Updated Injury Report for All 32 Teams Midway Through NFL Offseason

The NFL season never really stops.

Regrettably, neither do injuries.

All 32 NFL teams are currently carrying hobbled players, and while many injuries are minor bumps and bruises that do not threaten a given player's 2013 season, quite a few may result in large chunks of missed time.

With that in mind, let's take a look at up-to-date injury reports for each NFL squad as mini camps get underway.

Player statuses from CBS Sports' NFL Football Injuries list and Rotoworld were used to help compile this report. Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Dave is a resident physician at the University of Washington. For further questions, or for questions about players not on this list, follow and contact Dave on Twitter.

AFC East: Buffalo Bills

Mike Caussin, TE (knee)

Injury: Torn right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Caussin missed all of the 2012 season while recovering from reconstructive knee surgery following an injury sustained at the end of the 2011 season. As the injury occurred about 18 months ago, he should be ready well in advance of the 2013 season—assuming he suffered no setbacks unbeknownst to the public, that is.

Scott Chandler, TE (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Chandler tore his ACL in late December—an injury that historically required a year or longer from which to recover. However, returning to the field after about nine months is becoming more and more common. Such a timetable would put Chandler on the field in late September, and Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reported in May that a return for Week 1 is possible—perhaps even likely. Nevertheless, the later steps in ACL rehab are just as important as the earlier ones, so let's not jump to conclusions just yet.

Fred Jackson, RB (knee)

Injury: Grade-two lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sprain

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: A grade-two sprain is a partial tear. In this particular case, Jackson's LCL partially tore off the bone. Fortunately, he is fully recovered as of March.

Lee Smith, TE (leg)

Injury: Undisclosed

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Smith suffered an apparent foot or leg injury during a weight room accident. Details are sparse, but given the fact that Tim Graham of The Buffalo News reported that the tight end needed a walking boot, it would seem likely a weight dropped on Smith's foot. Nevertheless, head coach Doug Marrone expects the tight end to be ready for the start of training camp.

Kyle Williams, DL (Achilles)

Injury: "Frayed" Achilles tendon

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Williams played through a "frayed" Achilles tendon last year—likely implying a partial tear—which doctors surgically repaired in February. The injury is not a complete Achilles rupture, so a recovery time of four to six months is likely. Indeed, Tim Graham reported in late May that Williams plans to be ready for training camp.

AFC East: Miami Dolphins

Charles Clay, TE (knee)

Injury: Torn meniscus

Status: Appears ready for training camp

Analysis: Clay underwent knee surgery sometime around the end of last season. A mid-May report clarified the surgery to be for a torn meniscus. He has been working out in full for some time now.

Brent Grimes, DB (Achilles)

Injury: Torn Achilles tendon

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Grimes suffered his injury in September last season as a member of the Atlanta Falcons. After about nine months of rehabbing the tendon, he stated he is "fully back" from the injury as of last week.

Jamar Taylor, DB (sports hernia)

Injury: Sports hernia

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Sports hernias usually involve a small tear in one or more abdominal muscles or tissue layers. If the tear is stubborn to heal, surgery can assist the process. The procedure generally requires about four to six weeks for a full recovery, as Barry Jackson reported. Taylor should be ready to go by training camp.

Daniel Thomas, RB (knee)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Thomas sustained a knee injury late last season, though the precise nature of the injury remains unclear. He underwent surgery soon thereafter, at which time Barry Jackson stated the running back "should be fine by the spring," suggesting a meniscus tear or other less-serious injury. Nothing has since suggested otherwise.

Others

Dustin Keller, TE (ankle): Probable for training camp

AFC East: New England Patriots

Jake Ballard, TE (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL, other

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Ballard sustained a torn ACL, among other injuries, during Super Bowl XLVI. About 16 months later, he appears nearly back to his normal self. Barring any setbacks, it is a safe bet to see him on the field at the start of the 2013 season, especially given the health concerns of fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Brandon Bolden, RB (undisclosed)

Injury: Undisclosed

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Bolden sat out of Patriot OTAs due to health concerns, but further details are lacking. Stay tuned for updates.

Alfonzo Dennard, DB (shoulder)

Injury: Undisclosed

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Last week, Dennard suffered an apparent shoulder injury, according to Shalise Manza Young of The Boston Globe. The extent of the injury remains unknown. In the best-case scenario, he will rehab a minor sprain and miss no time. In the worst-case scenario, a separated shoulder, severely torn labrum or ruptured muscle tendon will require surgery as well as several months of recovery.

Julian Edelman, WR (foot)

Injury: Foot fracture

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: In early April, Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reported that Edelman's fractured foot from last season had fully recovered. However, he re-aggravated the injury about a month later and remains in a walking boot as of May 31—implying doctors are still not comfortable with the stability of the broken bone. As a result, it is very possible that Edelman may not even make the final Patriots roster.

Rob Gronkowski, TE (forearm, back)

Injury: Fractured forearm, herniated intervertebral disc

Status: Doubtful for start of training camp, questionable for start of regular season

Analysis: Gronkowski underwent four separate surgeries for a fractured forearm he suffered midway through the 2012 season. First, surgeons surgically set the break using a metal plate for reinforcement. Later, after a re-fracture, it needed setting once more. A post-operative infection demanded surgical cleansing not much later, and a fourth operation to replace the metal plate took place on May 21. Doctors project a ten-week recovery, meaning his forearm could be ready by early August if all goes well.

