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.
WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Nacua limped off the field after making a sliding catch in the first half of Sunday night’s game in Detroit. He got up slowly and limped to the sideline before he was looked at by the athletic training staff.
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It’s the same knee he injured in training camp that caused him to be held out of practice for several weeks.
He is considered week to week after undergoing testing Monday.
QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
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.
TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
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.
DT Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers
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.
TE David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
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.
WR Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
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.’
