The third week of NFL action unfolded in dramatic fashion as several teams dealt with a wave of injuries, significantly impacting their rosters. Among the most notable was the situation involving Justin Herbert, who was initially listed as questionable due to an ankle injury. Herbert aggravated this injury during the third quarter in their game against the Steelers, necessitating X-rays, which fortunately came back negative. In his absence, Taylor Heinicke took over under center.
Head coach Matt LaFleur addressed the situation with Jordan Love, who has been sidelined for the past two games with a sprained MCL. LaFleur confirmed, "Love will at a minimum be a limited participant in practice starting Wednesday," signaling a cautious but hopeful return for the young quarterback. The Packers are adopting a day-by-day approach to Love's progress.
Meanwhile, Sam Darnold faced his own challenges, briefly exiting the Vikings' win over the Texans with a knee injury. An MRI revealed a bone bruise but fortunately no structural damage, giving the Vikings some much-needed relief.
Concussions and Other Injuries
DeVonta Smith's concussion forced him out of the game, a significant blow to his team’s offensive capabilities. Britain Covey, on the other hand, was sidelined with a shoulder injury diagnosed as a broken bone, sidelining him for multiple weeks.
Another major concern arose with Lane Johnson's concussion, an alarming trend of head injuries this season. Mekhi Becton, unable to finish the first half due to an undisclosed injury, added to the list of players sidelined mid-game.
Key Defensive Losses
Defensive players did not fare any better. Myles Garrett, dealing with lower-leg ailments attributed to foot issues, had to leave momentarily for treatment but managed to return. Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged, "Garrett’s status would be evaluated day-to-day," illuminating the uncertainty surrounding his participation in upcoming games.
Meanwhile, Marcus Davenport's season came to an abrupt end with a significant elbow injury. The loss of Davenport, a key defensive player, is a significant setback for his team.
Joey Bosa and Kwity Paye will also be sidelined, with Bosa being ruled out and Paye out for an unspecified duration due to a quad injury. Additionally, Alex Highsmith could not return to the game after a groin injury, prompting Nick Herbig to step in.
Offensive Line Concerns
The offensive line took multiple hits as well. Rashawn Slater suffered a strained pectoral muscle, while Wyatt Teller’s knee injury could potentially land him on injured reserve. James Hudson's shoulder injury and Erik McCoy’s groin injury further depleted the ranks, with McCoy's condition still being evaluated.
Kaleb McGary is believed to have a sprained MCL, and Drew Dalman's high-ankle sprain adds to the growing list of injured offensive linemen. Joe Alt's sprained MCL will keep him off the field, although he won't require surgery, a minor solace for his team.
Injuries Impacting Game Play
Leonard Williams' rib injury saw him ruled out, while Byron Murphy was sidelined with a hamstring injury against the Dolphins. Jeffery Simmons' elbow injury will be monitored day-by-day, and Cory Trice Jr. couldn’t suit up against the Chargers because of a hamstring issue.
Adoree' Jackson, who did not appear on the field in the second half against Cleveland, and Terell Smith, initially doubtful and later confirmed as unable to return due to a hip injury, further illustrate the physical toll this week has taken on players.
In a particularly severe case, Marcus Epps tore his ACL in the loss to Carolina and is expected to be ready for play only in 2025, marking a long road to recovery.
The string of injuries this week underscores the need for continued strategic adjustments by coaching staff as teams work to cope with these setbacks. Herbert will be carefully monitored throughout the week, while Packers' head coach Matt LaFleur takes a cautious approach with Jordan Love.