While there is never a shortage of major injuries during each week of the NFL season. And there were some major injuries that occurred. From Aaron Rodgers’ knee, David DeCastro’s broken hand, a fractured ankle from Delanie Walker, a Greg Olsen reinjuring his fractured foot from last season.
But this week I’m going to focus on the right hamstring of Jacksonville Jaguars’ running back Leonard Fournette. Who injured his right hamstring against the New York Giants on Sunday and did not return.
Leonard Fournette limps off field holding his hammy. Something to monitor very closely. #jags #giants pic.twitter.com/hjjyuLt7zd
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 9, 2018
According to reports and local media, Fournette did not practice on Wednesday when the players took the field.
Leonard Fournette didn't practice today, Doug Marrone tells us. Was out there watching. Wait-and-see approach. Will assess later in the week.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) September 12, 2018
But he was fairly optimistic that he was going to be able to play on Sunday against the Patriots.
Leonard Fournette told me repeatedly off camera too that he feels his hamstring is “good” and that he felt he could’ve come back in the game. Stayed out because “they were being cautious” he said. https://t.co/YdjuwjIwaa
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 9, 2018
Anatomy Review:
There are four hamstring muscles. The hamstring muscles are located on the back (posterior) portion of the femur. The hamstring muscles attach to the pelvis and insert below the knee giving the hamstrings two different functions.
One function of the group of muscles is to assist the gluteus maximus in extension of the hip. The second function of the group of muscles is to flex the knee. Other functions that are not nearly as highlighted are it’s ability to help assist in controlling knee extension as you are slowing down when you run (eccentrically contracting). The hamstring group needs to be strong to help control the strength of the quadriceps. Many hamstring injuries occur due to the inability of the hamstring to withstand the eccentric control when the foot is landing when an athlete is running.
Rehabilitation Review:
Hamstring injuries can be very nagging, especially over the course of the season. There are several exercises that are commonly recommended for hamstring injuries to strengthen them: Romanian deadlifts, Good Mornings, Hip Thrusters. Below are some things I do in the acute phase of a hamstring strain to help get our athletes back to sport.
Mobilizations/Stretches:
I like this hamstring “mobilization” a lot because you are actively lengthening and shortening the muscle. I like this as a way to warm-up the muscle before you do your traditional hamstring stretches.
Once you are done actively mobilizing, different “ends” of the hamstring muscle, I like doing a complete movement of the hamstring muscle with an active straight leg raise.
Exercise – Standing Two Leg Romanian Deadlift/Good Morning (bodyweight):
Good Morning: weight would be across your shoulders
Romanian Deadlift: weight would be in front of your body being held in your hands
Coaching Point: Make sure you are building tension through your hamstrings.
Coaching Point: Keep your back in neutral, all the movement comes through the hips.
Coaching Point: Keep a slight bend in the knee, it will allow you to move through a greater range of motion.
Coaching Point: Before moving on to single leg exercises, please add weight to strengthen your ability to do the movement in the two-legged position.
Exercise – Standing Single Leg Romanian Deadlift/Good Morning (bodyweight):
Good Morning: weight would be across your shoulders
Romanian Deadlift: weight would be in front of your body being held in your hands
Coaching Point: Make sure you are building tension through your hamstrings.
Coaching Point: Keep your back in neutral, all the movement comes through the hips.
Coaching Point: Keep a slight bend in the knee, it will allow you to move through a greater range of motion.
Coaching Point: Add weight to continue to advance your rehabilitation.
Season Outlook:
I don’t believe he should play this weekend. I don’t think pushing to play one game early in the NFL season is worth the risk of jeopardizing an entire season. Hamstring injuries can be very annoying to manage the entire season, especially with Jacksonville’s expectation to make a deep run in the playoffs. Give him another week of rehabilitation and treatment to help with recovery of his hamstring is the best option. He should not have any discomfort walking, running, cutting, planting, and changing speed. One week of rest in the beginning to prevent a “minor” hamstring strain from becoming worse.
