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.
Several NFL 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 receivers Chris Godwin (who’s out for the season) and Mike Evans after Monday night’s game.
Here’s a look at some of the news and notes coming out of Week 7.
Chiefs finalize trade for WR DeAndre Hopkins
The Kansas City Chiefs have finalized a trade for Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the team announced on Thursday. Hopkins, 32, will help strengthen a receiving corps that has lost Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster to injuries.
The Chiefs sent a fifth-round pick that can become a fourth-rounder to the Titans for Hopkins.
Chris Godwin to undergo surgery, Mike Evans to miss four weeks
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without two key wide receivers for the near future after both suffered injuries during Monday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Chris Godwin, whose ugly injury turned out to be a dislocated ankle, will undergo surgery on Wednesday and miss the rest of the season. Godwin’s ankle reportedly looked generally OK ahead of surgery, meaning that recovery time might not be as dire as originally thought.
Mike Evans had an MRI on Wednesday that confirmed his hamstring injury will keep him out four weeks. The Buccaneers have their bye on Nov. 17, so the wide receiver would miss games against the Falcons, Chiefs and 49ers before returning after their week off.
Deshaun Watson suffers torn Achilles
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. Jameis Winston will reportedly start in Watson’s place.
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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Chiefs finalize trade for Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins
DeAndre Hopkins in action against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 30, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) The Kansas City Chiefs have finalized trade for Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the team announced on Thursday.
Hopkins, 32, will help strengthen a receiving corps that has lost Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster to injuries.
The Chiefs sent a fifth-round pick that can become a fourth-rounder to the Titans for Hopkins.
Hopkins has 15 catches for 173 yards this season for a Titans team that has won just one game and struggled at quarterback. Hopkins had a knee injury in training camp that didn’t require surgery. He had 75 catches for 1,057 yards last season with Tennessee.
Hopkins is the third prominent receiver over the past two weeks to be traded. Last week, the Las Vegas Raiders sent Davante Adams to the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns traded Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills. The Los Angeles Rams have also reportedly initiated trade discussions with teams for former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp.
Read the full story here.
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Bucs WR Mike Evans out four weeks
Evans injured his hamstring Monday night against the Ravens. The Buccaneers have their bye on Nov. 17, so Evans would only miss three games (Falcons, Chiefs, 49ers) if he is able to return after the week off.
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Saints RB Alvin Kamara playing through broken hand
Kamara suffered the injury in Week 5.
On Tuesday, he signed a two-year, $24.5 million extension.
Alvin Kamara confirmed he’s playing with a broken hand (suffered against the Chiefs) … he said as long as he’s able to protect himself he’s going to be out there. He said he never considered sitting out due to injuries with an non-guaranteed deal. #Saints
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) October 23, 2024
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49ers do not open Christian McCaffrey practice window
McCaffrey, who is dealing with Achilles tendinitis, could return to 49ers practice during the team’s bye in Week 9.
“It’s not this week, so hopefully, it will be next week,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Should McCaffrey begin practicing during the 49ers’ bye week, he could return to the lineup on Nov. 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 49ers did not open the practice window for RB Christian McCaffrey (bilateral Achilles tendinitis) this week. He was observed rising a few inches off the ground while taking a handful of deep-range shots at the basketball hoop in the locker room.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 23, 2024
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Deebo Samuel not practicing Wednesday, but could possibly return vs. Cowboys
On Wednesday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that while Samuel, was hospitalized due to fluid in his lungs, wasn’t going to participate in practice, the door was open for the wide receiver to return Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
Shanahan said that Samuel first started dealing with symptoms on Sunday morning, and that he was having trouble breathing during their 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Samuel was pulled from the game in the second quarter, and did not return. He was then admitted to a local hospital that night.
Deebo Samuel put up a couple shots on the 49ers locker room basketball hoop before practice. He’s not practicing today but is obviously doing much better following a bout with pneumonia and has a chance to play Sunday
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 23, 2024
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Spencer Rattler expected to start again for Saints vs. Chargers
The New Orleans Saints anticipate that rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will make his third NFL start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Rattler has started the last two games for the Saints since starter Derek Carr suffered an oblique injury in Week 5. Head coach Dennis Allen told reporters on Wednesday that Carr has resumed throwing, but isn’t expected to be ready to play on Sunday.
The Saints have lost five straight games to fall to 2-5 after a 2-0 start.
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Seahawks, Titans swap linebackers Jerome Baker, Ernest Jones
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Browns’ Jameis Winston will start at QB1 after season-ending Deshaun Watson injury
With Deshaun Watson out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, the Cleveland Browns will reportedly turn to Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Wednesday. Watson suffered the injury during the Browns’ 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, the Browns had designated Winston as its emergency quarterback behind Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Now, with Watson out, Winston has been promoted, with Cleveland giving the start to the veteran quarterback.
Winston, a 10-year veteran of the league, signed a one-year contract with the Browns in March after stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.
Read the full story here.
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Mike Evans to undergo an MRI on Wednesday to determine severity of hamstring injury
Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans will have an MRI on Wednesday to determine the severity of his hamstring injury suffered during Monday Night Football. Regardless of the result, Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Tuesday that Evans is probably out for at least a month.
It’s likely to be a tough blow for the Bucs, who are already without Chris Godwin after the receiver was injured on the same night.
Bucs WR Mike Evans is undergoing an MRI today on his hamstring to help determine the severity of the injury, per source. HC Todd Bowles said Tuesday that he is not expecting Evans back until after the Buccaneers’ week 11 bye.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 23, 2024
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Chris Godwin will undergo surgery on Wednesday
Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin is undergoing surgery on Wednesday for his dislocated ankle. Testing showed that the injury was in relatively good shape, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, and that Godwin could return before the end of the season depending on whether Tampa Bay makes an appearance in the postseason.
#Bucs WR Chris Godwin is having surgery today to repair his dislocated ankle. Going into it, tests were as good as they could’ve been, sources say.
No one knows how long TB’s season will last, but there is even an outside possibility Godwin returns. Not likely. But slight. https://t.co/L6PSA2nXho
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2024
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Cowboys’ Jerry Jones justifies not pursuing Derrick Henry
On Tuesday, Jones addressed the Cowboys run game on his weekly radio appearance with 105.3 The Fan. He did so fresh off another showcase Monday night by a Baltimore Ravens offense featuring running back Derrick Henry, who was a free agent in the offseason and available for the Cowboys to pursue.
Jones explained on Tuesday why he doesn’t believe that Henry would be a difference-maker for the Cowboys this season.
Read the full story here.
#Cowboys owner Jerry Jones today on not signing Derrick Henry, via @1053thefan: “Derrick is having a career year. I don’t know if he’d be having a career year in our situation… We don’t run that type of offense at all… Derrick didn’t fit, principally due to managing the cap.” pic.twitter.com/q8QPMB0zRd
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 22, 2024
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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
