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NFL Week 1 injury report: Chiefs’ Travis Kelce questionable, Rams’ Cooper Kupp out, George Kittle practicing
USATSI
It may be just Week 1 of the 2023 season, but there are already a host of injury news NFL fans are monitoring. The tight end position, for particular, has been hit hard this week, with Travis Kelce and George Kittle currently dealing with injuries that could sideline them for the NFL’s opening weekend.
Kelce is dealing with a knee injury and has officially been listed as questionable for Thursday night’s season opener against the visiting Detroit Lions. Kittle has a nagging groin injury that has put his status for the 49ers‘ season opener in Pittsburgh in jeopardy.
We’ll dig further into each of those situations while also looking at each NFL team’s current injury situation entering Week 1, starting with the NFL’s opening game.
All odds courtesy of Sportsline consensus.
Lions at Chiefs (-4.5)
As stated above, Kelce has been listed as questionable for the Chiefs’ season opener after hyperextending his knee. The Chiefs do not believe that it is a long-term injury and will continue to monitor the injury ahead of Thursday night’s game. Specifically, Kelce’s injury has been described as a bone bruise as the star fortunately dodged a more serious injury.
The Lions have ruled out defensive back Emmanuel Moseley as he is dealing with a knee injury. Moseley’s absence could lead to more playing time for Steven Gilmore, an undrafted rookie who intercepted nine passes during his time at Marshall.
49ers (-2.5) at Steelers
Center Jon Feliciano did not practice for the 49ers on Wednesday. He’s battling an illness. Linebacker Oren Burks (knee), safety Tashaun Gipson (back), safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee), tight end George Kittle (groin) and kicker Jake Moody (right quadricep) were limited participants.
For the Steelers, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was limited with a foot injury. DeMarvin Leal, a second-year player who is coming off a solid training camp, is slated to get more reps if Ogunjobi is either limited or can’t play Sunday.
Buccaneers at Vikings (-6)
Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (calf) and running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn (not injury related) were the only players to not practice Wednesday for Tampa. Linebacker Anthony Nelson was limited with a hamstring issue.
The Vikings had full practice participation on Wednesday.
Cardinals at Commanders (-7)
Three members of the Cardinals’ starting offense were limited Wednesday. Offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum is dealing with a hand injury, while wideout Marquise Brown has an injured hamstring. Tight end Zach Ertz is working through a knee injury. Ertz was recently cleared to practice as he spent this past offseason recovering from a serious knee injury that was suffered in Week 10 of the 2022 season.
Washington received good news Wednesday as wideout Terry McLaurin (toe) and Chase Young (neck) were able to practice in a limited capacity. The Commanders are optimistic about McLaurin’s chances at playing on Sunday. Young is waiting to be cleared for full contact after suffering a stinger in mid-August.
Titans at Saints (-3)
For the Titans, cornerback Tre Avery (hamstring), pass rusher Harold Landry (abdomen) and offensive lineman Dillon Radunz (knee) were limited participants on Wednesday. In good news, wide receiver Treylon Burks (knee), pass rusher Arden Key (calf) and quarterback Will Levis (quad) were all full participants.
For the Saints, wideout Tre’Quan Smith (groin), safety J.T. Gray (shoulder), and rookie running back Kendre Miller (knee) did not practice, and cornerback Marshon Lattimore (knee) was limited. This marks the second injury for Miller this summer, as the Saints have just two backs on their active roster — Jamaal Williams and Kirk Merritt — who are currently healthy.
Panthers at Falcons (-3.5)
Carolina is dealing with injuries to Adam Thielen (ankle), DJ Chark (hamstring) and Terrace Marshall Jr. (back). Thielen and Marshall were limited, while Chark did not practice.
Cornerback Jeff Okudah and tight end Jonnu Smith did not practice for Atlanta, while running back Cordarrelle Patterson and wideout KhaDarel Hodge were limited. Regarding Okudah, Falcons coach Arthur Smith said the former first-round pick is ahead of schedule in his recovery and is keeping the door open for him to possibly suit up Sunday.
Jaguars (-5) at Colts
For the Jaguars, defensive back rookie Antonio Johnson (hamstring) and defensive end Tyler Lacy (hip) were the only two players listed on Wednesday’s injury report. Johnson did not practice while Lacy was limited. Johnson will miss Sunday’s game and will have a shot at facing the Chiefs in Week 2, according to Jaguars coach Doug Pederson.
