NFL Week 2 injury report: RGIII tops laundry list of injured players
For the second straight week, the NFL's injury slate was larger than normal, and several star players have been affected. Here's what we know now regarding injuries around the league.
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Robert Griffin, QB, Washington Redskins (ankle): Griffin is estimated to miss 6-8 weeks after suffering a dislocated left ankle against the Jaguars on Sunday, and an MRI did not reveal a fracture. New head coach Jay Gruden said that Griffin will have the ankle casted for now, and they will reevaluate the situation in a couple of weeks. Griffin will not be placed on injured reserve, but after suffering multiple knee issues in his college and pro seasons, and one wonders what the future will be.
Griffin's absence means that backup Kirk Cousins gets an extended audition under new head coach Jay Gruden. It will be an interesting process, as Gruden worked with Andy Dalton, who is much more of a pocket passer than Dalton is, when he was Cincinnati's offensive coordinator. Gruden said that Cousins can run the team's entire offense, and while there may be a few plays specially designed for Griffin that are out the window, the coach sounded confident.
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DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington Redskins (shoulder): Jackson sprained the AC joint in his shoulder on Sunday, but looks to have no serious structural damage. The Redskins wide receiver will obviously do all he can to face the Philadelphia Eagles, his former team, this upcoming Sunday.
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A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (toe): Green left in the first quarter against the Falcons after aggravating what was originally thought to be turf toe, but is actually torn ligaments between the middle of Green's foot and his toe (some were afraid that he might have suffered a Lisfranc injury). Further tests show that Green's toe isn't broken, and according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Bengals are not treating this as a major issue. Head coach Marvin Lewis has said that Green will not be out long-term, but it's too early to tell what exactly his timeline will be.
Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (ankle): Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that Charles suffered elements of a high ankle sprain against the Broncos, but the injury isn't too serious, and Charles is only expected to miss a week or two. However, it's still a big blow for a Kansas City offense that relies on Charles more than most offenses do with their backs. Knile Davis, who's more of a power runner, gets a shot to shine now.
Eric Berry, S, Kansas City Chiefs (ankle): Reid also said that Berry did have an ankle sprain, and the timeline for his absence is unknown. The Chiefs are suffering with safety depth, though -- Ron Parker and Kurt Coleman will likely see time, and free safety Husain Abdullah is dealing with a foot contusion.
Tavon Austin, WR, St. Louis Rams (knee): Good news for Austin as well, as he's reported to miss just two weeks with a sprained MCL. The Rams' offense needs all the help it can get right now.
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Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers (knee): Mathews had an MRI on his sprained MCL on Monday, and the injury he suffered against Seattle in the Chargers' upset win could keep Mathews out for four-to-five weeks. This puts Donald Brown as the main man in San Diego's backfield, with Danny Woodhead expected to retain his role on passing downs.
Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints (hand): Ingram injured his hand in the first half of the Saints' loss to the Browns, and he'll be out for at least a month. Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas will take the reps for a Saints team that stands at a very surprising 0-2.
Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals (shoulder): The nerve issue that caused Palmer to miss Arizona's Sunday win over the Giants is still up in the air, according to head coach Bruce Arians. "Anytime you're dealing with nerves, you're concerned," Arians said Monday, adding that Palmer's situation could come down to "a bruised nerve that's being ornery." It's entirely possible that Drew Stanton will start against the 49ers this Sunday.
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John Abraham, OLB, Arizona Cardinals (concussion): In an unexpected move, Abraham, who was reportedly considering retiring due to memory-loss issues, has decided to return to the Cardinals, and could play Sunday, based on whether he passes the league's concussion protocol. The 36-year-old veteran is Arizona's only consistent pure pass-rusher, but we're certainly hoping that the team will take the responsible and cautions path in this case.
