Week one Injury Roundup: Randall Cobb, Mike Evans, Alshon Jeffery and more

Player

Status

Game Time

Brandon La'Fell, WR (Foot):

The Patriots receiver has been placed on the PUP list and will not be illegible to return until week 8.  Odds are Danny Amendola will see an increased role.

Julian Edelman, WR (Ankle):

The Patriots number one wide receiver did not appear on the teams injury report on Monday or Tuesday, so one would assume that his status for Thursday's game is good.  The Patriots are typically very hush hush about everything injury related. I will update if I hear anything concrete by the days end.

LaGarrette Blount, RB (S):

Blount will be sitting the Patriots opener out while serving his one game suspension for violating the leagues substance abuse policy.  The Patriots backfield is likely to be a committee on Thursday.  After the release of Jonas Gray I don't see a clear cut answer as the number two back, and there is no telling what Belichick plans to do.

Le'Veon Bell, RB (S):

Blount's partner in crime will be serving his own two game suspension for violating the leagues substance abuse policy.  The Steelers backfield belongs to De'angelo Williams this week and next.

Maurice Pouncey, C (Leg):

Steelers are going to be opening the season without their starting center Thursday night.  Pouncey has been placed on the short term IR list and is designated to return on November 8th.  This might negatively affect the Steelers' ground game even further while Bell is suspended.

Jermaine Gresham, TE (Hamstring):

Gresham is expected to return to practice this week according to the Cardinals official site.

Michael Floyd, WR (Finger):

The Cardinals are being frustratingly vague with Floyd's week one status.  As of September 3rd Floyd says, "I don't really know yet. They (Cardinals) never gave me no set date. It's kinda day-to-day as you can say it."

UPDATE: Floyd was back at practice today Wednesday the 9th in limited action.

Breshad Perriman, WR (Knee):

The Ravens rookie receiver could be out until October according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.  Steve Smith Sr. is looking more and more alone with each passing day.

Le'Sean McCoy, RB (Hamstring:

Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan says he is cautiously optimistic on McCoy's status for week one.

UPDATE: McCoy was a full participant in practice on Wednesday.

Devin Funchess, WR (Hamstring):

The Panthers are playing it safe with Funchess for week one.  Ron Rivera has already said that Funchess will not play week one.

The Panthers will be starting Corey "Philly" Brown and Ted Ginn Jr.

Alshon Jeffery, WR (Calf):

The Bears star receiver was absent from practice on Monday after missing the majority of the preseason with a calf injury.  If I was a betting man, I would say that Jeffery will be absent again come Sunday.  The Bears already lost first round selection Kevin White for the season.  They cannot afford for Jeffery to be out for too long, and they also can't afford to aggravate an injury week one.

UPDATE: Jeffery did not practice again on Wednesday, and it is being reported via Bleacher Report that Jeffery is leaning against playing Sunday.

Eddie Royal, WR (Hip):

Some good news in Chicago is that Eddie Royal returned to practice on Monday.

Duke Johnson Jr., RB (Concussion):

The Browns running back missed practice Monday.  Reportedly going through concussion protocol.

UPDATE: The Browns rookie running back cleared concussion protocol today (Wed) and will resume practice.  I'm updating his status from questionable to probable.

Dez Bryant, WR (Hamstring):

The Cowboys expect Bryant to be ready to come back to work by Wednesday.  Bryant owners need to monitor this injury because the Cowboys do have an 8:30 game on Sunday.  If you do need to get a replacement one might be hard to find Sunday evening.

Arian Foster, RB (Groin):

The Texans are anticipating an earlier return for Foster than they originally figured.  Possibly 2-4 weeks out.  Alfred Blue will get the bulk of the carries, and Blue did pretty well in Fosters absence last year.

Jadaveon Clowney, LB (Knee):

The Texans are expecting Clowney to suit up after undergoing micro-fracture surgery this offseason.

Travis Kelce, TE (Ankle):

Head Coach Andy Reed says that Kelce is "ready to go" for the Chiefs preseason opener.

Devante Parker, WR (Foot:

Parker's foot feels good after seeing action in the Dolphins final preseason game according to the Miami Heralds Adam Beasley.

Jay Ajayi, RB (Ribs):

Miami's rookie running back will start the season on the IR list and is designated to return mid-season.  Lamar Miller's job looks safe for the time being.

Khiry Robinson, RB (Undisclosed):

The Saint will possibly be missing the services of Robinson week one.

C.J. Spiller, RB (Knee):

C.J. Spiller might also be absent as the Saints march to Arizona.

UPDATE: As of Wednesday C.J Spiller is out for week one.

Victor Cruz, WR (Calf):

Cruz did not practice on Monday according The Daily News.  Odell Beckham Jr. could benefit from Cruz making an appearance on Sunday night.  Beckham will be game planned for regardless, but Cruz could help alleviate some of the defensive pressure.

UPDATE: Cruz is still absent from practice today.  If he doesn't make it to practice by Friday his status will be doubtful for Sunday night.

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE (Hand):

Jason Pierre-Paul plans to be present week one, but don't ask him to show you how many weeks that is.  Seriously, his return is nothing to wag a finger at, the Giants are a better team with him on the field.

UPDATE: As expected head coach Tom Coughlin shot down any expectations that JPP would be ready for week one, and said there is no current time table for his return.

Steven Ridley, RB (Knee):

Ridley was placed on the Jets regular season PUP list on Saturday.

Todd Gurley, RB (Knee):

The Rams continue to be very careful with Gurley.  No timetable is set for his return.  The only specific's that have come forth are that Gurley might start getting carries some time before week 6.

Tre Mason, RB (Hamstring):

The Rams need to at least get one of their running backs on the field for the opener.  Reports are that Mason's hamstring is doing well, but I feel the Rams are going to probably wait until Saturday before they make an announcement.

Mike Evans, WR (Hamstring):

Mike Evans did not practice on Monday per the Tampa Bay Times.  If Evans doesn't play then Vincent Jackson owners might have a solid WR2/Flex start as the Buc's face the Titans.

Randall Cobb, WR (AC Joint):

The Packers certainly cant afford not to be cautious with Cobb after loosing Jordy Nelson for the season.  "I'm doing everything in my power to get back before (the season opener), but we still don't know the severity."  Said Cobb via The Herald.  I expect the decision on this one to go down to the wire.

Julius Thomas, TE (Finger):

Thomas will undergo surgery on his finger, and is expected to be out for one month.