Week 1 NFL Injury Report

by theScore Staff
Peter Aiken / Getty Images Sport / Getty

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Here's a look at the injury situation heading into Week 1 of the NFL season:

Quarterback

Other than absences known well in advance (Tony Romo, Tom Brady, Teddy Bridgewater), no other starting QBs are up in the air, injury-wise, for Week 1.

Running back

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs (vs. Chargers)

Charles appears to be the biggest name of the week whose participation is in doubt. Even if he suits up (which appears unlikely, according to coach Andy Reid), Spencer Ware will surely see a heavy workload, with Charcandrick West also in the mix.

Thomas Rawls, Seahawks (vs. Dolphins)

Rawls (ankle) played in the team's final preseason game, and should be good to go for Week 1 against the Dolphins. Christine Michael will see a significant workload, however, as Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has said that the opener will be treated like the "preseason" for Rawls.

Carlos Hyde, 49ers (vs. Rams)

After suffering a preseason concussion, Hyde was cleared for football activity on Wednesday, which bodes well for his availability for Monday night's opener.

Matt Jones, Redskins (vs. Steelers)

After suffering a separated shoulder on Aug. 19, Jones was back in practice and should be set to play in Week 1. Jones is still technically the lead back, but Chris Thompson will play on passing downs and undrafted rookie Rob Kelley will see some touches as well.

With a YPC of 3.4 in 2015, Jones is one of the NFL's more underwhelming lead runners.

Wide receiver

DeVante Parker, Dolphins (at Seahawks)

A hamstring injury is likely to sideline Parker indefinitely; Miami's signing of Titans castoff Justin Hunter doesn't bode well for Parker's availability. In a difficult matchup with the Seahawks, only target monster Jarvis Landry is a safe play.

Jordy Nelson, Packers (at Jaguars)

Nelson may not have played all preseason after missing the entirety of the 2015 season with a knee injury, but he doesn't appear to be in danger of sitting out Week 1. There is the possibility he doesn't see his usual heavy workload, however.

Steve Smith Sr., Ravens (vs. Bills)

Smith Sr. (Achilles) was activated from the PUP list in August, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to suit up for Week 1. With Smith, Kamar Aiken, Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman all healthy, the Ravens have a reasonably deep receiving corps.

Kevin White, Bears (at Texans)

Chances are that White isn't being counted on to start on many fantasy teams, but a hamstring injury resulted in him being added to the Bears' injury report on Thursday. He was able to practice on a limited basis, though, instead of sitting out altogether.

Tight end

Tyler Eifert, Bengals (at Jets) - Out

Eifert (ankle) won't return until at least Week 4. Until then, the tight end position in Cincinnati likely won't be fantasy-relevant, with some combination of Tyler Kroft, C.J. Uzomah and H-back Ryan Hewitt filling in.

Rob Gronkowski, Patriots (at Cardinals)

A hamstring injury is affecting Gronkowski, and as Ian Rapoport reports, it's not a certainty he suits up against the Cardinals. More information will undoubtedly emerge closer to Sunday, but Gronkowski owners should nevertheless have a backup plan in mind.

Jimmy Graham, Seahawks (vs. Dolphins)

Graham isn't likely to play in Week 1, and if that's the case, backup Luke Willson is more of a blocker. More passes will go the way of receivers Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Tyler Lockett, as they did when Graham was sidelined late last season.

Eric Ebron, Lions (at Colts)

A sprained ankle suffered in early August may keep Ebron on the shelf into the regular season, though he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday.

Zach Miller, Bears (at Texans)

A concussion kept Miller out of all the Bears' preseason games, but as he was cleared to practice prior to the finale, he should be able to feature in Week 1.

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