However, it is Gronkowski's back that is more troubling. According to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, the star tight end will undergo a discectomy in mid June. In other words, an intervertebral disc—a soft, cushioning disc located between two vertebrae—slipped out of place and began pressing on one or more of Gronkowski's nerves as they exited the spinal cord.

By removing the disc, surgeons relieve the pressure on the nerves. That said, returning to football shape following surgery may require up to three months or more, putting the first quarter or so of Gronkowski's 2013 season in jeopardy.

To make matters worse, the surgery represents Gronk's second discectomy, and more could loom in seasons still to come. Dr. Wellington Hsu, associate professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, told Volin:

"

Offensive and defensive linemen — and Gronk is included, because he does some blocking — are at the greatest risk for developing a poor outcome after this kind of surgery. They play the game in a squatting position, and have a lot of force on their back when they hit 300-pound defenders.

"

However, Hsu isn't necessarily concerned at this time.

"

(Gronkowski) is predisposed to getting another disk herniation, just from his history, but for that I wouldn’t have a poor prognosis for recovery. I would just recognize that he does have back issues and to keep an eye on him after he recovers.

"

Aaron Hernandez, TE (shoulder)

Injury: Undisclosed

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: According to Greg Bedard of Sports Illustrated, Hernandez underwent shoulder surgery in early April. Bedard described the procedure as a "minor scope," likely implying doctors operated in order to treat acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis, loose bone fragments or a small labral tear. As of June 4, Hernandez was running routes and catching passes, making it appear all but certain that he will not miss any regular season time.

Devin McCourty, DB (shoulder)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: In late March, Mike Reiss broke the news that McCourty underwent shoulder surgery earlier in the offseason. According to Jeff Howe, McCourty should be ready for training camp, implying a minor procedure similar to that of Aaron Hernandez.

Others

Chandler Jones, DL (ankles): Probable for start of training camp

AFC East: New York Jets

Stephen Hill, WR (knee)

Injury: Post-surgical swelling

Status: Probable for training camp

Analysis: Hill underwent lateral collateral ligament (LCL) repair surgery in December, but according to a report from last week, fluid continues to collect in his knee. It's possible he is working too hard too quickly, but it's also possible he sustained a new injury altogether. While he sounds optimistic, nothing is a given at this point.

Santonio Holmes, WR (foot)

Injury: Lisfranc injury

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Holmes suffered a foot injury in late September last season later confirmed to be the dreaded Lisfranc injury. In Lisfranc injuries, the long bones that form the base of the toes in the midfoot become displaced downward relative to the bones that make up the heel. The injury is extremely sensitive to delayed healing and re-injury even months down the road due to the basic biomechanics of walking, and as of June 5, Holmes is not yet fully recovered. Jets fans should prepare for the possibility of him missing regular season time.

Jeremy Kerley, WR (heel)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: A heel issue slowed Kerley last week, but details remain sparse. Keep on the lookout for more information as it becomes available.

Dee Milliner, DB (shoulder)

Injury: Labral tear

Status: Expected to be ready for training camp

Analysis: Milliner underwent surgery to repair a labral tear on March 12. Labral tear recovery times are quite variable depending on the nature of the tear in question, but it makes sense that the Jets are merely being cautious with their first-rounder. Head coach Rex Ryan is confident he'll be ready for training camp.

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

Arthur Brown, LB (hernia)

Injury: Sports hernia

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Brown had sports hernia repair surgery in May, likely to repair a weakened or torn abdominal wall muscle. A recovery time of four to six weeks should allow the linebacker to start training camp. In fact, Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun saw him participating in individual drills on June 6.

Kapron Lewis-Moore, (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Kapron Lewis-Moore tore his ACL in last year's BCS Championship Game and underwent surgery soon thereafter. Given his rookie status and likely several more months of needed recovery, don't expect to see him much during the 2013 season.

Jameel McClain, LB (spinal cord)

Injury: Spinal cord contusion

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: McClain suffered a frightening injury last season and later received a diagnosis of a spinal cord contusion—or swelling around the spinal cord. He must take his recovery very slowly, as further injury to his spinal cord could prove disastrous. That said, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported on May 31 that he is participating in individual drills and will regain his starting job once fully cleared.

Lardarius Webb, DB (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Webb sustained his injury in October. As of May 22, he is participating in individual drills. However, he has several more hurdles to clear before being ready for game-time action.

Others

Terrence Cody, DL (hip): Questionable for start of training camp 

Haloti Ngata, DL (knee): Probable for start of training camp

AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals

Bernard Scott, RB (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Scott tore his ACL during Week 2 of the 2012 season but received clearance to begin cutting in mid March. By now, he is likely approaching full recovery, but Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweeted in May that there just might not be a place for him on the Bengals roster.

Others

Mohamed Sanu, WR (foot): Probable for start of training camp

Leon Hall, DB (thumb): Probable for start of training camp

AFC North: Cleveland Browns

Jordan Cameron, TE (hamstring)

Injury: Strained hamstring

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: According to ESPNCleveland.com, Cameron pulled two muscles during spring practices, but precise details are unavailable. Assuming they were both low-grade strains, they should heal before regular season action. However, hamstring strains in particular can linger and are very susceptible to re-injury.

David Nelson, WR (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Surgeons repaired Nelson's knee in September, making his availability for 2013's training camp more than possible. Nine or 10 months—a very unscientific average of recent ACL tear recovery times—puts him ready by the middle of July. According to Mary Kay Cabot, Nelson plans to be out there when camp begins on July 26.

