This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
The Arizona Cardinals
The NFL's top team has significant injuries on the offensive side of the ball with Arizona's starting quarterback, running back and top wide receiver all nursing injuries. The primary concern is the health of Kyler Murray. I detailed his ankle sprain in last week's column, but it's worth revisiting. Murray's injury is on the medial side, opposite the side of a "normal" ankle sprain. Medial ankle sprains often carry longer recovery timelines, even low-grade injuries. The fact that Murray never even practiced last week is a good indication the injury isn't mild. To make things worse, coach Kliff Kingsbury remained noncommittal on his starter's availability for Week 10. Reading the tea leaves, a second straight absence should be anticipated if Murray remains unable to practice in the coming days. Colt McCoy would get his second straight start should Murray sit.
DeAndre Hopkins, the normally resilient wideout, missed just the third game of his professional care in Week 9 with a lingering hamstring injury. Hamstring strains are notoriously unpredictable, and Hopkins' current day-to-day status doesn't provide much clarity. Expect this to be another game-time decision, and for Hopkins to carry an elevated level of risk if he does suit up.
While Murray and Hopkins' statuses remains uncertain, the same can't be said for running back Chase Edmonds. Edmonds suffered a high-ankle sprain in the team's win over San Francisco and is expected to miss multiple weeks rehabbing, and a stint on the injured reserve seems
The Arizona Cardinals
The NFL's top team has significant injuries on the offensive side of the ball with Arizona's starting quarterback, running back and top wide receiver all nursing injuries. The primary concern is the health of Kyler Murray. I detailed his ankle sprain in last week's column, but it's worth revisiting. Murray's injury is on the medial side, opposite the side of a "normal" ankle sprain. Medial ankle sprains often carry longer recovery timelines, even low-grade injuries. The fact that Murray never even practiced last week is a good indication the injury isn't mild. To make things worse, coach Kliff Kingsbury remained noncommittal on his starter's availability for Week 10. Reading the tea leaves, a second straight absence should be anticipated if Murray remains unable to practice in the coming days. Colt McCoy would get his second straight start should Murray sit.
DeAndre Hopkins, the normally resilient wideout, missed just the third game of his professional care in Week 9 with a lingering hamstring injury. Hamstring strains are notoriously unpredictable, and Hopkins' current day-to-day status doesn't provide much clarity. Expect this to be another game-time decision, and for Hopkins to carry an elevated level of risk if he does suit up.
While Murray and Hopkins' statuses remains uncertain, the same can't be said for running back Chase Edmonds. Edmonds suffered a high-ankle sprain in the team's win over San Francisco and is expected to miss multiple weeks rehabbing, and a stint on the injured reserve seems plausible. James Conner will see an uptick in usage and look to build on his Week 9 performance in which he rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, while hauling in five passes for 77 receiving yards and a third touchdown.
The Seahawks quarterback was confident he would return ahead of schedule following his complex finger injury and now it appears he will indeed beat the estimated timeline of six-to-eight weeks. Wilson needed surgery to address a mallet finger injury and a comminuted fracture-dislocation of his right middle finger following Week 6. Now he is preparing to play in Green Bay after just four weeks and three games lost. Wilson has remained active during his rehab protocol and has been filmed working through his normal routine. The mental reps will help but the finger will still need to hold up with contact. Furthermore, it's crucial Wilson has full range of motion and full strength in the digit to ensure his grip is unencumbered. As a result, I'll feel more confident about starting Wilson once I see he's able to deliver passes with his usual accuracy and velocity.
Turf Burns
Tampa Bay Receivers: Despite a well-timed bye week, Antonio Brown remains in a protective walking boot, designed to protect his ankle sprain. Look for Brown to sit once again if he can't shed the boot and take the practice field by midweek. Head coach Bruce Arians also hinted tight end Rob Gronkowski may not be available to play in Week 10. Gronk returned after missing four weeks with multiple rib fractures and a lung injury. However, his returned last just five snaps before he exited with back spasms. Back spasms aren't generally an overly concerning injury, but Gronkowski has a lengthy history of back issues that includes multiple herniated discs and surgeries. Those invested in the tight end should have a reliable insurance policy readily available.
Marquise Brown: The Ravens made Brown a limited participant for Monday's practice as he managed a back issue. The injury has not received a true diagnosis, and it seems as though this is simply the Baltimore medical staff taking a conservative approach with a minor injury. Consider him day-to-day for now, and don't panic unless Brown continues to miss practice throughout the week.
Ezekiel Elliott: The Cowboys running back spent part of the team's loss to the Broncos on the sideline with a wrap on his right knee. Zeke later returned to the game, and the injury was later described as a knee contusion. He is unlikely to miss any time, but injury concerns along the Dallas offensive line could impact Elliot's productivity. Starting left tackle Tyron Smith has a bone spur in his ankle that kept him out of the lineup in Week 9. His status for Week 10 remains in doubt with Terence Steele in line to fill the gap should Smith be unable to play. Steele and the Cowboys O-line struggled against the Broncos as the entire offense sputtered. Scale back your expectations for Elliott and Tony Pollard if Smith misses a second straight game.
Trevor Lawrence: The Jaguars quarterback isn't expected to miss time after sustaining a low-grade, lateral ankle sprain. He will receive treatment throughout the week ahead and could see his practice reps limited. However, the team expects him to be in uniform when they take on the Colts. C.J. Beathard is the backup quarterback for Jacksonville and would take over should Lawrence suffer some unforeseen setback.
James Robinson: Lawrence should get a boost in the backfield in Week 10 as Robinson is expected to return to action after missing last week's win with a bruised heel. The calcaneus is the heel bone and is cushioned by a fat pad. However, the area can still become bruised following a direct blow or repetitive contact. Sometimes an injury listed as a heel contusion actually involves the plantar fascia, but there has been no indication that is the case here. It sounds like Robinson was close to returning last week, and he should be back in action with another week of treatment.
Patriots Running Backs: Both Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson left the team's win over the Panthers due to head injuries. Neither one has been officially called a concussion, but each player will need to complete the league's mandated protocol should they receive that diagnosis. Hopefully, we will get some clarity in the near future, but their level of participation in practice should provide a clue should New England remain tight-lipped. Brandon Bolden would become the Pats feature back if both players are eventually ruled out.
