Injuries are an unfortunate part of NFL life, and preseason injuries are all the more frustrating since they occur in games that don’t even count in the standings. Health questions during the preseason can end players’ seasons before they begin and force NFL teams to rethink their roster decisions.
What’s the latest on players who went down during Week 2 of the preseason? Here’s the latest from around the league, beginning with a scary situation in Tampa Bay.
NFL Preseason Week 2 Injury Report
John Wolford, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buccaneers backup quarterback John Wolford had to be immobilized and removed from the field on a stretcher during Saturday night’s game after suffering a neck injury. Wolford went down hard following a sack by Jets defender Jalyn Holmes.
Thankfully, Tampa Bay announced Wolford had movement in his extremities. He was taken to a hospital for tests but was eventually discharged and able to travel home with the rest of the team.
QB John Wolford has a neck injury, has movement in his extremities and is going to be taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) August 20, 2023
“He’s feeling better,” head coach Todd Bowles said Sunday. “He’s moving around, so that’s the best we can offer right now. That came out pretty good, so we’ll see how he recovers.”
Wolford, 27, spent four seasons with the Rams before signing with the Buccaneers this offseason. He started Los Angeles’ Wild Card game after the 2020 season before leaving with a neck injury, while another neck issue also limited him last year.
Isaiah Bolden, CB, New England Patriots
Wolford wasn’t the only NFL player to suffer a scary injury on Saturday night. Patriots rookie corner Isaiah Bolden was stretchered off the field in Green Bay after colliding with teammate Calvin Munson and suffering a head/neck injury.
The Patriots and the Packers ultimately agreed to suspend their preseason game with more than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Appreciate the prayers more excited to be back with the guys
— I.B (@isaiahbolden23) August 20, 2023
Fortunately, New England has since announced that Bolden had feeling in his extremities and has been discharged from a local hospital in Green Bay. The Patriots also announced that they’ve canceled this week’s scheduled joint practices with the Titans “due to the circumstances” of Saturday’s game.
New England selected Bolden in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Bolden, 23, spent two years at Florida State before completing his college career at Jackson State.
De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins added De’Von Achane in the third round of April’s draft with the hope that he could contribute to the club’s running back room during his rookie campaign, but his status is up in the air after suffering a shoulder injury on Saturday.
Achane was hurt during a third-quarter drive and had to be carted to the locker room.
this is the play where achane came off the field. looks to be moving ok pic.twitter.com/bVZubXGFpf
— JGFC (@JGFC__) August 19, 2023
“We’ll know more tomorrow,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said postgame, indicating Achane was set to undergo an MRI on Sunday.
DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Dallas Cowboys
While the Dolphins are hopeful on Achane, another third-round rookie’s campaign is over before it even began.
Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown suffered a torn ACL while making a tackle on Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet on Saturday. Overshown grabbed at his left knee while making his way to the sideline and was eventually carted to the locker room.
Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown tore his left ACL in last night's preseason game vs. Seahawks, a person familiar with the diagnosis said. Season is over for the promising rookie third-round pick.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 20, 2023
Although Overshown wasn’t projected to start for Dallas, he’d been having a strong training camp and had posted multiple interceptions, as PFN’s Jess Nevarez detailed last night.
“He was climbing,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said of Overshown after the game. “He was climbing the charts. He showed up right away in the offseason program, just his ability to fly around. Really has excellent command.”
Danny Gray, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Although 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan initially said second-year wideout Danny Gray may have suffered a broken collarbone on Saturday, Shanahan said Sunday that Gray sprained the SC joint in his right shoulder.
It’s better news than a broken collarbone, which might have sidelined Gray for two months. While there’s no exact timetable for Gray’s return, he will miss time and isn’t expected to be ready for Week 1, per Shahahan.
Gray, San Francisco’s third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, managed just 87 offensive snaps and one reception during his rookie year. He was consistently banged up last season and dealt with hamstring, ankle, and hip concerns all year.
With Gray sidelined and fellow WR Ray-Ray McCloud out until October after breaking his wrist, rookie Ronnie Bell and veteran Chris Conley could push for roster spots behind Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings.
Israel Abanikanda, RB, New York Jets
Fifth-round rookie Israel Abanikanda is competing with Zonovan Knight to become the Jets’ RB4, but the Pitt product went down with a knee injury in last night’s game. Abanikanda banged his knee against an offensive lineman and was subsequently carted to the locker room.
.@IAbanikanda PUT HIM IN A BLENDER
📺 #NYJvsCAR on NFLN pic.twitter.com/LMKc6Sc186
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 12, 2023
Head coach Robert Saleh later told reporters Abanikanda has a knee contusion, which would potentially cost him a week of action. Meanwhile, Knight couldn’t make the most of his opportunity after earning the start against the Bucs, as he lost a fumble and dropped a pass.
Zech McPhearson, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles had to deal with several severe injury situations during their Thursday night game against the Browns.
First, cornerback Zech McPhearson suffered a torn Achilles and is out for the season. McPhearson was expected to serve as Philadelphia’s top backup slot corner and a special-teams contributor. His absence could now open a roster spot for someone like Mario Goodrich.
Later in the game, WR Tyrie Cleveland and DT Moro Ojomo had to be stretchered off the field after suffering serious injuries of their own. However, both players had “full function in all extremities,” per the Eagles. Cleveland has a concussion and neck sprain, while Ojomo has a concussion.
Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith and wideout Olamide Zaccheaus also suffered shoulder injuries on Thursday. However, Smith said he could have re-entered the game if needed, and Zaccheaus is already back at practice.
