Buffalo RB Harris is out of hospital, has sprained neck
Bills running back Damien Harris was released from the hospital on Monday, a day after hurting his neck while being tackled in the second quarter of Buffalo's win over the New York Giants.
Coach Sean McDermott said Harris is resting at home and doing what he called “as well as could be expected.” McDermott said Harris sustained a sprained neck and is in concussion protocol.
McDermott also said quarterback Josh Allen is experiencing soreness in his throwing shoulder, but expects him to be OK. Allen was hurt in the second quarter, but resumed playing and had tests taken following the game and again on Monday.
Harris' injury provided a scare as he was motionless for several minutes on the turf following a 1-yard gain in which his helmet appeared to strike linebacker Bobby Okereke's right shoulder.
The Bills medical staff immediately rushed to the field to treat Harris, who was eventually surrounded by his teammates and in front of a hushed sold-out home crowd.
Harris was able to flash a thumbs-up sign with his left hand after being strapped to an immobilizing board and loaded into an ambulance on the field.
Following the game, McDermott said Harris had full movement and tests indicated he was trending in a positive direction.
The 26-year-old Harris is a fifth-year player who spent his first four seasons with New England before signing with the Bills in free agency this offseason.
The moment brought back lingering memories of Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsing on the field during a game at Cincinnati on Jan. 2. Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated during a game that was stopped and eventually canceled by the NFL.
Hamlin was cleared to resume playing in April and has since completed his bid to resume his career after making the Bills roster and appearing in his first game two weeks ago against Miami.
Richardson, Colts still mulling options
Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts are still mulling their options to help the rookie quarterback recover from a right shoulder injury, including potentially season-ending surgery.
Coach Shane Steichen said Monday a final decision has neither been made nor was imminent.
“Obviously, we want to do what's best for him and this organization moving forward,” he said when asked whether the team is prioritizing Richardson's long-term health over a quick return. “Like I said, we'll make that decision when the time is right. We're still evaluating that process.”
Richardson missed his second game of the season Sunday at Jacksonville, but he traveled with the team and wore a sling to protect his throwing shoulder while watching Indy's loss from the sideline.
He was injured on the end of a short first-half run against Tennessee the previous week. After going to the ground awkwardly, he stayed down for several minutes before walking slowly to the team's medical tent, his right shoulder drooping. Richardson did not return to that 23-16 victory and went on injured reserve last week, a move that will keep him out at least three more weeks.
And how Richardson and the Colts (3-3) opt to treat the sprained AC joint, Richardson's absence could be significantly longer.
Raiders get positive news on Garoppolo
The Las Vegas Raiders received encouraging news on Jimmy Garoppolo's back injury.
However, coach Josh McDaniels said Monday he didn't know if the quarterback would be healthy enough to play at Chicago on Sunday.
Garoppolo was injured in Sunday's 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots, and McDaniels said he was examined to see if “there was an internal issue.”
“It seems like we dodged a bullet in that regard, so that's good news,” McDaniels said. “We're still doing a couple of things this morning, and we'll make sure we do all the right things here as we go forward. But the prognosis is a lot better than it might otherwise have been.”
If Garoppolo doesn't play against the Bears, McDaniels can turn to Brian Hoyer or Aidan O'Connell.
Bears QB Fields has dislocated thumb
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields will likely miss at least one game because of a dislocated right thumb, coach Matt Eberflus said Monday.
Eberflus said it's “doubtful” Fields plays this week when the Bears (1-5) host the Las Vegas Raiders after he was injured in Sunday's 19-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Tyson Bagent figures to start in his place.
Fields was hurt on Chicago's first possession of the third quarter against Minnesota. He seemed to land awkwardly on his hand trying to throw the ball away while getting sacked by Danielle Hunter, sending Fields to the locker room.
Lawrence questionable
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson was mostly coy when asked Monday about quarterback Trevor Lawrence's sprained left knee.
Pederson called Lawrence “day to day” and said he was sore but feeling better. Pederson also said he wouldn't know whether Lawrence would play Thursday night at New Orleans until game time.
When pressed about specifics regarding Lawrence's injury, Pederson said: “That's out of my realm. That's out of my jurisdiction.”
Lawrence hurt his knee on a sack with roughly three minutes remaining in a 37-20 victory over In