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

QUARTERBACKS

Ryan Fitzpatrick, HOU – Fractured Leg

Texans’ QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will miss the remainder of the season after fracturing the tibia on his left leg during Sunday’s game against the Colts. Fitzpatrick was injured on a scramble in the second quarter. He tried to get up after the play but he immediately grabbed for his left leg and after being evaluated on the field he was placed in an air cast and carted off the field. According to reports X-rays and an MRI revealed that he suffered a clean tibial fracture and he had a metal rod surgically inserted into his leg on Monday. He’s already been placed on Injured Reserve. His backup, rookie Tom Savage, suffered an undisclosed knee injury at the end of the game against the Colts and he has already been ruled out for Week 16 which means Thad Lewis will likely be under center for the Texans against the Ravens.

Jake Locker, TEN – Dislocated Shoulder

The Titans’ have placed QB Jake Locker on Injured Reserve after dislocating his shoulder on Sunday against the Jets. Locker fell on his shoulder when he was hit in the second quarter and he held his arm as he left the field. He was taken to the locker room where the dislocation was reduced and his shoulder treated. Precautionary X-rays were negative, but he was unable to return to the game. According to reports he underwent an MRI on Monday and while the results have not been made public the testing did show that the damage in his shoulder would require surgery.

Peyton Manning, DEN – Quadriceps Strain / Flu-Like Symptoms

Broncos’ QB Peyton Manning entered Sunday’s game with the flu and according to reports he suffered a minor quadriceps strain during the game as well, however team officials expect him to make a full recovery this week and he should be fine for Week 16. Manning was dealing with dehydration directly related to his illness and he reportedly required an IV prior to the start of the game against the Chargers. He appeared to pull his quad in the second quarter and his missed a series as a result, but he returned to the field for the start of the third quarter and he was able to finish the game. Manning appeared to be feeling better on Monday and with a full week to rest he should be better for the Broncos’ Monday night game against the Bengals.

Colt McCoy, WAS – Cervical Disc and Minor Nerve Damage

Redskins’ QB Colt McCoy, who was cleared to play in Sunday’s game against the Giants despite being diagnosed earlier in the week with damage to a cervical disc and minor nerve damage in his neck, aggravated his injury in the first quarter and his status for the team’s final two games of the season is in doubt. According to reports McCoy suffered damage to a disc and nerve in his neck in Week 14 but he was pain-free by the end of the practice week and he was cleared to play in Week 15 after regaining full range of motion. But he suffered what he described as a “whiplash” on a play on the team’s first offensive possession and he left the game after his neck “locked up” on the following play. McCoy told reporters that he was frustrated with missing another opportunity to prove that he belongs to start in the NFL and he insisted that his arm strength (as it related to the nerve damage in his neck) was unaffected. McCoy has already undergone an MRI and additional neurological testing and the team is now waiting on the results of those tests. I’m a little shocked that McCoy was allowed to play with the neck injuries that have been reported. Hopefully the Redskins take the decision to play out of McCoy’s hands this week.

RUNNING BACKS

Frank Gore, SF – Concussion

49ers’ RB Frank Gore was knocked out of Sunday’s game against the Seahawks with a concussion and his status for Week 16 is very much in question. Gore was hurt while throwing a block at the end of the first half. He tried to get off the field on his own but he collapsed before getting to the sideline. He was eventually escorted off the field and taken to the locker room where he was evaluated and diagnosed with a concussion. As per NFL protocol he was declared out for the remainder of the game and he is scheduled to undergo a neurological assessment every day this week until he is cleared. The 49ers have officially been eliminated from the playoffs so don’t be surprised if Gore isn’t rushed back.

Carlos Hyde, SF – Undisclosed Back and Ankle Injuries

49ers’ rookie RB Carlos Hyde suffered two injuries during Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks and his status for Week 16 is currently unknown. Hyde injured his lower back on a running play in the third quarter. He told reporters that he was trying to lower his shoulder at the end of the run but twisted his back when he was hit. X-rays in the locker room were negative but he was unable to return. According to reports not only did he undergo an MRI on his back on Monday but he also had his ankle examined. The nature and severity of both injuries has not been made public so hopefully we will know more after the team practices on Wednesday.

Rashad Jennings, NYG – Sprained Ankle

Giants’ RB Rashad Jennings aggravated his lingering ankle injury on his first carry of Sunday’s game against the Redskins and according to reports the team is considering shutting him down for the remainder of the season. Jennings was pulled from the game after twisting his ankle in the first half and he was later seen moving gingerly on the sideline. Head coach Tom Coughlin didn’t update his status during his Monday press conference but there is little reason to believe that he will practice this week while he recovers. With little to play for the Giants could end up sitting Jennings for their final two games.

DeMarco Murray, DAL – Fractured Hand

Cowboy’s RB DeMarco Murray underwent surgery on Monday to repair a fractured bone in his left hand and although it will take 6 – 8 weeks for it to heal the team is hoping that he will be able to play as early as this upcoming week against the Colts. Murray was injured late in Sunday’s game against the Eagles and according to reports X-rays after the game and additional testing on Monday morning revealed a break in the fourth metacarpal bone of his left hand. Because the injury is to Murray’s non-carrying hand team officials are reasonably confident that he will be able to return before the end of the regular season. He hasn’t been ruled out for Week 16, but at this point I’d call it a longshot for him to face the Colts because it will be difficult for the medical staff to control the pain and discomfort so soon after surgery. We will keep you posted on his recovery.

C.J. Spiller, BUF – Fractured Collarbone

Bills’ RB C.J. Spiller, who suffered a fractured collarbone back in Week 7, has been activated from the team’s short-term I.R. and he is now eligible to play in Week 16. Spiller returned to practice on December 3 and although he has been limited he looked reasonably fit while he was on the field. Head coach Doug Marrone told reporters that Spiller’s status for Week 16 will be determined after the team sees how he performs in workouts and drills this week. Even if he is activated his playing time will be limited so don’t expect him to have a huge impact on the offense.

WIDE RECEIVER

Keenan Allen, SD – Undisclosed Ankle Injury

Chargers’ WR Keenan Allen left the stadium on Sunday with his ankle in a walking boot and the severity of his injury and status for Week 16 remain unknown. Allen rolled his ankle at the end of a catch in the second quarter. He appeared to be in some discomfort but he tried to play through the injury. Unfortunately he was having a hard time cutting and getting up to full speed and he was finally pulled from the game in third quarter. X-rays were done in the locker room on Sunday and he underwent an MRI on Monday, however the results of both have not been made public. We will keep you posted.

T.Y. Hilton, IND – Minor Hamstring Strain

According to reports Colts’ WR T.Y. Hilton suffered a hamstring strain during Sunday’s win over the Texans, however the injury is not considered serious and team officials expect him to be ready for Week 16. It isn’t clear when Hilton was hurt and he didn’t miss any playing time against the Texans, but he was seen with an ice bag on his leg after the game and did undergo a precautionary MRI on Monday. The good news is that the MRI came back clean. The Colts are very optimistic about his chances of facing the Cowboys, but don’t be surprised if he is limited in practice this week while he recovers.