Another rough NFL week 2 saw some big injuries that will have some big impacts throughout the season and next few weeks. The 1st few weeks of the NFL season have always brought many injuries and 2023 is no different. We break down some of those below and what they mean.
Week 2 Injury Updates
Nick Chubb – Multi-ligament knee Injury – Browns – RB
We might as well start with the biggest news of the past week. Nick Chubb suffered a tough injury in Monday night football, ending his season. Chubb injured his left knee when Steelers defender Minkah Fitzpatrick tackled him low, trapping his foot underneath as the rest of his body kept moving forward. Chubb has had a similar injury to that same knee back in 2015 when he was at Georgia. Though possible, a second knee dislocation type of injury is going to be very hard to come back from especially at the level Chubb was playing at. Of course, just making sure that all structures in the knee are attended to and fixed is the primary concern before even thinking about that. Chubb had surgery following the injury and starts his rehabilitation. In his absence Jerome Ford will be the Browns starter for Week 3. Ford played well after Chubb’s exit in Week 2 totaling 106 rushing yards, 25 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Browns also have signed veteran Kareem Hunt to add depth to the backfield.
Saquon Barkley – Ankle Sprain – New York Giants – RB
The other big story everyone has followed has been the ankle of Giants star running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley who has a history of ankle injuries got “lucky” that his current injury was an ankle sprain and not a high ankle sprain. Regardless of that, he will still miss week 3’s Thursday night match-up against the San Francisco 49ers. The team has been wishy washy on his rehabilitation time. Originally, they said he would be out around 3 weeks only to turn around and tell everyone he could possibly play Thursday night. I think we all knew that wasn’t a possibility considering the cart that took him to the locker room last game and considering the short week but that does pose the question what about next week? The average starting running back misses two games for an ankle sprain. Severity of course plays its role and the fact that Saquon is progressing well is a good sign. Based on the data and the usage that Barkley takes for the team, I still think it will take at least two weeks for the ankle to heal. I would count on him being out this week and next and then check in on the practice reports for that final week to see if he can get a few full practices in on the ankle prior to gameday.
With #NYGiants star running back Saquon Barkley officially ruled OUT for Thursday night football now, it looks like Matt Breida will get the start. #injuryupdate #nfl pic.twitter.com/fjLYu9mOxj
— Sports Doc Matt (@sportsdocmatt) September 20, 2023
Jamaal Williams – Hamstring – New Orleans Saints – RB
The dreaded hamstring injury rears its ugly head again. Jamaal went out Monday night after suffering the hamstring strain and did not return. In his absence Tony Jones carried the ball for just 34 yards but two touchdowns. He and Taysom Hill will have a much bigger role against the Packers Sunday if Jamaal is still nursing that injury with Alvin Kamara still serving his suspension. Williams didn’t practice Wednesday and we will continue to keep an eye on his practice reports this week. Hamstrings are fickle injuries and coming back too early can cause re-injury and reduced production. That’s a big reason why backs can miss up to 4 games on average for this. Like any injury the grade of the strain, rehabilitation and healing will determine actual time missed but don’t get your hopes up to see Williams this week as they aren’t going to want to risk him getting hurt again by playing him too early.
Bryce Young – Ankle - Carolina Panthers – QB
Bryce young spent day two of practice on the sidelines nursing his ankle. With him missing two days of practice now he is not expected to play this coming weekend. That means that Andy Dalton will get the start. 1st round pick Bryce Young and the offense have been struggling as of late so we will see if Dalton can get things moving week 3.
Joe Burrow – Calf Strain Re-injury – Cincinnati Bengals – QB
Burrow re-injured his calf strain last Sunday however we aren’t so sure it wasn’t still bothering him heading into the game. Either way he is being listed as day-to-day with the issue. Head Coach Zac Taylor has said “Giving him time is best”. Our injury expert SportsDocMatt thinks there is a good chance that he doesn’t go this week especially after the re-injury but says that because they play Monday he may just be able to rest it enough. Only time will tell as the burrow nurses the injury. Initial reports are that he is feeling better but soft tissue injuries are never what they seem. It would be better for Joe to take the time now because if he makes this even worse then he is bound to deal with this the entire season.
Amon-Ra St. Brown – Foot – Detroit Lions – WR
Amon-Ra was back at practice which is great news for the Lions who came out of Sundays game very banged up. They have already lost RB David Montgomery for a few games due to a thigh bruise and lost CJ Gardner-Johnson for the season to a pec tear. St. Brown has been dealing with a toe injury but him being back at practice means he is moving towards playing this weekend. He could be down in productivity if the toe continues to bother him but even being on the field gives Detroit a lift they need. He also dealt with cramps last game but that seems to have been taken care of and should not affect him.
Aaron Jones – Hamstring – Green Bay Packers – RB
Jones was back at practice today which is good news for Packers fans. He has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in week 1. Aaron had said following the injury that is wasn’t as bad as others he has had in the past. If it isn’t that severe and he is able to play this weekend the data suggests that he really shouldn’t lose much at all in productivity and will be back to his normal self. Again though, if he is rushing back then he increases his risk of re-injury but hopefully for the Packers, Jones and fantasy owners all over he is ready to go and feeling good.
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