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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.

Injury Rounds

Chris Godwin | Right index finger fracture | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 9

The Buccaneers revealed Godwin suffered a fractured finger in Week 7. The injury was not stable and required surgery on Tuesday. Generally, a surgical procedure raises concern for a longer-term absence. In Godwin's case, an unstable fracture left to heal without pins would have required 4-6 weeks to heal. Now, he'll have a chance to return in less than half the time.

Adam Schefter is reporting the team is optimistic Godwin can return in Week 9, just ten days after surgery. Ultimately, Godwin's return will depend on pain tolerance and whether he can effectively catch and block with a splint protecting his repair. Week 10 may be a more realistic goal but an important home division matchup against New Orleans may accelerate the timetable if Godwin is close to playing.

Calvin Ridley | Left midfoot sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 9

Ridley narrowly avoided a more serious midfoot sprain when his foot turned just prior to the weight of a defender landing on it during a tackle last Thursday night. Images did not show a fracture and a follow up MRI reportedly revealed a low-grade sprain. Ian Rapoport tweeted the Falcons consider Ridley day-to-day.

It's difficult for a player to return within ten days of a low-grade midfoot sprain but the extra 2-3 days of rehab after a Thursday night game may be enough to earn Ridley clearance. Atlanta has a Week 10 bye, which could complicate the team's decision-making process. If Ridley is close, they may choose to return him knowing he'll have two additional weeks of rest to follow.

My general bias is to presume a pending bye makes it less likely a player will be cleared, however. Consider Ridley doubtful until he returns to practice.

George Kittle | Right foot fracture | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 9 | Season-ending injury

Kittle suffered a foot injury on an acrobatic fourth quarter catch and did not return. X-rays did not show a broken bone but Kittle will need further imaging on Monday to evaluate for a ligament sprain. San Francisco plays Thursday night this week, compressing Kittle's rehab. Even if the MRI shows only a low-grade injury, Kittle faces a tough rehab timetable to get ready to play.

Monday Update: Kittle's MRI revealed a fracture in the foot. The injury will reportedly require 6-8 weeks to heal. Kittle is expected to be placed on injured reserve. It's unlikely Kittle will return this season.

Kenny Golladay | Hip injury | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 9

Golladay was limited throughout the team's second-quarter two-minute drill before finally removing himself from the game. He did not return in the second half.

Television angles did not show a clear injury and the team did not define Golladay's injury after the game. His inability to return after halftime is concerning as the Lions kept the game close in the third quarter.

I'll update with any new details on Monday.

Monday Update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Golladay is likely to miss at least this week's game. Matt Patricia told reporters that Golladay was "day-to-day, week-to-week." Rapoport reported Golladay was to undergo further testing and could be moved to injured reserve.

Gardner Minshew | Right thumb fracture / ligament sprain | Week-to-Week | Out Week 9

Minshew reportedly injured his thumb in Week 5 but did not disclose the injury until after the Jaguars' Week 7 game in Los Angeles. Images showed a fracture of the thumb and a ligament sprain.

The Jaguars did not discuss Minshew's status during the bye week but Ian Rapoport suggested Minshew would miss this week's game. Depending on the location of Minshew's fracture and the stability of the joint, it's possible Minshew could miss another 1-3 weeks.

Follow Up Appointments

Michael Thomas | Hamstring strain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 9

Thomas started the reconditioning phase of his recovery from a bye week hamstring injury leading into Week 8. Two limited practices last week suggest Thomas is close to returning.

Aaron Jones | Calf strain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 9

Jones traveled with the team in Week 7, prompting reasonable speculation he was close to playing and would return in Week 8. Instead, Jones did not practice last week and the Packers ruled him out of a key divisional matchup against Minnesota.

Green Bay's medical staff does not clear players with soft tissue injuries until they return to full strength. Since the Packers did not move Aaron Jones to injured reserve, it's likely he's more day-to-day than week-to-week. But until he returns to practice, he should be considered questionable to play. When he does practice and receive clearance, however, you can expect an immediate return to his pre-injury workload.

The Packers play on Thursday night this week.

Joe Mixon | Right foot injury | Week-to-Week | Bye Week 9

Mixon was unable to practice last week and the Bengals chose to continue rehabbing his foot injury through their Week 9 bye. Zac Taylor wouldn't discuss Mixon's condition, saying only there "are some issues with the foot." It's reasonable to expect Mixon will have a good chance to play after the bye. I'll update if the Bengals address Mixon's status in Monday's press conference.

Kenyan Drake | Left high ankle sprain | Week-to-Week | Out Week 9

Drake suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 7 and could miss 3-4+ weeks. Drake could be moved to injured reserve as late as this Friday and still only miss three games. Week 10 looks like his earliest possible return date but Drake could need 4-6 weeks to recover.

