No week in the NFL is devoid of injuries. Just ask the Ravens, who have dealt with a flurry of injuries with the start of the 2021 regular season on the horizon. On Thursday alone, Baltimore saw running back Gus Edwards and cornerback Marcus Peters suffer season-ending injuries. The Ravens have also been dealing with the losses of running backs J.K. Dobbins and Justice Hill, among others.
While Baltimore has unquestionably been hit hardest, many NFL teams have at least one notable injury situation entering the Week 1. Washington placed receiver Curtis Samuel on Injured Reserve on Friday due to a lingering groin injury, while receivers Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) and Emmanuel Sanders (foot) are questionable for the Week 1 games of the Browns and Bills, respectively. Chargers running back (and Fantasy Football standout) Austin Ekeler is dealing with a hamstring injury, though the team is optimistic he’ll be able to play Sunday in Washington.
On a positive note, Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Lions running back D’Andre Swift are expected to be full go when their teams take the field this weekend.
Those are just a few of the notable injuries to keep an eye on as the NFL‘s first Sunday of action inches closer. Below is each team’s final Week 1 injury report along with some analysis about how these injuries could impact a particular matchup.
All NFL odds come via Caesars Sportsbook.
Steelers at Bills (-6.5)
- Steelers: LB Alex Highsmith (groin) QUESTIONABLE
- Bills: DT Star Lotulelei (calf) OUT; WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot) QUESTIONABLE
The Steelers do have a contingency plan if Highsmith is unable to go, as Melvin Ingram can fill the void at outside linebacker. Highsmith was a full participant in Friday’s practice after missing Thursday’s practice; what he’s able to do Saturday will likely reveal whether Highsmith will play in Week 1.
Head coach Sean McDermott noted on WGR 550 that Star Lotulelei would be held out of Sunday’s Steelers-Bills game, while also saying that Emmanuel Sanders is questionable with a foot injury. Sanders was a limited participant in both Wednesday and Thursday’s practice sessions, so he could truly be a game-time decision.
Jets at Panthers (-4)
- Jets: S Sharrod Neasman (hamstring) OUT; RB La’Mical Perine (foot), WR Keelan Cole (knee) QUESTIONABLE
- Panthers: WR Shi Smith (shoulder) OUT
The Jets could be down a few receivers in this game. Jamison Crowder was ruled out as he’s on the COVID list, and Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Cole will go “down to the wire” on his status for Sunday. If Cole can’t go, Denzel Mims and Braxton Berrios are expected to see an increase in snaps. Left tackle Mekhi Becton will start.
Smith’s absence could lead to more snaps for rookie Terrace Marshall Jr., who had an impressive training camp. Sunday also marks the return of running back Christian McCaffrey, who missed 13 games last year while battling various injuries.
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Jaguars at Texans (+3)
- Jaguars: CB Tre Herndon (knee) OUT; CB Tyson Campbell (calf), DE/OLB Jordan Smith (knee) QUESTIONABLE
- Texans: DB Lonnie Johnson Jr. (thigh), QB Deshaun Watson (not injury related) OUT; LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (thigh), DL Jonathan Greenard (illness) QUESTIONABLE
Campbell will play, according to Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer — while Chris Claybrooks will move up the rotation to take Herndon’s spot on the second team.
No surprise Watson is out for the Texans, who look to keep him inactive all year. Pierre-Lewis was a non-participant in practice for the second consecutive day.
Cardinals at Titans (-3)
- Cardinals: OLB Dennis Gardeck (knee/hand), WR Antione Wesley (illness) OUT
- Titans: LB David Long Jr. (hamstring) OUT; DB Chris Jackson (hamstring), TE Tommy Hudson (toe), WR Josh Reynolds (foot), K Sam Ficken (right groin) QUESTIONABLE
The Cardinals lose one of their top pass rushers in Gardeck, who may be out multiple weeks. Overall, Arizona is relatively healthy heading into the opener.
With Long out, Monty Rice could see a larger role at linebacker. A.J. Brown (knee) practiced in full and was not given an injury designation. He’ll be good to go.
