The 2021 NFL season kicked off in a big way on Thursday night as the defending Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers outlasted the Dallas Cowboys in a drama-filled contest.

However, the rest of the league still has a few days until the start of their regular season and a number of teams are still hopeful that some injured key players can be ready for Week 1.

For a look at all the non-roster injuries, check out our Injured Reserve (IR) tracker. Here is a look at which players missed practice with injuries and how it could impact Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season:

Los Angeles Chargers at Washington Football Team, 1:00 PM

Chargers

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Bryan Bulaga T Groin FP FP FP (-)
Austin Ekeler
RB Hamstring DNP DNP LP Questionable
Trey Marshall DB Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out
Gabe Nabers FB Knee FP FP FP (-)

Austin Ekeler is the only starter whose status for Sunday is in question, however Brandon Staley seemed confident his running back will be available. Ekeler did miss six games in 2020, but the Chargers offense flourished in his absence, averaging 29.5 points per game without him in the lineup.

Washington

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Curtis Samuel
WR Groin DNP DNP DNP Out

Curtis Samuel has been injured for over a month, spending time on the PUP list and the reserve/COVID-19 list. However, he will now miss three games after being added to the IR on Friday. Rookie third-round pick Dyami Brown will be the next man up for Washington. The North Carolina product averaged over 20 yards per carry in his final two seasons of college.

Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 PM

Eagles

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Brandon Brooks
G Knee LP LP LP (-)
Landon Dickerson
OL Knee LP LP LP Out
Rodney McLeod
S Knee LP LP LP Out
Davion Taylor
LB Calf LP LP FP Questionable

– The loss of Rodney McLeod will loom large for the Eagles secondary tasked with covering Calvin Ridley on the outside and Kyle Pitts over the middle. McLeod allowed just one completion over 15 yards in 2020 and his passer rating allowed was a paltry 47.3 before going down with a torn ACL. In McLeod’s absence, expect K’Von Wallace to step up in a starting role and Anthony Harris to be featured as a deep safety more often in Jonathan Gannon’s scheme.

– The good news in Philadelphia is the return of Brandon Brooks, the All-Pro guard who hasn’t played in two years. Brooks was Pro Football Focus’s top-graded guard in 2019.

Falcons

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Grady Jarrett
DT Personal Reasons FP DNP FP (-)
Brandon Copeland
LB Hamstring LP LP FP (-)

New York Jets at Carolina Panthers, 1:00 PM

Jets

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Sharrod Neasman
S Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
La’Mical Perine
RB Foot LP LP FP Questionable
Mekhi Becton
T Concussion FP FP FP (-)
Keelan Cole
WR Knee (-) LP DNP Questionable

Panthers

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Shi Smith
WR Shoulder DNP DNP DNP Out

– Carolina will be without starting right guard John Miller, who was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list this week. Veteran Dennis Daley will get the start in his place on Sunday. Daley made two starts at right guard last year after occupying left tackle for the Panthers in 2019. In his time at right guard, Daley has allowed just three hurries and zero quarterback hits in 35 pass-blocking snaps.

Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 PM

Seahawks

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Dee Eskridge
WR Toe LP FP FP (-)
Rashaad Penny
RB Calf LP LP FP (-)
Ethan Pocic
C/G Hamstring LP LP FP (-)
Ryan Neal
SS Oblique LP FP (-) (-)
Chris Carson
RB Neck FP FP FP (-)
Sidney Jones IV
CB Groin LP LP FP (-)

Colts

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Quenton Nelson
C/G Foot/Back DNP LP FP Questionable
Xavier Rhodes
CB Calf DNP DNP DNP Out
Parris Campbell
WR Achilles LP FP FP (-)
Eric Fisher
OT Achilles LP LP LP Out
Danny Pinter
G Foot LP LP FP Questionable
Kemoko Turay
DE Groin LP DNP DNP Out
Carson Wentz
QB Foot FP FP FP (-)

