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

QUARTERBACKS

Tony Romo, DAL – Lower Back Contusion

Cowboys’ QB Tony Romo left Monday night’s game against the Redskins with a lower back contusion but he was able to return after receiving a pain-killer in the locker room and team officials are hoping that he will be able to play in Week 9. Romo was injured when he took a shot to his back on a sack in the third quarter. He stayed down for a few minutes and he appeared to be in a lot pain as he was helped up and escorted off the field. He was taken to the locker room where he was examined and treated. X-rays were reportedly negative and after receiving a pain-killing injection he felt good enough to return , which he did at the end of the fourth quarter. Romo is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his back today, however he spoke with reporters after the game and he said that he was optimistic about his chances of playing in Week 9 against the Cardinals. We’ll keep you up to date on his status.

RUNNING BACKS

Giovani Bernard, CIN – Undisclosed Hip Injury

Bengals’ RB Giovani Bernard was unable to finish Sunday’s close game against the Ravens because of an undisclosed right hip injury and his status for Week 9 is currently unknown. Bernard injured his hip in the fourth quarter and he watched the remainder of the game from the sideline. Neither Bernard nor head coach Marvin Lewis addressed the injury after the game and there hasn’t been an official update on his status. But there are reports that suggest the injury isn’t serious and that the team expects him to be OK moving forward. Hopefully we’ll get something directly from the team either today or tomorrow.

Doug Martin, TB – Sprained Ankle

Bucs’ RB Doug Martin left Sunday’s game against the Vikings after rolling his ankle in the third quarter and his status for Week 9 remains uncertain. Martin, who has been diagnosed with an ankle sprain, did not play in the fourth quarter and he was seen moving with a limp in the locker room after the game. The severity of the injury has not been made public, but hopefully we will get an update on his status after practice on Wednesday.

Stepfan Taylor, ARI – Partially Torn Calf

Cardinals’ RB Stepfan Taylor, who left Sunday’s game with a calf injury, has reportedly been diagnosed with a partially torn calf muscle and he will miss the next 2 – 4 weeks while he recovers. Stepfan was seen with his foot and leg in a boot on Monday and team officials indicated that he will likely wear the boot for at least a week to help the injury heal. Surgery will not be necessary because the tear is not that serious, however he will definitely miss the team’s next game and he could be out until Week 12 or 13.

WIDE RECEIVER

Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN – Ankle Contusion

Vikings’ WR Cordarrelle Patterson left the stadium on Sunday with his left foot in a boot and there was some speculation that he suffered a serious injury. However Patterson told reporters that the boot was just precautionary and he was seen without it on Monday. Patterson reportedly bruised his ankle on kickoff and despite dealing with discomfort he had one of his most productive games of the season. He continued to complain of pain afterwards and the medical staff decided to fit him for a productive boot as a precaution. Patterson said he was feeling better on Monday so unless he suffers he setback he should be ready in time for the team’s Week 9 game against the Redskins.

Brian Quick, STL – Torn Rotator Cuff

Rams’ WR Brian Quick is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery after an MRI on his injured left shoulder revealed a torn rotator cuff. Quick dislocated his shoulder when he was tackled on a 10-yard reception in the first half of Sunday’s game. He was escorted off the field and carted to locker where the dislocation was reduced and his shoulder x-rayed. X-rays were negative, but he was in a tremendous amount of pain and he was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. He was later seen with his arm in a sling and according to reports an MRI on Monday showed that he had a significant tear in his left rotator cuff that will require surgery to repair. Unfortunately recovery will take a minimum of 6 months so Quick’s season is over. Kenny Britt and Stedman Bailey will move forward as the Rams’ starting wide receivers.

Nate Washington, TEN – Sprained AC Joint

Titans’ WR Nate Washington, who was unable to finish Sunday’s game against the Texans because of an injury to his shoulder, has been diagnosed with an acromioclavicular joint sprain, and his status for the team’s next game in Week 10 is currently unknown. Washington was hurt when he fell on his shoulder at the end of a 43-yard reception in the fourth quarter and he was in a lot of pain while being examined on the sideline. According to reports X-rays in the locker room were negative, but an MRI on Monday revealed a sprain to the AC joint. The severity of the sprain has not been made public and the Titans have not updated his status. Fortunately the team has a bye this week so Washington has an extra week to recover.

Robert Wood, BUF – Lower Back Contusion

Bills’ WR Robert Wood missed a portion of Sunday’s game against the Jets after suffering a lower back contusion however he was able to return to the field and team officials are optimistic about his chances of playing when the team returns from their Week 9 bye. Wood was injured during Sammy Watkin’s 84-yard reception and he appeared to be in some pain as he left the field. He later returned to the field however his playing time was limited and he served mostly as a decoy. According to reports the injury is not considered serious and he has plenty of time to recover before the Bills’ next game in Week 10.

TIGHT ENDS

Jordan Cameron, CLE – Concussion

Browns’ TE Jordan Cameron was knocked out of Sunday’s game against the Raiders with a concussion and there is concern that he won’t be able to play in the team’s next two games. Cameron was injured when he was hit in his neck and head by safety Brandian Ross during a 21-yard reception in the second quarter. Ross led with his helmet and was flagged on the play for hitting a defenseless receiver. Cameron walked off the field on his own, but after being examined in the sideline he was escorted to the locker room where he failed a concussion test. This is his third concussion in less than two years and according to reports team officials aren’t sure with his history of head injuries if he will be able to play in Week 9 against the Bucs or 4 days later in Week 10 against the Bengals. We will keep you posted.