Fun fact: teams have paid nearly $200 million in salaries to players on IR this season, according to Cork Gaines from Business Insider. The injuries just keep rolling in.
Photo Credit: Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports
Injury Updates
Despite recovering from a bone bruise and a sprained right knee, Rob Gronkowski returned to the action against the Houston Texans with four receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. The New England Patriots tight end was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, and looks to be back on track.
There’s some good news and some bad news for the Cincinnati Bengals. Cornerback Adam Jones has been back in practice this week after a lingering foot injury listed him as inactive against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately, tight end Tyler Eifert is out this week against the Cleveland Browns after he left Sunday’s loss with a concussion. Eifert wasn’t able to practice Wednesday since he’s still under the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson, who missed Sunday’s loss to the Oakland Raiders, did not practice on Wednesday as he recovers from an ankle injury. However, head coach Gary Kubiak expects Anderson to be back Sunday to take on the Steelers.
Season Ending Injuries
Bad news Browns. After missing five games with a concussion, cornerback Joe Haden was placed on IR Monday after he couldn’t pass the league’s concussion protocol. “It’s upsetting that my year has ended this way. I really want to be out there with my teammates trying to help finish this season strong and on a positive note,” Haden said. The Browns will also lose receiver Brian Hartline, who underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair his broken collarbone.
First Marshawn Lynch, now Thomas Rawls. The Seattle Seahawks running back fractured his ankle in Sunday’s win over the Baltimore Ravens. After the game, head coach Pete Carroll told the media that Rawls will be out for the rest of the season. The Seahawks re-signed running back Bryce Brown on Tuesday.
Another starting running back who will miss the rest of this season is LeGarrette Blount. The New England Patriots running back suffered a hip injury against the Texans. Blount will finish the season with a team-leading 703 yards and six touchdowns.
The Chicago Bears announced on Tuesday that wide receiver Kevin White will finish this season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. The 2015 first-round draft pick is still recovering from a left leg surgery he underwent back in August to repair a stress fracture in his left tibia.
Key Injuries
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton will miss his first career start this week with a thumb injury. Dalton left Sunday’s game against the Steelers after he was intercepted on an attempted shovel pass. He later told reporters that the injury is to the thumb on his throwing hand. A.J. McCarron took over as quarterback,but after the Bengals found out that Dalton won’t be playing this week against the San Francisco 49ers, the team signed Keith Wenning from their practice squad. Dalton’s injury will not require surgery but coach Marvin Lewis said his quarterback will be out “a while.”
It’s looking like Vincent Jackson will miss a few weeks after suffering an MCL sprain against the Saints on Sunday. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver will definitely miss Thursday night’s game against the St. Louis Rams after missing three straight practices.
Texans starting quarterback Brian Hoyer has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Colts. Hoyer is undergoing the NFL’s concussion protocol after being sacked five times against the New England Patriots. T.J. Yates will get the start.
Other Injuries to Watch
Greg Olsen expects to play Sunday when the undefeated Carolina Panthers take on the New York Giants. Olsen suffered a left knee sprain, but an MRI revealed no significant damage. Despite this good news, the status of running back Jonathan Stewart is not good. Stewart has a sprained left foot and has been seen wearing a boot this week.
Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor missed Wednesday’s practice with a tailbone injury he sustained last week.Chancellor wasn’t the only Seahawks defensive player to miss practice. Cornerback DeShawn Shead (ankle) and defensive end Michael Bennett (toe) also sat out of practice.
Running back T.J. Yeldon is currently in a knee brace with a sprained MCL, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. If Yeldon does sit out this Sunday, Denard Robinson will get the start.
Be sure to check the comments section for updates throughout the week.
