As Week 1 of the NFL season unfolds, injury concerns are already shaping team strategies. A.J. Brown has been placed on injured reserve due to a high-ankle sprain, sidelining him for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Sam Darnold has avoided a serious fracture but will still miss time, adding to the quarterback shuffle. Tua Tagovailoa has also been ruled out for the game against Atlanta, complicating an already uncertain situation at the position for his team.
NFL Injury Report Week 1: A.J. Brown Lands On Injured Reserve
Brown suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Patriots’ 13-10 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks and has now been placed on injured reserve. He will miss at least the next 4 games: vs. He caught three passes for 26 yards before the ankle problem forced him out. Darnold instead has a muscle strain and is expected to miss Seattle’s Week 2 meeting with the Arizona Cardinals on September 20. Tua Tagovailoa had earned the starting role for Week 1, but a right oblique injury has ruled him out against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Just in: The #Patriots have placed WR AJ Brown on IR due to a high-ankle sprain suffered on Wednesday night, per @AdamSchefter. Michael Penix Jr. is getting closer, but he’s not there yet,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on X. Elsewhere, San Francisco lost defensive tackle Alfred Collins to a knee injury before facing the Los Angeles Rams.
The New England Patriots will have to adjust quickly after losing one of their biggest offseason additions. A.J. PIT, at JAX, at BUF, and vs. Brown’s absence comes at a difficult point for New England. The wide receiver was brought in after four seasons with Philadelphia and was expected to give the Patriots’ offense another proven playmaker. Seattle also received concerning news involving Sam Darnold. The quarterback left the same game with a hip injury, initially raising fears that he could have suffered a season-ending fracture. Further testing provided better news, as doctors ruled out a broken bone. Atlanta’s quarterback plans have taken another hit. Cooper Rush will take over, while Michael Penix Jr. remains unavailable. “Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered an oblique injury, is experiencing enough discomfort that he will miss Sunday’s game vs the Steelers. Cooper Rush will start. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines The injury leaves Atlanta relying on another quarterback while its preferred options work their way back. That could put added pressure on the team’s supporting cast in its opening matchup. Collins has been placed on injured reserve. Rookie wide receiver De’Zhan Stribling also suffered an ankle injury and was carted off the field. With more games still to come, the NFL injury report could change rapidly. For teams preparing for their first full weekend of action, even one major injury can force coaches to rethink their plans immediately. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
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Injury Updates Impacting Raiders and Cowboys
The Las Vegas Raiders will start their season without tight end Brock Bowers, who is currently recovering from a knee procedure. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys will be missing left guard Tyler Smith, who has been placed on injured reserve due to a thumb injury. Smith is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks, impacting the Cowboys’ offensive line depth during this critical stretch.