Tag: injured reserve

Bears place TE Trey Burton on injured reserve, promote LB James Vaughters

The Bears have placed tight end Trey Burton on injured reserve after a season-long struggle with injury.

After a season-long struggle with injuries, tight end Trey Burton has been placed on injured reserve by the Bears.

Burton’s struggles have been well-documented this season, as he’s dealt with a lingering groin injury since the start of the season and his production dipped significantly.

Burton, who was one of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s top targets in 2018, caught 54 passes for 569 yards and six touchdowns last season. He finishes this year with 14 catches for 84 yards.

Last week against the Lions, Burton exited the game with a calf injury. He was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Rams prior to being placed on IR.

Chicago is thin at tight end, as Adam Shaheen has also been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Rams. Ben Braunecker and Bradley Sowell are the Bears’ lone tight ends on the active roster.

The Bears promoted linebacker James Vaughters from the practice squad in his place, as linebacker Isaiah Irving will miss his third straight game with a quad injury. Vaughters will see his third straight action for Chicago.

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Lions Week 11 injury designations: Matthew Stafford, Da’Shawn Hand, Rick Wagner ruled OUT

The Detroit Lions have declared their injury designations for Week 11, ruling out Matthew Stafford, Da’Shawn Hand, and Rick Wagner.

The Detroit Lions (3-5-1) have declared their inactives list ahead of a Week 11 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys (5-4) at Ford Field. Coach Matt Patricia indicated Matthew Stafford would not play this weekend and that has now been confirmed.

Stafford wasn’t the only Lions’ player ruled out for this game and several more players were listed as questionable to play. So let’s take a closer look at each player’s situation and set their expectations for Sunday.

Ruled OUT

QB Matthew Stafford (back, hip)
RT Rick Wagner (concussion)
DL Da’Shawn Hand (ankle)

Stafford being ruled out isn’t overly surprising as he has been unable to practice this week, but Patricia indicated that he is progressing through the medical plan and working hard to get healthy. Jeff Driskel will start under center this week — and maybe the foreseeable future.

Wagner has also been unable to practice all week, unable to pass through the league’s concussion protocol. Tyrell Crosby will start at right tackle while Wagner deals with his concussion.

Hand has is now on week two of not practicing and he will miss his second game in a row since returning from his training camp elbow injury.

Questionable

RB Ty Johnson (concussion)
DT Damon Harrison (groin)
DE Romeo Okwara (groin)
S Tracy Walker (knee)
P Sam Martin (abdomen)

Johnson was a full participant on Friday meaning he only needs to pass an independent medical exam to fulfill the league’s requirements for returning to the field after a concussion. He has a real chance to play on Sunday.

Harrison is listed as questionable, per usual, but this has not limited him in previous weeks — expectations are that he starts against the Cowboys.

Okwara has now put together back-to-back limited practices suggesting he will be a game-time decision on Sunday.

Walker returned to the practice field for the first time in three weeks, which is a very positive sign, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he will play this weekend. He could also be a game-time decision.

Martin was limited all week, but with no other punter on the roster, it’s very likely he plays — like last week.

Not listed with an injury designation

WR Danny Amendola (hand)
LB/S Miles Killebrew (concussion)
NT John Atkins (wrist)
DT Mike Daniels (foot)
DT A’Shawn Robinson (ankle, thumb)
CB Darius Slay (neck)
S Will Harris (quad)

By not being listed on the injury report, it appears Killebrew has passed the NFL’s concussion protocol. He’s good to play on Sunday.

Slay, Harris, and Atkins were a bit banged up this week but all appear to have mended minor injuries. While Amendola, Robinson, and Daniels have been dealing with injuries for a few weeks now, but being listed with no designation is a great sign for their longterm status.

All players listed in this section had a full practice on Friday.

Broncos make 2 roster moves

The Broncos activated wide receiver Tim Patrick (hand) to the 53-man roster and placed cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) on injured reserve.

The Denver Broncos will activate wide receiver Tim Patrick (hand) from injured reserve to the 53-man roster, coach Vic Fangio announced Friday. Patrick is now eligible to play against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

To make room for Patrick on the active roster, Denver will place cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) on injured reserve, ending his season. It’s been a dissapointing year for Callahan, who hasn’t been able to fully recover from a foot injury that he suffered while playing for the Chicago Bears in 2018.

Callahan (5-9, 188 pounds) signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Broncos in March but didn’t play in any games season. If he is able to get healthy this offseason, the 28-year-old cornerback could still emerge as one of the team’s top cornerbacks in 2020. Callahan has totaled 123 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions since 2015.

Patrick (6-5, 212 pounds) broke his hand in Week 1 and missed the last eight games while on IR. It’s safe to say quarterback Brandon Allen is excited about the wide receiver’s return to the 53-man roster.

