The third week of NFL action has been characterized by a flurry of injuries, leaving several teams in a state of flux and prompting urgent adjustments from coaching staffs across the league. From seasoned stars to emerging players, no team has been spared from the physical toll of early-season play.
Quarterback Woes Hit Hard
Justin Herbert's status drew major attention as he was initially listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup due to an ankle injury. The situation escalated when Herbert aggravated the injury in the third quarter against the Steelers. Taylor Heinicke had to step in under center while Herbert underwent X-rays, which fortunately came back negative. "Herbert will be carefully monitored throughout the week," emphasized team sources, underlining the uncertainty surrounding his return.
Meanwhile, Sam Darnold's exit from the Vikings' win over the Texans sparked concern. Darnold suffered a knee injury, later revealed by an MRI to be a bone bruise with no structural damage. Jordan Love, who has missed the past two games with a sprained MCL, will be a limited participant in practice starting Wednesday, according to head coach Matt LaFleur. The Packers are taking Love's progress day-by-day, providing a glimmer of hope for his timely return to the field.
Other quarterbacks weren't spared as well. DeVonta Smith suffered a concussion and was ruled out for the remainder of his game, while Mekhi Becton and Britain Covey were also sidelined due to injuries. Covey's shoulder injury was diagnosed as a broken bone, sidelining him for multiple weeks.
Offensive and Defensive Lines Battle Injuries
The trenches proved particularly brutal this week. Lane Johnson was ruled out with a concussion, and Rashawn Slater suffered a strained pectoral muscle. Jedrick Wills Jr. went down in the second half, and Wyatt Teller's knee injury may potentially land him on injured reserve. Teller's absence would be a significant blow, compounding the challenges for his team.
Other notable injuries on the offensive line included James Hudson's shoulder issue and Erik McCoy's groin injury, which is still under evaluation. The Falcons' Kaleb McGary is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL, and Drew Dalman sustained a high-ankle sprain. Joe Alt's sprained MCL will keep him off the field, although it won’t require surgery—a small silver lining for the injury-riddled offensive lines.
On the defensive side, Leonard Williams exited with a rib injury, and Byron Murphy was sidelined with a hamstring issue during the game against the Dolphins. The Titans' Jeffery Simmons is being monitored day-to-day for an elbow injury. Meanwhile, Myles Garrett is grappling with lower-leg ailments linked to foot issues, but he managed to return to the game after briefly leaving for treatment. "Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged that Garrett’s status would be evaluated day-to-day," highlighting the uncertainties that plague rosters.
Season-Ending Blows and Extended Absences
Some teams face even more significant setbacks with season-ending injuries. Marcus Davenport suffered a substantial elbow injury, bringing his season to a premature close. Marcus Epps tore his ACL, sidelining him until 2025. Cornerback Adoree' Jackson was notably absent in the second half of his game against Cleveland, and Cory Trice Jr.’s hamstring injury kept him out of the Chargers matchup.
The Colts' Kwity Paye will be out for an unspecified duration due to a quad injury, and Terell Smith’s hip injury prevented any further participation in his game. As he was initially considered doubtful, the confirmation of his unavailability added to the growing list of concerns.
While some players like Joey Bosa and Alex Highsmith could not return because of their respective injuries, Nick Herbig and other backups were called upon to fill the voids. Highsmith's groin injury brought Nick Herbig into the spotlight, creating opportunities for second-string players to step up amidst the chaos.
Despite the troubling injury reports, the league remains resilient. Coaching staffs are already formulating strategic adjustments to cope with the rapid changes in their rosters. The collective effort to manage and adapt to injuries will undoubtedly shape the forthcoming weeks in the NFL season. As always, teams and fans alike will be keeping a close watch, hoping for swift recoveries and minimal disruptions.