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Injury Rounds

Russell Wilson | Right finger fracture / Tendon rupture | 4-8 weeks | Out Week 6

Wilson hit his finger on the outstretched arm of a defensive lineman Thursday night. He suffered two separate injuries -- a rupture of the tendon responsible for extending the tip of his middle finger and a fracture of the finger. The injury was complicated enough to require surgery to reattach the tendon and screws to fixate the fractured finger.

The initial return estimates ranged from 4-8 weeks. It's a wider range than we commonly see for finger injuries but reasonable. The fracture will not be healed within four weeks but the screws will provide necessary stability and the pin will allow for full extension of the finger. Full recovery then depends on range of motion and strength in the finger, which will require additional time due to the splint Wilson will need to wear after surgery.

The most optimistic target is Week 10 -- five weeks after surgery and the week following Seattle's bye. Wilson and the team won't know whether he'll be able to meet that target until the end of the month.

Saquon Barkley | Left ankle injury | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 6

Barkley stepped on a defender's foot and severely rolled his ankle. He was carted to the locker room and did not return to play.

Low ankle sprains do not usually require a long period of rehab and recovery. However, high-grade ligament sprains are sometimes unstable enough to need a week or more before return to play. Also, while low ankle sprains are commonly associated with the grotesque amount of swelling shown on the television broadcast, Barkley's swelling was notably higher than the most commonly injured ligaments on the outside of the ankle.

Results of Barkley's in-game x-ray were not immediately released but the location of the swelling raises the possibility of a fibula fracture. I'll update with any details after the game.

Sunday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Barkley's injury is a low ankle sprain that's likely to keep him out at least a week. The Giants will evaluate further on Monday.

Monday update: Joe Judge told reporters imaging studies were more reassuring than expected. That likely rules out a broken bone around the ankle. The Giants are hopeful he'll be able to practice this week. He remains doubtful to play in Week 6.

Chris Carson | Cervical neck condition | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 6

Carson was listed with a neck condition on last week's injury report. Later in the week, Pete Carroll told reporters Carson has been dealing with soreness and inflammation in his neck since late in the preseason. Carroll said the team was waiting to see if the condition would settle down. Despite a pregame report suggesting Carson was 50-50 to play -- closer than might have been expected -- he was kept inactive.

It's likely Carson is dealing with nerve inflammation related to a disc issue in his cervical spine. It's unlikely a muscle injury or ligament sprain would be described as inflammation. It's still unclear whether Carson will require treatment like steroid injections that may require a longer recovery time or if he has healed enough to play this week.

I'll update if Carroll discusses Carson's progress during Monday's press conference.

Joe Burrow | Anterior neck injury | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 6

Burrow was hit multiple times during Sunday's game around the head and neck. He returned to play after each hit.

After the game, Burrow was reportedly having difficulty speaking and was taken to a local hospital for a "possible throat contusion." This will hopefully prove to be precautionary. The likely concern is an injury to the larynx. Injuries to the soft tissues of the neck rarely result in voice changes. Swelling around the larynx, in severe cases, can affect the airway.

If imaging studies and (possibly) direct visualization of the airway are reassuring, Burrow will be released tonight and his symptoms should be treatable and are unlikely to prevent him from playing in Week 6. I'll update if his injuries prove to be more extensive.

Monday update: Burrow did not require overnight observation for his condition and reportedly felt better on Monday morning. He is expected to practice and play this week.

JuJu Smith-Schuster | Right shoulder dislocation / instability | Season-ending injury | Out Week 6

Smith-Schuster did not return after a shoulder injury and required evaluation at the hospital after the game. Video during the game showed Smith-Schuster in pain with the medical staff holding his arm away from the body.

A shoulder dislocation is possible but rarely requires hospital evaluation. The injury and post-game developments are suspicious for an injury to the joint between the sternum and the collarbone where the top of the lung and major blood vessels are located. These injuries require careful evaluation and sometimes surgery to treat them appropriately.

