The third week of NFL action presented a veritable minefield of injuries, shaking the league as multiple teams suffered the loss of key players.
The Los Angeles Chargers were particularly hard-hit, starting with Justin Herbert, who was initially listed as questionable for Sunday due to an ankle injury. The situation worsened when Herbert aggravated his injury in the third quarter against the Steelers, prompting Taylor Heinicke to step in as Herbert underwent X-rays. Fortunately for the Chargers, the X-rays came back negative. A team spokesperson noted, "Herbert will be carefully monitored throughout the week."
Adding to this, tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a strained pectoral muscle, and Jordan Love, who has been out for the past two games with a sprained MCL, is set to be a limited participant in practice starting Wednesday. "Love will at a minimum be a limited participant in practice starting Wednesday," said head coach Matt LaFleur. Adding to the Chargers' woes, linebacker Joey Bosa was ruled out of the game.
Across the league, other teams faced similar adversity. The Minnesota Vikings saw Sam Darnold briefly exit their win over the Texans with a knee injury. An MRI revealed a bone bruise but no structural damage for Darnold, alleviating immediate concerns. Conversely, wide receiver DeVonta Smith was diagnosed with a concussion and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, while his teammate Britain Covey suffered a shoulder injury, later identified as a broken bone that will sideline him for several weeks. Lane Johnson also left the field due to a concussion, contributing to the list of wounded Eagles players.
The Cleveland Browns were not spared either. Jedrick Wills Jr. went down in the second half, and Wyatt Teller was ruled out with a knee injury, potentially landing him on injured reserve. James Hudson also suffered a shoulder injury during the game against New York. In addition, Titans linebacker Marcus Davenport’s season came to a premature close due to a significant elbow injury. Myles Garrett’s status is under daily evaluation due to lower-leg ailments linked to foot issues. "Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged that Garrett’s status would be evaluated day-to-day."
Elsewhere, the New Orleans Saints are assessing Erik McCoy's groin injury, and Kaleb McGary of the Atlanta Falcons is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL. Drew Dalman sustained a high-ankle sprain, and Joe Alt’s sprained MCL will keep him off the field, although he won’t require surgery for his injury.
Leonard Williams of the New York Giants left the game with a rib injury, and Byron Murphy was sidelined with a hamstring issue against the Dolphins. Jeffery Simmons' elbow injury is being monitored on a day-to-day basis. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, Alex Highsmith could not return due to a groin injury, with Nick Herbig stepping in as his replacement.
In further distressing news, Kwity Paye will be out for an unspecified duration due to a quad injury, while Adoree' Jackson did not appear on the field in the second half against Cleveland. Another significant injury was sustained by Cory Trice Jr., whose hamstring injury kept him from playing against the Chargers.
Additional player absences included Terell Smith, taken off with a hip injury and later confirmed as unable to return. Chidobe Awuzie’s groin issue could see him placed on injured reserve. The Panthers' Marcus Epps tore his ACL in a loss to Carolina, potentially sidelining him until 2025.
Head coach Dennis Allen will be closely monitoring these developments as the week progresses. "Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged that Garrett’s status would be evaluated day-to-day," underscoring the delicate balance of maintaining player health and competitive edge.
These injuries showcase the brutal reality of the NFL, compelling coaching staffs to make strategic adjustments continually. As the season progresses, teams will need depth and resilience to navigate these turbulent waters.