The third week of NFL action has proven to be tumultuous, as multiple teams grappled with a slew of injuries that could impact their seasons significantly. Several key players found themselves sidelined due to various ailments, highlighting the physical toll the game takes on its athletes.
One of the week's notable concerns involved quarterback Justin Herbert, who was initially listed as questionable for the Sunday game due to an ankle injury. The situation took a turn for the worse in the third quarter against the Steelers, as Herbert aggravated his ankle injury. Taylor Heinicke stepped in under center as Herbert underwent X-rays, which fortunately came back negative. However, the team will be carefully monitoring Herbert throughout the week.
Elsewhere, the Minnesota Vikings experienced a brief scare when Sam Darnold had to exit their win over the Texans with a knee injury. Fortunately for the Vikings, an MRI revealed only a bone bruise with no structural damage. This news is a relief for the team, considering Darnold's importance to their offensive unit.
For the Packers, Jordan Love has been absent for the past two games due to a sprained MCL. Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that "Love will, at a minimum, be a limited participant in practice starting Wednesday," indicating that the Packers are taking his progress day-by-day.
The Philadelphia Eagles were hit hard as well. DeVonta Smith suffered a concussion and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. The team also saw Britain Covey sidelined with a shoulder injury, which was later diagnosed as a broken bone, sidelining him for multiple weeks. Additionally, Lane Johnson was ruled out with a concussion, necessitating swift adjustments by the coaching staff.
Other significant injuries around the league included Mekhi Becton, who did not finish the first half due to an undisclosed injury, and Rashawn Slater, who suffered a strained pectoral muscle. Meanwhile, Jedrick Wills Jr. went down in the second half, and Wyatt Teller's knee injury has the potential to land him on injured reserve. James Hudson also sustained a shoulder injury against New York, making it a tough week for several teams' offensive lines.
Defensive players were not spared from injury woes. Myles Garrett has been dealing with lower leg ailments linked to foot issues. Garrett managed to return to play after receiving treatment, but his condition will be a key area of focus, as head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged, "Garrett's status would be evaluated day-to-day."
Titans' head coach Brian Callahan provided updates on several players, highlighting the ongoing assessment of injuries. In a key blow to their defensive unit, Marcus Davenport suffered a significant elbow injury, effectively ending his season prematurely.
The Chargers also felt the sting of the injury bug with Joey Bosa being ruled out of the game. In the Steelers camp, Alex Highsmith could not return due to a groin injury, pushing Nick Herbig to step in for him. On a particularly rough note for the Saints, Marcus Epps tore his ACL in the loss to Carolina and though he is expected to be ready for play in 2025, his absence will be felt immediately.
Kaleb McGary’s sprained MCL, Drew Dalman’s high-ankle sprain, and Joe Alt’s sprained MCL—which thankfully won’t require surgery—further contributed to an extensive injury list. Leonard Williams left with a rib injury, Byron Murphy was sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Jeffery Simmons' elbow injury will be monitored day-to-day, adding to the numerous obstacles teams need to overcome.
Additional players like Adoree' Jackson, Cory Trice Jr., Terell Smith, and Chidobe Awuzie are also dealing with significant injuries, with their respective returns uncertain. The accumulation of these injuries underscores the physical challenges present in the NFL and the need for strategic adjustments by the coaching staff to manage their rosters effectively in the weeks ahead.
The third week of NFL action served as a stark reminder of the sport's inherent physicality. As teams navigate their newfound challenges, the focus will shift to recovery and adaptation, with several key players working diligently to return to the field.