Injury Woes Cause Early Headaches for NFL Teams in 2024
The 2024 NFL season has barely started, yet injuries are already wreaking havoc across the league, forcing coaches and players to scramble and adapt. Teams like the Los Angeles Rams and the Miami Dolphins are feeling acute pain from losing key players early in the campaign.
Rams and Dolphins Reeling
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is tasked with the unenviable job of rallying a squad debilitated by numerous injuries. Across the country, the Miami Dolphins find themselves in a similar situation. The team announced that their standout quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, has been placed on injured reserve after suffering another head injury in the game against the Buffalo Bills. Tagovailoa’s absence is a significant blow to a team with high aspirations this season.
Patriots and Jets: Lists of the Wounded
The New England Patriots are another team struggling with a growing injury list. Confirmed out are offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (knee), guard Sidy Sow (ankle), and linebackers Ja'Whaun Bentley (shoulder) and Oshane Ximines (knee). Additionally, the Patriots’ center David Andrews (hip), offensive lineman Mike Onwenu (wrist), safety Jabrill Peppers (shoulder), and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. (shoulder) are considered questionable.
The New York Jets, meanwhile, are dealing with significant defensive losses. Linebacker Jermaine Johnson II has been ruled out due to an Achilles injury. Their stalwart linebacker C.J. Mosley is also nursing a toe injury and remains questionable. In analyzing the Jets’ injury situation, it was noted, "His recent quotes seem to indicate he will be pretty physically compromised if he does play."
Steelers' Quarterback Crisis
The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to move forward without their star quarterback Russell Wilson for the upcoming game against the Chargers. Compounding the misery, rookie Roman Wilson is limited by an ankle injury. This tandem loss puts the Steelers in a precarious position as they seek to maintain competitiveness in a tough division.
Giants, Browns, and Packers: Struggling to Stay Healthy
The New York Giants have their own injury headaches, with cornerback Nick McCloud (knee) absent from practice and notable players like Darius Muasau and Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) limited in their participation.
Over in Cleveland, the Browns are missing tight end David Njoku (ankle), edge rusher Myles Garrett (foot), and offensive tackle Dawand Jones (knee) from practice. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski conveyed pessimism about Njoku’s availability, stating, "It's unlikely Njoku will suit up Sunday". Several other Browns, including edge rusher Za'Darius Smith (back), cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder), and offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (knee), had limited practice sessions.
The Green Bay Packers saw quarterback Jordan Love return to practice, which is a positive development amidst negative trends. On the flipside, running back Josh Jacobs (back) and tight end Tucker Kraft were among several players limited in practice. Several key Packers, like offensive linemen Elgton Jenkins (illness/glute) and Jordan Morgan (shoulder), and wide receiver Jordan Reed (calf), were absent from practice entirely.
Titans, Bears, and Colts Also Hurt
In Tennessee, running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) was the primary absentee from practice. The Bears faced similar struggles, missing wideout Keenan Allen (heel) and offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (thigh). Head coach Matt Eberflus was non-committal about Allen’s return timeline, saying, "There is no timetable regarding the return of Allen."
The Indianapolis Colts are dealing with their own set of issues, featuring kicker Matt Gay (right quad) and defensive end Laiatu Latu (hip) on the injury report. This limits their special teams' reliability and pass rush capabilities.
Wide Impact Across the League
The Houston Texans’ woes were highlighted with seven players missing practice, including running back Joe Mixon (ankle) and wide receiver Nico Collins (hip/foot). Similarly, the Minnesota Vikings had Pro Bowl wideout Justin Jefferson (quad) and running back Aaron Jones (hip) limited in practice.
The New Orleans Saints also suffered notable absences. Linebacker D'Marco Jackson (calf), defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (calf), and tight end Taysom Hill (chest) were out of practice. Head coach Dennis Allen hinted at managing Hill’s workload cautiously, saying, "The plan is for Hill to be limited on Thursday, aiming to manage his workload carefully."
Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers missed practice due to an ankle issue, adding to the escalating injury concerns. Lastly, Broncos' linebacker Baron Browning (foot) and safety Brandon Jones (foot) are grappling with their own injuries.
Detroit Lions' Defensive Dilemma
The Detroit Lions are likely the worst hit on the defensive end, with four out of five absentees coming from this unit. Linebacker Alex Anzalone (concussion) and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring) joined offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (knee) on the sidelines. Notably, though, wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (quad) was a full participant, giving a sliver of hope amidst the turmoil.
As the 2024 NFL season progresses, fans and analysts alike will keep a keen eye on how teams navigate these early setbacks. Managing player health and adapting strategies will be crucial as the pursuit of a championship continues despite the physical toll.