Photo Credit: Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Updates from Last Week
Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly missed his first game after 49 consecutive regular-season starts. Kuechly was not cleared to play after suffering a concussion last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After week two’s game against the New Orleans Saints, head coach Ron Rivera gave no update on Kuechly’s status.
Andre Ellington was given week two off after suffering a mild PCL sprain in his right knee. The Arizona Cardinals running back admitted on Friday that it could be two to three weeks before he’s back on the field.
San Francisco 49ers running back Reggie Bush also took the week off. Bush did not suit up against the Pittsburgh Steelers after straining his calf in week one. On Friday, Bush said that he plans to be back for week three’s game in Arizona.
One of last week’s biggest injuries came to Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant. Coach Jason Garrett initially announced that Bryant would be out four to six weeks recovering from surgery on a broken bone on his right foot. ESPN later reported that, as part of his surgery, Bryan also had a standard bone graft.
On Sunday, NFL Network reported that his recovery time table could extend to 10 to 12 weeks. Bryant reacted to that news by tweeting:
Whenever the media can't talk to me.. Reports get made like this..10 to 12 weeks… we will just see how long I'm out lol .. Go cowboys!!
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 20, 2015
Season Ending Injury
During the Houston Texans 24-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers, offensive lineman Jeff Adams was carted off the field with a knee injury. Adams was ruled out for the rest of the game, but it was later reported that he tore his patella tendon. Head coach Bill O’Brien announced that Adams will miss the rest of the season.
Photo Credit: AP Images
Quarterback Trouble
The Cowboys may be undefeated but injuries are definitely testing them. During the Cowboy’s 20-10 victory in Philadelphia, quarterback Tony Romo broke his left collarbone.
During the third quarter, Romo was sacked and hit the turf hard. The 35-year-old was down on the field for several minutes before he was able to sit up and walk to the sideline.
An X-ray later showed a fractured left clavicle. On Monday, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Romo won’t need surgery on his broken collarbone. Despite avoiding a surgery, Romo is still expected to miss about eight weeks.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had X-rays done following the team’s 26-16 loss in Minnesota. The X-rays were to Stafford’s chest and ribs, but head coach Jim Caldwell did not say what the results of the X-rays were.
During the game, Stafford took at least eight hits and one sack. “He’s very, very sore. There’s no question about that,” Caldwell said. “He got hit far too many times.”
Still no word whether Stafford will be ready for Sunday’s prime time game against the Denver Broncos.
That same day, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was stiff-armed trying to make a tackle on an interception return. Cutler left the game and did not return for the team’s 48-23 loss to the Cardinals.
In the post-game press conference, Bears coach John Fox said that Cutler suffered a pulled hamstring. On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Cutler will miss at least two weeks. Jimmy Clausen will take over as the Bears’ starting quarterback.
As if the Saints weren’t plagued enough by injuries already, it looks like Drew Brees will miss a few weeks.
Ian Rapoport reported that the team believes their star quarterback has an injury to his rotator cuff. On Monday, Brees underwent an MRI and will have more tests done to determine the injury later this week.
This injury could explain why some of Brees’ deep throws in the team’s 29-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Bucaneers looked so weak. Brees has not missed a game due to injury since signing with the Saints in the 2006 season .
Other Injuries to Watch
During the Sunday night game, the Green Bay Packers saw three players leave the game before the second half.
The first was Pro Bowl running back Eddie Lacy who suffered a minor ankle injury. X-rays on his ankle were negative, but the Packers have not yet said whether or not Lacy will be ready for week three against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Later, wide receiver Davante Adams was carted off the field with a left-ankle injury. Adams was able to return to the game after halftime.
Defensive tackle Josh Boyd was also carted off the field. An MRI later revealed torn ankle ligaments with a small bone break, but Boyd is not expected to be sidelined for a long time.
In the Buffalo Bills division match up against the New England Patriots, safety Aaron Williams suffered a neck injury and was taken to the hospital.
Near the end of the third quarter, Williams tried to make a tackle on Patriots wide receiver Julian Edleman when his head snapped backwards. Teammates gathered around Williams in prayer while they waited for the ambulance.
Williams was taken to the hospital for “cervical precaution” according to head coach Rex Ryan.
The New York Giants are facing a couple injuries after their 24-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was ruled out after the second snap of the game, after suffering a concussion. Rodgers-Cromartie will not be able to return until he is cleared by an independent doctor. The Giants play the Washington Redskins on Thursday so it will be a tight window for the corner to clear protocol.
Left tackle Ereck Flowers also had to leave the game after an ankle injury. “I hope it’s not going to be a continuous thing that bothers him all year long,” coach Tom Coughlin said about the rookie.
Falcons running back Tevin Coleman also suffered an injury in that game. Head coach Dan Quinn announced Monday that Coleman fractured a rib. “I’m not going to put a timetable on it until we know how he’s responding to it,” Quinn said.
Miami Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert is questionable for week three after suffering a hamstring injury against the Jaguars. Albert didn’t play in the preseason while he was recovering from a torn ACL and MCL.
The Philadelphia Eagles saw two injuries two their defense on Sunday against the Cowboys.
The first was linebacker Kiko Alonso who suffered an ACL sprain and will miss at least two to four weeks.
The second was also to a linebacker, Mychal Kendricks. Kendricks left the game early with a hamstring injury, but apparently the injury is not as bad as it could have been.
Good News
The 49ers are sighing in relief after running back Carlos Hyde sustained a mild leg contusion. Hyde was taken out of the game during the team’s 43-18 loss but was cleared to return after being tested for a concussion. Hyde is expected to play Sunday against the Cardinals.
It looks like the Dolphins running back Lamar Miller will be okay too. Miller left the game against the Jaguars with an ankle injury. After game Miller reportedly said, “I’ll be alright.”
