NFL Overreactions: Tua Tagovailoa’s MVP campaign is underway, Brock Purdy has proven he deserves to be QB1
Sports Seriously’s Mackenzie Salmon “overreacts” to the biggest storylines from Week 1 of the NFL season.
Sports Seriously, USA TODAY
The injury threat was tough in Week 1 and the season of one of the NFL’s biggest stars is in flux.
The left leg injury suffered by New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Monday night against the Bills is a significant one, and Rodgers’ status is just one of many that the football world will be paying attention to. as the NFL moves into the second week of the regular season.
The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs fell 1-0 without star tight end Travis Kelce, who missed Thursday night’s opener against the Detroit Lions last week with a knee injury.
Kelce reportedly hyperextended his knee during practice on September 5, which injured star quarterback Patrick Mahomes called a “freak deal.” NFL Network reported Kelce suffered a bone bruise and avoided a long-term knee injury.
Kelce’s participation in the Chiefs’ practice this week could determine his availability for Kansas City’s Week 2 road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Here is the USA TODAY NFL injury tracker for Week 2 of the NFL season:
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The Pittsburgh Steelers defense received bad news about defensive end Cam Heyward.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the Steelers, who struggled to slow down in Week 1’s 30-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, are expected to be without Heyward for “several weeks” with a groin injury.
Heyward was injured in the second quarter against the 49ers and played a total of 14 defensive snaps. He recorded one quarterback hit.
The Baltimore Ravens are already a battered bunch after their 25-9 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Running back JK Dobbins suffered a torn Achilles tendon and is out for the season, an MRI confirmed Monday. according to ESPN. The injury news was devastating for Dobbins and his Ravens teammates.
Dobbins’ luck with injuries has been unfortunate: He missed the entire 2021 season when he suffered a serious knee injury and missed nine games in 2022 while recovering from the same injury. Now this.
“Just kind of crushed by him,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Dobbins after the game. “We will put our arms around him and he will go to rehab and then come back. But yeah, it’s really hard for him.”
In Baltimore, three other starters had to leave the game due to injuries: safety Marcus Williams (shoulder), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) and center Tyler Linderbaum (calf). All three will have MRIs, Harbaugh said.
The Cleveland Browns’ 24-3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday came with a heavy price.
Starting right tackle Jack Conklin suffered a torn ACL and ACL in his left knee and is out for the season.
Conklin was carted off the field after being rolled up by Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson in the first half.
The Philadelphia Eagles could be without cornerback safety James Bradberry for their Week 2 game against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday.
Bradberry has a concussion, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told reporters Monday.
#Eagle CB James Bradberry is in the concussion protocol, coach Nick Sirianni. With Philly playing on Thursday, that likely means Bradberry won’t play against Philly #Vikings.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2023
Given the quick turnaround following Sunday’s 25-20 win over the New England Patriots, Bradberry’s status is very much in question.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean suffered a right foot injury during Sunday’s 25-20 win over the New England Patriots.
According to ESPN, Dean is expected to be out for several weeks and could be a candidate for short-term injured reserve, which would keep him out for at least four games.
ESPN also reported that the Eagles will sign former Titans first-round linebacker Rashaan Evans to their practice squad.