Just when you hoped the injury bug was packing its bags for Week 1, Las Vegas took a brutal hit. Ashton Jeanty, last year’s No. 6 overall pick, went down hard in a non-contact catching drill, couldn’t put any weight on his leg, and now we know it’s an ankle sprain. The Raiders are left scratching their heads, with no idea how long their dynamic back will be sidelined. Talk about a gut punch right before the season kicks off.
Some Good News (Sort Of) For Week 1 Backs
It’s not all doom and gloom for every injured player. Some guys actually look like they’re gonna tough it out for Week 1. Jacory Croskey-Merritt down in Washington is nursing a lower-body injury. Coach Dan Quinn thinks he could be back as early as next week. Quick turnaround for a running back! And what about Chuba Hubbard for Carolina? Hamstring issue, but coach Dave Canales sounds confident, expecting Hubbard to return for Week 1. They’re planning a committee approach with Jonathon Brooks if Hubbard is good. Hubbard himself feels good, but the Panthers are playing it smart, protecting him after he rushed back too early last year. Nobody wants that again. Over in Washington, their big offseason signing, Odafe Oweh, who inked a monster four-year, $96 million deal, suffered a calf strain earlier this week. Not ideal, but he’s also eyeing Week 1. Even Breece Hall of the Jets, who had a non-contact groin sprain, got a clear timetable: 2 to 3 weeks. Coach Aaron Glenn said it wouldn’t carry over into the regular season, especially since Week 1 was nearly four weeks away when that news dropped. Small relief there, but still plenty of major questions.
The Week 1 Headaches Are Real
But then there are the guys whose Week 1 status is a full-blown mystery, and honestly, it’s gotta be stressing out their fan bases. Starting right back with Ashton Jeanty, whose ankle sprain is a massive headache for the Raiders. Ankle sprains, especially for a guy who couldn’t bear weight, are no joke for a running back. He’s a true game-changer, last year’s No. 6 overall pick, and his absence would absolutely be felt. The team just doesn’t know how long he’ll be out. Then you’ve got Nnamdi Madubuike for the Ravens. This guy’s recovering from a neck injury that, at one point early last season, was thought to be career-threatening. Scary stuff. He’s been practicing in a limited capacity during training camp, but even his coach, Jesse Minter, sounds totally unsure about Madubuike’s Week 1 availability. He flat-out said, “I don’t know the answer to that right now.” That’s never a good sign. These are the kinds of injury reports that make or break early season momentum.
As teams shift into full Week 1 prep, these injury updates are more than just footnotes. They’re the early season chess pieces getting moved, setting the stage. You’ve got to have your best guys on the field from day one. The uncertainty surrounding impact players like Jeanty and Madubuike? That’s going to keep fan bases on edge until kick-off. Every team wants to start strong, and how these injury battles play out will absolutely shape those crucial opening matchups and the tone for the entire early season. Week 1 is here, and the stakes are already high.
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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