The first week of the NFL preseason wrapped up with a stark reminder of football's unforgiving nature, highlighting both the promise of emerging players and the significant risks they face. The preseason serves as a crucial testing ground, but it has already seen several players sidelined with injuries that could impact their teams' early-season dynamics.
Falcons' Bralen Trice Suffers Torn ACL
One of the more severe injuries was sustained by Atlanta Falcons’ outside linebacker Bralen Trice. His torn ACL is a significant blow to both the player and the team, as he was expected to be a key part of the Falcons' defense this season. This injury will sideline Trice for the entirety of the season, necessitating the Falcons to adjust their defensive strategies moving forward.
Kansas City Chiefs' Hollywood Brown Dislocates Sternoclavicular Joint
The Kansas City Chiefs also faced a major setback with Hollywood Brown dislocating his sternoclavicular joint. Chiefs coach Andy Reid confirmed the injury, saying, "He suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation." This unusual and painful injury could keep Brown off the field for an extended period, affecting Kansas City's offensive depth.
New York Giants' Quarterback Troubles
In New York, the Giants are scrambling after quarterback Drew Lock suffered both a hip pointer and a strained oblique. Lock is expected to miss significant time, which leaves the Giants precariously positioned with only two healthy quarterbacks: starter Daniel Jones and rookie Tommy DeVito. This unexpected development puts additional pressure on Jones and places the spotlight on DeVito, who might see increased playing time sooner than anticipated.
Ravens' Nate Wiggins Has Shoulder Sprain
The Baltimore Ravens' cornerback Nate Wiggins exited their game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a minor shoulder sprain. While his injury status is considered day-to-day, any time missed in the preseason can affect a player's preparedness for the regular season, especially for an up-and-comer like Wiggins.
Steelers' Troy Fautanu and Packers' MarShawn Lloyd Injured
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers both felt the impact of injuries as well. Offensive tackle Troy Fautanu of the Steelers left their preseason opener with a knee injury, later diagnosed as a minor MCL sprain. For the Packers, rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd suffered a hamstring injury in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns. Drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Lloyd's potential was just beginning to show, making this injury particularly untimely.
Browns' David Bell and 49ers’ Ambry Thomas Face Injury Setbacks
Wide receiver David Bell of the Browns sustained a quadriceps injury during the same game against the Packers, adding to the list of players whose preseason has been abruptly interrupted. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas broke his forearm in the game against the Tennessee Titans. Thomas's injury was severe enough that he had to be carted off to the locker room after an evaluation in the medical tent, leaving the 49ers with a considerable gap in their secondary.
Minor Ankle Sprain for Giants' Malik Nabers
Lastly, the Giants faced another hiccup as wide receiver Malik Nabers incurred a minor ankle sprain during a practice session on Sunday. While this seems less severe than the other injuries reported, it still places a question mark over Nabers' readiness for the upcoming games.
Amidst the growing list of injuries, one common phrase echoed throughout the league: "It will be some time." It's a sentiment shared by San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and likely resonating within many teams. The NFL preseason remains a critical period for roster decisions and player development, but as these injuries demonstrate, it also serves as a sobering reminder of the sport's physical toll. With the regular season approaching, teams are now faced with the dual challenge of seeking immediate replacements while ensuring the long-term health and safety of their athletes.