Week 1 is in the books, but the injury report has only just begun as several teams spent Monday sorting through the fallout from their starters.
The Philadelphia Eagles placed left guard Landon Dickerson off injured reserve after he admitted to playing through pain in Sunday’s win over the Washington Commanders. In Minnesota, Kyler Murray’s concussion in Sunday’s win over the Green Bay Packers has left much of his Week 2 status in doubt.
There was better news elsewhere, however, as running back TreVeyon Henderson looks set to return to practice for the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey appears to have avoided a long-term injury.
Here are the latest from around the NFL on Monday.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray left Sunday’s season opener against the Green Bay Packers after taking a violent hit to the head while sliding. Murray was placed in concussion protocol, leaving his status for the second week in serious doubt.
Speaking to reporters Monday afternoon, coach Kevin O’Connell said Murray remains in the concussion protocol. He had no update on his availability against the Chicago Bears, but said the team will monitor his progress throughout the week.
Murray struggled in his first start in purple and gold, throwing an interception in his opener. He then sat out the third car after suffering a concussion, and his timeline for a return remains unclear.
If Murray is unable to clear the protocol in time, Carson Wentz would likely start, with JJ McCarthy serving as the backup. Wentz will have a strong performance against the Packers, throwing three touchdowns after tackling the injured Murray.
The Eagles will be without one of their starting offensive linemen for at least a month. Philadelphia is placing left guard Landon Dickerson on injured reserve with a knee injury, a move that will sideline the three-time Pro Bowler for at least four games.
Dickerson struggled in Sunday’s 24-22 win over the Commanders, later admitting to 94 WIP in Philadelphia that he had been playing injured, which affected his level of play.
“I played like s— yesterday,” Dickerson said. “I was a total liability yesterday and again, it was my fault. I know I said I shouldn’t be out there until I feel healthy. A couple of weeks ago I went into practice; I thought it would get better as the week went on and it didn’t.”
Dickerson said he underwent imaging on the knee Monday before the team placed him on injured reserve as the way forward, as he later described injury such as bone bruising.
“Bone bruising doesn’t really heal if you keep bumping it and doing stuff. It’s one of those things where you have to shut it down and not do anything,” Dickerson said, remaining optimistic the injury won’t last once he comes off the IR.
The move continues a tough stretch of lower-body injuries for the 27-year-old, who had meniscus surgery last August, from which he admitted he probably came back too soon.
With Dickerson out, second-year player Drew Kendall is the favorite to step into the starting lineup at left guard, though rookie Willie Lampkin could also step in.
The New England Patriots are coming off a brutal Week 1 loss against the Seattle Seahawks, but reinforcements could be on the way for the offense. Even with the injury hurdles in the locker room, treVeyon Henderson could return on Sunday.
When he spoke to reporters Monday, coach Mike Vrabel said that Henderson will return to training this week. That’s a positive sign, as he hasn’t practiced since Aug. 24 during training camp.
With wide receiver AJ Brown on injured reserve, getting an explosive player like Henderson back in the mix is crucial for the offense.
The Patriots offense was limited to just 10 points in the loss to the Seahawks. If Henderson isn’t cleared for Sunday, expect Rhamondre Stevenson to shoulder a heavy workload once again.
After taking a hit up the middle of the field, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey left with a chest injury and did not return. Head coach Jim Harbaugh updated reporters Monday afternoon, describing it as a rib injury and that he is day-to-day.
McConkey’s availability against the Las Vegas Raiders is up in the air, but he appears to have avoided a bump on injured reserve.
While the exact nature of McConkey’s rib injury remains unclear, he had a strong performance before going out against the Arizona Cardinals.
McConkey was able to haul in five receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown.
If McConkey misses time, expect Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris and rookie Brenen Thompson to step into bigger roles this weekend.