– Despite the “questionable” designation, Quenton Nelson is expected to play on Sunday. It’s been a wild training camp for the All Pro guard, who underwent surgery on his foot and spent time on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Carson Wentz will make his Colts’ debut without Eric Fisher, however, as the left tackle is ruled out and Julien Davenport will start instead. The former Dolphin and Texan has started 23 games at left tackle in his career, allowing 19 sacks in 1213 pass-blocking snaps.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans, 1:00 PM

Jaguars

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Tre Herndon
CB Knee DNP DNP DNP Out
Tyson Campbell
CB Calf LP LP LP Questionable
Jordan Smith
DE Knee (-) (-) LP Questionable

Texans

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Lonnie Johnson Jr.
DB Thigh DNP DNP DNP Out
Deshaun Watson
QB Not Injury Related DNP DNP DNP Out
Maliek Collins
DL Knee LP LP FP (-)
Whitney Mercilus
DL Thigh LP LP FP (-)
Kevin Pierre-Louis
LB Thigh LP DNP DNP Questionable
Jonathan Greenard
DL Illness (-) (-) DNP Questionable

– Get used to seeing Deshaun Watson listed as “out.” Despite being healthy, the quarterback’s off-the-field issues have left him in a bit of roster limbo at the moment. Currently occupying a  53-man roster spot, Watson will be listed on the weekly injury report until something develops with his lawsuits.

– The Texans will be without starting right tackle Charlie Heck, who was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list this week. The 2020 fourth-round pick played 103 snaps on offense a year ago, but will be replaced by 11-year veteran Marcus Cannon, who was recently promoted from the PUP list. Cannon sat out last year, but was Patriots starting right tackle for the five previous seasons.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills, 1:00 PM

Steelers

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Tyson Alualu
DE Elbow DNP FP FP (-)
Alex Highsmith
LB Groin LP DNP FP Questionable
Kendrick Green
C Thumb LP LP FP (-)

Chris Wormley could see an increase of snaps this week with Stephon Tuitt on the IR. Wormley played just 14-percent of the Steelers defensive snaps in 2020, his first year with Pittsburgh.

– The Steelers could also turn to Melvin Ingram III if Alex Highsmith’s groin keeps him out of action. The three-time Pro Bowler didn’t record a sack in 2020, but was credited with 28 quarterback pressures in seven games.

Bills

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Taron Johnson
CB Hand LP FP FP (-)
Star Lotulelei
DT Calf DNP DNP DNP Out
Emmanuel Sanders
WR Foot LP LP LP Questionable

Star Lotulelei will miss Sunday’s action after opting out of the 2020 season. Vernon Butler and Harrison Phillips are the next two guys up on the depth chart. Both started games in 2020, splitting reps pretty evenly next to Ed Oliver.

Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 PM

Vikings

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Tyler Conklin
TE Hamstring LP FP FP (-)
Anthony Barr
LB Knee LP DNP DNP Out
Christian Darrisaw
T Groin LP LP LP Out

– The Vikings will attempt to block Kirk Cousins blindside with Rashod Hill since rookie first-round pick Christian Darrisaw is out with a knee injury. Hill spent time as the Vikings left tackle in 2018, making four starts and allowing 16 quarterback pressures. After spending the last two seasons as a backup, it’ll be up to Hill to block Trey Hendrickson (13.5 sacks in 2020), who will be making his Bengals debut.

Bengals

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Trae Waynes
CB Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out

Trae Waynes signed a big contract with Cincinnati prior to the 2020 season, and has yet to take a regular season snap for the Bengals. He spent all of last season on the IR with a pectoral injury. It seems like Eli Apple will start for Cincinnati after playing just two games for Carolina in 2020 and getting released mid-season. With Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen as potential matchups, it could be a long day for Apple.

