As the NFL season hits full stride, teams are already grappling with the brutal, unavoidable side effects of the game.
Physicality is an unavoidable part of the NFL and as the season gets underway, the injury report is already filling up. From training camp setbacks to mid-week practice tweaks, availability can change a team’s trajectory in an instant.
Here are the notable players who are dealing with injuries ahead of Week 1 of the NFL season.
Heading into Wednesday night’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, the New England Patriots could be without one of their biggest playmakers. According to ESPN, Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson is still not practicing as he deals with an ankle injury.
Henderson hasn’t practiced for the Patriots since Aug. 24, putting his availability for Wednesday’s opener in doubt. If he’s ruled out, veteran Rhamondre Stevenson might be in line for a heavier workload on Wednesday night.
Missing Henderson would be a major blow to a revamped Patriots offense. He was a huge part of the offense last season, rushing for 911 yards on 5.1 yards per carry and nine touchdowns while adding 35 catches for 221 yards and another score.
Sean McVay delivered good news on Puka Nacua on Sunday. The Los Angeles Rams head coach said he expects the All-Pro wide receiver to play in Thursday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
“Yeah, absolutely,” McVay told reporters when asked about Nacua’s status to face the Niners in Australia. “That’s what I’ve heard. I haven’t heard anything different.”
Nacua has been managing psoas soreness and has been out since he suffered the injury during an August joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys. The Rams took a cautious approach with his workload throughout the remainder of training camp.
