This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
Week 2 was a rough one on quarterbacks with multiple starting quarterbacks unable to finish games due to injury.
The Colts quarterback is dealing with not one but two ankle sprains. Wentz was injured in the team's loss to the Rams when his right ankle was violently twisted. The mechanism of injury was comparable to the high ankle sprain sustained by Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in Week 1. Additional tests have since confirmed a high ankle sprain for Wentz and a "normal" ankle sprain on his left.
I explained the difference between the two injuries last week with Jeudy. Basically, the injuries occur to two different joints with a high ankle sprain more problematic for the overall integrity and stability of the ankle and lower leg. High ankle sprains often result in multi-week absences, even for quarterbacks. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan missed just one game with a high ankle sprain in 2019 but he had the benefit of a well-timed bye.
Unfortunately, Wentz's situation is more problematic as he literally does not have a good leg to stand on. The ankle sprain on his left leg is concerning, considering the left foot surgery he needed during training camp. The procedure was needed to address a problem with his fifth metatarsal, likely where a tendon anchors to the bone. This tendon belongs to one of the primary stabilizers of the ankle joint. When an ankle is sprained, the muscles of the joint are necessary to help stabilize the
Week 2 was a rough one on quarterbacks with multiple starting quarterbacks unable to finish games due to injury.
The Colts quarterback is dealing with not one but two ankle sprains. Wentz was injured in the team's loss to the Rams when his right ankle was violently twisted. The mechanism of injury was comparable to the high ankle sprain sustained by Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in Week 1. Additional tests have since confirmed a high ankle sprain for Wentz and a "normal" ankle sprain on his left.
I explained the difference between the two injuries last week with Jeudy. Basically, the injuries occur to two different joints with a high ankle sprain more problematic for the overall integrity and stability of the ankle and lower leg. High ankle sprains often result in multi-week absences, even for quarterbacks. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan missed just one game with a high ankle sprain in 2019 but he had the benefit of a well-timed bye.
Unfortunately, Wentz's situation is more problematic as he literally does not have a good leg to stand on. The ankle sprain on his left leg is concerning, considering the left foot surgery he needed during training camp. The procedure was needed to address a problem with his fifth metatarsal, likely where a tendon anchors to the bone. This tendon belongs to one of the primary stabilizers of the ankle joint. When an ankle is sprained, the muscles of the joint are necessary to help stabilize the compromised area. Any lingering weakness in his foot could make his road to recovery a bit harder. Couple that with the injured right ankle and it's hard to imagine a scenario where Wentz doesn't miss at least a week or two. Jacob Eason would get the nod against the Titans should Wentz be unable to play.
The Dolphins quarterback appears to have avoided a serious rib injury after getting hit early in the team's loss to the Bills. The initial diagnosis was bruised ribs, and further testing confirmed the bones of the rib cage remain intact. The team is listing him as day-to-day, but I'll keep a close eye on the situation as the week continues. Rib injuries, even rib contusions, can be very painful and make the simplest movement difficult. Jacoby Brissett would start at quarterback if Tagovailoa is unable to play.
The Texans will likely turn to rookie Davis Mills after Taylor suffered a hamstring strain in Week 2. The team has not revealed the severity of the strain, but several reports have suggested a multiweek absence is possible. Hamstring injuries can be slow to heal and easily aggravated if the injured athlete returns too early. This would be particularly concerning with a mobile quarterback like Taylor. As a result, a return for Week 3 seems unlikely with the Texans playing in the Thursday night game. Furthermore, an IR designation could be a possibility if the strain is anything higher than a Grade I, and Taylor will have an increased level of injury risk upon his return. Mills remains ahead of Deshaun Watson on the depth chart and could be worth a look, especially in two-quarterback leagues.
The Bears starter suffered a knee injury in Week 2 but fortunately avoided serious ligament damage. Dalton hyperextended his knee while trying to get out of bounds. The force resulted in a bone bruise in the joint, likely to the tibia or patella. While Dalton's situation is a likely a best-case scenario, a bone contusion shouldn't be taken lightly either. Bone bruises occur when the outer layer of bone tissue is damaged. These tiny cracks are repaired just like an actual fracture, with specialized cells creating new bone tissue. Time is a necessary component of recovery, and the biomechanics of the knee can slow the process. While Chicago has been coy with Dalton's availability for the team's Week 3 contest at Cleveland, it seems likely he misses at least one week. Justin Fields took over at quarterback in Week 2 and appears to have the inside track and becoming the starter should Dalton be unavailable.
The former Heisman trophy winner suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder in Week 2. Mayfield injured his left shoulder in the win over Houston but later revealed the joint "kind of popped in and popped out." Mayfield is describing what is known as a shoulder subluxation or partial dislocation. In a subluxation, the joint is temporarily forced out of alignment, but quickly, and usually naturally, returns to its normal position. Further testing showed no structural damage, meaning the soft tissue injuries that resulted when the injury occurred are likely mild. It is more likely to occur again, but Mayfield will be able to play through the problem. Look for him to be limited in practice but in the lineup on Sunday against the Bears.
Turf Burns
49ers Running Backs: No unit has been ravaged by the injury bug like the San Francisco back field. Raheem Mostert is out for the year following knee surgery, and Jeff Wilson remains out as he works through a knee injury of his own. JaMycal Hasty is expected to miss multiple weeks after sustaining a high ankle sprain in Week 2. Week 1 darling Elijah Mitchell suffered a shoulder injury in his follow-up performance, and Trey Sermon suffered a concussion in his first NFL action. Mitchell still seems like the most likely to play in Week 3, though the team has begun looking at free agents. Trenton Cannon remains the lone healthy running back and may be worth a speculative add. Kerryon Johnson could be activated from the practice squad as well.
Jarvis Landry: While Mayfield isn't expected to miss time, Landry is unlikely to be in uniform after spraining the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his knee. While he has not officially been ruled out, the team is listing him as "week-to-week." Fortunately, it sounds like Landry avoided any accompanying meniscus damage, a primary concern with MCL sprains. The impending return of Odell Beckham should help ease the potential loss of Landry.