Eligible to Return from Injured Reserve

Christian McCaffrey | Right high ankle sprain | Eligible Week 6 - Designated to Return | Probable Week 9 | Target = Week 9

Oct 11: McCaffrey's high ankle sprain was immediately considered a 4-6 week recovery. Just three weeks into his rehab, it's unlikely McCaffrey will be moved to the active roster this week. With Mike Davis an effective replacement, expect the Panthers to wait until McCaffrey is fully recovered to clear him to return.

Oct 18: The Charlotte Observer's Scott Fowler wrote last week that the Panthers "don't seem internally optimistic" about McCaffrey returning this week. Whether he can return for Week 8's Thursday night game remains questionable, too. Should McCaffrey need a full six weeks to recover, his return won't come until Week 9.

Oct 25: There was no new news on McCaffrey last week. He's yet to be cleared to return to practice, however, and the Panthers play Thursday night. It's difficult to see Carolina clearing McCaffrey to return with less than a full week of individual drills and reconditioning.

Nov 1: McCaffrey was designated to return from injured reserve last Thursday and began officially reconditioning in individual drills. The Panthers are optimistic he will return this week.

Nick Chubb | Right MCL sprain | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Bye Week 9 | Target = Week 10

Oct 25: Chubb suffered a high-grade MCL sprain. Significant MCL tears often require six weeks to rehab. It's highly unlikely Chubb is ready to play this week. Expect the Browns to wait until after their Week 9 bye to clear him to practice.

Nov 1: Chubb has not been cleared to return to practice. Kevin Stefanski told reporters "it's a possibility" Chubb returns after Cleveland's Week 9 bye.

Austin Ekeler | Left hamstring strain | Eligible Week 9 - Remains on IR | Out Week 9 | Target = Week 12

Nov 1: Ekeler was observed doing light conditioning and stretching on a side rehab field last week. He is not close to returning, however, with a higher-grade hamstring strain that's closer to a 6+ week recovery than a four-week return. Expect Ekeler to need a week of reconditioning on the active roster before returning.

Allen Lazard | Core abdominal muscle repair | Eligible Week 8 - Designated to Return | Questionable Week 9 | Target = Week 10

Oct 25: Lazard participated in the rehab group last week and he may be close to a return. Core abdominal procedures generally require 4-6 weeks of rehab. If Lazard fits the usual pattern, he may be cleared to practice this week. It's possible he will play in Week 8; more likely he'll return in Week 9.

Nov 1: Lazard was designated to return last week and returned to position drills but the team did not add him to the active roster. The Packers play on Thursday night this week and the turnaround may be too quick for Lazard to return. I'll update with news on Monday but consider Lazard questionable this week.

Sony Michel | Quad strain | Eligible Week 9 - Remains on IR | Doubtful Week 9 | Target = Week 10

Nov 1: Michel tested positive for COVID nearly two weeks ago and was only recently activated from COVID-reserve. He has been isolation away from the team and it's not yet clear whether he's healthy enough to be designated to return. Prior to his COVID diagnosis, reports suggested he would be ready to return shortly after he was eligible.

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.

Steven Sims Jr | Toe injury | Eligible Week 9 - Remains on IR | Questionable Week 9 | Target = Week 9+

Nov 1: Washington has not updated Sims' status. It's unknown how close he is to returning.

Jordan Reed | Left MCL sprain | Eligible Week 7 - Designated to Return | Questionable Week 9 | Target = Week 9+

Oct 18: Reed is not close to returning. His Week 4 injury was expected to require 6-8 weeks of rehabilitation.

Oct 25: Reed has begun running sprints in rehab. He's likely another week or more from returning.

Nov 1: Kyle Shanahan gave Reed a small chance of returning in Week 7 but the Niners chose not to activate him. His rehab continues to progress more quickly than expected and he could return this week. Monday Update: With George Kittle expected to be moved to injured reserve, Reed may see a significant rotational role as soon as Thursday night.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Both Chris Carson (midfoot sprain) and Carlos Hyde (hamstring) were unable to practice or play. The Seahawks did not add any running backs to the active roster last week and have no backs on their practice squad. Should they choose to sign someone early this week, it will be evidence neither Carson nor Hyde is recovering well.

***Tevin Coleman (knee sprain) and Jimmy Garoppolo (high ankle sprain) both aggravated their prior injuries and did not return. Garoppolo has a better chance to play on Thursday night than Coleman, who will likely need more than one week to recover.

Monday Update: Garoppolo's aggravation was significant. He's seeking additional opinions but has an early recovery timetable of 4-6 weeks. He's expected to be placed on injured reserve. If surgery is indicated, his season is likely over.

***T.Y. Hilton left with a groin injury. The Colts did not discuss his status after the game.

***Eligible to Return From Injured Reserve in Week 10

• Raheem Mostert -- will likely need at least another week of rehab and reconditioning before returning

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