Looking at the biggest injuries from NFL Week 1 and the impacts of each injury on the 2016 season.
The 2016 NFL season opened this weekend and with it came the first round of injuries from around the league. A handful of key players and notable names suffering injuries on the first week of the season. Including a few lengthy injuries that could change the course of the season for teams that are now without top players for the foreseeable future.
With big names and starters now on the injury report, let’s take a look at the notable injuries from Week 1 and breakdown the impact for their respective teams.
Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers (torn ACL, out for the season)
The biggest Week 1 blow is undoubtedly Keenan Allen’s torn ACL that will sit the San Diego Chargers wide receiver out for the entire season. Allen going down with a second longterm injury in two years after playing in just eight games last season.
For Allen, the injury concerns are starting to be an issue for the once-promising rookie who had 1,046 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2013. Since that rookie season, Allen has missed time in all of the following three seasons with the Chargers. A trend that will have the Chargers worried after locking in Allen to a four-year, $45 million contract extension.
Without Allen, the Chargers will be forced to lean on veteran tight end Antonio Gates and the ground game for the bulk of their offense this season. Already considered as the massive underdogs in the AFC West, losing Allen is likely the nail in the coffin for the Chargers chances of winning the division in 2016.
Robert Griffin III, Cleveland Browns (shoulder injury, IR designated to return)
The second most notable injury on Sunday was Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Robert Griffin III’s shoulder injury. An injury that will sideline the oft-injured former second overall draft pick for at least the next eight games as Griffin III is facing what is now a yearly injury setback.
Robert Griffin has been placed on IR w/ a fractured coracoid bone in his L. shoulder. Re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks. Does not need Sx, per team.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 12, 2016
Josh McCown will now be the Browns starter for the majority of the season as the veteran quarterback will get another chance to run the offense in Cleveland. This time under a new coach in Hue Jackson who brought in Griffin III to replace McCown as the starter this offseason. McCown now being thrust back into the role despite Jackson building his offense around Griffin III for this season.
In terms of talent, there is not much of a drop off between Griffin and McCown. McCown is a capable veteran backup who will get the job done on a rebuilding Browns team that has little expectations of competing this season. While it is a disappointment we won’t get to see Griffin III progress in Jackson’s offense, the Browns will likely be fine with McCown until RG3’s shoulder heals.
Brian Cushing, Houston Texans (torn MCL, out for at least six weeks)
On the defensive side of the ball, Brian Cushing’s injury was the most notable of the Week 1 injuries. The veteran Houston Texans linebacker set to miss the next six weeks with a torn MCL injury suffered during the first quarter of Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears.
#Texans LB Brian Cushing, carted off with a knee injury, is out 6 weeks with a torn MCL, source said. No surgery.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2016
Cushing has had injury issues in the past, but has battled through them to remain healthy in recent years. The eighth year veteran in Houston played in all 16 games last season, but will be on the shelf for at least six games in 2016 as the Texans will be without one of their defensive leaders.
While Cushing is no longer a Pro Bowl level linebacker, his absence will see a drop off in talent for the Texans linebacking group as the rest of the unit will have to step up to a replace an always consistent veteran. After his best season since 2011 last year, the Texans will be disappointed to lose Cushing for the first half of 2016. However, the good news is that Cushing could return for the stretch run as the Texans look to contend for the division title in the AFC South. A six week timetable giving plenty of opportunity for Cushing to still contribute to the Texans likely playoff run this season.
Other notable injuries
Chris Ivory, Jacksonville Jaguars: Ivory missed Week 1 with an injury that sent him to the hospital that was reportedly unrelated to a calf injury he was dealing with prior to the season opener. Ivory has missed every Jaguars practice so far this week, so the AFC’s leading rusher from last season could be inactive again for Jacksonville on Sunday.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons: Jones suffered an ankle sprain during the Falcons loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. Atlanta’s top wideout is expected to play against the Oakland Raiders this week, but his productivity will be in question as he could be at under 100% speed as the Falcons make their trip to the Black Hole.
Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills: Unlike Jones, Sammy Watkins has a more serious foot injury as the Buffalo Bills are currently considering shutting down their young wideout to let him heal for the early part of their season. A development that could be a big setback for the Bills after Buffalo dropped their season opener on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.
