This is a new feature where I’ll list Disaster Ratings (one being the least problematic, to 10 being code red) for NFL teams involving offseason retirements and injuries. With some of the recent players going down or calling it quits, I thought it would be nice to have a new section where I can discuss and rate everything.
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Nov. 4 Updates
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott out several weeks, WR CeeDee Lamb week to week (hamstring, shoulder): 0/10 Disaster Rating
Dak Prescott was overheard talking to Trey Lance toward the end of the Atlanta game. “We suck,” he said. Now, the Cowboys will suck more because Prescott will be out for a few weeks because of a hamstring injury. Additionally, CeeDee Lamb is “week to week” with a shoulder issue.
Though this spells the end for Dallas’ 2024 season, it’s for the best. The Cowboys can now tank and obtain a better draft pick (go here for my 2025 NFL Mock Draft), and also fire Mike McCarthy, which they should have done last offseason.
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Oct. 25 Updates
Vikings OT Christian Darrisaw out for season (knee): 9/10 Disaster Rating
The Vikings could have lived with a loss to the Rams had they exited the game with a healthy team. They’d still be in good shape at 5-2. Instead, they lost Christian Darrisaw to a season-ending injury as they were running out the clock in the opening half.
Minnesota scored just six points without Darrisaw in the second half. The blind-side protection was far worse, so perhaps the Vikings will make a move to find an upgrade (go here for my NFL Free Agent Tackle Rankings.) As it stands now, however, the Vikings have taken a huge hit. Darrisaw’s absence will make it much more difficult for the Vikings to make a deep run into the playoffs.
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Oct. 21 Updates
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk out for season (torn ACL): 7/10 Disaster Rating
Kyle Shanahan said that he feared Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL. Those worries turned out to be true, as Aiyuk will be lost for the season.
This is obviously a painful injury for San Francisco. Aiyuk, when in shape, is a dynamic weapon for Brock Purdy. He will be missed. If there’s a silver lining to this entire situation, it’s that the 49ers may get Christian McCaffrey back after the bye. Also, Jauan Jennings proved that he can be productive in the absence of the other receivers. The quartet of McCaffrey, Jennings, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle will be enough for the 49ers to make a deep run into the playoffs, but the margin for error has shrunk. If another one of those players misses significant time, San Francisco will be in awful shape.
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Browns QB Deshaun Watson out for season (torn Achilles): -10/10 Disaster Rating
At the risk of being berated by a guy who once attacked someone with his helmet, this Deshaun Watson injury is such a blessing for the Browns. Yes, yes, you shouldn’t cheer on injuries, blah, blah, but the Browns should be thrilled that Watson suffered a season-ending injury.
Watson’s torn Achilles will help Cleveland immensely. The Browns took out insurance policies on Watson, so they’ll have more money with him hurt. They can also move on from one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Jameis Winston is an obvious upgrade, but it seems as though Cleveland wants to use Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who is so terrible that he’ll give the Browns a better chance of securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Check out my 2025 NFL Mock Draft for more.
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Oct. 14 Updates
Redskins DT Jonathan Allen out for season (torn pectoral): 6/10 Disaster Rating
Washington’s defense was pitiful in the second half versus the Ravens. Part of that was Jonathan Allen leaving with a pectoral injury. It’s being reported that he will be out for the season.
This is crushing for the Redskins, whose defense was basically held together by Elmer’s Glue and Scotch Tape. Outside of the linebacking corps, the strength of the defense was the middle of the defensive line, and Allen was obviously a big part of that. Losing Da’Ron Payne would have been worse for the Redskins, but this is still going to be a difficult injury to overcome. Here are some Free Agent Defensive Tackles the Redskins can sign.
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Oct. 13 Updates
Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson out indefinitely (broken tibia): 9/10 Disaster Rating
Aidan Hutchinson suffered a gruesome-looking leg injury against the Cowboys upon sacking Dak Prescott in the third quarter. It was apparent immediately that this was a serious injury. Hutchinson suffered a broken tibia and will miss the rest of the season.
This is obviously a horrible turn of events for Detroit. The Lions were one of the Super Bowl favorites, but that may not be the case anymore without Hutchinson. This Disaster Grade must be at least a 9/10.
The only reason this is not a 10/10 is because Hutchinson’s injury is not knee-related, so he should be fine by training camp next year. Still, it’s a huge shame that he won’t be around the rest of the year. Here are some Free Agent Defensive Ends the Lions can sign.
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Oct. 9 Updates
Texans WR Nico Collins placed on injured reserve (hamstring): 4/10 Disaster Rating
If you noticed a dropoff in production from Houston’s offense following halftime against the Bills last week, you’re not alone. The difference was Nico Collins, who left the game with a hamstring injury. Collins has been placed on injured reserve, so he’ll miss at least the next four games.
Houston’s upcoming schedule is rather difficult. Following an easy game against the Patriots, the Texans have to take on the Packers, Colts, Jets, and Lions. Indianapolis might be an easier matchup, but the other three will be difficult to win without Collins (assuming Collins isn’t ready or not 100 percent for the Detroit game.)
The good news is that the Texans have built up a 4-1 record, so they can incur some losses. However, there’s a chance this could end up costing Houston homefield advantage, so this Disaster Grade must reflect that.
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Oct. 8 Updates
Saints QB Derek Carr out several games (oblique): 5/10 Disaster Rating
My initial thought process when I saw this injury was that this should be graded in the 7-9 range. The Saints are 2-3 and couldn’t afford an injury to their starting quarterback that would sideline him for multiple games.
However, after thinking about it, this could be a blessing in disguise. Derek Carr is the epitome of mediocre, and he didn’t stand much of a chance of leading the team deep into the playoffs anyway. Fifth-round rookie Spencer Rattler at least has some promise. Some considered him to be a first-round prospect once upon a time, so there’s a chance Rattler could unseat Carr if he plays very well. Conversely, if Rattler struggles, then New Orleans’ season is finished, so this Disaster Grade needs to be somewhat high.
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Oct. 1 Updates
Bills DE/OLB Von Miller suspended 4 games (personal conduct policy): 2/10 Disaster Rating
It was big news that “Ambassador” Von Miller was suspended four games on Tuesday for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Miller is a big name, after all, and he has three sacks on the year.
This, however, isn’t a huge deal. First of all, Miller won’t be gone for very long, and the Bills already built up a solid 3-1 record. Second, Miller was playing about 40 percent of the snaps as a pass-rushing specialist. Buffalo has plenty of other players who can generate pressure.
