The third week of NFL action brought a wave of injuries that significantly impacted multiple teams. Notably, some key players found themselves sidelined, raising concerns about their teams' performances in the upcoming games.
Quarterback Woes
Justin Herbert's status was a major talking point leading up to and during Sunday's match. Initially listed as questionable owing to an ankle injury, Herbert aggravated the injury in the third quarter against the Steelers. This prompted Taylor Heinicke to step in while Herbert underwent X-rays, which thankfully came back negative. "Herbert will be carefully monitored throughout the week," according to an unspecified source.
Similarly, Jordan Love, who has been out for the past two games with a sprained MCL, will be making a gradual return. "Love will at a minimum be a limited participant in practice starting Wednesday," said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. The team plans to assess his progress on a day-to-day basis, keeping a close watch on his recovery.
Wide Receiver Setbacks
The wide receiver position was also hit hard. DeVonta Smith suffered a concussion and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Britain Covey faced a more severe fate, with his shoulder injury diagnosed as a broken bone that will keep him sidelined for multiple weeks. Lane Johnson was also ruled out with a concussion, further compounding the issues for the Eagles.
Offensive Line Troubles
Offensive linemen were not spared either. Mekhi Becton had to exit the first half due to an undisclosed injury, and Rashawn Slater suffered a strained pectoral muscle. Wyatt Teller's knee injury could potentially place him on injured reserve, while James Hudson also sustained a shoulder injury. Erik McCoy's groin injury is under evaluation, adding to the Saints' injury woes. Kaleb McGary appears to have suffered a sprained MCL, and Drew Dalman was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain. Joe Alt's sprained MCL will keep him off the field, although surgery is not required.
Defensive Disruptions
The defense line-ups saw considerable disruptions as well. Leonard Williams left the game with a rib injury, and Byron Murphy was sidelined with a hamstring issue against the Dolphins. Jeffrey Simmons' elbow injury is being monitored day-to-day, according to Titans head coach Brian Callahan. Myles Garrett's lower-leg ailments, linked to foot issues, saw him leave the game momentarily for treatment before returning.
Joey Bosa was ruled out, and Alex Highsmith could not return due to a groin injury, with Nick Herbig stepping in for him. Marcus Davenport's season has come to an abrupt end due to a significant elbow injury. Kwity Paye will be out for an unspecified duration because of a quad injury, and Adoree' Jackson did not appear on the field in the second half against the Browns. Cory Trice Jr.’s hamstring injury kept him out of the Chargers matchup, and Terell Smith was taken off with a hip injury, later confirmed as unable to return.
Future Uncertainties
As these injuries pile up, teams are left to make strategic adjustments. Chidobe Awuzie's groin issue might land him on injured reserve soon. Marcus Epps tore his ACL in the loss to Carolina and is expected to be ready for play in 2025.
Teams now face the challenge of reconfiguring their rosters and strategies to adapt to these injuries. "Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged that Garrett’s status would be evaluated day-to-day," yet the same sentiment echoes across many coaching staffs this week. The injury report serves as a stark reminder of the physical toll the NFL takes on its players, and each coaching staff must find ways to mitigate these losses moving forward.
This deluge of injuries accentuates the need for depth and resilience within team rosters. As the season progresses, the ability to adapt and overcome these challenges will be crucial for teams aiming to make a deep run in the playoffs.