I'll update further as more details are reported. Expect Smith-Schuster to miss time.

Monday update: Smith-Schuster did dislocate his shoulder. While rare, sometimes it's difficult to relocate the shoulder on site, the shoulder may remain unstable after relocation, and labral tears or fractures around the shoulder socket can complicate the injury. There are reports Smith-Schuster has a labral tear that requires surgery. Rehab and recovery generally takes 3-4 months and will likely end his season.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Right MCL sprain | Week-to-Week | Out Week 6

Edwards-Helaire suffered an MCL sprain in the second half of last night's game and was immediately ruled out. Early reports suggest the injury is relatively high grade and will require at least a month of rehab. He's likely to be placed on injured reserve this week.

Trey Lance | Left knee sprain | Week-to-Week | Bye Week 6

Lance does not remember injuring his knee during Sunday's game but experienced soreness on Monday and was diagnosed with a low-grade knee sprain. Kyle Shanahan expects him to miss a week or two. The Niners have a bye this week and are unsure whether Lance will be ready for Week 7.

Follow Up Appointments

Christian McCaffrey | Left hamstring strain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 6

McCaffrey had a full week of individual drills last week but was not cleared to play. All indications are that his Week 5 absence was precautionary and not due to a late-week setback. If that proves accurate, McCaffrey will have another full week to recondition and should be at low risk of aggravation in Week 6. Expect a full workload if his practice participation looks reassuring this week.

Dalvin Cook | Right high ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 6

Cook labored through his return in Week 5 and had only a limited Friday practice last week before being declared inactive.

There was optimism for Cook earlier last week but he was unable to put in a full workout and his pregame warmup was limited. The Vikings have consistently said they'll clear Cook to play at less than full strength if he feels he can be effective. So -- despite the looming Week 7 bye -- it's possible Cook will play this week even if he's not fully recovered.

Rob Gronkowski | Rib fractures / pneumothorax | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 6

Gronkowski has yet to return to practice after suffering rib fractures and a collapsed lung in Week 3. The lung injury is likely no longer an issue but it is difficult to manage the pain of multiple rib injuries. It's possible Gronkowski will be recovered enough to take contact and play this week. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers have a quick turnaround and travel to Philadelphia for a game Thursday night.

David Montgomery | Left knee sprain | Injured reserve | Target = Week 11

The Bears placed Montgomery on injured reserve with a knee injury that will reportedly require 4-5 weeks of rehabilitation. Television angles did not show a clear view of the injury and All-22 angles continue to be difficult to view through the NFL's website. Media reports have described the injury as a hyperextension and a sprain. Adam Schefter reported the Bears were not concerned about an ACL injury.

Should Montgomery heal quickly, he could return prior to Chicago's Week 10 bye. The most reasonable target is likely Week 11.

Fast Track News and Notes

***Jimmy Garoppolo was unable to practice last week and there are variable reports on the severity of his injury and progress. Some observers do not feel Garoppolo has been moving well in rehab work. Others believe the injury is minor and should not affect his Week 6 availability.

***Justin Fields left briefly after hyperextending his left knee while scrambling. The injury was worrisome for a knee sprain or bone bruise and it's possible Fields will experience limiting pain and swelling after the game. Watch to see whether the Bears express concern on Monday or Fields is unable to practice on Wednesday. Monday update: The Bears do not believe Fields will miss time after a reassuring Monday MRI.

***Damien Harris left the game multiple times after taking shots to the ribs and was eventually ruled out. He'll be re-evaluated on Monday. Expect limited practice and a questionable tag this week, per the usual New England approach.

***Kenny Golladay played through a first-quarter knee hyperextension but was eventually ruled out. He'll be further evaluated on Monday. Monday update: An MRI did not show a season-threatening injury. The Giants currently expect Golladay to miss only 1-2 games.

***Quintez Cephus injured his left shoulder and was ruled out. Dan Campbell's post-game comments were worrisome for an injury to the collarbone. Expect a multiple-week absence. Monday update: Campbell told reporters Cephus fractured his collarbone and may not be able to return this season.

