This injury update covers the key player injuries from the previous week’s NFL action.

QUARTERBACKS

Robert Griffin III, WAS – Dislocated Ankle

Redskins’ QB Robert Griffin III is out indefinitely after dislocating his left ankle during Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. Griffin injured his ankle while scrambling on a pass play in the first quarter. As he stepped to his right to avoid the rush his ankle rolled in and gave way. RG3 was still able to get the pass off, but he tumbled out of bounds and it was clear he was in a lot of discomfort. He stayed down for several minutes while being examined by medical staff. His foot was eventually immobilized in an air splint and he was carted off the field. According to reports X-rays and an MRI have ruled out fractures, but he suffered serious ligament damage and it appears he will be out of a significant amount of time. Head coach Jay Gruden told reporters on Monday that the team won’t know when Griffin will be able to return until they see how he responds to treatment over the next couple of weeks. The Redskins aren’t considering putting him on Injured Reserve yet, but he definitely won’t be back anytime soon. Kirk Cousins will take over as the team’s starting QB.

Carson Palmer, ARI – Bruised Shoulder Nerve

Cardinals’ QB Carson Palmer, who was deactivated this past weekend because of weakness in his shoulder and arm associated with a bruised nerve, recently told reporters that his shoulder wasn’t healing as quickly as the team had hoped and that he wasn’t sure when he would be able to return. Palmer was reportedly injured in Week 2 and he has apparently been dealing with weakness and soreness in his throwing arm since. Head coach Bruce Arians admitted that he was concerned about the injury and since the team doesn’t know when he will be ready to play they are preparing to move forward without him. Drew Stanton will start in Week 3 if Palmer is unable to play.

RUNNING BACKS

Jamaal Charles, KC – Mild High Ankle Sprain

Chiefs’ RB Jamaal Charles has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and although the injury is considered mild the team is expecting him to miss at least a couple of weeks. Charles limped off the field in the first quarter on Sunday and he eventually walked on his own to the locker room where an examination determined that he would not be able to continue. There were concerns that he suffered a serious high ankle sprain and while an MRI on Monday confirmed that it was indeed a high ankle sprain it also revealed that it was just a mild form of the injury. Head coach Andy Reid told reporters on Monday that the team does not consider Charles’ ankle sprain “severe,” however even minor high ankle sprains can take anywhere from 2 – 4 weeks to recover from. He hasn’t officially been ruled out for Week 3 yet, but don’t expect him to play against the Dolphins.

Mark Ingram, NO – Fractured Hand

Saints’ RB Mark Ingram will reportedly miss at least a month after suffering a broken hand during Sunday’s game against the Browns. Ingram was apparently injured in the first half but at the time the team did not believe the injury was serious and he was allowed to return to the game after having his hand taped. Team officials aren’t commenting on the injury, however several news outlets are reporting that Ingram’s hand is broken and that the Saints are expecting him to be out for a minimum of 4 weeks. As soon as we know more about this situation we will bring it to you.

Ryan Mathews, SD – Torn MCL

Chargers’ RB Ryan Mathews, who was carted off the field on Sunday after hurting his right knee, has been diagnosed with a partially torn medial collateral ligament and he will miss the next 4 to 6 weeks while he recovers. Mathews was hurt while he tried to recover his own fumble on a carry and after a brief on-field examination the medical staff called for a cart and he was taken to the locker room. It does not appear that Mathews will need surgery, but team officials aren’t expecting him to return until Week 6 at the earliest.

Knowshon Moreno, MIA – Dislocated Elbow

Dolphins’ RB Knowshon Moreno will miss at least 4 weeks after dislocating his left elbow during Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. Moreno was hurt on his first carry of the game. His left arm was hit by a defender as he placed it on the ground at the end of the run causing it to hyperextend and dislocate. There was an obvious deformity at the elbow joint and he was in a tremendous amount discomfort as he was being examined on the field by the team’s medical staff. He was eventually helped off the field and escorted to the locker room. There are unconfirmed reports that Moreno suffered a fracture near his elbow along with ligament damage within the joint and that the team expects him to be out anywhere from 1 – 2 months. It isn’t clear if the damage will require surgery, however the Dolphins have already resigned Daniel Thomas as they expect Moreno to be out for an extended period of time.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Eric Decker, NYJ – Strained Hamstring

