It’s official, Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season is upon us. Starting Thursday, we’ll finally get to see many of our favorite NFL stars in action for the first time, but not all of them. Some are nursing injuries, and there’s a possibility they could miss the season opener.
We’ll update you on the initial injury reports around the league in this space as they become available, as well as discuss the final injury report for the Thursday night matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears.
Packers at Bears (-3)
The story of the week for the Bears is Burton, who’s dealing with a groin injury and has been limited all week. He is questionable for Thursday night’s opener against the Packers. After missing practice on Monday, Bears backup right tackle Coward returned in a limited capacity on Tuesday and Wednesday as he continues to nurse an elbow injury. Nichols was also limited on Tuesday and Wednesday with a knee injury.
Only two players did not practice on Wednesday for the Packers. Burks (chest) and Shepherd (hamstring) have already been ruled out for the matchup. Cornerback Tramon Williams made an appearance on the Tuesday injury report after being healthy on Monday, and was listed as a limited participant with a knee injury on Wednesday. Hollman is still nursing a neck injury and has been a limited participant in practice all week. He’s considered questionable for Thursday night.
Wednesday practice report notes
The lone Falcon on the injury report was offensive tackle Matt Gono, who was limited on Wednesday with a back injury.
For the Vikings, cornerback Mike Hughes continues to work back from the torn ACL he suffered last season; he was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Stefon Diggs sat out practice with a hamstring injury. The severity of his injury is unknown, but it’s possible that he could just be resting up before the season opener.
Quarterback Colt McCoy (fibula) and cornerback Fabian Moreau (ankle) both did not practice on Wednesday, and their status for the season opener is not looking good as of now. McCoy was slated to start for the Redskins, but had trouble coming back following offseason surgery on his broken fibula, and failed to dress for a single preseason game. Moreau’s status is much more worrisome for the Redskins. While he’s not necessarily a starter, he handled much of the slot duties for the Redskins in 2018. Washington is hoping he can dress to help stop Carson Wentz’s passing attack. Tight end Jordan Reed is still in concussion protocol following a big hit he took against the Falcons in Week 3 of the preseason. The oft-injured offensive weapon’s status could be considered questionable as of now. Defensive lineman Caleb Brantley (foot) and linebacker Cassanova McKinzy (concussion) were both limited as well on Wednesday.
Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill did not practice on Wednesday as he is dealing with a knee injury, and offensive tackle Jordan Mailata missed practice with a back issue. Backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld is still out as he continues to recover from a broken wrist he suffered in the preseason opener against the Titans. Derek Barnett was limited with a shoulder injury, and offensive guard Brandon Brooks and safety Rudy Ford were limited with Achilles injuries.
Tight end Tyler Kroft was limited on Wednesday with a foot injury and wide receiver Andre Roberts sat out with a quad issue. The All-Pro kick returner was let go by the Jets this offseason.
Every player on the Jets roster took the field for practice on Wednesday, but several were limited. Wide receiver Robby Anderson (calf), wide receiver Braxton Berrios (hamstring), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (hamstring), and offensive guard Brian Winters (shoulder) were those players unable to participate in full.
The only Raven listed on the injury report was cornerback Brandon Carr, who is dealing with a hip injury. He’s slated to back up Jimmy Smith on the right side.
Backup linebacker Trent Harris was the lone Dolphin who did not practice on Wednesday. He is dealing with a foot injury. Cornerback Johnson Bademosi (hip), offensive lineman Danny Isidora (hamstring), defensive tackle John Jenkins (illness), safety Bobby McCain (shoulder), linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (foot) and wide receiver Albert Wilson (hip) were all limited participants on Wednesday. If Wilson can’t go, expect former Cowboys wideout Allen Hurns to get his reps.
The Chiefs had four players on the initial injury report, including safety Tyrann Mathieu (shoulder), but all practiced in full and seem unlikely to miss this game.
Jaguars offensive lineman Cedric Ogbuehi and tight end Josh Oliver did not practice on Wednesday due to hamstring issues. Defensive end Lerentee McCray (ankle), linebacker D.J. Alexander (hamstring) and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (elbow) were limited on Wednesday. While everyone is hoping Dareus will be 100% for Sunday, Jaguars fans can take comfort in the fact that starters Nick Foles (oblique), Marqise Lee (knee) and Quincy Williams (knee) were full participants at practice.
Titans at Browns (-5.5)
Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin and outside linebacker Reggie Gilbert did not practice on Wednesday due to knee injuries. This is a big deal because the Titans are already without left tackle Taylor Lewan due to a suspension, so they would not want to take on Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon with two backups at offensive tackle. It’s too early to say if Conklin will miss the season opener, but the Titans need him dressed and at 100% if they want to protect quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki (hamstring) was the only limited participant at practice.
