Carson Wentz QB, Eagles: left ACL tear
The Eagles believe quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a torn left ACL on Sunday afternoon. He underwent an MRI on Monday to confirm the diagnosis. After reviewing the play, it looks like he suffered a partial ACL tear along with other damage to his left knee. As Wentz scrambled and dove into the end zone, the outside of his upper leg and inner lower leg got hit at the same time, causing the leg to twist in the air. While it’s less common to tear the ACL like this (it is often a non-contact play when the leg is planted), it can cause ligament damage if there is enough force.
Initial reports indicated a partial ACL tear. Unlike some other ligaments, a partial tear typically requires surgery. Ryan Tannehill tried to avoid surgery and go through extensive rehab after injuring his knee last season, but he ended up making the injury worse and undergoing surgery to repair the ACL. The Eagles already announced that Wentz is going to need season-ending surgery. If all goes well throughout the rehab process, he should be ready to play around the start of training camp. He will need to slowly work his way back with an eye on a week 1 return.
Amari Cooper WR, Raiders: ankle sprain
Amari Cooper cleared concussion protocol and returned to practice last Friday. His ankle remained a concern, but after making quick progress he was cleared to play in week 14. Cooper’s return was short-lived. He quickly re-aggravated his ankle injury. Our algorithm shows that Cooper returned two weeks to early, and now he faces a four week Optimal Recovery Time. Cooper’s season should be over. He was an Elevated Injury Risk entering week 14 with a Below Average HPF (Health Performance Factor), so he shouldn’t have played.
Greg Olsen TE, Panthers: foot re-aggravation
After one week off, Olsen returned in week 14. While he remained an Elevated Injury Risk, he was approaching his Healthy to Return date. Olsen limped off of the field at one point after aggravating his foot/ankle. He was able to return after getting re-taped and played 92% of the Panthers’ offensive snaps. Olsen should be able to finish the season, but his foot will continue to be a concern. It doesn’t take much to re-aggravate a Jones fracture. He may try to make it through the season as the Panthers fight for a playoff spot, but don’t be surprised if he continues to be in and out of the game. He may also need a follow-up procedure during the offseason. It’s fairly common for players who suffer a Jones fracture, a notoriously tricky injury.
Tevin Coleman RB, Falcons: concussion
Late on Thursday night, Tevin Coleman left to be evaluated for a head injury and did not return. He has 10 days to clear concussion protocol. The Falcons have one of the most lethal running back duos in the game, so having Coleman back for the final three games are crucial as they fight for a playoff spot. Watch Coleman’s practice status throughout the week. That will be the best indication of how he is progressing through protocol.
Alvin Kamara RB, Saints: concussion
Like Coleman, Kamara was also forced out of the game with a concussion. He has been one of the most exciting players this season and is a key piece in the Saints dynamic offense. With 10 days to clear concussion protocol, he has a good chance to return for week 15. But with all concussions, it’s no guarantee and it’s very difficult to predict recovery time.
Josh McCown QB, Jets: left hand fracture
McCown has been one of the better surprises of the year, but a left hand fracture will end his season. The Jets are out of the playoff picture, and with three games remaining he was facing an uphill battle to recover in time. While the injury isn’t to his throwing hand, it does affect his ability to protect the football and himself as he is pressured. It’s best to shut how down for the year. He was already an Elevated Injury Risk due to the minor injuries he faced throughout the season, and now he is a High Injury Risk.
Marcus Mariota QB, Titans: knee injury
Marcus Mariota injured his knee early in the game but played through it. He took a hard hit as he attempted to slide at the end of a run. It showed in his performance. Mariota clearly wasn’t as mobile and was very inaccurate on many of his passes, completing just 16 of 31 passes and throwing two interceptions. If there is any instability in the knee, the Titans are likely to send him for an MRI to determine what damage was caused. He previously suffered a season-ending MCL sprain in 2015 and had knee problems in college.
Tom Savage QB, Texans: concussion
Tom Savage took a brutal hit to the head and laid on his back shaking, clearly affected by the hit. Anyone who saw the disturbing play and its aftermath could tell something was wrong. Savage somehow was cleared to return to the game but it didn’t last long. The NFL is now reviewing the process that was followed to evaluate him for a head injury because there were clearly errors along the way. TJ Yates is likely to start in week 15.
Nathan Peterman QB, Bills: concussion
Peterman got his second start on Sunday in place of the injured Tyrod Taylor. He suffered a concussion and was unable to finish the game. Taylor hopes to return next week from his patellar contusion, but the Bills could be left with a tough situation at QB. Joe Webb is the only other quarterback on the roster.
Kelvin Benjamin WR, Bills: knee re-aggravation
Kelvin Benjamin returned from a two game absence on Sunday, attempting to play through a meniscus tear. He didn’t last very long and should have never tried to play through the injury. Most NFL players who suffer a meniscus tear undergo surgery, and recovery can be as short as four weeks.
Now Benjamin’s season could be over. If he re-aggravated the injury or caused more damage to his knee, surgery would be necessary. The meniscus is affected when cutting and impacts knee stability. These are important things for a wide receiver, which is why Benjamin remained a High Injury Risk for week 14. He won’t improve for the rest of the season.