Jets’ WR Eric Decker was unable to finish Sunday’s game against the Packers after pulling his hamstring in the third quarter and his status for Week 3 is currently unknown. Decker, who strained the same hamstring back in August, appeared to aggravate the injury while running a route in the third quarter. He tried to play through the problem but he continued to grab at the back of his leg and he was unable to play in the fourth quarter. Head coach Rex Ryan told reporters that he wasn’t sure if Decker would be able to play in Week 3, but he was hopeful that with rest Decker would be ready. We should know more about his status later in the week.

A.J. Green, CIN – Undisclosed Midfoot and toe injury

Bengals’ WR A.J. Green, who has been dealing with an undisclosed foot problem, aggravated the injury while blocking on a run play in the first quarter of Sunday’s game and his status for Week 3 is considered questionable. Green’s injury has been called turf toe, however according to recent reports he could be dealing with a midfoot strain instead. Head coach Mavin Lewis did not say what the injury was and he wouldn’t comment on his availability for Week 3, but he did tell reporters that it wasn’t a “long-term injury.” We are waiting on the results of an MRI he underwent on Monday but there is concern that he might not be able to play until after the team’s Week 4 bye.

Allen Hurns, JAC – Sprained ankle

Jaguars’ WR Allen Hurns injured his ankle at the end of Sunday’s game and his status for Week 3 appears to be in question. Hurns was injured with just 21 seconds left in the game. He rolled his ankle as he was tackled at the end of a reception and after limping off the field he was seen moving about the locker room on crutches. According to reports an MRI on his ankle revealed that the injury is minor and he is now being listed as “day-to-day.” Hurns will likely miss practice this week while he recovers and his status for the team’s game against the Colts probably won’t be known until gameday.

DeSean Jackson, WAS – Sprained AC Joint

Redskins’ WR DeSean Jackson is being listed as “day-to-day” after being diagnosed with a minor acromioclavicular sprain in his left shoulder and according to reports he is going to do everything he can to be ready for the team’s Week 3 matchup against the Eagles. Jackson was injured when he fell on his elbow and shoulder while trying to catch a deep pass in the first quarter. He was escorted to the locker room, but despite x-rays being negative he was declared out for the remainder of the game. Jackson was apparently having trouble lifting his arm above his shoulder and across his chest and as a result the medical staff felt I was best to keep him sidelined. He was reportedly sore on Monday and the team plans to limit his involvement in practice this week while he recovers. He won’t be 100% but if he can manage the pain and discomfort he might be able to play against his former team.

Roddy White, ATL – Strained Hamstring

Falcons’ WR Roddy White missed practice on Monday because of a hamstring strain and his status for Thursday night’s game against the Bucs appears to be in question. White apparently pulled his hamstring during Sunday’s game and although it isn’t considered serious the team’s medical staff isn’t sure if he will have enough time to recover before their Week 3 game. We’ll keep you posted on his recovery.

TIGHT ENDS

Vernon Davis, SF – Sprained Ankle

49ers’ TE Vernon Davis left Sunday night’s game against the Bears with a sprained left ankle and his status for Week 3 is currently unknown. Davis, who was injured when he was pulled back at the end of a fourth-quarter reception, limped off the field and after a quick assessment on the sideline he was carted to the locker room where he underwent further evaluation and precautionary X-rays. According to reports he left the stadium on crutches and although he underwent an MRI on Monday the results have not been made public and his availability for the team’s game against the Cardinals remains unclear. We should know something more concrete about his injury shortly. 

Marcedes Lewis, JAC – High Ankle Sprain

Jaguars’ TE Marcedes Lewis will miss the next 6 – 8 weeks after an MRI confirmed that he suffered a severe high ankle sprain against the Redskins on Sunday. Lewis, who was hurt while blocking on a running play, reportedly tore several ligaments in his left ankle. It isn’t clear if he will need surgery to repair the damage, but the team does not expect him back until Week 8 at the earliest.