NFL Injuries

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is dealing with "abnormal" elbow pain in his throwing arm, and the ailment is cause for at least some concern, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapaport.

"This is not nothing," Rapoport said Friday on The Pat McAfee Show. "You know, it's a quarterback. It is an arm and, I mean look, it's a Super Bowl champion who is not throwing. There's going to be several practices where he's not going to throw. It was described to me as thrower's elbow, which is basically a pitcher injury where you have a tendon issue in your elbow and you have to kind of manage it.

"... I think they're going to manage it and be OK. But any time your quarterback is not throwing, it is important and something worth watching."

Rapoport's comments come after he reported Thursday that Stafford's injury was considered to be "bad tendinitis" and that "everyone in L.A. thinks this is going to be fine."

Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters this week that Stafford was dealing with pain that is "a little abnormal for a quarterback," according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop. He added that the team knew they were going to take a "modified approach" with the veteran signal-caller during camp:

"I think I've got a responsibility to try to make decisions that are in the best alignment using medical experts and talking with Matthew. And so all of those things combined led to where we're at right now. And it is an ever-evolving process, but we are really taking over these next couple weeks, seeing how they go."

Stafford received an anti-inflammatory injection in his right elbow this offseason, and the Rams haven't allow him to throw during OTAs or minicamp this summer.

The 34-year-old also dealt with elbow pain at times last season, with McVay saying that his current ailment is "consistent with what's been going on."

However, Stafford still put together one of his best seasons in 2021, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,886 yards and 41 touchdowns against 17 interceptions to lead the Rams to a first-place finish in the NFC West for the first time since the 2018 campaign.

The former Detroit Lion also put together an impressive postseason, completing 70 percent of his passes for 1,188 yards and nine touchdowns against three interceptions en route to a Super Bowl title.

So, even if Stafford isn't feeling 100 percent by the time the regular season starts, he still has the capability to lead the Rams on another deep playoff run.

Seattle Seahawks strong safety Jamal Adams suffered a broken middle finger on his left hand Wednesday, but he's expected to return to training camp in early August and should be good to go for the beginning of the regular season on Sept. 12 against the Denver Broncos.

"Just a freak accident," a source told Adam Jude of the Seattle Times. "It’s going to be fine."

Per Jude, the injury happened after Adams accidentally got his finger twisted in a teammate's face mask during the team's Wednesday practice.

After practice, Adams flew back to Dallas to have his surgeon evaluate the middle finger. The good news is that the bone should heal within the next few weeks. Adams can opt to have surgery, but if he does, it would be after this season.

It's also presumed that Adams will wear a club on his left hand during practices and a "specially designed cast" over the finger when he plays during the regular season, per Jude.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network also confirmed the plan:

#Seahawks S Jamal Adams, who broke a finger during a recent practice when it got stuck in a helmet, is expected to be back practicing with a club and a special cast for games, sources say. If he has surgery, which is likely, the plan is for it to be in the offseason.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 29, 2022

This is a separate and new issue from his previously reported hand and finger issues. Adams told reporters in June that he had surgery to fuse the two middle fingers on his left hand and discussed how it's affected him:

"Been going through that for two years now. I mean, my first year when I got here, dislocated my ring finger probably about 10 times and the other one, probably about 12. So I’ve been dealing with that. I didn’t really say much. Let everybody talk about it, whatever. But you know, it’s good now and they’re in trouble. ... I played with one arm damn near for two years. But that’s no excuse. At the end of the day it was tape it up. Let’s go."

That's in addition to a twice-torn labrum, which landed him on injured reserve last season.

The 26-year-old has played five NFL seasons: three with the New York Jets and two in Seattle. In 2020, the ex-LSU star e set a record for the most sacks (9.5) by a defensive back despite missing four games.

He amassed 87 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions in 12 games in 2021.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup, who is working his way back from a torn ACL suffered last January, told reporters that it doesn't appear he'll be ready for his team's Week 1 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 11.

Cowboys WR Michael Gallup on playing Week 1: “It’s not a reasonable possibility.”

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 28, 2022

Cowboys WR Michael Gallup (knee) isn’t sure when he’ll be ready to return. He said playing Week 1 is not a realistic possibility. “We got a little ways to go. It’s gotta get a little bit stronger. … I’m ready to get back out there and help the team win.” pic.twitter.com/ofkK4GO1cP

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 28, 2022

Gallup, a four-year NFL veteran, caught 35 passes for 445 yards and two touchdowns in nine games last season. A calf injury landed him on injured reserve in September. He sat for two months before returning in November.