San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions, 1:00 PM

49ers

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Kevin Givens
DL Hip DNP LP LP Questionable
Jalen Hurd
WR Knee DNP DNP DNP Out
Javon Kinlaw
DT Knee DNP LP DNP Doubtful
Emmanuel Moseley
CB Knee DNP DNP DNP Doubtful
Trey Lance
QB Right Finger LP LP LP (-)
Nick Bosa
DL Knee FP FP FP (-)

– The loss of Jalen Hurd will be mitigated by Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Mohamed Sanu all being healthy. Add in George Kittle and Raheem Mostert being good to go, and this is the first time we will see San Francisco’s offense healthy in a very long time.

– First-year defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans could be short-handed in his first game with Javon Kinlaw and Emmanuel Moseley both listed as “doubtful.” Kentavius Street filled in for Kinlaw in two games last year and should be expected to do it again if necessary. Josh Norman recently signed with San Francisco and could be pressed into starting action despite arriving just this week.

Lions

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Taylor Decker
T Finger LP DNP DNP Out
Michael Brockers
DE Shoulder LP LP LP Questionable
Levi Onwuzurike
DE Hip LP LP LP Questionable
AJ Parker
CB Shoulder LP LP LP Questionable
Nick Williams
DE Elbow LP LP LP Questionable
T.J. Hockenson
TE Shoulder FP FP FP (-)
D’Andre Swift
RB Groin FP FP FP (-)

Jared Goff’s Lions debut could be tough with Taylor Decker out due to a finger injury. Decker was PFF’s eighth-highest graded tackle in pass-blocking for the 2020 season. It was announced on Saturday that Decker will go on the IR. Rookie first-round pick Penei Sewell was entrenched at right tackle during training camp, but did rotate reps at left tackle in practice this week. If the Lions don’t feel comfortable moving Sewell, Matt Nelson is the alternative. The 2019 undrafted free agent has just one start in his career at right tackle.

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Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 PM

Cardinals

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Darrell Daniels
TE Toe LP LP FP (-)
Dennis Gardeck
OLB Knee FP LP DNP Out
Antoine Wesley
WR Illness (-) (-) DNP Out

– Second-year defensive end Leki Fotu will make his first-career start opposite J.J. Watt on Sunday with Jordan Phillips on the IR. Fotu played unspectacularly in 26-percent of the Cardinals defensive snaps last season.

Titans

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
A.J. Brown
WR Knee DNP FP FP (-)
Chris Jackson
DB Hamstring LP LP LP Questionable
David Long, Jr. 
LB Hamstring LP LP DNP Out
Tommy Hudson
TE Toe (-) LP DNP Questionable
Josh Reynolds
WR Foot (-) LP LP Questionable
Sam Ficken
K Right Groin (-) (-) LP Questionable

– No team was affected by COVID-19 more than the Titans during training camp, but that seems to be behind them. After activated Ben Jones and Nate Davis this week, the Titans reserve/COVID-19 list is empty.

Sam Ficken’s groin has become an issue as the Titans have placed the kicker on the IR and signed veteran Michael Badgley. Randy Bullock was also added to Tennessee’s practice squad.

Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints, 4:25 PM

Packers

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Tyler Lancaster
DL Back LP LP LP Questionable
Vernon Scott
S Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
Za’Darius Smith
LB Back LP LP DNP Questionable
Preston Smith
LB Head (-) DNP FP (-)

Za’Darius Smith’s health taking a nose dive on Friday is certainly cause for concern. While it seems unlikely he will be inactive, he might not be as big of a factor as usual. Jonathan Garvin could see an uptick in snaps if Smith is limited at all on Sunday. The former seventh-round pick played just 85 defensive snaps in his rookie season.

– The biggest absence for the Packers is David Bakhtiari, who is currently toiling on the PUP list while recovering from a torn ACL. Elgton Jenkins will slide over from left guard to fill the spot in the meantime.

