The Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, and several other NFL teams are grappling with the aftermath of a turbulent Week 3, as injuries have struck key players and altered game plans.
Philadelphia Eagles' Struggles
The Philadelphia Eagles were hit particularly hard. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith faced a brutal hit during the second half, leading to a concussion that ruled him out of the game. As Smith recovers, the Eagles will also miss the services of Britain Covey, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Adding to their woes, Lane Johnson also suffered a concussion in a matchup against the New Orleans Saints, further depleting their lineup.
Chargers' Quarterback Woes
For the Los Angeles Chargers, the injury to quarterback Justin Herbert looms large. Originally listed as questionable for Sunday’s game due to an ankle injury, Herbert appeared to aggravate the issue in the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. "Herbert was originally listed as questionable to play Sunday due to an ankle injury, and he appeared to aggravate the ankle in the third quarter vs. the Steelers (he confirmed as much afterwards)," a source reported. With Herbert’s condition uncertain, backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke took over the reins, leading the charge as the team navigates this challenging phase.
Injuries Across the League
The injury bug did not spare the Rams, as Van Jefferson suffered an eye injury, while the Detroit Lions' tight end Sam LaPorta endured a low-ankle sprain. The Cleveland Browns faced a cascade of injuries with Mekhi Becton going down in the first half, followed by Jedrick Wills Jr. in the same game. Wyatt Teller was subsequently ruled out due to a knee injury, and James Hudson also suffered a shoulder injury, compounding the Browns' plight.
The New Orleans Saints' Erik McCoy was ruled out with a groin injury, further testing the team's depth. Additionally, Myles Garrett of the Giants had a brief scare as he left the field in the fourth quarter against the Steelers but managed to return later in the game.
Steelers' Defensive Setbacks
The Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive prowess took a hit as Joey Bosa was ruled out after just one snap against the Chargers. Alex Highsmith left the Sunday's game due to a groin injury, leaving the Steelers to reassess their defensive strategy moving forward.
Other Key Absences
Adoree' Jackson’s absence in the second half of Cleveland's matchup was notable, as was Cory Trice Jr. missing the remainder of the game due to a hamstring issue. These injuries force teams to juggle their rosters and test their depth as the NFL season pushes forward.
Adapting to this wave of injuries will require resilience and strategic adjustments from every franchise. The unfolding weeks will reveal which teams can best manage these challenges and make a strong push as the season progresses.