I have an almost maniacal obsession with tracking injury news and attempting to quantify the impact various injuries will have on team-level production and the betting markets, especially against the spread.
Football (unfortunately) is a violent sport. Every week, players get injured.
Here are the injury situations I’m monitoring on Monday morning as we come out of Week 1 and move into Week 2.
Note: It’s a 100% certainty that there are injuries I don’t know about as of writing. This is merely my early working list.
Thursday Night Football
Minnesota Vikings
- EDGE Marcus Davenport (ankle)
- LT Christian Darrisaw (ankle)
- C Garrett Bradbury (back)
Davenport popped up on the injury report on Friday, was listed as questionable, and then declared inactive. I tentatively expect him back for Week 2.
Darrisaw suffered an injury in Week 1 but returned to action and played 68 snaps (per PFF). He seems fine.
Meanwhile, Bradbury exited Week 1 early and was quickly ruled out. I’m skeptical about his Week 2 availability on short rest.
Philadelphia Eagles
- LB Nakobe Dean (foot)
Dean exited Week 1 early with an injury.
Sunday: Early Games
Green Bay Packers
- WR Christian Watson (hamstring)
- WR Romeo Doubs (hamstring)
- WR Jayden Reed (foot/cramps)
- RB Aaron Jones (hamstring)
- Packers LB Quay Walker (head)
Watson didn’t practice at all last week and was ruled out on Friday. He doesn’t seem close to returning.
Doubs played through the soft-tissue injury that nagged him leading up to Week 1, and he filled up the stat sheet (4-26-2 receiving on five targets), but he saw just 29 snaps. He should see more playing time next week, but he’s being eased into action.
Rookie wideout Jayden Reed played 32 snaps in his NFL debut but missed time in the second half of a blowout. He should be fine.
This one concerns me. Jones pulled his hamstring in Week 1, exited early, and didn’t return. Maybe he would have continued to play if the game had been tighter, but he’s 28 years old, and the team has a legit No. 2 RB in A.J. Dillon. I doubt he plays in Week 2.
Quay Walker left Week 1 with a head injury and did not return. He might be in the league’s concussion protocol.
Atlanta Falcons
- CB Jeff Okudah (ankle)
- RB Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh)
Okudah didn’t practice last week and was ruled out on Friday. I doubt he plays in Week 2.
Patterson was a limited practice participant all week and was a gameday questionable but ultimately sat out on Sunday. Given that he practiced every day last week, I bet he plays in Week 2.
Las Vegas Raiders
- EDGE Chandler Jones (personal)
- WR Jakobi Meyers (head)
- S Tre’Von Moehrig (thumb)
He didn’t practice at all last week and was declared out on Friday. He seems to be in some sort of feud with the team.
Meyers had a great Week 1 performance (9-81-2 receiving on 10 targets), but he took a big hit late in the fourth quarter and left the game. He might be in the league’s concussion protocol.
Moehrig exited in Week 1 and never returned.
Buffalo Bills
They play on Monday Night Football and are healthy entering the game.
Baltimore Ravens
- RB J.K. Dobbins (Achilles)
- TE Mark Andrews (quad)
- LT Ronnie Stanley (knee)
- C Tyler Linderbaum (ankle)
- FS Marcus Williams (pectoral)
- CB Marlon Humphrey (foot)
He suffered a season-ending injury after 30 snaps. Pain.
Jan 1, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins (27) rushes as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) defends during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Andrews was limited in practice every day last week, listed as questionable entering the weekend, and ultimately declared inactive. Since he saw action in every practice, I’m optimistic that he’ll play in Week 2, but that’s far from a certainty.
Stanley exited Week 1 early and was unable to return, but he seemed fine on the sideline later. His Week 2 status is uncertain.
Linderbaum left Week 1 in the fourth quarter. I’m not sure about the severity of his injury, but it didn’t look good.
Williams exited early with what is feared to be a torn pectoral muscle. If that’s the case, he could miss most (if not all) of the rest of the season.
Marlon Humphrey missed every practice last week and was ruled out on Friday. He would need to make serious progress to suit up for Week 2.
Cincinnati Bengals
- EDGE Joseph Ossai (ankle)
He did not practice at all last week and seems unlikely to play this week.
Chicago Bears
- CB Kyler Gordon (hand)
He exited Week 1 with an injury, the severity of which is unknown.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DT Calijah Kancey (calf)
He steadily progressed from no practice on Wednesday to full practice on Friday and played through his questionable tag in Week 1 -- but then he aggravated his existing injury, left the game early, and didn’t return.
