Oct 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns QB DeShaun Watson tears Achilles, reportedly out for season

Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson suffered an Achilles injury on a non-contact play during Sunday’s game, the team announced, and will reportedly miss the rest of the season.

Former longtime NFL team doctor David J. Chao posted on X that Watson would need season-ending surgery after he suffered a right Achilles tendon rupture, calling the injury a “telltale calf reverberation.”

On a running play late in the second quarter against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals, Watson’s right knee buckled, causing the three-time Pro Bowl selection to fall to the ground in obvious pain. Once he was loaded into the back of the cart, Watson, with a towel over his head, was visibly emotional as he was brought back to the locker room.

Before the injury, Watson was 15-of-17 passing for 128 yards against the Bengals. Watson, 29, entered Sunday with 1,020 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions through six games (all starts) this season.

In his third season with Cleveland after four seasons with Houston, Watson entered Sunday’s start having thrown for 17,776 yards, 123 touchdowns and 48 interceptions in 72 games (71 starts) since entering the league in 2017 as the Texans’ first-round pick (No. 12 overall).

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round pick by Cleveland, took over Watson in his first appearance in 2024. Thompson-Robinson, 24, played in eight games (three starts) last year, completing just 60 of 112 passes for 440 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.

Jameis Winston is the Browns’ emergency quarterback and would only play if Thompson-Robinson was ruled out of Sunday’s game with an injury.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Amherst, Massachusetts, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12)  waits for the snap of the ball during the first half against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Missouri QB Brady Cook (ankle) leaves game vs. Auburn

Missouri quarterback Brady Cook left Saturday’s game against Auburn in the first quarter with an ankle injury.

Cook came up limping on the first series for No. 19 Missouri after his leg came out from under him on a non-contact play. He jogged off the field with a trainer.

The third-year starter, who is a St. Louis-area native, was replaced by veteran quarterback Drew Pyne, who previously played at Notre Dame and Arizona State.

The school said at the start of the second half that Cook would not return.

Cook completed 3 of 4 pass attempts for 37 yards before he departed with just under 12 minutes left in the first quarter.

In an interview on Sports Radio 810WHB earlier this week, Cook said he had been “a little dinged up, lower-body wise” but was feeling good and “ready to make some plays this weekend.”

Entering Saturday’s game, Cook had thrown for 1,351 yards with seven touchdowns and an interception in the first six games. He had added four rushing touchdowns.

Prior to Saturday, he appeared in 40 games over five seasons for the Tigers, with 7,824 passing yards, 45 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also had 1,110 rushing yards and 19 TDs.

The game was tied 3-3 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA;  Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) watches the action on the field from the sideline Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Anthony Richardson (hip, oblique) practices in full with Colts

Anthony Richardson took a big step toward returning to game action Thursday when he practiced with the Indianapolis Colts as a full participant for the first time since being knocked out of their Week 4 win over Pittsburgh.

Richardson is nursing hip and oblique injuries and was limited in practice every day last week before being ruled out for the Colts’ game at Jacksonville, a 37-34 loss. The quarterback was limited again Wednesday before fully participating Thursday.

At the start of the week, Colts coach Shane Steichen said the QB1 job is Richardson’s as soon as the former fourth overall draft pick is healthy, despite stellar play from veteran backup Joe Flacco.

Richardson, 22, has been limited to eight NFL games (all starts) due to injuries, including a throwing shoulder injury last season that led him to undergo AC joint surgery in October. In four games this year, he has completed 50.6 percent of his passes for 654 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions, while adding 141 rushing yards with one score.

The Colts (2-3) play at the Tennessee Titans (1-3) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA;  Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) rushes with the football during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Vikings RB Aaron Jones (hip) out for rest of game vs. Jets

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones sustained a right hip injury and was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets in London.

Jones had seven carries for 29 yards and one catch for 24 yards before he left the game. The 29-year-old entered this weekend with 464 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) in his first four games of the season.

Jones also exited his game in Week 2 because of a hip injury. After he was hurt Sunday against the Jets, he limped along the sidelines, put his hands on his hips and tilted his head backward in frustration.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA;  Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) injured in the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Report: Cowboys LB Micah Parsons has high ankle sprain; DE could miss weeks

Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons could miss time with a high ankle sprain, the diagnosis received by the two-time All-Pro following an MRI exam on Friday, NFL Network reported.

Parsons said after the Cowboys defeated the Giants on Thursday night that X-rays on his ankle were negative. He was one of three key defenders who left the field injured in New Jersey and was captured following the return flight to Texas by TV cameras heavily limping and attempting to keep weight off of his left leg.

NFL Network reported defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) is expected to miss multiple games and could be out until after the team’s Week 7 bye following an MRI exam on Friday. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (leg) was helped to the sideline during the 20-15 victory but his issue was thought to be related to hydration.

Parsons briefly left the game with a neck injury but returned before he was carted to the locker room because of the ankle issue. He told ESPN on Thursday night he would ice his ankle and “try to get back next week.”