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Sept. 30 Updates
Panthers LB Shaq Thompson out for season (torn Achilles): 5/10 Disaster Rating
This may be a 5/10 Disaster Grade for the Panthers, but it’s a 10/10 for Shaq Thompson. The talented linebacker’s career could effectively be finished as a result of this injury. Thompson is 30, so he’ll be a 31-year-old trying to return from an injury that could sap his explosion.
Perhaps this is wrong, and Thompson will still be able to have one or two more strong seasons before he regresses as a result of age. However, it’s likely that the Panthers will need to be shopping for a new linebacker this offseason.
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Packers WR Christian Watson out several weeks (high ankle sprain): 3/10 Disaster Rating
Christian Watson can’t catch a break. He worked with a specialist to resolve his chronic hamstring issues from a year ago, but he’ll now be a candidate for injured reserve because of a high ankle sprain.
Watson’s absence will hurt the Packers because he’s so explosive with his downfield ability. However, it won’t be too painful because the Packers have three other quality receivers, including Dontayvion Wicks, who did a solid job filling in for Watson versus the Vikings.
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Steelers G James Daniels out for season (torn Achilles): 7/10 Disaster Rating
The Steelers have been without two offensive linemen for the past couple of games, as Troy Fautanu and Isaac Seumalo have been sidelined. Make it three, as James Daniels has been ruled out for the year with a torn Achilles.
This is a crushing loss for the Steelers. Daniels was their top offensive lineman. When Seumalo returned, Pittsburgh was expected to have a top-notch interior, but that won’t be the case any longer. Seumalo’s eventual return will help, but this injury really curbs Pittsburgh’s potential.
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Sept. 26 Updates
Cowboys DEs Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence injured (high ankle sprain/foot): 6/10 Disaster Rating
More injuries occur on Thursday night than any other day, and we saw three key players get hurt in last night’s Cowboys-Giants affair. Malik Nabers suffered a concussion, while Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence sustained leg injuries. Parsons has a high ankle sprain and could miss a game or two, while Lawrence will miss multiple weeks with a foot issue.
The Cowboys, at 2-2, could survive these losses if they had easy opponents on the horizon, but that’s not the case. Over the next three weeks, they’ll be battling the Steelers, Lions, and 49ers. If they don’t have Parsons and Lawrence for that stretch, going 1-2 could be a challenge, and 0-3 is a very real possibility. At 2-5, the Cowboys would fall too far behind the Eagles and perhaps even the Redskins to win the division.
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Sept. 25 Updates
Cardinals DT Justin Jones out for season (torn triceps): 0/10 Disaster Rating
When the Cardinals signed Justin Jones to a 3-year, $30 million contract this offseason, I gave them a C- for a blatant overpay. It turns out that I was too kind with my grade. Jones was horrible in his three games with Arizona, offering no pass rush and struggling against the run. He’s now out for the season with torn triceps.
Given how awful Jones was, this is clear-cut 0/10 Disaster Grade. Jones’ absence won’t be felt at all, especially when considering how horrible the defense has already been anyway.
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Sept. 24 Updates
Saints C Erik McCoy out 6-8 weeks (groin): 5/10 Disaster Rating
If you noticed a difference between the Saints offense in Weeks 1-2 and Sunday’s loss versus the Eagles, you weren’t alone. A key piece was missing, as Erik McCoy suffered an injury on the opening drive. New Orleans struggled to do much following the initial possession.
McCoy’s absence will be very painful because he’s one of the top centers in the NFL. However, Klint Kubiak is an excellent offensive coordinator, so perhaps he can scheme around this injury. Also, the Saints play in a week division, so they can still win the NFC South if they get McCoy back by early November.
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Bengals OT Trent Brown (knee): 4/10 Disaster Rating
Will the Bengals ever have good luck with their offensive line? It hasn’t gone well in that regard during the Joe Burrow era. Things have gotten worse, as Trent Brown was knocked out for the year with a knee injury.
This Disaster Grade is a difficult one to project because it’s unclear how well Amarius Mims will play in his place. Mims is a first-round rookie, but it’ll be tough for him to perform up to Brown’s ability, as Brown was off to a very good start in 2024. Mims has loads of talent, but is raw and may need some time to be developed.
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Sept. 23 Updates
49ers DT Javon Hargrave likely out for season (torn triceps): 7/10 Disaster Rating
The 49ers have suffered countless injuries to their offense – even Brock Purdy is now considered day-to-day – but the injuries have now trickled over to their defense. Javon Hargrave will likely be out for the year with torn triceps.
This is a huge loss. It’s not a Nick Bosa or Fred Warner injury, but Hargrave is in the next tier. He’s a terrific pass rusher, and I thought San Francisco would be OK in the wake of losing Arik Armstead because of Kinlaw’s presence. Kinlaw is now gone, and there isn’t really much behind him.
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Chargers OT Joe Alt and S Derwin James out 1 game (sprained MCL, suspension): 1/10 Disaster Rating
Justin Herbert was knocked out of Sunday’s game against the Steelers, but he wasn’t the only Charger to suffer an injury. Joey Bosa and Joe Alt were also knocked out, and we now know that Alt will be out for one game prior to the bye. Derwin James will miss the next game as well because of a suspension for endangering players’ safety.
This is a horrible time for the Chargers to have these issues, given their next opponent. That would be the Chiefs. Granted, it could be argued that the Chargers didn’t have much of a chance against Kansas City with an injured or absent Herbert, which is why this is a 1/10 Disaster Grade. The Chargers should consider themselves lucky that they can get both players back in Week 6.
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Browns G Wyatt Teller will miss multiple weeks (sprained MCL): 0/10 Disaster Rating
The Browns were supposed to have a great offensive line, but that hasn’t been the case. Injuries to Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills, and now Wyatt Teller mean that the team will have issues blocking.
This injury would be painful for the Browns under normal circumstances, but given the other offensive line woes, Myles Garrett’s own injury problems, and Deshaun Watson’s incompetence, it might just be for the best if the Browns tanked for the No. 1 pick and began rebuilding. Thus, I’m going to give them a 0/10 Disaster Grade for this injury even though Teller is a key piece of the offensive line.
