The Training Room: Week 15 Injury Updates

This is a great time of year. Sure, Christmas is great but I am talking about football, baby! Games on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and now Tuesday. Followed by a brief break on Wednesday to recharge the batteries then back to Thursday Night Football. Obviously, COVID-19 stinks and everyone has had it with the rising numbers in some areas of the country, but that aside at least we have football. Some households might be divided on whether or not more football is a good thing, but if you’re reading this, chances are you agree with me. Give us football every day…minus the injuries of course.

Nelson Agholor, WR New England Patriots

Injury: head injury (likely concussion)

Projected Timetable: 0-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Kendrick Bourne, N'Keal Harry

Initial Thoughts:

In the lone Saturday game, Patriots’ wideout Nelson Agholor sustained a head injury. Agholor was able to walk off the field under his own power, but did not return. Although official word from New England has not explicitly said Agholor has a concussion, his mechanism of injury fits that of a concussion. If you have read this column before you have seen me say that concussions are extremely variable and depend on how each individual player progresses the following week, thus the timeline mentioned above.

Pat Freiermuth, TE Pittsburgh Steelers

Injury: concussion

Projected Timetable: 2-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Zach Gentry

Initial Thoughts:

Unfortunately, the injury theme this week is head injuries, which is what got Pat Freiermuth on Sunday. The Steeler tight end sustained a concussion and was ruled out shortly after. This is Freiermuth’s second documented concussion this season which is why I extended this timeline slightly. I am less optimistic that Freiermuth will be back by Week 16.

Julio Jones, WR Tennessee Titans

Injury: hamstring strain

Projected Timetable: 2-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Chester Rogers

Initial Thoughts:

This is becoming a trend for Julio Jones (not only this season) and it is not a good one. Julio Jones did not return for the second half of the Titans/Steelers game Sunday with a hamstring injury - something Jones has been dealing with all season. The average same-season-recurrence rate for hamstring injuries in NFL WRs since 2018 has been 20%. For Julio Jones, his recurrence rate has been 75%. In 2021 Julio matched his 2020 pace of having four separate instances of a hamstring injury flaring up and causing him to miss time after already returning from a hamstring injury. I am skeptical Julio returns in the regular season and for fantasy purposes, you cannot trust him even if he does.

Sterling Shepard, WR New York Giants

Injury: Achilles tendon tear

Timetable for recovery: season ender

Potential Replacement(s): Darius Slayton, Kadarius Toney (when healthy)

Initial Thoughts:

This is one of those injuries that does not require much explanation. Sterling Shepard appears to have ruptured his Achilles, which would mean the end of his season. Because of when this injury happened, this could significantly affect Shepard’s 2022 season outlook.

Rondale Moore, WR Arizona Cardinals

Injury: ankle injury (possible eversion sprain)

Timetable for recovery: 0-3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Christan Kirk, Antoine Wesley

Initial Thoughts:

Rondale Moore picked up an ankle injury during a kick return vs. the Lions and did not return. By video, it was difficult to make out a specific ankle injury so it's possible that Moore's injury is minor. A lower ankle (eversion) sprain would mean a 1-3 week absense if he missed any time.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB Denver Broncos

Injury: head injury (likely concussion)

Projected Timetable: 2-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Drew Lock

Initial Thoughts:

Teddy Bridgewater appeared to lose consciousness after landing hard on his head in Sunday evening’s game. Like what I wrote about Pat Freiermuth above, this is Bridgewater’s second head injury of the season, which decreases his likelihood of playing in Week 16. Time will tell, but it looks like Drew Lock will be under center next week.

Joe Mixon, RB Cinncinati Bengals

Injury: left ankle injury

Projected Timetable: 0-3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Samaje Perine

Initial Thoughts:

Joe Mixon had his left ankle rolled up on late in Sunday afternoon's game vs. the Denver Broncos. The video of the injury is not perfect but I am concerned about a possible high ankle sprain. Bengal’s head coach Zac Taylor is downplaying the injury so there is a chance Mixon plays in Week 16. However, it is worth noting the Mixon has a very similar injury to his left ankle in Week 4 against the Jaguars. The following week, Mixon logged a season low in carries scored 60% few points than his season average. Watch the practice reports this week but Samaje Perine should be a stash for fantasy teams still in the playoffs.

Chris Godwin, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Injury: right ACL tear

Projected Timetable: season ender

Potential Replacement(s): Antonio Brown, Tyler Johnson

Initial Thoughts:

Chris Godwin injured his right knee in the first half of Sunday night’s game and did not return. Godwin was almost immediately ruled out. Word arrived from Tampa Monday afternoon that Godwin torn his ACL. His season will be over and like Shepard, 2022 is now in jeopardy.

Mike Evans, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Injury: hamstring strain

Projected Timetable: 2-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Antonio Brown, Jaelon Darden

Initial Thoughts:

The Bucs other main WR Mike Evans, also exited Sunday’s game after landing awkwardly while going up for a catch. By video, there was not much to see, but Tampa ruled Evans out soon after with a hamstring injury. Hamstring injuries for NFL WRs typically result in a three-week absence. If Evans' injury is minor, he could be back next week for the shorthanded Bucs. Additionally, there is a lot of uncertainty around Antonio Brown and whether or not Tampa Bay will use him after his suspension is up in Week 16, however they may need him now with injuries to Chris Godwin and Evans.

Leonard Fournette, RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Injury: hamstring strain

Projected Timetable: 2-3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Ronald Jones

Initial Thoughts:

Rounding out the trio of Buccaneer injuries, Leonard Fournette was also ruled out of Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. Fournette appeared to hyperextend his right leg while doing the splits after a tackle. Historically NFL running backs have missed slightly less time for hamstring injuries compared to NFL WRs. It’s possible that Fournette is able to return in Week 16 since this injury appeared to be the result of an excessive stretch, but his practice reports this week will reveal more information.

Past Injuries Discussed: