Preseason injury analysis often centers around the degree of risk associated with players entering the new year. Players with a lengthy history of soft tissue injuries are more prone to future setbacks, and those with prior concussions can be more susceptible to potential head injuries. Medical staffs around the NFL work to mitigate their players' risks, but even the best preventative care can't account for random collisions or unlucky incidents that occur weekly on football fields. This week's NFL Injury Report is filled with names I was worried about entering Week 1, but actually ended up in the athletic training room for other, unpredictable reasons.
The Chiefs wide receiver spent most of the preseason nursing a head injury that sent him to the concussion protocol, but it was a collision with teammate Travis Kelce that forced him out of the team's Week 1 loss to the Chargers. Worthy suffered a dislocated shoulder on the play and will be a question mark entering Week 2.
The term shoulder dislocation is most commonly used when the glenohumeral (GH) joint of the shoulder is forced out of alignment. The GH joint is the ball-and-socket with the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) acting as the ball and the glenoid of the scapula (shoulder blade) serving as the socket. The joint is particularly mobile but at the cost of overall stability. When a dislocation occurs, the humerus shifts out of place. The joint can be returned to its original location relatively
Preseason injury analysis often centers around the degree of risk associated with players entering the new year. Players with a lengthy history of soft tissue injuries are more prone to future setbacks, and those with prior concussions can be more susceptible to potential head injuries. Medical staffs around the NFL work to mitigate their players' risks, but even the best preventative care can't account for random collisions or unlucky incidents that occur weekly on football fields. This week's NFL Injury Report is filled with names I was worried about entering Week 1, but actually ended up in the athletic training room for other, unpredictable reasons.
The Chiefs wide receiver spent most of the preseason nursing a head injury that sent him to the concussion protocol, but it was a collision with teammate Travis Kelce that forced him out of the team's Week 1 loss to the Chargers. Worthy suffered a dislocated shoulder on the play and will be a question mark entering Week 2.
The term shoulder dislocation is most commonly used when the glenohumeral (GH) joint of the shoulder is forced out of alignment. The GH joint is the ball-and-socket with the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) acting as the ball and the glenoid of the scapula (shoulder blade) serving as the socket. The joint is particularly mobile but at the cost of overall stability. When a dislocation occurs, the humerus shifts out of place. The joint can be returned to its original location relatively easily, but the force often results in damage to the surrounding muscles, ligaments and/or the labrum.
Once a dislocation occurs, the joint is more prone to future instability. Surgery can help address this issue but comes with a lengthy recovery window. The Chiefs are calling Worthy "day-to-day" as they continue to evaluate the injury. As a result, he remains without a definitive timeline but is expected to miss time. Hollywood Brown will be the primary beneficiary of Worthy's absence and will look to build on his 10-reception, 99-yard performance from Week 1. JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton will also move up the depth chart.
London also suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1, though his issue is different than Worthy's. The Falcons have diagnosed the injury as a shoulder sprain, meaning a stabilizing ligament was injured. Looking at how London hit the turf may provide insight to what area was injured. The fourth year wideout came down on hard on the tip of his shoulder, placing an axial load through the shoulder and clavicle (collarbone). This mechanism of injury can lead to injuries of the collarbone itself or at the articulation formed where the bone meets the shoulder blade.
The joint here is known as the acromioclavicular (AC) joint and it is fortified by three ligaments. An AC sprain is often referred to as a shoulder separation and carries its own unique classification system. The rankings are based on the severity of displacement and any associated muscle damage. Treatment options and the related recovery are generally dictated by the assigned grade.
Fortunately, London's injury appears mild, though the team will continue to evaluate the injury. AC joints can be stabilized with pad modification, and London shouldn't be drastically functionally impacted.
The 49ers tight end suffered a hamstring strain in a win over the Seahawks and is expected to miss a "few weeks." The severity of the strain was not revealed, but he is likely dealing with a mild to more moderate strain based on the expected timeline.
Kittle has suffered multiple hamstring strains in his professional career, including two different incidences last year that forced him to miss a total of two weeks of action. As previously mentioned, prior injury is a considerable risk factor for future injury. Adding another injury to the list will only further elevate his future risk when he eventually returns but, for now, those invested in Kittle simply must wait this one out. Jake Tonges deserves roster attention with Kittle out and the 49ers wide receiving corps decimated by injury.
Turf Burns
Brock Bowers: The Raiders lost their All-Pro tight end in the fourth quarter due to a knee injury. Bowers downplayed the severity of the issue after the game, a belief coach Pete Carroll later backed, calling it a "day-to-day" injury. The Raiders play the Chargers on Monday Night Football, meaning an official NFL injury update won't become available until Thursday. For now, it appears Bowers avoided a serious issue and should slot in as the top tight end option for Week 2.
Austin Ekeler: The Commanders running back was a limited participant in Monday's walk through with a shoulder injury. The exact injury was not revealed, though he could face an uphill battle as the team plays Thursday against the Packers. Look for Washington to lean heavily on Jacory Croskey-Merritt if Ekeler is limited in any capacity. Croskey-Merritt received 10 carries to Ekeler's six in Week 1. Jeremy McNichols is third on the depth chart but would be elevated if Ekeler misses time.
Jauan Jennings: After weeks of worrying about his calf injury, Jennings was forced out of Week 1 with a shoulder injury. The team is still evaluating the injury but are clearly worried about his availability, based on their recent signing of veteran Kendrick Bourne. He was scheduled to undergo a CT scan, a strong indicator the injury could be a bone-related issue. Like Worthy, a multiweek absence seems likely.
Brock Purdy: The San Francisco injury bug didn't just hit the tight ends and receivers, as the 49ers quarterback emerged from Week 1 nursing not one but two injuries. He suffered an undisclosed injury to his nonthrowing shoulder and a toe injury. Specifics remain vague, though the toe injury is considered the more serious of the two. Purdy's availability for Week 2 is now in doubt, and the problem could linger if the toe injury is something serious like turf toe. Monitor Purdy's level of participation in this week's practices to get a better idea of his status for Week 2.
