This early injury report covers the key player injuries from the previous week’s NFL action.
QUARTERBACKS
Sam Bradford, STL â Torn ACL
Rams’ QB Sam Bradford will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Sunday’s game against the Panthers. Bradford was injured in a fourth quarter scramble. He fell awkwardly on his knee after being pushed out of bounds and after being evaluated he was carted to the locker room. The team’s medical staff immediately assessed the injury as an ACL sprain and an MRI on Monday morning confirmed that the ACL was torn. There is currently a significant amount of swelling within the knee and he will undergo surgery to repair the damage as soon as the swelling subsides, which the medical staff believes could take anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks. If all goes well with the surgery Bradford should be ready in time for training camp next year.
Jay Cutler, CHI â Torn Groin Muscle
Bears’ QB Jay Cutler, who left Sunday’s game against the Redskins with a groin injury, will miss at least the next four weeks after an MRI revealed a muscle tear. Cutler suffered the injury when he was sacked in the second quarter. He appeared to be in a lot of pain as he left the field and after being escorted to the locker room he was examined and then declared out for the remainder of the game. According to reports he was having difficulty walking and as expected he was experiencing a lot of discomfort as he left the stadium. An MRI on Monday revealed a partially torn muscle in his groin and while the injury will not require surgery head coach Marc Trestman told reporters that Cutler would be sidelined for a minimum of 4 weeks. After those 4 weeks Trestman went on to explain that the team would consider him “week to week.” Josh McCown will be the team’s starting QB while Cutler recovers.
Nick Foles, PHI â Concussion
Eagles’ QB Nick Foles has been diagnosed with a concussion after leaving Sunday’s game against the Cowboys with a head injury and although it appears to be minor his status for Week 8 remains uncertain. Foles hit his head on the turf after slammed to the ground on a passing play in the fourth quarter. He got up slowly and he was escorted to the locker room where he was evaluated. According to reports he complained of dizziness and a headache and although he began to show signs of improvement he was declared out for the remainder of the game. Head coach Chip Kelly told reporters on Monday that Foles was feeling “good,” however he is still scheduled to be evaluated today and tomorrow. Michael Vick is very close to making his return from a strained hamstring so even if Foles is cleared to play in Week 8 he could end up on the bench anyway. We’ll keep you posted.
RUNNING BACKS
Arian Foster, HOU â Strained Hamstring
Texans’ RB Arian Foster is being considered “day to day” after leaving Sunday’s game against the Chiefs with a hamstring injury. Foster, who was limited in practice last week because of strained hamstring, aggravated the injury on a carry in the first quarter and he was declared out after being examined in the locker room. According to reports the injury is not considered serious, but he was having trouble moving around and the team’s medical staff did not want him to make it worse. The Texans have their bye this week which means Foster will have two weeks to rest and recover. It’s too early to tell if he will be ready to play in Week 9, so check with us next week for an update.
Doug Martin, TB â Torn Shoulder Labrum
According to several reports Bucs’ RB Doug Martin suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder during Sunday’s game against the Falcons and while he won’t play in Week 8 his status for the remainder of the season remains a question mark. Martin was hit hard on an incomplete pass in the third quarter and after he was taken to the locker room the medical staff declared him out for the remainder of the game. He was apparently in a lot of pain afterwards and he was seen with his arm in a sling as he left the stadium. X-rays were reportedly negative and although the results of an MRI have not been made public several websites and newspapers are calling the injury a torn shoulder labrum. There are reports that suggest the injury will keep him out for the remainder of the year, however head coach Greg Schiano told reporters on Monday that the injury was not season-ending. Martin will not play in Week 8 and it appears he could be sidelined for an extended period of time.
Fred Jackson, BUF â Sprained MCL
Bills’ RB Fred Jackson, who has been dealing with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, reportedly aggravated the injury during Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. However team officials believe that Jackson will be able to play in Week 9. Jackson’s injured knee bent awkwardly after a first quarter carry and he appeared to be in a lot of pain, but after leaving for a brief period of time he was able to return and finish the game. As expected his knee was sore and swollen in the locker room afterwards and he will likely be limited in practice this week while he continues to recover. However team officials are optimistic about his chances of playing in Week 9.
Ben Tate, HOU â Fractured Ribs
Texans’ RB Ben Tate reportedly played through four broken ribs on Sunday against the Chiefs. Tate was injured in the third quarter and after briefly leaving he was able to return and finish the game. X-rays in the locker room revealed fractured to four ribs and as expected he was in a lot of discomfort afterwards. The Texans’ have a bye this week and even though Tate has said that he will be ready to play in Week 9, he definitely will not be 100%. It’s uncomfortable playing with just one fractured rib, so just imagine how he is going to feel when he tries to play with four. We’ll keep you posted on his recovery.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Reggie Wayne, IND â Torn ACL
Colts’ WR Reggie Wayne has officially been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and he will not play football again this season. Wayne’s knee “gave out” as he tried to reach back for an underthrown pass in the fourth quarter. He remained down for several minutes before being helped up and escorted off the field. He then limped to the locker room where an examination revealed that his ACL was compromised. An MRI on Monday confirmed that he tore his ACL and as soon as the swelling subsides he will undergo season-ending reconstructive surgery. Wayne, whose 189 consecutive game streak will come to end, should be back in time for training camp next year.
TIGHT ENDS
Jermichael Finley, GB â Bruised Spinal Chord
Packers’ TE Jermichael Finley is out indefinitely after suffering a bruised spinal chord in Sunday’s game against the Browns. Finley was hurt when he took a shot to the head at the end of a 10-yard reception in the third quarter. According to reports he couldn’t move his arms or legs immediately after the play and after being examined by the medical staff he was secured to a spine board and taken off the field on a gurney. The quickly regained the feeling in his extremities, but he was transported to an area hospital and admitted to the ICU where he was evaluated and treated. According to reports X-rays on his neck were negative and he was able to walk on his own on Monday. Finley has been officially diagnosed with a bruised spinal chord and even though he‘s been released from the intensive care unit team officials aren’t sure if or when he’ll be able to return to the football field.
