Monday Injury Rounds: Preseason Week 2

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Preseason Week 2 Jene Bramel Published 08/19/2019

Two weeks Before Week 1 practice

There is always detective work to be done on a new injury or recovery timetable in mid-August. What's really happening with Andrew Luck's left leg? How concerned should we be about Antonio Brown's feet? Can an accurate timetable be provided on A.J. Green's ankle injury?

But the majority of questions I get this time of the preseason are about veterans who have seemingly minor injuries who aren't practicing. Unlike the regular season, where players have less than a week to recover from minor injuries, teams have much more time to rest players and rehab to near full strength. Most of these situations are day-to-day recoveries that become weeks of missed practice because team medical staffs recognize there is no upside in pushing the limits of recovery to allow a return for camp practices a month before the season begins or to participate in a single series of an early preseason game.

(Unless you're the Giants and are seemingly comfortable clearing a player with a thumb splint to catch meaningless camp passes in traffic.)

That doesn't mean every veteran is healthy, however. It's possible that "muscle tightness" is a mid-grade strain. Thankfully, we're getting closer and closer to when teams have to show their cards on their injured players. At some point, players expected to be on the field for 60+ snaps need to show they're in football condition. They need to return to individual and team drills far enough in advance to pass through the all-important 7-14 day window when they're at highest risk of aggravating a prior injury.

That time is now.

We're less than two weeks from teams deciding on their final 53 player roster. We're two weeks from teams officially installing a game plan for Week 1.

So you'll see most of the veterans return to practice over the next ten days. They may not participate in a preseason game -- the days of using the third preseason game as a full "dress rehearsal" where the starters play the entire first half and the first series of the second half are over. If a player believed to be resting with a minor injury isn't participating in practice by next weekend, it's time to get concerned.


Injury Rounds

Keenan Allen | Ankle injury | Preseason Week 2 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1

At first glance, Allen's injury did not sound any alarms. Adam Schefter reported Allen was likely to miss the team's final three preseason games but was expected back for the Chargers' regular-season opener. Anthony Lynn didn't seem worried about the injury when first questioned, noting Allen was dealing with "soreness" and was cleared to be on the sideline during practice. However, Lynn then told reporters he was "not going to say if he's going to need surgery or not because I think we'll wait and rehab it, then see what happens."

While that sounds ominous, it does not sound like a case where a coach slipped and hinted that there is a worse injury than previously reported. There's no indication of a walking boot for immobilization, no reports of an upcoming specialist visit, and Schefter's specific report of an expected return for Week 1 is reassuring.

Allen's injury warrants close follow up here but it's too soon to read too much into Lynn's statement.

Amari Cooper | Heel contusion | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1

Cooper has missed over two weeks of practice with a heel injury. A report last week described Cooper's injury as a "very small muscle strain of the plantar fascia." Plantar fascia strains and inflammation are painful but are not necessarily long-term injuries. There's no report of a higher-grade tear or rupture. Jerry Jones denied Cooper's injury was a soft tissue strain, saying the condition was more of a contusion. Regardless of the specifics, there are no indications Cooper is at risk of missing Week 1. If he hasn't returned to practice by the end of the week -- or returns and suffers an aggravation -- there will be more reason for concern. Tuesday Update: Cooper confirmed today he's suffering from plantar fasciitis, saying he's dealt with it before and would play through the injury if necessary.

Kenyan Drake | Right foot injury | Preseason Week 2 | week-to-week | Questionable Week 1

Drake left practice early last week with a foot injury and was seen on the sideline in a walking boot. He told local writers his injury was "nothing crazy" but would keep him out for an undetermined period. Head coach Brian Flores called Drake day-to-day but Flores hasn't been forthcoming with injury information on any player this preseason. Count Drake among the many players who will declare themselves fit for Week 1 or questionable in the coming 7-10 days.

DK Metcalf | Arthroscopic knee surgery | Preseason Week 3 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 1

Late Sunday night, the Seahawks announced Metcalf would have surgery on his knee this week. Pete Carroll told reporters the surgery was "minor" and was optimistic Metcalf could return by opening weekend. That's unlikely. Even a relatively straightforward procedure to remove a meniscus fragment usually requires 3-4 weeks of rehab. There have been players who have had a knee scope as they enter a bye week who recover in time to play in two weeks. But those instances are rare and shouldn't be considered the norm. Week 2 is a more likely target than Week 1.

