The NFL's opening week did not pass without several important players sustaining injuries that could impact their availability for this week … and beyond.
With the preseason cut to just three games – and many teams choosing to not even play their starters at all in those exhibition contests – it's hard to know if any of the usual bumps and bruises in training camp might have any lingering effects.
Then again, there are always some freak injuries that just can't be avoided as players go all out once the games start counting. So let's take a look at some of the health concerns some big-name players have entering Week 2 .
The Rams are going to be without Nacua for at least a month.
Rams head coach Sean McVay announced Monday that Nacua is expected to land on injured reserve due to a knee sprain he suffered during the team’s 26-20 overtime loss against the Detroit Lions in Week 1.
McVay originally told reporters that Nacua was an IR candidate but later clarified.
“He's gonna go to IR. There is always a possibility. It's probably not likely that he would not go to IR because his injury is gonna keep him out for more than a month. That is the most likely route,” McVay said. “That’s the most likely direction that we would go.”
Nacua limped off the field and went into the Rams’ blue medical tent midway through the second quarter after making a catch. He returned to the game briefly on the Rams' next possession, but the wideout was unable to continue and was ruled him out at halftime. He had four catches for 35 yards at the time of his injury.
Wide receivers Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson will be asked to step up in Nacua’s absence.
“I feel for Puka,” McVay said. “These other guys are gonna get some opportunities, and I’m confident they’ll step up and play good football for us.”
Love injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee with six seconds to play in the Packers' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night.
Initial tests on Love's knee indicated that the anterior cruciate ligament is intact and that his "initial timetable for return is in the 3-6 week range." However, he is scheduled to get a second opinion and there is some early optimism that Love can return sooner.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Love will not be placed on injured reserve, but did not offer any specifics on when Love might return .
“First of all, he’s got to get cleared,” LaFleur said. “Until he gets cleared, those conversations don’t exist. We will never put him in a position to mortgage the short term for the future. If he can’t protect himself, we would never do that to him, or our football team.”
QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen suffered an injury to his non-throwing hand during the fourth quarter of the Bills' season-opening win over the Arizona Cardinals. The injury won't keep the quarterback from playing against the Miami Dolphins on "Thursday Night Football."
“As you guys are aware, Josh was injured in the fourth quarter there,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday. “They looked at his hand, he went back in and functioned, and then he was looked at after the game again, and he's been cleared to practice today and cleared to play in the game.”
Ferguson was diagnosed with a bone bruise and a sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his knee, according to NFL Media. He's expected to miss time, but the Cowboys have not yet ruled him out for Week 2.
The Panthers may have suffered a huge loss if early reports regarding their best defensive lineman turn out to be correct. Brown is feared to have suffered a meniscus injury to his knee that could require season-ending surgery.
Njoku exited Sunday's game after taking a hard hit on a play across the middle of the field. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Njoku is week-to-week, but did not address speculation that the Pro Bowl tight end suffered a high-ankle sprain – which could force him to miss several games.
The rookie wideout will undergo an MRI on his knee on Monday, Bears coach Matt Eberflus told reporters.
"I believe it was a blocking play," Eberflus said. "I did not see it on film, the exact play. We’ll see where he is and hopefully he will be fine."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 2 injury report: Puka Nacua, Jordan Love top the list after Week 1
Local News
Comments / 0