Week 4 was a typical week in terms of injuries. A few players lost for the rest of the season and a few with less serious injuries.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers
Ekeler suffered a significant hamstring injury in Week 4. In addition, he suffered a hyperextended knee. These two injuries will result in him being placed on IR. The hamstring injury is most likely a Grade II given the amount of time he is expected to miss. Providing him sufficient time to fully heal will play a big role in preventing reinjury when he is able to return.
O.J. Howard, TE, Buccaneers & Damontae Kazee, S, Falcons
Howard and Kazee both had their 2020 seasons cut short in Week 4. They both suffered Achilles Tendon tears and will be placed on IR. After surgical repair of the tendon, both will face six to eight months of intensive physical therapy and should be close to ready by the time training camp commences in 2021.
Josiah Deguara, TE, Packers
Like Howard and Kazee, Deguara’s 2020 season is over. The only difference is the injury. Deguara suffered an ACL tear and will have surgery to repair and then extensive physical therapy to rehab it. The normal recovery time for this type of injury is six to nine months after surgery. That means he should be good to go by the time the Packers start their offseason prep in 2021.
Joe Looney, C, Cowboys & Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
Looney and Chubb both suffered moderate MCL strains during their Week 4 games. A moderate strain is equated to at least a Grade II strain and the normal recovery time for this type of injury is four to six weeks. The MCL functions primarily to prevent the leg from extending too far inward, but it’s also part of the mechanism that stabilizes the knee and allows it to rotate. Having a fully healthy MCL is important to prevent more serious knee injuries too.
Tyler Eifert, TE, Jaguars & Jordan Akins, TE, Texans
Eifert and Akins both suffered hits that resulted in their being placed in the NFL concussion protocol. While they work their way through this, no further info can be released on their status. Both will most likely be unavailable for Sunday’s games.
D.J. Hayden, CB, Jaguars & Eli Apple, CB, Panthers
Hayden and Apple both suffered a hamstring strain. A Grade I strain has a normal recovery time of one to three weeks and a Grade II has a four to eight-week recovery time. The major concern of returning too soon is further injury due to an insufficiently healed previous injury.
Josh Allen, QB, Bills Left shoulder
Allen suffered a Grade I AC strain in his non-throwing shoulder in the first half of the Bills game against the Raiders on Sunday. He was able to return and finish the game after a short evaluation trip to the locker room. He is expected to be able to play if the Bills game against the Titans ends up being played. That is in doubt right now given the Titans issues with COVID-19.
Ezekiel Ansah, DL, 49ers
Ansah, who signed with the 49ers after Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas were both lost to injury, saw his 2020 season come to a swift end when he suffered a biceps tear on Sunday. He will undergo surgery to repair the torn muscle and then physical therapy for two to four months. This has not been a good year to be a pass rusher for the 49ers.
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