There’s always a few injury scalps claimed during the first week of the NFL preseason. Between practices in pads and live games, guys take some damage to their health bars and some get knocked down onto the spike pit of life.
Though he made it through the weekend, New Orleans Saints rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins didn’t make it through Monday morning’s practice session. The first round pick out of Louisville reportedly broke his lower leg and had to leave practice on the cart.
Though serious, as long as there are no complications Rankins should still play this season, though he’ll probably miss all of September.
Saints first-round pick Sheldon Rankins will have surgery on his fractured fibula and likely be sidelined about six weeks, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 15, 2016
The Saints picked Rankins at No. 12 in April’s NFL Draft. In his senior year at Louisville Rankins had 58 tackles, 13 for a loss, six sacks, one pass defended and one fumble recovery.
If you want to know what’s scarier than losing Tom Brad four games to a suspension, as a New England Patriots‘ fan about the idea of All-Universe tight end Rob Gronkowski pulling up lame on a 7-on-7 drill Monday morning. Because that’s what happened.
Gronk apparently injured his groin and was taken out of practice Monday. There’s no indication of how serious it is yet, but if Gronk misses any game time, or is limited in any way, especially during those first four Brady-less games, it could get ugly fast in New England.
Looks like Rob Gronkowski's practice is done. Walking off with trainer after appearing to injure groin in 7 on 7s.
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) August 15, 2016
Last season Gronk caught 72 passes for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Gronk wasn’t the only Patriot to start the week off wrong. Rookie wideout Malcolm Mitchell dislocated his right elbow in Thursday night’s game against the Saints. Mitchell should be ready for the regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams lost one of their most promising undrafted free agents after Saturday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Rookie safety Brian Randolph tore his ACL and is out for the season. The Rams’ top UDFA wide receiver so far in camp, Nelson Spruce, suffered a knee sprain and will miss at least a week. Spruce was a late-game star against the Cowboys, catching six passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
Rookie quarterback Jared Goff left the game in the third quarter with soreness in his non-throwing arm, but should be fine and will probably start this weekend.
Randolph recorded 70 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and three pass defenses for the University of Tennessee last season. Sprcue caught 89 passes for 1,053 yards and four touchdowns for Colorado.
The San Francisco 49ers’ back up quarterback situation got a lot clearer as current No. 3 Thad Lewis tore his ACL Sunday night against the Houston Texans. He’ll miss the entire 2016-17 season. Lewis was in a battle for the No. 3 spot with rookie Jeff Driskel, and possibly the No. 2 spot if the 49ers can pull off a trade for Colin Kaepernick. The 28-year-old quarterback has hung around the NFL for years after being first signed as an undrafted free agent by the then St. Louis Rams in 2010.
49ers QB Thad Lewis tore his ACL, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 15, 2016
Lewis wasn’t the only No. 3 quarterback to go down in action. Philadelphia Eagles first round draft pick Carson Wentz cracked his ribs in Thursday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He’s expected to return to action for the final preseason game.
The Buffalo Bills lost IK Enemkpali to a torn ACL in Saturday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Enemkpali got famous last season for punching New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith in the face and accidentally turning the Jets into a decent team. He’ll miss all of the 2016-17 season and probably shouldn’t expect an FTD Pick-Me-Up Bouquet from Smith during his recovery.
Thursday night was a bad one for wide receiver elbows. Denver Broncos wideout Bennie Fowler fractured his in the second quarter of their game with the Bears. He’s expected to be ready for the regular season too.
And finally the Pittsburgh Steelers might have to actually look for a decent free agent quarterback after No. 3 back up Bruce Gradkowski tore his hamstring in Friday night’s game against the Detroit Lions. That means Dustin Vaughan moves up to the No. 3 spot on the Steelers’ depth chart until they can find somebody better. Which shouldn’t be tough.
