Man, Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season just wrapped up, and while we had some teams celebrating big wins, the real story coming out of the weekend for a lot of squads is the injury report. The Kansas City Chiefs absolutely rolled the Denver Broncos, a 31-10 blowout on Monday night to close things out, showing everyone they mean business. But for way too many teams, the focus is less on what went right or wrong on the field and more on who they even have left to play in Week 2. It’s a brutal reality check right out of the gate, with some serious players already sidelined.
The Gut Punches: Long-Term Losses Right Away
Talk about a gut punch to start the season. The Los Angeles Rams are without their defensive end Myles Garrett for at least four games, and that’s after he had to get a knee procedure done. Four games is a huge chunk of the early season, and it’s gonna be a big test for their D. Over in Minnesota, new Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray took a scary hit in his debut, and he was out of their Sunday win with a concussion. His backup, Carson Wentz, had to step in, and you gotta wonder how long Murray will be out. That’s a rough way to kick off a new era for him, you know?
But wait, there’s more. Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco isn’t even returning until December after needing back surgery. December, man! That’s practically a whole season without him. The Philadelphia Eagles are also in a world of hurt, with Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson dealing with “multiple issues” and out for the “foreseeable future,” according to head coach Nick Sirianni. That’s a massive blow to their offensive line. And the Dallas Cowboys got hit hard too: Malik Hooker fractured his wrist in their Week 1 loss to the New York Giants and needed surgery. He’s got company on the sideline with linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who went down with a hamstring injury on Sunday night. Just brutal luck for all these teams trying to get their footing.
Day-to-Day Worries: Who’s Back for Week 2?
It’s not all long-term doom and gloom, thankfully. Some players who got dinged up in Week 1 might actually be back for Week 2, which is at least a glimmer of hope. Ladd McConkey, the wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers, exited their Sunday loss to the Arizona Cardinals with a rib injury. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has him labeled day-to-day, so Chargers fans are definitely holding their breath on that one. Then there’s Zay Flowers, who left the Baltimore Ravens’ game with a hamstring issue. Good news for Ravens fans is that he’s also day-to-day, and his injury isn’t considered serious. That’s a huge sigh of relief for those teams, because Week 1 is all about setting the tone, and you want your playmakers out there.
As teams prepare for Week 2, the big question everywhere is going to be how they adjust to these injury blows. Coaches are scrambling, backup plans are getting dusted off, and everyone is just looking for solutions. It’s a harsh reminder that in the NFL, every single week matters, and the health of your squad can change everything in an instant. Let’s see who can step up and fill these massive shoes next Sunday.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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