Trent Richardson, RB (leg)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Richardson is battling a "leg" injury that the team believes is nothing more than a muscle strain, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer. The fear is that an underlying stress fracture could require a longer recovery, but there is no reason to believe that is the case at this point. Assuming all goes well, Richardson will begin a running program in a few weeks.

Others

Brandon Weeden: Probable for start of training camp

AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers

Heath Miller, TE (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL, PCL, MCL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Though listed as questionable, Miller playing in Week 1 is unlikely. He suffered a brutal injury last December—tears to three of the four main ligaments of the knee—and cannot afford to suffer any setbacks. Miller said in May that he could start the season, but that represents extreme optimism at best.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB (knee)

Injury: Meniscal injury

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Adam Schefter reported last week that Roethlisberger underwent surgery on his right meniscus. Assuming no setbacks or further injuries take place, it should not affect his season.

Sean Spence, LB (knee)

Injury: Knee dislocation

Status: Doubtful for start of training camp

Analysis: Spence almost certainly won't be available for most or all of the 2013 season. Last year, he suffered a dislocated knee as well as a damaged peroneal nerve—an injury that puts his future in serious jeopardy. It's heartbreaking to see the young linebacker on the sidelines with such an injury, but with a bit of good fortune and ample determination, football may still be in his future.

Others

David Johnson, RB (knee): Probable for start of training camp

AFC South: Houston Texans

Brian Cushing, LB (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Probable for start of training camp 

Analysis: Cushing tore his ACL last October, making June the eight-month mark following his injury. In April, Cushing himself stated he was "right on schedule." If that continues—even though he sat for OTAs—he should be able to start Week 1.

Arian Foster, RB (calf)

Injury: Strained calf muscle

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: On May 28, Foster left practice with a strained calf. He will sit until training camp, and the Texans must take extra caution with their star, as any re-injury could jeopardize the start of the season. Barring such a scenario or an additional, undisclosed injury, he should recover in advance of the regular season.

DeVier Posey, WR (Achilles)

Injury: Torn Achilles tendon

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Posey sustained a torn Achilles tendon in January. Usually, the injury requires surgical repair and around nine months for a full recovery, so while he should return this season, Texans fans shouldn't expect to see him on the field for some time yet.

Ed Reed, DB (hip)

Injury: Torn hip labrum

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Reed had a torn hip labrum repaired in late April and originally said he could return by the middle of training camp. That may no longer be the case, as last week, he didn't exactly deny the possibility of missing regular season games. Much depends on if he has underlying hip arthritis, which given his age and profession, he very well may.

Others

Randy Bullock, K (groin): Probable for start of training camp 

Brooks Reed, LB (groin): Probable for start of training camp

Darryl Sharpton, LB (hip): Probable for start of training camp

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB (foot)

Injury: Fractured foot

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Bradshaw underwent yet another surgery in February. This time, doctors replaced a screw, representing just the latest of multiple procedures on his right foot. He received full medical clearance in late April, but the concern is about what could happen given his hard-nosed style and injury history—one that also includes ankle troubles. A single bad tackle could spell doom—likely the main reason why his recent contract consists of only a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR (hamstring)

Injury: Strained hamstring

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Heyward-Bey sat out of OTAs with a likely low-grade hamstring strain. He will surely rest until he is fully healthy and pain-free before resuming on-field activities, and the injury should not affect his 2013 season  much, if at all.

Others

Pat Angerer, LB (foot): Questionable for start of training camp

AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars

Jason Babin, DL (groin)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: On June 4, John Oehser tweeted that Babin underwent groin surgery but is expected to be available for training camp. Details are lacking, but the situation does not seem serious.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB (foot)

Injury: Lisfranc fracture

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: The feared Lisfranc fracture also hit Maurice Jones-Drew last season, an injury for which he had surgery last December. Unfortunately, he suffered the injury itself all the way back in October, costing him valuable rehabilitation time. Add that to subtle rumblings that he may not be available for training camp, and it appears MJD's injury woes still have a ways to go.

Jordan Rodgers, QB (sports hernia)

Injury: Sports hernia

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Surgeons repaired Rodgers' hernia in mid May. A four-to-six week recovery time—typical for the injury—will have him ready for the beginning of training camp.

Ace Sanders, WR (ab, hip)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Details about the exact nature of Sanders' abdominal and hip injuries—news of which surfaced May 14—are scarce. However, he practiced just six days later, so it seems safe to surmise the injuries are minor.

Others

Blaine Gabbert, QB (shoulder, forearm): Probable for start of training camp  

Matt Scott, QB (ankle): Probable for start of training camp

Cecil Shorts, WR (concussion): Probable for start of training camp

AFC South: Tennessee Titans

Justin Hunter, WR (hamstring)

Injury: Strained hamstring

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: According to Jim Wyatt, Hunter has missed seven OTA practices so far, and the team may hold him out until training camp. That is probably a smart move, as hamstring strains can linger for weeks—even months—if not handled properly.

Jake Locker, QB (non-throwing shoulder)

Injury: Dislocated non-throwing shoulder (x2)

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Locker dislocated his non-throwing shoulder twice last season, and he underwent surgery to repair the damage in January. Such a surgery helps prevent the development of a chronically loose shoulder, a possible complication of repeated dislocations. As of May 21, Locker feels that his shoulder is normal, and he should be good to go.

Marc Mariani, WR (leg)

Injury: Compound lower leg fracture

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Mariani suffered a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula last August. A gruesome type of injury, a compound fracture occurs when a broken bone becomes so displaced that it actually punctures through the skin to the outside world. Fortunately, following urgent surgery, most can fully heal as long as the injury spares the nerves and arteries in the lower leg. It appears that is the case with Mariani, as coach Mike Munchak called his progress "amazing" toward the end of May.

