This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
The Patriots played things a bit close to the chest regarding the health status of their All-Pro tight end. However, despite a subtle attempt at misdirection, it became clear Gronk would not be suiting up for Sunday's game against the Bears when he didn't travel with the team to Chicago. Gronkowski reportedly began experiencing back spasms on Friday, leading to his eventual absence.
Determining Gronkowski's long-term status is a bit murkier. Back spasms can be difficult to gauge, as they aren't actually an injury but instead the symptom of an underlying cause. When an injury to the muscles or other tissues of the back elicits pain, the individual often enters into a taxing sequence known as the pain-spasm-pain cycle.
The pain associated with the underlying trauma causes the surrounding musculature to contract in spasms in an attempt to support and guard the area. However, recurrent spasms often increase pain, which produces tension, which then leads to more pain. If the spasms become chronic, the cycle can result in a reduction in blood flow and oxygen to the muscle and surrounding areas in a condition known as ischemia.
Based on these facts, breaking the cycle remains the first and most important part of treatment. Once the symptoms have subsided, locating and fixing the root of the problem is key to preventing a recurrence.
Unfortunately, Gronkowski's history makes this situation even more unsettling. Gronk's back issues date back to his time at Arizona and are linked to multi-level disc problems.
The Patriots played things a bit close to the chest regarding the health status of their All-Pro tight end. However, despite a subtle attempt at misdirection, it became clear Gronk would not be suiting up for Sunday's game against the Bears when he didn't travel with the team to Chicago. Gronkowski reportedly began experiencing back spasms on Friday, leading to his eventual absence.
Determining Gronkowski's long-term status is a bit murkier. Back spasms can be difficult to gauge, as they aren't actually an injury but instead the symptom of an underlying cause. When an injury to the muscles or other tissues of the back elicits pain, the individual often enters into a taxing sequence known as the pain-spasm-pain cycle.
The pain associated with the underlying trauma causes the surrounding musculature to contract in spasms in an attempt to support and guard the area. However, recurrent spasms often increase pain, which produces tension, which then leads to more pain. If the spasms become chronic, the cycle can result in a reduction in blood flow and oxygen to the muscle and surrounding areas in a condition known as ischemia.
Based on these facts, breaking the cycle remains the first and most important part of treatment. Once the symptoms have subsided, locating and fixing the root of the problem is key to preventing a recurrence.
Unfortunately, Gronkowski's history makes this situation even more unsettling. Gronk's back issues date back to his time at Arizona and are linked to multi-level disc problems. Throughout his career he has undergone three back surgeries, most recently in 2016.
While the team is downplaying the problem, don't expect these issues to resolve quickly. It seemed as through the Patriots had already designed a game plan to preserve Gronkowski and limit the number of hits he absorbed. However, even that wasn't fail proof, and it wouldn't be surprising for New England to manage the situation extremely conservatively. Fantasy owners would be wise to explore options for healthier, more reliable options for the next few weeks, and, quite possibly, the remainder of the season.
Watson led the Texans to a fourth straight win on Sunday but did not fly with the team to Jacksonville. Instead, his still-healing lung injury forced the second-year quarterback to travel to Jacksonville by bus to avoid any potential complications.
Pulmonary injuries occur more frequently in football than you would expect with multiple players suffering lung-related ailments in recent seasons. Former Texans receiver Andre Johnson suffered a lung contusion in 2009, and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo suffered a punctured lung in 2011. Gronkowski missed time in 2016 with his own pulmonary contusion. Now the Texans quarterback is carefully managing his own set of chest and pulmonary injuries. Watson, who was initially hurt in Week 5, is reportedly playing with a rib fracture and a lung contusion. It has also been reported that at the time of the injury he suffered a partially collapsed lung.
The lungs are the paired organs that allow for breathing. While the lungs are surrounded and fortified by a double-layered pleura and the bones of the rib cage, they can still be injured following a direct blow.
A pulmonary contusion or bruised lung occurs when the blood vessels known as capillaries are injured. The accrued damage causes blood to leak into the neighboring lung tissue making it difficult to breathe.
A punctured or collapsed lung, medically known as a pneumothorax, is a more problematic injury. The lungs are surrounded by the pleural cavity, a fluid-filled covering that helps with breathing while maintaining the pressure of the lungs. If the cavity becomes punctured, air rushes into the area, and the lung on that particular side collapses. The injured individual experiences pain and difficulty breathing. Watson's traumatic pneumothorax was likely the result of his rib injury. Fortunately, the lungs can be stabilized, and the damage to the pleura can heal in as little as one week.
However, air travel following a traumatic pneumothorax is usually not recommended. Studies remain split on how long an injured person should wait, but the Texans were proactive in their approach and bused their quarterback to Florida.
A trip to the high altitude of Denver in Week 9 could create an interesting scenario to monitor, though Watson will continue to heal as time progresses. He should benefit significantly from the team's Week 10 bye, and it's probably smart to scale back your expectations until then.
Turf Burns
Marshawn Lynch: The Raiders running back will miss at least eight weeks after being placed on the injured reserve. Lynch is managing a significant groin injury and may now pursue more aggressive treatment options following the designation. Except more news to trickle out after he selects a rehab plan, but this could mean the end of Beast Mode. Doug Martin becomes the back to own for the silver and black.
Josh Rosen: The Cardinals' rookie quarterback is expected to play in Week 8 despite a toe injury that left him in a walking boot. The injury was diagnosed as a sprain, though the term "turf toe" wasn't applied. Turf toe is a specific type of toe sprain that results from the big toe being hyperextended. The extra days off between games apparently was enough to get Rosen feeling healthy enough to play, and the team is planning for him to be behind center against the 49ers. However, it will be hard to put much stock in Rosen, considering the injury and his poor performance against the Broncos.
Adam Vinatieri: The seemingly ageless kicker could be in street clothes in Week 8 after straining his groin in the team's blowout win over Buffalo. The 23-year veteran struggled in the win, missing two extra points. An MRI has been performed, and the Colts have already begun lining up potential replacements for tryout. Look elsewhere for now and consider moving on entirely. Kickers have historically struggled coming off of groin injuries, and it simply is not worth the risk moving forward.