The Cowboys (2-2) have an extended break before Week 5 with what appears to be a challenging stretch ahead. The Cowboys play the Steelers (3-0) in primetime Oct. 6 at Pittsburgh and host the Detroit Lions (2-1) in Week 6 before a bye week. The Cowboys return for a Sunday night matchup with the San Francisco 49ers (1-2) on Oct. 27.

Parsons got hurt with 3:30 left as he was being blocked low by guard Greg Van Roten and high by center John Michael Schmitz Jr. Van Roten appeared to come down on the back of Parsons’ foot.

Lawrence said X-rays on his foot were negative, though he also is headed for an MRI exam, as well. He said, according to Yahoo Sports, “I’ll be back in no time.”

Both Parsons and Lawrence had two tackles and Monday, and Lawrence had one sack.

Parsons, 25, was selected a first-team All-Pro in two of his previous three NFL seasons and averaged 13.5 sacks per year.

Lawrence, 32, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He has 61.5 career sacks in 141 NFL games.

–Field Level Media

August 18, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Curtis Robinson (36) during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

49ers LB Curtis Robinson carted off at practice with leg injury

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Curtis Robinson had to be carted off the field early in the team’s practice on Thursday.

The 49ers’ practice report issued later in the day listed Robinson as having a knee injury.

Robinson, 26, has played in three games this season solely on special teams. He has made 10 tackles in 15 career games with the Denver Broncos (2021) and the Niners (2021-24).

In better news for the injury-plagued 49ers, wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf), left tackle Trent Williams (illness) and linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out the day before. Tight end George Kittle, who missed Week 3 with a hamstring injury, practiced in a limited capacity for the second straight day.

The 49ers (1-2) take a two-game losing streak into Sunday’s home game against the New England Patriots (1-2).

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA;  LSU Tigers linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (7)  tackles UCLA Bruins wide receiver J.Michael Sturdivant (7) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Reports: LSU star LB Harold Perkins Jr. out for year with ACL tear

LSU star linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., a projected first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, 247Sports and ESPN reported Sunday.

Perkins injured his right knee while making a tackle Saturday in the Tigers’ 34-17 win over UCLA.

LSU has yet to confirm the severity of the injury.

The junior had 17 tackles and a fumble recovery in four games this season for LSU (3-1). In 31 college games, Perkins has amassed 164 tackles (27.5 for loss), 13 sacks, two interceptions and seven forced fumbles.

He was an All-SEC first-team selection as a freshman in 2022 and a second-team pick last season.

Perkins was ranked as the top draft-eligible linebacker prospect by ESPN entering the season. He was seen as a first-round pick in multiple mock drafts.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson (19) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Dolphins’ Skylar Thompson suffers chest injury, Tim Boyle in at QB

The Miami Dolphins lost quarterback Skylar Thompson to a chest injury during their Week 3 road contest against the Seattle Seahawks.

Thompson was ruled out for the rest of the game, with Tim Boyle tapped to take over as Miami’s third quarterback in three weeks.

Thompson, 27, stayed on the ground after Seattle linebacker Tyrel Dodson sacked him during the third quarter. He was eventually able to stand up and was escorted to the locker room.

Thompson went 13-of-19 passing for 107 yards before his exit, with the Dolphins trailing 17-3.

It was his first start since 2022, as he took over after Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion during the Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa (97) during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Chargers’ Joey Bosa (hip) leaves game against Steelers

Los Angeles Chargers star linebacker Joey Bosa aggravated a hip injury in the first quarter of Sunday’s meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is questionable to return.

Bosa dealt with the issue throughout the week, turning in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday before participating in full on Friday.

Prior to his departure Sunday, Bosa had not recorded a tackle.

Bosa, 29, logged two sacks and nine tackles through Los Angeles’ first two games of the season. He is a four-time Pro Bowl selection.

–Field Level Media

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

Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) out vs. Vikings

Houston Texans star running back Joe Mixon has been ruled out with an ankle injury for Sunday’s matchup at the Minnesota Vikings.

The team announced Saturday that Mixon did not travel to Minnesota with the team, nor did center Jarrett Patterson, who’s dealing with a calf injury.

In Mixon’s absence, veteran Cam Akers is expected to be the primary rusher with Dare Ogunbowale likely subbing in for passing downs.

Mixon’s backup in Week 1, Dameon Pierce, 24, didn’t practice this week after missing Week 2 and has been ruled out of Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. He had three rushes for 16 yards behind Mixon in the season opener.

Mixon, who didn’t practice all week, said earlier in the week that his injury happened on a now-banned hip-drop tackle in Sunday night’s win over the Chicago Bears. He finished with 25 yards rushing on nine carries and caught three passes for 25 yards.

The 28-year-old Mixon has 184 yards rushing through two games with a touchdown. The 2021 Pro Bowler also has six catches for 44 yards.

–Field Level Media