Week 1 preparations brought a wide-ranging set of injury updates, practice-squad changes and depth-chart decisions across the NFL, with several starters moving closer to action while others face early-season absences.
NFL Sunday Desk: Week 1 injury updates, roster moves and lineup decisions
SEO Title: NFL Week 1 Injury Report: Bowers, Chase, Kittle and More
SEO Description: NFL Sunday desk roundup of Week 1 injuries, roster transactions, starting-lineup decisions and upcoming game availability.
Quick facts
- Raiders tight end Brock Bowers had a meniscus procedure and is expected to miss one or two games.
- Bengals receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are expected to play against Tampa Bay.
- Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan has been ruled out against Detroit.
- Cowboys guard Tyler Smith was placed on injured reserve and must miss at least four weeks.
- 49ers tight end George Kittle carries no injury designation for Thursday’s matchup with the Rams.
Las Vegas received encouraging news on rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who participated fully after dealing with an ankle issue. Bowers, however, was held out Wednesday after undergoing a meniscus trim in Dallas on Tuesday.
Cincinnati expects its top receiving tandem to be ready for Tampa Bay. Chase practiced in full while managing a knee issue, and Higgins was also a full participant as he works through a heel injury.
New Orleans listed Alvin Kamara as limited with a knee problem, but Jordan will not play Sunday against the Lions because of a hamstring injury. He did not practice Wednesday.
Dallas placed Smith on injured reserve with a thumb injury. The guard is ineligible to return for a minimum of four weeks. Nick Leverett was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster, while Laken Tomlinson joined the practice squad.
The Cowboys also released linebacker Drew Sanders. Center Michael Niese was cut elsewhere in the day’s transactions, along with defensive tackle Kyonte Hamilton and defensive back Jaylon Jones.
San Francisco cleared Kittle from the injury report ahead of Thursday’s game against the Rams. Defensive tackle Alfred Collins has been ruled out with a knee injury, while defensive tackle James Thompson is questionable because of a hamstring problem.
The Rams ruled out Aaron Donald for Thursday’s game against the 49ers after he did not make the trip to Australia. Myles Garrett practiced fully despite a knee issue and has no game-status designation.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold will undergo an MRI after leaving Wednesday’s win over New England with a hip injury. Coach Mike Macdonald said testing had already ruled out a hip fracture.
New England lost wide receiver A.J. Brown during Wednesday’s game against Seattle. Brown, playing his first game for the Patriots, caught three passes for 26 yards before leaving with an ankle injury and was ruled out. Coach Mike Vrabel did not provide an immediate update after the game.
Cleveland expects Shedeur Sanders to back up Deshaun Watson against Jacksonville on Sunday. Teven Jenkins, limited Wednesday with a back injury, is also expected to start at right guard.
For the Browns, defensive tackle Maliek Collins was limited by a quad injury, while linebacker Carson Schwesinger was a full participant with a shoulder issue. Jacksonville receiver Jakobi Meyers was limited with a thumb injury, and right tackle Cole Van Lanen could be a game-time call against Cleveland because of a knee injury.
Miami will open Week 1 with rookie wideouts Chris Bell and Caleb Douglas listed as starters against the Raiders. Coach Jeff Hafley said the club believed both receivers had earned the opportunity.
Carson Wentz will serve as Kyler Murray’s backup Sunday. The quarterback decision was announced by coach Kevin O’Connell.
Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. practiced fully after a knee issue, while receiver Zachariah Branch was limited with a hamstring injury. The Falcons added defensive tackle Zacch Pickens to the practice squad and released defensive tackle Carlos Allen Jr. from that unit.
Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike were both limited. Flowers is managing a hamstring issue, while Madubuike was listed with a neck injury.
Buffalo running back Ty Johnson did not practice because of a hamstring problem. The Panthers listed running back Jonathon Brooks as limited with a groin injury, defensive tackle Bobby Brown III as limited with a back issue and linebacker Patrick Jones II as out of practice because of his back.
Carolina added outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon to its practice squad and released outside linebacker Cam Gill. Defensive back Keidron Smith also signed to a practice squad.
Chicago receiver Rome Odunze was limited by a calf injury. Green Bay listed offensive lineman Zach Bako-Bewele, guard Aaron Banks and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt as limited; Bako-Bewele and Banks were dealing with knee injuries, while Wyatt has an ankle issue.
Kansas City tackle Trent Brown was a full practice participant while managing a wrist issue. Indianapolis receiver Alec Pierce was limited because of a heel injury.
The Chargers listed running back Keaton Mitchell and linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu as limited. Mitchell has a hamstring injury, while Tuipulotu is working through a hip problem.
The Giants had positive practice participation from receiver Malik Nabers and tackle Andrew Thomas, both of whom were full participants with knee injuries. Jets running back Breece Hall and tight end Kenyon Sadiq also practiced in full as they deal with groin issues.
Minnesota listed tight end Eli Stowers as limited with a hamstring injury and defensive end Jonathan Greenard as limited with a pectoral issue. Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was limited because of a back injury.
Tampa Bay running back Sean Tucker did not practice with a hamstring injury. Receiver Emeka Egbuka was a full participant despite a toe issue, while receiver Jalen McMillan and outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. were limited with knee and shoulder injuries, respectively.
Tennessee linebacker Cedric Gray did not practice while in concussion protocol. Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota practiced fully with a knee issue, while running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was limited because of a groin injury.
Additional roster activity included practice-squad signings for outside linebacker Jihad Ward and safety AJ Finley. Running back Lan Larison and punter Mitch Wishnowsky were elevated for game day, as were running back Velus Jones and safety Rodney Thomas. Guard Bryce Cabeldue and linebacker Aaron Smith were released.
The Seahawks also announced plans to bring back their white throwback uniforms inspired by the 1990s for the 2027 season.