After sitting most of their starters all preseason, the Rams are healthy and ready to travel to Carolina.
Good news for the Panthers heading into Week 1, as quarterback Cam Newton did not make an appearance on Wednesday’s injury report. After suffering a foot injury against the Patriots in Week 3 of the preseason, Newton sported a walking boot as he left Gillette Stadium. He was back on his feet throwing the next week, so it appears like he’s ready to roll against the Rams on Sunday. Rookie offensive tackle Greg Little is still in concussion protocol after being injured in the same game Newton was, and linebacker Bruce Irvin is still nursing a hamstring injury. If Irvin can’t go on Sunday, it’s possible that we could see rookie Brian Burns start in his place.
The Bengals had three players sit out of practice on Wednesday, those being wide receiver A.J. Green (ankle), offensive tackle Cordy Glenn (concussion) and running back Trayveon Williams. Wide receiver Auden Tate was limited with a knee injury.
The Seahawks have a bounty of injuries they are working through. Offensive tackle Duane Brown (knee), center Joey Hunt (ankle), offensive guard Mike Iupati (foot) and wideout David Moore (shoulder) all sat out of practice on Wednesday. First-round pick L.J. Collier and offensive tackle George Fant were limited with ankle injuries, while linebacker Shaquem Griffin and wide receiver D.K. Metcalf were limited with knee injuries. Pass rushers Ezekiel Ansah and Jadeveon Clowney were limited as well. Gregg Bell of The News Tribune notes that defensive line coach Clint Hurtt said Clowney was, “running like a gazelle” in practice this week, and that he and Ansah (shoulder) are close to 100%. Both will play on Sunday, but how much is unknown.
Colts defensive end Jabaal Sheard did not practice as he continues to rehab from the knee procedure he underwent recently. Running back Jonathan Williams joined him in a day of rest with a rib injury. Wide receiver Devin Funchess (back), cornerback Kenny Moore II (thumb) and running back Jordan Wilkins (ankle) were limited on Wednesday. If Wilkins and Williams cannot go on Sunday, the Colts will carry just two healthy running backs when they travel out west.
Chargers linebacker Jatavis Brown (ankle) and cornerback Trevor Williams (quad) did not practice on Wednesday. Linebacker Denzel Perryman was limited with an ankle injury.
49ers at Buccaneers (PK)
49ers rookie wide receiver Jalen Hurd did not practice on Wednesday due to a back injury, and he’s not expected to play on Sunday. No. 2 overall pick Nick Bosa (ankle), wide receiver Dante Pettis (groin), center Weston Richburg (knee), cornerback Jason Verrett (ankle) and cornerback K’Waun Williams (knee) were all limited.
The Buccaneers may be down a couple of guys in the secondary, as safety Justin Evans did not practice due to an Achilles injury, and Mike Edwards was limited due to a hamstring injury. Backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert missed practice with a shoulder injury, and tight end Cameron Brate (calf), linebacker Lavonte David (knee) and defensive lineman Vita Vea (knee) were all limited.
Everyone was on the field for the Lions on Wednesday, but they had five who were limited participants. Linebacker Jarrad Davis (ankle), defensive end Trey Flowers (shoulder), defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (elbow), cornerback Rashaan Melvin (knee) and Frank Ragnow (ankle) were those players. With three of those being starters, their statuses are something to monitor.
Cardinals offensive lineman Lamont Gaillard did not participate in practice on Wednesday with a knee injury, while inside linebackers Haason Reddick (knee) and Ezekiel Turner (hand) were limited. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Reddick will take the field on Sunday, but how much he will play is still in question.
Giants offensive tackle Mike Remmers is battling an illness as well as a back issue, which he had surgery on this offseason. He did not practice on Wednesday. Tight end Garrett Dickerson also missed practice with a quad injury and wide receiver Darius Slayton sat out with a hamstring injury. It’s unclear if either will be able to play on Sunday.
Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper appears to be making progress with his foot injury, and was a full participant on Wednesday. Linebacker Luke Gifford, safety Darian Thompson and safety Donovan Wilson all missed practice on Wednesday. All three are dealing with ankle issues. Offensive guard Zack Martin is a player to keep an eye on. He’s been dealing with a back injury and was limited on Wednesday.
Steelers at Patriots (-5.5)
Steelers safety Sean Davis again did not practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. If he can’t go, Pittsburgh may be forced to start former AAF star Kameron Kelly.
Patriots tight end Matt LaCosse and defensive back Obi Melifonwu were limited on Wednesday with ankle injuries and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was limited with a hamstring injury. Thomas made seven catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason finale against the Giants, but apparently suffered an injury in the last few days.
