Another week of NFL action means another week of injuries. Plenty of players got banged up in Week 8, while others suffered injuries that could knock them out for several weeks or more. Let’s round up the most notable injury updates from Sunday.
Week 8 NFL Injuries Recap
Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings
While Kirk Cousins was in the midst of arguably his best season as a pro, the veteran quarterback will miss the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles on Sunday. Cousins’ year ends with him tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns and second in passing yards.
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Cousins’ injury could affect his free agent stock in 2024, and it will also influence Minnesota’s trade deadline plans. The Vikings are unlikely to compete for the playoffs with either veteran backup Nick Mullens or fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall under center, so GM Kwesi Adodo-Mensah could sell assets like EDGE Danielle Hunter and LB Jordan Hicks.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford banged his right thumb against a Dallas Cowboys defender’s helmet on Sunday. Then, the Rams decided to have him catch a pass on a two-point conversion attempt.
Stafford hauled in the reception, but he aggravated his thumb injury. Los Angeles is now “evaluating a range of potential scenarios” for Stafford, and the club hasn’t ruled out sending him to injured reserve (IR), per The Athletic. Brett Rypien is the Rams’ backup QB.
Desmond Ridder, QB, Atlanta Falcons
While Desmond Ridder cleared concussion testing on Sunday, the Falcons still decided to hold him out, feeling the second-year quarterback was “a little off.” QB2 Taylor Heinicke relieved Ridder and completed 12 of 21 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown. Atlanta scored 20 second-half points with Heinicke at center after gaining only 89 yards with Ridder.
Head coach Arthur Smith hasn’t revealed which quarterback will start against the Vikings in Week 9, but the tea leaves suggest it will be Heinicke.
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett went down with a rib injury in the second quarter of the Steelers’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and did not return. On Monday, head coach Mike Tomlin said Pickett will be a game-time decision against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.
If Pickett can’t suit up, backup Mitchell Trubisky — who went 15 of 27 for 138 yards, one TD, and two interceptions on Sunday — will start on TNF.
Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor, QBs, New York Giants
Tyrod Taylor filled in for Daniel Jones over the last three games, but now the Giants’ backup QB has an injury of his own. Taylor hurt his rib cage against the New York Jets on Sunday and spent the night in the hospital. He’s since been discharged and is considered week to week.
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Meanwhile, Jones — who missed three weeks with a neck injury — has been cleared for contact and is expected to start against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Head coach Brian Daboll said the Giants could sign another QB to back up Jones instead of rolling with UDFA Tommy DeVito, who was forced into action in Week 8.
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill missed Sunday’s game with a high ankle sprain and second-round rookie Will Levis made the most of his starting opportunity. The Kentucky product completed 19 of 29 passes for 238 yards while becoming the third quarterback in NFL history to throw four touchdowns in his first career start.
Mike Vrabel stated the obvious on Monday, confirming Levis will remain the Titans’ starting QB as long as Tannehill is sidelined. Vrabel also said Tennessee hasn’t received any trade interest in Tannehill.
Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon has already announced that Murray — still on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list but fully practicing as he recovers from a torn ACL — will not be activated for Week 9. Joshua Dobbs will continue to start for Arizona.
If the Cards don’t activate Murray before Week 10, he’ll have to stay on the PUP list all year. But the club plans to start Murray this season and is not shopping him ahead of the deadline, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Kendrick Bourne, WR, New England Patriots
Speaking of trade candidates, Kendrick Bourne had been a popular name on the rumor mill in recent weeks. But the veteran wideout tore his ACL against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Bourne, 28, will be a free agent in 2024. He’d been one of the Patriots’ few reliable offensive weapons this season, leading the team in targets (51), receptions (34), receiving yards (370), and touchdowns (three).
Darren Waller, TE, New York Giants
Darren Waller dealt with a hamstring injury earlier this season but was able to play through it. Now, he’s fighting a new hamstring issue — near “where the tendon attaches to your knee,” Waller told the New York Post — that knocked him out of Sunday’s game.
Daboll hasn’t updated Waller’s condition or status for Week 9. But the veteran tight end has a lengthy injury history, so any ailment that pops up is concerning.
Grady Jarrett, DT, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons will be without defensive tackle Grady Jarrett for the rest of the season after the franchise stalwart tore his ACL on Sunday, per ESPN. Atlanta will rely on David Onyeata, Ta’Quon Graham, and Albert Huggins along its defensive interior.
Jarrett, 30, is signed through 2025 but has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract beyond this season.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
Along with edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick makes the Steelers’ defense go. But Pittsburgh won’t have Fitzpatrick when they face the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.
Fitzpatrick went down with a hamstring injury in Week. Head coach Mike Tomlin ruled him out for TNF on Monday.
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