Unfortunately, Gallup was lost for the year after tearing his ACL on Jan. 2 while catching a touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals. He had surgery in early February.

After the season, Gallup signed a five-year, $62.5 million contract to remain with the Cowboys.

The question now is when Gallup will return, but good news has emerged on his progress. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy provided an encouraging report on Wednesday:

Cowboys WR Michael Gallup “has not missed a target yet,” coach Mike McCarthy said, in his rehabilitation from February ACL surgery. “He hasn’t had a setback.” In the “fourth quarter” of his rehab. “He looks really good.” McCarthy gave no timeline on return.

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 27, 2022

ESPN's Todd Archer reported in June that Gallup should be good to go "sometime in September."

The Cowboys' Week 1 wide receiver depth chart this year will be far different than last season's version.

Gallup, who is currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, figures to be out.

Amari Cooper (traded to Cleveland Browns) and Cedrick Wilson (signed with Miami Dolphins in free agency) are out of town. CeeDee Lamb will be the unquestioned No. 1 wideout now.

Free-agent signee James Washington and rookie Jalen Tolbert should see action early and often alongside Noah Brown, who had 16 receptions and 184 yards as the team's WR5 last year.

Jon Machota of The Athletic reported July 13 that Tolbert is expected to start Week 1. The former South Alabama star, who went 88th overall in this year's draft, caught 82 passes for 1,474 yards and eight scores last season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen is feared to have a serious knee injury after being carted off the field during Thursday's training camp practice, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

Rapoport reported Friday morning that the fear is Jensen suffered a season-ending knee injury, although that has yet to be confirmed.

While the #Bucs await final word, the fear is Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen has suffered a season-ending knee injury, sources say. A likely frustrating end to his 2022.

Tampa’s options include internal — Robert Hainsey — or external — JC Tretter, Matt Paradis, Billy Price, etc.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 29, 2022

A source told Adam Schefter of ESPN that it was "not looking good."

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Friday morning that Jensen is expected to miss months of action, but the team is still waiting on the MRI results to determine the extent of the injury.

Bowles previously said Thursday that the severity of the injury wasn't immediately known.

Bucs center Ryan Jensen just went down. A golf cart came out to get him and all teammates huddled around him. He’s heading to the training room.

— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) July 28, 2022

Jensen joined Tampa Bay in 2018 after starting his NFL career as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2013 draft.

The 31-year-old Colorado native has started all 33 regular-season games at center since legendary quarterback Tom Brady joined the franchise ahead of the 2020 campaign. He hasn't missed a start since 2017.

In March, Jensen said he was leaning toward re-signing with the Buccaneers as a free agent, and a phone call from Brady, who returned after brief retirement this offseason, sealed the deal.

"It was the icing on the cake at the end of a great day," Jensen told reporters. "At that point I was pretty much already committed to coming back to Tampa. And obviously, that’s the sugar on top."

The 6'4", 319-pound lineman signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Bucs.

It's been a decorated couple of years for Jensen since Brady's arrival, as he helped anchor the Tampa Bay line during the team's run to the Super Bowl LV title and then earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2021.

Robert Hainsey would be in line to fill the void if Jensen is sidelined. The 2021 third-round pick out of Notre Dame played just 31 offensive snaps as a rookie, per Pro Football Reference.

The Buccaneers start the preseason Aug. 13 against the Miami Dolphins and kick off the regular season Sept. 11 when they visit the Dallas Cowboys in a marquee NFC showdown.

The Baltimore Ravens are going to be without six players, including three starters, when training camp opens next week.

The team announced Friday that J.K. Dobbins, Marcus Peters, Ronnie Stanley, Gus Edwards, Tyus Bowser and Ar'Darius Washington have been placed on the physically unable to perform list.

None of this comes as a surprise, as all six players are coming off significant injuries. Edwards and Peters suffered torn ACLs during the same practice session on consecutive plays on Sept. 9. Dobbins tore his ACL in the Ravens' final preseason game against Washington on Aug. 28.

Stanley played in the season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders before being shut down with an ankle injury. He had season-ending surgery in October. The injury originally occurred in Week 8 of the 2020 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bowser tore his Achilles in Baltimore's final game of the 2021 season on Jan. 9 against the Steelers. Washington broke his foot in practice on Nov. 26.

