5 NFL Injury Storylines to Track in Week 11

Cooper Kupp Likely Out Multiple Weeks With Ankle Injury

Rams’ star wide receiver Cooper Kupp suffered an apparent right high-ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of the Rams’ loss to the Cardinals. 

In addition to the high-ankle sprain – the first of his career – X-rays will need to rule out a potential fibula fracture. 

Head coach Sean McVay said the injury “didn’t look good, didn’t sound good,” but that he doesn’t know the nature of the injury yet. 

The 2021 OPoY has 75 receptions for 812 yards and six touchdowns this season and will surely miss next week and likely several games.

Tests Will Reveal Severity of Jerry Jeudy Ankle Injury

Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy suffered a left ankle/foot injury on the Broncos’ first offensive play of the game and the Pro Football Docs expressed concern for a season-ending injury consistent with an Achilles tendon tear. 

The Broncos reportedly evaluated Jeudy for an ankle injury and Nathaniel Hackett said that it looks like they “dodged a bullet,” but the Pro Football Docs don’t see clear evidence of an ankle sprain on video.

Jeudy has 30 receptions on 55 targets for 449 yards and three scores on 15 yards per catch this season. 

Starting offensive linemen Billy Turner and Graham Glasgow also left with left MCL and left shoulder injuries, respectively, further hurting the Broncos’ already-depleted pass protection and rushing game.

How Significant is Zach Ertz's Knee Injury?

Tight end Zach Ertz suffered a left knee sprain in the first half of the Cardinals’ win over the Rams and is reportedly expected to miss multiple weeks, according to Adam Schefter. 

While the video doesn’t show a clear injury mechanism, Pro Football Doc expressed worry for a potential significant ligament injury that will have to be ruled out by the MRI.

The 32-year-old is first or second on the Cardinals in every major receiving stat this season, notching 46 receptions on 68 targets for 394 yards and four touchdowns, and will now join Hollywood Brown on the Arizona sideline.

JuJu Smith-Schuster Appears to Suffer Fourth Concussion of Career

Chiefs’ top wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster is in the concussion protocol after he exhibited a fencing response following a head-on hit in their win over the Jaguars. 

Smith-Schuster’s uncomfortable neurological reaction doesn’t by itself show the severity of the concussion and doesn’t guarantee that he will miss next week. 

The stiff fencing pose is one of the no-go symptoms outlined in the NFL concussion protocol and was already included before the recent update to the protocol.

The 27-year-old suffered multiple concussions in his rookie season, including one in the preseason, and one concussion in 2019 and missed a combined two-and-a-half games. 

Who Will Be Cardinals QB in Mexico City?

Quarterback Kyler Murray was inactive for Arizona’s win in Week 10 with a hamstring strain and veteran backup Colt McCoy briefly left the contest with a hamstring injury of his own.

Murray could return for the Week 11 divisional matchup against the 49ers in Mexico City but because of the importance of quick and decisive mobility to his game he will likely still be limited.

McCoy returned in time to be the only quarterback to attempt a pass for Arizona and threw for 238 yards and one touchdown.