It may only be Week 1 of the 2023 season, but there is a lot of injury news that NFL fans are keeping an eye on. The tight end position in particular was hit hard this week, with Travis Kelce missing Week 1 and George Kittle currently dealing with injuries that could sideline him for the NFL’s opening weekend. Kittle has a nagging groin injury that threatens his status for the 49ers’ season opener at Pittsburgh, while Giants tight end Darren Waller is questionable for the opener against the Cowboys because of a groin injury.
We’ll delve deeper into each of these situations as the latest injury reports come in across the league – while also taking a look at each NFL team’s current injury situation heading into Week 1, starting with the NFL’s opening game.
All odds in SportsLine consensus.
- 49ers: TE George Kittle (groin), CB Charvarius Ward (heel) QUESTIONABLE
- Steelers: DT Larry Ogunjobi (foot) QUESTIONABLE
The biggest name to keep an eye on here is Kittle, who has been dealing with an adductor strain since August 10th.
- Vikings: DE Marcus Davenport (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
- Privateer: DL Calijah Kancey (calf), G Cody Mauch (back) QUESTIONABLE
For the Vikings, Davenport was a late addition to the injured list after participating in limited practice on Friday. Everyone else is ready for Minnesota.
- Cardinals: OL Kelvin Beachum (hand) OUT, WR Marquise Brown (hamstring), TE Zach Ertz (knee) QUESTIONABLE
- Commanders: DE Chase Young (neck), DE James Smith-Williams (oblique) QUESTIONABLE
The Cardinals are already without starting quarterback Kyler Murray, who is still recovering from a torn ACL last season, and now two of their best pass-catchers haven’t entered the game at 100%.
The good news for the Commanders is that wide receiver Terry McLaurin was removed from the injury report on Friday and is ready to return.
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- Panthers: WR DJ Chark (hamstring) OUT; WR Adam Thielen (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
- Falcons: CB Jeff Okudah (foot) OUT; JOKER Cordarrelle Patterson (hamstring), WR KhaDarel Hodge (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Chark tried to give it a try before Sunday because he had limited opportunities in Friday’s practice. The Panthers decided to give him a week of rest while Thielen was limited after missing Thursday’s practice. Bryce Young could be without his two best wideouts in his debut.
Patterson was limited all week with the hamstring injury, which was apparently a game-time decision for the Falcons (if you’re wondering why he’s listed as a “wild card,” click here). Hodge participated fully in practice on Friday, so it looks like he will play on Sunday.
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- Texans: RB Dare Ogunbowale (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE, LB Blake Cashman (hamstring), WR John Metchie III (hamstring), SAF Jimmie Ward (hip) OUT
- Ravens: TE Mark Andrews (quad) QUESTIONABLE, CB Marlon Humphrey (foot) OUT
The Ravens’ new star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was on the injury report (only at practice on Thursday) but was a full participant on Friday. He is expected to make his Ravens debut this weekend.
- Bengal: DE Joseph Ossai (ankle) OUT
- Shades of brown: DB Juan Thornhill (calf) QUESTIONABLE
- Packer: Full-back Christian Watson (thigh) is out, full-back Romeo Doubs (thigh) is questionable
- Bears: LB Dylan Cole (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
Jordan Love will not have his top wide receiver for Sunday’s showdown against the Bears as head coach Matt LaFleur has ruled out Watson. Doubs is officially considered questionable and was only able to train to a limited extent on Thursday.
With the Bears, Cole had limited practice on Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday with a hamstring injury. He’s probably a game decision. Safety Jaquan Brisker (groin), safety Eddie Jackson (ankle) and defensive end DeMarcus Walker (calf) were limited participants earlier in the week but were all full participants Friday.
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- Patriots: CB Jack Jones (hamstring) is out
Patriots cornerback Jack Jones is out with a hamstring injury he suffered during practice on Wednesday and was the only New England player not at practice on Thursday.
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- Raiders: WR DeAndre Carter (knee) QUESTIONABLE, CB Brandon Facyson (shin), DE Chandler Jones (non-injured, personal) OUT
- Broncos: WR Jerry Jeudy (hamstring), CB Riley Moss (abdomen) QUESTIONABLE
Carter, who is coming off the best season of his career in 2022, had limited practice all week and is questionable
Juedy and Moss were both limited in practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Jeudy was quarterback Russell Wilson’s top target last year, as the wide receiver accounted for the most yards, receptions and touchdowns on the team.
- Giants: WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee), S Gervarrius Owens (hamstring), CB Cor’Dale Flott (hamstring) doubtful; TE Darren Waller (hamstring), DL DJ Davidson (knee), LB Cam Brown (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Waller was added to the injury report late because he was limited by a hamstring injury he sustained in practice on Friday. He will likely be a game-winning decision on Sunday. All other Giants on the injury report were limited Friday.
For the Bills, Sean McDermott told reporters on Wednesday that safety Micah Hyde was back in practice after missing a few practices due to back pain. According to the head coach, the veteran is considered suitable for everyday use. Hyde was there on Friday.