The NFL's third week of action delivered a challenging landscape for many teams as a wave of injuries swept through the league. A host of key players found themselves sidelined, causing significant repercussions for their respective squads.
Quarterback Woes
Justin Herbert, the star quarterback for the Chargers, was listed as questionable before Sunday's game due to an ankle injury. The injury was further aggravated in the third quarter during the match against the Steelers. Herbert had to exit the game for X-rays, leading backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke to step in. Fortunately for the Chargers, the X-rays came back negative, avoiding what could have been a more serious setback.
In a similar situation, Sam Darnold exited the Vikings' victory over the Texans with a knee injury. An MRI revealed a bone bruise but no structural damage, giving the team some relief. Meanwhile, the Packers’ Jordan Love has been dealing with a sprained MCL, missing the last two games. Head coach Matt LaFleur mentioned, "Love will at a minimum be a limited participant in practice starting Wednesday," indicating a cautious approach to his return.
Concussion Protocols and Other Injuries
The concussion protocol impacted several players, including DeVonta Smith and Lane Johnson. Smith was ruled out for the remainder of the game due to a concussion, and Johnson faced a similar fate. Britain Covey's shoulder injury, diagnosed as a broken bone, will sideline him for several weeks, compounding the Eagles' injury woes.
Mekhi Becton did not finish the first half due to an unspecified injury, and Rashawn Slater suffered a strained pectoral muscle. Additionally, Wyatt Teller’s knee injury might land him on injured reserve, as the severity of his condition becomes clearer.
Offensive Line Struggles
The offensive line took a significant hit with multiple injuries. Injuries to Erik McCoy's groin and Kaleb McGary's sprained MCL are being closely monitored. The Falcons have labeled Drew Dalman's high-ankle sprain a serious concern as well. Notably, Joe Alt's sprained MCL has been confirmed not to require surgery, but the impact on the team's line cohesion cannot be understated.
Defensive Setbacks
Defensive players were not spared from the tumult. Leonard Williams left the game with a rib injury, and Byron Murphy was sidelined with a hamstring issue against the Dolphins. Myles Garrett's lower-leg ailments linked to foot issues saw him momentarily exit for treatment, though he later returned. Head coach Kevin Stefanski stated, "Garrett’s status would be evaluated day-to-day," signaling ongoing concern for his availability.
Joey Bosa was another significant defensive loss, ruled out of the game entirely. This was compounded by Alex Highsmith's groin injury, which gave Nick Herbig the opportunity to step up.
Season-Ending Injuries and Future Outlook
The season ended prematurely for some players. Marcus Davenport sustained a significant elbow injury, bringing his season to an unwanted close. Additionally, Kwity Paye will be out for an unspecified duration due to a quad injury, and Adoree' Jackson was absent from the field in the second half against Cleveland. Cory Trice Jr.'s hamstring injury kept him out of the Chargers matchup, highlighting the widespread impact of these injuries across the league.
Terell Smith's hip injury initially left him doubtful, but was eventually confirmed as unable to return. Chidobe Awuzie’s groin issue might see him placed on injured reserve soon. Most notably, Marcus Epps tore his ACL in the loss to Carolina, and he is expected to be ready for play in 2025, facing an extensive rehabilitation period.
The multitude of injuries this week underscores the need for strategic adjustments by coaching staff. These developments not only test the depth and resilience of the teams but also highlight the physical toll inherent in the sport. As the season progresses, monitoring the recovery and adaptation of these teams will be crucial for their success.