This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
Spencer Ware, Cameron Meredith and Julian Edelman
It was a damaging week in the NFL with multiple players succumbing to season-ending injuries just as the preseason was ending. Knee injuries were the primary culprit, although each situation involved different structures and varied in degree.
The knee is protected by four stabilizing ligaments, the two cruciate ligaments: the ACL and PCL; and two collateral ligaments: the MCL and LCL. The ACL and PCL prevent undue forward and backward motion of the tibia on the femur, while the MCL and LCL diffuse excessive side-to-side forces during lateral movement.
Edelman tore the ACL in his right knee in New England's preseason matchup with the Lions. The extensive damage will require surgery but appears to be isolated to the ACL. Edelman's injury will cost him the 2017 season but he has a realistic shot at being ready for 2018. His long-term outlook is good, especially since he appears to have avoided any cartilage damage. Edelman's absence won't drastically raise the ceiling of Brandin Cooks or Rob Gronkowski. However, Chris Hogan should see an increase in targets and productivity, and becomes a serviceable wide receiver option.
Chicago also lost one of its primary receiving threats with Meredith also tearing his ACL over the weekend. However, Meredith's recovery could be more intensive as it's feared he sustained additional damage to other areas. Based on the violent way Meredith's knee was twisted, the "Unhappy Triad" could be in play here. This trio of injuries includes
Spencer Ware, Cameron Meredith and Julian Edelman
It was a damaging week in the NFL with multiple players succumbing to season-ending injuries just as the preseason was ending. Knee injuries were the primary culprit, although each situation involved different structures and varied in degree.
The knee is protected by four stabilizing ligaments, the two cruciate ligaments: the ACL and PCL; and two collateral ligaments: the MCL and LCL. The ACL and PCL prevent undue forward and backward motion of the tibia on the femur, while the MCL and LCL diffuse excessive side-to-side forces during lateral movement.
Edelman tore the ACL in his right knee in New England's preseason matchup with the Lions. The extensive damage will require surgery but appears to be isolated to the ACL. Edelman's injury will cost him the 2017 season but he has a realistic shot at being ready for 2018. His long-term outlook is good, especially since he appears to have avoided any cartilage damage. Edelman's absence won't drastically raise the ceiling of Brandin Cooks or Rob Gronkowski. However, Chris Hogan should see an increase in targets and productivity, and becomes a serviceable wide receiver option.
Chicago also lost one of its primary receiving threats with Meredith also tearing his ACL over the weekend. However, Meredith's recovery could be more intensive as it's feared he sustained additional damage to other areas. Based on the violent way Meredith's knee was twisted, the "Unhappy Triad" could be in play here. This trio of injuries includes damage to the ACL, MCL and the medial meniscus. NFL players to experience the triad include Gronkowski, Adrian Peterson and Tom Brady. The expected recovery for an injury of this magnitude is generally eight months to 12 months. In the meantime, the Bears will turn to often-injured Kevin White and six-year veteran Kendall Wright. Both will be late-round selections, but I give Wright a slight edge based on his lower inherent level of injury risk.
In Kansas City, the Chiefs medical staff was refreshing candid about Ware's knee injury. Head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder revealed Ware suffered a torn PCL and damage to the posterior lateral corner of his knee. An isolated PCL sprain is bad enough. Not as infamous as its partner the ACL, the PCL also stabilizes the knee while preventing hyperextension. It also acts as the primary axis for rotation at the knee. The PCL is stronger than the ACL and is more difficult to injure. However, should the PCL become compromised, the fluidity of the joint is forfeited limiting its function. Unfortunately for Ware, the PCL isn't the only involved structure.
The capsule of the knee is a double-layered envelope that encompasses the knee joint and provides additional stability throughout movement. The capsule engulfs numerous structures of the knee including the menisci, patella, bursa and the stabilizing ligaments. Generally, the capsule is strongest in the posterior aspect of the knee, although damage here often happens in conjunction with a PCL tear. Posterolateral corner injuries further increase instability at the knee and can influence the necessary treatment options. They can have long-term ramifications as well. If improperly treated, the injured individual may become more prone to chronic conditions like osteoarthritis. These factors are precisely why Kansas City is taking a cautious approach with Ware's evaluation and subsequent treatment. It's also why I'll be surprised if Ware plays again this season. Look for Kareem Hunt to assume the starting role for the Chiefs and rightfully vault up draft boards.
The Seattle receiver has turned to an unorthodox treatment option during his recovery from a broken leg. Lockett, along with four other Seahawk teammates, are set to undergo the Regenokine process after linebacker K.J. Wright had success with the procedure.
Regenokine is similar to the more commonly known PRP treatment. In a traditional PRP injection, a sample of the injured athlete's blood is taken and spun down in a machine known as a centrifuge. A protein-concentrated mixture is then removed from the broken-down sample and injected back into the athlete at the injury site. The PRP mixture is heavily concentrated with platelets, the primary component of blood responsible for clotting. The belief is that by upping the platelet count, the body's natural healing response will work more efficiently and rapidly.
Regenokine uses similar properties to PRP injections. However, it does so by using a different component of the athlete's blood. Instead of utilizing platelets, specific anti-inflammatory proteins are extracted and a personalized anti-inflammatory drug is created for the individual. However, there are multiple legal and medical issues regarding the use of Regenokine and its predecessor Orthokine. Most of the problems stem from how the blood is manipulated and uncertainty surrounding its effectiveness.
Regardless, the procedure isn't likely to drastically bump up Lockett's timetable. The wide out remains a long shot for Week 1 and should be drafted accordingly.
Turf Burns
Leonard Fournette: The rookie running back has been an active participant in practice as he works his way back from an undisclosed foot injury. He's still unlikely to suit for the Jaguars' preseason finale but is in line to start in Week 1 against the Texans. He remains an unproven player with multiple red flags in his injury history, though his return to the practice field is a positive step forward.
Andrew Luck: The Colts remain evasive regarding their quarterback's status. As his recovery from a labrum tear in his throwing shoulder drags on, it's hard to have much confidence in Luck as a high-end quarterback. His ADP and price tag will continue to fall, and it seems increasingly unlikely he plays in Week 1.
Donte Moncrief: While Luck's status remains a mystery, Moncrief appears to be fine following his shoulder injury. Moncrief has missed practice time with a low-grade acromioclavicular (AC) sprain in his left shoulder. The injury involves the same shoulder blade he fractured last season. Fortunately, he looked healthy while hauling in a 55-yard reception over the weekend. Look for Indianapolis to limit his practice reps to insure he's ready to go for Week 1.
Tyrod Taylor: The Bills quarterback won't practice Tuesday as he remains in the league's concussion protocol. Taylor suffered his head injury in Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens. There's still plenty of time for Taylor to complete the necessary steps of the protocol, but keep in mind that every individual responds to a concussion in their own unique way.
