The injury report coming out of Sunday of Week 7 of the NFL season has some big names at the top of it and some potentially season-altering injuries for several teams throughout the league. The most serious-looking situation of the weekend occurred in the Jets vs. Steelers Sunday Night Football game when New York guard Xavier Newman was carted off the field on a backboard and taken to a Pittsburgh hospital with a neck injury. Fortunately, initial reports say that Newman was conscious and moving his limbs as he was taken from Acrisure Stadium.
Other stars, including Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson, Washington’s Jayden Daniels and San Francisco’s Brandon Ayiuk all left their games early on Sunday with injuries, and the Buccaneers lost wide receiver Chris Godwin likely for the year after Monday night’s game. Here’s a look at some of the news and notes coming out of Week 7.
Xavier Newman released from Pittsburgh hospital
The scary scene that unfolded at Acrisure Stadium wound up being precautionary. Jets guard Xavier Newman underwent testing after a neck injury and tests came back negative for major injury. He was able to return to New York with the team following the Jets’ 37-15 loss to the Steelers. While the Jets did confirm the neck injury after the game, the extent of the injury is not yet known.
Jeff Ulbrich provides an update on injuries, including Xavier Newman, who will be travelling back with the team after sustaining a neck injury: pic.twitter.com/GEJ8UDqz0a
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) October 21, 2024
Deshaun Watson suffers torn Achillies
It’s another crushing injury for the Browns quarterback, whose career has been marred by scandal, suspension and long-term stays on injured reserve. Watson was carted off the field during Cleveland’s 21-14 loss to the Bengals after going down with a non-contact injury.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that an MRI confirmed Watson has a torn Achillies which will cost him the rest of the 2024 season, at the very least. In his three seasons in Cleveland, after signing a five-year, $230 million contract, Watson has played in only six games in each of the three years.
Brandon Aiyuk out for the year with ACL, MCL tears
In another crushing blow to the 49ers offense, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in San Francisco’s 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Aiyuk held out of camp this offseason and just before the regular season began, signed a four-year, $120 million extension with $76 million in guaranteed money. The 49ers offense has been decimated by injury this season, with George Kittle having missed a game and Christian McCaffrey not having played at all in 2024 because of Achilles tendonitis.
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Rams reportedly exploring Cooper Kupp trade
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams during a game at State Farm Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 41-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Per The Athletic’s Diana Russini, the L.A. Rams are shopping All-Pro receiver Cooper Kupp and are willing to retain some of his guaranteed $9.1 million salary for this season. The Rams are looking for a second-round pick in a potential deal, per Russini, and have contacted multiple teams about the Super Bowl 56 MVP.
Kupp suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 and hasn’t played since, but is on track to return for Thursday Night Football as the Rams take on the Vikings.
Read more here.
The Rams have called multiple teams about trading former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp sources tell @mikesilver, @jourdanrodrigue, and me.
The Rams have indicated a willingness to take on some of the ‘24 salary and are seeking a 2nd round pick.— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 22, 2024
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Mike Evans to have MRI on hamstring
Evans is the second critical wide receiver the Buccaneers lost to injury Monday night.
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Bucs’ Chris Godwin to miss season with ankle injury
Tampa wide receiver Chris Godwin reportedly dislocated his ankle against the Ravens on Monday night, and the injury was so gruesome that ESPN decided not to show the replay. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Godwin will have surgery this week to repair his ankle and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
#Bucs WR Chris Godwin will undergo surgery on his dislocated ankle this week, sources say. He’ll see a doctor today to determine the damage & is expected to make a full recovery for 2025 — when he’ll be a FA.
Godwin was in a career year with 576 receiving yds — 2nd in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/UPVOqFwjXT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2024
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Saints adding WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
The Saints are without Rashid Shaheed, who’s out for the season following surgery on his meniscus, and Chris Olave, who remains in concussion protocol.
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Dolphins WR placed on IR after reportedly tearing his ACL vs. Colts
The Dolphins wide receiver and return specialist suffered the injury in the fourth quarter during a kickoff return in their 16-10 loss to the Colts.
An MRI today revealed that Dolphins WR Braxton Berrios tore his ACL, per source. The team has placed him on IR. There was no additional ligament or meniscus damage. pic.twitter.com/4pSIMRTvm3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2024
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49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk out for season with torn ACL, MCL
The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver sustained a season-ending knee injury in their 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, tests confirmed on Monday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Aiyuk has a torn ACL and MCL, and there may be other damage in his knee. He will have surgery in the near future.