***Matthew Stafford (finger), Tyler Higbee (shoulder), Darrell Henderson, Tom Brady (right thumb), and Amari Cooper (right lower leg) suffered injuries but continued to play.

Eligible to Return from Injured Reserve

Rashod Bateman | Core abdominal muscle repair | Eligible Week 4 - Designated to return | Questionable Week 5 | Target Week 5

Sep 26: Bateman is now six weeks from surgery to repair a core abdominal muscle. Last week, John Harbaugh said "We'll see," when asked whether Bateman would be ready. Beat writers believe Week 5-6 to be a more likely return date than Week 4.

Oct 3: Bateman is likely to be activated this week. Expect the Ravens to ease him into a limited number of passing packages.

Oct 10: Bateman is expected to be promoted to the active roster in advance on Baltimore's Monday night game in Week 5.

TreQuan Smith | Aggravated hamstring strain | Eligible Week 4 - Currently on IR | Doubtful Week 6 | Target = Week 6+

Sep 26: In Week 1, Smith aggravated a hamstring strain that limited in for weeks during training camp. The Saints have not updated his condition but he's unlikely to return in Week 4.

Oct 10: Smith was not designated to return last week. It's not clear if he's progressed enough to be returned yet. We should know more on Monday.

Jerry Jeudy | Right high ankle sprain | Eligible Week 5 - Currently on IR | Out Week 6 | Target = Week 7+

Sep 26: Jeudy suffered a significant sprain in Week 1. Although x-rays did not show a broken bone and surgery was not necessary, Jeudy is likely to need 4-6 weeks to fully recover. The Broncos travel to Cleveland for a Thursday night game in Week 7. That's likely the best-case scenario for Jeudy but don't be surprised if he's held out until the following week.

Oct 10: Jeudy continues to progress in his recovery from a significant high ankle injury. There's an outside chance he'll be designated to return and prepare to play in Week 6. If not, the quick turnaround to the Week 7 Thursday night game may further complicate his return timetable.

Michael Gallup | Calf strain | Eligible Week 5 - Currently on IR | Out Week 6 | Target Week 8

Sep 26: Gallup continues rehab and is expected back shortly after he's eligible to return.

Oct 10: Mike McCarthy has said Gallup may not return until after Dallas' Week 7 bye.

Ryan Fitzpatrick | Right hip subluxation | Eligible Week 5 - Currently on IR | Out Week 6 | Target = Week 10+

Sep 26: Fitzpatrick chose not to have surgery to address a likely tear in his hip labrum. He's expected to be out at least 6-8 weeks.

Jarvis Landry | MCL sprain | Eligible Week 6 | Currently on IR | Questionable Week 6 | Target = Week 6+

Oct 10: The Browns have not updated Landry's status but most mid-grade MCL sprains are 3-4 week recoveries. He could return to play immediately.

Tua Tagovailoa | Left rib fractures | Eligible Week 6 - Currently on IR | Probable Week 6 | Target = Week 6

Oct 10: Tagovailoa has resumed throwing and is now eligible to return from injured reserve. Local observers expect him to play in Week 6.

Michael Thomas | Syndesmosis / deltoid ligament repair | Eligible Week 7 - Currently on PUP | Target = Week 8++

Oct 10: Thomas is eligible to practice and return to play after Week 6. Recovery is variable from these surgeries. While it is reasonable to expect clearance for contact in 3-4 months, most players take considerably longer to recover the strength and range of motion necessary to return to pre-injury form. Thomas could be cleared to return around Week 7 but it will likely be November before he's closer to full recovery.

Jeff Wilson | Meniscus repair | Eligible Week 7 - Currently on PUP | Target = Week 8++

Oct 10: Recovery from meniscus repair generally requires 4-6 months of rehab. The Niners are hopeful to have him back for the second half of the season.

Injured Players by Position