Week 9 in the NFL claimed another batch of injury victims, with three players headed to IR and one, New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, likely damning the fortunes of a number of fantasy football lineups in the process.
Patriots lose Dion Lewis for the season
What had quickly become one of the best stories of the 2015 NFL season ended abruptly on Sunday afternoon. With just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter of a game against the Washington Redskins, Lewis made yet another short catch and was turning it into just one more stellar run when he pulled up lame just before being tackled by Redskins defensive lineman Chris Baker.
Lewis, a journeyman running back that had struggled to make a home for himself in the NFL prior to landing in New England, suddenly broke out this season, playing a kind of running back/slot receiver role. It was feared in the immediate aftermath of the injury that Lewis had suffered an ACL tear and reports Monday confirmed it.
Lewis, who signed a new two-year deal with the Patriots early in the season, finishes the year with 234 yards on the ground and 388 yards through the air.
Minnesota Vikings' Teddy Bridgewater "good to go"
The Minnesota Vikings will continue to be powered by a running game that boasts one of the best backs in the league - though that designation may slowly be slipping away, thanks to the efforts of Todd Gurley and Devonta Freeman - but losing quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams made a limited offense almost completely one-dimensional.
Luckily, it sounds like Bridgewater won't miss much, if any time. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters on Monday that Bridgewater had already passed his first test as part of the league's concussion protocol and should be "good to go" against the Oakland Raiders, a team with a very weak pass defense, in Week 10.
Bridgewater was injured while sliding after running for a first down. Rams defensive back Lamarcus Joyner came in low with an elbow and left the second-year signal-caller shaken up. After the game, Zimmer said he believed the hit was illegal and the league has since indicated that they are reviewing it.
Philadelphia Eagles get not so good news on Jordan Hicks
Eagles inside linebacker and recent third-round pick Jordan Hicks burst into the national spotlight with a pick-six against the Dallas Cowboys late in Philly's overtime victory. With the Cowboys driving and looking set to retake the lead, Hicks jumped in front of a Matt Cassel pass intended for running back Darren McFadden, who was running a little flair route, and took it 67 yards for a touchdown.
Later in the fourth, on a seemingly routine tackle on a short pass to Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley, Hicks hit the turf and immediately motioned for the Eagles medical staff. Hicks revealed after the game that he'd suffered a pectoral injury.
Fortunately for Philly fans, a report Monday from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com indicated that Hicks should miss just 2-4 weeks. Unfortunately for Philly fans, after meeting with team doctors, the Eagles placed Hicks on season-ending injured reserve, bringing a promising campaign to an unexpected close.
With Mychal Kendricks and Kiko Alonso still working their way back from injury and DeMeco Ryans unable to suit up against the Cowboys, Hicks' injury could prove significant.
New York Giants down another defender
Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, a stout inside defender who brings some significant pass rush punch, suffered a pectoral injury during New York's hard fought victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Monday, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin revealed to reporters that Hankins will have to undergo surgery as a result of the injury and will be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
A former second-round pick out of Ohio State, Hankins has been playing well this season, despite going without a sack. Through nine games, Hankins has 30 tackles and one forced fumble. In his absence, Jay Bromley would likely slide into the starting role alongside Cullen Jenkins, unless the team decides to make an addition. Bromley has 21 tackles in nine games.
