No other team in the league took a physical beating like the one the Eagles handed out to the Rams. Jackson, Amendola, and Bradford all left the blowout loss early with various injuries.
Jackson started the game in impressive fashion, breaking off a 47-yard touchdown run. However during the play, the Pro Bowl running back suffered a strained right quadriceps muscle. He exited shortly thereafter and would not return. A MRI taken Monday confirmed the strain and he will likely be sidelined for Week 2. A quad strain is a problematic injury for running backs in general but Jackson's history and style of play suggests it could be a particularly troublesome for him. He missed three games in 2008 with a quad strain in the same leg while also battling hip and back problems. To compound the issue, Jackson has the fifth-most touches among active running backs, meaning his legs have seen a ton of mileage. For a power back like Jackson, a strong, healthy quad muscle is vital to shedding tacklers and exploding forward to get down field. Any loss of function from a strain would limit his ability to perform these activities. Jackson owners should prepare to be without him for Week 2 and should also expect this injury to keep him on the injury report for several weeks.
Wideout Amendola will also be sidelined for Week 2 after suffering a dislocated left elbow. A dislocated elbow can be a scary injury that can be accompanied by broken bone, damaged nerve, and serious ligament damage. However the Rams have stated testing on the injured elbow showed no signs of a fracture and surgery will not currently be required. However when the ulna (the lower arm bone) dislocates from the humerus (the upper arm bone) extensive soft tissue damage occurs in the area surrounding the joint. Amendola will likely be out for several weeks, if not longer.
With their leading rusher and receiver in the locker room, the injury trifecta was completed late in the fourth quarter when Bradford struck his hand on an Eagles defender, injuring his right index finger. X-rays were negative and the Rams initially feared Bradford suffered nerve damage. However it appears the injury is less severe and is currently being classified as a bruised finger. The second-year quarterback has good range of the motion in the injured digit and will spend the next few days resting and receiving treatment. Fortunately for Bradford, he will get an extra day to recuperate since the Rams don't play until Monday night. However any fantasy owners forced to wait until then is taking a calculated risk, especially when you consider Bradford will be without Jackson and Amendola.
Andy Dalton
Dalton's career was off to a strong start against the Browns on Sunday until he was forced from the game with a right wrist injury. Following a hit from Cleveland's Phil Taylor, Dalton lost some feeling in his throwing hand and was unable to properly grip the ball. X-rays were negative and the injury appears to be to the nerve.
The wrist is the gateway the hand for blood vessels, tendons, and nerves. The primary nerve that supplies the hand is the median nerve. The median nerve enters the hand through the carpal tunnel and is the nerve compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome. When a nerve is compressed or directly hit, the individual can suffer an injury known as a neurapraxia. The force that injures the afflicted nerve temporarily interrupts the sensory or motor signal being delivered. Nerve damage in the hand or wrist would have an effect on nearly every aspect of a quarterback's game. Besides altering his ability to throw, it would make him more prone to fumbles and would negatively impact his ability to take a snap and hand the ball off.
Fortunately, the loss of function and sensation associated with a neurapraxia is often short-lived and Dalton hopes to play in Week 2 against the Broncos. Bruce Gradkowsi played well as the backup and would get the start should Dalton be unable to suit up.
Marques Colston
Colston will miss at least four weeks nursing a fractured collarbone suffered on the Saints' final drive against the Packers. The collarbone, or clavicle, is the bridge that connects the bones of the upper extremity to the rest of your skeleton. It sits superficially and is poorly protected, leaving it vulnerable to breaking. The Saints remain tight-lipped but there has been no indication the bone was displaced and would require surgery. Instead Colston will spend the next few weeks limiting his motion to allow for a complete union to form between the broken pieces. Look for Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem to see an increase in targets while Colston is down.
Mike Tolbert
After finding pay dirt three times on Sunday, Tolbert owners watched nervously as he limped off the field with a knee injury. After the game Tolbert felt the injury was no big deal but the Chargers sent him for a precautionary MRI on Monday. The images confirmed Tolbert's opinion and found no structural damage. He will play in Week 2 when the Chargers square off against the Patriots.
TURF BURNS
Eric Berry: After surrendering 41 points to the Bills, the Chiefs defense will have to move forward without their Pro Bowl safety. Berry suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the season.
Nate Kaeding: The San Diego kicker will also miss the rest of the year after tearing his ACL on the opening kickoff.
Dan Koppen: The Pats center will be out for a significant stretch after suffering a broken ankle Monday night. The status of the New England offensive line is worth keeping an eye as starting guard Sebastian Vollmer was inactive with a back injury.
Hakeem Nicks: Nicks required x-rays on his wrist and knee but both sets of images came back negative. He may sit at practice but he's currently on track to play in Week 2.
Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins: An already depleted Dallas secondary took a hit Sunday as Scandrick suffered a high ankle and will miss at least three-to-four weeks. Jenkins suffered a sprained shoulder in the game and remains day-to-day. With Terence Newman still slowed by a groin injury, the Cowboys may be forced to put their fourth and fifth corners into heavy rotation against the Niners on Sunday.
Kevin Walter: Despite reports of a season-ending injury, Walter should only miss a week or two dealing with a severely bruised collarbone.
Roy Williams: The receiver is receiving treatment on a groin injury that occurred in the fourth quarter of Chicago's Week 1 win over the Falcons. His status will be updated later in the week.
Jeff Stotts is a Certified Athletic Trainer, MAT, PES and the Injury Analyst for RotoWire.
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