With the postseason just weeks away, two quarterbacks who are crucial to their teams success, as well as their playoff hopes, ended up on the NFL Week 14 Injury Report. Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill suffered what at the time looked like an ACL tear in Miami’s 26-23 overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered an injury to his throwing hand in Detroit’s 20-17 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Below is a roundup of the rest of the injuries that occurred in Week 14.
NFL Week 14 Injury Report
Miami Dolphins – Quarterback Ryan Tannehill
An MRI on Monday revealed that Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill suffered a sprained ACL and MCL to his left knee. Not a tear, which was the fear at time due to the nature of the hit. Tannehill’s injury was the result of a low hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell. Miami will now have to turn to backup quarterback Matt Moore for the rest of the 2016 season.
The Dolphins improved to 8-5 with the win on Sunday, and are in the thick of the AFC wild-card race. But with three divisional games left against the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots, it could be an uphill battle with Tannehill out for the foreseeable future.
Detroit Lions – Quarterback Matthew Stafford
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford dislocated and tore ligaments to his middle finger on his throwing hand during the Lions 20-17 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The veteran quarterback doesn’t plan on missing anytime, however, as he plans on playing with a glove on his throwing hand. The Lions are 9-4 on the season and are currently the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff picture following the Seattle Seahawks loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles – Running Backs Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood
The Philadelphia Eagles all-purpose back, Darren Sproles, is in the NFL concussion protocol following Sunday’s loss to the Washington Redskins. Sproles suffered the concussion when he was leveled by a Redskins defender while waiting to return a punt. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson also said that fellow running back, Wendell Smallwood, will be out for the rest of the season with a sprained MCL to his right knee.
San Diego Chargers – Running Back Melvin Gordon
San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon was carted off the field after suffering a hip strain and a knee sprain in the first quarter of Sunday’s 28-16 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Chargers head coach, Mike McCoy, told reporters in a press conference on Monday that Gordon is considered “day-to-day.” The Chargers will have a better understanding of Gordon’s availability once the results of his MRI come back.
New York Jets – Running Back Matt Forte
New York Jets running back, Matt Forte, said he felt “cracking and popping” in his knee during the start of the Jets and San Francisco 49ers game. Even if there’s nothing seriously wrong with Forte’s knee, the Jets might want to think about sitting the veteran running back for the reminder of the season. If Forte is unable to play next week against the Miami Dolphins, then Bilal Powell will get the start for Gang Green.
San Diego Chargers – Joey Bosa
The Chargers standout rookie, Joey Bosa, suffered a neck strain during the Chargers loss to the Panthers. Bosa was forced to leave the game after sacking quarterback Cam Newton, the reigning league MVP. San Diego’s head coach, Mike McCoy, did tell reporters on Monday that he expects Bosa to play next week against the Oakland Raiders.
Green Bay Packers – Tight End Jared Cook
Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook was forced to miss the second half of the Packers’ win with what the team said was a lung contusion. But ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reports that he was held out for “precautionary reasons.” Demovsky also reports that “there’s a good chance” that Cook plays next week against the Chicago Bears.
Washington Redskins – Linebackers Will Compton and Su’a Cravens
Washington Redskins linebackers Will Compton and Su’a Cravens are considered week-to-week after both suffered injuries in the Redskins 27-22 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Cravens suffered an elbow strain after just two defensive plays and Compton suffered a knee injury during the third quarter.