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Falcons OLs Kaleb McGary and Drew Dalman suffer significant injuries (knee/high ankle sprain): 6/10 Disaster Rating
The Falcons believed they’d have a sound offensive line protecting Kirk Cousins, but that is no longer the case in the immediate future. Kaleb McGary hurt his knee, while Drew Dalman suffered a high ankle sprain. Both blockers are expected to miss some time, though McGary’s knee (MCL sprain) may not cost him too many games. It sounds like the injured reserve is possible for Dalman.
I don’t need to tell you that this is an awful turn of events for the Falcons, given how much Cousins struggles with pressure. Granted, the Falcons play in a horrible division, and they could get McGary back soon, but they are 1-2 and have a battle against the Saints next week. Without McGary and Dalman, they run the risk of falling too far behind New Orleans and potentially Tampa Bay.
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Sept. 21 Updates
Seahawks OT George Fant placed on injured reserve (knee): 3/10 Disaster Rating
The Seahawks had major offensive line concerns in the summer, but they were able to sign Connor Williams to improve the interior blocking. The edge protection is the concern now, as George Fant being placed on injured reserve means that Seattle is down its top two right tackles.
In fairness, Fant has barely played through two weeks, so it’s not like Seattle will have a downgrade from what it possessed at right tackle earlier in the year. Still, the Seahawks were hoping for Fant to return to upgrade Stone Forsythe, who is a pedestrian blocker at best. They’ll have to settle with Forsythe for now, which curbs their upside.
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Jets OT Morgan Moses out 2-4 weeks (sprained MCL): 0/10 Disaster Rating
The Jets had a fantastic victory against the Patriots on Thursday night, but the dark cloud over the win was an injury Morgan Moses suffered in the second half. He’ll be out 2-4 weeks with a sprained MCL.
This shouldn’t have any impact on the Jets. In fact, it could be a blessing in disguise. Moses was New York’s worst-performing offensive lineman, and his injury will allow first-round rookie Olu Fashanu to start. It’s possible that Fashanu could be a massive upgrade despite his inexperience, so forcing him into the lineup could actually help the Jets.
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Steelers OT Troy Fautanu out indefinitely (knee): 5/10 Disaster Rating
The Steelers didn’t start Troy Fautanu immediately despite selecting him in the first round of April’s draft. They went with Broderick Jones at right tackle instead. This turned out to be a disaster, as Jones was benched versus Denver. Fautanu stepped in and was much better.
Pittsburgh will now have to go back to Jones because Fautanu is dealing with a knee injury. If this were Pittsburgh’s only offensive line injury, it would be OK, but the team is also missing Isaac Seumalo, not to mention backup center Nate Herbig. We’ll have to see how long Fautanu will be sidelined, but knee injuries are never good for larger players. This injury could disrupt Pittsburgh’s offense if “indefinitely” turns out to be more than a month.
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Sept. 17 Updates
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa placed on injured reserve (concussion): 9/10 Disaster Rating
No one should be surprised by this. When Tua Tagovailoa suffered his latest concussion, there was speculation that he could call it a career. Tagovailoa said he would continue to play, but it’s unclear when that will be. It’s possible that he could be done for the year.
This is obviously an extremely high Disaster Grade, as it all but ends Miami’s season. The only way this would be any higher is if Tagovailoa were officially announced done for the season, but that announcement may come eventually.
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Colts DT DeForest Buckner placed on injured reserve (ankle): 4/10 Disaster Rating
The Colts are 0-2, so this is the last thing they needed. DeForest Buckner was banged up heading into Week 2. He tried to power through his ankle injury, but lasted only 10 snaps. He now won’t be able to play for the next four games, which seems like a complete disaster.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that Indianapolis’ next four games are all winnable. The Colts host the Bears and Steelers before going on the road to Jacksonville and Tennessee. Indianapolis could salvage a 2-2 split until Buckner returns, so this is why I’m not issuing a high Disaster Grade.
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Eagles WR A.J. Brown out a few weeks (hamstring): 3/10 Disaster Rating
If Philadelphia’s offense looked less explosive to you than usual during the team’s Monday night loss to the Falcons, you’re not crazy. A big name was out of the lineup, and that was A.J. Brown, who will be sidelined a few weeks with a hamstring.
While the Eagles will have a tougher time winning without Brown, they can at least know that he’s not hurt enough to be placed on injured reserve. Perhaps he’ll return after a couple of missed games. The important thing will be having Brown in November and beyond so the team can get some momentum going into the playoffs.
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Sept. 16 Updates
49ers WR Deebo Samuel out a few weeks: 3/10 Disaster Rating
The injuries are beginning to add up for the 49ers. Already down Christian McCaffrey and Ricky Pearsall, the 49ers will now be without Deebo Samuel for a few weeks.
This isn’t the end of the world for San Francisco, but it’s far from ideal. Samuel was helping in the running department with McCaffrey sidelined. With Samuel gone, it’ll just be Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle as viable receiving threats, which will be enough versus some of the weaker opponents. The 49ers have the Rams, Patriots, Cardinals and Seahawks coming up, so even if Samuel isn’t available for those four opponents, the 49ers should be able to go 3-1 during that stretch. Any further injuries, however, would be very painful for the team.
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Rams WR Cooper Kupp, S John Johnson, G Jonah Jackson all to miss extended period of time: 9/10 Disaster Rating
That’s it for the 2024 Rams. The team was already banged up, missing Puka Nacua, Darious Williams and Steve Avila, and now they’ll be missing three other key players for at least six weeks.
Cooper Kupp will be the most painful absence. His presence allowed the Rams to have some hope with Nacua sidelined, but the Rams no longer have any viable threats at receiver. John Johnson, meanwhile, was the Rams’ top defender. The rest of the secondary had major problems, but at least Johnson was there to provide some stability. That will no longer be the case. As for Jonah Jackson, the Rams were already down numerous offensive linemen, so the diminished blocking can’t make Matthew Stafford happy.
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Buccaneers NT Vita Vea suffers MCL sprain: 0/10 Disaster Rating
The Buccaneers were already down several defenders against the Lions. They lost Vita Vea to an MCL sprain late in the game as well, yet still held on to the victory despite being outgained 463-216.
The last time Vea suffered a grade-2 MCL sprain, he missed one game, so he’s likely to be out versus Denver. Vea’s absence for this one game shouldn’t matter too much, but even if the Buccaneers lose as a result of this injury, they’d still be in good shape at 2-1 in a weak division.
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Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (leg): 3/10 Disaster Rating
Kansas City skill players are going down like flies. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Marquise Brown already unavailable, the Chiefs won’t have Isiah Pacheco for at least the next four weeks.
