The NFL is officially back — and, unfortunately, so are injuries. Travis Kelce couldn’t play for the Kansas City Chiefs in Thursday’s season opener, but he’s not the only NFL star — and certainly not the only NFL tight end — dealing with a health issue this week.
Let’s run through the injury report for every game on the NFL’s Week 1 schedule. Remember, you can always stay up-to-date on the latest injury buzz from around the league with PFN’s NFL and Fantasy News Tracker.
Week 1 NFL Injury Report
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
- Panthers: WR DJ Chark, OUT (hamstring); WR Adam Thielen, QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
- Falcons: CB Jeff Okudah, OUT (foot); RB Cordarrelle Patterson, QUESTIONABLE (thigh)
Chark won’t be able to play even after logging a limited practice on Friday. If Thielen can’t go either, the Panthers would roll with Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall Jr. in two-WR sets. Running back Miles Sanders, who dealt with a groin injury over the summer, has no injury designation for Week 1.
On the other side of the ball, the Falcons will be without Okudah, whom they acquired from the Lions over the offseason. However, head coach Arthur Smith said Okudah is further along in his recovery than Atlanta thought he’d be after being carted off the field with a foot injury early in training camp.
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
- Bengals: EDGE Joseph Ossai, OUT (ankle)
- Browns: S Juan Thornhill, QUESTIONABLE (calf)
The Bengals can breathe a sigh of relief now that the newly-extended Joe Burrow will be ready for Week 1 after suffering a calf strain during training camp. But Ossai, who suffered an ankle injury during Cincinnati’s final preseason game, won’t be able to suit up against Cleveland.
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol in time to face the Bengals on Sunday, but Cleveland’s secondary might not have Thornhill, the ex-Chiefs safety they signed as a free agent.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Jaguars: DL Tyler Lacy, OUT (hip); DB Antonio Johnson, OUT (hamstring)
- Colts: RB Zack Moss, QUESTIONABLE (arm)
Moss’ status is still up in the air after he suffered a broken arm earlier this summer. He could become the Colts’ lead back if he can play — if not, Deon Jackson and rookie Evan Hull will likely split the workload.
Indy linebacker Shaquille Leonard is ready to play after clearing the concussion protocol. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (forearm) was added to the Colts’ injury report with a limited Friday practice but is expected to play on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Buccaneers: DT Calijah Kancey, QUESTIONABLE (calf); G Cody Mauch, QUESTIONABLE (back)
- Vikings: EDGE Marcus Davenport, QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
Tampa Bay’s first two 2023 draft picks could potentially miss Week 1. Kancey was initially expected to miss several weeks after going down with a calf injury, so a questionable tag is actually an improvement. Nick Leverett will take over at left guard if Mauch can’t play.
Davenport got in a limited Friday practice after suffering a “little bit of a tweak” to his ankle, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters, adding the club is “optimistic” Davenport will be available on Sunday.
Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints
- Titans: CB Tre Avery, OUT (hamstring)
- Saints: WR Tre’Quan Smith, OUT (groin); S J.T. Gray, OUT (shoulder); RB Kendre Miller, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
With Alvin Kamara suspended for the first three games of the season, Miller was expected to help Jamaal Williams carry the load in the Saints’ backfield. But the third-round rookie has been dealing with injuries all summer and might not be able to play against the Titans on Sunday.
Williams could become a true three-down back if Miller isn’t ready for Week 1. But New Orleans could also mix in Kirk Merritt and/or elevate Tony Jones Jr. from its practice squad.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- 49ers: TE George Kittle, QUESTIONABLE (groin); CB Charvarius Ward, QUESTIONABLE (heel)
- Steelers: DT Larry Ogunjobi, QUESTIONABLE (foot)
While San Francisco had a number of key veterans post limited practices through the week, Kittle and Ward were the only 49ers to get an LP on Friday. Kittle’s absence would clearly affect San Fran’s offense, but the team has the weapons to make up for his loss. However, the 49ers might not have the cornerback depth to account for Ward missing Week 1.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Commanders
- Cardinals: OT Kelvin Beachum, OUT (hand); WR Marquise Brown, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring); TE Zach Ertz, QUESTIONABLE (knee)
- Commanders: WR Dax Milne, OUT (groin); EDGE Chase Young, QUESTIONABLE (neck)
Brown and Ertz are expected to catch passes from recent trade acquisition Josh Dobbs on Sunday. If the Cardinals don’t have Brown or Ertz against the Commanders, scoring points will become even more difficult than already projected.
Terry McLaurin has no injury designation for Week 1 after suffering a foot injury during the preseason. Meanwhile, Young was scheduled to see a doctor about his neck issue this afternoon, per Commanders head coach Ron Rivera. The former No. 2 overall pick has appeared in just 12 games over the past two seasons.
Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens
- Texans: WR John Metchie III, OUT (hamstring), LB Blake Cashman, OUT (hamstring), S Jimmie Ward, OUT (hip)
- Ravens: CB Marlon Humphrey, OUT (foot); TE Mark Andrews, QUESTIONABLE (quad)
Metchie, who missed his entire rookie season after being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, will have his NFL debut delayed again by a hamstring issue. Ward was expected to be a rock in Houston’s secondary after following DeMeco Ryans from San Francisco, but he won’t play in Week 1.
