Quarterback changes, injured reserve placements and a major running back extension headline the final Week 1 roster and injury developments around the NFL, with Miami turning to Cooper Rush after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out and Philadelphia set to lose A.J. Brown for at least four games.
NFL Week 1 Sunday Desk: Quarterback change, injury absences and roster moves
SEO title: NFL Week 1 injury report: Tua Tagovailoa out, Cooper Rush to start
SEO description: Sunday-desk NFL roundup of Week 1 injuries, roster changes, contract extensions and lineup decisions, including Cooper Rush starting for Miami and A.J. Brown heading to injured reserve.
What changed for the franchise
The Dolphins will start Cooper Rush against Pittsburgh after quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out with an oblique injury. Edge rusher Za’Darius Smith is questionable because of a shoulder issue, while defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. has been ruled out with an Achilles injury.
Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. Brown is expected to be placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain. The move means Brown will be unavailable for no fewer than four games. Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones is also expected to join a club on a one-year deal that can reach $6 million, including a $3.5 million base salary.
Chicago locked up running back D’Andre Swift on a three-year extension worth $33.75 million. The deal includes $27.5 million guaranteed. The Bears enter their matchup with Carolina carrying several questionable players: backup quarterback Tyson Bagent has a back injury, receiver Rome Odunze is managing a calf issue, offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo has a knee injury and defensive back Xavier Woods has a groin injury.
Arizona could be without guard Isaiah Adams and cornerback Garrett Williams against the Chargers. Adams has been ruled out with a knee injury and Williams will miss the game because of an Achilles injury. Running back Jeremiyah Love is progressing from an ankle injury, but remains a game-time call.
Baltimore ruled out defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike with a neck injury after he missed much of last season because of a serious neck condition. Linebacker Teddye Buchanan will also sit out with a knee injury. Wide receiver Devontez Walker, dealing with a groin injury, is questionable for the Colts game.
Buffalo lists running back Ty Johnson as questionable with a hamstring injury, while defensive lineman T.J. Sanders is also questionable because of a knee problem ahead of the Texans matchup.
Carolina received good news on running back Jonathon Brooks, who has been removed from the injury report following a groin injury. Linebacker Patrick Jones II, however, is out with a back injury.
Cincinnati defensive end Shemar Stewart is doubtful because of a knee injury for the Buccaneers game. Tampa Bay running back Sean Tucker is likewise doubtful with a hamstring issue, and receiver Jalen McMillan is doubtful. Buccaneers receiver Emeka Egbuka has cleared the report following a toe injury, with coach Todd Bowles calling him “full-go.”
Houston guard Teven Jenkins has been ruled out against Jacksonville with a back injury. Center Parker Brailsford is questionable due to a thumb injury. Running back Malik Davis suffered a hip injury in Friday’s practice, will undergo surgery Saturday and is headed to injured reserve.
Dallas retained receiver Ryan Flournoy on a one-year extension and formally announced an extension for tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford.
Tampa Bay defensive back Christian Izien is questionable because of a groin injury for the Saints game.
Detroit released defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike. Green Bay, meanwhile, has listed tackle Zach Bako-Bewele and guard Aaron Banks as questionable with knee injuries for the Vikings game. The Packers released receiver Bo Melton, then brought him back onto the practice squad.
New England placed defensive tackle Kayden McDonald on injured reserve with an ankle injury and added defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy.
Linebacker Austin Ajiake is questionable with a hamstring injury for a Ravens matchup.
Jacksonville running back LeQuint Allen is questionable due to a hip injury, while tackle Cole Van Lanen’s knee condition will be evaluated closer to kickoff. Coach Liam Coen has not yet named Trevor Lawrence’s backup quarterback for Week 1.
Kansas City entered the weekend with three notable practice concerns. Tackle Josh Simmons and safety Chamarri Conner did not practice Friday because of back and knee injuries, respectively. Defensive tackle Chris Jones was limited with a calf injury.
Las Vegas will have rookie running back Ashton Jeanty available against Miami after he was removed from the injury report following an ankle issue. Tight end Brock Bowers has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Chargers outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu is questionable with a hip injury for the Cardinals game.
Minnesota is restructuring cornerback Isaiah Rodgers’ contract by converting as much as $1.5 million in incentives into a signing bonus. The Vikings also ruled out outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard with a pectoral injury, while tight end Eli Stowers is questionable with a hamstring injury for the Commanders game. Receiver Danny Gray was placed on the practice squad injured reserve list.
New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara is questionable with a knee injury against Detroit.
New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers is questionable with a knee injury for the Sunday night game against Dallas.
The Jets removed running back Breece Hall from the report after his groin injury. Running back Kene Nwangwu is doubtful with a back injury, receiver Tim Patrick is out because of a groin problem, linebacker Joseph Ossai is out with a foot injury and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds is doubtful due to a calf injury.
The Jets will also make a change at kicker. Jason Sanders, currently on the practice squad, is slated to handle kicking duties Sunday instead of Blake Grupe.
Pittsburgh cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is questionable with a back injury for the Falcons game. The Steelers also added receiver Xavier Gipson to the practice squad.
San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan agreed to a multiyear extension during the offseason.
Tennessee linebacker Cedric Gray will not play against the Jets. Gray entered the concussion protocol earlier in the week after an ATV accident.
The Titans have postponed their planned Ring of Honor induction ceremony for former running back Chris Johnson because Johnson and his family cannot travel to Nashville. A halftime recognition of Johnson’s playing career will still take place. Johnson is battling ALS.
Elsewhere, tackle D.J. Humphries was released.
Key Week 1 availability calls
| Player | Team situation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tua Tagovailoa | Oblique injury | Out; Cooper Rush will start |
| A.J. Brown | High ankle sprain | Expected to go on injured reserve; minimum four-game absence |
| Brock Bowers | Knee injury | Out |
| Nnamdi Madubuike | Neck injury | Out |
| Teven Jenkins | Back injury | Out |
| Jonathan Greenard | Pectoral injury | Out |
| Ashton Jeanty | Ankle injury | Cleared; no designation |
| Breece Hall | Groin injury | Cleared; no designation |
| Jeremiyah Love | Ankle injury | Game-time decision |
| Cole Van Lanen | Knee injury | Game-time decision |
Roster moves and contract decisions
- D’Andre Swift agreed to a three-year, $33.75 million extension with $27.5 million guaranteed.
- Ryan Flournoy signed a one-year extension, and Brevyn Spann-Ford’s extension became official.
- Isaiah Rodgers’ Minnesota contract is being revised to shift up to $1.5 million in incentives into a signing bonus.
- DaQuan Jones is expected to sign for one year, with a maximum value of $6 million and a $3.5 million base salary.
- Kayden McDonald was placed on injured reserve, while Jaden Crumedy was signed.
- Malik Davis is headed to injured reserve after suffering a hip injury that requires surgery.
- Levi Onwuzurike and D.J. Humphries were released.
- Bo Melton was released before returning to the practice squad, while Xavier Gipson joined Pittsburgh’s practice squad.
