DeMarco Murray RB, Titans: knee sprain
Murray’s season is likely over after injuring his right knee on Sunday. Murray was unable to put much weight on his leg and had to be helped off of the field. Initial tests indicate he is dealing with an MCL or LCL sprain. If that’s the case, the Optimal Recovery Time is at least three weeks. The injury didn’t look good, and while the Titans want him to be on the field as they try to hold onto their playoff spot, he won’t be healthy enough. If he does play, he will be at a High Risk of re-injury.
Joe Mixon RB, Bengals: ankle injury
After two missed games due to a concussion, Joe Mixon returned on Sunday but didn’t last long. Mixon injured his ankle while being tackled in the first quarter and was unable to return. Giovani Bernard went on to have a monster game and will see a big workload in week 17 if Mixon can’t go. The Optimal Recovery Time for a mild ankle sprain is two weeks, and 4-6 weeks for a more serious sprain, so Mixon shouldn’t play next Sunday. With a Below Average HPF (Health Performance Factor), our algorithm shows he wouldn’t perform well if he does try to fight through it. Keep an eye on his practice participation throughout the week as in indicator of if he has a shot at suiting up.
Evan Engram TE, Giants: rib injury
A rib injury forced Engram out of the game on Saturday, and he was unable to return. With one meaningless game left in the Giants season, he is unlikely to play if there is a fracture to his ribs. If it’s just a bruise, he could wear extra padding. Pain management would be the biggest concern, but as a tight end he takes many hits to the chest while blocking and running routes. He is now an Elevated Injury Risk.
Travaris Cadet RB, Bills: ankle fracture/dislocation
The ugliest injury of the day goes to Cadet, who dislocated his ankle while getting his leg pinned under a defender as he was tackled. His right leg was put in an air cast before getting carted off of the field. The dislocation caused a fracture near the ankle and also likely caused ligament damage. Cadet is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday. His recovery time will depend on the extent of the damage in his ankle. If the ligament damage is significant, he may not be ready by the start of the 2018 season.
Jordy Nelson WR, Packers: shoulder injury
Jordy Nelson appeared to be in a lot of pain after injuring his shoulder in the third quarter. Nelson’s fantasy value disappeared with the loss of Aaron Rodgers to his collarbone fracture, and Sunday was yet another horrible day for the Packers’ offense. The nature of Nelson’s injury is still unknown. If the Packers are concerned that there could be ligament or cartilage damage, they will send him for an MRI. It looked like it could be an AC sprain, which varies in severity but heals on its own. Nelson is now a High Injury Risk and shouldn’t play in the final game of the season.
Aaron Jones RB, Packers: knee injury
Once again Aaron Jones is dealing with a knee injury. He previously sufferd a grade 2 MCL sprain, which sidelined him for two games. While he had some great runs over the last four weeks, he still didn’t look like himself and clearly wasn’t 100%. He is an Elevated Injury Risk and should be shut down for the season. He risks suffering a more serious injury if he does try to fight through it again.
Melvin Gordon RB, Chargers: ankle injury
Gordon suffered a left ankle injury and was unable to finish the game. He was seen in a walking boot and will have a tough time recovering in time to suit up in the Chargers crucial week 17 matchup with the Raiders. Gordon was an Elevated Injury Risk just about the entire season according to our algorithm, and his latest ankle injury has pushed him into the High Injury Risk category. Our analytics show an Optimal Recovery Time of at least three weeks. Gordon won’t be healthy if he tries to play next Sunday.
Follow Virginia @VZakas and at Inside Injuries.
