After each week of NFL football games for the 2017-2018 season, the Heads 'N Tales podcast will be posting an episode dedicated to injuries and health & safety topics surrounding the NFL. Specifically we will talk about possible prevention strategies, the rulebook, equipment and other injury buzz around the league. My co-host and strategist for these episodes will be one of my closest friends, Josh Boyd (hence the J in "JK"..I'm the K...). Josh and I grew up playing baseball together. Josh was a division-1 center fielder for Monmouth University and experienced his fair share of injuries throughout his career. Although Josh never played organized football, the dude flat-out knows the game of football and undoubtably knows more about the ins-and-outs of the sport better than I do from both a fan and x's & o's perspective. Our intention for these episodes is to spark conversations around topics that are usually brushed under the rug or only minimally covered in the hopes of making football and all sports safer for the athletes who play them.

You are currently looking at the show notes for Week 11!

Week 11 Injuries:

Chris Thompson, RB Washington, Fractured Fibula (Out for Year)

This injury to Chris Thompson doesn't look good. Right ankle gets trapped underneath a Saints player pic.twitter.com/WW8hQcp42n
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) November 19, 2017

Is this a result of not going 100%?

Alex Okafor, DE New Orleans, Torn Achilles (Out for Year)

This was the Alex Okafor injury, if you didn't see. Favored his lower right leg. No doctor of course, thoughts @ProFootballDoc? pic.twitter.com/Tzw9OmZcNN
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) November 20, 2017

Signed 1 year contract in offseason after 4 years in ARI
Breakout year, pending free agent again
Why guys hold out and should hold out for big contract when they can

Kelvin Benjamin, WR Buffalo, Right Knee, Status TBD (History)

Here’s a better angle on the Kelvin Benjamin right knee injury. He grabbed the back of the knee. Being carted to the locker room now. #bills pic.twitter.com/OXYFdOuKvU
— Nick Veronica (@NickVeronica) November 19, 2017

Not a defenseless receiver situation

#Bills WR Kelvin Benjamin carted off the field with injury, here's the play pic.twitter.com/1IjF6GAvYu
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 19, 2017

Torn Left ACL in 2015 training camp
Avoided any ligament damage this injury

D’Onta Foreman, RB Houston, Torn Achilles (Out for Year)

This 34-yard TD run and injury by Texans rookie D'Onta Foreman is 2017 in a nutshellpic.twitter.com/MroSsQnTMQ
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) November 19, 2017

Jay Cutler, QB Miami, Concussion

Jay Cutler played a half.
Matt Moore played a half.

They played the same team.

Here are the stats comparison as the game is now tied at 20. pic.twitter.com/WFqL6LMyOK
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 19, 2017

(Article, no video)
Kristen Cavallari (Wife) Hates Football

Johnny Holton, WR Oakland, Concussion Protocol

#Raiders versus #Patriots: Johnny Holton shows clear #concussion signs after his head violently bounces off the turf. Holds head, remains on ground. Now in "protocol." I am really hoping that the noise we made last week re: 3 protocol breaches prevents his return. See video: pic.twitter.com/OkxqOnVZpB
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) November 19, 2017

Returned to Game

Jake Elliot, K Philadelphia, Concussion

It's not everyday you see a kicker with a concussion

Ryan Switzer's opening kickoff return pic.twitter.com/jHW4JcDKna
— DemBoyzNation (@DemBoyzNation) November 20, 2017

Mason Crosby shows us how it is done (below)

🗣 MASON CROSBY SQUARING FOLKS UP #ForTheBrand pic.twitter.com/pNOX1XTZbc
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 19, 2017

Week 11 Hits:

Jacksonville Punt Returner hit on Cleveland Gunner on Punt

Right in front of the ref, no flag? #Browns pic.twitter.com/Fr3TG6o8FJ
— Da❌on Kec❌an (@DownWithDamon) November 19, 2017

Some are saying this was a heads up play...

I believe that's the second time this season that Jaydon Mickens has hit a coverage guy to prevent him from downing a punt. Heads-up play. https://t.co/PJdzygWzkL
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) November 19, 2017

This is technically within the legal rules because a fair catch was not signaled
We think the defenseless player definition needs to be expanded to include situations such as this one

Kiko Alonso misses hit on Ryan Fitzpatrick

Kiki Alonso tries to “Flacco” Ryan Fitzpatrick and draws a penalty pic.twitter.com/mqvDqXH8o2
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) November 19, 2017

Looking back on the Flacco hit, this looks like head-hunting

Travis Kelce trick play interception leads to our first Defenseless Defender!

Travis Kelce is looking to pass.
Travis Kelce goes DEEEEEP down field.

Travis Kelce throws an INT... #KCvsNYG pic.twitter.com/zyWAxqJzhA
— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2017

Week 10 Updates:

No NFL decision on Russell Wilson/Concussion Protocol Incident, could be coming this week
Interesting idea for concussion protocol compliance from Rich Eisen:

After the confusion and controversy around Russell Wilson last Thurdsay @richeisen fixes concussion protocol in Monday's #VoiceOfREason: pic.twitter.com/d9a9ks5omx
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) November 13, 2017

Ear piece for official
15 yard penalty and timeout removed like you lost a review in real time for not following concussion protocol
Steelers/Titans Thursday Night Game
- No Major injuries reported
- Are Thursday night games really the problem?