Jerry Jeudy, wide receiver, Denver Broncos
There is some good news on the injury update. Tom Pelissero from NFL Network reported that X-rays were clean and determined Jeudy suffered a high-ankle sprain. While that exact severity isn’t known, the typical high-ankle sprain recovery is 4-6 weeks.
Jeudy will likely be placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least three games. In his absence, Courtland Sutton becomes the Broncos’ No. 1 wide receiver.
Raheem Mostert, running back, San Francisco 49ers
Mostert will be on the NFL injury report in Week 2, and his status for a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles is iffy. If he can’t go, with Trey Sermon a healthy scratch in the opener, Elijah Mitchell becomes the top waiver-wire target for Week 2. He exploded for 104 rushing yards and a touchdown on Sunday, and even in a committee backfield, he could post solid numbers running behind a great offensive line.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback, Washington Football Team
The Washington Football Team signed Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason, knowing the 38-year-old gunslinger could raise the ceiling of this aerial attack. Sadly, those dreams were short-lived. Fitzpatrick left the game in the first half with a hip subluxation, and Ian Rapoport said he would likely land on injured reserve.
While losing FitzMagic is a blow, backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke showed real promise in limited action. He completed 11-of-15 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, tacking on 17 rushing yards. He’s Washington’s starting quarterback for at least the next three weeks and potentially much longer. Odell Beckham Jr, wide receiver, Cleveland Browns
Odell Beckham Jr seemed to be trending in the right direction for a Week 1 return. The Cleveland Browns listed him as a limited participant in practice on the NFL injury report all week and gave him a chance to ear the nod during warmups. But head coach Kevin Stefanski said OBJ wasn’t feeling 100%, so they put him on inactive status as a precautionary thing.
Considering neither he nor the coaching staff felt confident he could play on even a small step count, there is some reason for concern. OBJ will likely be a limited participant again in practice this week and a game-time decision for Week 2. Right now, consider him questionable. If he can’t suit up, Anthony Schwartz (69 receiving yards in Week 1) showed that he could lift his team having speed like OBJ helps stretch the defense.
Michael Gallup, wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys
Wide receiver Michael Gallup is going to miss time with a calf strain. With Gallup sidelined for the next three to five weeks, headed for injured reserve, there is significant fallout for the Cowboys’ offense. Cedrick Wilson steps into the role as the third receiver, and he should receive plenty of snaps, but CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper will likely see 14-plus targets a game.
Evan Engram, tight end, New York Giants
Evan Engram is a regular fixture on the NFL injury report. He suffered a calf injury in the final week of the preseason and didn’t hit the practice field before Week 1. Given the New York Giants ruled him out more than 48 hours before their opener, there’s a strong possibility he doesn’t suit up in Week 2.
Still no Michael Thomas, wide receiver, New Orleans Saints
Unfortunately, a full offseason to recover didn’t resolve Thomas’ ankle issue from last season. In June, he underwent surgery to repair damaged ligaments in the ankle and started the season on the PUP list. With Tomas out for six weeks, Marquez Callaway becomes the Saints’ No. 1 receiver. Callaway had a tough time Sunday going up against one of the best corners in the league in Jaire Alexander. But the Saints distributed the balls around him instead and got the W with the highest scoring difference against the Packers.