Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris was released from the hospital on Monday, a day after hurting his neck while being tackled in the second quarter of Buffalo’s win over the New York Giants.
Coach Sean McDermott said Harris is resting at home and doing what he called, “as well as could be expected.” McDermott said Harris sustained a sprained neck and is in the concussion protocol.
McDermott also said quarterback Josh Allen is experiencing soreness in his throwing shoulder, but expects him to be OK. Allen was hurt in the second quarter, but resumed playing and had tests taken following the game and again on Monday.
Harris’ injury provided a scare as he was motionless for several minutes on the turf following a 1-yard gain in which his helmet appeared to strike linebacker Bobby Okereke’s right shoulder.
The Bills medical staff immediately rushed to the field to treat Harris, who was eventually surrounded by his teammates and in front of a hushed sold-out home crowd.
Harris was able to flash a thumbs-up sign with his left hand after being strapped to an immobilizing board and loaded into an ambulance on the field.
Chicago Bears
Bears quarterback Justin Fields is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders after suffering a dislocated thumb against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6 action, coach Matt Eberflus told reporters.
Eberflus said there is no timetable for Fields’ return.
Undrafted rookie yson Bagent replaced Fields in the third quarter.
Fields has completed 61.8 per cent of his passes for 1,143 yards this season while throwing for 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Las Vegas Raiders
Coach Josh McDaniels said there was good news for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who exited with a back injury in the first half against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
“The prognosis is a lot better than it might otherwise have been,” McDaniels said.
Garoppolo’s status for the game against the Bears will be determined later in the week.
If Garoppolo doesn’t play against the Bears, McDaniels can turn to Brian Hoyer or Aidan O’Connell.
Hoyer, a 15-year veteran, came off the bench Sunday to throw for 102 yards on 6-of-10 passing.
O’Connell is a rookie who was drafted in the fourth round out of Purdue, and started Oct. 1 at the Los Angeles Chargers when Garoppolo missed that game because of a concussion. O’Connell completed 24 of 38 passes for 238 yards, but lost two fumbles, threw an interception and was sacked seven times in the 24-17 loss.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars star quarterback Trevor Lawrence is day to day with a knee injury suffered in Sunday’s win against the Indianapolis Colts, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.
The team hopes Lawrence will be able to play Thursday against the New Orleans Saints.
Indianapolis Colts
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts are still mulling their options to help the rookie quarterback recover from a right shoulder injury, including potentially season-ending surgery.
Coach Shane Steichen said Monday a final decision has neither been made nor was imminent.
“Obviously, we want to do what’s best for him and this organization moving forward,” he said when asked whether the team is prioritizing Richardson’s long-term health over a quick return. “Like I said, we’ll make that decision when the time is right. We’re still evaluating that process.”
Richardson missed his second game of the season Sunday at Jacksonville, but he traveled with the team and wore a sling to protect his throwing shoulder while watching Indy’s loss from the sideline.
He was injured on the end of a short first-half run against Tennessee the previous week. After going to the ground awkwardly, he stayed down for several minutes before walking slowly to the team’s medical tent, his right shoulder drooping. Richardson did not return to that 23-16 victory and went on injured reserve last week, a move that will keep him out at least three more weeks.
And how Richardson and the Colts (3-3) opt to treat the sprained AC joint, Richardson’s absence could be significantly longer.
“We’re still gathering as much information as we can,” Steichen said. “This is a decision that we want to make that’s right for him, for his longevity. So we’re still working through that process.”
The 6-foot-4, 244-pound former Florida Gators star has been injury prone in his first NFL season.
He missed the final minute of Indy’s season opener with a bruised knee and sore ankle, left with a concussion in the first half of a Week 2 victory over Houston, missed the following week while still in the concussion protocol. Then one week after returning to the field and finishing his first NFL game, he hurt his shoulder.
Indy drafted Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in April after he impressed scouts at the league’s annual scouting combine.
Though some considered the 13-game college starter a project, the Colts selected him as their starter after just one preseason game.
He was off to a promising start, throwing for 577 yards, three TDs and one interception while completing 59.7% of his throws in four games. He also has 25 carries for 136 yards and four TDs, becoming the first quarterback of the Super Bowl era with TD runs in each of his first three NFL games.
If Richardson does return this season, he also will be chasing franchise single-season marks for most games with a TD pass and a TD run as well as the Colts rushing record for a rookie quarterback.
Los Angeles Rams
Rams running back Kyren Williams suffered an ankle sprain in a Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals and is expected to be sidelined for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter Monday.
The injury shouldn’t hold Williams out long term, Schefter adds.
Williams took over starting duties following a solid opening-week performance before former backfield mate Cam Akers was traded to the Minnesota Vikings.
Williams has rushed 97 times for 456 yards and six touchdowns during the 2023 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson has been cleared to return to practice, opening the door for a potential return, possibly as early as this week.
Johnson has been on injured reserve since injuring his right hamstring during a 30-7 loss to San Francisco in the season opener.
The Steelers opened the 21-day window for Johnson and backup running back Anthony McFarland Jr. on Monday.
The Steelers were off on Sunday. They travel to play the Los Angeles Rams (3-3) next weekend.
The moves on Monday mean the team has a three-week window to decide when it wants to activate either player.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday and also lost some key players to injury. On Monday, head coach Kyle Shanahan provided some updates on the club’s banged up offence.
Star running back Christian McCaffrey is still undergoing tests after leading Sunday’s loss to the Browns with an oblique injury, Shanahan said.
Receiver Deebo Samuel, who injured his shoulder against the Browns, is day-to-day. Left tackle Trent Williams is also day-to-day with an ankle injury after being spotted wearing a walking boot after the Browns game.
The 49ers will visit the Vikings on Monday Night Football in Week 7, giving all three players an extra day to recover before the game.
Detroit Lions
The Lions will be without top running back David Montgomery for “a little bit,” head coach Dan Campbell said Monday.
Montgomery was limited to just 18 snaps in Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers with a rib cartilage injury. He previously missed a Week 3 win over the Falcons with a thigh injury.
Montgomery has rushed for 385 yards and six touchdowns this season.
With Montgomery out, the Lions are expected to hand the ball to rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury but Campbell said Monday he expects the rookie to be cleared to play Sunday against the Ravens.
-With files from the Associated Press