We’re officially through three weeks of the NFL season and the injuries continue to pile up. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert left Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Steelers with a high ankle sprain, Packers signal-caller Jordan Love missed more time with a knee injury and San Francisco 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey remains on injured reserve with Achilles tendinitis.
Here’s a list of the most significant players dealing with injuries and their latest statuses ahead of Week 4.
Quarterbacks
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Status: Questionable vs. Vikings
Love sprained his MCL in the final seconds of Green Bay’s Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Backup QB Malik Willis has replaced him over the past two weeks and has led Green Bay to two victories against the Colts and Titans, respectively.
Love missed Week 3 and was limited in practice this week.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Status: Questionable vs. Chiefs
Herbert injured his right leg in the third quarter of Week 2’s 26-3 win against the Carolina Panthers trying to escape the pocket. He walked off the field but returned to the game. He did not play the full game in a Week 3 loss to the Steelers. Herbert is questionable vs. Kansas City.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
Tagovailoa sustained at least the third concussion of his career in Week 2’s 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. On Sept. 17, Miami placed him on the injured reserve list, and he will be out until at least Week 8 vs. the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 27.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Status: Out vs. Colts
Wilson has yet to play this season because of a calf injury. Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Wilson (calf) will begin Week 4 prep as a limited practice participant Wednesday, and the Steelers are preparing for Justin Fields to make a fourth consecutive start at quarterback Sunday versus the Colts, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Running backs
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
McCaffrey, arguably the biggest offensive threat in the NFL, was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles injury and is expected to miss at least six weeks. Backup running back Jordan Mason has stepped up in his absence, averaging 4.8 yards a carry with 324 yards and two scores in three weeks.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
Many thought this was Pacheco’s season to breakout, but sadly he’s likely to miss at least six weeks with a fractured fibula. With backup Clyde Edwards-Helaire also injured, the Chiefs signed Kareem Hunt to their practice squad. Carson Steele will be the primary back for Week 4 vs. Los Angeles.
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Status: Questionable vs. Jaguars
Mixon suffered an ankle injury midway through the Texans’ 19-13 win against the Chicago Bears in Week 2, but it appears he avoided any long-term injury. He missed Week 3 and was not spotted at practice on Wednesday.
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Status: Questionable vs. Lions
Walker is dealing with an oblique injury, and he missed Week 2 and Week 3. Zach Charbonnet has stepped in as a starter and has been productive. Last Sunday against Miami, he rushed 18 times for 91 yards (5.1 average) and two scores.
Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
Status: Out vs. Cardinals
Ekeler looked to be on the way to a big performance against Cincinnati on Monday — 35 yards rushing and a score — but suffered a concussion in the first half. He was ruled out by Washington on Wednesday.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Status: Questionable vs. Indianapolis
Harris had a right arm injury in Week 3 but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says it’s not a concern against the Colts. “Naj will be ready to rock and roll,” Tomlin told reporters this week.
Wide receivers
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Status: Questionable vs. Buccaneers
Brown has missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a hamstring injury he sustained at practice. He’s expected to miss a couple of weeks in recovery and is questionable against the Buccaneers.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Doubtful vs. Patriots
Samuel strained his calf late in San Francisco’s Week 2 loss to the Vikings. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters he will “probably miss a couple of weeks.” It’s a big blow to an offense that is already without McCaffrey.
Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
Status: Questionable vs. Rams
Allen was inactive in both Week 2 and Week 3 with a heel injury. Bears coach Matt Eberflus told members of the media Allen would return to practice as a partial participant.
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Status: Out vs. Bears
The veteran wideout, who started the season with 18 receptions and 147 yards, is out with an ankle injury. He will not be good to go against Chicago on Sunday. It’s horrible news for Los Angeles, who already lost star receiver Puka Nacua. Speaking of that …
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
Nacua could be out until Week 9 with a posterior cruciate ligament strain he re-aggravated in Week 1. A breakout star in his first year — he broke a 63-year record for the most receiving yards for a rookie in NFL history last season — Nacua joins his teammate Cupp on the sidelines, greatly depleting Los Angeles’ offensive potential.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
Status: Questionable vs. Packers
Addison is dealing with an ankle injury that has sidelined him all but one game this season. A perfect complement to superstar wideout Justin Jefferson, Addison is day-to-day ahead of a big matchup with Green Bay.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
The Panthers’ veteran wideout was placed on Injured Reserve after injuring his hamstring in Week 3 against the Saints. It’s a big blow to a Carolina offense coming off a shocking win against Las Vegas.
Tight ends
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Questionable vs. Patriots
Another big blow for a San Francisco offense already dealing with injuries to star running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Kittle was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, according to coach Kyle Shanahan.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Status: Questionable vs. Raiders
Njoku missed Week 2 and Week 3 with an ankle injury, and he did not practice on Wednesday.
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Status: Questionable vs. Texans
Engram suffered a hamstring injury during pregame warmups ahead of Week 3. Jaguars coach Doug Peterson said Tuesday it is a game-time decision for his tight end against Houston.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Status: Questionable vs. Seahawks
LaPorta suffered a low-ankle sprain in Sunday’s 20-13 win over the Cardinals. One of the top tight ends in the NFL, LaPorta is considered day-to-day ahead of the Monday Night matchup.
