Were are less than a month away from the start of the 2021 NFL season and with a truncated preseason schedule this season, player availability in training camp is even more important ahead of the 18-week regular season.
In this space, we will keep you up to date on all the latest injury news concerning starters and key players from across the entire NFL as teams get ready for the upcoming season:
NFL injury report: Thur, Aug 19
– Stefon Diggs hasn't practice in over a week due to a knee injury, but is expected to rejoin the Bills on the practice field sometime this week. However, he will not play on Saturday. Offensive lineman Dion Dawkins, on the other hand, will suit up for Buffalo after recovering from COVID-19.
– Both of the Panthers' starting wide receivers missed practice on Thursday. Robby Anderson is dealing with a hamstring injury and DJ Moore is sitting out with a back injury.
– Bears QB Justin Fields is recovering nicely from his groin injury and is expected to play in Chicago's game on Saturday.
– A pair of linebackers left Browns practice early on Thursday. Sione Takitaki (hamstring) and Jacob Phillips (elbow) were both banged up during the joint session with the Giants.
– Broncos WR Courtland Sutton expects to play in one of Denver's final two preseason games as he recovers from a knee injury.
– Lions TE T.J. Hockenson will not play in Detroit's second preseason game, but is expected to be more active in practice next week while recovering from an undisclosed issue.
– Bryan Bulaga hasn't practiced recently due to a hip flexor. However, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told reporters the offensive tackle would be good to go if the team was preparing for a real game.
– The Dolphins removed WR Preston Brown (foot) from the PUP list, however he was limited to just individual drills during Thursday's practice.
– Patriots TEs Hunter Henry (shoulder) and Jonnu Smith (ankle) did not suit up for New England's game against the Eagles. Meanwhile, WR N'Keal Harry left Philadelphia wearing a sling on his arm.
– Despite getting more reps in practice, neither WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring) nor WR Kadarius Toney (undisclosed) will suit up for the Giants on Saturday.
– The New York Jets will be without DE Carl Lawson's services this season. The 2021 free-agency acquisition ruptured his Achilles during Thursday's practice.
– Jalen Hurts was a surprise scratch from the Eagles starting lineup on Thursday night. After warm ups, the quarterback was sent to the hospital to deal with a stomach infection, but is “doing OK now,” according to head coach Nick Sirianni.
– 49ers LT Trent Williams had his knee drained after taking an awkward hit on Monday during practice. However, it sounds like he'll be fine after resting this weekend.
– Neither Julio Jones, nor A.J. Brown are participating in the Titans' joint practices this week. However, Mike Vrabel wouldn't specify why the receivers weren't on the field.
NFL injury report: Wed, Aug 18
– The Cardinals placed starting RG Justin Pugh on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
– Panthers WR Robby Anderson missed Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury, however it isn't expected to be a long-term issue, per Matt Rhule.
– The Chicago Bears added three key players to their injured list on Wednesday. Quarterback Justin Fields (groin soreness), TE Cole Kmet (hamstring) and DT Eddie Goldman (back) all missed Wednesday's practice.
– Cowboys K Greg Zuerlein is still recovering from offseason back surgery on the PUP list, but Dallas believes he is on track to be ready for the regular season
– Denver Broncos' first-round pick Pat Surtain II was pulled from Tuesday's practice and missed Wednesday's practice due to “lower leg irritation.” Head coach Vic Fangio was adamant the team was just being cautious with the young cornerback.
– The Lions were supposed to get RB D'Andre Swift back at practice earlier this week, but Dan Campbell now says he will rejoin the team during Thursday's session.
– Packers backup QB Jordan Love remains on the sidelines as he deals with a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, RB AJ Dillon was limited on Wednesday due to a not-so-serious calf injury.
– Texans LT Laremy Tunsil will be out for a while after testing positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, LG Tytus Howard has returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
– The Colts seem to be getting close to getting their QB back. Carson Wentz has been at practice all week and will soon be taking walkthrough reps after recovering from foot surgery.
– Eagles placekicker Jake Elliott is dealing with an ankle injury and is considered “day-to-day.” Defensive end Derek Barnett is also dealing with a shoulder injury. While not considered a big deal at the moment, Barnett has dealt with shoulder issues throughout his career.
NFL injury report: Tues, Aug 17
– The Arizona Cardinals have some veterans dealing with undisclosed injuries including WR Deandre Hopkins and OLB Chandler Jones. Jones has already been ruled out of Saturday's game by Kliff Kingsbury.
– Marlon Humphery departed Ravens practice early on Monday after slipping in a drill. However, it appears the cornerback is just dealing with a mild groin strain. In more positive news, G Kevin Zeitler (foot) practiced for the first time in two weeks on Monday.
