The Training Room: Week 8 Injury Updates

After a relatively quiet Week 7 when it came to injuries in the NFL, Week 8 was anything but that. Last week the NFL made my job easy. Of course on the weekend of Halloween, there were bound to be plenty of injuries…

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. Mostly because it signifies the full-on transition to fall/football weather. It is a great holiday. Just enough hype around it, but not too much where it’s a hassle. The parties are always fun and of course, the costumes. Looking back at my childhood one of my highlights when it comes to dressing up for Halloween had to be my “Men In Black” costume. The movie had just come out and was popular in my age group. My younger brother and I dressed up together in suits. We had the sunglasses and most importantly my mother was able to find these thin highlighters to resemble the memory erasers that the Men In Black used when cleaning up a crime scene. I thought it was awesome. Unfortunately many of the houses that my brother and I visited mistook my brother and me for the Blues Brothers. As a 10-year old, I had no clue who John Belushi was. It was a frustrating experience, but looking back I could see how two caucasian boys in suits, with shades, could be mistaken as the pair.

Hopefully, you had a good fantasy football weekend. Maybe your team costumed as a juggernaut and valued your team victory or the underdog who surprised the top team in your league. Or maybe you had the "Men In Black Experience", where you were left thinking to yourself: "What the hell am I looking at?"

Derrick Henry, RB Tennessee Titans

Injury: right foot fracture

Timetable for recovery: season-ending

Potential Replacement(s): Jeremy McNichols

Initial Thoughts:

Although Derrick Henry was able to finish the game Sunday, it is believed he suffered a serious right foot injury. Based on the wording from initial reports, I suspect Henry has a Jones Fracture, which would end his 2021 season. The team is still waiting on MRI results to confirm since this injury can be difficult to see on an X-ray alone. The good news is that Henry would have plenty of time to get right for 2022. Deebo Samuel suffered a similar injury in the 2020 preseason and is on pace for his best season yet this year.

Kyler Murray, QB Arizona Cardinals

Injury: left ankle sprain (eversion)

Timetable for recovery: 0-3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Colt McCoy

Initial Thoughts:

Late in the game on Thursday, Kyler Murray had his left ankle rolled up on while he was scrambling. Murray was able to finish the game but it was evident that he was hobbled by the injury. By video, it would appear that Murray has the less common eversion ankle sprain, which depending on the severity, can lead to a multi-week absence. There is a good chance that Murray is able to play next week due to the extra rest he got from playing on Thursday. Keep in mind his fantasy upside might be limited due to that injury. Murray ranks third in the league in rush attempts amongst quarterbacks and >18% of his fantasy points this year have come from rushing plays. You're obviously starting Kyler if he is active, but keep in mind his upside could be capped while he recovers from his ankle sprain.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR Arizona Cardinals

Injury: hamstring strain

Timetable for recovery: 1-3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Christian Kirk, A.J. Green, Rondale Moore

Initial Thoughts:

After a long catch and run Thursday, DeAndre Hopkins appeared to re-aggravate his hamstring injury (not uncommon amongst WRs with a 20% recurrence rate) and missed the majority of the game. At the post-game press conference, Kliff Kingsbury did not seem pleased with his star WR, commenting that Hopkins ran onto the field on his own despite advice to stay out. Like most soft tissue injuries, this will continue to be an issue until Hopkins gives it time to heal. The average time missed for WRs since 2018 with hamstring injuries is three weeks, so it’s possible Arizona gives Hopkins this time by keeping him out for a few weeks.

Chase Edmonds, RB Arizona Cardinals

Injury: right shoulder injury

Timetable for recovery: 1-2 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): James Conner, Eno Benjamin

Initial Thoughts:

Although Chase Edmonds was able to finish Thursday’s game, in the 4th quarter he injured his right shoulder. Edmonds was in some pain but only exited briefly before returning. I am only commenting on this because with a lower grade AC joint sprain it is common for symptoms to get worse after the game. We have seen this injury sneak up and keep players out of the game, despite them finishing games when they first sustain the injury. Follow Arizona practice reports on Thursday and Friday for a clue on whether or not Edmonds is going to be affected heading into Week 9.

Robert Tonyan, TE Green Bay Packers

Injury: left ACL tear

Timetable for recovery: Done for season

Potential Replacement(s): Mercedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara

Initial Thoughts:

After a long catch and run for 33-yards, Robert Tonyan went down with a left knee injury. After the game, Green Bay reported that Tonyan sustained a major injury - torn ACL. His season will be over. Mercedes Lewis will slot in as the starter although 4for4’s very own Packer superfan, John Paulsen commented that there’s very little upside there.

James Robinson, RB Jacksonville Jaguars

Injury: heel injury (bruised)

Timetable for recovery: 0-2 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Carlos Hyde, Dare Ogunbowale

Initial Thoughts:

James Robinson injured his heel when he was pushed out of bounds. Reviewing the video there is no clear mechanism of injury. Robinson suffered a left high ankle sprain in 2020, but appears to have avoided a major injury this go around.

Sam Darnold, QB Carolina Panthers

Injury: concussion

Timetable for recovery: 1-3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): P.J. Walker

Initial Thoughts:

Sam Darnold was injured trying to rush for a first down vs. Atlanta. He was not happy about it, but Carolina took his helmet away as Darnold entered the concussion protocol and was not cleared to return. He will have to pass the concussion protocol this week if he wants to play in Week 9.

T.Y. Hilton, WR Indianapolis Colts

Injury: concussion

Timetable for recovery: 1-3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Zach Pascal

Initial Thoughts:

Speaking of head injuries, T.Y. Hilton also sustained a concussion against the Titans and did not return. It looked like a violent injury as Hilton’s head bounced off the turf after landing hard during a pass break-up. Although all concussions are different and it is about how the player responds to the injury, it’s interesting to note that on average WRs miss 1.6 games due to a concussion. When you’re running full speed across the center of the field with defenders trying to take your head off, it’s natural that NFL teams are cautious and hold WRs out for a game or two after a concussion.

Damien Williams, RB Chicago Bears

Injury: knee injury (unspecified)

Timetable for recovery: NA

Potential Replacement(s): Khalil Herbert, Ryan Nall

Initial Thoughts:

Damien Williams exited after his second touch of the game Sunday and as Establish the Run’s Adam Levitan reported, Williams actually started the game over the rookie Khail Herbert. Williams was listed as questionable to return with a knee injury, but he never returned following walking to the locker room. It was a peculiar injury because there did not appear to be a clear episode, and Williams removed himself from the game. It’s difficult to speculate what could be going on at this time. Khail Herbert also excited briefly with an injury of his own but was able to finish Sunday’s contest.

Jalen Reagor, WR Philadelphia Eagles

Injury: right ankle sprain

Timetable for recovery: 1-3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Quez Watkins

Initial Thoughts:

By video, Jalen Reagor looked like he sustained a minor ankle sprain attempting to run for a touchdown in the first quarter. However, he was later carted to the locker room and ruled out. This should not be a major injury for Reagor. Quez Watkins was battling with Reagor for targets but was outplaying the former TCU Horned Frog. This injury could mean that Watkins is a viable WR3 heading into Week 9 should Reagor miss time.

Dak Prescott, QB Dallas Cowboys

Injury: calf strain

Timetable for recovery: 0-1 week

Potential Replacement(s): Cooper Rush

Initial Thoughts:

There was a lot of speculation around Dak Prescott’s availability for Week 8 but when the dust settled, the Dallas QB was ruled out. On Sunday Night Football it was reported that Prescott’s injury could be related to his right ankle fracture/dislocation and that this is typically a four-week injury. Looking at the situation from afar it would appear that Prescott was close to playing this week but Dallas ultimately decided against it. I think if it was up to Dak, he would have suited up Sunday.