We’ve seen running backs be very replaceable, but that theory will be tested here with the Chiefs only having Carson Steele and Samaje Perine in reserve. Still, if you were to pick one regular position to be injured, it’s running back. The combination of Steele and Perine should be OK, especially with the Chiefs at 2-0. Plus, this injury has occurred so early in the season, so Pacheco should be back at some point.
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Sept. 15 Updates
Chiefs WR Marquise Brown likely out for season (shoulder): 4/10 Disaster Rating
There’s certainly a risk to playing starters in the preseason. Patrick Mahomes says he needs the reps, but playing cost one of his teammates the entire 2024 season, as Marquise Brown likely won’t be available until at least the playoffs.
This would be painful for the Chiefs if they didn’t draft Xavier Worthy. Otherwise, they’d have a stagnant offense like last year. History could repeat itself if either Worthy or Rashee Rice suffers an injury or gets suspended, but the Chiefs will be fine without Brown if there are no other injuries at receiver.
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Sept. 14 Updates
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey placed on injured reserve (Achilles/calf): 3/10 Disaster Rating
San Francisco’s dominant win over the Jets showcased how replaceable running backs have become in the NFL. Christian McCaffrey is the best player at his position, yet the 49ers didn’t skip a beat with Jordan Mason and Deebo Samuel splitting backfield touches. McCaffrey will now miss the next four games at the very least.
This isn’t a huge deal. Mason and Samuel are more than capable of replacing McCaffrey in the short term. This injury will only be devastating if other players get hurt, but McCaffrey could be back before the end of October.
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Sept. 11 Updates
Cardinals OT Jonah Williams (knee) placed on injured reserve: 6/10 Disaster Rating
To those who bet on the Cardinals in Week 1 like I did, you may have noticed that they got off to a hot start versus Buffalo before fizzling. They led 17-3, but blew that lead. Kyler Murray lost a fumble, and the team ultimately was defeated by six, covering by the narrowest of margins.
The primary reason why Arizona regressed offensively was Jonah Williams’ departure. Williams was a crucial offseason signing for the Cardinals. He was playing well, while his replacement, a 35-year-old Kelvin Beachum, was far worse in pass protection. One reason I thought the Cardinals were underrated this year was because of their offensive line. It’s taken a huge hit in the wake of Williams’ knee injury, which may require surgery.
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Rams G Steve Avila, OT Joe Noteboom placed on injured reserve: 2/10 Disaster Rating
The Rams offensive linemen went down like flies Sunday night. Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein were already sidelined, and yet the Rams continued to lose personnel, with Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom leaving the game as well. Now, both will be on injured reserve.
Avila’s injury is much more impactful, given that he’s a quality starter. Noteboom is the top backup swing tackle, but he’s rather pedestrian at best. The guys behind him aren’t much worse. However, the silver lining is that Jackson will return from suspension in Week 3, while Havenstein could be back soon. Even if Havenstein is out once again this week, the Rams won’t be hurt very much because the Cardinals don’t have any sort of pass rush.
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Sept. 9 Updates
Rams WR Puka Nacua placed on injured reserve (knee): 3/10 Disaster Rating
Puka Nacua entered the season with injury concerns. He didn’t even last an entire opening half, leaving in the second quarter with a knee injury. Now, he’ll be out for at least the next four games because of his knee.
Luckily for the Rams, they have some easy opponents on the horizon, excluding their Week 3 matchup against the 49ers. They otherwise get to battle the Cardinals, Bears, Packers, Raiders, and Vikings. The Rams can beat most of these teams without Nacua, especially considering the depth they have at receiver. Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson performed well at Detroit, while sixth-round rookie Jordan Whittington has lots of promise.
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Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield out 2-4 weeks (ankle): 3/10 Disaster Rating
The Buccaneers lost several defensive backs to injury in Week 1. The most prominent secondary player to go down was Antoine Winfield, who will be out 2-4 weeks with an ankle injury.
Winfield is a fantastic player who will sorely be missed if he’s sidelined in some impending matchups. The Buccaneers have to go up against the Lions, Eagles and Falcons in three of their next four games, so Winfield’s absence will make it difficult for Tampa Bay to beat any of those teams.
If there’s a silver lining to this injury, it’s that the NFC South sucks, so the Falcons could lose all three of those games and still win the division. Still, it’s not ideal that one of the opponents happens to be Atlanta.
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Jaguars CB Tyson Campbell out for some time (hamstring): 1/10 Disaster Rating
Jacksonville’s secondary was already a liability. Now, the situation is going to be worse, as top cornerback Tyson Campbell will miss “some time,” according to Doug Pederson.
Campbell’s injury would normally be painful because of Jacksonville’s poor cornerback group, but the schedule must be considered. Jacksonville’s next opponent is Cleveland, which won’t be an issue because Deshaun Watson sucks. The next opponent, Buffalo, doesn’t have any proven, viable receivers who happen to be healthy. It won’t be until Week 4 when Campbell will be needed against Houston. Not having Campbell will make defeating the Texans extremely difficult, but this is a game Jacksonville is likely to lose anyway.
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Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson week to week (sprained MCL): 1/10 Disaster Rating
Cowboys fans may have expected the worst when Jake Ferguson suffered a knee injury against the Browns. Considering the lack of talent at receiver outside of CeeDee Lamb, Ferguson was effectively the No. 2 target on offense. Losing him would have been devastating.
Fortunately, Ferguson is just week to week with his sprained MCL. Even if he misses the next three weeks, it’s not a big deal because Dallas’ opponents are the Saints, Ravens, and Giants, so a 2-1 record seems likely regardless. The only fear here is that Ferguson aggravates his injury and misses more time, but the Cowboys certainly dodged a bullet.
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Panthers DT Derrick Brown likely out for season (knee): 0/10 Disaster Rating
This Disaster Grade would have been radically different a few days ago. The Panthers made some fantastic moves to help support Bryce Young this offseason. They paid top dollar for two talented guards, acquired new receivers, and hired a quarterback whisperer head coach. And yet, 47-10. Unreal.
I thought the Panthers could contend for the divisional title in the awful NFC South, but not based on the Week 1 result. Bryce Young is a lost cause, so the Panthers are better off tanking for the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Derrick Brown’s injury is actually helpful in that regard.
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Browns TE David Njoku out several weeks (high ankle sprain): 4/10 Disaster Rating
The Browns had one of the ugliest showings of any Week 1 team. They were down 33-10 to Dallas before a garbage-time touchdown made the result closer than it really was. Adding injury to insult, David Njoku suffered a high ankle sprain and will be out several weeks.
