Jamal Adams, the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive Swiss Army knife, suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Meadowlands during NFL preseason Week 1. That’s a devastating blow for any team, and honestly, it’s a brutal reminder that the preseason is anything but tame. We’re talking about players going down hard, and it’s already claiming victims across the league before the real games even begin. The war of attrition is real, folks, and it started early this year.
Injuries Piling Up Before Regular Season Kicks Off
It feels like every year we hear about these brutal training camp injuries, but this preseason Week 1 really brought the pain. Adams’ season is over, just like that. But he’s not the only one. Marcus Mariota, the Washington Commanders’ quarterback, is sidelined with a sprained MCL that’s going to hold him out for the rest of the preseason. That’s a huge setback for a team trying to figure out their QB room. Then there’s Graham Mertz, the Houston Texans’ backup signal-caller, who tore his ACL. A torn ACL in preseason, man. That’s just gut-wrenching to hear. It puts things in perspective real fast, doesn’t it? These are major hits, and it’s barely August.
The Arizona Cardinals are having a truly rough go of it, dealing with several notable issues right out of the gate. And get this: their top two draft picks from this year both got dinged up in the preseason opener. Their No. 34 overall pick, offensive tackle Chase Bisontis, got hit with even worse news. The Texas A&M product, who was viewed as one of the top interior linemen in the draft and played snaps at both guard and center, unfortunately tore his MCL. That means his entire rookie season is gone. Absolutely crushing for a young guy trying to make his mark. It’s all about recovery for him now.
Big Running Backs Facing Early Roadblocks
Two prominent running backs also got shaken up, and we’re holding our breath on those. New York Jets star running back Breece Hall went down untouched after making a catch. ESPN’s Rich Cimini said it looked like a possible groin injury, with trainers checking his upper right leg. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, bless his heart, told reporters afterward that he “didn’t think it was a big deal.” We’re all hoping he’s right, because Hall is a game-changer.
Then there’s Jeremiyah Love, the Cardinals’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The kid had an explosive preseason debut, rushing for 58 yards on 11 carries and turning three receptions into 14 yards. We saw the potential! But then he left the game with what was determined to be a high ankle sprain. Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur initially said Love “could have returned” to action, but just two days later, the news shifted: the rookie won’t practice this week or play in Week 2 of the preseason. High ankle sprains are sneaky, lingering issues, so it’s totally fair to speculate about his status for the season opener on September 13. These early injuries, especially to key players, can really mess with a team’s mojo and depth.
It’s a brutal start, no doubt. These teams are fighting for every inch, and right now, they’re just trying to stay healthy enough to get to the regular season. For our Seahawks, who just battled the Cowboys, it was a tough outing with a 17-7 loss. Let’s hope our guys can stay healthy and focused as the regular season draws closer. It’s gonna be a wild ride, and every player’s health matters more than ever.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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