Yardbarker
x
Key injuries going into NFL Week 1
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Key injuries going into NFL Week 1

The NFL regular season finally kicks off this week, but there are already plenty of injury concerns. Some will keep players out to begin the season, while others could hamper players' performances.

So which injuries could have the biggest impacts in Week 1? Here are some of the biggest health concerns as the NFL season kicks off.

 
1 of 18

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

Nursing an ankle injury that he suffered in the preseason, Beckham is questionable in a Week 1 matchup against Dallas. The Giants will rely on newcomer Brandon Marshall more if Beckham is unable to go.

 
2 of 18

Deone Bucannon, LB/DB, Cardinals

Deone Bucannon, LB/DB, Cardinals
Jim Dedmon / USA Today Sports Images

Bucannon had offseason ankle surgery and aggravated his injury two weeks ago. He will miss Arizona's Week 1 matchup against Detroit, which could be problematic against Matthew Stafford.

 
3 of 18

Myles Garrett, DE, Browns

Myles Garrett, DE, Browns
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

The first overall pick in the 2017 draft, Garrett's regular-season debut will be delayed due to a high ankle sprain. He suffered the injury in Wednesday's practice.

 
4 of 18

Eddie Goldman, DT, Bears

Eddie Goldman, DT, Bears
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

An important part of Chicago's defensive line, Goldman is week-to-week due to a concussion suffered in the preseason. At best, he seems questionable for Week 1.

 
5 of 18

Kenny Golladay, WR, Lions

Kenny Golladay, WR, Lions
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

Detroit's third-round pick gained plenty of fans on the Lions coaching staff this summer. He's been nursing a minor ankle injury but should be able to play this week.

 
6 of 18

George Kittle, TE, 49ers

George Kittle, TE, 49ers
Sergio Estrada / USA Today Sports Images

A fifth-round pick, Kittle has emerged atop the 49ers' depth chart at tight end. He aggravated his hamstring during Wednesday's practice, which clouds his status for Week 1.

 
7 of 18

Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams

Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
Cary Edmundson / USA Today Sports Images

Kupp was taken in the third round of the draft and is slated to get plenty of snaps for the Rams. However, his status for Week 1 is up in the air due to an ankle injury.

 
8 of 18

Kyle Long, OG, Bears

Kyle Long, OG, Bears
Dennis Wierzbicki / USA Today Sports Images

Chicago's key offensive lineman missed significant time in 2016 with a fractured ankle, and he's very questionable for Week 1. Regular center Cody Whitehair has been taking snaps at guard in Long's absence.

 
9 of 18

Andrew Luck, QB, Colts

Andrew Luck, QB, Colts
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Luck will miss Indy's Week 1 matchup against the Rams as he continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery. The Colts will roll with Scott Tolzien at quarterback for at least one game and possibly more, though the newly acquired Jacoby Brissett could see time too.

 
10 of 18

Khalil Mack, OLB, Raiders

Khalil Mack, OLB, Raiders
Cary Edmundson / USA Today Sports Images

Mack sat out practice on Wednesday due to a knee injury. There's no word on the severity, but he hadn't missed time previously.

 
11 of 18

Jordan Matthews, WR, Bills

Jordan Matthews, WR, Bills
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Matthews missed time in the preseason since being traded to Buffalo with a chest injury, but he's been practicing this week. The Bills expect him to be their No. 1 wide receiver vs. the Jets.

 
12 of 18

Braxton Miller, WR, Texans

Braxton Miller, WR, Texans
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Miller has been out for much of the preseason due to an ankle injury, but the Texans expect him to play this week. His presence will be key with Will Fuller injured and Jaelen Strong missing Week 1 due to a suspension.

 
13 of 18

Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Patriots

Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Patriots
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

The Patriots lost Julian Edelman for the year during the preseason, and Mitchell is a game-time decision for Thursday's game due to a knee injury. If he's unable to play, former Colt Phillip Dorsett will likely get more snaps.

 
14 of 18

Steven Nelson, CB, Chiefs

Steven Nelson, CB, Chiefs
Jeff Curry / USA Today Sports Images

The Chiefs will be without Nelson, their No. 2 cornerback, for the first eight weeks of the season due to a core muscle injury. It's a tough injury as the Chiefs visit the high-powered Patriots for their season opener.

 
15 of 18

Thomas Rawls, RB, Seahawks

Thomas Rawls, RB, Seahawks
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

The oft-injured Rawls is expected to share playing time with Eddie Lacy this season, but his status is uncertain in Week 1 due to an ankle injury. Lacy will get more snaps, along with C.J. Prosise and Chris Carson, if Rawls can't go.

 
16 of 18

John Ross, WR, Bengals

John Ross, WR, Bengals
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

The record holder in the 40 at the NFL Combine, Ross will miss at least two weeks due to a knee injury. He had a history of knee problems in college at Washington.

 
17 of 18

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Thomas was held out of practice early this week with a groin injury, but he returned on Wednesday. He's likely to play in the season opener against the Chargers.

 
18 of 18

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars
Logan Bowles / USA Today Sports Images

Yeldon has been out for nearly three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during the preseason. Now the backup to rookie Leonard Fournette, Yeldon looks unlikely for Week 1.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.