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 5!

WEEK 5 INJURIES:

JJ Watt, DE, Houston, Tibial Plateau Fracture - Out for the year
- 3 months non weight bearing after surgery...

Very little contact on JJ Watt's injury. pic.twitter.com/eXoKEe6zo7
— Sports Videos & GIFs (@Sports__GIF) October 9, 2017

I can't sugarcoat it, I am devastated.
All I want to do is be out there on that field for my teammates and this city.
I'm sorry.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 9, 2017

I'd rather risk it all by going balls to the wall than play it safe wondering if I coulda had it all.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 30, 2016

Odell Beckham, WR New York Football Giants, Broken Ankle - Out for year
- (@evang14 question) What if Odell Caught the ball… Would he have landed differently?

That's a season ender for Odell Beckham Jr. pic.twitter.com/hp6aO7JeMe
— SaquonSZN Ethan (@EthanGSN) October 8, 2017

Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City, Concussion - Left in 2nd Quarter, did not return to game
- Illegal hit
- Is this another example of players giving the extra effort coaches preach?

The hit on Travis Kelce... ouch pic.twitter.com/SJtFFsGwUv
— Jeff Rosen (@jeff_rosen88) October 9, 2017

Chris Conley, WR Kansas City, Torn Achilles - Out for year, viewer discretion advised

Brutal injury for Chris Conley... peep his calf pic.twitter.com/RjgaIhMKqz
— Byrie Irving Stan ☘️ (@mattdole24) October 9, 2017

Every other Giants WR, Brandon Marshall Ankle, Sterling Shepard Ankle, Dwayne Harris Foot (Out for year)
Eli Manning, QB New York Football Giants, Xrays on Neck postgame
Ben Roethlisberger, QB Pittsburgh, Injuries to Ego and Confidence after 5 INT games vs. Jaguars

WEEK 4 FOLLOW-UP:

David Amerson, CB, Oakland, Concussion Follow-up, Limited all week in Practice, was questionable for game vs. Ravens, ended up being Inactive, did not dress from the game.
Davonte Adams, WR, Green Bay, Concussion, Active, Played full game, scored GW TD with 10 seconds left
- "To take a hit like that 10 days ago, to be in an ambulance, and then be back out here today -- that speaks volumes about mental toughness," receiver Randall Cobb said of Adams. "Not a lot of people would have been out there. Even a lot of football players wouldn't have been out there. It takes an incredible amount of mental toughness, but that's Davante. And Aaron? What can I say? He just does what needs to be done."
  - Randall Cobb
    - Highlighting how NFLers define toughness...
Vontaze Burfict, LB, Cincinatti, Not fined for roughing the passer vs. Cleveland
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Green Bay, Fined 24k for Helmet to Helmet hit of CHI WR Josh Bellamy
- Went under the radar because of the Burfict hit in that game.

Haha hit on Bellamy

Danny Trevathan Suspension reduced on appeal to just 1 game...
Jon Gruden on Trevathan Hit…
- “I don’t want to see anybody get hurt,” Gruden said. “It was a vicious hit, but not to be politically correct, you’re supposed to run to the ball. We used to tell our receivers, if you want to run an inside breaking route, if you want to fight for yardage after the catch, you better be careful because these defensive players, they’re on the hunt. I think some of these receivers that are running these quick screens and these inside breaking RPOs [run/pass options], they need to get down, personally. I’m not blaming Davante Adams but I think there’s two ways to look at it. I’ve always coached energy, hustling, rushing to the pile, and if it is wiggling, you do hit it. Because guys are fighting for yardage, and sometimes you’ve got to give up the ball because of one inch. Inches matter. That’s why they measure first downs. That’s why they have a crew down there with those chains. So I’m a little sensitive. I thought Trevathan made a great play. Obviously, what he’s hitting, the surface, below the neck, all those things, I’m totally agreeing on. But I thought Trevathan made a heck of a play and unfortunately a man got hurt.”

Week 5 In-depth discussions:

Cam Newton Discussion, Women in Football/Perspective
Extra Effort Hits: Not necessarily late but are they necessary? Watch for these plays next game you watch, especially during piles. Does the NFL need to change rules on late-ish hits?
- Need for quicker whistles and adoption of the college rule, knee down-play over?