Photo Credit: UT San Diego
Injury Updates
Despite having a torn ligament in his left thumb, New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick still manged to throw two touchdowns in the team’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fitzpatrick is expected to have surgery on his thumb Friday after the Jets take on the Buffalo Bills in this week’s highly anticipated Thursday Night Football game. Luckily the injury is to his non-throwing hand so surgery isn’t imminent.
After re-injuring his ankle week eight, Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is expected to play this Sunday against division rivals, Green Bay Packers. This injury to Megatron isn’t as serious as the 2014 injury that kept him out for multiple games.
Season Ending Injuries
It looks like the season is over for Dion Lewis. The New England Patriots running back was placed on injured reserve Monday after tearing his ACL in the team’s win over the Washington Redskins. In the seven games Lewis played this season, he rushed for 234 yards with two touchdowns. The dynamic player also had 36 catches for 388 yards and two touchdowns. Lewis shared a note with Patriots fans saying, “the amount of love and support has been much appreciated!! I’ll do everything in my power to come back like I never left!!!” While Lewis’ injury is a loss for the Patriots, the team still has LeGarrette Blount who’s performance Sunday earned him a nomination for FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
The Indianapolis Colts placed defensive lineman Henry Anderson on season-ending injured reserve. Anderson sustained a severe knee injury in Sunday night’s win over the Denver Broncos. The rookie started all nine games and made 28 solo tackles and one sack.
Another rookie who is out for the rest of the season is Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks. An MRI revealed that Hicks tore his left pectoral tendon. This injury is especially disappointing since Hicks had become a standout player. The Eagles will try to replace Hicks’ production with veteran Emmanuel Acho.
Quarterback Troubles
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is currently undergoing the NFL’s concussion protocol after getting hit during Sunday’s win over the St. Louis Rams. The second-year quarterback was hit in the head while sliding to the ground in a move that is meant to protect quarterbacks. Rams rookie cornerback LaMarcus Joyner was given an unnecessary roughness penalty after he led with his shoulder. In the post-game press conference, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was asked if he considered that a dirty play. “Yes, I do,” he said. “If we were out in the street, we probably would have had a fight.” Joyner denies intentionally trying to injure Bridgewater, stating that the two grew up together in Miami. Bridgewater’s status for this Sunday’s game is still unknown.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting ready for backup quarterback Landry Jones to make his second career start. Jones will start while Ben Roethlisberger recovers from a mid-foot sprain he suffered in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win against the Oakland Raiders. “I can walk on it,” Roethlisberger said to Pittsburgh 93.7 The Fan. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is ready to let his star quarterback “go through his process.” Part of this process includes icing his injury and most likely missing this week’s AFC North matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers have a bye week 11 which should give Roethlisberger time to return for week 12’s game in Seattle.
The Colts announced on Tuesday that quarterback Andrew Luck will miss at least a month with a lacerated kidney and partially torn abdominal muscle. The team initially gave a two to six week timeline but sources told ESPN’s Ed Werder that he could be out longer. With Luck out, veteran Matt Hasselbeck will get the start. Hasselbeck has won in both of his starts so far this season.
Other Injuries to Watch
Malcolm Floyd is not finishing his season yet. The San Diego Chargers receiver tore his labrum during Monday night’s heartbreaking loss to the Chicago Bears. Despite the injury, the 34-year-old is going to try to play through the injury. A labrum tear is typically a season-ending injury.
The Dallas Cowboys have question marks surrounding two of their players. The first, wide receiver Dez Bryant whose sore knee has kept him out of practice. Bryant injured his knee while jumping for a touchdown against the Eagles.The second, linebacker Sean Lee who told reporters that he still hasn’t been cleared from the league’s concussion protocol. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday that Lee is “probably doubtful.” This is Lee’s second concussion in five weeks.
After a back injury sidelined DeMarcus Ware Sunday, the outside linebacker is expected to miss up to a month. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that Ware aggravated the same back injury that caused him to miss a game earlier this season and could miss two to four weeks.
“I guarantee he’s gonna be 100 percent on Sunday,” Bills running back Karlos Williams said about fellow running back LeSean McCoy. McCoy went down Sunday against the Miami Dolphins with a shoulder injury. McCoy was listed as “limited participation” on Tuesday and declined to speak to reporters.
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy expects running back Eddie Lacy to be back this week after injuring his groin. However, Lacy will not be the team’s No. 1 running back. The starting role now belongs to James Starks, at least for this week against the Detroit Lions.
Despite missing games earlier this season, linebacker Luke Kuechly is on pace to lead the Panthers in tackles this season. Kuechly recorded a team-high nine tackles (six solo) in the team’s win against the Packers, but twisted his right ankle twice in the game. “He’ll probably be stiff and sore the next couple of days,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “But it shouldn’t be anything that’s going to keep him out.”
Good News
The Tennessee Titans activated rookie running back David Cobb from IR. Cobb missed the first half of the season with a calf injury after being one of the most promising players during preseason. Cobb is expected to see snaps this week.
Be sure to check the comments section for updates throughout the week.