All of those injuries paint a picture of just how bad things were for the Ravens roster last season.

Citing Football Outsiders' metrics, ESPN's Mina Kimes noted in April that Baltimore had the worst injury luck of any NFL team in 20 years.

In addition to those players being unavailable for long stretches, quarterback Lamar Jackson and cornerback Marlon Humphrey both missed five games in 2021.

Head coach John Harbaugh was vague on when some of the players who suffered season-ending injuries last season will be back on the field when he spoke to reporters last month:

"I'd say they're all on schedule, but what is the schedule?" Harbaugh said. "The knee injuries are a little tougher to say what the schedule really is. "So, [if] you talk to J.K., he's the starting running back today, [and] he should have been practicing today, but he's got work to do still, [and] so does Gus. But they're both doing great.

"Ronnie's ankle is looking great. Ronnie's mission right now would be to get in the best shape of his life and get ready to play football, and that's what he's been working on."

The stage was set for Dobbins to have a breakout 2021 season. He had run for 805 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie, averaging six yards per carry. Mark Ingram II's departure also meant he was set to become the No. 1 running back.

Jackson was the team's leading rusher (767 yards), and the pair of Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray combined for 1,077 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

If the Ravens have better luck with injuries than they did last season, there is no reason to think they can't compete with the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers for the top spot in the AFC North.

Baltimore was 8-3 at one point last season before losing its final six games, including all five without Jackson after he suffered a sprained ankle in Week 14.

The New Orleans Saints placed Michael Thomas on the physically unable to perform list as they open training camp, according to ESPN's Field Yates.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Wednesday the team was optimistic he'll be "cleared at some point early in camp."

From @NFLTotalAccess: There is optimism surrounding the health of #Saints offensive starters QB Jameis Winston and WR Michael Thomas as they face an important camp under new coach Dennis Allen. pic.twitter.com/lY5o8jToiN

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 19, 2022

Ankle injuries kept Thomas out for the entire 2021 season. He had ankle surgery last offseason and began the regular season on the physically unable to perform list.

Even though Thomas was eligible to return from the PUP list in Week 7, he remained out of action. The 28-year-old announced on Nov. 3 he would miss the entire season because of "another small set back" in his recovery.

pic.twitter.com/cwok7uP1cd

— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) November 3, 2021

This marks the second consecutive year that ankle injuries have caused Thomas problems. He missed nine games in 2020 because of a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Prior to 2021, Thomas had been one of the most durable and productive receivers in the NFL. He averaged 117.5 receptions, 1,378 yards and eight touchdowns from 2016-19.

The Saints did find ways to adjust without Thomas in 2021. Alvin Kamara essentially filled the void as the go-to option in the 2020 season with a career-high 240 carries. They added Chris Olave with the No. 11 pick in the 2022 draft to ease the burden on Thomas.

The Los Angeles Rams are "optimistic" they'll be able to sign veteran wideout Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Monday's Get Up.

"But Beckham could take his time here because talking to teams, they don't expect Beckham to be healthy until October or maybe even November, as far as 'full-go' back from that ACL," Fowler added. "So Beckham can take his time, maybe even wait until the first couple of weeks of the season, see who's hot, who needs a receiver. He will likely go to a contender."

Beckham, 29, has had a roller coaster of an NFL career.

He was the 2014 Offensive Rookie of the Year and a three-time Pro Bowler in his early years with the New York Giants, registering four seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. Beckham caught at least 90 passes, had 1,300 or more receiving yards and notched double-digit touchdowns in each of his first three seasons.

He looked primed for superstardom.

But injuries and a poor fit with Baker Mayfield in Cleveland took his career in a different direction. Since his final season with the Giants in 2018, he's reached 1,000 receiving yards just once and missed 12 games over the 2020 and '21 seasons.

Once again, however, Beckham appeared to turn a new chapter after joining the Rams midway through the 2021 campaign, catching 27 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight games.

More importantly, he was excellent in the postseason, with 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in four games, including a touchdown in the team's 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

It was a bittersweet game for Beckham, however, as he also tore his ACL during the contest. Were it not for that injury, Beckham likely would have commanded a very nice contract in free agency, either for the Rams or elsewhere.

L.A. made contingency plans this offseason, signing Allen Robinson in free agency to pair with Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson. But Beckham's return later in the season would give Matthew Stafford yet another weapon in the team's quest to repeat as champion, making an eventual reunion for both sides a logical move.

Rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams' recovery from a torn ACL is likely going to prevent him from taking part in training camp with the Detroit Lions.

Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Thursday that he doesn't see Williams "being ready for training camp" and that they won't rush him back before he's at full strength.

Williams tore his ACL in the second quarter of Alabama's 33-18 loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff Championship on Jan. 10.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported at the time that doctors believed Williams will be able to retain the speed he had before the injury after undergoing surgery. The 21-year-old had the procedure on Jan. 18.

Speaking to NFL Network's James Palmer on March 30, Williams said he is "ahead of schedule" in his rehab and he's expecting to be fully cleared before the start of training camp.

The Lions had no concerns about Williams' ability to make a full recovery. They traded up with the Minnesota Vikings to get the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NFL draft that they used to select the Alabama star.

Last season was Williams' first year at the University of Alabama. He transferred to the Crimson Tide after spending the previous two years at Ohio State.

Williams struggled to get on the field with the Buckeyes playing behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, who were also first-round picks in this year's draft. He had a breakout 2021 at Alabama with 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns in 15 games.

The Missouri native was named to the All-SEC and All-America first teams.

Thursday marks the final day of mandatory minicamp for the Lions. Training camp will begin in late July, though the team has yet to announce an official start date.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston has reportedly taken the next step in his progression from an ACL tear.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported Winston has begun planting and throwing off play-action passes, and the current plan is for him to be ready for the start of training camp.

Winston suffered a torn ACL during a Week 8 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If he's ready for the beginning of training camp, that would have Winston fully recovered in almost nine months, which is right around the early end of a typical timeframe.

It's likely the Saints will be more comfortable putting Winston into early practices because quarterbacks rarely take any level of contact in practice as is. The number of QBs who have suffered major injuries during training camp are few and far between. It's possible, if not likely, that New Orleans still holds Winston out of early preseason game action while he gets acclimated.

The Saints signed Winston to a two-year, $28 million contract in March after losing out on the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. The structure of the deal allows the team to move on from the 28-year-old after the 2022 season without much harm, saving around $4.4 million on the salary cap.

If Winston is able to return and perform at the level he was last season (14 touchdowns, three interceptions, 102.8 passer rating), he'll be one of the sport's biggest bargains under center. That said, if there's a drop-off in performance—and Winston is already one of the high-variance quarterbacks in the NFL—the Saints may find themselves trying to lure big fish again next offseason. 

Jameis Winston's torn ACL may not scare off the New Orleans Saints from pursuing a reunion this offseason.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported New Orleans could look at the quarterback market in the weeks ahead but that the Saints "appear to be comfortable with the possibility" of bringing Winston back.

Howe's details follows a similar report by Jim Trotter of NFL Media. Trotter reported last Friday the Saints are "going to explore every option as it relates to [quarterback]" but that they're likely to negotiate a new contract with Winston:

https://twitter.com/JimTrotter_NFL/status/1497288496192671758

After succeeding Drew Brees as the team's starting quarterback, Winston was having one of his most efficient seasons ever. He threw for 1,170 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions while setting a career high in passer rating (102.8) and posting his second-highest QBR (64.4), per Pro Football Reference.

While his interceptions were down significantly, the 28-year-old was well below his pace from 2019 in terms of yardage, when he led the NFL in passing yards (5,109).

Still, Winston had a solid first half in the Big Easy, especially considering New Orleans was without the services of Michael Thomas after his offseason ankle surgery took him out for all of 2021.

The ACL tear obviously raises a big question over his availability for the 2022 season. On Monday, his agent, Kevin Wilk, shared a video of him running on a treadmill:

Free-agent-to-be QB Jameis Winston is running today for the first time since undergoing surgery on the left ACL he tore Oct. 31 vs. the Buccaneers, 📹 by Kevin Wilk @ChampionSportsM pic.twitter.com/Lt3aH4hgRX

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2022

If Winston had shown he can be the franchise QB in 2021, there wouldn't be much doubt as to the Saints' plans. Re-signing him would have been the only option on the table.

As the organization charts its course in the post-Sean Payton era, leaning on Winston as the starter makes sense, though. 

The team is projected to be $49.9 million over the salary cap, so it could be a transitional year anyway. In Winston, the Saints would have a stopgap solution to buy the front office more time to develop a long-term strategy at quarterback.