Colin McCarthy, LB (ankle)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: McCarthy underwent surgery in mid April for a right ankle injury. Presumably, doctors determined the injury he sustained in September needed assistance in order to fully heal, but details are lacking. By May 22, McCarthy gauged his recovery at 80 percent.

Kendall Wright, WR (back)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Unclear

Analysis: According to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean, Wright sat out Monday with a sore back. Without more information, it is impossible to make any conclusions, as causes of back pain range from minor and insignificant to very serious. Hopefully it's the former.

AFC West: Denver Broncos

Joel Dreessen, TE (knee)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: According to coach John Fox, Dreessen had "a little knee procedure, scope" performed sometime in late May to "clean it up." In other words, doctors inserted cameras into his knee joint to visualize any damaged cartilage, trim away frayed cartilage edges and possibly remove free-floating fragments. Dreessen will likely need somewhere in the neighborhood of six weeks to fully recover, but as long as the damage was not extensive—and it sounds like it was not—he should be ready for training camp.

Willis McGahee, RB (knee)

Injury: Torn MCL, leg fracture

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: McGahee went down last November with a torn MCL and leg fracture, but he avoided surgery. By now, he should be fully healthy, but questions linger due to the fact that he did not appear at Broncos OTAs.

Knowshon Moreno, RB (knee)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Moreno sustained a knee injury during the playoffs last season, the nature of which remains unclear. Later, sometime in January or February, he received an injection of stem cells into his in knee—stem cells harvested from the bone marrow in his pelvis—in an effort to aid his recovery. As of May 20, his recovery is not complete, as he is not yet cleared for team drills.

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs

Shaun Draughn, RB (hernia)

Injury: Sports hernia

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: A sports hernia is sidelining Draughn for the time being. It is unclear whether the abdominal wall defect required—or will require—surgery, an operation that usually carries with it a recovery time of four to six weeks.

Tony Moeaki, TE (knee)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Moeaki underwent a knee scope sometime around the end of last season. Unfortunately, further information is lacking, and a knee scope could imply anything from repairing minor damage to an outright ligament reconstruction. Moeaki's presence on the field May 14 argues against the latter, but coach Reid's recent balk as to whether or not the tight end will be ready for training camp is troubling.

AFC West: Oakland Raiders

Josh Cribbs, WR (knee)

Injury: Meniscal injury

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Cribbs had surgery to repair an injured meniscus—the knee's cushioning cartilage between the thigh and lower leg—after the 2012 season. In May, he passed a physical for the Raiders and expects to start once Week 1 rolls around.

Jacoby Ford, WR (hamstring)

Injury: Hamstring strain

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Ford has since fully recovered from the Lisfranc injury he suffered last September, but his prolonged immobility likely weakened his legs a tad. According to Vic Tafur, Ford tweaked a hamstring last week. It sounds minor, and at this point in the game, the Raiders will certainly exercise extreme caution with their frequently injured receiver.

DJ Hayden, DB (abdominal injury)

Injury: Scar tissue removal

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Hayden underwent emergent, life-saving surgery to locate the source of massive internal bleeding last November. The source was a torn inferior vena cava in his chest, but his surgeons initially—and understandably, as most internal bleeds are abdominal—searched within his abdomen. Precise details are unavailable, but speculation suggests the extensive manipulation of his intestines on top of the large abdominal incision led to a build-up of scar tissue called adhesions.

To restore normal intestinal function, doctors had to cut the adhesions in order to loosen up his normally mobile intestinal tract. The surgery will probably cost Hayden six weeks—perhaps longer given his history—but he should return well before the regular season.

Unfortunately, the adhesions will probably recur. The uncertainty lies in whether or not they will once again become symptomatic, thus precipitating more intervention. Such a scenario is less likely, but it's definitely not impossible.

Others

Nick Kasa, TE (hamstring): Probable for start of training camp

AFC West: San Diego Chargers

Vincent Brown, WR (ankle)

Injury: Fractured ankle

Status: Appears ready for training camp

Analysis: Brown broke his ankle last August. By May 20, he felt back to 100 percent, but the Chargers took his return understandably cautiously. However, Brown rotated with starters on June 3, suggesting that he is ready to go for the 2013 season.

Melvin Ingram, LB (knee)

Injury: Torn left ACL

Status: Likely out for the 2013 season

Analysis: The official Chargers Twitter account broke the awful news on May 14. Anything is possible, of course, but fans should not expect to see Ingram on the field in 2013, as the injury usually carries a recovery time of eight or more months.

Ryan Mathews, RB (shoulder)

Injury: Fractured clavicle (collarbone)

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Mathew's fractured clavicles likely fully healed long ago. Except in the case of an entirely new injury, they should not affect him going forward.

Brandon Taylor, DB (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Dr. James Andrews repaired Taylor's ACL in December. At a follow-up visit in March, Dr. Andrews determined Taylor was "ahead of schedule," though that represented only a few months into what will probably end up being an eight-month rehab. As of May 5, he remains questionable for training camp.

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys

Dez Bryant, WR (back, finger)

Injury: Fractured finger, unclear back injury

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: The finger issue from last year is all but gone, though it did require offseason surgery. Assuming no malunion or nonunion occurred—where the broken bone heals in an improper alignment or not at all—Cowboys fans shouldn't hear much from it again.

