Trevor Lawrence – Concussion, Week to Week
Lawrence reported delayed onset of symptoms following Week 15, which doesn’t bode well for his availability in Week 16. Monitor his progress carefully throughout the week, and have a “Plan B” ready.
Will Levis – High Ankle Sprain, 2-3 Weeks
The fact that Levis generally does not rely on his mobility bodes well for his return within 2023. With an uncertain offseason looming, Levis may be motivated to return before the end of the season to make an even better case for the Titans to stick with him for 2024.
Zach Wilson – Concussion, Week to Week
At this point, does anyone want to play quarterback for the Jets? Aaron Rodgers should remain on the sideline as he is likely to get reinjured should he come back at all for 2023. Wilson enters the concussion protocol, but if you were relying on him, you’re unlikely to be concerned about his availability, and we already know his fate for 2024.
Keaton Mitchell – ACL Tear, Season Ending + Time Into 2024
Keaton Mitchell –
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) December 18, 2023
Concern for significant multi-ligament knee injury after hyperextending after planting. Not good.
Likely has implications well into his 2024 season availability.
pic.twitter.com/jJi96hS0xo
While we’ve seen some athletes return from ACL within eight or nine months, ten months is the widely accepted time frame for return to sport without significant production loss and/or risk to the ACL graft. Mitchell is projected to return sometime around Halloween in 2024. What the backfield looks like at that point will be a mystery, but it’s possible Mitchell’s 2024 is a wash, and then he’s a forgotten name after that. Unfortunate, as he has been a spark for the Ravens offense.
Zach Moss – Shoulder Sprain, Week to Week
#NFLFirstDown Zach Moss practically dragged the defender with him into the end zone
— be2Sports (@Be2Sports) December 16, 2023
📺: #PITvsIND on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/spdeTBnF3L
Moss left after injuring the same arm he broke earlier in the season. He appears to have avoided serious injury and will attempt to suit up this week. This is also the week Jonathan Taylor plans to return to practice and projects to play.
Marquise Brown – Heel, 1-2 Weeks
Brown hasn’t recorded a catch since Week 12 and has been battling this heel injury. It’s possible the Cardinals shut him down completely, but for now, the reports are that they do not wish to put him on IR. With a history of foot injuries, I wonder, “Why?!” But I’m not paid the big bucks to make those decisions. If he happens to suit up, I would leave Brown on your bench for the rest of this season.
Ja’Marr Chase – Shoulder Sprain, 1-2 Weeks
Ja’Marr Chase #RuleTheJungle
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) December 16, 2023
Gets landed on here and grabs at his chest. Likely a minor rib injury.
Good news is he only missed one play so this shouldn’t affect him rest of game. pic.twitter.com/IT6ydcnbL0
Suffering from an AC separation, Chase is expected to miss at least Week 16. Consider him Questionable for Week 17. It’s very possible the Bengals realize trotting Chase out, banged up, is not in their best interest long-term and may shut him down.
Michael Pittman Jr. – Concussion, Week to Week
Steelers DB Damontae Kazee was ejected for a vicious hit on #Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr.
— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) December 16, 2023
Pittman was able to walk off under his own power.
pic.twitter.com/RLtzr2liCl
The one good news with Pittman’s concussion is that it occurred on Saturday, so he has an extra day to progress through the concussion protocol. This extra day is extremely significant as the concussion protocol is difficult to progress through from Monday to Sunday morning. Keep an eye on Friday and Saturday practice reports.
Jayden Reed – Possible Turf Toe, Week to Week vs 2-3 Weeks
The exact severity of the injury is unknown at the moment of writing this. If this turns out to be turf toe, you can expect Reed to be done for the regular season. If only a sprain, he could suit up for Week 16. Pay attention to Wednesday and Thursday’s practice report to gauge what to do with this budding wide receiver.
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