It didn’t take long for the NFL’s first major injury of the 2023 season to occur. In his fourth appearance as a Jet, Aaron Rodgers’ season ended after the four-time league MVP suffered a torn Achilles tendon.
Rodgers wasn’t the only notable player to suffer a serious injury in Week 1. JK Dobbins was out for a year after the Ravens running back suffered a knee injury. In addition to being cut by the 49ers, the Steelers lost defensive tackle Cam Heyward (ankle) and receiver Diontae Johnson (hamstring) for at least several weeks. The Chargers’ offense suffered a setback when Austin Ekeler struggled with an ankle injury after his great performance in Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins.
Below is a look at each team’s injury situation as the NFL heads into its second week of action.
All odds courtesy of Sportsline Consensus.
Seattle starting right tackle Abe Lucas (knee) will miss at least the next four games after being placed on injured reserve. Charles Cross, also a starting tackle, is dealing with a toe injury suffered during the team’s Week 1 loss to the Rams.
The Lions did not practice Wednesday but estimated tackle Taylor Decker (ankle), cornerback Khalil Dorsey (illness) and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring) did not participate. Decker, who played in each of Detroit’s 70 snaps in Week 1, was seen wearing a walking boot after the Lions’ win over the Chiefs.
Chiefs fans received good news on Wednesday: Tight end Travis Kelce (knee) and defensive tackle Chris Jones returned to practice. Kelce was limited after missing last week’s loss to the Lions. Jones, who signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs earlier this week, is expected to play against the Jaguars after watching the game from the stands during a brief break last Thursday night.
For the Jaguars, defensive backs Antonio Johnson (hamstring) and Gregory Junior (hamstring) and offensive linemen Brandon Scherff and Luke Fortner (ankle) did not practice. Scherff and Fortner are looked at every day. According to Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, Johnson still has a “long way to go.”
In addition to cornerback Kyler Gordon (hand) being placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least four games, tight end Marcedes Lewis (rest) and defensive back Josh Blackwell (hamstring) did not practice Thursday. Linebacker Dylan Cole was promoted from limited to full player on Thursday because of a hamstring injury.
On Thursday, the Buccaneers had two players, Carlton Davis III (toe) and Calijah Kancey (calf), not participate in practice. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was on the injury report with a right shoulder injury, but good news for the Bucs was that he was a full participant on Wednesday and Thursday. Safety Christian Izien (concussion) was upgraded Thursday from a non-participant on Wednesday to a limited participant on Thursday.
The Colts’ offensive line is banged up as starting guard Quenton Nelson (toe) and tackle Braden Smith (knee/ankle) both did not practice on Wednesday. Tight end Drew Ogletree also sat out due to a concussion. On the positive side, running back Zack Moss (forearm) returned to practice at full strength.
The Texans had 11 players either miss practice or practice at a limited capacity. Safety Jimmie Ward (knee) and left tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) were among the Texans who did not practice. Wideout John Metchie III (hamstring) and linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring) were among Houston’s limited practice participants.
Chargers (-3) at Titans
Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) missed practice for the second straight day, leaving his status in Week 2 in question. Pass rusher Joey Bosa (hamstring) did not practice on Thursday but did do some running work. Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Bosa experienced hamstring soreness after Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins.
With Ekeler dealing with an injury, the Chargers signed Jaret Patterson, a three-year veteran who spent his first two seasons with the Commanders.
For the Titans, wideout DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) and safety Amani Hooker (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Cornerback Kristian Fulton was limited all week with a hamstring injury, and defensive tackle Teair Tart was limited with groin issues.
Wideouts Davante Adams (foot), DeAndre Carter (knee) and Jakobi Meyers (concussion) did not practice Wednesday, while quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) was limited. Despite the lack of practice, Adams and Garoppolo’s statues don’t appear to be in danger for Sunday.
The Bills had a clean injury report.
Ravens at Bengals (-3.5)
Tight end Mark Andrews (quad) was limited, while cornerback Marlon Humphrey (foot), center Tyler Linderbaum (ankle), tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) and safety Marcus Williams (pec) did not practice. Williams will be “out for a while,” head coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week. Stanley and Linderbaum are considered daily.
Defensive lineman Cameron Sample (ankle) was the only Bengals player who did not practice on Wednesday.
