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

QUARTERBACKS

Ryan Mallett, HOU – Torn Pectoral Muscle

According to local reports Texans’ QB Ryan Mallett will miss the remainder of the season after an MRI on his injured chest revealed that his right pectoral muscle is torn. Mallett appeared to hurt his chest during pregame warm-ups but he remained active and played through the discomfort. There are unconfirmed reports that suggest Mallett has been dealing with a pectoral problem for at least a week and that he actually aggravated the injury while throwing the ball prior to Sunday’s game. It isn’t clear if surgery will be needed to repair the damage, but team officials don’t expect him to play again this season.

RUNNING BACKS

Marshawn Lynch, SEA – Lower Back Tightness / Stomach Illness

Seahawks’ RB Marshawn missed two series in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Cardinals with what head coach Pete Carroll described as a stomach illness. But he was able to return and finish the game and team officials expect him to start on Thursday against the 49ers. It was initially reported that Lynch left the game because he injured his lower back. Carroll admitted on Monday that Lynch has been dealing with a lower back issue for some time now and that he has played through tightness and discomfort. Lynch looked a little sluggish against the Cardinals so it wouldn’t surprise me if his stomach ailment and back both played a role in his poor performance. The Seahawks have a short week and with Lynch only having a few days to recover don’t be surprised if he is limited in practices. 

Ryan Mathews, SD – Undisclosed Shoulder Injury

Chargers’ RB Ryan Mathews missed most of the second half on Sunday against the Rams after suffering an undisclosed left shoulder injury, however it appears that the injury is not serious and there is a chance that he will be able to play in Week 13. Mathews was injured when two Rams’ defenders fell on him at the end of a touchdown run early in the third quarter. He was eventually taken back to the locker room where he was evaluated and treated. He was held out for the remainder of the third quarter and much of the fourth quarter but he was finally cleared to return to the field near the end of the game. As expected he complained of soreness and stiffness afterwards and he was later seen with an ice bag wrapped around his shoulder. The exact nature of Mathews’ shoulder injury has not been made public, but early signs point to it not being too serious and there is hope that he will be able to play in the team’s next game.

Latavius Murray, OAK – Concussion

Raiders’ RB Latavius Murray, who left last Thursday’s game against the Chiefs with a concussion, has not been cleared by the team’s medical staff and his status for Week 13 remains a question mark. Murray took a helmet-to-helmet shot on his fourth carry in Week 12 and he left the field looking a little woozy. According to reports he complained of dizziness immediately after being hit and he was diagnosed with a concussion in the locker room soon thereafter. Murray does not have a history of concussions and he has apparently shown signs of improvement so there is some optimism that he will be available to play in Week 13. We will keep you posted on his continued recovery.

Bishop Sankey, TEN – Stinger

Titans’ rookie RB Bishop Sankey suffered what the team is calling a minor stinger during Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, but he was able to finish the game and team officials expect him to play in Week 13. Sankey was hit on a carry that jammed his shoulder and bent his neck. He reportedly felt a sharp pain running down his arm and he lost grip strength which resulted in him fumbling the ball. He quickly regained his arm strength on the sideline and when he was symptom free he was allowed to return and finish the game. According to reports Sankey was sore on Monday and he will likely be held out of contact drills in practice this week as a precaution. But it looks like he will be fine and he should be ready to face the Texans in Week 13.

WIDE RECEIVER

Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN – Undisclosed Knee and Ankle Injuries.

Vikings’ WR Cordarrelle suffered what he described as minor knee and ankle injuries during a second-half kickoff on Sunday against the Packers and he expects to play in Week 13. Patterson limped off the field in the fourth quarter but he was able to return to the field before the end of the game and he later told reporters that he was going to be OK. He’ll likely miss some practice time this week while he recovers and while the exact nature of his injuries have not been made public it appears he avoided serious injury.