Heading into Week 2, several key injuries to star players dominated Thursday’s NFL news cycle.
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay hopes Aaron Donald will be ready for Monday night against the New York Giants. Meanwhile, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray showed progress on Thursday, participating in practice on a limited basis.
After a wave of star injuries, New England Patriots running back Veyon Henderson will be back this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On the other hand, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey and Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins could miss their respective games this week.
Here are the latest from across the league on Thursday.
Aaron Donald’s return is getting closer. Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay spoke to the journalists on Thursday, saying Donald is “struggling a little bit” to adjust, and the team remains optimistic about his timeline.
“What we’re hoping is we’ll have a good job today and tomorrow, and then hopefully he’ll feel pretty good. And if he says he’s ready to go, then we’ll be excited to see him swing.”
If Donald returns Monday night against the New York Giants, it will be his first time on the field since the 2024 NFC Wildcard game against the Detroit Lions. With All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett on injured reserve, Donald’s return to defense is essential.
After a tough Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Australia, the Rams head home looking for a much-needed win against the Giants.
After suffering a concussion in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray’s availability for Week 2 remains unclear. Murray trained in a limited capacity for the second day in a row.
According to CBS SportsMurray still has several steps left in NFL protocol before he can be cleared for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.
If Murray is not cleared, Carson Wentz is expected to return to center for the Vikings offense. To make matters worse, Minnesota could also be without wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who missed practice again on Thursday.
Murray has a realistic shot to return for Week 3, but getting cleared in time for Sunday remains a tall order for both him and the Vikings offense. He took a hit to the head while sliding on a third-down scrimmage against the Packers and was quickly ruled out with a concussion.
Wentz led a late fourth quarter comeback against Green Bay as he threw for 133 yards and three touchdowns off the bench. If Murray can’t go, coach Kevin O’Connell and his staff should feel comfortable turning to Wentz for another start.
Sidelined since late August with an ankle injury, New England Patriots running back Veyon Henderson will return Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has been allowed to play without restrictions.
“I’m ready to go. Thank God I’m healed now,” Henderson he told reporters on Thursday. “I’m excited to be back here with my teammates.”
After missing the season opener, Henderson’s return gives the Patriots their full dynamic in the backfield. With Rhamondre Stevenson and Henderson active, quarterback Drake Maye should see some pressure taken off the passing game.
With wide receiver AJ Brown sidelined on injured reserve with an ankle injury, Henderson’s return should give the offense a big boost. With Brown out, the offense will rely on Henderson, Stevenson and wide receiver Romeo Doubs until he returns.
Last season, Henderson rushed for 911 yards and nine touchdowns, bringing the kind of explosive plays the Patriots need to spark the offense.
All eyes remain on the health of Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey after he exited Week 1 with a rib injury. McConkey has yet to return to practice, and coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier in the week that he considers it day-to-day.
According to ESPNMcConkey still wasn’t practicing Thursday and was limited to working with the trainers. With back-to-back missed practices, his availability for Week 2 is looking more and more in doubt.
However, if McConkey sits against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chargers still have plenty of targets at receiver. Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris and Brenen Thompson are all in prime position to step up and help lead a rebound performance after the team’s Week 1 loss.
“It’s an important week for the whole group whether Ladd plays or not,” offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. said for journalists. “Guys have to take advantage of opportunities. It can’t be my secret anymore, it can’t just be in practice.”
Missing McConkey this week will be a massive blow to the Chargers passing game. Before he left with a rib injury against the Cardinals, he was Justin Herbert’s top target, making five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.
While there was speculation that McConkey’s rib injury could keep him out longer, he is not expected to be sidelined for long. The Chargers have not signaled any plans for an injury reserve period, keeping the door open for a return in the short term.
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins injured his hamstring during Wednesday’s practice. While the team does not believe that the injury is serious, according to ESPNhis status for Sunday’s game remains up in the air.
On Thursday, Collins was officially listed as a limited participant while the team evaluates his injury. Given the timing of the hamstring turnover, there’s a chance the Texans will sit him out of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Collins has a strong Week 1 performance, hitting seven of his 10 targets for 75 yards and a score. Even in the loss to the Buffalo Bills, Collins showed why he is CJ Stroud’s top target.
With Jayden Higgins and Tank Dell already out, if Collins can’t go Sunday, it creates a massive opportunity for secondary receivers. If that’s the case, the Texans offense will rely heavily on Jaylin Noel, Kayshon Boutte and Xavier Hutchinson to step up.
Injury updates and notes
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returned to practice on Thursday. According to ESPN, Burrow was a limited participant during practice while dealing with a back injury.
- CBS Sports reported that Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver injured his groin during pregame warmups and did not play Thursday night against the Detroit Lions.
- Baltimore Ravens DESIGNATED that wide receiver Zay Flowers missed practice again Thursday while dealing with a hamstring injury.
- ESPN reported that in Las Vegas Brock Bowers did not practice on Thursday. He is still recovering from a torn meniscus in his knee and has yet to return to practice.
