I heard earlier he could be brought back of IR later this season...so, season ending is a big change to the story.
True, he can be brought back in 8 weeks (week 9) if he's healed & cleared to play.
Injured Reserve (IR)
NFL teams are permitted to place any number of players on Injured Reserve at the start of the season. Any player on the IR list counts against the salary cap, but not against the 53-man roster limit. These players are ineligible to play again for the same team during the current season, but they can be cut and then go on to sign with another team. These players may not practice with their team at any time, but can attend team meetings and be around the team. Last year for the first time the NFL changed the IR rules to allow for two NFL players from each team to be eligible to come off IR after eight weeks of being on the list...
IR-Return Designation
Not everyone who ends up on IR has to see their season end for good. Players must remain on IR for eight weeks before being eligible to rejoin their teams in Week 9 via the IR-Return Designation. The NFL changed the IR-return designation in 2017 so that teams are allowed to bring two players back from IR. Previously, the rule allowed just one player to return from the list.
One constraint here is that a player must be on the 53-man roster in Week 1 to be eligible for the IR designation to return. That means, anyone who was placed on IR before roster cuts were made to trim the roster down to 53 players is not eligible.
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/8/...ry-nfl-roster-designations-cuts-53-man-roster
That "season ending" thing sounds like the guy doesn't know the rules. McVay even said in today's press conference "if there's anyone that can do what he can to come back sooner than later it's Pharoh."