Photo Credit: Evan Habeeb/USA Today Sports
Injury Updates
Last week, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins was taken to the hospital after taking a blow to the head. Earlier this week, head coach Mike Pettine gave an updated on Hawkins saying “from a testing standpoint, he is in the concussion protocol, but for the reasons they hospitalized him, all the tests were negative.”
It looks like Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford is getting ready for Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day match up against the Detroit Lions. The six year veteran practiced on Monday, but Eagles coach Chip Kelly did not say how far Bradford has made it in the league’s concussion protocol. Bradford missed week 11’s 45-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a concussion and a shoulder injury.
Also undergoing the league’s concussion protocol is Eagles running back Ryan Mathews. Mathews didn’t play against the Buccaneers and didn’t practice earlier this week. As of now, it looks like Mathews might miss another game. Back up Kenjon Barner had seven carries for 37 yards while filling in for Mathews.
One week after leaving the Arizona Cardinals game in Seattle in an ambulance, Mike Iupati started week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, during the game, the left guard suffered a “stinger”, but was able to return.
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will be on the sideline for another week. Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak announced that Brock Osweiler will get the start again as the team faces the New England Patriots Sunday night. Kubiak also said that Manning will have a second opinion on his left foot to determine the extent of his injury.
Season Ending Injuries
After 122 consecutive regular season starts, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will miss the rest of this season with a torn ACL and possibly a torn MCL. Remaining “Joe Cool,” Flacco seemed calm about his injury after the team’s win over the St. Louis Rams. “It’s just the nature of the game, man,” Flacco said. “Stuff like this happens. So you’ve got to stand tall and get through it.” The injury happened in the last minute of the fourth quarter when left tackle James Hurst rolled into the Super Bowl MVP’s left leg. The Ravens are now hoping that Flacco will be back for 2016 training camp.
As if things couldn’t get any worse for the Ravens, the team also lost running back Justin Forsett for the rest of the year. Forsett broke two bones in his forearm after Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald made a hit on the running back. The eight year veteran took to Twitter to let fans know that his surgery on Tuesday went well.
Surgery went well thanks for all your prayers! On the road to recovery #BandAidGang
— Justin Forsett (@JForsett) November 24, 2015
Key Injuries
On Monday, New York Jets coach Todd Bowles revealed that cornerback Darrelle Revis “wasn’t feeling any better” after suffering a concussion in the team’s 24-17 loss to the Houston Texans. Revis has only missed one game in his career due to a concussion, but it looks like he will miss week 12’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Marshawn Lynch was a game-time decision Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, but did not play. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that Lynch’s abdomen injury could be a sports hernia. If Lynch’s hernia is confirmed, he could miss the remainder of the regular season.Thomas Rawls filled in for Lynch in the team’s 29-13 win with 30 carries for 209 yards and one touchdown.
The league is looking into why Rams quarterback Case Keenum was not tested for a concussion in Sunday’s loss to the Ravens. Keenum’s head hit the turf on the Rams’ last drive of the game. Keenum struggled to get up even when helped and remained on his knees. He stayed in for the final two plays, but Rams coach Jeff Fisher claims that he didn’t know his quarterback’s condition.
Other Injuries to Watch
Fantasy football favorite Falcons running back Devonta Freeman is currently going through the league’s concussion protocol. The running back was injured in the first quarter of his team’s 24-21 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and eventually went to the locker room. There is still no word on whether or not Freeman will be ready for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris is listed as “day-to-day” after aggravating a previous rib injury during Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Redskins left tackle Trent Williams is also “day-to-day” after bruising his left knee in the fourth quarter. X-rays showed no structural damage to his knee.
The Kansas City Chiefs also listed their running back as “day-to-day” after Charcandrick West suffered a strained hamstring. The fear for West is that his hamstring injury could linger.
Danny Amendola suffered a knee sprain in Monday night’s win over the Jets, but is not expected to miss much time. The Patriots wide receiver is receiving treatment, but it’s still unknown if he will play Sunday against the Broncos.
It’s a short week for the Chicago Bears, who play Thanksgiving Day, which doesn’t give tight end Martellus Bennett a lot of time to recover from his rib injury. Bennett did not participate in Monday’s practice. If Bennett isn’t ready for Thursday’s game, Zach Miller will handle his reps.
Good News
The Panthers plan to activate defensive end Charles Johnson for Thursday’s game in Dallas. Johnson has been on IR since straining his hamstring in week three.
Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch is expected to be OUT for about a month after he has surgery on his sports hernia.