The Training Room: Week 14 Injury Recap
Jake Browning, QB CIN
Injury: Right Thumb, Cramps
Projected Timetable: Week 15
Initial Thoughts:
After the game, Browning told reporters that his right thumb was cramping and that he should be fine. Seems like an odd area for a muscle cramp, so hopefully no contusion occurred. For now, operate as if he will be full-go for Week 15. He has actually been playing fairly well and is worthy of starting in 2QB or Superflex leagues.
Justin Herbert, QB LAC
Injury: Right Index Finger, Surgery
Projected Timetable: Season-Ending IR
Initial Thoughts:
At this point, after suffering a right index finger fracture that will likely require surgery to repair and fixate, it would not surprise me if Herbert is shut down for the rest of the season in a lost season for the Chargers. This surgery would not be as simple as a pin and return in two weeks, such as a potential return for a wide receiver or running back. Considering it occurred on his throwing hand and this will impact his ability to accurately spin the ball, his return should be expected to be delayed. Monitor for reports on his MRI results and surgery details, but brace for bad news.
Note: Herbert has been officially placed on season-ending IR and will be shut down for the rest of the season. Easton Stick next man up.
CJ Stroud, QB HOU
Injury: Concussion
Projected Timetable: Week 15-16
Initial Thoughts:
More players have been able to clear protocol and return from a concussion for the next week’s game, including another QB recently in Brock Purdy. Monitor for his status updates, but he will need to clear all stages of the protocol in order to play. This Texans offense may be without their top three weapons, too.
Josh Jacobs, RB LVR
Injury: Knee
Projected Timetable: Week 16-17
Initial Thoughts:
Jacobs was spotted limping into the locker room after being unable to return to the game. Video shows a potential right knee hyperextension injury, and he was spotted limping heavily to the locker room. If there is ligament damage, he may miss several weeks. If this is a simple bone bruise, it may still be several weeks but his return is dependent on pain tolerance. Either way, brace to be without him on Thursday night as he will likely be unable to play.
Alexander Mattison, RB MIN
Injury: Right Ankle Sprain
Projected Timetable: Week 15-17
Initial Thoughts:
Via video, it appears that he may have suffered a right high ankle sprain, in which case could cost him several weeks. The best-case scenario is that it is a mild case that he could play through in the next few weeks, but he is likely out in Week 15. If he misses time, anticipate the Vikings leaning on Ty Chandler.
Jerome Ford, RB CLE
Injury: Hand/Wrist
Projected Timetable: Week 15-16
Initial Thoughts:
Most likely this does not stop him from playing in Week 15, but he was spotted getting his hand or wrist checked on the sideline and then spotted getting an X-ray. News has surfaced that his imaging revealed no fractures, so his return will be dependent on pain and ability to hold and receive the ball. As of now, I am projecting him to play week 15.
Rico Dowdle, RB DAL
Injury: Right Ankle
Projected Timetable: Week 15-16
Initial Thoughts:
Dowdle entered this week with an ankle injury, and it appears that he had his right ankle pinned underneath a defender while being tackled, fitting a typical high ankle mechanism. Monitor for news throughout the week, but he was able to return to the field after the injury.
Justin Jefferson, WR MIN
Injury: Chest/Ribs
Projected Timetable: Week 15-16
Initial Thoughts:
As of right now with current information regarding him leaving the hospital and flying back with the team, I am leaning towards this injury being bruised ribs without a fracture. Typically we hear the fracture news by now as of my writing. If this is the case, there should be a chance that he can suit up for Week 15, it just depends on his pain levels and mobility. If not back by Week 15, anticipate a Week 16 return.
Nico Collins, WR HOU
Injury: Calf Reinjury
Projected Timetable: Week 16-17
Initial Thoughts:
The timetable for return varies largely on this one because I do not yet know if this is the same calf that he had injured back in early November, or if this is the opposite one. If it is the same, then there should likely be more concern about a multi-week absence after being knocked out of the game without being able to return. If it is his opposite, there may be a slight chance he can suit up for Week 15, but I would not hold your breath. My best guess, he misses at least one week.
Note: Early reports indicate this is likely a multi-week absence for Collins, so prepare other options for week 15 and possibly week 16.
Dalton Kincaid, TE BUF
Injury: Shoulder/AC
Projected Timetable: Week 15
Initial Thoughts:
By video, the injury seems very mild and fits the mechanism of an AC sprain that should not limit his ability to suit up for next week. The downside is his upside was more limited by Dawson Knox’s return than the injury, but in regards to his injury, I would not be too concerned.
| Player | Position | Team | Injury | Week of Injury | Projected Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Burrow | QB | CIN | Right Wrist | Week 11 | Season-Ending |
| Kirk Cousins | QB | MIN | Right Achilles | Week 8 | Season Ending |
| Daniel Jones | QB | NYG | Right ACL | Week 9 | Season Ending |
| Deshaun Watson | QB | CLE | Right Shoulder Fracture | Week 10 | Season-Ending |
| Anthony Richardson | QB | IND | Right AC Sprain | Week 5 | Season Ending |
| Justin Herbert | QB | LAC | Right Index Finger Fracture | Week 14 | Season-Ending |
| C.J. Stroud | QB | HOU | Concussion | Week 14 | Week 15-16 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | RB | NE | Right High Ankle | Week 13 | Week 15-17 |
| Josh Jacobs | RB | LVR | Knee | Week 14 | Week 16-17 |
| Aaron Jones | RB | GB | Left MCL | Week 11 | Week 15-16 |
| Alexander Mattison | RB | MIN | Right Ankle | Week 14 | Week 15-17 |
| Justin Jefferson | WR | MIN | Chest/Ribs | Week 14 | Week 15-16 |
| Jerome Ford | RB | CLE | Hand/Wrist | Week 14 | Week 15 |
| Nico Collins | WR | HOU | Calf | Week 14 | Week 16-17 |
| Kenny Pickett | QB | PIT | Ankle Surgery | Week 13 | Week 16-17 |
| Dalton Kincaid | TE | BUF | Shoulder/AC | Week 14 | Week 15 |
| Tank Dell | WR | HOU | Left Fibula Fracture | Week 13 | Season Ending |
| Kendrick Bourne | WR | NE | Right ACL | Week 8 | Season Ending |
| Rico Dowdle | RB | DAL | Right Ankle | Week 14 | Week 15 |
| Cam Akers | RB | MIN | Right Achilles | Week 9 | Season Ending |
| Demario Douglas | WR | NE | Concussion | Week 12 | Week 15 |
| Rashid Shaheed | WR | NO | Thigh | Week 12 | Week 15-17 |
| Mark Andrews | TE | BAL | Left Ankle, Fracture | Week 11 | Season-Ending |
| Brian Robinson | RB | WAS | Hamstring | Week 13 | Week 15-16 |
| Michael Wilson | WR | ARI | Shoulder | Week 10 | Week 15 |
| Darren Waller | TE | NYG | Groin Strain | Week 8 | Week 15-16 |
| Michael Thomas | WR | NO | Knee | Week 10 | Week 15-16 |
| Marquise Brown | WR | ARI | Heel | Week 13 | Week 15 |
| Joshua Palmer | WR | LAC | Right Knee | Week 8 | Week 15 |
| Christian Watson | WR | GB | Hamstring | Week 13 | Week 15-17 |
| Kenneth Walker | RB | SEA | Right Leg | Week 14 | Week 15 |
