The 2021 NFL regular season is fast approaching and as teams begin to trim their roster down to 53 men, injuries to high-priced starters and key veterans will play a massive role in who gets to stay with their team as cutdowns begin.
We'll update this space every day with all of the latest injury news regarding starters across the NFL, starting with a recap of the weekend's preseason games and tracking practice updates throughout the week:
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NFL injury report:
Fri, Aug 27
– The Cardinals placed Robert Alford on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday. He joins Justin Pugh and Jordan Phillips, but Kliff Kingsbury told reporters the cornerback is vaccinated and can return after two negative tests.
– Ravens' wide receivers Marquise Brown (hamstring) and Miles Boykin (hamstring) were both held out of practice on Thursday. John Harbaugh didn't have an update on the duo, but did say that Trace McSorley has a shot at being available Week 1 after suffering a back injury earlier in camp.
– Bills head coach Sean McDermott was vague when asked for updates on Taron Johnson (hand) and Isaiah McKenzie (shoulder), claiming the duo is “between day-to-day and week-to-week.” Despite this, it doesn't sound like either carries a long-term concern.
– The Bengals held Trae Waynes out of Thursday's practice. He's considered day-to-day right now with a hamstring injury.
– For the first time in training camp, Odell Beckham Jr. participated in 11-on-11 drills. He is working his way back from a torn ACL and his status for Week 1 remains murky as the Browns remain cautious with his rehab.
– Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore told reporters that Dak Prescott looked great in practice this week and will have no limitations moving forward.
– Courtland Sutton is on track to play in the Broncos final preseason game on Saturday. However, KJ Hamler (illness) and Noah Fant (leg) will likely be held out. The pair of offensive weapons are expected to be ready by Week 1.
– Jordan Love is expected to play the entire first half and possibly more on Saturday, provided his shoulder feels good.
– The Colts placed offensive linemen Quenton Nelson and Eric Fisher on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday.
– Saquon Barkley returned to live drills for the first time on Thursday, albeit in a non-contact jersey. However, Kenny Golladay (hamstring) and Adoree' Jackson (ankle) were both held out of practice.
– 49ers cornerback Jason Verrett missed his second-straight practice with an undisclosed injury on Thursday. However, he was on the field observing team drills.
– The Titans put four more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including Ryan Tannehill. That is now nine members of the organization on the COVID list, including three starters and head coach Mike Vrabel.
Thur, Aug 26
– Browns cornerback Denzel Ward returned to practice on Wednesday after missing two weeks with “soreness.”
– Dak Prescott completed 11 of 12 passes during Cowboys practice on Wednesday. He remains on track to be the team's Week 1 starting quarterback.
– The Broncos were without K.J. Hamler (illness) and Noah Fant (leg) for the second straight day.
– While TJ Hockenson is still participating in practice, Dan Campbell told reporters the tight end is dealing with an AC joint issue.
– Jaguars wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. suffered a sprained AC joint on Monday night and will be held out of practice this week. However, Urban Meyer doesn't think this will affect Jones's availability in Week 1.
– The Raiders have had a lot of injury issues at linebacker, with both Nicholas Morrow (foot) and Javin White (knee) going down last week and Darron Lee getting placed on the IR. Las Vegas was so desperate, they traded for Denzel Perryman from the Panthers. Perryman practiced just once for Carolina before going down with his own injury.
– The Rams also made an injury-motivated trade, acquiring Sony Michel from the Patriots with Cam Akers on the IR and Darrell Henderson Jr. dealing with a thumb injury. Meanwhile, linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo has been held out of practice recently with a stinger.
– Adam Thielen has already been ruled out of the Vikings' preseason finale. The wide receiver is dealing with a thigh bruise he suffered during last week's game.
– Cam Newton is expected to return to Patriots practice today after being forced to say away from the team's facilities due to COVID-19 protocol. Also, Hunter Henry (shoulder) participated in 7-on-7 during Wednesday's practice, albeit in a non-contact jersey.
– Saints tight end Adam Trautman is expected to miss just one-to-three weeks after suffering an ankle injury on Monday night. However, that timeline could change after he visits a specialist on Thursday.
– The New York Giants activated Kyle Rudolph from the PUP list on Wednesday, however it's unclear whether he will be ready to go by Week 1. Meanwhile, cornerback Adoree' Jackson suffered a sprained ankle on Wednesday and was carted off the practice field. However, it is not considered “serious.”
– We got more details on why Vinny Curry was shelved for the season on Wednesday. According to the Jets' defensive end's twitter, he is dealing with blood disorder and had his spleen removed in July. However, after complications from his recovery, Curry is unable endure contact for the next six months.