I speculate that how the Cowboys are handling Prescott has to do with his injuries this offseason. If you watched HBO’s “Hard Knocks” you might remember that early in the preseason Mike McCarthy was not happy with Dak’s workload and the next day limited some of his reps. The competitor that he is, Prescott pushed his way onto the field and soon afterward developed a latissimus dorsi strain - typically an overuse injury MLB pitchers experience. To avoid repeating the past and understanding it is a long season, I think McCarthy stepped in and shut Prescott down this week to avoid making his injury worse than it is. It might prove difficult to do that for multiple weeks, meaning Prescott could be back in Week 9.

Rob Gronkowski, TE Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Injury: back spasms

Timetable for recovery: 1-3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate

Initial Thoughts:

Rob Gronkowski was unable to finish Sunday’s game with what is being reported as back spasms. Although these can be relatively minor, back issues have been a problem for Gronk over his career, and a reason many speculated he briefly retired. In 2018 Gronkowski dealt with a similar injury and missed a total of three games, so it’s within the realm of possibility that this also causes him to miss some, especially when we consider his past medical history.

Jameis Winston, QB New Orleans Saints

Injury: left knee injury (MCL likely/possible ACL)

Timetable for recovery: ACL = end of season/MCL would be 2-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Taysom Hill (when healthy), Trevor Siemian

Initial Thoughts:

Although you would not know it from his post-game dance moves, it would appear that Jameis Winston sustained a serious injury to his left knee. From the video, it looked like a serious MCL sprain with possible ACL involvement. After the game Saints’ head coach Sean Peyton called Winton’s knee injury “significant.” Hopefully, by the time this article drops we have more information. Taysom Hill has been out since Week 5 with a concussion, so Trevor Siemian is slated to be the starter until then. As it stands now, Hill is on track to be ready for Week 9.

Passed Injuries Discussed:

Prior Injuries, 2021

Player	Team	Position	Injury	Week	Projected Return
Michael Gallup	Dallas	WR	calf strain	1	Week 8
Christian McCaffrey	Carolina	RB	hamstring strain	3	Week 9
George Kittle	San Francisco	TE	calf strain	4	Week 9
Will Fuller	Miami	WR	finger fracture	4	Week 9-10
Chris Carson	Seattle	RB	neck	4	Unknown
Saquon Barkley	New York (G)	RB	inversion ankle sprain	5	Week 9-10
Russell Wilson	Seattle	QB	mallet finger	5	Week 10
Curtis Samuel	Washington	WR	groin strain	5	Week 10-11
Clyde Edwards-Helaire	Kansas City	RB	MCL sprain	5	Week 9
Kenny Golladay	New York (G)	WR	knee sprain	5	Week 9-10
Kadarius Toney	New York (G)	WR	inversion ankle sprain	6	Week 8-9
Parris Campbell	Indianapolis	WR	foot injury	6	N/A
Terrace Marshall	Carolina	WR	concussion	6	Week 9-10
Latavius Murray	Baltimore	RB	ankle	6	Week 9
Dak Prescott	Dallas	QB	calf strain	6	Week 9
Kareem Hunt	Cleveland	RB	calf strain	6	Week 10
Donovan Peoples-Jones	Cleveland	WR	groin strain	6	Week 9
Darren Waller	Las Vegas	TE	ankle sprain	7	Week 9-10
Josh Jacobs	Las Vegas	RB	chest injury	7	Week 9
Miles Sanders	Philadelphia	RB	inversion ankle sprain	7	Week 11
Zach Wilson	New York (J)	QB	right PCL sprain	7	Week 11-12
Rob Gronkowski	Tampa Bay	TE	back spasms	8	Week 10
T.Y. Hilton	Indianapolis	WR	concussion	6	Week 10-11
Kyler Murray	Arizona	QB	ankle sprain	8	Week 9
DeAndre Hopkins	Arizona	WR	hamstring strain	8	Week 10-12
Chase Edmonds	Arizona	RB	shoulder	8	Week 9-10
James Robinson	Jacksonville	RB	heel contusion	8	Week 9
Sam Darnold	Carolina	QB	concussion	8	Week 9-10
Damien Williams	Chicago	RB	knee (unspecified)	8	Unknown
Jalen Reagor	Philadelphia	WR	ankle sprain	8	Week 9-11