Knowshon Moreno, Charles Tillman among Week 2's most troubling injuries
Even after NFL games resumed on Sunday after perhaps the most embarrassing week in NFL history, the dark cloud remained on Monday with the confirmation of several significant injuries to some of the league's best players.
One by one, big stars headed to the sideline Sunday, suffering injuries to toes, ankles, knees, pectoral muscles and triceps.
Here's a look at some of the biggest names and their injuries from Week 2, and how each of these teams might be able to respond:
Knowshon Moreno, Miami Dolphins, RB
Prognosis: Negative. Moreno suffered what appeared to be a dislocated elbow early in Miami's loss at Buffalo. Head coach Joe Philbin said Monday that Moreno was still being evaluated, but the expectation is Moreno will miss at least a month.
Replacements: Lamar Miller is expected to get the bulk of the Dolphins carries in Moreno's absence, though he will likely share the load with rookie Damien Williams and Orleans Darkwa. A name to watch is Daniel Thomas, who was re-signed by the Dolphins on Monday after being among the final roster cuts last month.
Looking ahead: It's a tough blow for both Moreno, who had worked his way into the Dolphins' starting lineup after dealing with offseason knee injuries, and the Miami offense who was counting on him to be a valuable piece of the running and passing games. He's the Dolphins toughest and most experienced tailback – two aspects they'll certainly miss while he recovers.
Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears, CB
Prognosis: Negative. Tillman suffered a torn triceps in the Bears' Sunday Night Football win in San Francisco. The Bears placed Tillman on injured reserve on Monday.
Replacements: The Bears drafted cornerback Kyle Fuller in May with the expectation that he would eventually replace Tillman. That move will happen immediately. Here's the good news: Fuller certainly looks ready. He had two interceptions against the 49ers on Sunday.
Looking ahead: Tillman's injury is certainly an emotional one. He is one the Bears' all-time great defensive backs, and now there is legitimate concern this could threaten his career. Tillman, who suffered the same injury to the same arm last year, had re-signed with the Bears on a one-year deal earlier this year, and it's very difficult to see him returning.
Jamaal Charles, Kansas City, RB
Prognosis: Positive. Head coach Andy Reid said Monday that Charles was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, though the injury "didn't look to be a severe one," Reid said. Still, Reid was unable to provide a timetable for Charles' return, so it looks like Charles – the Chiefs' best offensive player – could miss Sunday's game against Miami.
Replacements: Losing Charles early in Sunday's loss to Denver certainly limited the Chiefs' offensive options, but it didn't appear they changed the game plan too much for replacement Knile Davis. Davis, a third-round pick in 2013, rushed 22 times for 79 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also caught six passes for 26 yards.
Looking ahead: It was baffling that the Chiefs used Charles so little in Week 1 and certainly frustrating to lose him so early on Sunday. Davis will be a decent option for quarterback Alex Smith, but it will be impossible to fully replace Charles, who is one of the most unique, dynamic and dangerous players in the NFL. The Chiefs must now weigh hurrying Charles back into the lineup and making sure the high ankle sprain is able to fully heal so he'll be effective for the duration of the season.
A.J. Green, Cincinnati, WR
Prognosis: Positive. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said Monday he didn't believe the toe injury that forced Green out of Sunday's win against Atlanta was "anything long term." Green missed one practice last week with what the Bengals described at the time as a toe injury.
Replacements: Green could play Sunday against the Titans, but if he is ruled out, look for Mohamed Sanu to become Andy Dalton's primary receiver. Sanu, whom the Bengals already used in creative formations (he threw a 50-yard pass against the Falcons), is a big-play threat. He averaged 28 yards per catch on Sunday. If Green is out, Dalton could also reply on running back Giovani Bernard, a versatile option as both a runner and receiver. He had five catches for 79 yards Sunday when Green was sidelined.
Looking ahead: The Bengals certainly hope that whatever toe injury Green has doesn't linger. After already losing tight end Tyler Eifert to a dislocated elbow, the Bengals can't afford to be without any more top weapons.
Ryan Mathews, San Diego, RB
Prognosis: Negative. Mathews suffered a sprained MCL in Sunday's win against the Seattle Seahawks, an injury that should keep him out of the Chargers lineup for a few weeks. "It's unfortunate, but it's part of the game. Knowing the way he works, and the way he'll rehab, he'll be back out there as soon as he's ready," head coach Mike McCoy said Monday.
Replacements: The Chargers had one of the league's deeper running back groups before Mathews' injury, and now Donald Brown and Danny Woodhead will handle the bulk of the Chargers' carries. Brown, a former first-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts, has produced little for the Chargers in their first two games, but must show quickly that he knows San Diego's offense. Woodhead remains a dangerous third-down option and has the trust of quarterback Philip Rivers as a receiving threat.
Looking ahead: Injuries are nothing new for Mathews, who has struggled to shake the reputation of a player who is always injured, even though he played in every game for the Chargers last season. Though Brown and Woodhead should be a decent duo, Mathew plays a crucial role in the Chargers offense, and they will need him back in time for what they hope will be a playoff push in the second half of the season.
DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins, WR
Prognosis: Positive. Jackson left Sunday's game against Jacksonville with a sprained shoulder, but he is considered day-to-day as his team starts preparing for next week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Replacements: Washington relied on its tight ends and running backs in the passing game without Jackson on Sunday, though Jackson's backup, Andre Roberts, had four catches for 57 yards, while rookie Ryan Grant had five catches for 57 yards.
Looking ahead: The issue for Jackson this week is likely just dealing with the pain in his AC joint, but it is hard to imagine Jackson missing his first game against the Eagles, who released him this spring after six seasons. And with quarterback Robert Griffin III out, Washington will certainly hope it can count on its most dynamic receiver who would be playing with some extra, personal motivation.
Robert Griffin III, Washington, QB
Prognosis: Negative. Griffin dislocated his ankle in Sunday's win against Jacksonville, and though he said Monday he did not suffer a fracture, it isn't a short-term injury. Washington is not putting Griffin on season-ending injured reserve in hopes he could return at some point this fall.
Replacements: Having one of the best backup quarterback situations should pay off now for Washington, with Kirk Cousins sliding into the starting job. He led Washington to a win on Sunday, fits well in new head coach Jay Gruden's offense and has experience replacing Griffin before.
Looking ahead: This is just another injury setback for Griffin, the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft, who suffered a torn ACL at the end of his rookie year. The question for Griffin now is, whenever it is he returns, will he be the same player? He wasn't for all of last year, as he had a rough time being his mobile self so soon after knee surgery.
