Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Houston Texans running back David Johnson is being evaluated for a concussion against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
#Texans Injury Update: #31 RB David Johnson is being evaluated for a concussion.#HOUvsJAX
— Texans PR (@TexansPR) November 8, 2020
Houston Texans running back David Johnson is being evaluated for a concussion.
The former 2016 All-Pro sustained a hit on a third-and-3 incomplete pass in the first quarter and was slow to get up off the turf at TIAA Bank Field.
The Texans did not provide an update on the likelihood of his return against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The New Orleans Saints will not be joined by Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders among other inactive players against the Chicago Bears.
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Kickoff between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears at a windy Soldier Field is almost an hour away, so both teams have reported their inactive lists following pregame warmups.
A couple of players were ruled out previously due to injuries and other absences. The Saints are running without three of their top four receivers, including starting wideouts Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, as well as starting right guard Nick Easton (still battling concussion symptoms after exiting Oct. 12’s win over the Chargers). The breakout star of last week’s victory against the Panthers, Marquez Callaway, was also ruled out after suffering a minor ankle injury in the game’s closing minutes.
Meanwhile, the Bears won’t have Pro Bowl center Cody Whitehair snapping the ball to Nick Foles during the afternoon. He exited their loss to the Rams last Monday night with a calf injury, which kept him out of practice throughout the week. But they will welcome the return of No. 1 wide receiver Allen Robinson after he cleared concussion protocol on Saturday.
Here’s the full breakdown of inactive players for both sides:
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The New Orleans Saints will likely face the Chicago Bears at their strongest after WR Allen Robinson cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol.
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Allen Robinson has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play tomorrow vs. the Saints.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 31, 2020
The Chicago Bears will be at their strongest when they kick off against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. No. 1 Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol on Saturday after exiting last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and he’s expected to suit up in this pivotal NFC matchup.
It’s obviously a big boost to the Chicago offense. Robinson has been targeted 70 times this season, nearly as often as the next two highest-targeted Bears combined (Jimmy Graham and Darnell Mooney have seen 79 passes sent their way). Spotty as both Bears quarterbacks have played, both Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky have had success throwing to Robinson.
Robinson caught 10 of 16 passes against the Saints in last year’s game at Soldier Field, gaining 87 receiving yards and scoring a touchdown catch. It wasn’t enough in the 36-25 Saints victory, but he should receive plenty of targets again if he plays on Sunday. The New Orleans pass defense has been awful, allowing 17 touchdown passes through seven games.
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The New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears published their first Week 8 injury report with wide receiver Allen Robinson in concussion protocol
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The New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears published their first Week 8 injury report, with Chicago star receiver Allen Robinson sidelined in the NFL concussion protocol. The Bears are playing on a short week after Monday night’s 24-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Meanwhile, for New Orleans: Robinson’s counterpart Michael Thomas did not participate in practice. Thomas was out of action last week after tweaking his hamstring, which was reported to be a Grade 1 strain. While the mildest grade, it still carries a two- to three-week recovery timeline, so his status is in doubt for Sunday.
Your full initial Saints-Bears injury report:
| Player, injury | Wed. | Thurs. | Fri. | Game stats |
| WR Michael Thomas, hamstring/ankle | DNP | |||
| WR Marquez Callaway, ankle | DNP | |||
| G Nick Easton, concussion | Limited | |||
| T Terron Armstead, elbow | Limited |
| Player, injury | Wed. | Thurs. | Fri. | Game stats |
| WR Allen Robinson, concussion | DNP | |||
| TE Jimmy Graham, not injury related | DNP | |||
| LB Khalil Mack, ankle | DNP | |||
| WR Ted Ginn Jr., not injury related | DNP | |||
| WR Cordarrelle Patterson, quad | DNP | |||
| C Cody Whitehair, calf | DNP | |||
| TE Cole Kmet, back | Limited | |||
| S Eddie Jackson, knee | Limited | |||
| S Sherrick McManis, hamstring | Limited | |||
| OL Rashaad Coward, finger | Full | |||
| OL Jason Springgs, back | Full |
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Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll provided a number of player injury updates following the team’s loss to the Cardinals Week 7.
