Connor McGovern Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Bills vs Browns game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Sep 3, 2025
On track to start Sunday
McGovern (hamstring) was not listed on Buffalo's injury report Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
McGovern was held out of some preseason action due to a nagging hamstring issue, but it seems like he's going to suit up in Week 1. He'll have his hands full right away with Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones.
Aug 18, 2025
Held out Sunday
McGovern (hamstring) was held out of Sunday's 38-0 preseason loss to the Bears, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern tweaked his hamstring at practice Friday, which led to the team's decision to not have him play versus Chicago. The center said he would have played in the contest if it was a regular-season game, which seems to suggest that he's dealing with something relatively minor.
Sep 11, 2024
Picked up by Gang Green
The Jets signed McGovern (kneecap) to the practice squad Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
McGovern suffered a dislocated kneecap in Week 7 last season, and he finished the campaign on injured reserve. He was brought in for a tryout with the Jets on Wednesday, and he did well enough to catch on with the practice squad, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. The 2016 fifth-round pick has started in 55 regular-season games at center for the Jets since 2020.
Mar 27, 2024
Ready for starting role
General manager Brandon Beane revealed Sunday that McGovern is in line to take over as the starting center this season, Patrick Warren of the Bills' official site reports. "Connor has welcomed the opportunity and he'll get his chance once we start lining up," Beane said.
ANALYSIS
The Bills released longtime starter Mitch Morse earlier this month, and Morse signed with the Jaguars less than a week later. McGovern started at left guard last season, but the plan -- as stated by Beane -- seems to be moving David Edwards from a reserve role into McGovern's old position while the latter takes over at center.
Oct 30, 2023
IR-bound with dislocated knee cap
The Jets placed McGovern (knee) on their injured reserve list Monday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
The transaction comes after McGovern sustained a dislocated knee cap during Sunday's game at the Giants, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. He'll have to miss the Jets' next four games, and in the meantime, Xavier Newman projects to take his place as the starting center, at least as long as Joe Tippmann (quadriceps) is also unavailable.
Oct 29, 2023
Set to miss time
McGovern, who sustained a knee injury in Sunday's 13-10 overtime win against the Giants, is set to undergo an MRI and is expected to miss time, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern was ruled out of Sunday's contest after going down with a knee injury. Rapoport reports that the issue is with his kneecap and McGovern will have an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. With McGovern set to miss time and injuries to Joe Tippmann (thigh) and Wes Schweitzer (calf), Xavier Newman could draw the start at center in Week 9 against the Chargers.
Oct 29, 2023
Won't return Sunday
McGovern (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Giants.
ANALYSIS
McGovern left Sunday's contest with a knee injury. The Jets' offensive line has taken a hit in Week 8 with the team now down to Xavier Newman under center.
Oct 29, 2023
Return in doubt Sunday
McGovern (knee) is doubtful to return to Sunday's game against the Giants.
ANALYSIS
With McGovern unlikely to return to Sunday's contest, Wes Schweitzer -- who was starting at guard -- will step in under center.
Sep 7, 2023
Absent from injury report
McGovern (leg) was left off Buffalo's injury report Thursday.
ANALYSIS
The 25-year-old suffered an apparent leg injury during a practice in late August but it seems as if he's moved past the issue. McGovern came over from Dallas this offseason, signing a three-year, $23 million contract with the Bills. Expect the 2019 third-round pick to start at guard for Buffalo ahead of the coming season.
Aug 23, 2023
Injured during practice
McGovern suffered a leg injury while in a pileup during practice Wednesday, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern was checked on by trainers after the play, who then put a sleeve on his leg. Ultimately, the 25-year-old finished watching practice from the sidelines, but he never left the field. Without further details, it's hard to say how severe the injury may be, but McGovern is expected to be the team's starter at left guard, so a quick recovery would be ideal for Buffalo's offensive line.
Apr 24, 2023
Re-signs with Jets
McGovern and the Jets agreed to a contract Monday, Ethan Greenberg of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern was the only Jet to play every offensive snap in 2022, and he'll return as a leader of the offensive line in 2023. With Aaron Rodgers still a possibility to be under center, it's a smart move for New York to retain the experienced veteran center.
Mar 13, 2023
Linking up with Buffalo
The Bills signed McGovern to a three-year, $23 million contract Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern was in line to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason following his three-year stint in Dallas, but he's now set to compete for and eventually command a starting spot on Buffalo's offensive line. The 25-year-old made 15 starts at guard for the Cowboys in 2022.
Jan 8, 2023
Will suit up Sunday
McGovern has been ruled active ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern is in line to shift over Dallas' starting center with Tyler Biadasz (ankle) ruled out Week 18. As a result, Tyler Smith will likely finish out the 2022 regular season at left guard.
Oct 2, 2022
Will play Sunday
McGovern (ankle) is active Sunday against the Commanders, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern has been out since Week 1 when he suffered a high-ankle sprain. He should resume his role of starting at left guard against Washington now that he's healthy enough to play.
Sep 30, 2022
May not be ready to retun
McGovern (ankle) is questionable for Sunday against the Commanders, Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 1 against the Buccaneers, which has kept him out of action. Although he has not been ruled out, Epstein notes in her tweet that McGovern is the least likely of the Cowboys' questionable players to suit up. If he is unable to play, Matt Farniok should draw the start at left guard.
Sep 12, 2022
Diagnosed with high-ankle sprain
Cowboys vice president Stephon Jones said Monday that McGovern (ankle) is expected to miss a week or two after being diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Jones mentioned that McGovern dealt with the same injury before, which should allow him to return quicker than expected. "It's one he's had before which, believe it or not, sometimes helps them get back sooner," Jones said. McGovern was forced out of Sunday's primetime matchup against the Buccaneers in the first quarter. In his absence, Matt Farniok will fill in at left guard unless the Cowboys look outside the organization for additional offensive line help.
