The New York Giants avoided a major injury to a key defensive player.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning that pass rusher Olivier Vernon suffered just a sprained ankle in practice Sunday, based on initial tests, per a source informed of the player's condition. He's also dealing with a deep bruise high on his ankle that will keep him off his feet and clouds his timetable for return, Rapoport reported.
Giants coach Pat Shurmur described Vernon's status as day to day on Monday.
With two weeks until the regular-season opener there is time for Vernon to get healthy, but his return in time for the regular season will be a close call, per Rapoport.
The 27-year-old edge defender was carted off the field during Sunday's practice after getting his feet tangled with a teammate during a drill.
Vernon is a key cog for a Giants revamped pass rush, moving to outside linebacker in new defensive coordinator James Bettcher's system. Big Blue would be sorely handicapped if the veteran missed time. Vernon wasn't likely to play in Thursday's final preseason tilt anyhow, so he will have two full weeks to prepare for New York's home opener versus the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 9.
Here are some other injuries we're monitoring on Monday:
- Arizona Cardinals running back D.J. Foster, who was carted off against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday with a knee injury, has a torn ACL, a source told Rapoport. Cards cornerback Brandon Williams missed Sunday's game with an ankle injury and is hopeful of playing on Thursday against the Broncos, according to coach Steve Wilks.
- Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee will undergo season-ending knee surgery and will be placed on injured reserve, coach Doug Marrone said. Lee suffered ligament damage to his left knee, Rapoport reported.
- Colts quarterback Andrew Luck sat out practice Monday with a foot injury he sustained during Saturday's preseason game against the Niners, coach Frank Reich told reporters, per ESPN.com. Reich did not seem concerned about Luck's status, adding he would be available if there was a game Sunday.
- Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters linebacker K.J. Wright was getting his knee scoped on Monday. In addition, Seattle defensive end Frank Clark (elbow), guard DJ Fluker (finger), safety Tedric Thompson (arm) and cornerback Byron Maxwell (hip) did not practice. Safety Bradley McDougald (pectoral) and running back Rashaad Penny (finger) did practice, however, and receiver Doug Baldwin (knee) took part in some individual drills.
- Buffalo quarterback AJ McCarron was set to return to the practice field Monday, according to Bills coach Sean McDermott.
- Raiders receiver* Griff Whalen* could miss multiple weeks due to turf toe, coach Jon Gruden said Monday. Whalen is not expected to be ready for the season opener.
- Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd (hand) should be ready to go for the season opener against the Green Bay Packers, while Adam Shaheen (foot) is still looking for opinions on his foot injury with injured reserve a possibility, according to coach Matt Nagy on Monday. Tackle Bradley Sowell suffered a sprained ankle in Saturday's game against the Chiefs and will miss Thursday's preseason finale versus the Bills.