NFL Injury Impacts: Keep An Eye on QB Burrow’s Status for MNF Matchup

This week’s slate of games began with San Francisco topping the New York Giants in a game when 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk and New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley did not play.

When looking at the NFL picks, the line for the Bengals-Rams game has already moved from the Bengals being favored by seven points to being a 3-point favorite and more movement could happen once it is known whether Joe Burrow or Jake Browning will be the Cincinnati starting quarterback.

Keep on reading for more on the NFL injuries and updates on who could be in and who could be out or limited in Week 3.

Big Loss for Dallas Cowboys

Most of the attention from an injury standpoint has been focused on skill position players on offense. However, when looking at the NFL injury updates, a key defensive player went down this week.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice, leaving Dallas without its top cover corner while playing in a division with plenty of dynamic pass catchers. That is far from the only defensive player with injuries worth monitoring.

Keep an eye on the updates for Seattle cornerback Tariq Woolen and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Pittsburgh Steelers as both are slowed by chest injuries.

Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers is questionable to suit up against Minnesota with a tender hamstring. Linebackers Eric Kendricks and Chris Rumph are questionable as well.

Minnesota linebacker Jordan Hicks (shin) is iffy to play while a hamstring injury is impacting the status of Tennessee linebacker Harold Landry.

Houston safety Jalen Pitre has missed the last two games with a bruised lung so keep an eye on his status leading into Sunday. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (hamstring) is also questionable for Houston.

Jacksonville linebacker Josh Allen (shoulder) and safety Andrew Wingard (shoulder), Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (knee) and Miami edge rusher Jaelen Phillips (back) all have questionable tags.

Burrow is not the only player to monitor once the Monday night games roll around. Defensive backs Reed Blankenship and James Bradberry of the Philadelphia Eagles are questionable. For Tampa Bay, cornerback Carlton Davis and defensive tackle Vita Vea are questionable.

Protection Plan Is At Risk

There are plenty of teams who could be in danger of missing multiple starting offensive linemen and that needs to be considered when it comes to the NFL odds.

Minnesota offensive linemen Garrett Bradbury (back) and Christian Darrisaw (ankle) are questionable. It is the same story for Tyler Linderbaum and Ronnie Stanley of the Ravens when it comes to NFL player injuries.

Seattle placed offensive tackle Abraham Lucas on injured reserve and the other tackle Charles Cross is dealing with a toe injury. Tackles Mekhi Becton (knee) and Duane Brown (shoulder) are questionable for the Jets while Indianapolis’ Ryan Kelly (concussion) and Quenton Nelson are trying to work their way back onto the field.

Trent Brown missed last week’s game with a concussion while Michael Onwenu and Cole Strange are dealing with ankle and knee injuries that have them questionable for New England’s matchup with the New York Jets.

Other prominent offensive linemen popping up with questionable tags for Week 3 include Zack Martin of the Dallas Cowboys (ankle), Cleveland offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (shoulder), Laremy Tunsil of the Houston Texans (knee), Green Bay left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee), Miami’s Terron Armstead (leg) and Detroit’s Taylor Decker (ankle).

Jones Back at Practice

It has been a brutal start to the season for some big-name running backs. Finally, there could be some good news to report.

Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers returned to practice on Thursday. While he was listed as a limited participant, it is still a promising sign that Jones might be able to return to action. He could find himself featured prominently in NFL player props Sept. 24.

Keep an eye on the updates on Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans, who is questionable to face Cleveland with a toe issue.

Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers is out. Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns and JK Dobbins of the Baltimore Ravens will miss the rest of the season.

Jamaal Williams of New Orleans (hamstring), David Montgomery (thigh) of Detroit, Miles Sanders of Carolina and Kansas City’s Isiah Pacheco (hamstring) are other running backs to be concerned about.

Pass catchers are ailing as well with DeVonte Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles limited with a thigh injury, Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins working his way back following a concussion as is Jakobi Meyers of the Las Vegas Raiders. Detroit has concerns about Josh Reynolds and Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown, though, returned to the practice field as a limited participant on Thursday.

Jacksonville’s Zay Jones (knee), New England’s DeVante Parker (knee), Green Bay’s Christian Watson (hamstring) and Buffalo tight end Dawson Knox (back) are all worth keeping an eye on.

Rookie Watch

Let’s take a look at the injuries impacting some of the top rookies.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson of the Colts suffered a concussion in Week 2 while an ankle injury could result in Carolina’s Bryce Young missing this week’s game.

Receiver Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams is dealing with an oblique injury. He was popping up on injury reports last week as well and all he did was haul in 15 passes for 147 yards.

Tennessee offensive lineman Peter Skoronski missed the last game due to illness and he is doubtful to suit up on Sunday.

Houston receiver Tank Dell is dealing with a thigh injury, but he looks good to go against Jacksonville and could be involved in NFL prop betting.

Running back Kendre Miller of the New Orleans Saints could make his NFL debut as he works his way back from a hamstring injury.

Green Bay edge rusher Lukas Van Ness (elbow) leads the list of rookies on the defensive side of the ball with injury concerns this week.