Week 1 of the 2022 season has given us several crazy results and compelling individual performances. Unfortunately, the league’s opening game also included serious injuries to some of the league’s key players.
As always, fans should pay close attention to the team’s respective injury reports throughout the week to best track the progress of any injured player. Teams typically release their first injury report of the week on Wednesday (unless they play on a day other than Sunday), with the final report coming after Friday’s practice. And, of course, the final inactivity report 90 minutes before kickoff.
Before most teams issue their first injury reports for Week 2, here’s a rundown of some notable individual players injured during the NFL’s opening week, and if they could miss any games, and how soon they might return.
Dak Prescott
Jerry Jones tells 105.3 fans that his quarterback won’t continue to be injured as a backup That leaves the door open for Prescott to return in four weeks or less. Prescott reportedly underwent successful stabilization surgery on his fractured thumb, which continued in the Cowboys’ season-opening loss to the Pirates. Initial reports suggest Prescott will miss at least six weeks with an injury, but Jones is optimistic that Prescott will be back sooner than that.
TJ Watts
TJ Watts
PIT • OLB • 90
In Pittsburgh’s Week 1 win, Watt tallied six tackles, one sack and one interception.
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Steelers head coach Mike didn’t know much about Watt’s injury Tomlin expressed optimism after Watt injured his pectoral muscle in Pittsburgh’s season-opening win over Cincinnati. Tomlin ruled Watt out of Sunday’s game against New England but declined to speculate.
“We were probably much better off than we were after the game,” Tomlin said. “We are encouraged and we will continue to observe the situation and get advice and do what is appropriate.”
Najib Harris
Harris told Tuesday Adam Schein of CBS Sports, who has great feet, hopes to practice and play in Pittsburgh’s upcoming game against New England. Harris was injured in the second half of last Sunday’s win over Cincinnati.
While Harris hopes to play, Tomlin has flagged Harris as entering the workweek every day.
“Young is good,” Tomlin said of Harris’ optimism. “He seems to be in [the game] position, but he has to practice and prove his preparation. That’s just my opinion. He’s a talented guy, but he’s a young man. So I’ll see some work on him. . We will take him every day to see where his involvement and quality of engagement lead us. As always, we will only do what is good for him and what is good for us.”
Keenan Allen
Allen tore his hamstring in the first half of last Sunday’s win over Las Vegas. He’s unlikely to play Thursday night’s game against the Chiefs, according to NFL media, but there’s optimism that the injury isn’t a long-term situation.
Alvin Kamara
New Orleans head coach Dennis Allen said after the game that the Saints are in the season opener Kamala injured his rib in the game against the Falcons. Allen added that he doesn’t expect injuries to keep the Pro Bowl out of Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay. Injuries, however, could limit Kamara’s practice time as well as Sunday’s workload.
Tee Higgins
Higgins is still undergoing treatment for a concussion after suffering a first-half injury in the Bengals’ Week 1 loss to Pittsburgh. He has to go through five steps to get back on the field. Higgins’ practice involvement this week could determine whether he will play in Sunday’s road game against the Cowboys.
Jamal Adams
Seattle’s star safety was taken off the field during Monday night’s win over the Broncos. After the game, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Adams was seriously injured on his quad. Carroll said Monday that Adams will have to “get some work done.”
“I know it’s serious, it just breaks your heart,” Carroll said.
