We didn’t get out of this preseason week unscathed, but most of the injuries to star players appear to be minor. And if not minor, at least nothing that’s going to keep them from playing most of the regular season.
Packers’ Cobb injures shoulder against Eagles
The Green Bay Packers can’t afford to lose another big-play wide receiver after Jordy Nelson tore his ACL a week ago and lucky for them, it appears they didn’t. Randall Cobb went down on his shoulder, suffering what is being called a “mild” AC sprain.
Sources tell @RobDemovsky that Packers believe Randall Cobb has a good chance to be ready for the season opener. pic.twitter.com/QUjTM5A8da
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 30, 2015
Cobb will be held out next week most likely, but the injury could have been worse.
“We thought it could’ve been a collarbone or something,” Cobb said Sunday. “It’s not. So, fortunately enough there’s a silver lining to it.”
Cobb’s injury, though not serious, just shows the added pressure that will be on second-year wideout Davante Adams this season as he becomes more of a factor in the offense. Adams will already be expected to start for Nelson and may have to take on more of the load if Cobb has any setbacks.
Adams caught 38 passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns last season.
Dolphins’ Mike Pouncey injures knee against Falcons
Just a week after his brother Maurkice went down with a lower leg injury with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey was taken off the field Saturday with a knee injury when another player fell on him during a play in the first quarter.
Mike Pouncey says his MRI came out negative. He's good. Will be at practice today.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 31, 2015
Pouncey isn’t concerned and said he could have gone back in, before changing his mind. .
“I thought I was OK,” Pouncey said. “I wanted to go back out there and test it out. Once I realized I couldn’t play, they pulled me out… I ain’t concerned at all. I’ll be back at practice nex week. I ain’t missing no games. I’m playing. We’ve got a big season ahead of us.”
Jet’s Williams has muscle strain in knee
New York Jets rookie defensive tackle Leonard Williams has had a stellar preseason, but that’s likely over for the former USC star. Williams was injured Saturday against the New York Giants and was diagnosed with a muscle strain behind his knee after an MRI Sunday.
MRI reveals @nyjets rookie Leonard Williams only has a muscle strain, not a serious knee injury http://t.co/qqXGsA2X6U – @SethWalderNYDN
— NY Daily News Sports (@NYDNSports) August 30, 2015
Williams has no timetable for a return, but the Jets certainly have to hope its for Week One as they’ll already be without defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson who has been suspended for the first four games after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Bengals’ Dalton injured neck Saturday
It’s a good thing back up quarterback A.J. McCarron has gotten plenty of reps over the last two weeks for the Cincinnati Bengals. Starting quarterback Andy Dalton injured his neck on a quarterback sneak against the Chicago Bears Saturday night. Dalton was removed from the game as a precaution after complaining about soreness.
UPDATE: QB Andy Dalton is questionable to return with a reported neck injury. pic.twitter.com/25TpPtUsal
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 30, 2015
“It was just being at the bottom of a pile and not being able to move,” Dalton said. “If it was a the regular season, I would’ve stayed in and played. It was just being cautious.”
McCarron completed his first seven passes off the bench and tossed a 31-yard touchdown to wide receiver Marvin Jones.
Ratliff and Goldman injured for Bears in the same game
While Dalton’s injury was minor, the Chicago Bears are a little more concerned by the injuries to both their nose tackles, Jeremiah Ratliff and rookie Eddie Goldman suffered in the same game. Ratliff left the game with a leg injury but returned to the sideline in a walking boot. Goldman was diagnosed with a concussion.
#Bears DT Eddie Goldman declared out for rest of game with a concussion; CB Tracy Porter also out with a hamstring injury.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 30, 2015
While the injury to Ratliff may not be lingering, Goldman’s concussion and the protocol surrounding it could be an issue for at least Week One of the regular season. Ratliff is suspended for the first three games for a substance abuse violation and Goldman was already slated to start. He has to pass all the new concussion tests first.
Other injuries
The St. Louis Rams may be on their third string running back on opening day after Tre Mason injured his hamstring Saturday. The Rams also saw rookie guard Jamon Brown go down with an ankle injury.
Bills wideout Marquis Goodwin suffered broken ribs against the Steelers Saturday and is out indefinitely.
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson suffered a concussion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday.