Somewhat more concerning is Bryant's back. He left the Cowboys' final game last season with the injury, and it persisted to the point of needing to leave the field in a wheelchair in late March. As of May 26, he still needs treatment. That said, the injury isn't expected to affect him in the long run, but it is worth keeping an eye on.

Sean Lee, LB (toe)

Injury: Toe sprain

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Lee sprained his big toe in late October, and the injury ended up costing him the rest of the season when the Cowboys decided to proceed with surgery to repair the ligament. By early December, Lee no longer needed a walking boot, and as of last week, he is practicing at full speed. His rehab was a lengthy process—as is often the case with foot injuries—but it looks like it is nearing an end.

DeMarco Murray, RB (hamstring)

Injury: Strained hamstring

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: News that Murray tweaked a hamstring surfaced on May 21. He returned just over a week later, and hopefully that will close the book on the issue. Any signs of discomfort will probably force him to the sidelines once more, as further hamstring injury is the last thing a running back needs before the season even starts.

Joseph Randle, RB (thumb)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Randle's thumb injury popped up when Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas caught him wearing a brace in early May. He underwent surgery soon thereafter, but the nature of the injury is still unclear. The need for surgery likely implies something along the lines of a more seriously torn ligament or bone fracture, and he currently plans to remove the brace in mid or late June.

Tony Romo, QB (back)

Injury: Back cyst

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Doctors removed a cyst from Romo's back prior to the draft, and according to Ed Werder, he remains out of Cowboys minicamp this week. However, the initial report sounds very optimistic. Additionally, there is no reason to think the cyst was within his spinal cord itself—a condition called syringomyelia—which is the only real concern here.

Others

Miles Austin, WR (ankle): Probable for start of training camp 

Danny Coale, WR (ACL): Questionable for start of training camp 

Jay Ratliff, DL (groin): Probable for start of training camp

NFC East: New York Giants

David Bass, OL (elbow)

Injury: Bone spurs

Status: Expected to be ready for training camp

Analysis: Baas underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his elbow—a condition that develops due to overuse or arthritis—in April. The surgery appears to have been on the less-serious side of things, as it looks like he'll be ready for camp, according to The Star Ledger's Ebenezer Samuel.

Andre Brown, RB (leg)

Injury: Fractured left fibula

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Brown fractured his fibula—a narrow bone in the lower leg that runs alongside the tibia, or shin bone—in late November of last season. It is almost certainly long-since healed, as he initially received the distinction of "designated to return" last year when the Giants placed him on Injured Reserve.

Henry Hynoski, RB (knee)

Injury: Injured MCL, lateral tibial plateau fracture

Status: Out for preseason, questionable for Week 1 at Dallas

Analysis: Hynoski sustained his injury in late May. The fact that he needed surgery to repair the MCL implies at least a grade-two (partial) to grade-three (complete) tear. A tibial plateau fracture—where a break involves the large, flat portion of the top of the shin bone—complicates matters further, and the length of his recovery is reliant more on it than the ligament repair. Depending on the nature of a plateau fracture, rehab can take upwards of several months. Details are scarce, so projecting an exact timetable is difficult.

Hakeem Nicks, WR (knee)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Nicks underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee sometime around late February. That likely implies injury to the meniscal cartilage within his left knee, though details are lacking. His recovery seemed complete by late May, and it appears unlikely it will affect his presence at training camp.

Jason Pierre-Paul, DL (back)

Injury: Herniated intervertebral disc

Status: Doubtful for start of training camp, questionable for start of regular season

Analysis: Like Rob Gronkowski, Jason Pierre-Paul's status for the regular season is very much in doubt, and linemen are at particular risk for this type of injury. After undergoing surgery to remove the offending disc last week, Pierre-Paul could require three months or more of recovery. The exact timetable depends greatly on the extent of the procedure, but theoretically, removing the bulging disc should alleviate pressure on his nerves, thereby relieving his symptoms. Once post-surgical swelling resolves and he rehabs to full strength, he will take the field, but it's unclear when that will be.

Chris Snee, OL (hip)

Injury: Torn hip labrum

Status: Expected to be ready for training camp

Analysis: Snee played through his torn hip labrum for much of last season. As long as the tear is on the milder side, doing so is possible. As the labrum is cartilage and generally doesn't heal well on its own, he needed offseason surgery in February to complete the healing process. As of Tuesday, it looks like he will be ready for training camp, according to Ebenezer Samuel of The Star Ledger.

Terrell Thomas, DB (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Thomas tore his right ACL for the third time last September. That probably means he's needed the replacement of not only his native ligament but also the next two tendon grafts used to serve in its place. He completed his rehab and received medical clearance in late May, but the Giants are understandably moving forward cautiously.

David Wilson, RB (hand)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Wilson had surgery to "remove a bone chip" in his palm earlier this offseason. That could imply a small fracture or the removal of an arthritic bone spur. Either way, the running back sounded very optimistic, and Giants fans needn't concern themselves at this point.

Others

Shaun Rogers, DL (leg): Questionable for start of training camp

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles

James Casey, TE (knee)

Injury: (Apparent) meniscal cartilage injury

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Casey underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to "clean out loose cartilage" in late May. Depending on the extent of the work done, he will likely miss in the neighborhood of six weeks, and the Eagles already declared he will sit at least until training camp.

Trent Cole, DL (hand)

Injury: Fractured hand bone, strained hand tendon

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Apparently, Cole played through a "snapped" bone and tendon last year. Doctors surgically repaired the injury sometime during the offseason—presumably re-aligning any displaced fractures and re-attaching ruptured tendons—though details are murky. Cole is already practicing, so all seems well.

