NFL Training Camps Confront a Slate of Early Injuries
As NFL training camps ramp up across the country, numerous teams are facing significant injury setbacks to key players. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are particularly affected, with several crucial team members sidelined.
The most recent blow for the Buccaneers came when rookie pass rusher YaYa Diaby was carted off the practice field on Thursday with a high-ankle sprain. Diaby, expected to be a vital component of Tampa Bay's defensive lineup, will be out of action temporarily, much to the team's dismay.
Another setback for the Buccaneers involves guard Sua Opeta, who suffered a torn ACL and will be absent for the entire season. Opeta had signed a one-year contract with Tampa Bay and was vying for the starting left guard position alongside Ben Bredeson. With Opeta out, Bredeson has stepped in to take reps with the starters. The team’s offensive line was already reeling from the loss of key players like Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie from the previous season, creating even more uncertainty upfront.
In Kansas City, the Chiefs have bolstered their wide receiver corps by adding several players, including first-round pick Xavier Worthy. However, the excitement is tempered with concern after veteran pass rusher Nick Bolton left practice early with an apparent arm injury. Bolton had already missed time last season due to wrist surgery, raising questions about his durability as the regular season approaches.
The Dallas Cowboys also faced unfortunate news when Sam Williams tore his ACL during Sunday’s practice, a significant blow as he was expected to bolster the formidable pass-rushing duo of Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence. Williams will now spend the season on injured reserve, reshaping the Cowboys' defensive strategies.
For the San Francisco 49ers, the outlook is similarly grim as Samson Ebukam tore his Achilles tendon, sidelining him for the entire season. This development further complicates the 49ers' effort to maintain a robust defensive line.
Training camp injuries have not spared the Baltimore Ravens either. Rashod Bateman departed from Monday's practice after taking a hit to his rib and stomach area. Early reports indicate that Sam Hubbard's knee injury, sustained during Sunday’s practice, is not considered severe, though he had to be carted off the field. Darious Williams is currently dealing with a hamstring strain, prompting Rams’ head coach Sean McVay to assure fans and media that the team plans to manage his recovery cautiously. “The team will not rush him back and will take it 'a week at a time,'" McVay stated.
The New Orleans Saints saw Kendre Miller leave their first camp practice with a hamstring injury. Miller participated in just eight games last season, and his ability to stay healthy remains a pressing concern for the team. Head coach Dennis Allen did not mince words about Miller's situation, stating bluntly that the running back needs to "figure out how to stay healthy."
In other injury news, Ty Johnson missed Tuesday's practice due to a hamstring issue. Johnson is currently in a rotation for the No. 2 running back spot alongside rookie Ray Davis, adding more urgency to his timely recovery. Starter James Cook has returned to practice following a brief personal leave, providing some stability to the team's running back situation.
The injury bug has also hit the Chicago Bears, where Nate Davis missed several sessions with an undisclosed muscle strain. Wide receiver Justin Watson, who had a career-high 460 receiving yards in 2023, is currently out with a foot injury. This opens up opportunities for third-year player Skyy Moore to step up and make an impact in Watson’s absence.
As these training camp injuries pile up, coaches and medical staffs around the league are feeling the pressure to ensure player health and readiness. Teams will need to adapt and find depth in their rosters to weather these early setbacks as the countdown to the NFL season continues.