The first week of the NFL preseason has wrapped up, offering fans and teams a mixture of excitement and concern. This critical period serves as a proving ground for many up-and-coming players but also comes with its share of risks, as evidenced by a series of injuries that will undoubtedly impact several rosters.
Falcons’ Bralen Trice Suffers Major Setback
In one of the most unfortunate incidents of the opening week, the Atlanta Falcons saw their outside linebacker Bralen Trice tear his ACL. Injuries like these are a harsh reminder of the human toll that comes with playing football, particularly during a time designed for evaluation rather than high-stakes competition.
Chiefs’ Hollywood Brown Faces Sternoclavicular Joint Dislocation
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown encountered a severe issue as he dislocated his sternoclavicular joint. Head Coach Andy Reid commented on the gravity of the situation, noting, "He suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation." The injury's extent will possibly keep Brown sidelined for a substantial period, impacting the team’s depth at the receiver position.
Giants Depleted at Quarterback
The New York Giants find themselves in a concerning situation after their quarterback Drew Lock suffered a hip pointer coupled with a strained oblique, injuries that are expected to keep him out for an extended period. This leaves the Giants with only two healthy quarterbacks: starter Daniel Jones and rookie Tommy DeVito. Lock's absence could pose a significant challenge for the Giants as they continue their preparations.
Ravens’ Nate Wiggins Injury Status
Meanwhile, in Baltimore, the Ravens' cornerback Nate Wiggins exited their preseason game against the Eagles with a minor shoulder sprain. While the injury is not as severe as some of the others witnessed this week, Wiggins’ status is considered day-to-day, which offers some hope for his quick return to the field.
Steelers' Troy Fautanu and Packers' MarShawn Lloyd Sidelined
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, offensive tackle Troy Fautanu has been diagnosed with a minor MCL sprain after leaving their preseason opener. Though not major, it’s a blow to the offensive line's depth, as Fautanu will require time to recover.
The Packers also faced their share of injury woes. Rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd suffered a hamstring injury during their game against the Browns. Lloyd, a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was expected to play a role in the Packers’ offensive schemes this season. The extent of his injury remains to be fully assessed, but hamstring issues often require a cautious approach to recovery.
Injury Waves Hit the Browns and 49ers
The Cleveland Browns can't escape this week's injury report unscathed either. Wide receiver David Bell sustained a quadriceps injury during their preseason clash with the Packers, adding to the Browns' recovery list.
On the West Coast, the San Francisco 49ers are dealing with a more serious injury. Cornerback Ambry Thomas broke his forearm in their game against the Titans. The injury required him to be carted off to the locker room post-evaluation in the medical tent. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged the severity, stating, “It will be some time.”
Giants' Malik Nabers Suffers Minor Ankle Sprain
The Giants' troubles didn't end with Drew Lock's injury. Wide receiver Malik Nabers suffered a minor ankle sprain during a Sunday practice session. While not as grave as some other injuries, it’s another hit to the Giants’ roster depth as they navigate these early stages of preseason.
As teams sift through the aftermath of these injurious first steps into the NFL preseason, the balance between evaluation and the inherent risk becomes strikingly evident. With several players sidelined, the coming weeks will test the depth and resilience of many rosters, setting the stage for an unpredictable start to the regular season.