Dr. Beth Sullivan | November 3rd, 2019 Unfortunately, we begin this report like we have begun just about every one this season. News about quarterback injuries and illnesses seem to dominate this year. We also have some big-name receivers and other skill position players who are making headlines because of injuries. So without further adieu, here is the week nine review.
Joe Flacco QB Denver Broncos
Flacco joined Drew Lock on IR earlier this week after suffering a herniated disc in his neck. This injury ends this season, and the outlook going forward, will depend on whether surgery is needed and at what vertebral level the herniation is. Given the potential seriousness of this injury and the risk of significant disability, if the injury doesn’t resolve, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Flacco decided to hang up his cleats and call it a career. Disc herniations in the neck can be tricky to treat and tricky to return from. A similar injury is what caused Buffalo Bills Center Eric Wood to have to call it a career after signing an extension. It is not an injury to take lightly.
Julian Edelman WR New England Patriots
Edelman is listed on the injury report as questionable after suffering a rib contusion in week eight. He practiced on a limited basis and I expect he will play in the Patriots week nine game Sunday night against the Ravens. X-rays were negative so the only question is pain control.
DeSean Jackson WR Philadelphia Eagles
Jackson has been sidelined since week two with an abdominal strain that has been characterized in many different ways since the initial injury occurred. He is listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report but is expected to play when the Eagles meet the Bears this week. Strains of abdominal muscles are similar to other muscle strains and the more significant the grade of strain the longer the recovery period can be. He would be a welcome sight for the Eagles, but stressing the injured muscle before it is fully healed could be detrimental longterm. I suspect he will play, however, how effective he is remains to be seen.
Case Keenum QB Washington Redskins
Keenum is out for the Redskins week nine game against the Buffalo Bills after suffering a concussion in week eight. If you would like to read more about concussions you can do that in my previous article here. Since Keenum is out, the Redskins will be giving backup rookie Dwayne Haskins his first career start. Hopefully, he can make it through the game healthy. which given the way quarterbacks have fallen this year isn’t a given by any means.
Cam Newton QB Carolina Panthers.
Newton suffered a Lis Franc injury in week two and has not played since. If you want to read more about this injury, you can check out my earlier article here. He met with Dr. Robert Anderson, a foot specialist earlier in the week. Surgery is not currently in the plans, however, given the risk of further injury, if he plays without the current injury being fully healed, he will be considering his options seriously. Simple strains (no fractures) are treated with none to minimal toe weight-bearing for six to twelve weeks and then a gradual return to full weight-bearing in a custom shoe which is molded to the person’s foot to maximize the stability of the affected area of the foot. Given he is not progressing adequately, prompting the visit to the specialist, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on IR soon for the rest of the season.
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