Thursday brought a mixed bag of injury news as teams wrapped up practices ahead of Week 3.
In the NFC East, the Eagles and Cowboys both had a troubling injury report, while in the NFC West there was better news from Seattle and some uncertainty from Los Angeles.
Puka Nacua’s groin injury still isn’t trending in the right direction for the Rams, and the Cowboys will be without four linebackers for their trip to Brazil, but Sam Darnold could be close to returning for the Seahawks.
In Philadelphia, Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith were both placed on the injury report as the Eagles prepare for Monday night’s game against the Bears, who are dealing with their own injury issues under center.
Here are the latest from around the NFL on Thursday.
The injury situation in Philadelphia is starting to pile up ahead of Monday night’s game against the Bears.
Running back Saquon Barkley returned to practice Thursday in a limited capacity as he continues to manage a sprain suffered in Week 2, while DeVonta Smith did not participate at all due to a hamstring problem.
Smith was seen warming up with the team but did not have pads or participate in training.
Barkley’s sting dates back to Philadelphia’s comeback win over the Titans, an injury that limited him to just four carries for nine yards and two catches for 11 yards in the second half.
The Eagles are already thin at the position with reserves Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley limited to practice Wednesday, and now Smith’s absence adds another name to watch.
Philadelphia will have two more practices to fine tune before Monday’s game at Soldier Field.
Dallas will be missing several linebackers for Sunday’s game against the Ravens in Rio de Janeiro.
of The Cowboys ruled him out cornerback Cobie Durant, linebackers Malik Hooker and PJ Locke, and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. None of the four will make the trip to Brazil.
All four sat out again in practice Thursday. Durant, who started the first two games and has played 87 snaps on defense, and Locke, who entered the starting lineup in Week 2, are both considered likely to miss several weeks.
Shavon Revel Jr. and Markquese Bell are expected to complete high school.
“I thought both guys having played and getting their experience was good, but it’s definitely going to be different,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said of the two backs.
Hooker played just 12 snaps in the opener before his injury, while Overshown, who started in Week 1 for Dallas, has been given a “low probability” of returning at the beginning of the week.
The biggest concern for the Cowboys is the secondary, where they will be without three players who have played significant roles this season.
Puka Nacua’s third week availability looks increasingly unlikely.
Rams wide receiver missed practice for second day in a row Thursday, and coach Sean McVay said Nacua is “Not making much progress” in his recovery from a hamstring injury that kept him out in Week 2.
“Usually time is the best thing that allows that thing to heal. And once you get to a certain point, then I think you feel pretty good about moving forward.” McVay told reporters at the beginning of the week.
Puka Nacua had 5 catches for 74 yards in Week 1 against the 49ers — his last full game before a hamstring injury clouded his status in Week 3. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
McVay has also described this issue like pain in the groin area, although he said there is no threat of a long-term absence and no hernia concerns.
Nacua will get one more chance to work out Friday before the Rams make a call on his status for Sunday night’s game in Denver.
If he can’t go, Davante Adams has shown he’s comfortable serving as Matthew Stafford’s No. 1 target.
Sam Darnold could be on pace to make his return to the Seahawks sooner than expected.
Head coach Mike Macdonald said Thursday the quarterback is “on a good path” to play Sunday against the Commanders following a season-opening hamstring injury.
Darnold told reporters that he was “I feel good”, in his return to practice.
“For me, especially this week, taking it day by day. To keep balancing reps and doing whatever I need to do to prepare,” Darnold added.
Darnold was initially considered week-to-week with the soft tissue injury, and while Seattle never placed him on injured reserve, his return was seen as most likely for Week 4 or later.
Instead, he’s progressed faster than expected and is trending toward reclaiming the starting spot from Drew Lock, who went 2-0 in Darnold’s absence and has shown he can carry the offense if needed.
A final call on Darnold’s status is expected as the week progresses.
