Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season left a trail of injuries among key players, significantly impacting their teams' strategies moving forward. The Miami Dolphins faced a massive setback when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion during Thursday's game. This marks at least the third confirmed brain injury of Tagovailoa's career, leading the Dolphins to place him on injured reserve. Tagovailoa is estimated to be sidelined until at least Week 8, leaving a significant gap in the Dolphins' offensive lineup.
In Tennessee, the Titans' running back Tyjae Spears injured his ankle in the second half against the New York Jets. While his status remains day-to-day, his absence could perturb the Titans' run game. Running back MarShawn Lloyd of the Green Bay Packers also finds himself on injured reserve after injuring his ankle during their game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ running back Tank Bigsby sustained a shoulder injury against the Cleveland Browns, sidelining him for the rest of the contest. The Jaguars have yet to declare the extent of his absence. Another critical injury was Chief's running back Isiah Pacheco's ankle injury against the Bengals. Pacheco was seen leaving the stadium on crutches and in a walking boot, and the Chiefs have since moved him to injured reserve, ruling him out for at least four games.
Conversely, some teams have had better injury news. An MRI confirmed that Joe Mixon’s ankle injury wasn’t severe, providing a sigh of relief to the Bengals. Additionally, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings exited the game against the 49ers with a thigh bruise/contusion. Jefferson assured fans and media alike, stating, "He'll be fine," after being assisted off the field, indicating his injury may not sideline him for long.
The Los Angeles Rams suffered a blow with wide receiver Cooper Kupp sustaining an ankle injury in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals. Kupp was later seen in a walking boot on his left foot/lower leg. Early indications suggest Kupp will miss an extended period, leaving a void in the Rams' passing game.
Similarly, the San Francisco 49ers will miss Deebo Samuel for a couple of weeks due to a calf injury. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed this timeline, emphasizing the team's cautious approach to Samuel's recovery. On the other hand, the Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown did not appear in "Monday Night Football" against the Falcons due to a hamstring injury, affecting their aerial attack.
Cleveland Browns' wide receiver David Bell suffered a catastrophic dislocated hip injury, requiring season-ending surgery. The Browns subsequently placed him on injured reserve. The New Orleans Saints' Taysom Hill also faced setbacks as he exited with a chest injury against the Cowboys. Likewise, the New York Giants had to manage without tight end Evan Engram, who sat out Week 2 due to a hamstring issue.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced their own challenge with Vita Vea sustaining a knee injury in their match against the Lions. The initial diagnosis points to an MCL sprain, potentially sidelining the defensive force. DeForest Buckner of the Colts also encountered an apparent leg/ankle injury against the Packers. X-rays were negative, but an MRI will determine the severity of Buckner’s ankle sprain. Similarly, Bengals' B.J. Hill sustained a hamstring injury and Jets' C.J. Mosley a foot injury, further adding to the league-wide injury woes.
In a concerning development for the Jets, Jermaine Johnson II appears to have torn his Achilles, which would be a devastating blow to their defensive line. Patriots’ linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley also suffered a torn pectoral muscle, ruling him out for the season. These injuries collectively paint a grim picture as teams reassess their rosters and strategies moving into Week 3.
From concussions to ankle sprains and torn muscles, these injuries not only impact the players' careers but also their respective teams’ game plans and season prospects. As the NFL season progresses, teams will have to brace for further challenges while strategizing to fill the voids left by these injured key players.