This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
Tony Romo
The Cowboys travel across the pond for Week 10 as they are set to face the Jaguars in London. Whether or not their franchise quarterback will be available remains a mystery. Romo made the trip with the team but the back injury that kept him on the sidelines for the team's loss to the Cardinals threatens to keep him out once again.
Romo is managing two fractured vertebrae in his lower back sustained in the team's Week 8 loss to the Redskins. The injury site is very specific and involves the transverse processes of the affected bone. Each vertebra of the spine consists of multiple bony projections, including the transverse processes on each side. The projections aid in movement, serve as an attachment site for muscle and ligaments, and safeguard the area from trauma. While a fractured did occur, the bony processes did their job perfectly. The bone absorbed the impact of the Washington defender and protected the spinal cord and intervertebral discs from significant damage.
Transverse process fractures are not unprecedented in sports. If you will recall Brazil's Neymar missed a large portion of the World Cup after sustaining a transverse process fracture. Multiple NBA players have suffered the injury following a hard fall, including Hedo Turkoglu and Chris Andersen. In football, Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty missed a game after suffering an isolated transverse process fracture earlier this season. All these players healed in a relatively quick fashion.
However, given his history of back injuries, extra care for Romo will be necessary. The Pro Bowl quarterback has required two surgeries on his back over the last 18 months. The first was performed to remove a cyst while the second was needed to remove a damaged portion of intervertebral disc. The current injury is not affecting the previous injury sites but could have a cascade effect if worsened. Another direct hit to the area could cause issues in the lamina of the vertebrae, the area that bridges the transverse process with the spinal column and houses and protects the spinal cord.
Pain management will be a major contributing factor to his availability. If he does suit up, expect Romo to wear a heavily padded flak jacket to guard the area. He isn't expected to practice Wednesday, a normal part of his weekly preparation, and will likely be a game-time decision. If Romo can't play, backup quarterback Brandon Weeden will make his second straight start. Weeden struggled in his debut and should be utilized in emergencies only, even with a favorable matchup. Additionally, the expectations for Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, and Jason Witten should all be scaled back if Weeden is behind center.
Nick Foles
Another quarterback in the NFC East is ailing after Philly quarterback Nick Foles suffered a broken clavicle (collarbone) in the team's win over Houston. The injury occurred when his left shoulder was forced into the ground by a Texans defender, a common mechanism of injury for a collarbone fracture. Images taken on the area revealed the break. Further evaluation determined that the fracture site is small and non-displaced meaning surgery will not be needed.
Foles is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks as he waits for the bone to mend. The injury is comparable to the collarbone fracture suffered by Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers during last season. Both QBs broke their non-throwing shoulder during Week 9 losses. Like Foles, Rodgers avoided surgery but would not be cleared to return to action until Week 17. Foles appears set to follow a similar timeline.
With Foles out, Mark Sanchez will take the reins in Philadelphia. The former Jets quarterback looked more than capable of being fantasy relevant, throwing for 202 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Sanchez and the up-tempo Eagles offense could be the perfect fit for fantasy owners looking for a quarterback to cover a bye or injury.
Turf Burns
Giovani Bernard: Bernard did not practice to start the week and continues to be limited by hip and shoulder injuries. The details of his injuries remain vague though Jeremy Hill's performance against the Jaguars could buy Bernard some more time to recover. Hill put together a monster effort including 154 rushing yards and two touchdowns, despite missing a portion of the second half with a minor knee injury.
Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson: The Lions are set to welcome both offensive stars back after each missed an extended period of time nursing ankle injuries. The conservative approach with each player may have been frustrating for fantasy owners but should allow the duo to be available for the second half of the season.
Arian Foster: Foster's groin strain appears to be minimal though he will receive treatment throughout the team's bye week. He should be fine to play in Week 11 when the team travels to Cleveland to face the Browns.
Lamar Miller: The Dolphins backfield continues to be beset with injury. Knowshown Moreno has already been ruled out for the year with a knee injury and now Miller could miss time with an acromioclavicular (AC) joint sprain. The AC joint is located where the collarbone attaches to the shoulder blade and acts as a strut for the shoulder. Multiple ligaments stabilize the joint but can be easily injured when forced downward. Miller's sprain appears to be minor and the team is optimistic he will play against the Lions. If he can't play, Daniel Thomas and Damien Williams will see an increase in usage.
Philip Rivers: Rivers endured one of his worst games as a professional in Week 9, finishing the game with three interceptions and a lost fumble. To make things worse he suffered a minor injury to his right hand. He was removed from the game but his early departure was more a result of the score of the game than the injury. The Chargers get a week off in Week 10, providing Rivers a chance to heal in time for San Diego's Week 11 contest against Oakland.
Aaron Rodgers: A well-timed bye week proved extremely beneficial for Rodgers and his strained hamstring. The former MVP was a full participant in practice and should be fine for Week 10.
