This early injury report covers the key player injuries from the previous week’s NFL action.
QUARTERBACKS
Brandon Weeden, CLE â Sprained Thumb
Browns’ QB Brandon Weeden left Sunday’s game against the Ravens after spraining his right (throwing) thumb and his status for Week 3 and beyond appears to be in question. Weeden was hurt when his hand hit the helmet of left guard John Greco. According to reports X-rays came back negative, however he was diagnosed with a sprain and he underwent an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. The results of the MRI have not been made public, but team officials are worried that Weeden could be out for up to 3 weeks.
RUNNING BACKS
Reggie Bush, DET â Undisclosed Knee Injury
Lions’ RB Reggie Bush injured his left knee during Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, however he was able to return and finish the game and according to reports the results of an MRI were encouraging. Bush took a helmet to his knee at the end of a reception in the second quarter and he appeared to be in a lot of pain after the play. He left the game and was escorted to the locker room where he was examined and treated. He was cleared by the medical staff to return in the third quarter and while he finished the game he later admitted to reporters that the injury affected his mobility. Head coach Jim Schwartz said that Bush’s injury didn’t appear to be serious and although he was sore on Monday an MRI on Bush’s knee showed that the damage was minimal. The exact nature of the injury has not been made public, but it looks like he will be OK. Bush entered the game after being limited in practice last week because of a dislocated thumb and strained groin. Fortunately he avoided aggravating those preexisting problems.Â
Shonn Greene, TEN â Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Titans’ RB Shonn Greene, who was inactive for Sunday’s game because of a knee injury, underwent arthroscopic surgery on Monday and according to reports he will miss the next 2 to 4 weeks. Greene apparently tore cartilage in his knee during the team’s Week 1 game and after a week of rest and treatment the injury hadn’t shown signs of improvement so the medical staff decided that surgery was the best course of action. Greene will definitely be out for Week 3 and he will probably miss Week 4 as well. Jackie Battle will be the team’s short-yardage RB while Greene is out.
Steven Jackson, ATL â Quadriceps Contusion
Falcons’ RB Steven Jackson left Sunday’s game against the Rams with a quadriceps contusion and his status for Week 3 is currently unknown. Jackson took a shot to his thigh while stretching for a touchdown in the first quarter and after a quick assessment on the sideline he was taken back to the locker room where he was further examined. He did not return and according to reports he was in a lot of pain following the game. Team officials aren’t talking about the injury and as such his status for the game against the Dolphins remains unknown. Â
Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC â Strained Ankle
Jaguars’ RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who left Sunday’s game with a strained tendon in his left ankle, was reportedly feeling a lot better on Monday morning. However his status for Week 3 remains questionable. MJD turned his ankle late in the second quarter and he did not take the field for the start of the third quarter. X-rays in the locker room were negative, but he was having a hard time moving around and the medical staff decided to keep him out. MJD missed a large portion of the 2012 season because of a left ankle injury that ultimately required surgery. And according to reports he has been dealing with instability within the same joint fueling speculation that the instability contributed to the strained tendon. An MRI was done, however the severity of the injury has not been made public.
Eddie Lacy, GB â Concussion
Packers’ RB Eddie Lacy was knocked out of Sunday’s game against the Redskins with a concussion and he will likely miss week 3 and return after the team’s week 4 bye. Lacy was hurt on the first carry of the game when he took a helmet-to-helmet hit from SS Brandon Meriweather. Lacy looked shaken up after the hit but he was able to walk off the field on his own. He was eventually taken back to the locker room where he was diagnosed with a concussion and ruled out for the remainder of the game. The severity of the concussion has not been made public, but there is speculation that the injury could keep him out for at least one game and possibly more. The Packers will have an update on the injury after Wednesday’s practice.
