Johnathan Abram Suffered AC Joint Sprain, Small Chip To Collarbone From Hitting TV Cart

Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report that Raiders S Johnathan Abram suffered a Grade 2 AC joint sprain and a small chip to his collarbone that caused some internal bleeding after he crashed into a TV cart during Monday’s win over the Saints.

Abram was seen laying on his back after hitting the cart, but the report says he had the wind knocked out of him. Abram was taken for X-rays, which ruled out a significant fracture, but further tests on Tuesday showed the extent of the damage.

Sources have told NFL Network that there has been communication in recent days between the league and ESPN about where TV carts can be on the sideline.

The cart was behind the dashed yellow line that serves as a de facto barrier for this kind of equipment. Typically, there are a number of people in front of this area that may have prevented Abram from hitting the cart.

Even so, Abram’s agent, Trey Robinson, called on the NFL to at minimum require carts in close proximity to the field to be completely and sufficiently padded, if not relocated.

“Players are even more likely to make impact with these carts this season because of the lack of people on the sidelines due to COVID restrictions,” Robinson said.

Abram, 23, is a former first-round pick of the Raiders out of Mississippi State back in 2019. He signed a four-year, $11,495,198 contract including a $6,380,144 signing bonus with the Raiders. 

Oakland will have a fifth-year option to pick up on Abram in 2022.

In 2020, Abram has appeared in two games for the Raiders and recorded 17 tackles and a pass defense.