NFL Injury Analysis: Chiefs RB Hampered by Hamstring

Damien Williams

The Chiefs apparent starting running back is at risk of losing his top spot on the depth chart as he remains limited by a hamstring injury. He originally sustained the injury on July 28 and has not practiced in the days since.

Lower extremity muscle injuries are common this time of year as players return to action. These seemingly minor injuries can often prove to be very problematic and limiting as strains anywhere along the kinetic chain disrupt the biomechanical rhythm of the lower body. As a result, the injured athlete becomes vulnerable to re-injury or new injuries. Hamstring strains are particularly difficult to manage because of the manner in which the body's repairs the injury site.

To fix a strain, the body's natural healing response lays down new collagen fibers in the damaged area in a haphazard and random way. These repaired muscle fibers adequately fill in the gaps but remain weak until they are completely integrated as part of the original muscle. Steps during the recovery process can be taken to encourage a more efficient healing response, but time remains essential.

Furthermore, the athlete often feels better while this process is ongoing. If they then return prematurely, the still healing fiber can easily be disrupted and the entire healing process must restart. As a result, team's often take a conservative approach when handling hamstring strains, prolonging the individual's time off.

Williams' extended time away from the field is the right method of treatment to preserve his long-term health. However, it has allowed Carlos Hyde to get the majority of reps with Kansas City's starting unit and earned him the praise of head coach Andy Reid. It remains to be seen if that means Hyde can permanently leapfrog Williams, but it should impact both players' overall ADP and could create a handcuff situation for the duo.

Derrick Henry

The mysterious lower leg injury that has sidelined the Titans running back has finally been revealed as a calf strain. As discussed with Williams, muscle injuries in the lower extremity are difficult to manage and notoriously fickle. The recovery for calf injuries is comparable to hamstring strains with the muscle groups regularly influencing each other.

The location of each group is the primary reason for their association, as the origin of the calf complex is situated in close proximity to the insertion site of the hamstrings. This positioning allows both muscle groups to help bend the knee but creates a level of codependence. As a result, an injury to one leaves the healthy muscle group vulnerable to an injury of its own.

The Titans are locked into a cautious approach, conceding he is unlikely to do much over the next two weeks. A regular-season return still seems likely, though how he progresses for the remainder of the preseason will be the final deciding factor. Consequently, look for Henry's ADP to rightfully drop a bit, though his RB1 upside should remain. 

Turf Burns

Antonio Brown: The All-Pro wideout has yet to really tryout the black and silver of his new team, as a foot injury as kept him out of most of Oakland's practices to start camp. The team has yet to provide specifics on the issue, but Brown did post a now deleted picture of his feet on Instagram. The image reportedly showed Brown's feet as badly blistered. Blisters, tiny pockets of fluid, often develop at areas of high friction and can be the result of multiple factors including infection, poor fitting footwear or excessive moisture. The Raiders' medical team will be tasked with preventing or treating an infection in the area and helping Brown manage the associated pain. The wide receiver should be back in action relatively soon if these areas are appropriately addressed.

Amari Cooper: Cooper did not practice over the weekend because of what is being described as a bruised heel. The heel bone is the calcaneus, a uniquely shaped bone that's surrounded by a thick layer of skin and a pad of fatty tissue. The fat pad helps protect the heel from the vigorous stress associated with weight bearing and running. Despite the extra padding, the area can still become contused. Furthermore, heel bruises often can be linked to plantar fascia issues. It sounds like the Cowboys will hold him out through Tuesday and then see if he is able to return to the field. Dallas can ill afford a lingering injury to their top receiver, especially with Ezekiel Elliot yet to report to camp. 

A.J. Green: The Bengals receiver recently underwent a "minor procedure" on his sprained ankle that should extend his recovery window. Green initially suffered the ankle injury during the first practice of camp and an MRI resulted in a Grade 2 classification. Surgery was later recommended to help accelerate recovery. It sounds like Green needed a debridement, a procedure utilized to remove problematic tissue like scar tissue or bone spurs. In Green's case, the ankle injury likely resulted in a loose piece of bone or cartilage that has since been taken out. Cincinnati has admitted they expect Green to miss time during the regular season, meaning those who elect to invest in him will have to replace his production to start the year. I think a Week 3 or 4 return seems plausible though he will return with an elevated level of risk.

Tyreek Hill: The fourth-year receiver has missed the last few days of training camp after suffering a quadriceps contusion. A quad contusion may not sound as significant as a sprain or strain, but the problems associated with the injury can still be challenging. Soft tissue damage to the quad can be very painful and simple motions like straightening the leg become difficult, and more complex activities like running or jumping can be nearly impossible to complete without pain. Additional complications can develop if the appropriate amount of time to heal is not provided or improper care occurs. Look for the Chiefs to limit his work for the immediate future though this shouldn't impact his availability to start the season.

Andrew Luck: "Cautious" and "conservative" linger as the buzzwords of the week, with both words being utilized to describe Indianapolis' care of Luck's calf strain. He is reportedly making progress but will not practice leading up to the team's first preseason matchup with Bills. Luck's status remains in limbo until after that exhibition contest, though I won't fault anyone for being hesitant after the way things transpired in 2017.