Others

Nick Foles, QB (hand): Probable for start of training camp

DeSean Jackson, WR (ribs): Probable for start of training camp

NFC East: Washington Redskins

Fred Davis, TE (Achilles)

Injury: Torn Achilles tendon

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Davis went down with his injury during Week 7 of last season, and a little less than eight months later, he looks ready. According to Rich Campbell, Coach Shanahan wants to hold Davis out a bit longer as a precautionary measure—there is no reason to risk re-injury at this point—but if a game was on the schedule next week, he could play.

Pierre Garcon, WR (toe, shoulder)

Injury: Sprained foot, torn labrum

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Garcon had shoulder labrum repair surgery for an injury he sustained during last season's playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but he doesn't anticipate any problems. The larger issue is his foot. A torn ligament continues to plague the wide receiver, an injury for which he refused surgery throughout the 2012 season.

According to NFL.com's Kevin Patra, Garcon will wear specially crafted shoes to assist in his rehab, but nothing is a guarantee. Ligaments carry poor blood supplies, limiting their healing ability, and the complex biomechanical stress walking and running places on the feet further complicates matters. Redskins fans need to cross their fingers that the injury does not become a chronic issue, but it seems very possible that it is heading down that road.

Robert Griffin III, QB (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL, LCL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: So far, RG3's recovery from one of the most infamous knee injuries in recent memory is miraculous. In fact, after watching the superstar sprint and cut last Thursday, Sports Illustrated's Peter King wrote on Monday that he believes RG3 is a lock to start Week 1. That very well may prove to be the case.

However, he still has a long way to go. 

As silly as it sounds, the world will not know RG3 is ready until, well, he is. Despite his superhuman progress through rehab, each phase is as important as the last. The penultimate phases are also ripe for setbacks, as it is very easy to push too far a normal-feeling knee that, in reality, is still ailing.

Admittedly, RG3's recovery seems to be going as perfectly as possible—I even jumped on the bandwagon last month—but until that final rehab box of live, in-game activity is checked, nothing is a given.

Brian Orakpo, LB (pectoral)

Injury: Torn left pectoral

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: The Redskins defense took a massive hit in September when Orakpo tore his left pectroal muscle—the large muscle making up the bulk of the upper chest—costing him the vast majority of the 2012 season. Fortunately, as of mid April, he feels fully recovered. There is always a chance for re-injury, but the acute effects of his most recent tear are likely completely gone.

Jordan Reed, TE (knee)

Injury: "Bone bruise" in knee, strained quadriceps

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: The career of the Redskins rookie started off on the wrong foot. A strained quad and bone bruise in his knee are likely going to keep him out through most or all of minicamp. Just like hamstring injuries, quad strains are tricky. However, reports remain optimistic.

Chris Thompson, RB (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: The ACL bug bit Thompson last October, but his road to recovery is progressing nicely. However, like all ACL tears, he will not receive clearance until he meets all of his rehab goals, and that time is still "more than a month away." Also like all ACL tears, setbacks are possible all the way through the very end of the recovery process.

Others

Reed Doughty, DB (toe): Probable for start of training camp

London Fletcher, LB (ankle, elbow): Probable for start of training camp

DeAngelo Hall, DB (finger): Probable for start of training camp

Roy Helu, RB (toe): Probable for start of training camp

Josh Morgan, WR (hands, ankle): Questionable for start of training camp

NFC North: Chicago Bears

Brandon Hardin, DB (neck)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Details are very scarce when it comes to Hardin, but he suffered a neck injury last August that landed him on Injured Reserve. Coming up with anything more represents pure speculation, but as of March, Hardin is "fully healthy."

Shea McClellin, DL (foot)

Injury: Plantar fasciitis

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: According to Pro Football Talk's Curtis Crabtree, McClellin is suffering from plantar fasciitis in his right foot per the Chicago Tribune. He is still participating in workouts, however, suggesting the condition is on the minor end of the spectrum. Nevertheless, the Bears must move cautiously and listen to McClellin's symptoms, as plantar fasciitis—an inflammatory process in the arch of the foot marked chiefly by pain—is sometimes difficult to treat and can linger.

Others

Robbie Gould, K (calf): Probable for start of training camp

NFC North: Detroit Lions

Jahvid Best, RB (concussions)

Injury: Multiple concussions

Status: Questionable for 2013 season

Analysis: Best's story is a very sad one. After suffering multiple concussions in a short time period, his football career is likely over, as he remains unable to find a neurologist who will clear him to return to play despite his symptom-free state.

The fear stems from the cumulative effects of his concussions, as it is widely held that repeated concussions lower the force threshold necessary to cause future injury as well as make each successive concussion last longer. Additionally, recent research on the disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) may imply that putting Best on the field once again is putting his long-term livelihood at stake.

At this point, Best is no longer taking neurological tests, possibly representing the start of him officially calling it quits. Everyone in the football community feels for him and certainly sends him their best wishes.

Ryan Broyles, WR (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Broyles sustained a torn ACL in December. A recovery timetable of roughly eight to nine months places him ready to go by Week 1, but all ACL injuries are just as dependent on the late stages of rehab as the early ones. Nevertheless, he is on track so far. On Tuesday, the official Lions Twitter account reported that Broyles participated in team drills.

Nate Burleson, WR (leg)

Injury: Fractured leg

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Burleson fractured his right leg in late October and underwent surgery to set the bone soon thereafter. His recovery went well, and as of May 22, he is a full participant in Lions practice activities.