This injury isn’t a killer for the Browns, who can rebound if they get both tackles back from injury next week. Njoku’s absence, however, only magnifies the problem if the tackles continue to miss time. Deshaun Watson was dreadful versus Dallas, and missing Njoku over the next few weeks won’t help matters.
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Sept. 6 Updates
Packers QB Jordan Love out 3-4 weeks (MCL): 4/10 Disaster Rating
Packer fans feared the worst Friday night when “No Cookie” Jordan Love suffered what looked like a gruesome injury on the antepenultimate play of the game. It looked as though his knee popped, which seemed to spell the end of his 2024 season.
Love, as it turns out, did not tear his ACL. There’s an MCL injury, but he’s not expected to miss the entire season. He’s reportedly out for “some time.”
It’s unclear what “some time” is, but if Love returns by November, the Packers can still salvage this season and make the playoffs as a wild card. Anything longer will make it much more difficult, but the Packers residing in the NFC helps in this regard.
Update: Love will only be out 3-4 weeks, which is obviously the best news the Packers could have realistically hoped for. Green Bay battles the COlts, Titans, Vikings and Rams the next four weeks. A 1-3 record seems like a strong possibility, but 2-2 could certainly happen.
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Sept. 5 Updates
Rams CB Darious Williams placed on IR (hamstring): 3/10 Disaster Rating
Part of the reason why I was still bullish on the Rams in the wake of Aaron Donald’s retirement was that the front office made some spectacular additions to the secondary. One of these acquisitions was Darious Williams, who enjoyed a terrific year in Jacksonville. Cornerback was a big problem for the Rams last year, but Williams was going to help solve it.
The Rams will have to wait four weeks for Williams to play. This could hurt their chances of winning early in the season, as they’ll have to battle talented receivers in their matchups against the Lions, Cardinals, 49ers, and Bears. This would be a complete disaster if Williams were out for the year, but at least he’ll be able to return by October.
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Aug. 29 Updates
Jets NT Leki Fotu placed on IR (hamstring): 2/10 Disaster Rating
The Jets had a spectacular pass defense last year, but they struggled versus the run. They signed Leki Fotu to help in that regard, but they’ll have to wait until at least Week 5 for the run stuffer to return from a hamstring injury.
Fotu’s absence would be a huge deal if it were for the season, but the injury is managable for one month. Still, it hurts because the Jets play teams with strong running games to start the year, as the first two opponents are the 49ers and Titans. Fotu will sorely be missed in those matchups, but the Jets are good enough to salvage a 1-1 record after the first couple of weeks before taking on a couple of cupcakes in New England and Denver.
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Eagles S James Bradberry placed on IR (leg): 1/10 Disaster Rating
James Bradberry might still be known as a terrific cornerback in some circles, but that was far from the case last year. Bradberry was terrible, so much so that the Eagles moved him to safety this offseason. He was slated to be a backup at the position.
Given that Bradberry is just a declining reserve, this injury won’t impact them very much. The only way this injury ends up mattering is for depth purposes; if other safeties go down, Philadelphia could be in trouble at the position.
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Aug. 27 Updates
Packers RB A.J. Dillon out for season (neck): -1/10 Disaster Rating
Taking someone’s vice away from them can sometimes be a good thing. Think about removing drugs from an addict. Though this might be devastating for the individual in the heat of the moment, it’ll be good for them in the long term. That’s exactly how I view this injury.
A.J. Dillon’s season-ending injury is addition by subtraction. Matt LaFleur wasted far too many plays last year feeding the ball to Dillon. I assumed the Packers would get rid of Dillon this offseason, but they inexplicably retained him. The Packers will be a better team without Dillon, as Josh Jacobs’ increased workload will make the offense more explosive.
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Aug. 26 Updates
Seahawks DE Uchenna Nwosu out 2-6 weeks (knee): 4/10 Disaster Rating
The Seahawks sorely missed Uchenna Nwosu last year. They had one of the top defenses in the NFL to begin the season, but Nwosu’s season-ending injury caused the defense to collapse. Seattle was particularly poor versus the run without Nwosu, which made sense because Nwosu, on top of being a solid pass rusher, is strong in ground support.
Nwosu being sidelined will be harmful, though this Disaster Grade is difficult to determine because 2-6 weeks is such a broad range of outcomes. Nwosu being sidelined for two weeks would warrant 1/10, but if he’s out the full six weeks, that could be 4/10. Given that this is a knee issue, Seahawks fans should be prepared to expect the worst result, but there’s a chance this injury ends up being irrelevant.
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Dalton Risner placed on IR (back): 0/10 Disaster Rating
The injuries continue to pile up for the Vikings. Dalton Risner is the latest Minnesota player to go down, as he’s been placed on injured reserve with a back injury.
This is a 0/10 Disaster Grade. Risner’s absence will only help the Vikings lose more games, which should be the goal for the team because locking up a top-five draft choice in 2025 would help the overall roster when J.J. McCarthy returns from his injury. If McCarthy were healthy, I’d go above a 0/10 rating because a young quarterback needs all the protection he can get to develop, but McCarthy is out anyway, so that doesn’t matter.
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Aug. 24 Updates
Cardinals DT Darius Robinson out multiple weeks (calf): 3/10 Disaster Rating
Darius Robinson injured his calf in practice, and according to Ian Rapoport, he could be out until Week 5. This is the second major injury the Cardinals have suffered in the front seven, as B.J. Ojulari was knocked out for the year already.
If Ojulari weren’t sidelined, this injury wouldn’t be as impactful. However, the Cardinals’ front seven is now severely diminished. The good news is that unlike Ojulari, Robinson won’t be out for the entire year, so the Cardinals can survive without him for the first month of the season.
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Cowboys CB DaRon Bland out 6-8 weeks (stress fracture in foot): 2/10 Disaster Rating
The Cowboys appeared to be in trouble at cornerback last year when Trevon Diggs suffered a season-ending injury in September. The emergence of DaRon Bland helped immensely, however, as Bland performed on a Pro Bowl level. Dallas will now be without Bland for 6-8 weeks due to a stress fracture in his foot.
This seems like a harmful injury, but not so much after looking at the schedule. Here are the quarterbacks the Cowboys will battle to begin the season: Deshaun Watson, Derek Carr, Lamar Jackson, Daniel Jones, and Russell Wilson/Justin Fields. Jackson is the best in the group by a mile, and yet he’s not great as a passer. The Cowboys will battle tougher quarterbacks in Week 6 and onward, but Bland seems likely to return by then.
