Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the NFL, and all 32 teams have had issues throughout training camp and the preseason, but some teams are struggling with more serious issues, with multiple starters already suffering season-ending injuries and some players questionable for Week 1.
Below, we’ll look at some of the most notable injuries in the NFL and predict when they’ll be able to return to the field. Not every injured player will make this list – players who are “day to day,” for example – but these are some of the most notable injuries to remember and keep an eye on as we get closer to the start of the regular season.
Moore, who was traded to Atlanta this offseason, suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this month. He left the practice field with an air cast on his right leg and was transported to a local medical facility.
Expected return: 2025
The Falcons’ 74th overall pick will miss his entire rookie season after tearing his ACL in the season opener, a tough blow for a two-time Pac-12 Conference first-team player, but the Falcons’ trade for Matt Judon may have had some influence.
Expected return: 2025
Ridder suffered a concussion in the Cardinals’ final preseason game and is currently in the concussion protocol and must be cleared by an independent neurologist before returning to practice. If cleared, Ridder would resume his role as Kyler Murray’s backup.
Expected Revenue: Unknown
The Cardinals’ first-round draft pick suffered a calf injury that was evaluated and diagnosed as being multi-week and could start the season on injured reserve, meaning he could be back as early as Week 5.
Expected return: 5th week
Milano is one of the best linebackers in the NFL, but he’s struggled with injuries lately. He broke his leg in Week 5 of last season and now has a torn biceps that will keep him out for most of the year. There’s a chance he could miss the entire 2024 season, but a belated return seems possible.
Expected return: December
The Bills were hit hard by injuries during the preseason, so Sean McDermott won’t start No. 1 in the preseason finale. Free agent acquisition Curtis Samuel is expected to be “week-to-week” with turf toe. His status is unclear with 20 days until Buffalo’s season opener.
Expected return: 2nd week
MVS suffered a neck sprain after taking a hard hit during a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 of the preseason, and McDermott announced Monday that he will miss several weeks.
Expected return: 3rd week
The Panthers obviously knew about Brooks’ torn ACL when they made him their high draft pick, and he’s expected to miss several regular-season games, with head coach Dave Canales saying earlier this month that Week 3 or 4 would be “optimal” for Brooks to return.
Expected return: 4th week
Per ESPN, Canales said free agent addition Dane Jackson has a “significant” hamstring injury that could keep him out for up to six weeks, which is especially notable because Carolina is extremely thin at cornerback.
Expected return: 4th week
Mims, the Bengals’ first-round pick, will miss “several weeks” after straining his pectoral muscle in Cincinnati’s first preseason game. Mims played 16 snaps at right tackle in his lone appearance, and did not allow a pressure in his 10 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
Expected return: 2nd week
Evans reportedly will miss the entire regular season after rupturing his patellar tendon during a joint workout with the Chicago Bears. From Bleacher ReportHe was reportedly injured during a kickoff return and was carted off the field with an air cast on his knee.
Expected return: 2025
Chubb suffered a brutal knee injury last season that required two surgeries to repair his medial capsule, meniscus, MCL and ACL. He’s made an incredible recovery and is expected to play sometime in 2024, though it’s unclear when that will be.
Expected return: 5th week
Williams tore his ACL during training camp last month and will miss the entire 2024 season. CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reports Williams sustained the injury during a special teams drill. Williams has yet to play in an NFL game, but has recorded 8.5 sacks in two seasons.
Expected return: 2025
The versatile second-year running back injured his hamstring during practice this month, but Dan Campbell has publicly said it’s not a serious issue.
Expected returns: Week 1
Detroit’s star offensive tackle left practice early on Wednesday with a foot injury. He was treated by trainers on the field, then limped down the sideline to the bench and then to the locker room. No further updates on Sewell’s status were provided.
Expected return: TBD
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Keene, a 25-year-old Virginia Tech third-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2020, tore his ACL in a preseason game on Saturday, according to Bleacher Report. Keene was released by New England in 2020 and has bounced around the Eagles, Broncos and Texans practice squads since then. He played in one game with Houston last season.
Expected return: 2025
Downs reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain earlier this month, which was good news in some ways as it was initially thought to be a potentially serious injury, but a high ankle sprain is certainly a troubling issue.
