Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season brought a series of unfortunate injuries, sidelining key players across various teams and shaking up the landscape of the league. The Miami Dolphins were one of the hardest hit, with their star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffering a concussion during Thursday's game. This marks at least the third confirmed brain injury of Tagovailoa's career, forcing the Dolphins to place him on injured reserve. He will be out until at least Week 8, a major blow to the team’s playoff aspirations.
Another significant injury occurred with Tennessee Titans' Tyjae Spears, who injured his ankle during the second half against the New York Jets. Spears’ condition remains day-to-day, leaving the Titans in a state of uncertainty about his return. In another ankle injury case, MarShawn Lloyd of the Green Bay Packers was also placed on injured reserve after getting hurt during their game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Jacksonville and Kansas City Hit Hard
The Jacksonville Jaguars faced a setback when Tank Bigsby sustained a shoulder injury in their game against the Cleveland Browns, sidelining him for the remainder of the game. There is no clear timeline for his return. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs' running game took a significant hit with Isiah Pacheco’s ankle injury in the second half against the Bengals. Pacheco was seen leaving the stadium on crutches and in a walking boot, and the Chiefs have since placed him on injured reserve. He will miss at least four games, a critical loss for the team.
Elsewhere, Bengals fans can breathe a sigh of relief as an MRI confirmed that Joe Mixon's ankle injury wasn’t severe. The same cannot be said for other teams around the league. The Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson exited the game against the 49ers with a thigh bruise/contusion. Despite the injury, Jefferson assured fans, "He'll be fine," as he was helped off the field.
Sidelined Stars and Season-Ending Setbacks
The Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp suffered an ankle injury in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals and was later seen in a walking boot. He is expected to miss extended time, much to the dismay of Rams fans. The San Francisco 49ers will also miss one of their stars, Deebo Samuel, for a couple of weeks due to a calf injury. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed this timeline, emphasizing the team's cautious approach to Samuel's recovery.
A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles did not appear in "Monday Night Football" against the Falcons because of a hamstring injury, adding to the litany of player absences this week. Meanwhile, David Bell of the Cleveland Browns dislocated his hip and is set for season-ending surgery. The Browns have placed him on injured reserve.
Defensive Players in the Line of Fire
The New Orleans Saints' versatile Taysom Hill exited with a chest injury against the Cowboys, and the New York Giants’ tight end Evan Engram sat out Week 2 due to a hamstring issue. Vita Vea of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sustained a knee injury against the Lions, with initial diagnoses pointing to an MCL sprain. Further tests are required to confirm the extent of his injury.
The Indianapolis Colts defensive line faces uncertainty with DeForest Buckner, who encountered an apparent leg/ankle injury against the Packers. While initial X-rays came back negative, an MRI will determine the severity of his ankle sprain. Other injuries on defense include B.J. Hill of the Bengals with a hamstring injury, and C.J. Mosley of the Jets, who sustained a foot injury.
The Dolphins continued to face adversity as Jerome Baker sustained a hamstring issue. Jermaine Johnson II appears to have torn his Achilles, and Ja'Whaun Bentley suffered a torn pectoral muscle, effectively ruling him out for the season.
As Week 3 approaches, teams around the league will need to adapt quickly to these injuries, relying on their depth and hoping for speedy recoveries. The landscape of the 2024 NFL season is already shifting dramatically, and how teams manage these setbacks will undoubtedly shape the path to the playoffs.