I tentatively expect him to sit in Week 2.
Kansas City Chiefs
- TE Travis Kelce (knee)
- DT Chris Jones (holdout)
Kelce missed Week 1 with a bone bruise suffered in practice on Tuesday, but I think he’ll play this week.
Jones is not injured per se, but his status with the team is uncertain, and his absence was significant in Week 1.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- RG Brandon Scherff (ankle)
- DL Tyler Lacy (hip)
- S Antonio Johnson (hamstring)
Scherff left Week 1 early and was unable to return. The injury doesn’t sound serious, but Week 2 is uncertain.
Lacy practiced limitedly every day last week before ultimately sitting out Week 1.
Johnson didn’t practice at all last week and seems likely to miss Week 2.
Los Angeles Chargers
- WR Mike Williams (head)
- RB Austin Ekeler (foot/ankle)
- EDGE Chris Rumph (hamstring)
- LB Daiyan Henley (hamstring)
Mike Williams was tested for a concussion in Week 1 but returned to action, while Austin Ekeler left in the third quarter with what looked like a minor injury. He returned later in the game.
Rumph was out in Week 1. I project him to be out for Week 2, as was Henley, who I also expect to be out in Week 2.
Tennessee Titans
- OT Dillon Radunz (knee)
- CB Tre Avery (hamstring)
Radunz practiced fully on Friday but sat with a questionable tag on Sunday. I think he’ll suit up in Week 2.
Avery was limited on Wednesday and Thursday but sidelined on Friday and ruled out before the weekend. I bet he’s out in Week 2.
Indianapolis Colts
- QB Anthony Richardson (knee)
- RB Zack Moss (forearm)
- RB Evan Hull (knee)
Richardson exited near the end of the game, but he might not even appear on the Week 2 injury report.
Zack Moss practiced every day last week but was limited and sat with a questionable tag in Week 1. I bet he plays in Week 2.
Meanwhile, Evan Hull exited Week 1 early and did not return, finishing the day with just eight snaps. His Week 2 status is uncertain.
Houston Texans
- OT George Fant (shoulder)
- SS Jimmie Ward (hip)
- FS Jalen Pitre (chest)
- DT Hassan Ridgeway (calf)
- WR John Metchie (hamstring)
- LB Blake Cashman (hamstring)
- RB Dare Ogunbowale (hamstring)
Fant exited Week 1 early with a stinger, and his status for Week 2 is in doubt. Given Fant’s age (31 years), I’m skeptical he plays. The Texans are already without RT Tytus Howard (hand, IR), not to mention LG Kenyon Green (shoulder, IR) and Cs Scott Quessenberry (knee, IR) and Juice Scruggs (hamstring, IR). If Fant misses Week 2, they will be exploitably thin on the OL.
Ward didn’t practice at all in Week 1. I doubt he plays in Week 2.
Pitre left Week 1 with what turned out to be a bruised lung, which sent him to the hospital for an overnight stay. I’m skeptical about his Week 2 availability.
Ridgeway exited Week 1 early and was ruled out after going to the locker room. His Week 2 status is unknown.
John Metchie didn’t practice or play last week, the same can be said for Blake Cashman.
Dare Ogunbowale out Week 1 with a questionable tag but practiced limitedly every day. He could suit up for Week 2.
Seattle Seahawks
- LT Charles Cross (toe)
- RT Abraham Lucas (knee)
- WR Tyler Lockett (head)
- CB Devon Witherspoon (hamstring)
- SS Jamal Adams (quad)
Cross was carted off the field in Week 1 and did not return, while Abraham Lucas left Week 1 early and was ruled out.
Tyler Lockett was evaluated for a concussion but returned to the game.
Devon Witherspoon sat in Week 1 with a questionable tag, but I’m optimistic he’ll play in Week 2, given that he practiced every day last week (albeit limitedly).
Adams neither practiced nor played last week but is expected to return to practice in some capacity this week. I doubt he’ll play, but it’s possible.
Detroit Lions
- CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee)
He missed Week 1 but got in limited practices every day last week. That’s enough activity to make me think he has a real shot for Week 2.
Sunday: Late Games
San Francisco 49ers
- TE George Kittle (groin)
He played through his injury in Week 1 and seemed to exit the game in a fine state.
Los Angeles Rams
- WR Cooper Kupp (hamstring, IR)
This is a solemn reminder that Kupp is unavailable for at least the next three weeks.
