As NFL training camps push forward into the late summer, the league finds itself grappling with a troubling rise in injuries, casting shadows over the preparations for the 2023 season. Teams from coast to coast are dealing with the unnerving prospect of starting the regular season without some of their most crucial players.
Chargers Face Quarterback Dilemma
The Los Angeles Chargers are currently navigating the choppy waters of preseason without their star quarterback, Justin Herbert. Herbert sustained a plantar fascia injury to his right foot, forcing the team to sideline him and have him wear a walking boot for two weeks. Despite the setback, the Chargers remain optimistic about Herbert's readiness for the regular season, placing their trust in backup quarterback Easton Stick to hold the fort in the interim.
Quarterback Woes in Carolina
In Carolina, the Panthers are similarly troubled, dealing with the loss of their backup quarterback Andy Dalton, who is sidelined due to a quad injury. The injury sidelining Dalton for a few weeks triggered a search for an additional quarterback to sustain the depth chart. As if this wasn't enough, the team is also closely monitoring the recovery of their promising rookie running back, Jonathon Brooks, who is working his way back from an ACL tear sustained last November. Head coach Dave Canales noted, "He expects rookie running back Jonathon Brooks to be ready around Week 3 or Week 4 of this season."
Injuries Sideline Star Athletes
Several other teams across the league are also feeling the weight of injury-related absences. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year, whose identity remains withheld, suffered a calf injury in early August. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, this key player is expected to miss a few weeks of practice: "The reigning Offensive Player of the Year suffered a calf injury in early August and will likely miss a few weeks of practice."
The New Orleans Saints are cautiously assessing the situation of their second-year receiver Nacua, who claimed the Offensive Rookie of the Year title in 2023. Nacua, now considered week-to-week, sustained a knee injury during a recent practice. ESPN reported: "Nacua enters Year 2 with high expectations after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023. He suffered a knee injury at Saturday's practice, however, and is now considered week-to-week."
A League-Wide Challenge
The injury bug has not spared other notable names either. The Rams' offensive lineman Jonah Jackson is dealing with a shoulder injury that renders him "week to week." Cam Robinson also exited practice due to a shoulder issue, while Anton Harrison is under the concussion protocol. Meanwhile, Demario Davis is grappling with a hamstring injury, and Sam Williams suffered a season-ending ACL tear.
Adding to the woes, Samson Ebukam sustained a torn Achilles tendon, and YaYa Diaby incurred a high-ankle sprain. The list continues with John Cominsky, who has been placed on injured reserve due to a torn MCL, and receiver/returner Moore, carted off the field following a non-contact injury that later revealed a season-ending knee affliction.
Jermaine Burton is nursing a minor ankle injury, Rashod Bateman is recovering from rib/stomach soreness, and Sam Hubbard exited practice on a cart due to a knee injury. The Packers' Darious Williams is laid low by a hamstring strain, and their rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette is under observation after an unspecified issue forced him out of practice.
As the NFL teams soldier on through training camps, they must navigate the unpredictable terrain of player injuries, balancing the fine line between preparation and preservation. The depth and resilience of each roster will be tested, with every snap in practice carrying heightened significance. The anticipation now shifts to how these teams will adapt and overcome the myriad challenges posed by these early setbacks.