The NFL preseason has once again underscored the rugged and perilous nature of professional football. All 32 teams have been affected by significant injuries to key players, casting a shadow over their upcoming campaigns. The impact is far-reaching, as each injured player’s absence necessitates adjustments and adaptations by coaching staff and teammates alike.
Season-Ending Injuries Take a Toll
Among the most devastating setbacks is the season-ending knee injury suffered by Moore, who arrived in Atlanta through an offseason trade. The severity of his injury was evident as he exited the practice field with an air cast on his right leg, requiring immediate transport to a local medical facility. Moore is projected to be unavailable until 2025, a significant blow for the Falcons.
Trice, Atlanta's No. 74 overall pick, similarly encountered a harsh start to his NFL career by tearing his ACL in his first preseason game. Trice's anticipated return is also marked for 2025, diminishing the Falcons' early momentum.
Elsewhere, Evans and Williams faced similar fates with torn patellar tendon and ACL injuries, respectively. Both are expected to sit out the entire regular season and set to return in 2025. The injury bug didn’t spare McCarthy, who suffered a torn meniscus, ruling him out until 2025 as well.
Compounding the list, Phillips, recently activated off PUP status after a torn Achilles, aims to be fit by Week 1, providing a glimmer of hope for his team’s lineup.
Partial Season Absences
Not all players sidelined during preseason will miss the entire year. For instance, Milano is sidelined with a torn biceps muscle, targeting an optimistic return by December. Meanwhile, Herbig’s torn rotator cuff also schedules him for a December comeback, providing a potential late-season boost for their respective teams.
Chubb, enduring ongoing recovery from last season's knee injury and multiple surgeries, remains on the PUP list since Week 17. His return isn't expected before Week 5. An optimistic outlook sets Week 8 as a potential return date if recovery progresses as planned.
Shorter-Term Setbacks and Week-by-Week Evaluations
Several players face shorter-term absences. Curtis Samuel, dealing with turf toe, is "week to week" with expectations to return by Week 2. Similarly, the Bengals' first-round pick strained a pectoral muscle but should be good to go by Week 2.
Other players like MVS, who sustained a neck sprain, and Dane Jackson, grappling with a significant hamstring injury, are projected to return by Week 3 and Week 4, respectively.
Coachable Moments Amid Injury Woes
The continuity and flow of a team's preseason evaluations and preparations have been disrupted by these injuries. Despite the setbacks, optimism permeates some quarters. Dave Canales, discussing Brooks’ torn ACL, expressed optimism: "Week 3 or Week 4 would be 'great' for Brooks' return."
Tennessee’s No. 1 wideout and the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year both aspire to return by Week 1 following knee injuries incurred in early August. Equally, Warren, who suffered a hamstring injury in a preseason game, is expected back by Week 1, providing each team with crucial early-season reinforcements.
The preseason injuries have forced franchises to recalibrate their strategies quickly, relying heavily on depth charts and making informed decisions to navigate the unpredictable ebb and flow of the NFL season. As medical teams work tirelessly to rehabilitate these athletes, the NFL community braces for an impactful and hard-fought season ahead.