A highly unusual sequence of events highlights the dangers of a collision sport and each player’s tenuous place in it.

After initial reports Sunday that Darren Sproles suffered a broken arm, it was reported Monday that he also tore his ACL on the same play Sunday against the New York Giants.

Eagles RB Darren Sproles tore his ACL and broke his arm on same play, sources tell @mortreport and me. Surgery on arm today, knee later. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 25, 2017

The forearm injury, which will require surgery, happened a split second after Sproles’ knee was injured without contact.


(Video of the play supports an ACL tear. He clearly overextended his step, but the telltale shift could not be seen by video. Since it did not meet the 95 percent certainty threshold we internally require to make an analysis by video, we did not make the call for publication on Sunday.)

Sproles has always come back from injury well. The knock from the time he was drafted in 2005 was the he was “little” and wouldn’t last. He proved doubters wrong. He can come back from the ACL, but his career is in doubt at age 34. He had said after last season that 2017 might be his final year.

It is unusual for the chain to break in two places at once. But this is the NFL, and it is not unprecedented. After an interception in Super Bowl XLIX, Jeremy Lane broke his arm. A month later, it was revealed he had also torn his ACL on the play.

Here is our initial post from 8:25 p.m. Sunday:


The bad news is that Eagles running back Darren Sproles has a broken arm.

#Eagles RB Darren Sproles is believed to have suffered a broken arm, sources say. MRI Monday to learn additional details. Out indefinitely — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2017

The good news is that his season is not over. It is doubtful he needs to go on injured reserve and could return in as soon as a couple weeks.

By video, the injury occurred when his left forearm was inadvertently kicked as Giants safety Darian Thompson made a tackle and flew by Sproles.


With the report from Ian Rapoport of a broken arm, coupled with video, it is likely an isolated ulna fracture. I doubt the accompanying radius bone is broken, so there is some inherent stability. The forearm did not need support as he walked off the field.

Commonly called a “nightstick” fracture, an isolated ulna fracture clearly shows up on X-rays. So the scheduled MRI is likely just precautionary. Do not be surprised if surgery is announced Monday.

It is conceivable that Sproles could be back before mid-October.

Thomas Davis suffered a similar injury in the 2016 NFC Championship game, had immediate surgery and played in the Super Bowl with a cast.


I have returned a NFL wide receiver at two weeks after a similar injury and surgery.

Being that Sproles needs to carry the ball in both hands and catch passes, he might not be able to make a two-week timeline. The best estimate is a 2-4 week return. Worst case scenario is six weeks.

Placing Sproles on IR would require him to be out eight weeks, so such a move would seem necessary only if the Eagles desperately need the roster space. The team previously placed rookie Donnel Pumphrey on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.