The 2022 NFL season has officially started and the next few months will feel like a fever dream. It seems like week 1 of the regular season just ended, but week 2 officially starts tomorrow! Unfortunately, we saw several injuries in the league in the first week of the season – including some big names who fell. Pittsburgh Steelers star pass rusher TJ Watt suffered a pectoral muscle injury that will cost him some time, and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a thumb injury that required surgery.
Below we’ll break down the midweek injury reports and final injury report for Thursday night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs.
All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-4)
Justin Herbert and co. face the Chiefs without starting Keenan Allen, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Parham will also miss this game. One of his best career games actually came against Kansas City when he caught three passes for 37 yards and a touchdown in KC last year. There is some question as to whether Jackson will play in what could be his first action of the season as he is sidelined with ankle surgery. Jackson was due to have limited training on Tuesday and Wednesday, although head coach Brandon Staley sounded like things were moving in the right direction.
Butker will miss Week 2 after slipping on a kickoff in the season opener and injuring his ankle. Former New York Jets kicker Matt Amendola is set to replace him. via ESPN. Sophomore offensive guard Trey Smith is a key facet of that offensive line and playing him is officially in doubt. He was hampered on Monday and Tuesday with an ankle injury but was back on Wednesday, which is a positive development.
Tom Brady was given a day off by the Buccaneers and did not attend practice. Meanwhile, receivers Russell Gage (hamstring), Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Julio Jones (knee) have not trained due to injury. Corner Zyon McCollum (hamstring) and tackle Donovan Smith (elbow) also didn’t train. Meanwhile, receiver Mike Evans (calf), running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring), receiver Breshad Perriman (knee) and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (abdominal) were all limited.
Cornerback Paulson Adebo (ankle) was the only Saints player missing practice, but they had a boatload of people listed as limited. Jameis Winston makes headlines in this group as the team realize he is struggling with a back injury. Running back Mark Ingram (ankle), defensive end Cameron Jordan (hip), running back Alvin Kamara (ribs), safety Marcus Maye (ankle), receiver Tre’Quan Smith (shoulder), cornerback Alontae Taylor (hip), guard Calvin Throckmorton (illness), running back Dwayne Washington (hamstring) and tackle Landon Young (hip) were all limited as well.
Just two players did not practice for Carolina on Wednesday as defensive end Marquis Haynes suffers from a hip injury while star running back Christian McCaffrey rested. Linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder) and linebacker Brandon Smith (hamstring) were limited, as was star right tackle Taylor Moton, who is struggling with a knee injury. He was seen performing single drills and wearing a splint on his right knee.
In New York on Wednesday, the Giants were without defensemen Nick McCloud (hamstring) and Aaron Robinson (appendicitis) and fullback Wan’Dale Robinson (knee). Center Jon Feliciano (lower leg), defensive end Azzez Ojulari (calf), defensive back Jason Pinnock (shoulder) and linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee) were all limited.
Terron Armstead (toe) was suspended from the Dolphins’ practice Wednesday but also mentioned that he was given a veteran’s day off so the situation doesn’t seem as threatening. Linebacker Melvin Ingram also received a veteran’s day off. Elsewhere, Salvon Ahmed (heel), tight end Cethan Carter (concussion), offensive lineman Austin Jackson (ankle) and wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr. (toe) were all DNPs from injury concerns. Tight end Tanner Conner (knee) and safety Eric Rowe (chest) were restricted.
Full-back Patrick Ricard (Wade) was the only Raven absent from training due to injury. Defensive Calais Campbell and pass rusher Justin Houston were given rest days. Meanwhile, running back JK Dobbins (knee) was a full participant, as defensive tackle Travis Jones (knee), cornerback Marcus Peters (knee), wideout James Proche II (groin), tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and defensive back Brandon Stephens (quad ) were all limited.
The Jets were missing three players coming onto the practice field earlier in the week: offensive tackle George Fant (knee), defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (toe) and safety Jordan Whitehead (ankle). Receiver Braxton Berrios (heel), punter Braden Mann (back) and quarterback Zach Wilson (knee) were all limited. Regarding Wilson, head coach Robert Saleh announced Wednesday that the team will be sticking with veteran Joe Flacco as the starting QB in Week 2.
Meanwhile, the Browns gave veteran Amari Cooper a day off but held out fellow receiver Michael Woods II due to illness. Offensive lineman Jack Conklin (knee) was restricted.
Washington listed guard Wes Schweitzer as the only player unable to participate Wednesday because of a hamstring injury. Fellow guard Trai Turner (quad), linebacker Jamin Davis (non-injury), safety Kamren Curl (thumb) and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (groin) were all limited.
