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

RUNNING BACKS

Andre Ellington, ARI – Bruised Ribs

Cardinals’ RB Andre Ellington appears to be OK after bruising his ribs in Sunday’s win against the Raiders. Ellington briefly left after taking a shot to the chest, but he quickly returned and he was able to finish the game. Precautionary X-rays were reportedly negative and he has since been diagnosed with a minor contusion. As expect Ellington was sore on Monday and he will likely be held out of contact in practice this upcoming week. But he should be healthy enough to play in Week 8 against the Eagles.

Fred Jackson, BUF – Partially Torn Groin Muscle

Bills’ RB Fred Jackson has already been ruled out for Week 8 and according to reports he could miss the next 4 week to 6 weeks because of partially torn groin muscle. Jackson suffered the injury when he was hit low in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Vikings. He was helped off the field and then carted to the locker room and after an evaluation the medical staff declared him out for the remainder of the game. He later said he felt a “pop” when the injury occurred and that he was in a tremendous amount of discomfort. An MRI on Monday reportedly revealed that he suffered a partial tear in his adductor longus, a small part of which ripped off the bone. As serious as it sounds the injury will not require surgery and while Jackson said he wants to return in Week 10 he probably won’t be back until Week 12 at the earliest.

Trent Richardson, IND – Hamstring Strain

Colts’ RB Trent Richardson, who was having his best game of the season on Sunday against the Bengals, did not play in the fourth quarter because of a hamstring injury. However Richardson told reporters that the injury is minor and that he should be able to play in Week 8. He appeared to pull his hamstring on a carry near the end of the third quarter and he was seen on the sideline talking with the medical staff and testing it out. Richardson said that he could “run and move” and he wanted to return to the game but with the Colts winning by a large margin he was told by the coaching staff that there was no reason to risk additional injury. He underwent an MRI on Monday and while the results have not been made public it does look like the injury is just a minor strain. We will know more about his status on Wednesday.

C.J. Spiller, BUF – Fractured Collarbone

Bills’ RB C.J. Spiller will miss at least 6 weeks and possibly the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on Monday to repair a fractured collarbone that occurred during Sunday’s game against the Vikings. Spiller was injured when he fell on his shoulder at the end of a 53-yard carry in the second quarter. He was eventually carted to the locker room where X-rays reportedly revealed a crack in his clavicle (collarbone). Additional testing on Sunday night revealed that he would require surgery to repair the damage and he has since undergone the corrective procedure. Coach Doug Marrone told reporters that the Bills will wait and see how he recovers this week before a decision on his status for the remainder of the season is made, but don’t expect him to play again this year.

James Starks, GB – Sprained Ankle

Packers’ RB James Starks left Sunday’s blowout win over the Panthers with a minor ankle sprain and the early word is that team officials expect him to play in Week 8. Starks rolled his ankle in the third quarter and while the injury did not appear to be serious he was held out for the remainder of the game as a precaution. According to report his ankle was sore following the game and again on Monday and while he could miss practice time this week while he recovers he should be able to play against the Saints. We will keep you posted.

Pierre Thomas, NO – Undisclosed Shoulder Injury

Saints’ RB Pierre Thomas left Sunday’s game against the Lions with an undisclosed shoulder injury and his status for Week 8 is currently unknown. According to reports Thomas initially injured his shoulder in the first half but he attempted to play through it. Unfortunately he was hit hard on a reception in the third quarter and he was unable to finish the game. The exact nature and severity of Thomas’ shoulder injury has not been made public, but hopefully we will get an update on his status after Wednesday’s practice.

WIDE RECEIVER

Reggie Wayne, IND – Undisclosed Elbow Injury

According to recent reports Colts’ WR Reggie Wayne could miss the next 1 – 2 weeks after suffering an undisclosed left elbow injury during Sunday’s game against the Bengals. Wayne, who was hurt when he fell on his left arm at the end of a reception, tried playing through the injury but he dropped a couple of balls and he was clearly bothered by the discomfort in his elbow. He was later seen with an ice bag wrapped around his elbow after the game and he admitted to reporters that it affected his performance. He underwent an MRI on Monday and while we don’t know the exact nature and severity of the injury there are reports that suggest he could miss a couple of games while he recovers.