This injury update covers the key player injuries from the previous week’s NFL action.
QUARTERBACKS
Jimmy Clausen, CHI – Concussion
Bears’ QB Jimmy Clausen has been diagnosed with a concussion and according to team officials he will not play in Week 17 as a result. Clausen was hit in the head in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game on a play that resulted in Lions’ defensive end Ezekiel Ansah getting penalized for unnecessary roughness. Clausen appeared to fine immediately after the play. Team officials said that he was examined by the medical staff at the end of the series and again at the end of the game and at no point during those exams did he exhibit any concussion symptoms. Apparently Clausen began to experience nausea and dizziness late on Sunday night and when he was evaluated on Monday morning he was diagnosed with a concussion and subsequently ruled out for Week 17. The Bears will now turn back to Jay Cutler who will start for the team in their final game of the season.
Johnny Manziel, CLE – Strained Hamstring
Browns’ QB Johnny Manziel has already been ruled out for Week 17 because of a strained hamstring ending the controversial rookie’s season a little early. Manziel was hurt in the first half and he tried to play through the discomfort. However he was hit hard on a designed QB run later in the game and he was forced to the sideline and eventually taken back to the locker room for treatment. It was initially speculated that Manziel suffered a concussion. But team officials said that he pulled his hamstring and Manziel later indicated that he had discomfort in his leg and that it got progressively worse as he walked on it. Head coach Mike Pettine did not go into detail about Manziel’s injury during his Monday press conference. But he did confirm that the rookie does have a hamstring issue and that he will not play against the Ravens. Brian Hoyer is reportedly dealing with a shoulder injury that could keep him out of Week 17 as well so look for the Browns to promote Connor Shaw from the practice squad.
Aaron Rodgers, GB – Minor Calf Strain
Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers pulled his calf muscle on Sunday against the Bucs. Fortunately he was able to finish the game and according to reports the team expects him to play in Week 17. Rodgers was hurt in the first quarter and he later admitted to reporters that his leg quickly tightened up making it hard for him to run. Head coach Mike McCarthy said that he had to change the play-calling to account for Rodgers’ reduced mobility. As expected Rodgers was sore after the game and he will likely be limited in practice this week while he recovers. But the calf strain is not believed to be serious and he should be healthy enough to play in the team’s regular season finale.
RUNNING BACKS
Steven Jackson, ATL – Strained Quadriceps
Falcons’ RB Steven Jackson did not finish Sunday’s game against the Saints because of a strained quadriceps and his status for Week 17 is uncertain. Jackson pulled his quad in the second quarter and although he got treatment at halftime he was having difficulty moving around and he was declared out when the second half began. Jackson reportedly underwent an MRI on Monday but the results have not been made public. According to reports Jackson is optimistic about playing in Week 17, but hopefully we’ll know something a little more concrete soon.
Pierre Thomas, NO – Undisclosed Foot Injury
Saints’ RB Pierre Thomas left Sunday’s game against the Falcons with an undisclosed foot injury and his status for Week 17 appears to be in question. Thomas was forced from the game after a 16-yard reception in the first quarter. He didn’t appear to get hurt on the play, but did not return to the field after it. Team officials aren’t talking about what happened so the nature and severity of the injury remain unknown.
WIDE RECEIVER
A.J. Green, CIN – Biceps Contusion
Bengals’ WR A.J. Green was unable to finish Monday night’s game against the Broncos because of issues related to a biceps contusion that he suffered in the first half. But he told reporters after the game that expects to play in Week 17 against the Steelers. Green was hit hard on his right arm on the team’s second offensive series and he appeared to be in a lot of pain while he was being examined on the sideline. He was eventually taken to the locker room where he was X-rayed and treated. X-rays were reportedly negative, but the pain remained an issue and he was reportedly having trouble with grip strength. He tried to return to the game was but he was ineffective and he spent a large portion of the second half on the sideline. We’ll know more about his injury and status for the game against the Steelers later in the week.
Percy Harvin, NYJ – Undisclosed Rib Injury
Jets’ WR Percy Harvin was knocked out of Sunday’s game against the Patriots because of an undisclosed rib injury and his status for Week 17 is currently unknown. Harvin left the game after getting hit in the third quarter and head coach Rex Ryan told reporters on Monday that the WR was extremely sore. Harvin’s injury isn’t believed to be serious, but at this point it isn’t clear if he will be able to play against the Dolphins in the team’s final game of the season. We will keep you posted on his recovery.
Charles Johnson, MIN – Strained Hamstring
Vikings’ WR Charles Johnson hurt his hamstring in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. He tried playing through the injury, but it seemed to bother him throughout and his production was limited as a result. Johnson was reportedly seen limping in the locker room after the game and while it doesn’t appear to be serious team officials are expecting him to miss practice time this week. We’ll know more about his status for Week 17 on Thursday or Friday.