Chargers at Washington (-1)
- Chargers: DB Trey Marshall (ankle) OUT; RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
- Washington: WR Curtis Samuel (groin) OUT
The Chargers have to be concerned with Ekeler, but he returned to practice on a limited basis and they’re “optimistic” he’ll play. If for some reason Ekeler has a setback, Justin Jackson will get the start.
Washington put Curtis Samuel on short-term injured reserve, so he’ll be out at least three weeks. Samuel is the only player listed on WFT’s injury report.
Eagles at Falcons (-3.5)
- Eagles: OL Landon Dickerson (knee), S Rodney McLeod (knee) OUT; LB Davion Taylor (calf) QUESTIONABLE
- Falcons: None
McLeod was a long shot to play for the Eagles in Week 1, yet alone start, as he’s still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last December. There’s a good chance the Eagles safety will be back for Week 2, but Marcus Epps is projected to start this week opposite Anthony Harris. Brandon Brooks will make his first start for the Eagles since Week 17 of the 2019 season (he missed all of 2020 with a torn Achilles). The Eagles right guard suffered a knee injury in practice and was limited Friday, but he’ll be good to go. Taylor was a full participant in Friday’s practice after missing the entire preseason with a calf injury.
Arthur Smith will have the Falcons’ full 53-man roster healthy for Sunday.
Seahawks at Colts (+3)
- Seahawks: No injury designation
- Colts: CB Xavier Rhodes (calf), OT Eric Fisher (Achilles), DE Kemoko Turay (groin) OUT
The Seahawks will have all 53 players on the roster available for Sunday. DK Metcalf was limited with a calf injury, but he’ll play.
Julie’n Davenport is slated to start Sunday and protect Carson Wentz’s blindside following the retirement of left tackle Anthony Castonzo, and with Fisher still dealing with the injury he sustained with the Chiefs in last season’s playoffs. Davenport started 28 games during his first four NFL seasons, but had just one start during the 2020 season. BoPete Keyes is expected to start in place of Rhodes. A 2020 seventh-round pick, Keyes made eight tackles in his first (and only) NFL start, the Colts’ Week 17 win over the Chargers last season.
Vikings at Bengals (+3)
- Vikings: LB Anthony Barr (knee), T Christian Darrisaw (groin) OUT
- Bengals: CB Trae Waynes (hamstring) OUT
With Barr out, Blake Lynch is slated to get the start for the Vikings. An undrafted rookie last season, Lynch made one start in four games in 2020. He had 10 tackles (including seven solo stops) in his first career start, a Week 16 loss to the Saints last season.
Waynes was not a participant in practice all week, as head coach Zac Taylor said he wasn’t going to play earlier in the week. The Bengals are healthy heading into this one, especially quarterback Joe Burrow — who is playing his first regular season game since tearing his ACL last November.
49ers at Lions (+7.5)
- 49ers: WR Jalen Hurd (knee) OUT; DT Javon Kinlaw (knee), CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee) DOUBTFUL; DL Kevin Givens (hip) QUESTIONABLE
- Lions: T Taylor Decker (finger) OUT; DE Michael Brockers (shoulder), DE Levi Onwuzurike (hip), CB A.J. Parker (shoulder), DE Nick Williams (elbow) QUESTIONABLE
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan still believes Kinlaw has a chance to play this week, so he won’t place him on injured reserve. Shanahan was mum on the other players on the injury report. Trey Lance (right finger) was limited in practice all week, but was not given an injury designation. Shanahan said the finger injury won’t change how he uses the rookie quarterback.
Decker is trending towards needing finger surgery, so the Lions’ best offensive lineman could miss a few weeks. Head coach Dan Campbell says the Lions have a few options, but first-round pick Penei Sewell may be the top option to move to left tackle. Williams and Onwuzurike are two of the top three defensive ends on the depth chart.