Sep 11, 2022
Slated for MRI
McGovern is believed to have sustained a high-ankle sprain during Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers and will undergo an MRI on Monday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern was forced out of Sunday's season opener in the first quarter and will likely be forced to miss several weeks if his MRI confirms his diagnosis. Assuming McGovern misses additional time, Josh Ball and Matt Waletzko will likely see increased roles on the left side of the Cowboys' offensive line since Tyron Smith (knee) is also sidelined.
Sep 11, 2022
Won't return Sunday
McGovern has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers due to an ankle injury, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern sustained his ankle injury in the first quarter of Sunday's season opener. Although he tested the injury on the sideline following his exit, he'll be unavailable for the remainder of the game. Tyler Smith should see additional playing time for the Cowboys to close out Sunday's matchup.
Apr 27, 2022
Back to full health
McGovern (knee) said Tuesday he's "100 percent," Randy Lange of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern suffered an MCL injury in his knee late December, but it appears that he's already back to full form. "I'm back to being able to play a game," McGovern said. "If this was in season, I'd be 100 percent practicing every day and playing every snap." He stands to operate as the Jets' starting center during the 2022 campaign.
Dec 27, 2021
Officially lands on injured reserve
McGovern (knee) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Ethan Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Jaguars. His absence will be significant for the team, as he's started every game and was on the field for 98 percent of offensive snaps this season. Dan Feeney should be in line to start at center across the Jets' final two contests.
Dec 27, 2021
Done for season
McGovern (knee) is going to be out for a while according to head coach Robert Saleh, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern is dealing with an MCL injury and may need surgery to repair it. Although he hasn't been ruled out for the season, with only two weeks left to go, it seems like McGovern's 2021 campaign has come to a close.
Jul 26, 2021
Takes first-team reps
McGovern (pectoral) got some work in with the first team Monday, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern's opportunity for first-team reps occurred because Connor Williams did some work at center. The Cowboys don't necessarily have a locked and loaded starter with Tyler Biadasz at center, and if the team explores moving Williams to that spot McGovern would likely bump into the No. 1 left guard role by necessity.
Dec 3, 2020
Not restricted by elbow issue
McGovern (elbow) was a full participant during the Jets' practice session Thursday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern played 100 percent of New York's offensive snaps Week 12 against the Dolphins, but he popped up on the injury report Wednesday. Having already returned to taking full repetitions in practice, McGovern is well situated to carry his active games streak into a Week 13 matchup against Las Vegas. He hasn't missed a contest since 2017, and even that absence spanned just one week.
Nov 9, 2020
Ready to roll for MNF
McGovern (knee) is active heading into the Jets' Monday night matchup against New England.
ANALYSIS
The 27-year-old has been a staple to New York's offensive line in his debut campaign with the Jets, starting all eight of the team's games while playing at least 98 percent of the offensive workload in seven of those appearances. McGovern has been able to gain medical clearance heading into Monday Night Football, having seemingly managed his way through a knee issue that popped up early last week.
Nov 2, 2020
Managing knee injury
McGovern could miss practice time this week due to a knee injury, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.
ANALYSIS
The 27-year-old suffered the injury during the second quarter of Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, but he ended up missing only a single offensive snap. McGovern's participation at practice this week should provide a better idea of whether he'll be able to play Week 9. Josh Andrew is the likely replacement at center should he be unavailable.
Sep 26, 2020
Will be emergency backup
McGovern (hamstring) will dress as an emergency backup Sunday against the Colts, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern won't see the field in Indianapolis unless the Jets suffer a rash of injuries on the offensive line, but that possibility can't be discounted given the breakneck pace at which the team's injury report has been expanding so far in 2020. Josh Andrews is expected to start at center in McGovern's place.
Sep 25, 2020
Practices in limited fashion
McGovern (hamstring) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Colts, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern watched from the sidelines Wednesday and Thursday, but his participation in Friday's practice means he's trending in the right direction. If he's ultimately ruled out, however, expect Josh Andrews to start at center.
Sep 21, 2020
Considered week-to-week
Coach Adam Gase said McGovern (hamstring) is week-to-week, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern will be closely monitored through the practice week, but the week-to-week tag is quite concerning. If he can't play this Sunday versus the Colts, expect Josh Andrews to step up as the starting center.
Sep 20, 2020
Leaves game Sunday
McGovern (hamstring) is out for the remainder of Sunday's game against San Francisco, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern was forced to leave the contest in the fourth quarter, and with the game out of reach, it could be more precautionary. In his stead to finish the contest, Josh Andrews will likely take over as the team's starting center.
Jun 28, 2020
Could start in Year 2
McGovern (pectoral) will compete with Connor Williams (knee) for the starting left guard job in training camp, Brian Martin of Inside the Star reports.
ANALYSIS
A pectoral injury sustained during training camp last year relegated McGovern to injured reserve for his entire rookie campaign, but he'll be ready to go for Week 1. His biggest obstacle to overcome while battling for the No. 1 left guard gig will be an offseason with shortened in-person activities. On the other hand, Williams is recovering from a torn ACL suffered late November, which could open up a window for McGovern to usurp him with an impressive training camp.
Mar 17, 2020
Heading to Big Apple
The Jets and McGovern agreed on a three-year, $27 million contract Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The Jets agreed to re-tool their offensive line this offseason, adding guard Alex Lewis and now McGovern. McGovern was a stalwart for the Broncos the past two seasons, starting 31 of 32 games primarily at the center position. The 26-year-old will likely plug in right away as the team's starting center heading into 2020.
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