The 2024 NFL season is underway, and as teams have wrapped up the preseason, their injury picture for Week 1 has become a little clearer.
Some teams know they will be without players for the first game of their season. Others are taking it day by day, as knocks have cropped up during practice this week.
The San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers are two teams monitoring the health of key players ahead of Sunday.
49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was placed on the restricted list for practice Thursday because of a calf/Achilles injury that has kept him out of training camp and the preseason. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the designation is nothing new for McCaffrey and he isn’t concerned about his status for Monday night’s game against the New York Jets.
The Steelers named Russell Wilson the starting quarterback in place of Justin Fields but now have to worry about a calf injury that could affect his availability for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Head coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday the tightness is in the same right calf that was injured. Wilson tensed up early in training camp.
Tomlin added that he believes if Wilson is sidelined, Fields could very well replace him.
Ja’Marr Chase is not injured, but his contract situation remains unresolved. The Cincinnati Bengals receiver said a deal “is within reach” and he’s willing to play if an extension can’t be negotiated. While head coach Zac Taylor has only said “we’ll see” about Chase’s play, the three-time Pro Bowler said it’s a real-time decision and that if he does suit up, he’ll be limited.
A few players we know will definitely be out for Week 1 include Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (foot stress fracture), Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (ACL recovery), Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (ACL recovery), Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee/leg), 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) and Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (biceps), among others.
Here’s the rest of the Week 1 injury report:
PHILADLEPHIA EAGLES
PITTSBURGH STEEL
Atlanta Falcons
BUFFALO BILL
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S Jamal Adams (hip): out
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LB Otis Reese (concussion): out
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CB Chidobe Awuzie (calf): uncertain
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WR DeAndre Hopkins (knee): doubtful
Cincinnati Bengals
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DT Kris Jenkins (thumb): out
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T Amarius Mims (pectoral): outside
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WR Tee Higgins (hamstring): Doubtful
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WR Ja’Marr Chase (rest): doubtful
MIAMI DOLPHINS
CAROLINA PANTHERS
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RB Jonathon Brooks (ACL): absent
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TE Tommy Tremble (back/hamstring): out
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TE Ian Thomas (calf): absent
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T Yosh Nijman (shin): doubtful