On the Packers side, wide receiver Romeo Doubs (hamstring) — who caught two of Jordan Love’s three touchdowns on Sunday — linebacker Rashan Gary (knee) and left guard Elgton Jenkins (knee) were limited practice participants. Rookie safety Anthony Johnson Jr. (knee) is practicing extensively, while four key contributors – All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari, Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) – who had 127 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 11 touchdowns Sunday – Linebacker Quay Walker (concussion) – who had a pick-six from Justin Fields – and No. 1 receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) – who did not play Sunday – all did not practice Wednesday. Walker was the only player to return on Thursday as a limited participant.
Bakhtiari usually doesn’t practice much after multiple knee surgeries, but that doesn’t stop him from playing games. Jones left Sunday’s game after injuring his hamstring at the end of his 35-yard touchdown. The Fox broadcast of the game showed him smiling as he lay sprawled on the sidelines. Jones himself said after the game that he could have returned to the game if necessary, making it seem like he would be ready to play in Atlanta on Sunday.
Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah was a limited participant in practice after a “prolonged stretch” due to a foot injury, while running back/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson practiced fully after his limited performance early in Week 1. Tight end Jonnu Smith and defensive lineman Calais Campbell both sat out, but the reason was a day of rest for veterans. So both should be ready to compete in Green Bay on Sunday.
49ers (-7.5) at Rams
San Francisco 49ers All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams didn’t practice this Wednesday, but 49ers fans don’t have to worry about that: The reason for his absence was a veterans’ rest day. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin) was the only 49er who did not practice Wednesday. Both tight end George Kittle (groin) and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (wrist) practiced intensively.
The Rams had just two entries on their injury report: guard Joe Noteboom (ankle), who practiced on a limited basis, and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (hip), who was in full action Wednesday.
Tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) and offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) did not practice for the Giants. Waller appears to be limiting his training reps as he continues to battle his hamstring injury. Both players returned as limited participants on Thursday.
Kicker Graham Gano (right ankle), offensive tackle Matt Peart (elbow) and wideout Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) were among the Giants players limited Wednesday.
The Jets’ three entries on their Wednesday practice report – offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (knee), offensive tackle Duane Brown (shoulder) and running back Breece Hall (knee) – all practiced in a limited capacity, putting them on track to return to play against the Silver and Blue on Sunday.
Cowboys All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) practiced intensively. Dallas did have three players who did not participate in practice – wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee), offensive lineman Tyler Smith (hamstring) and safety Donovan Wilson (calf) – but they are all in different stages of recovery. Cooks appears to be able to play on Sunday considering what he and head coach McCarthy said on Wednesday, but he didn’t practice on Thursday either. Wilson is close to returning to action, while Tyler Smith appears to have a little more work to do this week. Star offensive guard Zack Martin was placed on the injury report Thursday because he was limited by a groin injury.
Commanders defensive end Chase Young (neck) did not play against the Cardinals on Sunday but participated in a limited practice on Wednesday. Although receiver Curtis Samuel played on Sunday, he was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Two offensive starters, offensive lineman Sam Cosmi (shoulder) and top receiver Terry McLaurin (toe), were well practiced. Second-round rookie cornerback Jartavius Martin (concussion) was the only Washington player not to practice on Wednesday.
Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring) was the only Denver player who did not practice Wednesday. Linebacker Frank Clark (hip), wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (hamstring), defensive tackle DJ Jones (knee) and cornerback Riley Moss (abdomen) were all limited. Jeudy returned to full participant status on Thursday and it looks like he will play on Sunday.
Dolphins (-3) at Patriots
Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert was the only Miami player who did not practice on Wednesday. Offensive tackle Terron Armstead and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (oblique) were the two notable Dolphins participants who participated in practice on a limited basis. Rookie running back De’Von Achane and Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard were among the many Dolphins who practiced intensively on Wednesday.
Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown missed practice on Wednesday due to a concussion. Center David Andrews (hamstring), rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), receiver DeVante Parker (knee) and guard Cole Strange (knee) all practiced limited practice.
The Panthers will be without starting left guard Brady Christensen (biceps) for the remainder of the season. Nash Jensen, an undrafted rookie who played 70 games for North Dakota State, is expected to replace Christensen in the starting lineup.
Browns (-2.5) at Steelers: Monday night
Analysis is still to come as both teams did not publish any training reports on their team pages on Wednesday.