This injury update covers the key player injuries from the previous week’s NFL action.
QUARTERBACKS
Shaun Hill, STL – Strained Quadriceps
Rams’ QB Shaun Hill left Sunday’s game with a strained quadriceps and his status for Week 2 appears to be in question. Hill suffered the injury at the end of the first half, and after being examined in the locker room at halftime the medical staff decided to keep him out for the remainder of the game. He was later seen with an ice bag wrapped on his leg and there is concern that the injury will keep him out of practice this upcoming week. We’ll know more about his status after practice on Wednesday. Austin Davis, who replaced Hill in the second half, would likely get the start against the Bucs in Week 2 if Hill is unable to play.
RUNNING BACKS
Toby Gerhart, JAC – Sprained Ankle
Jaguars’ RB Toby Gerhart left Sunday’s game after his legs got caught underneath him when he was horse collared by an Eagles defender. It appeared to be bad at the time, but according to reports he avoided serious injury and he should be able to play in Week 2. Gerhart was injured when he was brought down from behind at the end of a carry in the first quarter. He was examined on the sideline and after his ankle was retaped he was able to return and finish the game. He later admitted that his ankle was sore throughout and head coach Gus Bradley confirmed that he would likely miss practice this week while he recovers. Fortunately the injury is minor and he should be healthy enough to play against the Redskins.
Doug Martin, TB – Undisclosed Knee Injury
Bucs’ RB Doug Martin hurt his left knee during Sunday’s game against the Panthers and the nature and severity of the injury are still unknown. Martin was injured when a Panthers defender rolled up on the back of his leg after a carry in the third quarter. He was briefly examined on the sideline before being escorted to the locker room where he was evaluated and treated. Martin made a brief return to the field but he didn’t register a carry and he was unable to the finish the game. There were some reports that suggested he was dealing with a shoulder issue, but his left leg was wrapped after the game and Martin confirmed that he was dealing with a knee problem. According to reports he underwent an MRI on Monday, however the results have not been made public and his status for Week 2 remains unknown. We will keep you posted.
Ben Tate, CLE – Undisclosed Knee Injury
Browns’ RB Ben Tate, who was unable to finish Sunday’s game against the Steelers, reportedly suffered a knee injury in the first half and his status for Week 2 is currently unknown. Tate was apparently hurt during a 25-yard run in the second quarter and while it wasn’t clear how he was hurt his return was quickly considered “doubtful” and in the second half he was downgraded to “out.” Head coach Mike Pettine did not have an update on Tate’s injury on Monday so we are going to have to wait until Wednesday for additional information.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Dez Bryant, DAL – Dehydration
Cowboys’ WR Dez Bryant missed a large portion of the third quarter on Sunday against the 49ers because of muscle cramps and while he was sore after the game the team expects him to be fine for Week 2. Bryant told reporters that his muscles in his arms and legs began to cramp early in the second half and he seen getting his arm rubbed on the sideline. He said that the medical staff tried to massage the cramps away, unfortunately the only got worse and he was taken back to the locker room and treated for dehydration. After receiving intravenous fluids he returned to the sideline and he was allowed back in the game. Despite some general body soreness, Bryant is fine and should be back to full strength in time for the Cowboys Week 2 game.
Alshon Jeffery, CHI – Strained Hamstring
Bears’ WR Alshon Jeffery missed the fourth quarter and overtime of Sunday’s game against the Bills because of a hamstring injury, but the good news is that the injury doesn’t appear to be serious and there is optimism about his availability for Week 2. Jeffery limped off the field in the second half and he was listed by the team as “probable” to return. However despite the game being close Jeffery remained on the sideline. Head coach Marc Trestman indicated after the game that the injury wasn’t serious and according to reports Jeffery walked out of the locker room and left the stadium without an issue. So it looks like his hamstring strain might be minor. We’ll keep you posted on his recovery.
TIGHT ENDS
Jordan Cameron, CLE – Sprained AC Joint
According to reports Browns’ TE Jordan Cameron was knocked out of Sunday’s game against the Steelers after reinjuring his shoulder and his status for Week 2 appears to be in question. Cameron, who suffered an acromioclavicular joint sprain that kept him sidelined during the preseason, injured the same shoulder on a pass play in the second half and he was unable to finish the game as a result. He was reportedly in a lot of pain afterwards and while head coach Mike Pettine did not discuss Cameron’s injury on Monday it looks like he will miss practice time this week while he recovers. We should know more about his Week 2 status on Wednesday.
Tyler Eifert, CIN – Dislocated Elbow
Bengals’ TE Tyler Eifert will miss at least two weeks and he could be out for a lot longer after he suffered a right elbow dislocation during Sunday’s game against the Ravens. Eifert was hurt when he fell on his outstretched arm at the end of a 14-yard reception in the first quarter. There was an obvious deformity near his right elbow as he lay on ground and he appeared to be in a lot of pain as he was helped off the field. According to reports the medical staff was able to reduce the dislocation (put his elbow back in place) in the locker room and although precautionary X-rays were negative he was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. Eifert has already undergone an MRI and while the results have not been made public there are reports that suggest the team hopes to have him back in a couple of weeks. Hopefully this is the case. At the very least he won’t be able to play in Week 2 so plan accordingly.
Jordan Reed, WAS – Strained Hamstring
Redskins’ TE Jordan Reed suffered a strained hamstring during Sunday’s game against the Texans and it appears his status for Week 2 is very much in doubt. Reed was hurt when he tried to jump over a defender on a short reception in the first half. His leg bent awkwardly and he immediately grabbed for his hamstring. Reed was examined on the sideline and ruled out for the remainder of the game. Head coach Jay Gruden has sent mixed messages about the injury calling it “mild” but telling reporters that it is a “concern” and that he could miss “some time” while he recovers. He’s already undergone an MRI and while the results have not been made public it’s looking more and more like he will not be available to play in Week 2 against the Jaguars.
