It’s only Week 3, but injuries are piling up around the NFL. Quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart — who was placed on injured reserve — are all expected to miss this week with injury, meaning a total of six teams could be starting multiple quarterbacks by the third game of the season!
Elsewhere around the league, star wide receivers Zay Flowers and Nico Collins are dealing with hamstring injuries, Alec Pierce was just placed on injured reserve after aggravating his offseason ankle injury, while Jayden Reed’s recovery timetable following his Week 2 back injury is not yet established. The Carolina Panthers just placed running back Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve, while the New Orleans Saints had to place their standout left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. on IR as well.
Below, we will break down the final injury report for Thursday night’s showdown between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, and examine the midweek injury reports from around the league.
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Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers (-4.5)
Ebukam was the lone Falcon ruled out for “Thursday Night Football.” The main headline from Atlanta’s injury report is that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is set to make his first start of the season after being a full participant in practice all week. Tua Tagovailoa will also be active as his backup.
The Packers’ offensive line is in some trouble this week, as they will be without two starters in Bako-Bewele and Banks. On the defensive side of the ball, the veteran Hargrave is listed as questionable with a knee injury and concussion after being a limited participant in practice all week.
Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills (-7)
The Los Angeles Chargers were banged up on Wednesday with eight players not practicing: guard Kayode Awosika (fibula), safety Derwin James (finger/vet rest day), tight end Charlie Kolar (forearm), edge rusher Khalil Mack (vet rest day), cornerback Elijah Molden (hamstring), offensive tackle Trey Pipkins (knee), wide receiver Brenen Thompson (quadricep) and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring). Four others were limited in practice: defensive back Rodney Shelley (hamstring), left tackle Rashawn Slater (groin), guard Cole Strange (pectoral) and edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu (hamstring).
Four Buffalo Bills didn’t practice on Wednesday: wide receiver Keon Coleman (ankle), defensive tackle Ed Oliver (hip) and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders (illness). Wide receiver DJ Moore (shoulder), guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams (elbow) and defensive back Jordan Hancock (hamstring) were all limited.
Seattle Seahawks (-7) at Washington Commanders
The Seattle Seahawks had two players miss practice on Wednesday: defensive tackle Brandon Pili (concussion) and safety Ty Okada (hamstring). A number of players were limited including quarterback Sam Darnold (glute), running back George Holani (knee), linebacker Ernest Jones (neck), wide receiver Cooper Kupp (back), running back Jadarian Price (chest) and running back Brady Russell (chest).
Six Washington Commanders didn’t practice on Wednesday: guard Sam Cosmi (concussion/throat), safety Nick Cross (illness), quarterback Jayden Daniels (left elbow), defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (back/shoulder), linebacker Frankie Luvu (groin) and tight end Chig Oknonkwo (hamstring). Those limited included running back Kaytron Allen (hip), edge rusher Dorance Armstrong (knee), safety Percy Butler (groin), linebacker Leo Chenal (chest), wide receiver Jaylin Lane (groin), edge rusher Charles Omenihu (ankle), safety Tyler Owens (hamstring) and safety Jeremy Reaves (knee/elbow).
Kansas City Chiefs (-11.5) at Miami Dolphins
Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons (back), who has yet to play in a game this season, was the only Chief to not practice Wednesday. Edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah (quad), safety Chamarri Conner (knee), defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf) and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (knee) were all limited.
The Miami Dolphins had two players not practice on Wednesday: edge rusher Robert Beal Jr. (hamstring) and wide receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle). Long snapper Tucker Addington (shoulder), wide receiver Chris Bell (knee), cornerback JuJu Brents (knee), wide receiver Ryan Miller (hip/back) and wide receiver Jaylen Wright (stinger/foot) were all limited.
New York Jets at Detroit Lions (-6.5)
Four players didn’t practice for the New York Jets on Wednesday following their overtime loss against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2: safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin), linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (quad), running back Kene Nwangwu (back) and tight end Mason Taylor (thumb). Edge rusher Joseph Ossai (foot) was limited.
Three players didn’t practice for the Detroit Lions on Wednesday: offensive lineman Ben Bartch (foot), safety Thomas Harper (ankle) and defensive tackle Alim McNeill (personal reason). Edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein (illness), guard Christian Mahogany (hip), offensive tackle Blake Miller (knee) and guard Tate Ratledge (elbow) were all limited.
Carolina Panthers (-2.5) at Cleveland Browns
Panthers linebacker Claudin Cherelus (shoulder), safety Nick Scott (rib), linebacker Devin Lloyd (calf) and pass rusher Jaelan Phillips missed practice on Wednesday while wide receiver Jalen Coker was limited with his ankle injury.
Browns guard Teven Jenkins (back) didn’t practice for Cleveland on Wednesday. Cornerback Tyson Campbell (ankle, hip), safety Grant Delpit (shoulder), defensive tackle Mason Graham (groin) limited), offensive tackle Tytus Howard (knee) and linebacker Quincy Williams (knee) were all limited.
Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Cincinnati Bengals had three players miss practice on Wednesday: defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (knee), defensive tackle B.J. Hill (Achilles) and wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (thumb).
The Pittsburgh Steelers were without four players in practice on Wednesday: cornerback Jalen Ramsey (vet rest day), running back Rico Dowdle (toe), cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle) and linebacker Cole Holcomb (personal reason). Cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who is in the midst of a contract standoff, was limited because of “conditioning” reasons. Running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder) and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) were also limited.
Tennessee Titans at New York Giants (-2.5)
The Tennesee Titans were without their top two running backs in practice on Wednesday with both Tony Pollard (ankle) and Tyjae Spears (ankle) sidelined. Defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (knee) and cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (quad) were limited.
Two New York Giants didn’t practice on Wednesday: quarterback Jaxson Dart (knee) and edge rusher Brian Burns (ankle). Dart is out for the rest of the season after damaging his MCL, PCL and meniscus. Burns has a low ankle sprain. Five other Giants were limited including cornerback Deonte Banks (calf), defensive lineman Shelby harris (toe), wide receiver Malik Nabers (shoulder), safety Tyler Nubin (calf) and lef tackle Andrew Thomas (groin).
New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3)
The New England Patriots had four players miss practice on Wednesday: Linebacker Quintayvious Hutchins (knee), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (personal reason), linebacker Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder) and safety Craig Woodson (shoulder). Five players were limited: Offensive lineman Dametrious Crownover (knee), fullback Reggie Gilliam (knee), offensive tackle Morgan Moses (foot), tight end Eli Raridon (thigh) and safety Brenden Schooler (back).
Five players were limited for the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday: running back LeQUint Allen Jr. (hip), center Robert Hainsey (elbow/groin), Defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (back), wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (thumb) and offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen (knee).
Houston Texans (-2.5) at Indianapolis Colts
Six Texans didn’t practice in Houston on Wednesday: Offensive tackle Trent Brown (knee/wrist), edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney (knee), wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring), linebacker Jacob Hummel (groin), tight end Dalton Schultz (vet rest day) and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. (vet rest day). Both edge rusher Logan Hall (knee) and safety M.J. Stewart (knee) were limited.
Three Indianapolis Colts didn’t practice on Wednesday: wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel), cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. (groin) and wide receiver Ashton Dulin (ankle). Pierce will be placed on injured reserve and miss at least four games. Running back Jonathan Taylor (vest rest day) and wide receiver Keenan Allen (vet rest day) were both limited on Wednesday.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-8.5)
San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters wide receiver Mike Evans (hip), defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. (ankle), edge rusher Romello Height (hand) and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (ankle) all didn’t practice Wednesday. The following players also didn’t practice but because of vet rest days: edge rusher Nick Bosa, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, running Christian McCaffrey and offensive tackle Trent Williams.
Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Three Minnesota Vikings didn’t practice on Wednesday: running back Aaron Jones (knee), linebacker Jake Golday (ankle) and punter Brett Thorson (right hamstring). Running back DeeJay Dallas (toe), defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (oblique), offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (knee), defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (elbow) and center Nick Samac (knee) were all limited.
Three Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t practice on Wednesday: linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. (groin), linebacker Anthony Nelson (shin) and linebacker Josiah Trotter (shoulder).
Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints (-3)
Safety Treydan Stukes (concussion) and backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell (personal reason) didn’t practice for the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday. Tight end Brock Bowers (knee), linebacker Nakobe Dean (shoulder), defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (shoulder), cornerback Darien Porter (foot) and wide receiver Dareke Young (hamstring) were all limited.
Three New Orleans Saints didn’t practice on Wednesday: wide receiver Barion Brown (hamstring), cornerback Martin Emerson (shoulder) and defensive tackle Christen Miller (toe). Running back Travis Etienne (hamstring), safety Jonas Sanker (knee), edge rusher Nathan Shepherd (hip) and edge rusher Chase Young (calf) were all limited.
Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) at Dallas Cowboys (Rio de Janeiro)
Four Baltimore Ravens didn’t practice on Wednesday: wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring), edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (finger), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe) and defensive tackle Calais Campbell (vet rest day). Four other Ravens were limited: edge rusher Zion Young (quad), safety Malaki Starks (hamstring), guard John Simpson (groin) and wide receiver Chris Moore (ankle).
The Dallas Cowboys were without four defensive starters on Wednesday: cornerback Cobie Durant (hamstring), safety Malik Hooker (forearm), safety P.J. Locke and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring).
Los Angeles Rams (-2.5) at Denver Broncos
Running back Jonah Coleman (ankle) was the only Denver Bronco not to practice on Wednesday. Running back J.K. Dobbins (hip), running back RJ Harvey (hamstring) and wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (foot) were all limited.
The Los Angeles Rams had a walkthrough on Wednesday, so their practice participation is an estimation. Wide receiver Puka Nacua (hip), Jordan Whittington (quadricep), safety Kam Kinchens (hamstring) and tight end Colby Parkinson (knee) all didn’t practice. Offensive lineman Alaric Jackson (knee), tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and linebacker Nate Landman (shoulder) were limited.
