Training camps are underway across the NFL, and unfortunately, so are the summer injuries. While some big names arrived at camp already recovering from indefinitely sidelined on injured reserve (PUP) lists, others were scratched in their first appearance on the field.
Here’s a roundup of notable names to keep in mind during training camp, with updates on their status:
Offensive players
Star Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a plantar fascia injury in his right foot after Wednesday’s practice. He will wear a walking boot for two weeks before starting a return-to-play protocol, but should be ready for the regular season.
Geno Smith underwent imaging of his hip and knee earlier this week and tests revealed no major injuriesHe missed a few days of practice, but ESPN reported he “is not expected to miss any time.”
Andy Dalton is out for at least two weeks after suffering a quadriceps injury during practice. The Panthers are looking to recruit another quarterback while he recovers.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales told reporters Saturday that he expects rookie running back Jonathon Brooks to be ready by Week 3 or 4 of this season. Brooks, a second-round pick out of Texas, is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last November against TCU.
Ty Johnson, who played No. 2 running back with rookie Ray Davis, will not participate in Tuesday’s practice with a hamstring injury. Starter James Cook recently returned to practice after missing a session for personal reasons.
A 2023 third-round pick out of TCU, Miller left the Saints’ first training camp with a hamstring injury, a year after playing just eight games as a rookie backup. Head coach Dennis Allen was blunt when discussing the injury, suggesting Miller needs to “figure out how to stay healthy.”
Puka Nacua enters his sophomore year with high expectations after winning the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year award. However, the Rams’ young point guard may have suffered a setback in camp on Sunday as he left practice with an apparent knee injury. He was spotted on the sideline with ice wrapped around his right knee, but he remained in uniform and a helmet, according to The Athletic. Head coach Sean McVay said he didn’t know what happened. Stay tuned.
DeAndre Hopkins is expected to miss four to six weeks after suffering a knee injury earlier this week. It’s a major blow to Tennessee’s offense, which is expected to be more pass-oriented this season under new coach Brian Callahan.
Panthers first-round pick Xavier Legette did not complete practice Sunday with a leg injury. Head coach Dave Canales did not have further information on the situation, but said it was not related to the hamstring injury the receiver suffered during OTAs. X-rays were negative, according to NFL Network. His MRI came back positive, ruling out a bone fracture, according to the Charlotte Observer. He is reportedly considered day to day.
Rookie receiver Jermaine Burton did not participate in Bengals practice Friday after suffering what appears to be a minor ankle injury. He is competing with Andre Iosivas and Trenton Irwin for the No. 3 receiver job behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
With Deshaun Watson resting and Jerry Jeudy limited by a knee issue, the Browns lost another offensive starter during Friday’s practice as Elijah Moore entered the concussion protocol. Like Harrison, he will need to be cleared by an independent neurologist.
A three-time Super Bowl champion, Watson had a career-high 460 receiving yards as one of Patrick Mahomes’ backup targets in 2023. He left the Chiefs’ recent training camp after suffering a foot injury. His absence could allow Skyy Moore to play more, with rookie Xavier Worthy also injured.
In contention for running back jobs in recent days, the former first-round pick and trade acquisition left Wednesday’s practice early with an apparent lower leg injury, according to NBC Sports. Toney is in the midst of another competition for a roster spot in Kansas City, where the Chiefs added several wide receivers, including first-round pick Xavier Worthy, this offseason.
Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman left Monday’s practice after taking a blow to his ribs and stomach, but coach John Harbaugh described the issue as just soreness.
Bears guard Nate Davis missed the final few sessions of training camp with an undisclosed muscle strain, though head coach Matt Eberflus described his status as day to day.
The Buccaneers lost one offensive lineman for the season. Free agent guard Sua Opeta suffered a torn ACL during training camp and will be out for the year, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Opeta signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay and will be out for the season. After the team lost Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie this offseason, there was a hole at left guard that Opeta and Ben Bredeson were competing for. Bredeson took reps with the starters during practice.
Jaguars tackle Cam Robinson left Friday’s practice with a shoulder injury, according to Pro Football Talk. Robinson played in just nine games last season after serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s doping policy and being placed on injured reserve with a knee issue. The severity of the shoulder injury is not yet known.
Jaguars’ other starter, Anton Harrison, left practice after being placed in concussion protocol. He will have to follow the protocol and be cleared by an independent neurologist before returning to the field.
Chiefs tackle Wanya Morris also left practice with a shoulder injury, according to head coach Andy Reid. Morris is competing this offseason with second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia for the starting left tackle job.
Two Rams offensive linemen left practice with injuries this week. Sean McVay described free agent Jonah Jackson as “week to week” with his shoulder injury, but that was reported He could miss up to six weeks with a bruised shoulder blade. McVay said he thought Havenstein may have simply been kicked during practice.
Defensive players
Sam Williams, Cowboys rusher fell with an apparent torn anterior cruciate ligament during Sunday’s practice. He will be placed on injured reserve and miss the 2024 season. The third-year defensive end was expected to provide additional pass-rushing pressure behind Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence, but Dallas may now have to look outside the organization for depth.
Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard left Sunday’s practice on a cart after suffering a knee injury, but it’s not believed to be serious. That’s a relief for Cincinnati, which is counting on Hubbard as its primary complement to Trey Hendrickson.
Samson Ebukam suffered from torn Achilles tendon during Monday’s practice. He will be placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss the entire 2024 season.
Lions defensive end John Cominsky suffered a torn medial collateral ligament and will be placed on injured reserve. According to ESPN, he could potentially be back for the playoffs, assuming the Lions can do so.
Former All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis suffered a hamstring injury during individual drills Wednesday, but head coach Dennis Allen provided no additional details on his status or a timetable for his return to the field, according to NOLA.com.
A tackling machine at the heart of the Chiefs’ defense, Bolton left Wednesday’s practice early with an apparent arm injury, according to NBC Sports. He also missed time in 2023 due to wrist surgery.
Buccaneers defensive end YaYa Diaby left practice Thursday with a high ankle sprain, according to NFL Media. Diaby was carted off the field after the injury, so the sprain diagnosis is a relief. Coming off a 7.5-sack rookie season, Diaby should play a significant role in Tampa’s pass rush once he returns.
A candidate for starting reps in the Rams’ revamped defensive secondary alongside Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White, the third-year veteran suffered a likely torn ACL during Los Angeles’ opening practice, according to ESPN.
A third-round pick in 2023 and in line for a potential starting role alongside veterans Byron Murphy and Shaq Griffin, Blackmon suffered a season-ending torn ACL during Minnesota’s first practice, according to NFL Media. The team recently added journeyman Duke Shelley, who started five games for the Vikings in 2022.
Darious Williams, who returned to the Rams as a free agent earlier in the offseason, is out with a hamstring injury. Head coach Sean McVay said the team won’t rush him back and will take things “one week at a time.”