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Aug. 23 Updates
Rams OT Alaric Jackson suspended 2 games (personal conduct policy): 2/10 Disaster Rating
Alaric Jackson was undrafted in 2021, but was able to emerge into the starting lineup and become a quality left tackle for the Rams. He was especially potent toward the end of the 2023 season. Just 26, Jackson was expected to take another leap forward this year, but he’ll have to wait until Week 3 to do so in the wake of being suspended for two games.
Jackson’s absence would be very impactful if he were out four or more games. The Rams can survive without him for two games, as they were expected to lose to the Lions and beat the Cardinals even with him. Defeating Detroit will be more difficult without Jackson, as Joseph Noteboom will be a huge downgrade, especially against Aidan Hutchinson. Still, the Rams can recover from a Week 1 loss and still make the playoffs.
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Aug. 19 Updates
Bills WR Curtis Samuel out several weeks (turf toe): 3/10 Disaster Rating
Bills players are dropping like flies earlier this year. Many players on the team went down last season during the trip to London in Week 5, but they’re not even making it to the regular season this time.
The latest Buffalo player to get hurt is Curtis Samuel, who is week-to-week with turf toe. His Week 1 status is in serious danger, and if he’s not ready for that game, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll be able to play four days later on a Thursday night versus the Dolphins. The Bills should be able to handle the Cardinals in Week 1 without Samuel, but not having the veteran receiver in what could be a shootout versus the Dolphins will be an issue. A loss to Miami could have impact on tie-breakers in the AFC playoffs, making this injury more problematic than usual.
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Aug. 15 Updates
Bills LB Matt Milano out indefinitely (torn bicep): 7/10 Disaster Rating
Here we go again. The Bills looked like the most dominant team in the NFL last year when they dismantled three consecutive opponents following the Week 1 loss to the Jets, including the Dolphins. However, things fell apart for them in London when they lost several players to injury, including Matt Milano.
There was hope that things would be different this year, but Milano has once again been lost for an extended period of time, thanks to a bicep tear. Milano will be out indefinitely, although there’s some optimism that he’ll be able to return by December.
This is obviously crushing for Buffalo’s chances in a stacked AFC. Milano is the heart and soul of the defense, which declines considerably whenever he’s out of the lineup. Having him back for December would be great, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be 100 percent upon his return, and Buffalo could be out of the playoff mix by then.
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Aug. 14 Updates
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy out for season (torn meniscus): 6/10 Disaster Rating
It was initially speculated that J.J. McCarthy would need 4-8 weeks of recovery time for his torn meniscus. However, a doctor deemed that a repair was necessary, which means McCarthy won’t play the entire season.
This is obviously devastating for the Vikings, who thought that their team might have a chance to rebound this year if McCarthy lived up to all the hype. Instead, Sam Darnold will be the starter, which means Minnesota will likely finish in last place in the division.
The silver lining is that McCarthy’s injury won’t have a lasting impact, and he should be good to go for 2025. Any thought that McCarthy would have to play to improve his chances of becoming a great quarterback can just be dismissed by looking at what the Packers have enjoyed with Aaron Rodgers and “No Cookie” Jordan Love waiting for several seasons. Also, the Vikings will probably have a higher draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft – see my 2025 NFL Mock Draft here – so a better player could help them reach the postseason next year.
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Aug. 13 Updates
Chiefs WR Marquise Brown out 4-6 weeks (sternoclavicular): 2/10 Disaster Rating
There’s a downside to playing in the preseason. Patrick Mahomes insists on it, but one of his receivers paid the price, as Marquise Brown was hospitalized after an injury he suffered in the exhibition debut versus Jacksonville. Luckily, Brown will only miss four to six weeks.
Brown’s injury timeline puts him on track to return in the second or third week of the season. He’ll almost certainly miss the opener, which will obviously hurt Kansas City’s chances of defeating Baltimore. However, even if the Chiefs lose that game, they’ll be fine. They lost the opener last year and later had to travel to Baltimore for the AFC Championship, and yet they still managed to win the Super Bowl. The only way this injury is remotely impactful is if Brown re-injures himself upon trying to return early.
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Aug. 11 Updates
Falcons DE/OLB Bralen Trice out for season (torn ACL): 4/10 Disaster Rating
The Falcons were set to draft Laiatu Latu eighth overall this past April, but owner Arthur Blank stepped in and overruled everyone, deciding that Michael Penix had to be the pick. The Falcons desperately needed to find an edge rusher after passing on Latu, so they settled on third-rounder Bralen Trice. Unfortunately for the Falcons, Trice is out for the season.
This is obviously a poor turn of events for the Falcons, who won’t have the horses to stop opposing passing offenses in the playoffs, should they make it that far. Atlanta must consider trading for an edge rusher to compensate for the poor draft pick decision and the loss of Trice.
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Aug. 8 Updates
Falcons WR/RB Rondale Moore out for season (knee): 1/10 Disaster Rating
When the Cardinals drafted Rondale Moore in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, many wondered how his first NFL team would use him, given that he was seen as a gadget player. Moore was somewhat productive as a rookie, but has seen his reception total drop in each of his three seasons. It should at least be noted that his carries increased last year.
I don’t think this injury is significant at all. In fact, it could be a blessing in disguise, as any touches the Falcons wasted on Moore can now go to Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Tyler Allgeier, all of whom are more impactful players.
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Aug. 7 Updates
Colts WR Josh Downs out one month (high ankle sprain): 3/10 Disaster Rating
This is good news considering the alternatives. When it was reported that Josh Downs suffered a lower-body injury during practice, I feared the worst. Fortunately, it wasn’t a torn ACL or Achilles, but rather a high ankle sprain that will keep Downs out for a month.
Given that high ankle sprains tend to linger, I wouldn’t expect Downs to be effective in his first couple of games, assuming he even plays in those games. It’ll hurt not to have him at full strength against the Texans in the opener, but the important thing is that Downs will be healthy in the second half of the season and playoffs.
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Aug. 6 Updates
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey out for several weeks (calf strain): 4/10 Disaster Rating
The Madden Curse rears its ugly head once again! Christian McCaffrey will miss several weeks of practice with a calf strain, though there’s no indication that he’s in danger of being out for Week 1.
