Jadeveon Clowney nearing return, Carson Palmer has nerve contusion
The news is good in Houston, where Clowney is rehabbing well. In Arizona, it doesn’t look as though the Cardinals will get their starting signal caller back this weekend.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has made good progress in his rehab from knee surgery, prompting Bill O'Brien to tell Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle that the star rookie is nearing a return.
“He’s doing well,” O’Brien said. “He’s on pace to be back here basically when the doctor said it would be, four to six weeks, and maybe towards the four.”
The 2014 draft’s No. 1 overall pick was given a four to six week recovery timetable back when he first tore his meniscus in the season opener. Clowney did take a tangible step forward earlier this week when he resumed running.
Added O’Brien: “He’s been at every meeting. He’s at the walkthroughs. He gets extra treatment. ... He’s a football player and he wants to be out on the field playing football. So he’s frustrated and he’s working hard to get back; he can’t wait to get back.”
Palmer diagnosed with nerve contusion
On Wednesday, Carson Palmer consulted a specialist about the nerve issue in his right shoulder that has kept him sidelined for the last two games. He got the diagnosis on Thursday -- an axillary nerve contusion, which Fox Sports says causes "a numbness over part of the outer shoulder" -- but his timetable to return remains uncertain.
Palmer won't need surgery and the team technically hasn't ruled him out against the Broncos this weekend, though coach Bruce Arians said that Palmer's condition has regressed since last week.
Thus far, the Cardinals have been fine without Palmer -- Drew Stanton has thrown two touchdowns and no picks in two wins.
Burfict still not practicing for Bengals
Vontaze Burfict did not join the Bengals on the practice field on Thursday, but did take part in some "robust activity" on the side (according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com), for whatever that's worth. The linebacker suffered concussions in back-to-back games to start the season and hasn't played since. He has not yet been cleared to return to practice, and according to Hobson, isn't likely to play against the Patriots.
Megatron misses practice Thursday
The league's best receiver missed Lions practice for a second consecutive day on Thursday. Calvin Johnson was active last week against the Jets but his ankle injury forced him to come off the field at several points and he finished with just two catches for 12 yards.
Johnson’s still on pace for 84 receptions and 1,364 yards this season, but early injury issues have hampered his production through four games.
J.J. Watt has as many touchdowns this season (2) as Calvin Johnson.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) September 29, 2014 Watt, Murray among NFL’s Players of the Month
Speaking of J.J. Watt, he's been named the AFC's Defensive Player of the Month for September. Aside from his two scores (his first career reception against the Raiders and an 80-yard pick-six against the Bills), the former defensive MVP notched 15 tackles, two sacks and a blocked extra point in four games.
Joining Watt for AFC awards is Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who threw for nine touchdowns, one pick and a league-best 114.5 passer rating in September, and Colts punter Pat McAfee, who booted 14 punts for a 49.6 average, six of which landed inside the 20.
The NFC's Offensive Player of the Month is Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray, who has scored five touchdowns and leads the league with 534 rushing yards. Lions defensive end DeAndre Levy (38 tackles, one interception, one safety and three passes defensed) picks up the defensive award and Seahawks punter Jon Ryan (12 punts, 48.3-yard average and seven punts inside the 20) earns the nod at special teams.
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