Mikel Leshoure, RB (hamstring)

Injury: Strained hamstring

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Leshoure strained a hamstring in late May. According to the Lions' Twitter account, he returned to action Tuesday, but not before head coach Jim Schwartz expressed some concern about the slow-healing nature of the injury. Hamstring strains and running backs do not jive well, so the Lions will certainly exercise extra caution when it comes to his progress.

Others

Louis Delmas, DB (knees): Questionable for start of training camp

NFC North: Green Bay Packers

Desmond Bishop, LB (hamstring)

Injury: Strained hamstring

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Bishop suffered a ruptured hamstring tendon in the 2012 preseason, implying a grade-three tendon strain. In other words, this isn't a run-of-the-mill hammy. Rather, one or more of the three hamstring tendons completely separated into two pieces. Following surgery to re-attached the two ends—or one end to the bone from which it detached, if that is the case—Bishop started a lengthy rehab process. As of last week, he is making progress but is still limited. That should not come as a surprise, as this type of injury is nothing to scoff at.

Update: According to Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com, the Packers will part ways with Bishop. The decision is almost certainly largely based on the injury.

Jarrett Boykin, WR (lower leg)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: As of June 4, Boykin is sitting out after suffering what looked like a lower leg injury. Details are lacking, so stay tuned.

Jerel Worthy, DL (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Dr. James Andrews repaired Worthy's torn ACL in January. As always, each injury is unique, but a nine-month rehabilitation time would allow him to play this season. However, that assumes no setbacks and that the Packers can get him to game readiness—both big assumptions. Nevertheless, Worthy believes he'll get it done.

Others

Alex Green, RB (knee): Probable for start of training camp

NFC North: Minnesota Vikings

Greg Childs, WR (knees)

Injury: Torn patellar tendons

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Childs tore both patellar tendons last August—one of the more massive knee injuries out there. The patellar tendon is the area a doctor hits with a reflex hammer and connects the quadriceps muscles to the lower leg, allowing for straightening of the knee. Returning to a normal lifestyle after such an injury is challenging enough, let alone play football in the NFL once again, but by early May, Childs was already sprinting and cutting. However, he is "not close" to 100 percent, so do not expect him on the field anytime soon.

Chad Greenway, LB (knee)

Injury: Apparent meniscal damage

Status: Unknown

Analysis: According to Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com, Greenway will undergo a knee scope Wednesday. Usually, such a procedure is to trim away damaged cartilage or remove loose cartilage bodies, and the recovery time varies widely depending on the extent of the damage within the knee. Pelissero states that Greenway should return for training camp, but until surgeons are physically inside the knee to gauge the damage, it's tough to say.

Adrian Peterson, RB (hernia)

Injury: Sports hernia

Status: Probable for start of training camp.

Analysis: It's Adrian Peterson. He's fine.

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan, QB (shoulder)

Injury: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint sprain

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Ryan sustained a left AC joint sprain—the joint connecting the collarbone to the shoulder blade—in January. It did not require surgery and has long since healed.

NFC South: Carolina Panthers

Jon Beason, LB (knee)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Beason underwent knee surgery last October and shoulder surgery sometime around December. Precise details are lacking, but he is "ahead of schedule" as of last week and plans to participate in minicamp. Stay tuned for further updates.

Jonathan Stewart, RB (ankle)

Injury: Ankle sprain

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Stewart suffered a high-ankle sprain in late November. High-ankle sprains are tricky, as they involve the ligaments that connect the bones of the lower leg to each other. He underwent arthroscopic surgery to address the issue in January but remains very limited as of May 23.

NFC South: New Orleans Saints

Victor Butler, LB (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Likely out for 2013 season

Analysis: The awful news broke early Wednesday morning via NOLA.com's Larry Holder. There is essentially zero chance for Butler to contribute this year, as a nine-month recovery would not allow him to return this season.

Jimmy Graham, TE (wrist)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Appears ready for training camp

Analysis: Doctors surgically repaired Graham's wrist sometime in January, though details are lacking. He is fully participating in team workouts, so the injury no longer appears troublesome.

Others

Nick Toon, WR (foot): Probable for start of training camp

NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Darrell Revis, DB (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Revis tore his ACL last September and underwent surgery soon thereafter. Doctors used a piece of his patellar tendon to replace the ruptured ligament—a common way to repair the injury. Nine months later, Revis is still not practicing, though such news represents the norm rather than the exception. The recent charge of quicker returns from ACL injury are easy to recall but difficult to generalize, and for every quick return, there is a more normal—or "slower"—one. That said, the Bucs remain confident that the superstar defensive back will start Week 1.

Adrian Clayborn, DL (knee)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Clayborn sustained a knee injury requiring surgery—presumably a torn ACL—last September. His recovery is proceeding at a so-called "normal" pace—see Revis' above—as the Bucs held him out of team drills in May. He still has plenty of time to return to top form before the season starts.

NFC West: Arizona Cardinals

Jeff King, TE (knee)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: The extent of King's injury is unclear, but he underwent surgery at some point in the offseason. Further details are unavailable.

Ryan Swope, WR (concussion)

Injury: Concussions

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Swope's concussion problems began in college, and they are not yet over as of late May. Concussion symptoms can re-develop with increasing exertion—the basis for the stepwise return-to-play protocol employed in most sports. Though head coach Bruce Arians insists Swope will be fine, until he can play at full speed without redeveloping symptoms, he isn't there yet.

