Injuries are part and parcel of the NFL landscape, and this preseason has been no exception. Each of the league's 32 teams has been hit with significant setbacks as key players have suffered serious injuries, affecting their availability for the upcoming season. As teams scramble to adjust, the health of several important players hangs in the balance, influencing not just the teams' preparations but also their prospects for the season.
Major Losses: Season-Ending Injuries
Among the most crucial losses, Moore, who was traded to Atlanta this offseason, has sustained a season-ending knee injury. His exit from the practice field was marked by the sight of an air cast on his right leg, leading to an immediate transport to a local medical facility. Moore is expected to be sidelined until 2025, making his long-awaited debut for Atlanta nothing but a distant prospect.
Similar fates have befallen other Falcons' players. Trice, the team's No. 74 overall pick, tore his ACL in his first preseason game and will also be out until 2025. Ligament injuries appear to be a theme, with Evans missing the entire regular season due to a torn patellar tendon, and Williams sidelined with an ACL tear, both expected to return in 2025 as well.
The injury bug hasn't spared other teams. McCarthy, sidelined by a torn meniscus, is also not expected back until 2025. Herbig’s torn rotator cuff and Chubb’s knee injury add to the list of players facing prolonged absences, with Herbig potentially returning in December and Chubb targeting a Week 8 return after lingering knee issues from last season.
Shorter-term Setbacks
Not all injuries will keep players out for the entire season. Milano's torn biceps will keep him off the field for the majority of the season, but there’s optimism he could rejoin his teammates by December. Curtis Samuel is considered "week to week" with turf toe and is expected to be back by Week 2, offering some relief for his team.
Other players are on a more expedited path to recovery. MVS sustained a neck sprain during a preseason victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers and is likely to return by Week 3. Dane Jackson’s significant hamstring injury and Brooks' torn ACL are projected to keep them off the field until Week 4. Meanwhile, the Bengals' first-round pick, who strained a pectoral muscle, is expected to be ready by Week 2.
Hopeful Returns Before Season’s Start
Several players sidelined during the preseason are expected to return in time for the season opener. Tennessee’s No. 1 wideout and the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, who both suffered knee injuries in early August, aim for returns by Week 1. Phillips, who suffered a torn Achilles, was activated off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list last week and is also targeting a Week 1 return. Warren, who was sidelined in a preseason game against the Bills due to a hamstring injury, is anticipated to be ready by Week 1.
Developmental Process Impacted
Preseason injuries have far-reaching consequences beyond individual player absences. For coaching staff and front offices, these injuries disrupt evaluations and preparation. Dave Canales, speaking on Brooks' potential return, noted that "Week 3 or Week 4 would be 'great' for Brooks' return," highlighting the uncertainty teams must navigate. Injuries force teams to adapt quickly, reconfiguring depth charts and game plans on the fly.
Injuries are an unavoidable reality in professional sports, and for NFL teams, the key lies in how they manage and adapt. As the new season approaches, teams will rely on their depth, coaching acumen, and perhaps a bit of luck to navigate this challenging landscape.