Thursday’s practice reports offered a mix of encouraging and worrying updates as teams finished preparations for Week 3.
In the NFC East, both the Eagles and Cowboys faced notable injury concerns, while the NFC West saw brighter news from Seattle but growing uncertainty in Los Angeles. Rams receiver Puka Nacua continues to struggle with a hip/groin issue, the Cowboys will be without four defenders for their game in Brazil, and Sam Darnold appears closer to returning to the Seahawks’ lineup.
Philadelphia’s injury problems increased ahead of Monday night’s trip to Chicago. Running back Saquon Barkley practiced on a limited basis as he manages a stinger suffered in Week 2, but wide receiver DeVonta Smith did not take part in drills because of a hamstring issue; he was seen warming up but remained without pads. Barkley’s stinger, which restricted him to minimal snaps in the comeback win over Tennessee, adds to depth concerns after backups Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley were limited on Wednesday. The Eagles have two more practices to evaluate both players before the game.
Dallas announced it will be without cornerback Cobie Durant, safeties Malik Hooker and P.J. Locke, and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown for Sunday’s matchup with the Ravens in Rio de Janeiro; none will travel to Brazil. All four missed Thursday’s practice, and Durant and Locke are expected to be out for multiple weeks. Shavon Revel Jr. and Markquese Bell are likely to step into the secondary. Coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged the replacements will change the look and experience level of the defense. Hooker had only played 12 snaps earlier in the season, and Overshown had been listed as a low-probability return earlier in the week.
In Los Angeles, Nacua did not practice for the second straight day, and coach Sean McVay said the wideout is “not making great progress” as he recovers from the hip/groin soreness that kept him out of Week 2. McVay emphasized that time is the main healer and that there’s no indication of a hernia or long-term problem. The Rams will reassess him after Friday’s practice; if he can’t go, Davante Adams is expected to continue as Matthew Stafford’s primary target.
Seattle received more optimistic news: coach Mike Macdonald said quarterback Sam Darnold is “on a good track” to play Sunday against the Commanders after a glute injury in Week 1. Darnold returned to practice and reported feeling good, noting he’s taking preparations day by day. Initially considered week-to-week and projected to be sidelined into Week 4, his recovery has been quicker than expected and he’s trending toward reclaiming the starting job from Drew Lock, who has gone 2–0 in his absence. A final decision on Darnold will come later in the week.
Fan Take: These injury updates matter because they can immediately alter team game plans, affect fantasy football lineups, and shift the balance in close divisions. Watching who steps up — like Adams for the Rams or depth options in Dallas and Philly — will shape narratives and potentially determine early-season trajectories.
Source: www.foxsports.com