Expected return: 2nd week
Ebukam ruptured his Achilles tendon during training camp and will miss the entire 2024 season. He had the best year of his career in 2023, recording 9.5 sacks, 57 total tackles, 17 QB hits and three forced fumbles.
Expected return: 2025
Marquise Brown is expected to miss four to six weeks after injuring his sternoclavicular joint in Week 1 of the preseason and being hospitalized for a short time. After the game, head coach Andy Reid told reporters that Brown suffered a dislocated sternoclavicular joint, the joint where the collarbone and sternum meet. It’s unclear when Hollywood will recover, but Bleacher Report reports Brown will miss four to six weeks.
Expected return: 2nd week
Herbert was diagnosed with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot and will need to wear a walking boot for two weeks, but should be ready for the start of the regular season and returned to the practice field on Monday.
Expected returns: Week 1
The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year injured his right knee during practice earlier this month, but coach Sean McVay said he is expected to be ready in time for the start of the season.
Expected returns: Week 1
Higbee will start the season on the PUP as he recovers from a torn ACL and MCL suffered in a playoff loss to the Lions, and the Rams would be wise to allow him time to recover.
Expected return: Week 15
After rupturing his Achilles on Black Friday last year, Phillips just returned from the PUP last week, and we’d be bold enough to claim he’ll play in the season opener. In just eight games played in 2023, Phillips has recorded 43 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and his first career interception.
Expected returns: Week 1
Chubb appeared in 16 games with Miami last year, recording 11 sacks, a career-high 73 tackles and a league-leading six forced fumbles, but unfortunately tore his ACL in Week 17. Unlike Phillips, he is still on the PUP.
Expected return: Week 8
The 10th overall pick, McCarthy, had two impressive touchdowns in his preseason debut but complained of knee pain after the game. After an examination, McCarthy was found to have a torn meniscus and will likely miss his entire rookie season. The Vikings are taking a “better safe than sorry” approach with their No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and are prioritizing McCarthy’s long-term health.
Expected return: 2025
Hockenson suffered a serious knee injury in Week 16 of last year, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and knee joint. He had to wait five weeks for the swelling to go down and then had surgery in late January, which pushed back his return date. Hockenson said in May that he didn’t have a specific timeline for his return.
Expected return: Week 7
Unfortunately, the Vikings suffered a major loss this year when Blackmon tore his ACL during the first training camp of the year. Blackmon started three games as a rookie last year and recorded 41 tackles, eight passes defended and one interception.
Expected return: 2025
New England Patriots
Brissett injured his shoulder early in New England’s final preseason game, taking a hard hit while being sacked by Commanders edge rusher KJ Henry. The Patriots deemed him questionable to return, but by the time the Patriots made that determination, he had already been replaced by Drake Maye, so his time for tonight’s game was likely over. If the injury lingers, Maye may end up playing under center sooner than originally expected.
The Saints’ first-round draft pick left Sunday’s preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers early with a knee injury, but head coach Dennis Allen said it didn’t appear to be serious. The exact severity wasn’t known, which is why McKinstry was eligible to be on this list. Other Saints players, including Juwan Johnson and Talese Huaga, are also expected to be ready for Week 1.
Expected returns: Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers
Warren injured his hamstring in the Steelers’ eventual preseason loss to the Bills earlier this month. The injury is expected to sideline Warren for several weeks, according to NFL Media, and he is questionable for Week 1.
Expected returns: Week 1
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Herbig will likely miss the entire 2024 season with a torn rotator cuff. The center was injured during Pittsburgh’s final training camp practice. His position will likely be filled by rookie second-round draft pick Zach Frazier.
Expected return: December
San Francisco 49ers
McCaffrey suffered a calf injury earlier this month, but is not expected to miss the regular season and can safely be selected as the No. 1 overall pick in fantasy drafts.
Expected returns: Week 1
Piersall has been dealing with a shoulder injury recently, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said he will return to practice on Monday. With Brandon Aiyuk still sidelined, Piersall hasn’t been on the field much during camp, but he could soon be in a full-fledged role.
Expected returns: Week 1
Tennessee’s No. 1 wide receiver suffered a knee injury in early August that kept him out for four to six weeks, making him a doubt for Week 1.
Expected returns: Week 1