“He’s great,” Allen said Wednesday. “In the short time I’ve been with him he’s been great, obviously knows the offense. He’s been here and he’s a big, physical target. Any time you have two of those guys like Courtland [Sutton] and him it’s going to be a mismatch for a lot of defenses, and I think he’ll bring another element to our offense.”

Sutton (6-3, 218 pounds) is also excited about Patrick’s return.

“It’s exciting to have him back because he does so much,” Sutton said Wednesday. “He can run plays from the slot because he’s shifty. He can go make the big play on the sideline because he’s a big guy. He’s fast and he’s smart.

“Everything that you want out of receiver — [including] his size — he does it and he does it really, really well. It’s exciting to have him come back and I know everyone on our team is excited to have him back if he comes back this week.”

Denver’s 53-man roster and 10-man practice squad are now both full.

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Quincy Enunwa upset with Jets after being fined for missing treatment

The Jets have another angry player mad for how the team is handling his injury. This time it’s wide receiver Quincy Enunwa.

Add Quincy Enunwa to the list of injured Jets angry with the organization.

Enunwa, who’s been on injured reserve with a neck injury since mid-September, posted a series of angry tweets directed at the Jets for fining him $27,900 for missing two injury treatments.

Enunwa later specified that he only missed those treatments because he was taking his wife, Deanna, out for Veteran’s Day lunch and because he had a family emergency. Deanna Enunwa served in the U.S. Army from 2007-2010, according to her LinkedIn account.

“The biggest reason it hurts is that I’m on IR for the second time in my career and the doctor told me I have a 50/50 chance of coming back to play,” Enunwa later tweeted. “I shouldn’t even HAVE to be in that building being reminded every day of what I can’t do.

“This s—- feels like punishment already and then they FINE me the max. And then want me to continue to do my rehab there and IF I get healthy they want me to then play for them after.”

Enunwa says he only posted the tweets because multiple teammates told him it’s “f—-ed up” that the Jets are fining him for missing treatments.

This isn’t the first time the Jets have been less than hospitable to their injured players. Lest we forgot the Kelechi Osemele injury debacle in which the Jets denied the guard surgery for a torn labrum, fined him for missing practice and ultimately cut Osemele for getting surgery on his own. Osemele filed a grievance against the Jets before they cut him. Shortly after that, quarterback Luke Falk also filed a grievance against the team for cutting him after he suffered a hip injury that required surgery.

Joe Douglas is less than six months into his tenure as the Jets general manager and he already has three bad injury situations on his ledger. Not only are all three a terrible look for the Jets organization, but the pattern means there is definitely something wrong with the front office’s ability to deal with injuries.

Enunwa signed a four-year, $36 million contract extension with the Jets last offseason, and the Jets need to do right by a player who has battled multiple injuries since being drafted in the sixth round of 2014 draft.

Broncos injuries: Bryce Callahan likely headed for injured reserve

The Broncos are expected to place cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) on injured reserve, ending his season.

After cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) missed practice again Thursday, Broncos coach Vic Fangio said “it’s looking more and more” likely that the defensive back will be placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Callahan, 28, signed a three-year, $21 million contract with Denver in March. He has been sidelined with a foot injury all season.

Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (hand) is expected to be activated from injured reserve to the 53-man roster this week and Denver will have to make a corresponding move to make room for him on the roster. The team might place Callahan on IR to create Patrick’s roster spot.

The Broncos’ complete Thursday injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate. N/L = not listed.

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Status
CB Bryce Callahan Foot DNP DNP
TE Jeff Heuerman Knee Limited Limited
OT Ja’Wuan James Knee Limited Limited
CB Duke Dawson Foot Full Full
RB Phillip Lindsay Wrist Full Full
DB Will Parks Hand Full Full
DE DeMarcus Walker Shoulder Full Full
WR DaeSean Hamilton Knee N/L Limited

The Minnesota Vikings’ complete injury report can be seen below.

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Status
DT Linval Joseph Knee DNP DNP
OG Josh Kline Concussion DNP DNP
DT Shamar Stephen Knee DNP Full
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring DNP DNP
CB Mackensie Alexander Groin Limited Full
DB Anthony Harris  Groin Limited DNP
OL Brett Jones Knee Limited DNP
DB Andrew Sendejo Groin Limited Limited
CB Trae Waynes Ankle Limited Full
FB C.J. Ham Ankle Full Full
LB Eric Kendricks Hip Full Full
DE Ifeadi Odenigbo Shoulder Full Full
CB Xavier Rhodes Elbow Full Full
DT Armon Watts Elbow Full Full

Sunday’s game will air on CBS at 11:00 a.m. MT (view the TV map here).

