The NFL preseason can be both a blessing and a curse for NFL fans. Yes, it is the return of football on our television sets. Unfortunately, all too often, players get injured while playing in games that ultimately do not mean anything.
During the first full slate of preseason action, players such as Zach Wilson and Drake London both left their preseason matchups due to injuries. Here are the latest NFL injury updates on some of the notable players who were injured in Week 1 so far.
Friday’s NFL injury updates | Preseason Week 1
Here are the latest updates regarding notable players who were injured during the first week of preseason games on Friday, August 12. As more information becomes available, we will update this article, so be sure to check back.
QB Zach Wilson leaves game with an apparent leg injury
After a rookie season that was less than stellar, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson left the team’s first preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles with an apparent leg injury. After a 7-yard scramble in the first quarter, Wilson went down trying to dodge a tackle.
The second-year QB, who was not hit on the play, came up limping, seemingly favoring his right leg. After being looked after for a couple of minutes, Wilson left for the locker room with a right knee injury. Multiple media reports following the game stated that Wilson was walking in the locker room with a noticeable limp and did not appear to have a brace on his leg.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh provided a few updates following the game in his press conference, saying they are going to wait for the MRI on Saturday to get further clarification. Saleh would not say if the knee was stable, but did note that the ACL looks to be intact based on initial tests.
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“He’s in good spirits. He’s fine,” Saleh said to reporters. “He’s a little frustrated but he’s as good as you can be in this situation.”
On Saturday morning, just after 11:15 a.m. ET, the New York Post reported that Wilson did not tear his ACL, but did tear his right meniscus and suffered a bone bruise. The Post report added Wilson will miss between two and four weeks — which could potentially put into jeopardy his availability for the Jets’ season opener against the Ravens.
Joe Flacco is next in line, with Mike White as their number three option. There was also speculation regarding a trade for San Francisco 49ers backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo, especially given his ties to Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. That is now off the table with Wilson only out for a few weeks.
Falcons WR Drake London exits with knee injury
Rookie wide receiver Drake London made his NFL debut on Friday night. However, after a 24-yard catch, London was hit and left the game with a reported knee injury. The Falcons didn’t leave fans waiting for long, ruling the young WR out for the remainder of the game shortly after he left.
London was seen walking on the sidelines after coming out of the locker room, so the injury doesn’t seem very serious. The Falcons have high hopes for London this season after they drafted him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
London had 88 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games during his final year with the USC Trojans before an ankle injury ended his season.
Following the game, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said they would have more information on Saturday after further testing. However, one source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that they were “encouraged early on and it is not a serious injury.”
49ers DE Drake Jackson injures shoulder in first half
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Drake Jackson suffered a shoulder injury in the latter part of the first half against the Green Bay Packers. Jackson, the 61st overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft (and the 49ers’ top selection), was working against two blockers as Packers QB Jordan Love scrambled out of the pocket.
Jackson ultimately caught Love on the edge but fell awkwardly on his arm. He was officially listed as questionable to return and then ruled out a short while later.
Browns C Nick Harris carted off the field
The Cleveland Browns suffered a devastating injury Friday night when center Nick Harris needed to be carted off the field during the first drive of their preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harris, who was in line to replace J.C. Tretter on the offensive line, was immediately ruled out for the rest of the game with a leg injury.
Harris has been receiving praise during training camp and openly discussed how he had never felt better physically.
“I tried really hard this offseason to take care of my body composition, put on some weight and put on some muscle,” he said earlier in training camp. “Going through these practices, I’ve realized I feel a little bit different, a little bit heavier. It feels good.”
Bengals QB Brandon Allen leaves with potential concussion
The Cincinnati Bengals are going to be missing another quarterback as Brandon Allen left their preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals with what looks to be a concussion. Joe Burrow was already out for this game due to an emergency appendectomy that he suffered earlier in the offseason. Now, the 29-year-old backup QB will likely join Burrow on the injury report.