– Wide receiver Jalen Hurd (knee) returned to 49ers practice on Wednesday and seemed to turn some heads. Nick Bosa also got his first look in team drills as he works his way back from a torn ACL.
– COVID-19 continues to be a problem for the Titans as linebackers Harold Landry III and Nick Dzubnar both landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday. Tennessee is now up to four players, and Mike Vrabel, out due to COVID-19.
– Washington head coach Ron Rivera is pretty hopeful that Curtis Samuel (groin) will get a chance to practice starting next week.
Wed, Aug 25
– Cardinals RG Brian Winters returned to practice on Tuesday in a limited capacity. He is competing with Josh Jones and Justin Murray for the Week 1 starting spot.
– The Ravens officially ended LJ Fort's season by placing him on the injured reserve. Fort tore his ACL on Saturday night.
– COVID-19 has left the Buffalo Bills receiving corps in shambles as Isaiah McKenzie, Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis have all been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Vernon Butler were added to the list as well.
– Browns rookie LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah required stitches after cutting his head open in a weight-lifting accident. Despite the cosmetic damage, Owusu-Koramoah is not in concussion protocol.
– The Broncos practiced without WR K.J. Hamler on Tuesday as he was dealing with a non-COVID illness. Tight end Noah Fant, who is dealing with a leg injury, was also limited in practice. However, based on his twitter, the issue doesn't sound serious.
– Lions RB D'Andre Swift is working his way back from a groin injury and despite making strides in practice, Dan Campbell told reporters he is worried about his lead back's conditioning heading into the regular season.
– Colts QB Carson Wentz was present at practice again on Tuesday and is optimistic he will be ready by Week 1.
– Jaguars rookie RB Travis Etienne suffered a Lisfranc injury on Monday night and could miss the entire 2021 season after undergoing surgery. Meanwhile, T Cam Robinson was held out of Monday's game with a sprained ankle.
– The Chargers practiced on Tuesday without the services of RB Justin Jackson (groin) and WR Mike Williams (hip). Williams's hip has held him out of both preseason games.
– Wide receivers Preston Williams (foot), Albert Wilson (undisclosed) and DeVante Parker (undisclosed) all participated in the Dolphins' walk-through practice on Tuesday. However, Parker was sporting a non-contact jersey. Will Fuller V was also at practice, however he still has to serve a one-game suspension to start the season.
– Vikings LB Anthony Barr is dealing with an undisclosed injury and his availability for Week 1 is in jeopardy, according the co-defensive coordinator Adam Zimmer.
– Cornerback Ken Crawley suffered an undisclosed injury during the Saints game on Monday night and is expected to miss a couple weeks.
– The Jets ended Vinny Curry's season on Tuesday by moving the defensive end to the reserve/NFI list. Another blow to a pass rush that already lost Carl Lawson to a season-ending injury.
– Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday that LB Mychal Kendricks will be out for at least a month while he deals with a toe injury. As a result, the team placed Kendricks on the IR, ending his chances of making the team.
– Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Ryan Succop will miss the team's final preseason game after testing positive for COVID-19. He is the only Buc to test positive after the team's joint practices with the Titans last week.
– Speaking of the Titans, WR Julio Jones was active during Tuesday's practice. The former Falcon hadn't practiced with the team since falling awkwardly in practice over three weeks ago.
Tue, Aug 24
– Baltimore Ravens WR Marquise Brown remains on the sidelines after injuring his hamstring over three weeks ago. Meanwhile, TE Nick Boyle is “hopeful” to be ready by Week 1 after undergoing a minor knee surgery earlier in the offseason.
– Bears DT Bilal Nichols is dealing with a toe injury, but Matt Nagy doesn't expect it to affect his availability for the regular season.
– The Browns placed K Cody Parkey on the IR with a quad injury. Also, C Nick Harris has a knee injury, but is considered “day-to-day.”
– Both S Malik Hooker and WR Ceedee Lamb were added to the Cowboys reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday. They join defensive coordinator Dan Quinn on the COVID list and the Cowboys have spent the past two days using virtual meeting spaces out of an abundance of caution.
– Colts QB Carson Wentz feels optimistic that he will be ready to go for Week 1 after participating in 7-on-7 drills during Monday's practice.
– Jaguars rookie RB Travis Etienne left Monday night's game with a boot and was diagnosed with a mid-foot sprain. He is out indefinitely.
– Rams RB Darrell Henderson Jr. is dealing with a sprained thumb, but is expected to be ready in time for the regular season.
– Due to a misunderstanding of COVID-19 protocol, Patriots QB Cam Newton must stay away from the team's facilities until Thursday. Also, CB Stephon Gilmore is “day-to-day” with a quad injury.
– Saints TE Adam Trautman was carted off the field Monday night with an ankle injury. X-rays were negative, but he will be undergoing an MRI sometime on Tuesday.
– Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that he expects LB Jarrad Davis to be healthy following the team's bye in Week 6.
– The Seahawks linebacking corps took a massive hit when Ben Burr-Kirven went down with a season-ending torn ACL on Saturday.
Weekend Recap
– The Cardinals played without TE Maxx Williams (non-COVID illness) and WR DeAndre Hopkins (undisclosed) on Friday night. Defensive end J.J. Watt was also inactive, but he is expected to return to practice on Monday.
– Atlanta might be in the market for a backup quarterback after A.J. McCarron tore his ACL on Saturday. Feliepe Franks and Matt Ryan are the only healthy QBs currently listed on the Falcons' roster.
– Ravens LB L.J. Fort suffered a torn ACL against the Panthers and will miss the rest of the season.
– The Bills got Stefon Diggs back at practice on Sunday. The wide receiver caught balls during a walkthrough. It was his first time practicing in two weeks.
– DJ Moore did not play on Saturday for the Panthers. The wide receiver remains sidelined with a back injury.
– Bears rookie LT Teven Jenkins underwent successful back surgery this week and the Bears are holding out hope he could return and contribute at some point this season. In the meantime, Chicago signed 39-year-old Jason Peters as a potential replacement.
– Cincinnati Bengals rookie edge rusher Joseph Ossai left the team's first preseason game early with a wrist injury, but is now expected to have surgery on his knee that he injured in the same game. The University of Texas product was supposed to give a boost to a pass rush that finished last in the NFL in sacks a year ago. Now, it seems like he could miss the entire year.
– Browns CB Greedy Williams injured his groin on Sunday against the New York Giants. The former second-round pick missed all of 2020 with injuries, but told Josina Anderson that he's dealing with something minor right now.
– It seems like the Cowboys are close to getting their quarterback back after Dak Prescott threw 52 passes in a pregame workout on Saturday. Jerry Jones went on to say Prescott would be available to start a regular season game immediately, if one were scheduled.
– Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio told reporters that WR Courtland Sutton (knee) is expected to play in the team's final preseason game.
– Packers LB Za'Darius Smith started training camp on the NFI with a back injury and despite rejoining the team at practice earlier in the week, head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters that Smith could “potentially” be inactive in Week 1.
– Both G Quenton Nelson and QB Carson Wentz are expected to return to Colts practice this week after the duo both successfully underwent foot surgery.
– Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a sprained ankle on Friday night, but it doesn't sound like it's a high-ankle sprain, according to Andy Reid. Edwards-Helaire was supposed to undergo more testing this weekend, but we're still waiting on those results.
– The Raiders are currently without G Richie Incognito, who went down with a calf injury during practice last week. He's only expected to miss about a week right now. Former 2020 first-round pick CB Damon Arnette was held out of the Raiders game this weekend, but it seems like he's just dealing with some minor stuff.
– The Chargers placed defensive backs Nasir Adderley and Ryan Smith on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday. It is unknown whether the duo tested positive or are considered close contacts of someone who did.
– More COVID-19 news in Los Angeles: the Rams placed punters Johnny Hekker and Corey Bojorquez on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday.
– The Vikings held WR Justin Jefferson (shoulder) out of Saturday's game, but he did dress in pads and warm up with the team. Perhaps more concerning is the thigh bruise WR Adam Thielen suffered after playing just four snaps.
– Patriots WR N'Keal Harry is expected to miss “about four weeks” after injuring his shoulder against the Eagles on Thursday night.
– Saquon Barkley is progressing nicely from his knee injury and is expected to be more active in the Giants' joint practices with the New England Patriots this week.
– The Jets saw a number of key players get banged up in their game against the Packers on Saturday. Most notably, T Conor McDermott (knee) and LB Jarrad Davis (ankle) were carted off the field in the first half.
– Eagles QB Jalen Hurts returned to practice on Sunday after being sent to the hospital prior to Thursday night's game with a stomach illness. However, the Eagles were without defensive linemen Derek Barnett (shoulder) and Javon Hargrave (ankle). Both guys are listed as “day-to-day.”
– 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters he is “a little worried” about the toe injury LB Mychal Kendricks suffered on Sunday.
– The Seahawks have held WR Tyler Lockett (groin) out of the preseason so far, but Pete Carroll thinks the receiver has a shot at suiting up against the Chargers this weekend.
– Titans WR Julio Jones is dealing with an undisclosed issue and Mike Vrabel told reporters that he “doesn't know” if Jones will be on the practice field this week. Although Vrabel has more things on his mind currently after testing positive for COVID-19 on Sunday morning. This news could also affect the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are coming off a week of joint practices with Vrabel and the Titans.
