Photo Credit: USA Today
Injury Updates
The Seattle Seahawks won Monday night’s controversial game against the Detroit Lions without star running back Marshawn Lynch. Lynch hurt his hamstring in week three and was listed as questionable on Saturday. “He wasn’t quite right,” coach Pete Carroll said on Monday. Carroll also said that Lynch looked good during a pregame workout and could be back for Sunday’s game in Cincinnati.
While Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden was listed as probable on the team’s injury report, he was inactive for Sunday’s loss to the San Diego Chargers. Haden left week three’s game with a broken finger and a rib injury but was able to practice all week. However, during a pregame workout, the Pro Bowler decided not to play. On Monday, Browns coach Mike Pettine said “we left it up to Joe, and he made the decision that he didn’t want to go.” Pettine will leave the decision up to Haden again when it comes to this week’s division match up against the Baltimore Ravens.
Last week, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz told the media that he was convinced that he was playing week four’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Later, coach Tom Coughlin announced that Cruz would not play with his injured left calf still being an issue. Cruz has not practiced recently, and there is still no timetable for his return.
San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Tomsula provided a very vague update on Vernon Davis. The tight end did not play in week four’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. “From what I understand, it was a contact injury,” Tomsula said. “I don’t think there’s anything structural.”
Season Ending Injuries
Detroit Lioins starting defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker will miss the remainder of the season. Head coach Jim Caldwell announced on Tuesday that Walker will have surgery for a broken fibula and dislocated ankle.
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Giants tight end Daniel Fells was diagnosed with MRSA. MRSA is a staph infection that is resistant to penicillin-type treatment. The Giants are taking all precautions to prevent the spread of the potentially fatal bacteria infection. Fells was ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Chicago Bears announced on Tuesday that center Will Montgomery was placed on injured reserve. Montgomery suffered a fractured fibula early in Sunday’s win over the Oakland Raiders.
It can’t be a week in the NFL without a Dallas Cowboys player getting injured. In week four it was running back Lance Dunbar. An MRI revealed that Dunbar tore his ACL and MCL while returning a second-half kickoff during Sunday night’s loss to the New Orleans Saints. Dunbar had an impressive 21 catches for 215 yards in the Cowboys first three games.
Key Injuries
The Indianapolis Colts face the Houston Texans on Thursday in a divisional game. The real question is, will Andrew Luck be back to start as quarterback? Luck has been limited in practice after sustaining a shoulder injury. The quarterback has a partial separation in his throwing shoulder, but coach Chuck Pagano expects him to play Thursday.
Other Injuries to Watch
Tyrunn Walker was not the only injury to the Lions defense. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata suffered a calf injury in Monday night’s loss to the Seahawks. Tight end Eric Ebron was also injured. Ebron is expected to miss up to three weeks with a bruised left knee.
Colts cornerback Vontae Davis hasn’t practiced all week and is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game. Defensive lineman Henry Anderson is also listed as questionable and was limited in practice. The two have unspecified injuries.
Devin Hester, wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, will be placed on IR-designated to return according to coach Dan Quinn. “We have been trying to treat his toe injury the best we could, and he has been doing everything in his power to get back on the field, but at this point we think this is the best plan of action,” Quinn said.
Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams suffered a concussion on Sunday and is listed as day-to-day. Williams had been filling in for injured LeSean McCoy. Following Williams injury, the Bills signed veteran running back Dan Herron on Tuesday. There’s still no word which running back will play this week against the Tennessee Titans.
Tight end Jordan Reed left the Washington Redskins game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a concussion. In addition to the concussion, Reed is also dealing with a right knee MCL sprain, according to coach Jay Gruden. Gruden also said that the concussion is the main concern for Reed, who has a history of head trauma since college.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll announced that Fred Jackson suffered a high ankle sprain. The veteran running back filled in Monday night for the injured Marshawn Lynch. Carroll also said that he’s “getting around OK.”
Good News
The Houston Texans received some good news after cornerback Kareem Jackson passed his concussion testing. Jackson is expected to play this Thursday against the Colts.
