The third week of NFL action proved to be tumultuous as multiple teams grappled with a slew of injuries, sidelining key players and forcing strategic adjustments across the league.
Quarterback Concerns
Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers faced a challenging Sunday due to an aggravated ankle injury. Initially listed as questionable, Herbert re-injured his ankle during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This led to Taylor Heinicke stepping in under center as Herbert underwent X-rays. The X-rays, fortunately, came back negative, which was a relief for the team and fans alike. However, the situation remains delicate as coaching staff will be closely monitoring Herbert throughout the week.
In Green Bay, the Packers have been without Jordan Love for the past two games due to a sprained MCL. The team has now announced that Love will be a limited participant in practice starting Wednesday as they manage his progress on a day-by-day basis. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed, "Love will at a minimum be a limited participant in practice starting Wednesday."
Wide Receiver and Offensive Line Woes
The Philadelphia Eagles had their share of misfortune with wide receiver DeVonta Smith suffering a concussion, ruling him out for the rest of the game. Fellow wide receiver Britain Covey also faced a setback with a shoulder injury, diagnosed as a broken bone that will keep him sidelined for multiple weeks. Offensive tackle Lane Johnson was another casualty with a concussion, adding to the Eagles' injury worries.
An injury bug didn't spare the New York Jets either, as offensive tackle Mekhi Becton left the game before the first half concluded due to an undisclosed injury. Rashawn Slater of the Chargers and Jedrick Wills Jr. also joined the injury list, suffering a strained pectoral muscle and an unspecified ailment, respectively.
Defensive Line and Secondary Struggles
The injury list extended to the defensive side of the ball as well. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, dealing with lower-leg ailments linked to foot issues, had to leave the game momentarily for treatment but managed to return. "Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged that Garrett’s status would be evaluated day-to-day," noted sources.
The Pittsburgh Steelers saw Joey Bosa ruled out of the game, and Alex Highsmith couldn't return due to a groin injury, paving the way for Nick Herbig to step in. The Browns' Marcus Davenport suffered a significant elbow injury, effectively ending his season prematurely.
Hamstring and Knee Concerns
Sam Darnold's brief exit from the Vikings' game against the Texans due to a knee injury was another concern. Nonetheless, an MRI revealed a bone bruise but no structural damage, providing a silver lining. Kaleb McGary’s sprained MCL and Drew Dalman’s high-ankle sprain added to the growing list of knee-related issues.
Additional Injuries
In further injury updates, Leonard Williams left the game due to a rib injury, and Byron Murphy was sidelined with a hamstring injury against the Dolphins. Jeffery Simmons is being monitored day-to-day for an elbow injury as well.
Adoree' Jackson didn’t see action in the second half against Cleveland, and Cory Trice Jr. missed the Chargers matchup due to a hamstring injury. Terell Smith had a hip injury that initially cast doubt over his return but was later confirmed as unable to participate further in the game.
In another unfortunate update, Marcus Epps tore his ACL in the loss to Carolina, sidelining him until at least 2025. Meanwhile, Joe Alt’s sprained MCL will keep him off the field for now, though surgery isn't required.
The accumulation of these injuries underscores the critical need for strategic adjustments by coaching staff across the NFL.