Although McCaffrey could be ready for the season opener, there are some dangers with this development. Soft-tissue injuries tend to linger, and if McCaffrey returns earlier than he should, he could suffer a setback or another injury, which will cause him to miss real action. With Brandon Aiyuk presumably being traded, losing McCaffrey for some number of games would be devastating for the offense.
Then again, there’s a chance McCaffrey will be perfectly fine by Week 1, and we’ll forget all about this story. There certainly is reason for pessimism, however.
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Eagles DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson out for some time (shoulder): 3/10 Disaster Rating
Here we go again. The Eagles signed Chauncey Gardner-Johnson after his year off in Detroit, where he played only three games. Gardner-Johnson was expected to help an ailing secondary, but he’ll be out for “some time” because of a shoulder injury. There’s no timeline for his return.
Gardner-Johnson could be ready for Week 1, but this is a reminder of how brittle he is. He’s extremely talented, but the Eagles won’t be able to rely on him to play the bulk of the season.
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Lions CB Emmanuel Moseley (torn pectoral): 3/10 Disaster Rating
Emmanuel Moseley missed all of last year with a torn ACL, and now he’ll have to wait even longer to see the field in real action, thanks to a torn pectoral. This is unfortunate for Moseley, who was expected to see snaps in the slot this season.
The good news for the Lions is that they have a couple of other viable alternatives for the slot, as Amik Robertson and Brian Branch can play at that position. Both are good options, so I won’t issue a high Disaster Grade for this injury.
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Aug. 5 Updates
Bengals DE Cam Sample out for season (Achilles): 1/10 Disaster Rating
There have been a number of defensive linemen who have suffered season-ending injuries through two weeks of training camp thus far. Cam Sample is the latest player to go down, thanks to a torn Achilles.
This injury won’t be very impactful. Sample is a solid backup/rotational player who is mediocre in all aspects. He produced 1.5 sacks last year and was average versus the run. He can be replaced somewhat easily.
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Rams WR Puka Nacua week to week (knee): 2/10 Disaster Rating
Puka Nacua exited Sunday’s practice with a knee injury and then had an ice pack wrapped around the injury. Sean McVay told the media he didn’t know what transpired, but we now know that he’ll be week to week.
Thankfully for the Rams, this injury occurred in August and not during the regular season. Nacua, whose injury isn’t considered serious according to Adam Schefter’s sources, should be ready for Week 1. This could easily be a 1/10 Disaster Grade, but you never want to hear anyone’s knee being injured, so I’ll bump it up to 2/10.
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Aug. 3 Updates
Cardinals DE/OLB B.J. Ojulari out for season (torn ACL): 4/10 Disaster Rating
I consider the Cardinals an underrated team that could potentially sneak into the playoffs in a weak NFC. Thus, any significant injury would be very harmful for them, and this would qualify.
B.J. Ojulari is a second-year player who was expected to take a big step in 2024. Ojulari played sparingly to start last season, but his playing time increased as the year progressed, and he ultimately logged four sacks. The Cardinals don’t have much of a pass rush, so long Ojulari will make it more difficult for them to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
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Aug. 1 Updates
Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins out 4-6 weeks (knee): 1/10 Disaster Rating
I shrugged my shoulders when I heard this news. That wouldn’t have been the case in prior years because DeAndre Hopkins was such a dynamic player. That’s not really the case anymore, as Hopkins is nearing the end of his career.
There’s a chance Hopkins will return for the season opener in Chicago, but even if he’s not available, the Titans can still win that game without him, given that Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd are receiving options for Will Levis. Also, it must be noted that any losses can ben beneficial for the Titans, whose goal should be to secure the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Buccaneers DE/OLB Yaya Diaby out 4-6 weeks (high ankle sprain): 2/10 Disaster Rating
Tampa Bay’s defense obviously isn’t nearly what it once was when the team won the Super Bowl during the 2020 season. The veterans have left the team or regressed, and many of the young players haven’t panned out. An exception to the latter is Yaya Diaby, a third-round rookie last year, who logged 7.5 sacks.
Diaby is expected to take the next step, but the Buccaneers will have to wait on him because he’ll be out 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain. This means he’s in danger of missing the Week 1 matchup against the Redskins. Not having Diaby to chase around Jayden Daniels will hurt the Buccaneers’ chances of prevailing in that game. I’d ordinarily trivialize an injury to a bad team like the Buccaneers because losing would benefit them more, but the NFC South is so horrible that Tampa could win the division again.
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Chargers QB Justin Herbert out for several weeks (plantar fascia): 7/10 Disaster Rating
An injury that spans a few weeks in early August wouldn’t normally be anything to worry about. However, I listened to the opinion of Dr. Jesse Morse, who is a respected sports medical expert. His video can be viewed on Twitter.
Dr. Morse said that while Herbert will be out a few weeks before being “slowly ramped up,” the Charger quarterback is going to have issues with the injury for months, pertaining to his ability to be mobile or to push off his foot. Perhaps the injury isn’t as bad as Dr. Morse makes it out to be, but if he’s correct, this is a crushing blow to the Chargers’ 2024 outlook.
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July 31 Updates
Buccaneers G Sua Opeta out for season (torn ACL): 2/10 Disaster Rating
Unless rookie center Graham Barton pans out or young right guard Cody Mauch improves after a dreadful rookie campaign, the Buccaneers could have the worst interior offensive line in the NFL. Part of that would be the result of Sua Opeta tearing his ACL in training camp.
So, why just the 2/10 Disaster Grade? Because Opeta isn’t very good either. He’s an inconsistent pass protector and a poor run blocker. Still, he was better than his competition, Ben Bredeson, which makes Tampa’s potentially anemic interior blocking even worse.
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Rams G Jonah Jackson out several weeks (bruised scapula): 1/10 Disaster Rating
The Rams spent a lot of effort improving their offensive line over the past couple of offseasons following the 2022 campaign in which they blocked very poorly. Jonah Jackson was the big addition this spring, as he is set to solidify the left guard spot after signing a 3-year, $51 million contract.
Jackson suffered a bruised scapula, which sounds far worse than it is. He’ll be out the entire preseason, but it’s not like the Rams play their starters in August anyway. There’s a chance Jackson will return for Week 1 to battle his old team, the Lions. He could miss that game, which would hurt, given that Detroit added D.J. Reader this offseason. Still, even if Jackson is out for that contest, the Rams could still prevail, and Jackson would be set to return soon anyway.
