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ToggleWe’re officially through three weeks of the NFL season and the injuries continue to pile up. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert left Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Steelers with a high ankle sprain, Packers signal-caller Jordan Love missed more time with a knee injury and San Francisco 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey remains on injured reserve with Achilles tendinitis.
Here’s a list of the most significant players dealing with injuries and their latest statuses ahead of Week 4.
Quarterbacks
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Status: Active vs. Vikings
Jordan Love is active and expected to play in his first game since Week 1, likely with a brace on the left knee he sprained.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Status: Expected to start vs. Chiefs
Justin Herbert is expected to play through a high ankle sprain against the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert also tried to play through the injury against the Steelers before he was removed from the game.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
Tagovailoa sustained at least the third concussion of his career in Week 2’s 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. On Sept. 17, Miami placed him on the injured reserve list, and he will be out until at least Week 8 vs. the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 27.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Status: Out vs. Colts
Wilson has yet to play this season because of a calf injury. Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Wilson (calf) will begin Week 4 prep as a limited practice participant Wednesday, and the Steelers are preparing for Justin Fields to make a fourth consecutive start at quarterback Sunday versus the Colts, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Running backs
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
McCaffrey, arguably the biggest offensive threat in the NFL, was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles injury and is expected to miss at least six weeks. Backup running back Jordan Mason has stepped up in his absence, averaging 4.8 yards a carry with 324 yards and two scores in three weeks.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
Many thought this was Pacheco’s season to breakout, but sadly he’s likely to miss at least six weeks with a fractured fibula. With backup Clyde Edwards-Helaire also injured, the Chiefs signed Kareem Hunt to their practice squad. Carson Steele will be the primary back for Week 4 vs. Los Angeles.
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Status: Questionable vs. Jaguars
Mixon suffered an ankle injury midway through the Texans’ 19-13 win against the Chicago Bears in Week 2, but it appears he avoided any long-term injury. He missed Week 3 and was not spotted at practice on Wednesday.
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Status: Will play vs. Lions
Walker is no longer on the injury report after he missed Week 2 and Week 3.
Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
Status: Out vs. Cardinals
Ekeler looked to be on the way to a big performance against Cincinnati on Monday — 35 yards rushing and a score — but suffered a concussion in the first half. He was ruled out by Washington on Wednesday.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Status: Active vs. Indianapolis
Harris had a right arm injury in Week 3 but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says it’s not a concern against the Colts. “Naj will be ready to rock and roll,” Tomlin told reporters this week.
Wide receivers
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Status: Inactive vs. Buccaneers
Brown is out again. He missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a hamstring injury he sustained at practice.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Expected to play vs. Patriots
Samuel strained his calf late in San Francisco’s Week 2 loss to the Vikings but he reportedly will play Sunday.
Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
Status: Expected to play vs. Rams
Allen was inactive in both Week 2 and Week 3 with a heel injury.
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Status: Out vs. Bears
The veteran wideout, who started the season with 18 receptions and 147 yards, is out with an ankle injury. He will not be good to go against Chicago on Sunday. It’s horrible news for Los Angeles, who already lost star receiver Puka Nacua. Speaking of that …
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
Nacua could be out until Week 9 with a posterior cruciate ligament strain he re-aggravated in Week 1. A breakout star in his first year — he broke a 63-year record for the most receiving yards for a rookie in NFL history last season — Nacua joins his teammate Cupp on the sidelines, greatly depleting Los Angeles’ offensive potential.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
Status: Active vs. Packers
Addison is dealing with an ankle injury that has sidelined him all but one game this season but he will play Sunday.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
The Panthers’ veteran wideout was placed on Injured Reserve after injuring his hamstring in Week 3 against the Saints. It’s a big blow to a Carolina offense coming off a shocking win against Las Vegas.
Tight ends
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Active vs. Patriots
Kittle is active and expected to start.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Status: Out vs. Raiders
Njoku missed Week 2 and Week 3 with an ankle injury, and he did not practice on Wednesday.
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Status: Out vs. Texans
Engram suffered a hamstring injury during pregame warmups ahead of Week 3.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Status: Will play vs. Seahawks
Dan Campbell said LaPorta — who suffered a low-ankle sprain in last weel’s 20-13 win over the Cardinals — will play.
