NFL injury roundup: Cam Newton a game-time decision, Bryan Bulaga has sprained MCL
Newton was back at practice on Friday but is listed as questionable on the official injury return. Meanwhile in Green Bay, the Packers’ starting right tackle avoided serious injury news.
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The Carolina Panthers quarterback, nursing a fractured rib, is listed as questionable for the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Newton threw and took first-team reps in practice on Friday but coach Ron Rivera said his QB will be a game-time decision, according to NFL.com. That's a step in the right direction after he missed Wednesday's practice with soreness and didn't throw on Thursday.
Bryan Bulaga has sprained MCL
The Green Bay Packers lost more than the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night when their starting right tackle went down with a knee injury. The good news is that Bulaga's MCL is only sprained, not torn like initial reports indicated. He won't require surgery and "should not miss much time," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Bulaga has had tough luck with injuries -- he missed half of the 2012 season with a hip injury then sat out all of last season with a torn ACL.
Eddie Lacy clears first step of concussion protocol
The Packers also lost their star running back when Lacy left in the second half with a concussion. Mike McCarthy said Friday that Lacy has already cleared the first step of the NFL concussion protocol. That’s a good step toward being able to return in Week 2, but there are still more tests to go. The extra rest the Packers get from the Thursday game will help things.
Tom Brady listed as questionable
Brady was a surprise absence from Thursday practice and showed up on the New England Patriots' injury report as questionable with a calf injury. He was back at practice in a limited capacity on Friday, however, and said Thursday night that he'll be ready for the season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
“I’ll be ready to go,” Brady told Westwood One Radio during halftime of the Seahawks-Packers game. “Physically, I had the day off, but I got a lot of extra film in, I got a lot of mental reps in.”
Tight end Rob Gronkowski is also listed as questionable but expected to play.
Michael Crabtree says he'll play
Crabtree is listed as questionable on the San Francisco 49ers injury report, but he told Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News he'll be on the field against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
“I’m excited, man,” said Crabtree, who was born in Dallas. “I’m going back from selling popcorn and hot dogs in the stands at Cowboys games and being able to play them, that’s a big change.
“Anybody’s got to be excited for that. I can’t wait to go back home.”
Crabtree missed practice Wednesday back was back in the fold on Thursday and Friday.
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