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Matthew Stafford still out Thursday, Ty Johnson and Romeo Okwara return to practice

Detroit Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford was still not able to practice on Thursday while running back Ty Johnson and edge rusher Romeo Okwara returned to the field.

The Detroit Lions were back on the practice field on Thursday preparing for a Week 11 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys (5-4) at Ford Field, and once again they were without Matthew Stafford.

It wasn’t all bad news for the Lions though as running back Ty Johnson and edge rusher Romeo Okwara were able to return to the field for limited practices.

Let’s take a closer look at what we know.

Thursday’s changes to the participation report

RB Ty Johnson (concussion) — upgraded to limited
DE Romeo Okwara (groin) — upgraded to limited
LB/S Miles Killebrew (concussion) — upgraded to full
NT John Atkins (wrist) — upgraded to full
CB Darius Slay (neck) — downgraded to limited practice
S Will Harris (quad) — downgraded to limited practice
DT Damon Harrison (groin) — veteran rest day

Johnson getting back on the field is a step in the right direction for him clearing the NFL’s concussion protocol, but he’s not out of the woods yet. Johnson is in the later stages of the process, but doctors’ examinations and time may still be needed.

Okwara has been unable to practice for the last seven days, but a return to the field today suggests he has a chance to play this weekend. Tomorrow’s participation level will get us closer to knowing his game status but he may be headed to a game-time decision.

Like Johnson, Killebrew appears to be moving through the league’s concussion protocol. From an outside perspective, it appears as he only needs to pass an independent medical exam to be cleared for game day.

Atkins’ injury appears to only be minor as he has missed very little time because of it. He’s on track to play.

Slay was not on the injury report for one day, then suffered a neck injury that limited him today. He continues his season of injury and his status will be worth monitoring tomorrow.

Harris was also a full participant on Wednesday, then a quad injury limited him today. Mid-week injuries tend to be problematic, so this is another situation worth paying attention to tomorrow.

Harrison practiced in full yesterday and is getting his weekly rest day today, as is typical since injuring his groin. Expect him to be a limited or full participant on Friday and carry a questionable designation into the game.

Not Practicing Thursday

QB Matthew Stafford (back, hip)
RT Rick Wagner (concussion)
DL Da’Shawn Hand (ankle)
S Tracy Walker (knee)

Stafford missing another practice is not ideal but it’s also not surprising. At this time, there is no timetable for his return to game action.

Wagner not taking the field today suggests his status for this weekend’s game is very much in doubt, as passing the league concussion protocol will be difficult. If he is unable to play, Tyrell Crosby will continue to start at right tackle.

Hand and Walker continuing to miss practices indicate they may be long shots to play this Sunday. There’s still time, but these look like they are the type of long-term injuries that the Lions like to take their time with.

Limited

P Sam Martin (abdomen)

Martin is limited once again, but with no other punter on the roster, he appears on track to play.

Full participants

DT Mike Daniels (foot)
DT A’Shawn Robinson (ankle, thumb)
WR Danny Amendola (hand)

Good news for all three participants here, as consistency here, equals progress.

Drew Lock badly wants to play but he’s trusting Broncos’ coaching staff

“I want to play badly, but again, I’ve said it before, I trust the coaches,” Broncos quarterback Drew Lock said.

After injuring his thumb in a preseason game, Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock was sidelined for nearly three months before finally returning to practice Tuesday. Lock is still on injured reserve and his return to practice trigged a 21-day window for Denver to make a decision about his season.

The Broncos have three weeks to decide if Lock will be activated to the 53-man roster or spend the rest of the season on reserve. Lock’s not worrying about that at the moment, he’s just happy to be back on the field.

“It had been a long time [since I last practiced],” Lock said Wednesday. “It was like a dream come true coming back out here. It’s like I’m starting my journey back in the NFL all over again. It feels good to be finally back out there with the guys.

“It’s different because you’re involved with the team when you’re not practicing, but it doesn’t feel the same when you’re not actually out there doing it with them. To finally be able to be out there and be around the guys and toss the ball around a little bit, it felt really good.”

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver keep Lock on reserve for the next two games (on the road against the Vikings and another road game against the Bills) before activating him to be Brandon Allen‘s backup. By season’s end, Lock will probably be starting.

The QB may still be a few weeks away from even being a backup, though.

“Any guy that is a competitor is going to want to play today,” Lock said. “I want to play badly, but again, I’ve said it before, I trust the coaches. I trust their plan for me.

“If their plan is three weeks, their plan is three weeks. If their plan is two, whatever — whatever their plan is, I’ll be here and ready for them.”

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Seahawks tied for 2nd-most players on the injured reserve

The Seattle Seahawks are no stranger to the injury bug. They’re still finding ways to win despite having one of the highest injury totals.

Injuries, like in any sport, are a part of the game of football. Some injuries can derail seasons and others can, unfortunately, end careers. The Seattle Seahawks are no stranger to the injury bug, but they aren’t letting it impact them this year.

Heading into their bye week, the Seahawks are tied with the Texans, Jaguars, and Broncos with 13 players on the injured reserve. That is good for the second total, behind only the Falcons. Of that group, Seattle surpasses only the Falcons in terms of money on the IR.

The teams at the top of the list, at least financially, lost their starting quarterbacks. The Seahawks find themselves near the top in both categories because of the sheer quantity of players on the IR – although they have been fortunate that the impact felt by many of those losses has been minimal. As such, the team’s record is 8-2, and they just dethroned the last undefeated team in the league.

One of the biggest contributors to Seattle’s cap money tied to the IR is tight end Ed Dickson, who is expected to be activated soon. His return will be a big help on the field, which only adds to the potential of this team down the stretch.

Even though the Seahawks haven’t lost a player like Ben Roethlisberger or Cam Newton, they are still stinging from the losses of starting center Justin Britt and tight end Will Dissly.

Hopefully, the “big money” injury (a la Russell Wilson or Tyler Lockett) isn’t on the horizon and the team can continue to heal.

On the other end of the bye week, the Seahawks will be taking on the  Eagles, likely with the help of Dickson.

A healthy Dickson not only lowers the amount of money tied up on the injured reserve, but it also gives Seattle more depth at a key area of need for the rest of the season.

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Saints designate Keith Kirkwood to return from injured reserve

The New Orleans Saints started a 21-day countdown for wide receiver Keith Kirkwood to practice with the team and return from injured reserve

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Reinforcements might be on the way for the New Orleans Saints wide receiver corps. Second-year pro Keith Kirkwood practiced on Wednesday, hours after Saints coach Sean Payton commended his progress in recovering from an early-season hamstring injury. Kirkwood has been on the shelf since hurting himself in pregame warmups back in Week 2, but the Saints designated him to return from injured reserve on the official league transactions wire.

This starts the clock on a 21-day window for Kirkwood to practice and be promoted to the 53-man roster, or else revert to the injured reserve list. It’s unclear which game the Saints are targeting in-house for him to make his return, though the earliest he’d be eligible would be Week 13’s game with the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 28, per NFL rules.

If Kirkwood is able to suit up again this season, it’s easy to see how he could help the team. They have a wide-open void at the wide receiver position opposite Michael Thomas, who has caught 86 of the groups’ 116 receptions this year. The Saints weren’t able to find any last-minute upgrades at the NFL trade deadline, so Kirkwood might be their last remaining hope for to receiving corps to suddenly improve.

Teams are allowed to bring back two players from injured reserve each season, though it’s tough to say which Saints players may qualify. We can parse the list down a bit, however, because NFL rules stipulate only players who started the year on the 53-man roster may return from injured reserve later that season. That excludes most of the players on the list, which you can find below:

 

  • C/G Cameron Tom (ineligible)
  • LB Alex Anzalone
  • LB Kaden Elliss
  • LB Colton Jumper (ineligible)
  • LB Josh Martin (ineligible)
  • TE Garrett Griffin (ineligible)
  • WR Keith Kirkwood (designated to return)

Payton said earlier this year that starting middle linebacker Alex Anzalone would miss the rest of the season after shoulder surgery, so he won’t be a candidate. That leaves rookie linebacker Kaden Elliss as the only option left, but he tore his ACL on Sept. 22. There’s no way he’ll be recovered from that in time to play later this season. So don’t expect anyone but Kirkwood to return from injured reserve in 2019.

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WATCH: Cam Newton is reportedly open to joining Chicago Bears next season

Cam Newton plans to have surgery on his foot and that the career-long Panther would be open to joining the Chicago Bears next season.

A little more than a week after the Panthers placed Cam Newton on injured reserve, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the quarterback plans to have surgery on his foot and that the career-long Panther would be open to joining the Chicago Bears next season.

Newton has one year left on his contract with the Panthers after back-to-back offseason shoulder injuries, and now two consecutive seasons shortened by injury. The Panthers will owe Newton $19.1 million in 2020, with a salary-cap hit of $21.1 million, but that $19.1 million is not guaranteed.

The 30-year-old got hurt during the preseason, then again in Week 2 when a foot injury ended his season. Initially, the injury was not seen as being as severe as it became. Deemed a Lisfranc injury, the left foot injury could be made better by surgery to repair the torn ligament in Newton’s foot.

Surgery and an 8-10 week recovery period would make Newton “very tradable,” (according to Rapoport) to a team like the Bears. The plan is something that Rapoport says “from my understanding, Cam Newton would in fact welcome.”

Bears head coach Matt Nagy is in need of improvement at the quarterback position. Mitchell Trubisky, who the franchise drafted second overall in 2017, has regressed this season.