The Training Room: Week 5 Injury Updates
On The Mend
Andre Ellington (PCL Sprain): Ellington was a surprise inactive last week as most reporters thought he'd be active against the Rams. Expect him to be available this week against the Lions, but the usage will still be problematic to figure out with Chris/David Johnson also getting touches Projection: Ellington is active for Week 5.
Davante Adams (Ankle Sprain): There still isn't any clear indication as to whether or not Adams is dealing with a normal inversion sprain or a high ankle sprain, which makes it difficult to predict how long he'll be sidelined. He'll continue to be week-to-week until we see him get back on the practice field. Projection: Adams misses two more weeks (I still believe he's dealing with a lateral ankle sprain that was re-aggravated in Week 3, so hopefully he'll miss less time).
Alshon Jeffery (Hamstring Strain): Jeffery was held out another week to allow his hamstring to get to as close to 100% as possible. With the Bears barely divulging any information on their injured players this year, I wouldn't expect too many updates, but Jeffery's practice status will be a good indication if he'll be ready for this weekend. Projection: Jeffery starts Week 5 against the Chiefs. The return of Jay Cutler, even though he's not 100 percent healthy himself, will be a big boost when Jeffery gets back on the field.
LeSean McCoy (Hamstring Strain): A follow-up MRI was done on McCoy's hamstring and it revealed a new area of strain. The Bills coaching/training staff will try and make sure they don't rush Shady back, especially since his hamstring strain is now dealing with another area that is trying to heal. The Bills invested a lot of money in Shady, so they'll make sure he's fully healthy before risking putting him back on the field. Projection: McCoy misses the next three games and returns for Week 9 after bye week. The concern with hamstring strains early in the season is they linger and will get re-aggravated if not given enough rest from the start, which is the case with McCoy. Karlos Williams will get an extended look, but he's dealing with health issues currently.
Tevin Coleman (Broken Ribs): Coleman remains week-to-week, but there's a chance he practices this week in hopes to get back on the field. Even when he does return, Devonta Freeman has turned heads since being put in the starting role, so Coleman could be eased back into action. Projection: Coleman is active for Week 5, but plays a limited role.
Sammy Watkins (Calf Strain): Watking remains day-to-day, but there is some doubt that he could be ready to suit up this week against the Titans. Projection: Watkins misses one more week. Calf strains for receivers who rely a lot on their speed like Watkins have difficulty returning unless they are 100 percent. The Bills will continue to lean on Percy Harvin and Robert Woods to make plays.
Marshawn Lynch (Hamstring Strain): Lynch will be limited in practice most of this week since the Seahawks played on Monday night, so we probably won't have a better picture until later this week. Projection: Lynch is active for Week 5. This is just a dart throw, because I'm not sure how this is going to play out, but with Fred Jackson out with a high ankle sprain and Rawls not very effective, the Seahawks need Beast Mode back. Then again, their offensive line is playing so poorly I'm not sure he could be a game changer, but the Seahawks need something to kickstart their offense and Lynch could provide that.
Training Room
Karlos Williams
Bottom Line: Williams will be day-to-day as he works his way back to full health. The Bills will look to add a running back for depth purposes, but signing another RB doesn't necessarily mean Williams won't play.
Projection: Williams is active for Week 5 against the Titans. Williams will be pressed to try and get through the league's concussion protocol before the end fo the week, but I have a feeling he starts. Keep a close eye on his status later in the week to see if he's able to return to practice.
Jordan Reed
Bottom Line: Reed will be more week-to-week than day-to-day at this point due to his previous history of head injuries. He's also dealing with knee and ankle injuries as well, so we could be looking at an extended absence.
Projection: Reed misses 3-4 games. Reed's history of previous concussions will play a big factor in whether he returns sooner than later. The medical staff will be very careful with Reed as he may have a tougher time progressing quickly through the protocol.
Malcom Floyd
Bottom Line: Floyd will enter the league's concussion protocol and will be week-to-week. There haven't been any updates since Sunday's game.
Projection: Floyd misses one week. Floyd doesn't have any history of concussions, so the hope is he's able to progress through conditioning and the league's protocol quickly.
Eric Ebron
Bottom Line: Ebron will be day-to-day after diagnostic testing revealed no structural damage to his knee. Treatment will be directed to get his pain under control to allow him to start reconditioning and get back on the practice field.
Projection: Ebron misses 1-2 weeks. Even though tests revealed no structural damage to the knee, he'll still have to deal with swelling and pain that could limit his ability to ramp up activity fast.
Nate Washington
Bottom Line: Washington will be day-to-day but he's up against the clock as the Texans face off against the Colts on Thursday night.
Projection: Washington misses Week 5. He won't be able to ramp up quickly enough to be available for this game. He'll have 10 days after Thursday night's game to get healthy and could possibly return for Week 6.
Stevie Johnson
Bottom Line: There hasn't been any further information after Johnson pulled up with a hamstring strain last Sunday. He'll be day-to-day for now.
Projection: Johnson misses 1-2 Weeks. Hamstring strains are tough to come back from in just one week, unless dealing with only the slighest of strains.
Cecil Shorts
Bottom Line: Shorts will be week-to-week to see how his shoulder progresses with conservative rehab.
Projection: Shorts misses 3-4 weeks. It's terrible Shorts got hurt on the last play of the game, when the game didn't mean much to the Texans at that point. Depending on if there is any major structural damage in the shoulder, dislocations don't necessarily mean the player will miss the rest of the season. Pain will be the most limiting factor as Shorts will try and regain his range of motion and strength in his shoulder. If he does return, he'll wear a harness to help stabilize the shoulder and limit excessive motion.
