID-related illness list and roster exemptions:

• A player diagnosed with COVID or required to quarantine after exposure to COVID may be placed on a separate exempt list
• Teams will be given a roster exemption after a player with COVID receives medical clearance to return
• Roster exemption for one week if the player was on the exempt list for less than 4 weeks
• Roster exemption for two weeks if the player was on the exempt list for 4+ weeks

Injured Players Not on Active Roster