It has been a rough few weeks in the NFL, as it appears the effects of Weeks 8 and 9 will leave a lasting effect on the NFL Injury Report for the foreseeable future. Multiple players have sustained season-ending ailments while others will miss substantial time on the injured reserve.
One week after Giants running back Cam Skattebo experienced a gruesome leg injury, another NFC East player suffered a traumatic injury that left a body part visibly deformed. McDaniels sustained a left elbow dislocation following a tackle late in the team's loss to the Seahawks. The joint was forced backward violently forcing the bones out of alignment.
The primary elbow joint is formed where the lower end of the upper arm bone (the humerus) sits in a C-shaped groove of the ulna, one of the two bones of the forearm. When dislocated, these bones are separated. If the bones do not naturally realign, a medical professional must reduce (reset) the joint. This is often performed at a hospital with the injured individual sedated.
Once the joint is back in its normal position, additional testing, including an MRI, is performed to examine the integrity of the bones, ligaments and other nearby structures. The time lost following the injury is often connected to these results. If serious ligament or bone damage has occurred, surgery may be necessary, extending the associated recovery. If the subsequent damage is minimal, surgery can be avoided, and treatment designed to address the associated symptoms and any laxity in the joint can be carried out. Time lost is often measured in weeks but is not season-ending. For example, Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack missed four weeks earlier this year after dislocating his elbow in Week 2.
Daniels will undergo additional testing in the coming days to determine which treatment route is needed, though early reports suggest he avoided any fractures. His long-term health should not be impacted by this setback, but Washington's record could dictate their approach. Daniels is a hold for now with Marcus Mariota taking over as the starting quarterback.
The Packers tight end is done for the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the team's loss to the Panthers. While Kraft is not the first player to tear his ACL and most definitely won't be the last, the timing of the injury is worth noting. We have reached the point of the year where ACL tears sustained during the 2025 campaign are increasingly likely to carry over into the 2026 season. The typical recovery for an ACL tear is between nine and 12 months, with the average player returning in about 11 months. Kraft will undergo surgery soon and will likely be limited entering training camp. Luke Musgrave will now be the top tight end on the Green Bay depth chart.
Nacua did not finish the Rams' blowout win over the Saints due to what was initially described as a chest injury. The team has since changed the description to a rib injury, and the receiver was slated to undergo additional testing on the area. The varying descriptions aren't worth worrying about, as the ribs do connect to the sternum (breastbone). As a result, the injury remains the same regardless of designation. What will matter is the results of his MRI, which will determine the extent of the damage. Hopefully the bone and cartilage remain intact, and Nacua is simply dealing with bruised ribs. Pain tolerance and management is often the biggest limiting factor with these types of injuries, though the Rams remain "hopeful" he will be available for Week 10. It seems likely he is a limited participant in this week's practices but is cleared to play against the 49ers.
Turf Burns
Saquon Barkley: The Eagles running back comes out of the bye week looking to build on his Week 8 success. The time off appears to have been enough to let a mild groin injury adequately heal, and he remains on track to be available Monday versus Green Bay. Tank Bigsby is a worthy handcuff and could see an increase in usage if Barkley has his workload controlled.
Travis Hunter: Jacksonville placed their rookie two-way player on the IR after he suffered a noncontact knee injury in practice late last week. The immediate shift to the IR means the injury is moderate to severe with the team still assessing the issue. His ACL remains intact, but the team remains tight-lipped on specifics.
Luke McCaffrey: Daniels' injury overshadowed McCaffrey's injury that occurred on the first play of the game. The wideout was taken down on the opening kickoff, landing hard on his left shoulder, breaking his clavicle (collarbone). The mechanism of injury was comparable to how Tampa Bay receiver Mike Evans suffered his fractured collarbone just two weeks ago. It is believed McCaffrey will miss the remainder of the season. With Terry McLaurin expected to miss more time after aggravating his quadriceps injury, look for Deebo Samuel and rookie Jaylin Lane to see an increase in targets.
C.J. Stroud: The Texans quarterback remains in the concussion protocol despite an improvement in symptoms. Stroud was injured in the first half of the team's loss to Denver when his head struck the turf following a takedown. Stroud does have a history of head injuries having missed two games during the 2023 season with a concussion. Remember the effects of concussions are cumulative, meaning Stroud is more likely to experience longer and more serious symptoms. Regardless of history, he still must complete the protocol before returning to action, and it seems more than likely he misses time. Davis Mills will start against the Jaguars if Stroud is out.
Garrett Wilson: Head coach Aaron Glenn believes Wilson will resume practicing the week. The New York receiver has not played since hyperextending his knee in Week 6. I would be more comfortable about Wilson's short-term health if we knew the exact nature of the injury. The term "hyperextension" is not a true diagnosis but more of a description of how the joint was injured. Whatever the injury is, the two weeks off combined with the bye appear to have been enough for Wilson to work through this specific ailment. Tread cautiously here despite the favorable matchup.
