Financial Statuses for Notable Week 1 NFL Injuries

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertSeptember 10, 2018
© USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers (GB, QB, Knee)
The Packers rewarded Rodgers not only with an almost certainly guaranteed $103M over the next three seasons, but they removed “per-game-active” bonuses that protected them a bit cash-wise in his last contract. The 34-year-old will see $80M by St. Patrick’s day, whether his knee holds up or not.
Contract Details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/aaron-rodgers-3745/

 

Marcus Mariota (TEN, QB, Elbow)
After a let down of a season in 2017, there were high expectations and hopes for Mariota and the Titans offense in 2018. He took just 36 snaps before being forced from Week 1 with an elbow injury. From a team standpoint any games missed could be a nightmare starts, as the Titans host Houston, go on the road to Jacksonville, and come back home for Philly. Mariota is in year 4 of his rookie contract, with a $20.9M 5th-year option looming in 2019. Tennessee can opt-out of that salary prior to March 13th with no financial ramifications. 
Contract Details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/marcus-mariota-16726/

 

Taylor Lewan (TEN, OT, Concussion)
Lewan took a vicious hit on an interception return against Miami. He’ll remain in concussion protocol indefinitely, so his status is fluid at this point. Contractually, Lewan cashed in a 5 year, $80M contract with Tennessee this July, which included $34M guaranteed to start, all through 2019, with the 2020 salary becoming guaranteed that March. It’s a 2 year deal if the Titans need it to be.
Contract Details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/taylor-lewan-14420/

 

Delanie Walker (TEN, TE, Ankle)
A fracture in his ankle & foot puts Walker’s season in immediate jeopardy, and a Titans offense in a state of disarray. The 34-year-old penned a 2 year, $17M extension this July that was meant more to increase his 2018 pay than anything. Walker’s deal includes per-game-active bonuses of $15,625 in 2018, $234,375 of which he won’t cash in on now. He will however earn $10.6M in 2018. $2.2M of his 2019 salary becomes fully guaranteed on March 17th.
Contract Details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/delanie-walker-3360/

 

Leonard Fournette (JAC, RB, Hamstring)
Fournette was just getting rolling against the Giants in Week 1 when his hamstring gave way on a redirection move. There’s optimism that he’ll be active in Week 2, but the fear of this lingering certainly exists. He’s entering year two of his rookie contract, and won’t become eligible for an extension until after 2019. 
Contract Details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/leonard-fournette-21745/

 

Greg Olsen (CAR, TE, Foot)
Olsen signed a 2 year, $17M extension in July which pays him $12.35M in 2018, all now fully guaranteed. While his cash salary drops to $3.4M in 2019, he carries a cap figure of $7.1M, and a dead cap charge of $7.4M. Carolina appears poised to be without their most productive offensive weapon for a few weeks yet again. 
Contract Details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/greg-olsen-1302/

 

Doug Baldwin (SEA, WR, Knee)
The early word on Baldwin is a slight MCL sprain, which can often mean nothing until he tries to go full speed again in a game setting. He’s entering year 2 of a 4 year extension, with $8.25M of salary fully guaranteed in 2018 & per-game-active bonuses of $31,250 per week, which may be in jeopardy should he need to miss time. Baldwin’s cap charge rises to $13.1M in 2019, with a cash bill of $10M to go with it. When he’s healthy, he’s still one of the better WR values in all of football. 
Contract Details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/doug-baldwin-8526/

 

Keanu Neal (ATL, S, ACL)
Neal is officially out for the season after tearing his ACL in a Week 1 matchup against the Eagles. It’s a huge loss for the Falcons’ DB, who was entering year three of his rookie contract, set to become extension eligible next offseason. Atlanta has him under contract through 2019, with a 5th-year option available in 2020. 
Contract Details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/keanu-neal-18965/

 

Seantrel Henderson (HOU, OT, Ankle)
It appears Henderson suffered a broken ankle early in the Texans’ Week 1 matchup with the Patriots. This is a dagger for an already thin offensive line, and extremely tough luck for Henderson, who was being given a second-life after fizzling out in Buffalo. He’s on a 1 year, $4M contract but just $2.2M of it fully guaranteed, as he’ll miss out on $1.4M in per-game-active bonuses if he misses the remainder of 2018.
Contract Details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/houston-texans/seantrel-henderson-14648/

 

Trae Waynes (MIN, CB, Knee)
The severity of Waynes’ knee injury is still unknown but any time missed would be a big loss for a stout Vikiings’ D. Waynes is entering year four of his rookie contract, and holds a $9M exercised 5th-year option in 2019. Minnesota can still opt-out of this salary if needed before March 13th without any financial ramifications.
Contract Details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/trae-waynes-16735/

 

Joe Haden (PIT, CB, Hamstring)
With a cap charge of nearly $12M in 2018, many were surprised Haden stuck with Pittsburgh in 2018. His $10M salary for 2018 is now fully guaranteed, but his $10M owed in 2019 is not ($1.9M dead cap charge).
Contract Details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/joe-haden-6516/


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