Another week of NFL action means another week of injuries. Plenty of players got banged up in Week 7, 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.
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Week 7 NFL Injuries Recap
Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts confirmed he played the second half of Sunday night’s win with a brace on his left leg but indicated after the game that he’ll “be fine” moving forward. Asked if his knee issue will affect him as the season progresses, Hurts responded, “I hope not.”
The Eagles’ QB was late coming out of the tunnel after halftime, while backup signal-caller Marcus Mariota was spotted warming up on the sideline. But head coach Nick Sirianni said he didn’t tell Mariota to get ready and said there was never a doubt about Hurts’ ability to finish the game.
While it seems like Hurts won’t have any problem suiting up against the Washington Commanders in Week 8, it will be worth monitoring his knee issue during practice and into next week’s game.
Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns
Starting for the first time since injuring his right shoulder in Week 3, Deshaun Watson lasted only nine plays before going down again. Watson took a big hit from Indianapolis Colts defender Dayo Odeyingbo during the first quarter of Sunday’s win and never returned.
Backup quarterback P.J. Walker, who took down the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6, pulled out the win.
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski later suggested that he “wanted to protect (Cleveland’s franchise quarterback” and didn’t want to put Watson in harm’s way, especially given that he was still recovering from his shoulder issue.
It’s unclear if Watson will start against the Seattle Seahawks next week. Stefanksi said the Browns are still awaiting MRI results and labeled Watson day to day.
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
Saquon Barkley hyperextended his left elbow on Sunday but told reporters after the Giants’ loss that he’ll be “all right.” Barkley has already missed three games this season, returning in Week 6 after an ankle sprain kept him on the sidelines.
Matt Breida will profile as New York’s lead back if Barkley misses any time. The Giants are expected to retain Barkley — a pending 2024 free agent — through next week’s NFL trade deadline.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Ekeler came up limping after a second-quarter rushing attempt, which was especially concerning given that the veteran RB only recently returned from a three-game absence after suffering an ankle sprain.
Ekeler returned to the field for the Chargers’ next offensive drive and battled through the rest of the contest. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Ekeler limited on this week’s practice report after he managed full practices all last week.
Joshua Kelley, who took most of Los Angeles’ backfield touches when Ekeler was sidelined earlier this year, scored a touchdown on Sunday.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson was dealing with an illness during Week 8 and ultimately played just 11 offensive snaps and received one touch. He’s expected to be ready for next week’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
The NFL league office is questioning why Robinson was not added to Atlanta’s injury report, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The rookie running back said he had a headache on Saturday and woke up Sunday feeling “out of it,” while a source told Schefter the Falcons never had any doubt Robinson would face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns
While Jerome Ford scored a 69-yard touchdown in the first quarter of the Browns’ win over the Colts, he later departed with an ankle injury and was spotted in a protective boot after the game.
Ford has a “low grade, high ankle” sprain and is expected to miss one-to-two weeks, per Schefter. Cleveland will face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8 and the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9.
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Kareem Hunt, who was questionable heading into Week 7 but ended up playing, will become Cleveland’s top running back while Ford is sidelined. Pierre Strong Jr. received eight carries on Sunday and will also mix in with Ford unavailable. The Browns don’t have an RB on their practice squad.
D’Onta Foreman, RB, Chicago Bears
With Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson sidelined, D’Onta Foreman made the most of his RB1 opportunity with the Bears in Week 7. Foreman, a healthy scratch earlier this year, scored three times against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday before suffering an apparent injury during the fourth quarter.
It remains unclear what happened to Foreman, but he did visit the medical tent. He never re-entered the game (but it was late), and head coach Matt Eberflus wasn’t asked about Foreman’s injury in his post-game press conference. He doesn’t appear to have a serious injury.
Rookie RB Roschon Johnson missed Chicago’s last two games with a concussion, but he’s expected to practice on Wednesday.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson left the field while grabbing at his right knee during the fourth quarter of the Packers’ Week 7 loss to the Denver Broncos. The game ended one play later when Jordan Love threw an interception, so Watson never had the opportunity to re-enter the contest.
Watson already missed the first three games of the season with a hamstring injury. But he sounded optimistic about his current injury on Monday.
“Everything looked good on the scans and whatnot,” Watson said, according to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. “Obviously, I’m just trying to get the initial pain and stuff out of there, and I think I’ll be good to go.”
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Waddle’s back pain got so bad on Sunday night that he eventually had to depart for the Dolphins’ locker room with heating pads on his back. Still, the third-year WR returned to Miami’s battle against the Philadelphia Eagles and said he was “good” after the loss.
On Monday, Dolphins head coach said Waddle is expected to practice on Wednesday.
Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills
Dawson Knox will be facing an uncertain timetable for return after undergoing wrist surgery, as Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced today. The veteran tight end finished Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots, hauling in one of three targets.
First-round rookie TE Dalton Kincaid will be asked to take on a larger role in Knox’s absence. Buffalo’s third tight end, Quintin Morris, missed Week 7 with an ankle injury and didn’t participate in Monday’s walkthrough.
Luke Musgrave, TE, Green Bay Packers
Watson wasn’t the only Packers offensive weapon to go down in Week 7. Tight end Luke Musgrave suffered an ankle injury on Sunday and left the locker room with a walking boot on his left foot.
Fellow TEs Tucker Kraft and Josiah Deguara will see more snaps if Musgrave can’t suit up against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8.
Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE, Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu will require season-ending surgery after suffering a pectoral injury on Sunday, per ESPN. Head coach Pete Carroll indicated today that Nwosu would likely be out for the year.
Nwosu — who joined Seattle in 2022 and then inked a three-year, $45 million extension this offseason — represents a massive loss for the Seahawks, whose much-improved defense ranks ninth in efficiency. The 26-year-old finished 13th among edge defenders in pressures last year, per PFF, and was tied for the team lead this season.
Former second-round pick Boye Maye is breaking out in his second NFL campaign, but Seattle will now require greater contributions from Darrell Taylor and rookie Derrick Hall with Nwosu sidelined.