Others

Ryan Williams, RB (shoulder): Probable for start of training camp

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers

Michael Crabtree, WR (Achilles)

Injury: Torn Achilles tendon

Status: Out for start of training camp, questionable to play in 2013 season

Analysis: Crabtree tore his Achilles in May during organized team activities, and the injury placed quite a damper on an otherwise-impressive 49ers offseason. He underwent surgery to repair the injury and will likely miss at least six months. As is the case with major leg injuries, setbacks can occur at any time. As a result, Crabtree's participation in the 2013 season is nowhere close to a guarantee, and the situation remains very fluid.

Frank Gore, RB (undisclosed)

Injury: Undisclosed

Status: Unclear

Analysis: Gore sat in late May with an unclear injury. Details are otherwise scarce.

Kendall Hunter, RB (Achilles)

Injury: Torn Achilles tendon

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: Similar to Crabtree, Hunter suffered his own Achilles injury last November. Now six months out, Hunter is back to cutting. It would seem he is on pace for full action by the time training camp rolls around, but also similar to Crabtree, it's still too early to tell.

Marcus Lattimore, RB (knee)

Injury: Dislocated knee

Status: Doubtful for 2013 season

Analysis: About eight months ago, Lattimore's knee crumpled under the weight of two University of Tennessee defenders. Then, his recovery started. In late March, he worked out in front of scouts. Two months after that, he signed a contract with the 49ers. Everyone—not just 49ers fans—smiled that day.

Nevertheless, Lattimore is still a very long way from returning to the field. His drive is unquestionable, but following such a brutal knee injury—one of the worst in recent memory—caution trumps aggressiveness. Do not expect to see him on the field for several months at the very earliest, as make no mistake: This was a limb-threatening type of injury.

Mario Manningham, WR (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: After tearing both his ACL and PCL last December, Manningham is still far from meaningful participation on the football field. The wide receiver is optimistic he will start Week 1, but according to Matt Maiocco, coach Jim Harbaugh is a tad more realistic. The addition of a PCL injury to an ACL tear complicates rehabilitation immensely and increases the likelihood of setbacks, though it doesn't necessarily add significant time to an ACL rehab protocol. Think along the lines of nine months to a year.

Aldon Smith, LB (shoulder)

Injury: Torn labrum

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Doctors surgically repaired a torn labrum in Smith's shoulder sometime around the beginning of March. The procedure is necessary due to the fact that the labrum—a ring of cartilage that supports the upper arm bone as it meets the shoulder blade—usually doesn't heal on its own. Rehab time depends on the nature of the tear and can range from several weeks to several months. That said, Smith resumed weightlifting in mid April and was somewhat active in organized team activities toward the end of May. Both developments suggest his injury was less severe rather than more.

Justin Smith, DL (triceps)

Injury: Torn triceps tendon

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Similar to how labrums are stubborn to heal—owing to relatively poor blood flow—so are muscle tendons. Smith played through his injury—a 50 percent tear—during the end of the 2012 season, but he needed surgery for definitive healing after the season ended. As of mid April, he appears fully recovered, so it's likely the injury will be heard from again barring another acute episode.

Joe Staley, OL (knee)

Injury: Torn meniscus

Status: Expected to be ready for training camp

Analysis: Staley underwent arthroscopic surgery in late May to repair a torn meniscus. The injury usually carries a recovery time of four to six weeks depending on the severity of the damage. The tear was "minor," so expect Staley ready for training camp.

Kyle Williams, WR (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: An ACL tear cut Williams' season short late last November. However, an April report put him on track for training camp. If that does come to pass, it would mark a recovery time of about eight months, putting Williams on the quicker side of things when it comes to ACL rehab.

NFC West: Seattle Seahawks

Cliff Avril, DL (foot)

Injury: Plantar fasciitis

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: News of Avril's battle with plantar fasciitis surfaced in late May. As of last week, his foot is still bothering him, which will likely cost him some time in minicamp. Unfortunately, rest and rehab are the only treatment options for plantar fasciitis, and the condition is a bit unpredictable.

Michael Bennett, DL (shoulder)

Injury: Torn rotator cuff

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Bennett isn't worried about his torn rotator cuff—a group of four muscles in the shoulder responsible for many of the complex motions of the joint. He played through the injury last year, suggesting the injury is only a partial tear. However, further damage could seriously jeopardize his effectiveness on the field, and given his profession, it's likely he will require surgery at some point in the future.

Chris Clemons, DL (knee)

Injury: Torn ACL

Status: Hopes to be ready for Week 1

Analysis: Dr. James Andrews repaired the ACL tear Clemons sustained in January. In early June, head coach Pete Carroll sounded optimistic that he could start Week 1. That would entail a recovery time of less than eight months, representing a relatively quick rehab. It bears repeating, however, that he needs to satisfy all rehab requirements first, and each step carries unique challenges. In other words, the Seahawks won't know of his availability for some time.

Others

Zach Miller, TE (foot): Probable for start of training camp

Sidney Rice, WR (knee): Probable for start of training camp

Greg Scruggs, DL (knee): Doubtful for 2013 season

NFC West: St. Louis Rams

Jared Cook, TE (shoulder)

Injury: Torn rotator cuff

Status: Probable for start of training camp

Analysis: The rotator cuff tear that ended Cook's 2012 season appears resolved. As of late May, Cook is enjoying working with his new team and quarterback on the practice field.

Lance Kendricks, TE (knee)

Injury: Unclear

Status: Questionable for start of training camp

Analysis: Kendricks underwent arthroscopic knee surgery sometime in April due to knee swelling. Speculation suggests a meniscus injury, though details are scarce. Knee scope recovery times vary greatly depending on the extent and nature of the injury in question.