⛑️ Week 4 Injury Round-Up ⛑️

    Written by: Tyler Zajac

    Injury Round Up

    Micah Parsons

    Week 5 is here and four teams have bye weeks so that their players can rest and tend to injuries they have sustained. Some teams however, have another week of battle and injuries from week 4 could hurt their performance.

    Rashee Rice (Knee, Possible ACL)

    Rashee Rice has had some confusion surrounding his injury and length of time he will be out after colliding with Patrick Mahomes and suffering a significant knee injury. What was first called a probable ACL and season ending now appears to be less clear and includes possibilities of return earlier.

    Though it is still a long shot he returns this season, our own Dr. Matt gave his update on the situation which you can find below. In the video he discusses partial ACL tears, swelling issues and damage to surrounding structures as reasons for the waters being murky currently. The team should have more information within a week and at that point would make the decision on his injury prognosis.

    Christian Watson (High Ankle Sprain)

    Christian Watson got rolled up Sunday suffering a high ankle sprain. This type of injury usually causes between 3-5 weeks of missed time in wide receivers, but HC Matt Lafleur has said “I assume he would probably be out a week or so”.

    Though severity plays a big part in lost time during these situations, judging by his Watsons reaction after injury and his ride on the medical cart, the “or so” might have a heavy lean when it comes to Christians missed time. I would expect at least 2 weeks missed and up to 3 to get back to what wideouts need to e able to do on the gridiron.

    Joe Burrow (Ankle Sprain)

    Burrow was stepped on Sunday and came up limping heavily following the event. Fortunately for Bengals fans he was able to continue to play and led the Bengals to their first win of the season.

    Despite the injury the fact that Burrow finished the game and seemed to move around ok, I don’t foresee any missed time for Burrow or any drop in performance over the coming weeks. This will be an injury that he gets treated over the course of the week and possibly even some rest time but ultimately plays on come Sunday in a big match-up against the Ravens.

    Anthony Richardson (Hip Pointer/Abdominal)

    Richardson left the game this past week with what was originally was called a hip pointer and since has also been described as an abdominal/oblique injury. All of which is important for the torque needed to throw the ball and as a dual threat QB, change of direction and mobility.

    The Colts said after the injury that Richardson could have possibly stayed in the game but that at the time of injury, they chose to play it safe being up by 17 points. Richardson should be able to play this week but will most likely log some limited practices. The data would suggest a decrease in performance this weekend however so if he is your fantasy QB you may want to think of another option.

    Jonathan Taylor (High Ankle Sprain)

    Taylor came out of Sunday banged up as he is deals with what is being referred to as a “Mild” high ankle sprain. The RB said despite the injury he “felt good” after the game and “ready to attack the week”. Some of that optimism may have been due to the adrenaline still pumping through his body at the time of the interview, however.

    That most likely caught up with him as the swelling increased and stiffness crept in as does with most high ankle sprains regardless of the severity. High ankle sprains are tough injuries as they can be played on (as was the case with Justin Herbert’s) but often lead to re-injury or a large decrease in performance. Taylors position at RB is much different than a QB in what is asked of him, and it would not be a surprise if he sits a week. If he is able to play, I would worry about a drop in rushing yards due to the injury.

    Micah Parsons (Ankle Injury)

    Parsons suffered an ankle injury during Thursdays divisional match-up between the Cowboys and Giants. The Cowboys won the game but lost two top defenders including Demarcus Lawrence to IR for a Lisfranc foot injury and Micah to his ankle injury for at least a week it seems.

    Parsons is a warrior when it comes to injuries. He has played through countless and hasn’t missed an NFL game in his career for an injury yet. That may all change this week as it seems he won’t suit up against the Steelers this week and will rest his ankle. A smart decision by the leader of that Cowboys defensive unit. The Cowboys have a Bye week during week 7 and we will have to follow whether Parsons sits through the bye week or takes less time to nurse his injury.