Ray Rice, BAL â Strained Hip Flexor
Ravens’ RB Ray Rice is considered day-to-day after leaving Sunday’s game against the Browns with a strained hip-flexor. Rice, who appeared to get hurt on a carry in the second half, was forced from the game in the fourth quarter. According to reports he began to experience tightness and pain in his hip and the medical staff decided to pull him as a precaution. The good news is that he immediately began to feel better while in the locker room and he was spotted walking without a limp as a he left the stadium. Most importantly Rice will not require an MRI, which indicates the injury is not considered serious. Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that Rice will likely miss practice this week while he recovers and that his status for Week 3 will be determined at some point prior to kickoff.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI â Strained Hamstring
Cardinals’ WR Larry Fitzgerald, who entered Sunday’s game with a hamstring problem, aggravated the injury and his status for Week 3 is unknown. Fitzgerald had difficulty creating separation and making cuts throughout the first half and he acted as a decoy in the third quarter. Fitzgerald did not play in the fourth quarter and he was seen moving gingerly around the locker room after the game. He later said that he would definitely be ready for Week 3, but even if he plays he won’t be 100%. Don’t be surprised if he misses most, if not all, of the team practices this week while he rests and recovers.
Malcom Floyd, SD â Undisclosed Neck Injury
Chargers’ WR Malcom Floyd left Sunday’s game in a stretcher after suffering an undisclosed neck injury. Fortunately the injury does not appear to be serious and team officials expect him to make a full recovery. Floyd was hurt when he was tackled by two defenders while trying to make a catch. He appeared to be in a lot of pain and he stayed on the ground for several minutes before being secured to a spine-board and taken off the field in a stretcher. Floyd was then transported to a local hospital where he underwent a series of tests and examinations. According to reports he avoided serious injury, however he will have to wear a neck brace for at least a week which suggests that he will likely miss the team’s Week 3 game.
Darrius Heyward-Bey, IND â Bruised Shoulder
Colts’ WR Darrius Heyward-Bey left Sunday’s game against the Dolphins after coming down on his shoulder in the first half, but fortunately an MRI revealed nothing serious and team officials expect him to return to practice this week and play in Week 3. It was first thought that DHB suffered some kind of rib injury, however head coach Chuck Pagano said after the game that the injury was to his shoulder. Following the MRI on Monday Pagano added that the injury was more to the back of his shoulder. But it appears that DHB is dealing with just a bruise and there is a good chance that he will be able to play against the 49ers.
Andre Johnson, HOU â Concussion
Texans’ WR Andre Johnson missed the end of Sunday’s game against the Titans after being diagnosed with a concussion and his status for Week 3 appears to be in question. Johnson was hurt when he was hit in the head on a 21-yard reception in the fourth quarter. He was escorted off the field and into the locker room and according to reports he complained of dizziness and a headache after the game. Fortunately the concussion does not appear to be serious and head coach Gary Kubiak told reporters after practice on Monday that Johnson was “doing great” after spending the afternoon riding a stationary bike. We’ll keep you posted on his recovery.
TIGHT ENDS
Martellus Bennett, CHI â Bruised Shoulder
Bears’ TE Martellus Bennett suffered a bruised shoulder during Sunday’s game against the Vikings, however the injury is not considered serious and team officials expect him to play in Week 3. Bennett was hurt on a catch in the second quarter and he complained of pain and discomfort while in the locker room at halftime. After receiving treatment he was able to return and finish the game. He admitted after the game that he was still in a lot of pain, but head coach Marc Trestman indicated than an MRI showed only a bruise. He’ll likely be limited in practice this week while he recovers, but Trestman believes that Bennett will be able to play against the Steelers.
Vernon Davis, SF â Strained Hamstring
49ers’ TE Vernon Davis left Sunday night’s game against the Seahawks with a strained hamstring and his status for Week 3 is currently unknown. Davis pulled his hamstring while running a route in the fourth quarter. He immediately grabbed for the back of his leg and he had to limp off the field. He was evaluated on the sideline but he did not return to the game. The severity of the injury and his status for the team’s next game are unknown. We’ll keep you posted on his recovery.