Aiyuk caught a pass over the middle of the field late in the first half of Sunday’s game at Levi’s Stadium, but his knee buckled in hard as he was hit and brought down. Ayiuk remained on the field for quite some time before he eventually walked off and into the medical tent. He was eventually carted off into the locker room, and was ruled out of the game.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that the team feared he had sustained an ACL injury.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, bottom, remains on the field after being hit during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn) -
D.K. Metcalf “week to week” with Grade 1 MCL sprain
Metcalf landed hard during a catch attempt in the third quarter of the Seahawks’ win over the Falcons.
“On that sideline catch, he banged up his knee a little bit,’’ said Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald. “Not sure the severity. We’re optimistic at this point, so it doesn’t look too bad.’’
The Seahawks take on the Bills Sunday in Week 8.
Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf — who left Sunday’s win over Atlanta with a knee injury — suffered a Grade 1 sprained MCL and now will be considered “week to week”, per source. pic.twitter.com/emGKx7FEJd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2024
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Commanders QB Jayden Daniels “week-to-week”
The Commanders’ rookie QB left Sunday’s 40-7 win over the Panthers early with a rib injury after taking several hard hits.
Daniels was ruled out after halftime after first being questionable to return. After the game his mother, Regina Jackson, posted on X that her son was “fine.”
The Commanders face the Bears on Sunday.
Jayden Daniels status is week to week. Rib injury. “We’re hopefully he can play but also make sure we take every precautionary step,” Dan Quinn.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 21, 2024
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NFL makes Sunday Night Football schedule change for Week 9
The Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts are headed to Sunday Night Football in Week 9, with the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars bumped to the afternoon.
Flex! The Week 9 Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings game will move to Sunday Night Football on NBC. The Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles game will be played at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 21, 2024
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Tua Tagovailoa returning to Dolphins’ practice on Wednesday
If Tagovailoa ends up clearing concussion protocol, he would be available to play on Sunday’s Dolphins game against the Cardinals.
Mike McDaniel said medical experts have deemed it safe for Tua Tagovailoa to return to play.
McDaniel said medical experts advised time initially. Sunday for Tua likely return will be 6 weeks since his concussion.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 21, 2024
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No QB change coming for Giants
Daniel Jones will get the start again next Monday night against the Steelers.
Jones has 1,442 passing yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions in seven games this season.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll says he will stick with QB Daniel Jones as he starter. “He gives us the best chance,” Daboll says
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) October 21, 2024
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Deshaun Watson’s season is over with ruptured Achilles
An MRI revealed that Browns QB Deshaun Watson’s Achilles is in fact ruptured, as suspected, and his 2024 season is over.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2024
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Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks
Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell now is expected to miss four to six weeks with a broken thumb, per sources. He is getting a second opinion today to confirm the initial diagnosis. pic.twitter.com/9Ag3lZko8k
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2024
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No news yet on QB Jayden Daniels’ health following rib injury
The Commanders are waiting to hear about Jayden Daniels’ health just like the rest of us. He left Washington’s 40-7 win over the Panthers early with what turned out to be a rib injury. The Athletic’s Mike Jones is reporting that it may be a few days before we know about Daniels’ status for Sunday’s game against the Bears.
Commanders are still waiting to learn more about Jayden Daniels’ health. Might not know about his availability for that meeting with Caleb Williams and the Bears until Wednesday or Thursday, I’m told.
— Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) October 21, 2024
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Mike Tomlin revels in results of Russell Wilson decision
Following the Steelers’ 37-15 stomping of the Jets on Sunday night, head coach Mike Tomlin sat at the podium and answered questions about one of his most daring decisions yet: starting veteran QB Russell Wilson over young Justin Fields.
Tomlin is perhaps the most professional coach in all of the NFL. He didn’t use the presser to soak in compliments, he used it to honestly assess the game his team played. But he did allow a moment of levity to close the affair, when retired NFL wide receiver and Pittsburgh native Brandon Marshall stopped by to ask him a question.
Brandon Marshall stops by the postgame presser and asks Mike Tomlin if it was one of his boldest decisions to start Russell Wilson.
Tomlin: “that’s why I’m well-compensated.” pic.twitter.com/fQ5bdMsOtA
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 21, 2024
