In Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, the league found itself reeling with a surge of injuries to star players, casting long shadows over strategic plans and fueling anxious speculation. These weren’t mere bumps and bruises—they were setbacks that forced teams to recalibrate on the fly and left fans biting their nails, wondering who might be sidelined next.
It started with the Miami Dolphins, where a string of wounds created immediate depth concerns. Cornerback Storm Duck went down with an ankle injury that required carting off the field, though he initially walked under his own power. The team expects him to be out for two to three weeks—enough time to strain the secondary rotation. At guard, James Daniels left the game early nursing a pectoral strain, a non-surgical injury but one that will likely cost him three to four weeks. Austin Jackson, their offensive tackle, was subsequently evaluated for a toe injury, and veteran Benito Jones is even in limbo, currently labeled as “week-to-week.” The Dolphins are already bracing for at least two starters to miss Week 2, with the risk of losing up to four as assessments continue.
Shifting north, the Steelers lost starting safety DeShon Elliott to a sprained MCL in their narrow 34–32 win over the Jets. While the injury doesn’t appear season-ending, Elliott is expected to miss multiple weeks, likely returning by Week 4 when the team faces the Vikings in Ireland. In response, they moved swiftly to sign veteran Jabrill Peppers, bringing experience and potential short-term stability to a suddenly vulnerable secondary.
The Philadelphia Eagles were next to face an injury cascade. Running back Will Shipley, poised for a larger role, fractured a rib during the contest with Dallas. His absence forced the team to pivot quickly—adding Tank Bigsby in the trade market and relying on A.J. Dillon in the meantime, as Shipley’s play had already earned praise from Saquon Barkley for his smarts. Meanwhile, fullback Ben VanSumeren also got dinged, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson was evaluated (and cleared) for a concussion, Sydney Brown seemed rattled after a tackle, and offensive lineman Landon Dickerson was visibly uncomfortable after a play. The mounting injuries early in their season suddenly look like hurdles in what had been a hopeful march forward.
In Cleveland, things got tense when veteran Jack Conklin appeared to suffer a head—or possibly eye—inspired injury during a touchdown drive in their opener against Cincinnati. He left the field under medical escort to the blue medical tent, returned briefly, then exited again, ultimately being ruled “questionable” due to an eye injury. Cornelius Lucas took over at right tackle, but the offense sputtered, going three-and-out on its next possession—an ominous sign if Conklin’s status remains uncertain
Meanwhile, the New York Giants received some grim reports. Linebacker Micah McFadden, fresh off a breakout in 2024 and entering the final year of his rookie deal, suffered a foot injury. Though X‑rays came back clear for fractures—offering some relief—the injury is serious enough for him to miss significant time. The Giants appear optimistic it isn’t season‑ending, but his absence leaves a sizeable void in a defense counting on his versatility
Over in Baltimore, Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, coming off surgery for a broken foot, was already ruled out for the opener against Buffalo. His six-week recovery was always expected, but his absence still hits the offense’s depth and chemistry—that connection with Lamar Jackson had shown promise late last season. On top of that, fullback Patrick Ricard and cornerback Jaire Alexander remain in injury limbo.d the picture just before the season: Christian McCaffrey and Micah Parsons were both emerging as uncertain for Week 1. McCaffrey battled a calf issue, while Parsons had back trouble—both alarming when your star players in different conferences are sketchy starting the season
But perhaps the most important arrivals came in the special teams and playmaking space. Tight end Brock Bowers of the Raiders twisted his knee late and limped off—but declared himself ready, expressing no further concern, and the team sounded confident he’d be available next week Meanwhile, George Kittle, always a linchpin in the 49ers’ offense, exited with a hamstring injury and didn’t return—always a bad sign when he’s mentioned in tent-bound comments) Drake London of Atlanta was forced out after a shoulder injury, even though he had racked up eight catches on 15 targets—a clear signal his offense took an early hit Evan Engram sat out a fourth quarter with a calf issue for the Broncos. Puka Nacua briefly left with a concussion and laceration above the eye for the Rams—but thankfully returned. Terrion Arnold, the Lions’ CB, was down with a groin injury in the second half. On the Dolphins’ front, Austin Jackson’s toe issue re‑emerged, likely carrying momentum from his preseason. Adding to San Francisco’s injury pile, Jauan Jennings exited early with a shoulder injury and is expected to get an MRI, prompting GM Shanahan to note they might look to sign Kendrick Bourne. Joey Porter Jr. sat out with a tight hamstring—small in isolation but another piece of the bigger jigsaw
Puka Nacua’s condition deserves its own mention: a laceration above the eye, bleeding profusely—dark red trails running from his face on national television. It looked grim, but he was allowed back in, which perhaps illustrates the thin margins that define modern football’s medical decisions—and the unspoken bravery these athletes embody as they return to battle.(PFSN)
Tying it all together, the Week 1 injury collision was staggering. Dolphins, Steelers, Eagles, Giants, Browns, Ravens, and emergent stars like McCaffrey, Parsons, Kittle, and Bowers were all impacted. It was not simply a fluke—it was systemic. The injury reports represented more than just physical toll—they disrupted game plans, altered fantasy stock, and introduced lighter, rawer veins of uncertainty coursing through each team’s early season.
Think of the Dolphins now missing key pieces upfront and at corner, without Jackson or Duck; the Eagles watching their depth chart wobble; the Steelers scrambling to patch their secondary; the 49ers hoping Kittle’s hamstring doesn’t linger; the Raiders collectively holding breath for Bowers; the Giants trying to compensate for McFadden’s absence; and the Ravens missing key tight end depth. And that’s not even including McCaffrey and Parsons, whose availability could still pivot entire matchups.
To fans, these wounds bring grim fascination: If McCaffrey sits, does that tilt the NFC West opener? Does Kittle’s absence shift San Francisco’s identity? Is Jack Conklin’s health the difference between a sturdy OL or chaotic collapse? In fantasy leagues, Will Shipley and Brock Bowers may already find themselves on waivers, while McCaffrey and Parsons flirt with game-day declarations.
The human element is just as compelling. Conklin heading to the tent with an eye injury, Nacua bleeding as he played through, Daniels protecting his chest… these aren’t just stats—they are athletes risking long-term endurance for short-term gains, even as their teams pray for health to follow hope.
No single team went unscathed, and several saw core contributors disappear in real time. When you tally the long-term impacts—those absent for Weeks 2, 3, or longer—it begins to feel like pre‑September games were just training rounds for a more grueling battle ahead. The first week was a brutal reminder: in the NFL, the line between triumph and turmoil is separated only by a turf line and a gridiron chance gone wrong.
Let’s not forget the unseen costs: training adjustment, mental strain on teammates, and future roster crunches due to more IR spots needed, especially for younger players or those on the fringe. The offense for Cleveland stalls. The Dolphins’ offensive line gets thinner. The Steelers reshape their safety room. The Ravens adjust personnel packages. The Giants absorb a rookie-level linebacker thrust into meaningful reps. The Eagles shuffle RB roles midstream. The Raiders draft flexible—notable for their reliance on Bowers’ emerging star power.
All told, Week 1 felt like a sobering call to arms—physical fragility exposed, depth tested, and strategic landscapes transformed overnight. Coaches and staffs everywhere had to pivot, as medical staffs and fantasy managers recalibrated, and fans held their breath, hoping recovery far outweighs the length of loss.