***Odell Beckham missed multiple practices last week with a hip injury. Beckham says the injury is minor and won't keep him out of any regular-season games. Expect him to return to practice soon.

***Aaron Rodgers was held out of the Packers' second preseason game with ongoing back tightness. We may see him recover in time for the final preseason game. More likely, he'll return to practice but not take any live game reps until the Thursday night opener in Chicago.

***Derwin James has a stress fracture of his fifth metatarsal (foot) bone. He will have surgery this week and the early timetable reports -- 3-4 months -- suggest this is different than the typical fifth metatarsal fixation. Expect the Chargers to put James on injured reserve after setting their final 53 player roster and hoping he'll be ready to return when eligible mid-season. Monday Update: Adam Schefter confirms James' injury was more than a typical fifth metatarsal injury. A screw in James' bone has bent and will need to be replaced. The 3-4 month timetable is a reasonable goal. IR-return remains the most likely outcome at the end of the preseason.

Follow Up Appointments

Andrew Luck | Calf strain | offseason | week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1

I wrote extensively on Luck in a separate feature last week.

The article summarizes everything that was reported about Luck's calf/ankle injury from March through last week and highlights where I believe there remain unanswered questions. Follow the link above to read the full details but here's the executive summary on where I stood last week:

  • Andrew Luck has not practiced on consecutive days since late May.
  • Despite varied reports and speculation, the Colts are not yet certain about Luck's diagnosis.
  • Chris Ballard wouldn't confirm Luck's availability for Week 1.
  • It's impossible to project a timetable for Luck's effective return until he returns to practice.
  • Consider Luck questionable at best for Week 1 and beyond.

Since publishing that feature, there were two somewhat reassuring developments.

First, Chris Mortensen reported there was "guarded optimism" Luck could be ready for the season opener. Second, Luck was seen observing practice throughout the weekend and was doing pocket drills on the sideline.

Frank Reich has strongly hinted that Luck would not play Week 1 unless he was able to return to practice and prove himself fit to play. Luck's individual work suggests he intends to work toward that goal. The precise nature of Luck's injury is still unknown and there are still rehab hurdles to clear, but the trend through the weekend was much better than early last week.

antonio brown | Foot condition | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1

Brown's feet are healed and he briefly returned to practice last week. However, his preferred helmet repeatedly failed NFL safety tests last week and Brown left Raiders' camp upset and is reportedly again considering options. From a medical standpoint, Brown's feet are a non-issue. I've listed him probable for Week 1 but the helmet saga continues.

***Julio Jones is participating in individual drills and running routes at full speed. He is likely to be cleared for team drills and contact soon but may not participate in the final two preseason games.

***Players returning to practice last week include: Jamaal Williams (hamstring), Marquise Lee (knee), Bobby Wagner (PRP injection for knee inflammation), Cam Robinson (knee)


INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER

Photos provided by Imagn Images
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Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Aaron Rodgers GB Back stiffness Early preseason Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Andrew Luck Ind Left calf strain Offseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Alex Smith Was Right leg fracture / Post-surgical infection November 2018 Active - PUP Unlikely to Return to NFL Expect Inseason PUP or IR
Colt McCoy Was Right fibula fracture fixation / Follow up procedures Early December 2018 | March & April 2019 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 1
Robert Griffin III III Bal Right thumb fracture Early preseason 4-8 Weeks Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 1
Nate Sudfeld Phi Left forearm fracture Preseason Week 1 6 Weeks 6-8+ Weeks Out Week 1
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
LAR
Left knee inflammation
Chronic
Active Roster Limited practice Probable Week 1
NE
Knee inflammation
Chronic
Active Roster Limited practice Probable Week 1
Ten
Left calf strain
Early preseason
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
SF
Right ACL reconstruction
September 2018
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
SF
Concussion
Preseason Week 1
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Mia
Right foot injury
Preseason Week 2
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Den
Shoulder fracture
Preseason Week 1
6-8 Weeks Week 3+ Return Out Week 1
Hou
Hamstring strain
Early preseason
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Jac
Concussion
Preseason Week 1
Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Was
Hamstring strain
Offseason
Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Was
Right ACL reconstruction
December 2018
Active - NFI Inseason return possible Doubtful Week 1
DOnta Foreman
Ind
Biceps tendon tear
Preseason Week 2
Injured reserve likely IR | Ineligible to return 2020 return
Cin
Right ACL reconstruction
September 2018
Passed physical Day-to-Day Questionable Week 1
Cin
Left foot injury
Preseason Week 1
Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 1
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Odell Beckham Cle Hip injury Preseason Week 2 Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Antonio Brown Oak Foot condition Early preseason Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Julio Jones Atl Foot soreness June 2019 Day-to-Day Limited practice Probable Week 1
A.J. Green Cin Left ankle injury Early preseason 6-8 Weeks Week 4+ return Out Week 1
John Ross Cin Hamstring tightness Early preseason Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Keenan Allen LAC Ankle injury Preseason Week 2 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Julian Edelman NE Left thumb fracture June 2019 4-6 Weeks Likely return during camp Probable Week 1
Josh Gordon NE Conditioning Preseason Week 2 Active - NFI Day-to-Day Questionable Week 1
Demaryius Thomas NE Left Achilles repair December 2018 Active - PUP Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 1
Amari Cooper Dal Heel injury Early preseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Keke Coutee Hou Right high ankle sprain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Sterling Shepard NYG Left thumb fracture Early preseason 4-6 Weeks Limited practice Probable Week 1
DK Metcalf Sea Arthroscopic knee surgery Preseason Week 3 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 1
Anthony Miller Chi Right ankle sprain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Parris Campbell Ind Hamstring strain aggravation Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Marquise Brown Bal Left Lisfranc joint reconstruction January 2019 Active Roster Limited practice Questionable Week 1
Antonio Callaway Cle High ankle sprain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week 3-4+ Weeks Suspended four games
Dede Westbrook Jac Groin strain Preseason Week 1 Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Marqise Lee Jac Left ACL reconstruction / PCL repair August 2018 Active roster Limited practice Questionable Week 1
Trent Taylor SF Right fifth metatarsal fracture Preseason Week 1 4-6 Weeks 6-8 Weeks Doubtful Week 1
Jakeem Grant Mia Right hamstring injury Early preseason Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
Player
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
George Kittle SF Calf strain Preseason Week 2 Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
David Njoku Cle Knee injury Preseason Week 2 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Dallas Goedert Phi Calf strain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Tyler Kroft Buf Right foot fracture fixation revision May 2019 Active - PUP Week-to-Week Doubtful Week 1
Dawson Knox Buf Hamstring strain Early preseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Josh Oliver Jac Hamstring strain Early preseason Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Garrett Celek SF Back surgery Offseason Active - PUP Likely inseason PUP Doubtful Week 1
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
Tackles
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Tyron Smith Dal Back stiffness Preseason Week 2 Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Russell Okung LAC Pulmonary embolism June 2019 Active - NFI Could return during camp Doubtful Week 1
Lane Johnson Phi Knee injury Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Kaleb McGary Atl Cardiac ablation Early preseason 6-8 Weeks Likely early season return Questionable Week 1
Donovan Smith TB Achilles injury Early preseason Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Jonah Williams Cin Labrum repair June 2019 Active - PUP Likely inseason PUP Out Week 1
Guards
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Zack Martin Dal Disc irritation Early preseason Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Quenton Nelson Ind Ankle injury Preseason Week 1 Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Marshall Yanda Bal Foot / ankle soreness Early preseason Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Gabe Jackson Oak Left MCL sprain Preseason Week 1 6-8 Weeks Week 3+ Return Out Week 1
Mike Iupati Sea Calf strain Early preseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Justin Pugh Ari Shoulder injury Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Brian Winters NYJ Shoulder injury Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Kelechi Osemele NYJ Pectoral strain Preseason Week 2 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Tytus Howard Hou Finger fracture Preseason Week 2 Day-to-Day Day-to-Day Probable Week 1
Brandon Brooks Phi Achilles tendon repair January 2019 Day-to-Day Limited practice Probable Week 1
Mike Person SF Left foot strain Preseason Week 2 Day-to-Day Week-to-Week Questionable Week 1
Josh Garnett SF Recurrent finger dislocation Early preseason 3-4 Weeks Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Centers
Team
Injury
Date
Player/Team Says
FBG Expects
Notes
Weston Richburg SF Knee surgery Offseason Active - PUP Likely return during camp Questionable Week 1
Mitch Morse Buf Concussion Early preseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Russell Bodine Buf Oblique strain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Kelechi Osemele NYJ Pectoral strain Preseason Week 2 Day-to-Day Awaiting Information Questionable Week 1
Nick Martin Hou Hamstring injury Early preseason Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Greg Mancz Hou Left low ankle sprain Preseason Week 1 Week-to-Week Week-to-Week Probable Week 1
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster