Tag: injuries

Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the guardian cap on the helmet of New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (5) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

NFL reports ‘historic low’ for concussions in 2024

Posted on | by Field Level Media

In announcing injury data for the 2024 season Thursday, the NFL said that concussions had decreased to a “historic low” as helmet safety continued to rise.

Concussions were down 17 percent from the 2023 campaign and 12 percent compared to the 2021-23 three-year average.

“Today is an important milestone but not the end of our work,” Jeff Miller, NFL executive vice president overseeing player health and safety, said in a news release. “Through improved equipment, rules modifications and a continued culture change, we will make the game safer and more exciting.”

The NFL cited the “largest safety improvement in helmets worn on field since 2021” as a key factor. Not only have helmet technology continued to evolve in recent years, 2024 was the first season that players could wear soft-shelled Guardian Caps over their helmets in games. They were previously used only in practice settings.

The league also heralded its divisive “dynamic kickoff” rule, also new in 2024. Per the NFL, the new kickoff format lowered the rate of touchbacks, raising returns by 57 percent, while lowering players’ average speeds. This meant a 43 percent decrease in concussions on kickoffs compared to the 2021-23 average, along with the fewest lower extremity strains on kickoffs since at least 2018.

“This season’s injury data underscores real progress in our efforts to reduce concussions and lower-extremity strains, key areas of focus for the league’s injury reduction strategy,” NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said in a statement. “We’re glad to see continued focus on these injuries pay off, and as always, will be using this injury data to inform and further strengthen our injury prevention and reduction approach during the offseason.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens (51) snaps the ball to quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) in a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

QB Jalen Hurts practices, but Eagles’ injuries loom large

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was a full participant in practice on Thursday after being listed as limited in the team walk-through due to a knee injury a day earlier.

Expected to play in the NFC Championship game on Sunday, Hurts was injured in the third quarter of the divisional playoff win against the Los Angeles Rams last week. He finished the game but was less mobile and noticeably limited moving laterally. Hurts helped get the Eagles out front with a career-long 44-yard TD run in the first quarter.

Tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle) and center Cam Jurgens (back) did not practice on Thursday for the second day in a row. Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson took snaps at center on Thursday, with Tyler Steen lined up at left guard.

Jurgens is a vital piece to the Eagles’ rushing attack and the left side of Philadelphia’s line has been elite when Dickerson and left tackle Jordan Mailata have been healthy.

Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. offered a warning of sorts Thursday when discussing Hurts being used more like a running back than quarterback by offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

“If he is going to run the ball, we are going to treat him like a running back. We are going to hit him that way,” Whitt said. “That’s their decision if they want to get him hit the way that he gets hit.”

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni downplayed the comments later Thursday.

“Every team is going to try to tackle Jalen like a running back. Running with the football, they’ll try to tackle him,” Sirianni said. “We’re ultimately cautious with how we use him and how we think about each play. We know how important it is to have him out there. I wouldn’t expect anything else. Jalen knows how to take care of himself.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, US; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) walks onto the field prior to the start of the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Julian Guadalupe-NorthJersey.com

Giants WR Malik Nabers edges closer to return as injuries hit NY

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Waylaid by injuries entering Week 7, the New York Giants received a smattering of good news on the medical front with the qualified return of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers.

Nabers participated in Wednesday’s practice after missing the past two games with a concussion. But head coach Brian Daboll cautioned Nabers is not entirely out of the woods or officially available for Sunday’s game.

He’s “much better,” Daboll said, and progressed through required concussion protocol but is limited to non-contact participation, notable to teammates by the red jersey he sported Wednesday.

The Giants drafted Nabers in the first round and he quickly delivered on the promise Daboll identified as a playmaker. Even after missing two full games and part of the Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Nabers is seventh in the NFL with 35 receptions and tied for 10th with three TD catches.

As one difference-maker returns, the Giants are subtracting star power elsewhere.

Left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot) had surgery Tuesday and is likely to miss the rest of the season.

Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, the active NFL co-leader in sacks with 7.0 since Aidan Hutchinson (leg) landed on IR, was unable to practice Wednesday with a hip injury. Defensive end Brian Burns has a groin injury and also not practicing to start the week.

Daboll said both players are day-to-day.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) runs with the ball after a reception during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Texans WR Nico Collins (hamstring) knocked out vs. Bills

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Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins injured a hamstring while making a 67-yard touchdown reception Sunday and was ruled out for the rest of the game against the visiting Buffalo Bills.

Collins’ touchdown and injury came in the first quarter. C.J. Stroud hit Collins on a deep ball for a touchdown that put Houston ahead 14-3 at the time, but Stroud limped off the field and into the team’s blue medical tent.

He was sent to the locker room for evaluation. Originally ruled questionable to return, he was soon downgraded to out.

Collins, 25, led the NFL in receiving yards through four weeks with 489 on 30 catches. He had two receptions for 78 yards on Sunday before exiting.

The Texans also lost safety Jimmie Ward (groin) and running back British Brooks (knee) during the course of the game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) is injured on a tackle by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khristian Boyd (97) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Eagles WR DeVonta Smith out, A.J. Brown questionable vs. Bucs

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After being leveled by a helmet-to-helmet hit in the fourth quarter of last week’s game, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith was ruled out for this Sunday against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to concussion protocol.

The Eagles may not be down both of their top two receivers, however, as A.J. Brown (hamstring) returned to practice Friday in a limited capacity and was deemed questionable for Sunday.

In the Eagles’ 15-12 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3, Smith caught a short pass and his forward progress was stopped. He was being driven backward by two players before Saints defensive tackle Khristian Boyd came from behind and blindsided Smith with a helmet-to-helmet hit. Smith lay prone on the ground for several minutes before eventually walking off the field for evaluation.

Boyd was fined $4,600 for the hit Friday.

Smith, the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner, has 21 catches for 239 yards and one touchdown through three games in 2024. In 53 career games (52 starts) for Philadelphia, he has racked up 261 receptions for 3,417 yards and 20 TDs.

Brown, meanwhile, hasn’t played since the Eagles’ Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers in Brazil. He had five catches for 119 yards and a touchdown in that game.

He was a DNP at Eagles’ practices before Friday. The three-time Pro Bowler has 384 receptions, 6,066 yards and 43 touchdowns in his six-year career with the Tennessee Titans (2019-21) and Eagles (2022-24).

Right tackle Lane Johnson (concussion) is also questionable for the Eagles.

Tampa Bay ruled out defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (calf) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot). Wide receiver Jalen McMillian (hamstring) is doubtful, while five players — rookie running back Bucky Irving (hamstring), receiver Kameron Johnson (ankle), tight end Ko Kieft (ankle), right tackle Luke Goedeke (concussion) and nose tackle Vita Vea (knee) — were deemed questionable after practicing in limited fashion Friday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Texans RBs Joe Mixon (ankle), Dameon Pierce (hamstring) sit out practice

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The Houston Texans are closing in on having to rely on Cam Akers at running back for a second straight week, as fellow running backs Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce missed practice for a second straight day on Thursday.

Pierce, the team’s leading rusher as a rookie in 2022, is battling a hamstring injury. Mixon, who joined the Texans in the offseason after starring for the Cincinnati Bengals for seven seasons, is considered week-to-week after suffering a sprained ankle against the Chicago Bears in Week 2.

Mixon, 28, is the team’s leading rusher with 184 yards on 39 carries despite missing the Texans’ 34-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week.

In his absence, Akers, 25, scraped out just 21 yards on nine carries (2.3 yards per carry) to lead the team. The Texans (2-1) managed just 38 yards on the ground as a team.

Pierce, 24, has also missed significant time, appearing in just one game this season (Week 1 vs. the Indianapolis Colts), running the ball three times for 16 yards. The team is optimistic he can return soon, though he sat out his second straight practice Thursday.

Pierce ran for 939 yards in 2022 before running for 416 yards last season.

Wide receiver Tank Dell (hand/ribs) and safety Jimmie Ward (groin) also didn’t practice Thursday, as the Texans prepare to host the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) on Sunday.

Wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (shoulder) participated on a limited basis.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars had a new addition to the injury report in linebacker Devin Lloyd (knee). Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun already was reported out with a foot issue, plantar fasciitis, and is expected to miss several weeks. Tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) has been out since warmups against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 15.

Listed as limited on Thursday were running back Tank Bigsby (shoulder), offensive lineman Cam Robinson (knee), wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder) and defensive backs Darnell Savage (quadricep), Jarrian Jones (shoulder) and Montaric Brown (chest).

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) pressures Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Lions’ Marcus Davenport (triceps) likely to miss rest of season

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Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell announced Monday that defensive end Marcus Davenport is likely out for the remainder of the season due to an elbow injury he sustained in Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals.

The nature of the injury is a torn triceps, ESPN reported. Campbell added that the 28-year-old was looking into other options regarding the treatment of the injury.

The Lions signed Davenport via free agency in March to a one-year deal worth $7.095 million. He recorded a half-sack in Week 1 vs. the Rams, then sat out Week 2 due to a groin injury.

This is Davenport’s seventh season in the league, having played his first five years with the New Orleans Saints and last year with the Minnesota Vikings. His most productive season was in 2021, when he finished with nine sacks, 39 tackles, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 11 games.

Injuries have hindered Davenport throughout his career. After being selected with the 14th pick in the 2018 draft, he played in just 63 games in his five seasons in New Orleans and just four games last season in Minnesota.

His is one of many injuries that the Lions, who advanced to the NFC Championship Game last season, are dealing with.

Campbell said Monday linebacker Derrick Barnes will be out “a significant amount of time” with a knee injury he suffered Sunday. Meanwhile, three-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow reportedly sustained a torn pectoral muscle Sunday and is considered week-to-week.

Tight end Sam LaPorta, who was named a Pro Bowler last year in his rookie season, was carted off with an ankle injury. The team is saying he’s day-to-day with a low ankle sprain.

Safety Brian Branch, another player who emerged as a rookie last season, is also day-to-day with a concussion. Campbell said Branch is in the protocol but “was doing pretty good.”

–Field Level Media

December 19, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews (70) during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons try to regroup following slew of injuries to key players

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The good news for the Atlanta Falcons is that they remain in the hunt to win the NFC South with four games left to play in the 2023 season.

The bad news for Arthur Smith’s team is that it’s now dealing with a rash of injuries to key players at a particularly important point in the playoff race.

Atlanta (6-7, 3-1 NFC South) entered Sunday’s matchup with Tampa Bay without five starters: right tackle Kaleb McGary, center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle David Onyemata, linebacker Nate Landman and cornerback Jeff Okudah. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (torn ACL) and linebacker Troy Andersen (pectoral) are both already out for the year.

But in the 29-25 loss to the Bucs, the Falcons also lost left tackle Jake Matthews, right guard Chris Lindstrom and defensive tackle Kentavius Street, leaving the team decimated in the trenches prior to a crucial upcoming road game against the Carolina Panthers (1-12, 0-4).

Smith seemed optimistic about the return of Matthews and Lindstrom for this week’s upcoming game, but he wasn’t as confident when asked about the availability of Onyemata, Landman, McGary, Dalman and Okudah.

“I think (Matthews and Lindstrom) have a real chance to play this week,” Smith said. “We’ll know more later in the week on the others.”

Atlanta is still awaiting the results of a second opinion on Street, who suffered a pectoral injury. Street stepped into Jarrett’s spot along the defensive front after the Pro Bowler went down.

“It may not be as bad as we thought,” Smith said. “But we’ll see.”

Storm Norton started in place of McGary and Ryan Neuzil took by far his most snaps of the season Sunday in place of Dalman.

Tyler Vrabel, who was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday, filled in for Matthews when he went down. Kyle Hinton stepped up and replaced Lindstrom when he exited, which left the Falcons with just one regular starting O-lineman, left guard Matthew Bergeron, in the game in the second half.

