It looked like a potential disaster than only a tackle as athletic as Tyron Smith could even suffer. Pulling out wide on a run block, Smith got his knee tangled up with a defender and went down on a Ezekiel Elliott rush. Smith did not return to the game.
Tuesday Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett told reporters that Smith only aggravated an MCL sprain and should be back in the starting line up when the team makes its postseason debut.
“It doesn’t look like a severe injury at this point,” Garrett told reporters.
#Cowboys LT Tyron Smith suffered an MCL sprain after a shot to the knee, source said. He'll miss this week, but be ready for the playoffs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2016
Emmett Cleary, who played extremely well in Smith’s stead Monday night against the Detroit Lions will likely get the start Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. As impressive as rookies Dak Prescott and Elliott have been this season, the Cowboys offensive line deserves much of the credit for the team’s success and Smith is the best player on the best unit in the NFL.
Derek Carr’s leg put back together again
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr took to Twitter Tuesday to announce his his broken leg was successfully surgically repaired.
Surgery couldn't have gone better! Received great news! Already started the recovery process!Thank you for all of your prayers as I heal up!
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) December 27, 2016
The normal recovery for such a surgery is 6-to-8 weeks, which puts Carr completely out of the Raiders playoff run, no matter how optimistic they want to be. And how optimistic is that? According to ESPN’s Adam Caplan, the Raiders are thinking he could be available in “some capacity” in the Super Bow.
That’s just ridiculous. The Raiders aren’t going to make the Super Bowl.
Back up quarterback Matt McGloin is set to start the rest of the way for Oakland. So, you know, two more games.
Multiple players head to Injured Reserve, others surgery
Considering none of these guys are playing for playoff team, the only affect is your fantasy football championship or your survivor pool.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate will miss the final game of the season. Supposedly, according to the NFL Network, the Bucs are still alive for the playoffs, but I can’t figure out the math that makes that possible. At any rate, they’ll have to go into that final battle without their best tight end. Brate caught 57 passes for 660 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
The San Diego Chargers lost another running back Saturday, this time it was undrafted rookie Kenneth Farrow. Farrow hurt his shoulder against the Cleveland Browns and will spend the last game of the season on injured reserve. Farrow is the fourth San Diego running back to be put on IR this season, joining Danny Woodhead, Brandon Oliver and Dexter McCluster. Starting running back Melvin Gordon is questionable Sunday. Gordon is just three yards away from his first 1,000-yard season.
Placed on IR today: RB Ryan Mathews (neck), WR Tyler Lockett (tibia), TE Cameron Brate (back), RB Carlos Hyde (MCL), QB Marcus Mariota (leg)
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2016
The New York Jets placed Bryce Petty after he suffered a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder against the New England Patriots Saturday. Petty is expected to need surgery. You know what that means, don’t you? One more shot for Ryan Fitzpatrick before he packs up and moves westward to Arizona or Cleveland or San Francisco. Petty appeared in six games for the Jets this season, completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 809 yards, three touchdowns and seven picks.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett went under the knife Sunday to repair the broken leg he suffered in the team’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals Saturday. According to head coach Pete Carroll, Lockett should make a full recovery by the beginning of training camp.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota will also need surgery to repair his broken leg suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars Saturday. Mariota’s procedure is scheduled for Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C. Mariota had a break-out season in 2017, completing 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,426 yards, 26 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
The San Francisco 49ers got some good news on running back Carlos Hyde. Hyde injured his knee against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday but, after an MRI, was determined not to need surgery. He’ll still miss the final game of the season against the Seahawks.
The Carolina Panthers have decided to sit middle linebacker Luke Kuechly for the final game of the season. Kuechly hasn’t played since suffering a concussion against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 17.
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