Humphrey was always expected to miss regular-season time after undergoing foot surgery in mid-August. Andrews, one of several NFL tight ends dealing with an injury bug this week, hopes to play on Sunday but is questionable. Isaiah Likely would become Baltimore’s primary tight end in his absence. Odell Beckham Jr. is good to go logging a limited practice on Thursday.
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
- Packers: WR Christian Watson, OUT (hamstring); WR Romeo Doubs, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
- Bears: LB Dylan Cole, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
Watson won’t get to play in Jordan Love’s first game as the Packers’ full-time starting quarterback, and Love could also be without Doubs, who registered a limited Friday practice. Second-round rookies Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrave could be in for a lot of targets if Doubs can’t suit up.
Edge rusher Rashan Gary had limited practices all week but will be able to play after recovering from his 2022 ACL tear. Left tackle David Bakhtiari is having his reps managed again this season — he didn’t practice at all this week but is still expected to play on Sunday.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos
- Raiders: Chandler Jones, OUT (personal); CB Brandon Facyson, OUT (shin); WR DeAndre Carter, QUESTIONABLE (knee)
- Broncos: WR Jerry Jeudy, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring); CB Riley Moss, QUESTIONABLE (abdomen)
Jones won’t play against the Broncos on Sunday, and his time with the Raiders could be coming to an end. The 2022 free agent addition has lambasted the club’s decision-makers on social media all week and said the Raiders sent Las Vegas’ crisis response team to his house this week.
Jeudy was originally supposed to miss regular-season games after suffering a hamstring injury near the end of August. But his recovery has been ahead of schedule, and he could play Sunday after getting in limited practices all week.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots
- Eagles: No injury concerns of note
- Patriots: CB Jack Jones, OUT (hamstring); RB Rhamondre Stevenson, QUESTIONABLE (illness); WR DeVante Parker, QUESTIONABLE (knee); G Mike Onwenu, QUESTIONABLE ankle), G Cole Strange, QUESTIONABLE (knee)
Jones won’t play against the Patriots, but the team has the cornerback depth — including first-round rookie Christian Gonzalez — to overcome his absence.
Stevenson is dealing with a stomach bug and is expected to play, but Parker’s status is still up in the air. The same goes for New England’s guard tandem. If the Pats have to insert two backup guards against the Eagles’ stout defensive front, Mac Jones could be in trouble.
Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Dolphins: OT Terron Armstead, OUT (back/ankle/knee); DB Elijah Campbell, OUT (knee)
- Chargers: EDGE Chris Rumph, DOUBTFUL (hamstring); LB Daiyan Henley, DOUBTFUL (hamstring)
Armstead won’t be able to suit up against the Chargers, but it sounds as though he was relatively close to playing. While he hasn’t practiced in several weeks, Armstead has played without practicing in the past.
For now, Miami will roll with Kendall Lamm at left tackle, which could be a problem as the team deals with Los Angeles pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Rams: QB Stetson Bennett, OUT (shoulder); WR Cooper Kupp, OUT (hamstring); TE Hunter Long, OUT (thigh)
- Seahawks: RB Kenny McIntosh, OUT (knee); S Jamal Adams, OUT (knee); G Damien Lewis, QUESTIONABLE (shoulder); CB Devon Witherspoon, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
Rams head coach Sean McVay said Friday that Los Angeles could place all three of Bennett, Kupp, and Long on injured reserve on Saturday. They would each have to miss at least four games if sent to IR.
With Adams out, free agent addition Julian Love should start at safety for the Seahawks. Lewis is expected to start despite his shoulder issue, while Witherspoon “has a chance” to play but looks like a game-time decision.
Seattle RB Kenneth Walker III is off the injury report after logging a limited practice on Thursday. Rookie wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba does not carry an injury designation despite undergoing wrist surgery just over two weeks ago.
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants (SNF)
- Cowboys: OL Tyler Smith, DOUBTFUL (hamstring); S Donovan Wilson, DOUBTFUL (calf); T Tyron Smith, QUESTIONABLE (ankle); EDGE Sam Williams, QUESTIONABLE (foot)
- Giants: WR Wan’Dale Robinson, DOUBTFUL (knee); CB Cor’Dale Flott, DOUBTFUL (hamstring); S Gervarrius Owens, DOUTBFUL (hamstring); TE Darren Waller, QUESTIONABLE (knee)
The Cowboys could be facing an offensive line issue in Week 1. Left guard Tyler Smith underwent an MRI on his hamstring earlier this week and is doubtful to play against the Giants, although team owner Jerry Jones suggested Smith’s pain tolerance could decide his availability.
If Tyron Smith can’t play either, Dallas might be starting two backups on the left side of their line, which isn’t ideal against Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, and the rest of New York’s front.
Robinson is still recovering from his 2022 ACL tear, but Waller’s injury is arguably more concerning. The veteran tight end dominated targets from Daniel Jones turning training camp and the preseason, but he’s missed 15 games with injuries over the past two years.
Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets (MNF)
- Bills: S Micah Hyde (back)
- Jets: RB Breece Hall (knee); OT Duane Brown (shoulder); OT Mekhi Becton (knee/illness)
The Bills and Jets haven’t had to release game statuses for Week 1 since they don’t play until Monday.
MORE: Best Games To Watch in Week 1
Hyde got in a full practice for Buffalo on Friday and is expected to play on MNF.
Hall and Brown logged limited practices for the Jets and are likely to suit up against the Bills after both spent time on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list during the summer. Becton has an illness and was sent home from practice on Friday.