The injury bug has absolutely slammed NFL teams through the first two weeks of preseason, laying waste to rosters before the regular season even kicks off. We’re talking about a brutal start that’s already got teams fighting an uphill battle for what’s ahead. This is the war of attrition playing out right now, and for some, the damage is already done.
Brutal Breaks Across the League
Man, talk about a gut punch. Just look at the QBs alone: Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota is out for the rest of preseason with a sprained MCL. Then there’s Houston Texans backup signal-caller Graham Mertz, who tragically tore his ACL. That’s a season-ender before it even began. And what about the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive Swiss Army knife Jamal Adams? He went down in the Meadowlands with a season-ending injury. You gotta wonder how many more hits teams can take before Week 1. Every single one of these guys is a huge loss, and it just shows how quickly things can unravel.
Rookie Dreams Derailed and Stars Questionable
It’s not just the veterans taking hits. The Arizona Cardinals are really feeling it, especially with their top draft picks. No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love had an explosive preseason debut, rushing for 58 yards on 11 carries and snagging three receptions for 14 yards. But he left that game with a high ankle sprain, an issue that can linger. Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur initially thought Love “could have returned,” but just two days later, he confirmed the rookie wouldn’t practice this week or play in Week 2 of preseason. It’s fair to speculate about his status for the September 13 season opener. And it gets worse for the Cardinals: No. 34 overall pick Chase Bisontis, an offensive tackle, tore his MCL and will miss his entire rookie season. Talk about a devastating blow to a promising career before it even started.
Across the league, the hits keep coming. Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said tight end Sam LaPorta is dealing with a hip injury that makes him uncertain for Week 1. LaPorta, who had a season-ending back injury last year, has to be hoping this one calms down fast. Then there’s New York Jets star running back Breece Hall, who suffered a non-contact groin strain after making a catch in practice. He’s expected to miss two to three weeks, but the good news is he should be ready for Week 1. Lastly, the Houston Texans also lost 2025 second-round pick Jayden Higgins, a wide receiver, to an ACL tear in a joint practice.
This early season injury onslaught is exactly why teams try to be so careful in the preseason, but it clearly doesn’t always work out. As we head into the third week of the preseason, every team has to be holding its breath, hoping their key players make it to the regular season opener healthy. The stakes are already sky-high for these teams trying to stay afloat.
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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