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The Seattle Seahawks lost their first game of the season Sunday night, falling 37-34 to the Arizona Cardinals in overtime. While Seattle didn’t appear to sustain any serious new injuries, coach Pete Carroll did provide a number of player updates following the game.
Running back Chris Carson left the matchup in the first half with a foot injury and was unable to return to the contest.
“Chris has got a mid-foot sprain,” Carroll told reporters. “We don’t know until we get an MRI what that means or what the extent of it is.”
Cornerback Shaquill Griffin also left the game and underwent concussion testing before he was ultimately ruled out.
“He had a concussion enough to keep him out of the game,” Carroll explained. “He was pretty clear afterward, so we’ll just have to go through the protocol and see how he does.”
Finally, Carroll said running back Travis Homer suffered a knee contusion (bruise).
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The short week has not been kind to the Dallas Cowboys who continue to have unprecedented injuries along their beleaguered offensive line. In Monday night’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys lost right guard Zack Martin for a brief moment …
The short week has not been kind to the Dallas Cowboys who continue to have unprecedented injuries along their beleaguered offensive line. In Monday night’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys lost right guard Zack Martin for a brief moment to a shoulder stinger concern, and then for the rest of the game to a concussion. Understandably, just four days later, he still has not cleared concussion protocol.
On Friday head coach Mike McCarthy indicated it’s likely the six-time All-Pro would be out for Sunday’s contest in Washington against the Football Team.
Cowboys do not expect Pro Bowl RG Zack Martin (concussion) to be available vs. Washington on Sunday. Not through protocol yet.
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 23, 2020
Second-year pro Connor McGovern would start in Martin’s place. Drafted in the third round out of Penn State, McGovern spent all of 2019 on injured reserve, played two snaps in Week 5 and filled in rather admirably for his first extended action in Week 6.
McGovern gave up one sack and one QB hurry in 60 pass blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus. He will face a much more formidable test when it comes to blocking the Washington defensive front that features numerous first-round selections. Between Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Ryan Kerrigan, Daron Payne and Matt Ioannidis, Washington has a strong rotation that will be a relentless challenge for a banged up Dallas offensive line.
Not only will they be missing Martin, but three other starters are out. Tyron Smith and La’el Collins are done for the year and Joe Looney is on IR. Smith’s backup Brandon Knight is also on IR leaving Connor Williams as the only player with starting experience with the club prior to this season. Journeyman Cam Erving will start at left tackle while rookies Tyler Biadasz and Terence Steele will start at center and right tackle respectively.
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The injuries suffered by the Dallas offensive line have wrecked their season.
Life comes at you fast. When the frustrating 2019 season came to an end, there was plenty of reason for optimism for the Dallas Cowboys. A lot of that centered around the offensive line. After a year away, center Travis Frederick had returned to play a full season following an immune system disease. La’el Collins had emerged to the point there was a legit conversation on who was the better tackle between he and seven-time Pro Bowler Tyron Smith. Zack Martin had just made his sixth straight All-Pro team. 2020 was shaping up to be a tremendous year for the Cowboys OL.
Fast forward to the end of Week 6 2020 and this is not what anyone had in mind. The offensive line is in shambles and the bottom fell out during the club’s 38-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals when Martin was lost for the game due to a concussion.
Cowboys say that RG Zack Martin's concussion was the only injury of significance in tonight's loss to Cardinals. He has entered the league's protocol.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 20, 2020
Back in 2015, I routinely said that the transformation of the Cowboys offensive line could be captured in an easy sentiment. If Doug Free is your team’s best offensive lineman; you’re in a lot of trouble. But if Doug Free is your team’s worst offensive lineman, you’ve got a great group of guys. Now, that guy is Connor Williams.
Smith and Collins are done for the year. Frederick retired back in March. After Martin’s departure, the Cowboys were playing 2019 UDFA Brandon Knight at left tackle and Williams at left guard. Fourth-round rookie Tyler Biadasz was in at center, playing for veteran Joe Looney who is also out hurt. 2019 third-round pick Connor McGovern – who had played just two snaps on the OL last week – came in for Martin and played next to 2020 UDFA Terence Steele.
