As the third week of NFL action unfolded, teams were met with an unfortunate influx of injuries, sidelining several key players and forcing significant strategic adjustments.
Quarterback Woes
The Chargers faced a scare when quarterback Justin Herbert aggravated an ankle injury in the third quarter against the Steelers. Initially listed as questionable, Herbert's discomfort grew, leading him to undergo X-rays. Taylor Heinicke stepped in under center while Herbert's condition was evaluated. Thankfully for Chargers fans, X-rays revealed no significant damage. "Herbert will be carefully monitored throughout the week," the coaching staff assured.
Meanwhile, the Packers have been cautiously handling quarterback Jordan Love's recovery from a sprained MCL. Absent for the past two games, Love is expected to be a limited participant in practice starting Wednesday. Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed, "Love will at a minimum be a limited participant in practice starting Wednesday," as the team continues to assess his progress on a day-by-day basis.
Injury Spree Across the League
Other teams haven't fared much better. Sam Darnold exited the Vikings' victory over the Texans with a knee injury. An MRI revealed a bone bruise, though fortunately, no structural damage. As the Vikings breathed a sigh of relief, the news wasn't as optimistic for Britain Covey, who was ruled out with a shoulder injury diagnosed as a broken bone that will keep him off the field for multiple weeks.
The Eagles, too, faced their share of setbacks. DeVonta Smith suffered a concussion, leading to his immediate exit from the game, while Lane Johnson was also ruled out with a concussion. Elsewhere, Mekhi Becton did not see the second half due to an undisclosed injury, leaving fans and analysts speculating about the severity.
On the Browns' front, Wyatt Teller's knee injury has raised concerns, potentially landing him on injured reserve. In the same game, James Hudson sustained a shoulder injury while Jedrick Wills Jr. went down in the second half.
Frontline Struggles
Rashawn Slater's strained pectoral muscle added to the Chargers' injury woes, while Erik McCoy's groin injury is under evaluation. The Falcons' Kaleb McGary is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL, and Drew Dalman's high-ankle sprain leaves the team further depleted. Similarly, Joe Alt's sprained MCL will keep him off the field, although surgery will not be necessary.
Exits and Returns
Leonard Williams left the game with a rib injury, and Byron Murphy was sidelined with a hamstring issue against the Dolphins. Jeffery Simmons' elbow injury requires daily monitoring, while Myles Garrett, dealing with multiple lower-leg ailments, managed to return to the game after brief treatment. Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged, "Garrett’s status would be evaluated day-to-day."
Season Ending Injuries
If that weren't enough, Joey Bosa was ruled out of the game due to lingering issues, and Alex Highsmith could not return owing to a groin injury. Marcus Davenport's season has reached a premature end following a significant elbow injury, while Kwity Paye faces an unspecified duration on the sidelines due to a quad injury.
Adoree' Jackson's second-half absence against Cleveland caught the Giants off-guard, and Cory Trice Jr.’s hamstring issue kept him out of the Chargers matchup. Terell Smith’s hip injury initially seemed recoverable until he was confirmed unable to return, and Chidobe Awuzie’s groin issue might land him on injured reserve soon.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking news emerged around Marcus Epps who, after tearing his ACL in the loss to Carolina, is expected to be ready for play only in 2025.
This week's spate of injuries serves as a grim reminder of the brutal physical toll of the NFL, prompting many teams to rethink their strategies and player management methods. As teams strive to remain competitive, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining how well they can cope with these significant adversities.