Injuries are a given in every sport, especially in football, where teams almost never get through a week without at least one big injury. That’s exactly what happened during the NFL’s opening weekend. The Packers had a serious scare on Friday night when their starting quarterback, Jordan Love, went down late in their season-opening loss to the Eagles.
Love, who is crucial to Green Bay’s offense, suffered a knee injury that had fans holding their breath. Thankfully, reports suggest Love avoided a severe injury. Though the injury isn’t as severe as first feared, the 25-year-old will still be sidelined for several weeks, forcing the Packers to adjust without him. The injury woes continued into Sunday, with several other teams also losing key players. The opening weekend brought plenty of drama and, unfortunately, some big hits to team rosters.
Here’s A Breakdown Of All The Notable 2024 NFL Season Injuries From Week 1
Quarterback
- Jordan Love (Packers): The Packers’ starting quarterback, Jordan Love, suffered an MCL sprain during their season-opening loss to the Eagles on Friday night. He is expected to miss at least two weeks. With Love sidelined, backup Malik Willis, the Titans’ 2022 third-round pick, is set to start.
Receivers
- Jordan Addison (Vikings): Addison exited the Vikings’ Week 1 game against the Giants with an ankle injury. According to NFL Media, Addison is expected to undergo more tests on Monday, but the injury does not appear to be serious.
- Gunner Olszewski (Giants): Olszewski, a wide receiver and special teams player, did not play in Sunday’s game after injuring his groin during warmups.
- Puka Nacua (Rams): Nacua, a wide receiver for the Rams, exited Sunday night’s game with a knee injury. The Rams ruled out Puka Nacua and guard Steve Avila (knee) in the second half. They listed offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (knee) as questionable to return against the Lions.
Also Read: Rams Superstar WR Puka Nacua Carted Off Field After Concerning Injury
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Running Backs
- Ty Johnson (Bills): Johnson left the game against Arizona after injuring his knee and did not return. He managed two carries for 7 yards before his injury in Buffalo’s six-point win over the Cardinals. Jared Cook stepped up, leading the Bills with 71 yards on 19 carries.
- Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks): Walker left late in the fourth quarter against the Broncos due to abdominal pain. He did not return but told reporters after the game that he was fine.
Tight Ends
- David Njoku (Browns): Njoku left Sunday’s game against the Cowboys with an ankle injury. NFL Media fears that David Njoku suffered a high-ankle sprain despite initially labeling him as questionable to return.
- Jake Ferguson (Cowboys): Ferguson left the game against the Browns in the third quarter after a knee injury following a 2-yard reception. Fortunately, X-rays were negative, and he avoided a torn ACL. Ferguson will have an MRI on Monday to assess further.
Offensive Line
- Jonah Williams (Cardinals): Williams, a former first-round pick, exited the game against the Bills with a knee injury. Arizona signed him this summer after he began his career with the Bengals.
- George Fant (Seahawks): Fant left the game against the Broncos after injuring his knee and did not return. Fant, who started his career in Seattle before spending three years with the Jets and Texans, has 74 career starts.
Defensive Line
- Tyree Wilson (Raiders): Wilson left the Raiders’ game against the Chargers with a knee injury. His absence is a significant blow, especially as the Raiders face tough competition from Justin Herbert and J.K. Dobbins, who had a standout performance, including a 61-yard touchdown run.
Linebackers
- David Long (Dolphins): Long exited the game against the Jaguars after injuring his hand. Despite his absence, the Dolphins managed a narrow 20-17 win over Jacksonville.
Cornerbacks
- Taron Johnson (Bills): Johnson left Sunday’s game against the Cardinals with a forearm injury. Despite losing Johnson, the Bills’ defense limited Kyler Murray to just 162 yards passing.
- Jeff Okudah (Texans): Okudah, a former first-round pick, left Sunday’s game against the Colts with a hip injury. Even without Okudah, Houston’s defense held Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson to 162 passing yards.
- Tyson Campbell (Jaguars): Campbell exited the game against the Dolphins due to a hamstring injury and did not return.
- Marshon Lattimore (Saints): Lattimore left the game against the Panthers with a hamstring injury. Despite his absence, the Saints cruised to a dominant 47-10 victory over Carolina.
- Zyon McCollum (Buccaneers): McCollum was placed in concussion protocol during Tampa Bay’s game against the Commanders. Despite his injury, Tampa’s defense performed well, limiting Jayden Daniels to just 106 passing yards through three quarters.
- Bryce Hall (Buccaneers): Hall suffered a dislocated right ankle and fractured fibula during the game against the Commanders.
- Josh Hayes (Buccaneers): Hayes also left the game against the Commanders with an ankle injury.
Punters
- Cameron Johnston (Steelers): Johnston suffered a “serious” injury late in Pittsburgh’s win over the Falcons, as described by head coach Mike Tomlin. With Johnston out, kicker Chris Boswell handled punting duties, executing a 43-yard punt.
Ejections
- Josh Palmer (Chargers) and Jack Jones (Raiders): The referees ejected Palmer and Jones for fighting during the Chargers-Raiders game on Sunday.
This detailed report shows the significant setbacks teams faced during Week 1 of the NFL season, showing how challenging the road ahead will be for several franchises.
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