Jameis Winston Injury: Back Injury Shouldn't Bother QB for Long

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported about an hour before kickoff last Sunday that Saints' quarterback Jameis Winston suffered four fractured vertebrae in Week 1 but would continue to play.

Winston likely suffered transverse fractures, which are painful but not structurally damaging, according to the Pro Football Docs. The 28-year-old gunslinger will likely be limited but improved this week, carrying an SIC score of 78, and will be clear of the back fractures by October.

He appeared to suffer the fractures at the end of a pass attempt in the third quarter when rookie linebacker Arnold Ebikete brought him to the turf and center Erik McCoy inadvertently pushed 294-pound Ta'Quon Graham into his body.

That Winston was able to engineer a comeback after the injury and play without significant limitations in Week 2 is impressive, especially considering he is still recovering from his Halloween 2021 torn ACL.

The former No. 1 overall pick had 236 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions and took six sacks in a loss to the Buccaneers.

Cam Newton suffered transverse fractures in his vertebrae in December 2014 from a car crash. He missed one game but returned for Weeks 16-17 and the Panthers' two playoff games.