It’s only Week 3, but injuries are mounting across the NFL. Rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels are expected to sit out this week, and Jaxson Dart — who has been placed on injured reserve — will also miss action, leaving the league on pace for as many as six teams starting multiple quarterbacks by Game 3. Top receivers Zay Flowers and Nico Collins are both dealing with hamstring problems, Alec Pierce has been put on injured reserve after worsening an offseason ankle injury, and Jayden Reed’s timetable after a back issue in Week 2 remains uncertain. The Carolina Panthers placed running back Jonathon Brooks on IR, and the New Orleans Saints also put starting left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. on injured reserve.
Below is a recap of the latest midweek injury reports, starting with Thursday night’s Falcons-Packers game. Odds cited are from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers (-4.5)
– Falcons: Defensive end Armoni Ebukam is ruled out for Thursday. QB Michael Penix Jr. (knee) practiced fully all week and is expected to make his first start of the season; Tua Tagovailoa will be active as his backup.
– Packers: The offensive line will be shorthanded without starters Bako-Bewele and Kelvin Banks. Veteran DT Javon Hargrave is questionable after limited practice time with a knee issue and a concussion.
Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills (-7)
– Chargers: Eight players did not practice Wednesday, including G Kayode Awosika (fibula), S Derwin James (finger/veteran rest), TE Charlie Kolar (forearm), EDGE Khalil Mack (vet rest), CB Elijah Molden (hamstring), OT Trey Pipkins (knee), WR Brenen Thompson (quad) and DL Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring). Four others were limited, among them LT Rashawn Slater (groin) and EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu (hamstring).
– Bills: Keon Coleman (ankle), Ed Oliver (hip) and T.J. Sanders (illness) did not practice Wednesday. DJ Moore (shoulder) and others were limited.
Seattle Seahawks (-7) at Washington Commanders
– Seahawks: DT Brandon Pili (concussion) and S Ty Okada (hamstring) missed practice. Several were limited, including QB Sam Darnold (glute) and WR Cooper Kupp (back).
– Commanders: Six players skipped practice Wednesday, highlighted by QB Jayden Daniels (left elbow) and OG Sam Cosmi (concussion/throat). A number of others were limited, including RB Kaytron Allen (hip) and EDGE Dorance Armstrong (knee).
Kansas City Chiefs (-11.5) at Miami Dolphins
– Chiefs: LT Josh Simmons (back), who hasn’t played this season, missed practice. DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah (quad), DT Chris Jones (calf) and others were limited.
– Dolphins: Robert Beal Jr. (hamstring) and WR Caleb Douglas (ankle) did not practice. Multiple players, including WR Chris Bell (knee) and CB JuJu Brents (knee), were limited.
New York Jets at Detroit Lions (-6.5)
– Jets: Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin), LB Francisco Mauigoa (quad), RB Kene Nwangwu (back) and TE Mason Taylor (thumb) didn’t practice Wednesday; Joseph Ossai (foot) was limited.
– Lions: Ben Bartch (foot), S Thomas Harper (ankle) and DT Alim McNeill (personal) missed practice. Several others, including OT Blake Miller (knee), were limited.
Carolina Panthers (-2.5) at Cleveland Browns
– Panthers: LB Claudin Cherelus (shoulder), S Nick Scott (rib), LB Devin Lloyd (calf) and Jaelan Phillips missed practice; WR Jalen Coker was limited with an ankle.
– Browns: G Teven Jenkins (back) didn’t practice. Multiple players, including CB Tyson Campbell (ankle/hip) and S Grant Delpit (shoulder), were limited.
Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers
– Bengals: DT Jonathan Allen (knee), DT B.J. Hill (Achilles) and WR Andrei Iosivas (thumb) missed practice Wednesday.
– Steelers: Four players missed practice, including CB Jalen Ramsey (vet rest), RB Rico Dowdle (toe) and CB Jamel Dean (ankle). CB Joey Porter Jr. was limited for conditioning reasons; RB Jaylen Warren (shoulder) and WR Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) were also limited.
Tennessee Titans at New York Giants (-2.5)
– Titans: Top two RBs missed practice — Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears (both ankle). DT Solomon Thomas (knee) and CB Cor’Dale Flott (quad) were limited.
– Giants: QB Jaxson Dart (knee) and EDGE Brian Burns (ankle) did not practice; Dart will miss the rest of the season after sustaining MCL, PCL and meniscus damage. Several other Giants were limited, including CB Deonte Banks (calf) and LT Andrew Thomas (groin).
New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3)
– Patriots: Four players missed practice, including LB Quintayvious Hutchins (knee) and DL DaQuan Jones (personal). Five players were limited, such as OL Dametrious Crownover (knee) and FB Reggie Gilliam (knee).
– Jaguars: Five players were limited Wednesday, including RB LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip), C Robert Hainsey (elbow/groin) and WR Jakobi Meyers (thumb).
Houston Texans (-2.5) at Indianapolis Colts
– Texans: Six did not practice, among them OT Trent Brown (knee/wrist), DE Jadeveon Clowney (knee) and WR Nico Collins (hamstring). Logan Hall (knee) and S M.J. Stewart (knee) were limited.
– Colts: WR Alec Pierce (heel), CB Charvarius Ward Sr. (groin) and WR Ashton Dulin (ankle) did not practice; Pierce will be placed on injured reserve and miss at least four games. RB Jonathan Taylor and WR Keenan Allen were limited due to veteran rest.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-8.5)
– 49ers: Coach Kyle Shanahan said WR Mike Evans (hip), DT James Thompson Jr. (ankle), EDGE Romello Height (hand) and WR Demarcus Robinson (ankle) didn’t practice. Several star players were out for veteran rest, including Nick Bosa and Christian McCaffrey.
Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
– Vikings: Aaron Jones (knee), LB Jake Golday (ankle) and P Brett Thorson (hamstring) didn’t practice; multiple others were limited, including OT Brian O’Neill (knee).
– Buccaneers: LB Rueben Bain Jr. (groin), Anthony Nelson (shin) and Josiah Trotter (shoulder) missed practice.
Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints (-3)
– Raiders: S Treydan Stukes (concussion) and backup QB Aidan O’Connell (personal) didn’t practice. Several players were limited, such as TE Brock Bowers (knee) and LB Nakobe Dean (shoulder).
– Saints: WR Barion Brown (hamstring), CB Martin Emerson (shoulder) and DT Christen Miller (toe) didn’t practice. RB Travis Etienne (hamstring) and others were limited.
Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) at Dallas Cowboys (Rio de Janeiro)
– Ravens: WR Zay Flowers (hamstring), EDGE Trey Hendrickson (finger), LT Ronnie Stanley (toe) and DT Calais Campbell (vet rest) missed practice. Four others were limited, including WR Chris Moore (ankle).
– Cowboys: The team missed four defensive starters in practice Wednesday, among them CB Cobie Durant (hamstring) and LB DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring).
Los Angeles Rams (-2.5) at Denver Broncos
– Broncos: RB Jonah Coleman (ankle) was the only Denver player not to practice Wednesday. J.K. Dobbins (hip) and WR Marvin Mims Jr. (foot) were limited.
– Rams: The Rams held a walkthrough Wednesday so participation was estimated. WR Puka Nacua (hip) and several others did not practice; some offensive linemen and tight ends were limited.
Fan Take:
The early-season rash of injuries — especially to quarterbacks and top skill players — is a major storyline because it can quickly reshape team fortunes and playoff projections. For fans, this surge of absences highlights the depth test every roster faces and could accelerate roster moves, trades or strategic adjustments as teams try to compensate.
Source: www.cbssports.com