Saints

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Ken Crawley
CB Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
Marshon Lattimore
CB Knee (-) LP FP (-)
Tre’Quan Smith
WR Hamstring (-) DNP DNP Out
James Hurst
T Knee (-) (-) DNP Questionable

– With Michael Thomas already on the PUP list, the Saints moved Tre’Quan Smith the to the IR with a hamstring injury. Marquez Callaway had a huge preseason and could be in line for a lot of targets early in the season. Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Chris Hogan and Deonte Harris are the other Saints receivers who could see an increase in targets.

Denver Broncos at New York Giants, 4:25 PM

Broncos

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Bradley Chubb
OLB Ankle DNP LP LP Questionable
Noah Fant
TE Knee LP FP FP (-)
Von Miller
OLB Ankle FP FP FP (-)

Bradley Chubb’s knee will be worth monitoring through the weekend. While it would be surprising to see Chubb sit, the Pro Bowler might be active on a limited snap count. The Giants offensive line is a unit fit to be exploited, they allowed a sack on 8.8-percent of dropbacks last season, second highest rate in the NFL.

Giants

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Evan Engram
TE Calf DNP DNP DNP Out
Saquon Barkley
RB Knee LP LP LP Questionable
Justin Hilliard
LB Foot LP LP LP (-)
Adoree’ Jackson
DB Ankle LP LP LP Questionable
Josh Jackson
CB Calf LP LP LP (-)
Kyle Rudolph
TE Foot LP LP LP (-)
Danny Shelton
DT Neck LP LP LP (-)
Kaden Smith
TE Knee LP LP LP (-)
Andrew Thomas
OT Ankle LP LP LP (-)
Kadarius Toney
WR Hamstring LP LP LP (-)

– The loss of Evan Engram looms large for the Giants, who will now rely on Kyle Rudolph to handle the bulk of the work at tight end. The sure-handed veteran isn’t as explosive as Engram, but will provide a steady target over the middle for Daniel Jones. Rudolph hasn’t dropped a pass since 2018 while Engram was credited with 11 drops a season ago.

Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 PM

Browns

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Knee LP LP LP Questionable
Jadeveon Clowney
DE Illness DNP DNP LP Questionable
Grant Delpit
S Hamstring LP LP LP Questionable
Michael Dunn
G Back DNP DNP LP Out
Ronnie Harrison Jr.
S Ankle LP LP FP Questionable
Rashard Higgins
WR Hamstring LP LP FP (-)
Troy Hill
CB Hamstring LP LP FP (-)
Sione Takitaki
LB Hamstring FP FP FP (-)
JC Tretter
C Knee LP LP LP Questionable
Greedy Williams
CB Groin LP LP FP (-)
Tony Fields II
LB Illness (-) DNP DNP Out
Chase McLaughlin
K Right Hamstring (-) (-) FP Questionable

– Cleveland has been cautious with Odell Beckham Jr. throughout the summer, and despite being listed as “questionable,” the wide receiver should be available on Sunday. Beckham has gone for over 100 yards in Week 1 just once in his career and struggled in last year’s opener, catching three passes for 22 yards in a blowout loss to Baltimore.

– In better news, the Browns will have the services of Jadeveon Clowney and Greedy Williams. Williams missed all of last season with an ankle injury after turning in a solid rookie campaign in 2019. Clowney has struggled to produce since leaving Houston, going sackless in 2020 after a three-sack season in 2019. However, lining up across from Myles Garrett gives the Browns a high-ceiling pass-rushing duo.

– Perhaps a sign of things to come, Cleveland promoted kicker Chris Naggar from the practice squad on Saturday. With Chase McLaughlin dealing with a hamstring, Nagger could see his first NFL action on Sunday.