New York Giants
- LT Andrew Thomas (hamstring)
- WR Wan'Dale Robinson (knee)
- CB Cordale Flott (hamstring)
- S Gervarrius Owens (hamstring)
- DT D.J. Davidson (knee)
- LB Cameron Brown (ankle)
Andrew Thomas suffered an injury in Week 1 but played through it, which makes me think he’ll be fine for Week 2 — but the MRI might disagree with me.
Robinson, Flott, and Owens all sat with doubtful tags last week, which makes me skeptical about them this week.
Davidson and Brown sat with questionable tags in Week 1, so they have a chance to be active in Week 2.
Arizona Cardinals
- OT Kelvin Beachum (hand)
He missed practice on Thursday and Friday and was declared out heading into the weekend. I doubt he will play in Week 2, which hurts the OL depth.
New York Jets
They play on Monday Night Football and seem relatively healthy entering the game, given that OTs Duane Brown (shoulder) and Mekhi Becton (knee/illness) and RB Breece Hall (knee) all practiced fully on Saturday.
I expect them to play through their questionable tags.
Dallas Cowboys
- LG Tyler Smith (hamstring)
- S Donovan Wilson (calf)
Neither guy practiced last week, and they both missed Sunday Night Football with doubtful tags. I tentatively expect them to sit in Week 2.
Washington Commanders
- EDGE Chase Young (neck)
- RG Sam Cosmi (head)
Young missed Week 1 and is fully expected to miss Week 2.
Cosmi was evaluated for a concussion in Week 1, but he returned to action.
Denver Broncos
- WR Jerry Jeudy (hamstring)
- SS Caden Sterns (knee)
- TE Greg Dulcich (leg)
- CB Riley Moss (abdomen)
Jeudy sat out Week 1 but practiced limitedly all week, which is a positive sign for Week 2.
Dec 18, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) runs after a reception in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sterns was carted off in Week 1 and immediately ruled out. I fear that this is a serious injury.
Dulcich exited Week 1 early and was quickly ruled out, which makes me skeptical about Week 2.
Moss was questionable but sat out in Week 1. That he practiced every day last week (limitedly) suggests he could be active in Week 2.
Sunday Night Football
Miami Dolphins
- LT Terron Armstead (back, ankle, knee)
He neither practiced nor played last week after dealing with an onslaught of injuries last year. I doubt he goes in Week 2.
New England Patriots
- RG Mike Onwenu (ankle)
- LG Cole Strange (knee)
- WR DeVante Parker (knee)
- CB Jack Jones (hamstring)
All three of Onwenu, Strange, and DeVante Parker practiced every day last week on a limited basis and then sat with questionable tags.
It’s almost impossible to predict what the Patriots will do based on their injury reports -- but it’s positive that they’re at least practicing.
Jones was limited in practice on Wednesday before missing Thursday and Friday altogether and being declared out before the weekend. I doubt he will play this week.
Monday Night Football
New England Saints
- EDGE Payton Turner (toe)
- RB Kendre Miller (knee)
- DB J.T. Gray (shoulder)
Turner suffered an injury in Week 1 and could be out for a significant period of time.
Both Kendre Miller and J.T. Gray neither practiced nor played in Week 1. They’re doubtful for Week 2.
Carolina Panthers
- CB Jaycee Horn (hamstring)
- WR Adam Thielen (ankle)
- WR DJ Chark (hamstring)
Horn left Week 1 early and did not return. History leads me to believe he won’t play in Week 2.
Adam Thielen played through a questionable tag last week and generally looked like someone who used to look like “Adam Thielen".
Meanwhile, DJ Chark didn’t play in Week 1, but he at least practiced limitedly on Friday after sitting out on Wednesday and Thursday. He’s uncertain for Week 2.
Cleveland Browns
- RT Jack Conklin (knee)
- FS Juan Thornhill (calf)
Conklin was carted off in Week 1 with a severe-looking injury. He might be out for the year.
Thornhill practiced limitedly on Wednesday, missed practice on Thursday and Friday, and then sat out on Sunday with a questionable tag. I doubt he plays in Week 2.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Diontae Johnson (hamstring)
- DT Cameron Heyward (groin)
Diontae Johnson exited early in Week 1 and was quickly ruled out. Week 2 feels unlikely.
Heyward exited Week 1 early and was labeled questionable before being ruled out.
He has played 15-plus games in all but one season since his 2011 rookie year, but at 34 years old, he might start to slow down soon. Week 2 is uncertain.
