NFL Week 1’s Sunday slate is already carrying a long list of injury questions, with final reports sending several teams into kickoff with key names still in limbo.
The Giants may be waiting until the last minute on Malik Nabers, who is questionable for Sunday night’s matchup with the Dallas Cowboys because of a knee injury. New Orleans is in a similar spot with Alvin Kamara, who is questionable with a knee issue before the Saints’ road game against the Detroit Lions. The Saints have already taken linebacker Cameron Jordan off the table, ruling him out with a hamstring injury.
Chicago is also tracking two offensive pieces. Wide receiver Rome Odunze is questionable with a calf injury for the Bears’ game against the Carolina Panthers, and quarterback Tyson Bagent is questionable as well because of a back injury.
The Falcons’ quarterback situation is much more settled, and not in a good way. Michael Penix Jr. has been ruled out with a knee injury for Atlanta’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Atlanta has also listed Tua Tagovailoa out with an oblique injury, leaving Cooper Rush set to start.
Las Vegas will be without one of its biggest weapons, with tight end Brock Bowers ruled out because of a knee injury for the Raiders’ game against the Miami Dolphins. The Raiders did get a positive update elsewhere: running back Ashton Jeanty has been cleared to play after being removed from the injury report.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will be missing cornerback Joey Porter Jr. against the Falcons. He has been ruled inactive because of a back injury after being listed as questionable and limited in practice during the week.
Arizona’s Jeremiyah Love is also in question, listed as questionable with an ankle injury for the Cardinals’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Philadelphia has ruled out linebacker Jonathan Greenard with a pectoral injury for its game against the Washington Commanders. Tight end Eli Stowers is questionable with a hamstring injury.
Tampa Bay enters its game against Cincinnati with three doubtful players: wide receiver Jalen McMillan, running back Sean Tucker and tackle Justin Skule. The Bengals have a doubtful defender of their own in Shemar Stewart, who is dealing with a knee injury.
The Jets have already ruled out wide receiver Tim Patrick and defensive end Joseph Ossai, while returner Kene Nwangwu is doubtful with a back injury.
The Green Bay Packers, for their part, will open the season without edge rusher Micah Parsons, who remains on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.
Official inactive lists will come about 90 minutes before kickoff, which is when the final word on these questionable and doubtful players will arrive.
In Other News...
Falcons Let A Winnable Opener Slip Away For One Big Reason
For stretches in the opener, the Falcons had every reason to think they could leave Pittsburgh with a win. They stayed in the game long enough to make it a one-score fight, and the result was still there for the taking until T.J. Watt turned the afternoon with a game-changing interception return touchdown that swung the momentum and helped the Steelers pull away for a 20-13 win.
Aaron Rodgers finished 24 of 40 for 221 yards and a touchdown, while Cooper Rush threw for 143 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, but the defining play was the one Atlanta could not afford to give away. Instead of opening the season at 1-0, the Falcons head home at 0-1 with Carolina next, already searching for the cleaner finish that might have made this a very different postgame conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Enter Week 1 Already Fighting To Keep Offense Together
The Falcons are heading into Week 1 with an offense already patched together, as injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. have pushed Cooper Rush into the starting quarterback role against the Steelers. With the depth chart thinned out in more than one spot, Atlanta has even had to get creative with roster coverage, naming Olamide Zaccheaus as an emergency third-string quarterback and running back.
Kevin Stefanski is clearly aware of the balancing act ahead, urging Rush to lean on Bijan Robinson and the other playmakers around him as the Falcons try to keep the offense functional early. It is a reminder that before the first snap is even taken, Atlanta is already dealing with the kind of Week 1 uncertainty teams usually hope to avoid. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Pass Rush Suddenly Puts Cameron Thomas Under Real Pressure
Cameron Thomas has gone from camp standout to Week 1 starter on the edge, giving the Falcons a clearer answer opposite Brandon Dorlus as they open the season. Atlanta is leaning on a rotation at pass rusher because injuries and suspensions have thinned that group, and Thomas earned the job by putting together a strong training camp.
Za'Darius Smith is still part of the mix, but he is working his way back into football shape after stepping away last season, which makes the early workload around him more interesting. For Thomas, the chance is real and immediate, and the way Atlanta handles that edge rotation will say plenty about how ready it thinks this pass rush is right now. [Read more 🡒]