The Detroit Lions were missing a number of key players from practice Wednesday, including star running back D’Andre Swift who is struggling with an ankle injury. Along with Swift, center Frank Ragnow (groin, foot), defensive lineman Michael Brockers (knee), guard Tommy Kraemer (back) and offensive tackle Taylor Decker (calf) were held out. Guard Jonah Jackson (finger) and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (hamstring) were both restricted.
Colts have a couple of key wide receivers as they prepare to face Jacksonville. On Wednesday, the team listed rookie Alec Pierce as a non-runner due to a concussion while Michael Pittman Jr. was restricted with a hip injury. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (hip) was also pulled from practice and corner Kenny Moore II (hip) was limited.
The Jaguars had no injuries to report.
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was a full practice participant Wednesday after suffering a back injury in the opening game against Miami. That would signal that he will be playing in Pittsburgh in Week 2. Meanwhile, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (toe) was not training. Safeties Joshuah Bledsoe (groin) and Adrian Phillips (ribs) were limited, as were running back Pierre Strong Jr. (shoulder) and cornerback Shaun Wade (ankle).
Of course, when the Steelers entered the training field, they were without pass rusher TJ Watt (pectoral). He’s already been ruled out for that game against New England, but the injury may not keep him out for the full season. Running back Najee Harris (foot) was limited, as was cornerback Levi Wallace (ankle) and offensive lineman Mason Cole (ankle). Linebacker Rob Spillane (eye) was listed as a full participant.
Seattle warden Gabe Jackson was given a day off for veterans on Wednesday. Meanwhile, safety Jamal Adams was listed as a non-runner after picking up a knee injury on Monday that Pete Carroll described as “serious” and could reportedly end the season. Cornerback Artie Burns (groin), defensive end Shelby Harris (back) and safety Quandre Diggs (knee) were also blocked. Rookie running back Ken Walker (fracture) trained fully.
George Kittle is still not training with the 49ers as he battles a groin injury. Offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (hamstring) wasn’t training, as was fellow Trent Williams, but he was given a veteran’s rest day. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (elbow) was limited.
Running back Damien Williams (ribs) was unable to practice Wednesday, but the team saw rookie wideout Drake London (knees) fully practice.
Los Angeles held out center Brian Allen (knee), wideout Van Jefferson (knee), offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (knee) and long snapper Matthew Orzech (calf) Wednesday. Meanwhile, linebacker Leonard Floyd was restricted with a knee injury.
The Cardinals gave offensive linemen Kelvin Beachum and Rodney Hudson days off to veterans. However, the team also had to sit out tight end Zach Ertz (calf), safety Jalen Thompson (toe), defensive lineman JJ Watt (calf), and wideouts Andy Isabella (back) and Rondale Moore (hamstring) due to various injuries. Cornerback Trayvon Mullen Jr. (toe) and offensive lineman Justin Pugh (neck) were restricted.
In Las Vegas, the Raiders were without running back Brandon Bolden (hamstring), center Andre James (concussion), safety Trevon Moehrig (hip) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle).
Wideout Trent Taylor (hamstring) and defensive tackle Josh Tupou (shin) were the two players absent from Wednesday’s practice for the Bengals. Meanwhile, receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) and tight end Devin Asiasi (square) were both listed as limited.
For the Cowboys, quarterback Dak Prescott (thumb) was naturally listed as a non-participant in practice as he is recovering from surgery and will miss Sunday’s week one matchup. He was joined as DNP by guard Connor McGovern (ankle), safety Jayron Kearse (knee) and defensive end Tarell Basham (hamstring). Receiver veteran Michael Gallup (knee) was limited.
Defender Maliek Collins (knee) was the only player absent from training due to injury. Defensive lineman Rasheem Green (hamstring), tight end Brevin Jordan (ankle), and defensive back Isaac Yiadom (abdominal) were limited.
The big news from Denver is that safety star Justin Simmons has been placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and will miss at least the next four games. Simmons suffered the injury in the second half of the Broncos’ season-opening loss to the Seahawks. Absent from practice were pass rusher Randy Gregory (shoulder, knee), wideout KJ Hamler (knee, hip), linebacker Josey Jewell (calf), offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz (hamstring), and DeShawn Williams (back). Corner K’Waun Williams (wrist) was limited.
The Bears are relatively healthy as the week of practice begins, listing only Velus Jones Jr. (hamstring) and offensive lineman Riley Reiff (shoulder) on the first injury report. They were both limited.
In Green Bay, guard Jon Runyan was the only player not to take part on Wednesday. The team saw tackles David Bakhtiari (knee) and Elgton Jenkins (knee) practice on a limited basis, along with wide receiver Allen Lazard (ankle).
analysis is coming