To make matters worse tight end Blake Jarwin, who has blocking responsibilities too, was lost for the year in Week 1 to an ACL injury.
The line, of course, was a problem on Monday night. QB Andy Dalton was endlessly harassed all night, and the offense struggled to have any downfield plays develop.
Dallas is also without free agent signing Cam Erving, who was supposed to be the swing tackle. The club hoped to activate him from IR, but he got sick prior to the game.Wyatt Miller and Mitch Hyatt were in the mix during training camp, but injuries ended their season.
The Cowboys’ offensive line is in absolute shambles going into Week 7.
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The Detroit Lions announced they have placed undrafted rookie tight end Hunter Bryant on Injured Reserve.
The Detroit Lions announced they have placed undrafted rookie tight end Hunter Bryant on Injured Reserve.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL has adjusted the short-term IR rules for 2020, meaning Bryant will be eligible to return in three weeks — after Week 8 — instead of the normal eight weeks stint.
It’s been a rough start to his NFL career for Bryant. He looked sharp through the first week of training camp but a late-week hamstring injury sidelined him for the remainder of the offseason. Fortunately, he showed enough in camp to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, with the hope that he would return by Week 3 and was not placed on IR.
Unfortunately, his hamstring lingered and he missed the first four weeks of the season. He returned to full strength during the bye but a concussion heading into week six put him back on the shelf and eventually led to his placement on IR.
This move cleared a space on the roster and the early expectation is that starting left guard Joe Dahl will be activated from his stint on IR. It’s possible that reserve running back Bo Scarbrough or reserve corner Mike Ford could also return on the off chance Dahl isn’t ready, as all three practiced this week and their health is currently being evaluated. If a move happens, it should come on Saturday.
The New Orleans Saints announced that guard Nick Easton will not return to their game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a concussion.
A rough situation just got more difficult. The New Orleans Saints announced that guard Nick Easton will not return to Monday night’s game with the Los Angeles Chargers after suffering a concussion in the first quarter. The report from the team came moments after the Chargers took a 20-3 lead midway through the second quarter.
Easton had started the game at right guard with Andrus Peat back at left guard, which was how they opened the season back in Week 1. That put rookie first round pick Cesar Ruiz on the bench, but he filled in for Easton after he stepped out. Ruiz and Easton had played very well together when Peat missed time with an ankle injury, but they’re suddenly short-handed.
If the Saints need another backup to go into the game, they’ll probably be calling on veteran reserve James Hurst. Hurst was activated after joining the Saints last week (which followed a four-week suspension for a PED violation from his time with the Baltimore Ravens) and he has experience at both left tackle and left guard.
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New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk is expected to play versus the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football after a concussion
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There was a scary moment at Ford Field in Week 4 when New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk struggled to get to his feet after a hard collision, prompting him to exit the game against the Detroit Lions and enter the NFL concussion protocol.
But Ramczyk went through the procedures and was cleared to practice on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday, and now he’s ready to get back on the field after fully participating in Saturday’s practice session. He received no formal game status — out, questionable, or otherwise — in the final injury report, and the Saints should have him back in the starting lineup on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.
His loss was felt immediately a week ago: the Saints struggled to move the ball against Detroit, with Ramczyk’s backup quickly allowing a sack. So getting him back is a tremendous upgrade. Ramczyk has been one of the NFL’s best right tackles since the Saints drafted him back in 2017, and they’ll need him to help contain superstar Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa, who is officially questionable to play with triceps and knee injuries. Bosa has already created three sacks in his first four games; he’s bagged 44 sacks in his 57-game NFL career (including the playoffs).
Since being selected with the 31st pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin, Ramczyk has started 56 of 57 possible games for the Saints (having been held out of a meaningless Week 17 game in 2018, after New Orleans secured the No. 1 NFC playoff seed). He’s consistently graded as one of the five or six best right tackles in the league, and was recognized as an AP All-Pro in both 2018 (second team) and 2019 (first team).
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