Defensively, Andre Smith started in place of Landman and had eight tackles and a forced fumble. Rookie Clark Phillips III got the start in place of Okudah and was credited with five tackles and two passes defended. But he had a costly holding penalty on Tampa Bay’s game-winning drive shortly after Atlanta took a 25-22 lead with 3:23 left to play.

Two weeks ago, Phillips filled in for A.J. Terrell when he was ruled out with a concussion.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had a run these last two weeks with injuries,” Smith said. “A lot of different O-linemen are playing, some D-linemen are playing and it’s our job to problem-solve and find ways to go win. We got to regroup and try to get back on track this week because we still have of opportunities ahead of us”

–Matthews has made a franchise-record 157 consecutive starts at left tackle. It is the longest active streak in the NFL. That streak could be in jeopardy if he is unable to play against Carolina.

–Drake London set career highs in catches (10) and yards (172) in the loss to the Bucs. It was the most yards by an Atlanta wideout since Julio Jones had 173 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Buffalo Bills guard Rodger Saffold (76) entire the field in the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Jets add free agent Rodger Saffold to help banged-up O-line

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The New York Jets signed veteran guard Rodger Saffold to their practice squad among a number of other roster moves Tuesday.

Saffold, 35, has yet to play this season after back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons with the Tennessee Titans (2021) and Buffalo Bills (2022). Amid a number of injuries on the offensive line, New York intends to promote Saffold to the active roster, ESPN reported.

Saffold started 173 of his 176 career NFL games for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2010-18), Titans (2019-21) and Bills. He was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2017.

The Jets also signed defensive lineman Tanzel Smart and offensive lineman Dennis Kelly to their active roster, added defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes to the practice squad and placed center Connor McGovern, guard/center Wes Schweitzer and defensive tackle Al Woods on injured reserve.

Jets coach Robert Saleh said on Monday that McGovern (dislocated kneecap) and Schweitzer (calf) have a chance to return this season. Woods tore his Achilles and is out for the year.

McGovern left Sunday’s win over the New York Giants in the second quarter. Schweitzer slid over from right guard to replace him at center before exiting with his own injury.

Fourth-string offensive lineman Xavier Newman, elevated from the practice squad for the game, ended up playing 72 percent of the offensive snaps. The Jets entered the game without guard/backup center Joe Tippman (quad).

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores a touchdown in the game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Giants RB Saquon Barkley ‘alright’ after hyperextending elbow

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Running back Saquon Barkley said he hyperextended his elbow during the New York Giants’ 14-7 win over the visiting Washington Commanders on Sunday.

The brief injury scare did not stop Barkley from returning to the game and catching what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown in the second quarter for New York (2-5).

Barkley was attended to by trainers during the Giants’ second possession. He hurt his left elbow when he was tackled out of bounds into a kicking net by Jamin Davis of Washington.

Matt Breida took two handoffs while Barkley was out, but he returned on the Giants’ next drive wearing a sleeve on his left arm.

“I’ll be alright,” Barkley told reporters postgame.

Barkley finished Sunday’s game with 77 rushing yards on 21 carries and three receptions for 41 yards.

Barkley had already missed three games this season with an ankle sprain. This latest knock came days after Barkley insisted he did not want the Giants to trade him, and the Giants in turn told Barkley they planned to keep him past the trade deadline.

Barkley played in 16 games last season and totaled a career-high 1,312 rushing yards. But he and the Giants couldn’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal, as he settled for an adjusted franchise tag.

In six seasons with the Giants, Barkley has rushed for 4,533 yards and 30 touchdowns on 1,028 carries in 64 games (all starts). He also has 263 receptions for 1,907 yards and 10 touchdowns.

In the same game Sunday, the Giants saw reserve running backs Gary Brightwell (hamstring) and Eric Gray (calf) exit with injuries. The Commanders lost Cody Barton to an ankle injury and guard Saahdiq Charles to a calf issue.

–Field Level Media