QUARTERBACKS
Kirk Cousins, WAS – Midfoot Sprain
Redskins’ QB Kirk Cousins left Monday night’s game against the Steelers with a right midfoot sprain and his status for the remainder of the preseason is currently unknown. Cousins, who was starting in place of Robert Griffin III, was hurt when he was tackled as he ran out of bounds in the first half. He immediately grabbed his foot then got up and tried limping back to the huddle, but he was in a lot of discomfort so he sat down on the field and waited for the medical staff. He was eventually escorted to the locker room where he was examined and treated. X-rays were reportedly negative, however he was diagnosed with a midfoot sprain and he was seen leaving the stadium on crutches and with his injured foot in a protective boot. Cousins is scheduled to undergo an MRI today so we should know more about his long-term status sometime within the next 24 hours.
Blaine Gabbert, JAX – Fractured Thumb
Jaguars’ QB Blaine Gabbert has been ruled out for the remainder of the preseason after an MRI on his injured right (throwing) thumb revealed a hairline fracture. Gabbert was injured when he banged his hand on a defender’s helmet while making a throw in the first half of Saturday’s preseason game against the Jets. He was taken to the locker room where X-rays were reportedly negative. He was still in a fair amount of pain so the team’s medical staff believed that his thumb was sprained and he underwent an MRI the next day to confirm the initial assessment. Unfortunately a hairline fracture was discovered and head coach Gus Bradley has told reporters that Gabbert would be out until the regular season. Bradley also said that Gabbert will be the team’s starting QB in Week 1, but he has less than 3 weeks to make a full recovery and he will probably need more time before he is back to 100%. We will keep you posted.
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E.J. Manuel, BUF – Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Bills’ rookie QB E.J. Manuel, who began complaining of discomfort and swelling in his left knee late last week, underwent an arthroscopic procedure on Sunday morning and he will miss the remainder of the preseason while he recovers. It isn’t clear how he was hurt, but he underwent an MRI on Saturday morning and then had what the team is calling a “minor knee procedure” to repair the damage the next day. Coach Doug Marrone has confirmed that Manuel will not practice or play again this preseason, but he wasn’t prepared to rule him out of Week 1 just yet. This is unfortunate news because the rookie was on his way to being named the Week 1 starter, but with his status for the beginning of the regular season in question don’t be surprised if Kevin Kolb gets the first crack at the starting job.
RUNNING BACKS
Le’Veon Bell, WAS – Midfoot Sprain
Steelers’ rookie RB Le’Veon Bell, who was making his preseason debut after missing time with a left knee injury, left Monday night’s game against the Redskins with a right midfoot sprain and his status is currently unknown. Bell was hurt on his fourth carry of the first quarter and he was seen limping off the field. X-rays in the locker room were negative but he has been diagnosed with a midfoot sprain and he did not return to the game. The severity of the sprain is still unknown but he is scheduled to undergo an MRI at some point today. We’ll know more about Bell’s injury shortly.
Arian Foster, HOU – Lower Back Inflammation
Texans’ head coach Gary Kubiak has told reporters that RB Arian Foster has made a full recovery from a lingering calf injury, however he continues to deal with a problematic lower back problem and team officials aren’t sure when he will be able to make his return. According to reports Foster has been dealing with lower back inflammation that has now begun to affect both legs which indicates some kind of neurological issue. He has been getting injections to help alleviate some of the pain and discomfort and while Kubiak has said that he expects Foster to be OK, this latest injury should be of some concern. He remains on the active/PUP list and it isn’t clear when he will be able to make his return.
Doug Martin, TB – Mild Concussion
Bucs’ RB Doug Martin was knocked out of last Friday’s preseason game with a mild concussion, but he’s expected to make a full recovery and he should be fine when the regular season begins. Martin was hurt when he took a knee to the helmet while attempting to make a block in the first half. He left the game and while he reportedly “cleared quickly” on the sideline he did not return. As expected Martin was limited to non-contact drills on Monday, however team officials are pleased with his quick recovery and he could see more action in practice today.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Victor Cruz, NYG – Heel Contusion
The Giants have decided to shutdown WR Victor Cruz for the remainder of the preseason as a precaution after Cruz suffered what is being called a bruised heel in Sunday night’s game against the Colts. Cruz appeared to jam his heel in the first quarter while running a route and he was seen limping off the field. X-rays in the locker room were negative, however he was diagnosed with a contusion and he did not return to the field. He was spotted on Monday with his injured foot in a protective boot, but head coach Tom Coughlin told reporters that the team will be extra cautious with the injury and that he expected Cruz to be ready for Week 1.
Wes Welker, DEN – Sprained Ankle
Broncos’ WR Wes Welker, who left Saturday night’s preseason game with a right ankle injury, has apparently been diagnosed with a minor sprain and team officials expect him to be 100% when the regular season begins. There were rumors that Welker suffered a high ankle sprain which would have put his Week 1 status in question, however an MRI on Sunday confirmed that his ankle sprain was of the regular variety. He will likely miss some practice time this week while he recovers, but he should be fine for the start of the regular season.
Roddy White, ATL – Sprained Ankle
Falcons’ veteran WR Roddy White suffered a sprained ankle during last Thursday’s preseason game against the Ravens, and while the injury isn’t considered serious team officials are strongly considering shutting him down until the regular season as a precaution. White, who limped off the field in the first quarter after twisting his ankle, did not return against the Ravens and according to reports a preliminary examination revealed and an MRI confirmed a minor sprain. The injury isn’t serious and team officials have said that White could play right now if this was the regular season. But they want to make sure White is completely healthy for Week 1 so he will likely sit for the remainder of the preseason.
TIGHT ENDS
Rob Gronkowski, NE – Forearm and Back Surgery
Rob Gronkowski’s surgically repaired forearm is no longer an issue, however he continues to recover from off-season back surgery and according to recent reports his status for Week 1 is very much in question. By all accounts Gronkowski continues to make positive strides in his recovery from back surgery. He apparently looks strong and has reported no problems during and after individual workouts at the Patriots’ training facility. However, he’s still on the active/PUP list and it looks like he won’t be 100% in time for the start of the regular season. We’ll know more about his status for Week 1 in a couple of weeks, but don’t expect him to be ready until at least Week 2.
Dustin Keller, MIA – Dislocated Knee
Dolphins’ TE Dustin Keller will miss the entire 2013 season after dislocating his right knee during Saturday night’s preseason game against the Texans. According to reports Keller, who was hurt when his knee bent awkwardly on a low tackle by Texans’ rookie safety D.J. Swearinger, suffered tears to his anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate and medical collateral ligaments as well meniscus and there are concerns that he may have also suffered nerve damage that would lengthen his recovery timetable. There is currently a significant amount of swelling and inflammation within the injured joint and he is scheduled to undergo reconstructive surgery as soon as that swelling is controlled. Because of the severity of the injuries, Keller’s status for 2014 and beyond is in question.