– The Cleveland Browns are beginning to work WR Odell Beckham Jr. into individual drills as he works his way back from a torn ACL. However, it doesn't seem likely that he'll get to suit up against his former team later this week.
– Speaking of high-priced wide receivers, Dallas's Amari Cooper is expected to be a full-participant in Wednesday's practice and will suit up against the Texans this weekend.
– Even more receiver news as the Broncos are working Courtland Sutton (knee) and Tim Patrick (groin) into practice, however Patrick only participated in individual drills. Sutton is a candidate to play in this week's preseason contest.
– Jacksonville WR DJ Chark Jr. has been in pads during practice this week, but has yet to catch a pass. Jaguars coach Urban Meyer expects the receiver to recover from his fractured finger in time for the regular season.
– Kansas City had DE Frank Clark undergo an MRI on his hamstring after he aggravated an injury during Tuesday's practice. Clark missed the Chiefs' first preseason game with a hamstring injury, but the team expects him to be ready in plenty of time for Week 1.
– Chargers first-round pick Rashawn Slater hasn't practice this week due to a lower back injury, however the tackle is expected to return to practice on Thursday when Los Angeles holds joint practices with the 49ers.
– Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters he wasn't worried about LB Leonard Floyd, who missed the end of Monday's practice after suffering an ankle injury.
– The Vikings haven't allowed LB Anthony Barr to practice since August 5, but Mike Zimmer wouldn't go into specifics when asked about his injury. In other Vikings news, WR Justin Jefferson will probably miss Saturday's game due to a shoulder injury.
– The New York Giants are working some of their offensive weapons back into the fold as RB Saquon Barkley (torn ACL) took 7-on-7 reps on Tuesday, albeit while wearing a non-contact jersey. Wide receiver Kenny Golladay (hamstring) took some reps on the Jugs machine prior to practice and Joe Judge told reporters that rookie WR Kadarius Toney will see more reps in practice as the week progresses.
– Chase Claypool suffered an ankle injury during Steelers practice, however it sounds like the wide receiver won't miss much time with the low-ankle sprain.
– 49ers CB Emmanuel Moseley continues to miss time in training camp, however after spending time on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Moseley was held out of Tuesday's practice with a hamstring injury.
– Seattle is being cautious with WR Tyler Lockett, who has been absent from the last three practices due to a groin injury. The veteran shouldn't have any issue getting ready for the regular season.
NFL injury report: Mon, Aug 16
– Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner was removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list along with three other teammates.
– The Baltimore Ravens are dealing with a number of injuries on offense, although it doesn't seem WR Marquise Brown (hamstring) or WR Sammy Watkins will miss much time, if any. As for backup quarterback Trace McSorley, he'll miss the rest of the preseason after injuring his back while lifting a box.
– Bears LB Robert Quinn is dealing with an ankle injury he suffered on Saturday night, per Matt Nagy.
– Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has already been ruled out of Saturday's preseason game. He's been dealing with a shoulder injury and Dallas doesn't want to risk a “setback.”
– Lions RB D'Andre Swift is expected to return to practice in a limited capacity as soon as Tuesday after suffering a hamstring injury earlier in training camp. Meanwhile, WR Breshad Perriman is still expected to have a big role in the Lions' offense, despite dealing with a hip injury.
– Good and bad news out of Green Bay: LB Za'Darius Smith was activated from the NFI list on Monday. However, backup QB Jordan Love was held out of practice with a shoulder injury.
-Texans WR Anthony Miller had an MRI on his separated shoulder, which revealed no structural damage. His return could come as soon as Week 1.
– Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told reporters on Monday that WR Mike Williams will be held out of practice this week as he deals with a hip injury.
– The Dolphins will miss WR Allen Hurns for a while. The veteran is expected to sit out three months after undergoing wrist surgery.
– Saints head coach Sean Payton told reporters on Monday that star receiver Michael Thomas is “ahead of schedule” in his rehab from ankle surgery.
– Jets DL Quinnen Williams was activated from the PUP list on Monday after dealing with a broken foot all summer.
– Eagles' first-round pick DeVonta Smith participated in some individual drills on Monday after missing the last two weeks of practice with a knee injury.
– A lot of news in San Francisco on Monday. Tackle Trent Williams left practice earlier after getting clipped on “the hip or knee.” No word yet on his prognosis. Defensive end Nick Bosa is expected to be a full participant in practice this week as he works back from a knee injury, but DT Javon Kinlaw is out after suffering a shoulder injury during Monday's practice.
– Washington WR Curtis Samuel spent Monday's practice working alone on the side as he deals with a groin injury.
