What to know about the Eagles safety’s injury

On Sunday night, the Eagles protection received a blow straight to the kidney. C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s kidney, to be exact.

The 24-12 months-old basic safety suffered the injury all through the Eagles’ victory about the Inexperienced Bay Packers. On Tuesday, a league resource confirmed to The Inquirer an NFL Network report that Gardner-Johnson had a lacerated kidney. The injuries does not call for operation and Gardner-Johnson is expected to return to the area this time, in accordance to the report.

Gardner-Johnson isn’t the very first NFL or Eagles participant to go through a lacerated kidney in current many years. In 2019, Eagles tight close Zach Ertz missed a game with the exact injury. In November 2015, two NFL players — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and San Diego Chargers receiver Keenan Allen — endured lacerated kidneys 1 week aside.

About 3 NFL players have kidney accidents each year, in accordance to a 2008 review by the American Journal of Sports activities Medication. Right here is what you want to know about this type of personal injury.

A minimize in the kidney triggered by blunt trauma.

Most individuals have two kidneys, found towards the back again of their stomach. Kidneys are partially secured by the ribs, a layer of excess fat, and yet another protecting layer that Daniel Eun, a urologist at Temple University Healthcare facility, described as “like a Ziploc bag that holds the organ in put.”

“There is a quite sturdy and natural defense for the kidneys,” he said.

» Examine Extra: Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has a lacerated kidney, but could nevertheless return this season

But blunt power — this kind of as in a auto incident or sports activities injuries — can jolt the kidney. When that force is sturdy ample to lower the organ alone, which is named a laceration.

Kidney injuries are graded on a scale from one to five, from minimal bruising to wounds that tear aside the organ.

Lacerations can range in depth but most are compact cuts that really don’t impact the kidney’s urine amassing procedure or the blood vessels around it, Eun explained.

Blood in the urine and suffering in the decrease back or abdomen, exactly where the kidneys are positioned, can point out kidney lacerations.

Eun took his son to Lincoln Economic Industry on Sunday evening to watch the Eagles conquer the Packers. Even from the stands, the Temple urologist could notify by the way Gardner-Johnson walked off the subject that he was in soreness.

When previous Eagles large receiver Miles Austin experienced a lacerated kidney in the 2014 season although actively playing for Cleveland Browns, he didn’t have a good deal of agony at very first. But right after the postgame interviews, he stood at the urinal and observed a pink rich stream.

» Read Extra: Eagles information: C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Jordan Davis injury updates wild NFC East playoff photo A.J. Brown dropped 7 lbs above Thanksgiving

Men and women with a lot more intense lacerations may possibly present indicators of considerable blood decline — pale skin, decreased blood force, dizziness — if blood vessels around the kidney have been slice as perfectly, Eun stated.

Kidney laceration is diagnosed with a CAT scan that can present the reduce and its depth.

Most lacerated kidneys are dealt with with relaxation and observation, said Rodney Durham, a trauma surgeon with Key Line Overall health.

“The big factor is that you really do not want to have any much more trauma to the kidney,” he mentioned.

Which is why gamers are out for a number of weeks right after these accidents. Much more serious lacerations could call for surgery to stop bleeding. If the kidney is no for a longer period equipped to purpose, it could possibly have to be taken off, he said.

» Go through Additional: Residing with kidney sickness, hope for the long run

Most patients make a comprehensive or close to-complete restoration in 4 to six months with no very long-time period implications, specialists said.

“The kidney is an very resilient organ,” Eun mentioned.

When the laceration is deeper, or will involve blood vessels, lengthy-phrase harm gets to be a problem. Kidney problems could direct to higher blood strain or need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

If he does not want surgical procedure, that’s superior news for his kidney and the Eagles defense, said Eun, who did not analyze or handle Gardner-Johnson.

“C.J. will be able to have a excellent recovery with any luck ,,” he reported.