Injuries: Kareem Hunt, Parris Campbell Set to Miss Time

NFL Week 6 - The NFL retained last season's relaxed injured reserve rules for 2021, meaning that any player who is placed on injured reserve after the final roster cutdown day is eligible to return to practice after missing three weeks. As a result, we will continue to distinguish between players who will be placed on injured reserve (IR) and players who will likely miss the entire remainder of the season (Season).

Browns Halfback Kareem Hunt—Calf (IR)

Kareem Hunt suffered a calf injury against the Cardinals that is likely to keep him out for several games. Most calf injuries to halfbacks do not cause missed time, but it sounds like Hunt's injury is a Grade II strain. This usually results in an absence of two to five games, which would make Hunt a candidate for injured reserve. Only around 12% of calf injuries to halfbacks cause an absence of more than five games, so Hunt should return in mid- to late November.

Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will also miss around a month with a high-ankle sprain. More than half of high-ankle sprains to linebackers result in an absence of four to six weeks, which is exactly the time frame being estimated for Owusu-Koramoah. Almost none cause an absence of more than seven weeks; he should be back by mid-December.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield hurt his non-throwing shoulder, but he is not currently expected to miss time.

Colts Receiver Parris Campbell—Foot (IR)

Colts receiver Parris Campbell will definitely miss significant time with the unspecified foot injury he suffered against the Texans, and some team reporters are suggestion that his season could be over. Campbell injured the foot on a touchdown reception, his first since 2019. At the very least, the team is likely to place him on injured reserve this week.

Fellow receiver T.Y. Hilton injured his quad, but it does not appear that the injury is major.

Broncos Linebacker Alexander Johnson—Pectoral (Season)

Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson tore his pectoral against the Raiders and will miss the rest of the season. Fellow starter Josey Jewell was already ruled out for the year with an identical injury. Like Jewell, Johnson should be fine in time for opening day 2022.

Fellow linebacker Andre Mintze injured his hamstring. Around two-thirds of hamstring injuries cause missed time, but only around 25% cause an absence of more than two weeks.

Packers Center Josh Myers—Knee

What is the injury equivalent of "damning with faint praise?" Worrying with faint hope? Whatever it is, Matt LaFleur's reassurance that he doesn't think the knee injury to rookie center Josh Myers will be a season-ender serves only to confirm that the injury is significant, and Myers is likely to miss time. Though the injury has not been specified, the few public details suggest a mid-grade MCL or similar injury, which usually entails an absence of four to eight weeks for offensive linemen. Around 25% of players with that injury miss the rest of the season. Veteran Lucas Patrick replaced Myers against the Bears and is likely to start in his absence.

Linebacker Jaylon Smith injured his oblique, but only around 25% of such injuries cause even a one-game absence.

Vikings Cornerback Patrick Peterson—Leg/Ankle (IR)

The Vikings have placed cornerback Patrick Peterson on injured reserve with the hamstring injury he suffered against the Panthers. Most hamstring injuries to defensive backs only cause a short-term absence, but around 30% keep the player out for three or more weeks. Only around 10% cause an absence of more than six weeks, however, so Peterson should be back by early December.

Concussions

The following players left their respective games with concussion symptoms and enter the league protocol:

• Broncos linebacker Baron Browning
• Packers safety Darnell Savage
• Panthers receiver Terrace Marshall

Based on our current data, a growing majority of players now miss at least one game following a diagnosed concussion, but around 80% return within two weeks.

Other Injuries

Bears safety Deon Bush left Sunday's game with a quadriceps injury. Only around one in three quadriceps injuries to defensive backs cause missed time, and only around 10% cause an absence of more than two games. Receiver Jakeem Grant injured his ankle, but no specifics are yet public.

Bengals lineman Jackson Carman fell ill during the game and did not return.

Cardinals defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence injured his calf against the Browns. 60% of calf injuries to defensive linemen cause at least a one-game absence, and around half of those absences (30% of the total figure) last more than three weeks.

Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens hyperextended his elbow against the Football Team. Further tests today will determine the severity of the injury, but it remains possible Hitchens could play on with an elbow support. Only around 25% of elbow injuries to linebackers cause missed games. Depth tight end Jody Fortson tore his Achilles, which will end his season.

Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith left the game temporarily against the Patriots but claimed afterward that he just needed to get his ankle re-taped. There appears no suggestion of an impactful injury.

Giants receiver Kadarius Toney and offensive tackle Andrew Thomas left Sunday's game with ankle injuries, but no further information is yet public for either player. We will update later today if either injury is serious. Receiver C.J. Board suffered an apparent arm fracture, which may well end the season for the backup wideout. Most arm fractures are season-ending injuries, and even the best-case scenario is usually an absence of eight or more games. Defensive tackle Danny Shelton injured his pectoral, but the team believes that he is one of the fortunate 25% whose pectoral injury is minor. He is considered day-to-day.

Patriots linebacker Chase Winovich injured his hamstring against the Cowboys. Around two-thirds of hamstring injuries to linebackers cause missed games, but only around one in four cause an absence of longer than two weeks. Fellow defenders Jonathan Jones, Christian Barmore, and Ja'Whaun Bentley all left the game but were able to return.

Raiders linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski hurt his foot against the Broncos, but no further information is yet public.

Rams backup tight end Johnny Mundt injured his knee against the Giants, and he is expected to miss time as the injury "doesn't look good" according to head coach Sean McVay. Without more specifics, the injury is difficult to predict, but the good news is that an ACL injury would usually have been diagnosed and confirmed by now. If it is any other knee sprain, Mundt may be able to return later in the year. Halfback Jake Funk injured his hamstring. Around 60% of hamstring injuries to running backs cause at least one missed game, but only 20% cause an absence of more than three games.

Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen hurt his thigh against the Chargers, but he returned to the game. Most thigh injuries to linebackers do not cause missed time. Halfback Latavius Murray injured his ankle, but head coach John Harbaugh had no update for reporters at today's media conference. Center Bradley Bozeman left Sunday's game, returned, then left again. That usually suggests an injury that is not major, and which will respond to treatment during the week.

Seahawks defensive end Darrell Taylor was stretchered off the field on Sunday night and taken to hospital as a precaution, but he has full motion in all limbs, and he returned home with the rest of the team. Halfback Alex Collins injured his hip and his glute, but it is unclear whether that will cause missed time. Guard Damien Lewis sprained his AC joint. Around 15% of shoulder sprains to offensive linemen cause missed games

Texans safety Terrence Brooks suffered a lung contusion against the Colts and remained in Indianapolis overnight, but he is expected to return to Houston tonight. Brooks will miss at least the team's next game, in which Lonnie Johnson will start alongside Justin Reid at safety. Receiver Chris Conley hurt his neck, but there is little to suggest that the injury is major.