Browns at Chiefs (-5.5)
- Browns: G Michael Dunn (back), LB Tony Fields II (illness) OUT; WR Odell Beckham (hip), DE Jadeveon Clowney (illness), S Grant Delpit (hamstring), S Ronnie Harrison Jr (ankle), C JC Tretter (knee), K Chase McLaughlin (right hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
- Chiefs: C Austin Blythe (abdomen) OUT; DE Frank Clark (hamstring), DT Derrick Nnadi (hip) QUESTIONABLE
The Browns have a long list of players who are questionable, but the biggest mystery for Sunday’s showdown with the Chiefs is Beckham. Eleven months removed from knee surgery, Beckham was limited to individual periods of practice in training camp and did not play in the preseason. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has said Beckham will be a game-time decision, confirming he’ll let reporters know “90 minutes before the game.” Harrison, Clowney, Tretter, and McLaughlin also start for Cleveland. Harrison and McLaughlin were full participants in practice while the rest were limited.
For the Chiefs, head coach Andy Reid said Clark “has looked good the last couple days.” Tyrann Mathieu is still on the COVID list and needs two negative tests within 24 hours in order to play Sunday.
Dolphins at Patriots (-3)
- Dolphins: WR Preston Williams (foot) QUESTIONABLE
- Patriots: RB Malcolm Perry (foot) OUT; WR Nelson Agholor (ankle), OL Yodny Cajuste (hamstring), CB Jalen Mills (ankle), LB Ronnie Perkins (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE
Williams just got off the PUP list, but Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said he’s “working in the right direction.” Flores also was mum on the status of left tackle Austin Jackson and tight end Adam Shaheen, as both are on the COVID list. Liam Eichenberg is projected to start at left tackle Sunday if Jackson doesn’t get cleared.
For the Patriots, Bill Belichick is typically mum on injuries until 90 minutes before the game. All the players listed as questionable were limited in Friday’s practice.
Broncos at Giants (+3)
- Broncos: OLB Bradley Chubb (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
- Giants: TE Evan Engram (calf) OUT; RB Saquon Barkley (knee), DB Adoree’ Jackson (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Head coach Vic Fangio said Chubb will be a game-day decision. If Chubb can’t go, Malik Reed is projected to start in his place — but Denver will see how he feels Sunday.
The good news for the Giants? Barkley appears to be taking the field Sunday, as head coach Joe Judge says he has “one more hurdle to clear” and his work on the field “has been very promising.” Judge did rule Engram out after taking a second look during Friday’s practice, so expect Kyle Rudolph to see a significant amount of the snaps at tight end. Jackson has been limited in practice throughout the week.
Packers at Saints (+3.5)
- Packers: S Vernon Scott (hamstring) OUT; LB Za’Darius Smith (back), DL Tyler Lancaster (back) QUESTIONABLE
- Saints: WR Tre’Quan Smith (hamstring), CB Ken Crawley (hamstring) OUT; T James Hurst (knee) QUESTIONABLE
Smith participated in only one practice last month due to his back injury, which is still ailing him. He’ll be a game-time decision for the Packers.
The Saints placed Smith and Crawley on injured reserve, leaving them thin at wide receiver heading into the opener. Behind Marquez Callaway, New Orleans has Deonte Harris, Chris Hogan, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey at wide receiver.
Bears at Rams (-7.5): ‘Sunday Night Football’
- Bears: DL Eddie Goldman (knee/ankle) DOUBTFUL; LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe (shoulder), LB Khalil Mack (groin), WR Darnell Mooney (back), LB Robert Quinn (back), DB Tashaun Gipson Sr. (back), DB Deon Bush (shoulder), DB Eddie Jackson (wrist), LS Patrick Scales (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
- Rams: WR Ben Skowronek (forearm) DOUBTFUL
The Bears are still hoping Goldman can play Sunday night, given his injury designation. All six Bears players who were ruled questionable practiced in full Friday, a good sign they will be able to play Sunday night. Rookie Khyiris Tonga could start in place of Goldman.
The Rams have a relatively clean injury report as Skowronek as listed as a third team receiver on the depth chart.
Ravens at Raiders (+4): ‘Monday Night Football’
- Ravens: TBA
- Raiders: TBA
Analysis to come.