As for the Colts, running back Zack Moss was limited with a forearm injury, while Shaquille Leonard was a full participant as he works back from a concussion.
Texans at Ravens (-10)
Linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring), wideout John Metchie III (hamstring) and safety Jimmie Ward (hip) did not practice Wednesday. Houston also placed tight end Tytus Howard on injured reserve on Wednesday. Former Bronco George Fant is slated to replace Howard on the depth chart behind starter Dalton Schultz.
For the Ravens, cornerback Marlon Humphrey did not practice on Wednesday with a foot injury, while tight end Mark Andrews (quad) and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) were limited.
Bengals (-2.5) at Browns
Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai (ankle) was the only Cincinnati player who did not practice. While he is not practicing Ossai has been doing individual work during practice this week. If Ossai can’t go, the Bengals will have to lean more on fellow backups Cam Sample and first-round pick Myles Murphy on Sunday.
The Browns didn’t have anyone miss practice due to injury but did have four players practice in a limited capacity: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (illness), safety Juan Thornhill (calf), cornerback Denzel Ward (concussion) and defensive end Alex Wright (knee).
Packers at Bears (-1)
Packers receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs missed practice on Wednesday as both players are dealing with hamstring injuries. Both players are key to the success of new Packers starting quarterback Jordan Love, who strengthened his rapport with both second-year wideouts during the preseason.
Linebacker Dylan Cole (hamstring) was the only Bear who did not practice on Wednesday. Safety Jaquan Brisker (groin), safety Eddie Jackson (ankle) and defensive end DeMarcus Walker (calf) were limited participants.
Dolphins at Chargers (-3)
The Dolphins were missing left tackle Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee) and defensive back Elijah Campbell (knee) at practice on Wednesday. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was limited with an oblique injury.
Linebacker Daiyan Henley (hamstring) was the only Chargers player who did not practice. Cornerback J.C. Jackson practiced in full, which is notable considering that his 2022 season ended after just five games after the former Pro Bowler sustained a serious knee injury.
Eagles (-4) at Patriots
Cornerback Josh Jobe (illness) was the only Eagles player who didn’t practice.
The Patriots had five players who were limited participants on Wednesday: Offensive tackle Trent Brown (illness), cornerback Jack Jones (hamstring), offensive guard Mike Onwenu (ankle), wide receiver DeVante Parker (knee) and offensive guard Cole Strange (knee).
Rams at Seahawks (-5.5)
Seattle was missing safety Jamal Adams (knee) at practice on Wednesday, while linebacker Derick Hall (shoulder), Darrell Taylor (shoulder) and Devon Witherspoon (hamstring) were limited. Head coach Pete Carroll said on Wednesday that he expects first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba to play on Sunday after the rookie WR underwent wrist surgery last month. He was a full participant on Wednesday.
For the Rams, coach Sean McVay has already ruled out receiver Cooper Kupp, who continues to work through a hamstring injury. McVay went as far as to say that the injury could lead to Kupp spending time on injured reserve. He did not practice on Wednesday, along with quarterback Stetson Bennett (right shoulder) and tight end Hunter Long (thigh).
Raiders at Broncos (-3.5)
While it isn’t because of an injury, defensive end Chandler Jones missed practice after being critical of the team on social media earlier this week. His status for Sunday’s game is now in question. Cornerback Brandon Facyson (shin) was the only Raider who did not practice due to injury. Wideout DeAndre Carter (knee) was limited.
Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) was one of three Broncos who practiced Wednesday in a limited capacity. Jeudy, who sustained the injury during practice last month, will likely have to get at least one full practice under his belt before Sunday if he is going to play.
Cowboys (-3.5) at Giants
Four Cowboys defensive players appeared on the team’s first injury report. Three of those players — offensive lineman Tyler Smith (hamstring), defensive end Sam Williams (foot) and safety Donovan Wilson (calf) — did not practice. The team is optimistic that Smith will play after he underwent a cautionary MRI.
Wideout Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) was one of seven Giants players who were limited on Wednesday. Robinson was taken off of the team’s physically unable to perform list on Aug. 29 as he continues to work his way back from a torn ACL injury sustained during Week 11 of the 2022 season.
Bills (-2.5) at Jets
Sean McDermott told reporters Wednesday that safety Micah Hyde was back at practice after missing a few sessions with a sore back. The veteran is considered day-to-day, according to the head coach.