Chiefs

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Austin Blythe
OL Abdomen DNP LP DNP Out
Frank Clark
DE Hamstring LP LP LP Questionable
Mecole Hardman
WR Oblique LP FP FP (-)
Derrick Nnadi
DT Hip LP LP LP Questionable

– The Chiefs activated Tyrann Mathieu from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday. The return of Mathieu is huge considering the next man up would have been Armani Watts, a career special-teamer who has started just one game in three seasons.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots, 4:25 PM

Dolphins

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Liam Eichenberg
T Thigh LP LP FP (-)
Preston Williams
WR Foot LP LP LP Questionable

– The Dolphins activated left tackle Austin Jackson from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday. The 2020 first-round pick was abysmal in his rookie season, earning a 53.3 pass-blocking grade from PFF. Former Panther Greg Little would have been the starter if Jackson was unable to go.

Patriots

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Malcolm Perry
WR Foot (-) (-) DNP Out
Nelson Agholor
WR Ankle LP DNP LP Questionable
Jalen Mills
S Ankle LP DNP LP Questionable
Yodny Cajuste
T Hamstring LP LP LP Questionable
Ronnie Perkins
LB Shoulder (-) LP LP Questionable

– Life could be difficult for Mac Jones’s NFL debut with N’Keal Harry already on the IR and receivers Nelson Agholor and Malcolm Perry possibly both being absent in Week 1 as well. Perhaps Jakobi Meyers could take another step forward after catching 59 passes for 729 yards a year ago? But New England invested heavily in the tight end position this offseason and both Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith will be available on Sunday.

– Cornerback is also a concern for the Patriots if Jalen Mills can’t go. Stephon Gilmore is already on the PUP list and the Patriots don’t have much experience elsewhere on their depth chart. Perhaps five-year vet Jonathan Jones could step in for Mills, but Joejuan Williams is another name to watch if the former Eagle is inactive.

Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 PM

Bears

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
Eddie Goldman
DL Knee/ankle DNP DNP DNP Doubtful
Eddie Jackson
DB Wrist FP FP FP Questionable
Joel Iyiegbuniwe
LB Shoulder LP LP FP Questionable
Khalil Mack
LB Groin LP LP FP Questionable
Darnell Mooney
WR Back LP LP FP Questionable
Robert Quinn
LB Back LP LP FP Questionable
Tashaun Gipson Sr.
DB Back (-) LP LP Questionable

– Chicago’s defensive front is getting thin with Eddie Goldman doubtful for Sunday and Danny Trevathan stuck on the IR for the next three weeks. If Goldman is inactive on Sunday, rookie seventh-round pick Khyiris Tonga (6-4, 324 lbs.) could get his first NFL start.

– The Bears will count on Jason Peters to fill in at left tackle while Teven Jenkins is on the IR. The long-time Philadelphia Eagle, who made his NFL debut when Jenkins was in the first grade, has struggled with his own health in recent years, missing 13 games since 2019. Once the best tackle in football, Peters allowed eight sacks in 2020, the most he allowed since leaving Buffalo in 2008.

Rams

Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status
A’Shawn Robinson
DL Knee DNP LP FP (-)
Ben Skowronek
WR Forearm LP LP LP Doubtful

Justin Hollins will make his first start on Sunday with Ogbonnia Okoronkwo on the IR. Hollins has four career sacks and three passes defended in his two years in the NFL.

Baltimore Ravens at Las Vegas Raiders, (Mon). 8:15 PM

Ravens

Player Position Injury Thu Fri Sat Game Status
Nick Boyle
TE Knee DNP (-) (-)
Derek Wolfe
DE Back/Hip DNP DNP (-)
Gus Edwards
RB Knee LP (-) (-)
Daelin Hayes
LB Knee LP DNP (-)
Marcus Peters
CB Knee LP (-) (-)

Raiders

Player Position Injury Thu Fri Sat Game Status
Clelin Ferrell
DE Back FP FP (-)
Richie Incognito
G Calf DNP DNP (-)
Josh Jacobs
RB Toe LP LP (-)
Alex Leatherwood
T Shin FP FP (-)
Carl Nassib
DE Pectoral LP LP (-)
Roderic Teamer
S Shoulder/Ankle DNP DNP (-)

 

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