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July 29 Updates
Colts DE Samson Ebukam out for season (torn Achilles): 3/10 Disaster Rating
The Colts had to be thrilled that Laiatu Latu fell to them at No. 15 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Now, they have to be relieved because they lost one of their edge rushers, Samson Ebukam, to a torn Achilles.
Ebukam will be missed. He’s coming off a solid year with 9.5 sacks. Luckily for the Colts, they still have Kwity Paye and Latu on the edge. Thus, Ebukam’s season-ending injury won’t earn a high disaster grade. It will be impactful in regard to depth, and any further injuries at the position will be very harmful for Indianapolis’ chances of making a deep playoff push.
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Texans DL Denico Autry suspended for six games (PEDs): 3/10 Disaster Rating
Denico Autry has denied any wrongdoing in this matter, but has said that he will not appeal this suspension. He’ll miss the first six games of the year, which includes difficult matchups against the Colts, Jaguars, and Bills. Luckily for the Texans, there are three easier contests versus the Bears, Vikings, and Patriots in that span.
Autry will be missed in those former three games. He’s a dynamic pass rusher – 11.5 sacks last year – so it’ll hurt not to have him against Anthony Richardson, Trevor Lawrence, and Josh Allen, especially considering that two contests are divisional matchups, while the battle versus the Bills could determine playoff seeding. Still, Autry will be available in Week 7 and onward, so this isn’t a huge blow for Houston’s 2024 outlook.
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July 28 Updates
Cowboys DE Sam Williams out for season (torn ACL): 3/10 Disaster Rating
The Cowboys have lost a ton of talent at the line of scrimmage this offseason. Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz departed via free agency this offseason, as did Dorance Armstrong. Sam Williams, who showed lots of promise last year by recording 4.5 sacks despite playing only 30 percent of the snaps, was expected to be a big part in replacing Armstrong. Instead, he’ll also be unavailable because of an ACL tear.
This hurts the Cowboys, but there are still pass-rushing options to accompany Micah Parsons. DeMarcus Lawrence is still on the roster, and Dallas also drafted Marshawn Kneeland in the second round. Williams’ injury will hurt, but it won’t preclude the Cowboys from making a Super Bowl run if they were going to accomplish that feat anyway. However, further injuries at the position would really harm Dallas’ pass rush and any postseason aspirations.
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July 26 Updates
Lions K Michael Badgley out for season (torn ACL): 2/10 Disaster Rating
Michael Badgley’s season-ending injury is not irrelevant, but it’s not very impactful either. This is because kicker means less to the Lions than any other team in the NFL. Given that Dan Campbell is so aggressive in going for it on fourth down, the Lions simply do not kick field goals very much.
Still, Badgley is a quality kicker, and it remains to be seen if Jake Bates can be a proper replacement. Bates was 17-of-22 in the UFL last year, but it’s worth noting that he drilled a 64-yard field goal.
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July 25 Updates
Rams CB Derion Kendrick out for season (torn ACL): 2/10 Disaster Rating
Two NFL cornerbacks have torn their ACLs in the past 24 hours. Derion Kendrick joins Mekhi Blackmon on season-long injured reserve after suffering such an injury.
Losing Kendrick only hurts for depth purposes. Kendrick was an ineffective cornerback last year, so the Rams decided to find two upgrades in Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White. Kendrick was expected to be the top backup corner on the outside, so this injury will hurt if one of Williams or White goes down, which is likely, given White’s durability issues. The Rams may consider signing or trading for a mediocre cornerback who can help for depth purposes.
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Vikings CB Mekhi Blackmon out for season (torn ACL): 3/10 Disaster Rating
The Vikings have rebuilt their defense with many young players. Mekhi Blackmon was one of the prominent youthful talents as a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Blackmon began as a backup last year, but drew some starts later in the season and played quite well. Thus, it’s a shame that he will miss the entire 2024 campaign with a torn ACL.
It’s not like Minnesota has any playoff aspirations this season, so I’d ordinarily grade this as a 1/10. However, there’s a chance the nature of the injury affects Blackmon in 2025. The silver lining is that this injury occurred so early that it gives Blackmon a better chance of returning for the beginning of the following year.
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July 19 Updates
Saints OT Ryan Ramczyk out for season (knee): 1/10 Disaster Rating
Ryan Ramczyk will sorely be missed. He’s one of the top right tackles in the NFL. In the wake of his absence, the Saints will be forced into starting a rookie and the anemic Trevor Penning at tackle. The rookie, Tallies Fuaga, may pan out, but Penning will almost certainly be terrible again. New Orleans, as a consequence, will struggle to score.
So, why the 1/10 Disaster Grade? Because it’s for the best. The Saints need to tank to land a franchise quarterback in 2025 (Shedeur Sanders) or 2026 (Arch Manning), and this injury will help them do it. It’s evident that this is a blessing in a not-so-clever disguise.
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June 13 Updates
Falcons docked fifth-round pick (tampering): 3/10 Disaster Rating
The Falcons didn’t have the best 2024 NFL Draft, thanks to their disastrous No. 8 overall pick. Their 2025 NFL Draft isn’t off to a good start either, as they’ve been docked a fifth-round pick for tampering with Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney, and Charlie Woerner. I get Cousins, and maybe Mooney, but why Woerner?
A fifth-round pick has somewhat of a chance to become a role player for the team that drafts him, so this loss is somewhat significant. It’s not the end of the world, however, as Atlanta’s ability to win in the playoffs will have much more to do with eschewing an elite edge rusher than losing a fifth-round pick.
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June 12 Updates
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, DE Haason Reddick not reporting to minicamp: 2/10 Disaster Rating
Much is being made about Aaron Rodgers declaring that he would not be reporting to minicamp at all. This, however, is because the media hates Rodgers and won’t report about him fairly. Rodgers had already planned to be away from minicamp well in advance, so this is not news to the Jets. Rodgers’ absence won’t impact New York’s season at all. By the way, you can get Rodgers-Butker Make Football Great Again Shirts by clicking the link.
Haason Reddick, on the other hand, is a trickier situation. The Jets traded for Reddick, but haven’t been able to negotiate a deal with him. As with the Amari Cooper story below, Reddick is about to turn 30, so giving him the sort of huge contract he covets is incredibly risky. The Jets are in a difficult situation, which is something they should have recognized prior to making the deal for Reddick.
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Browns WR Amari Cooper holding out of minicamp: 2/10 Disaster Rating
Amari Cooper has not reported to mandatory minicamp in hopes of receiving a new long-term contract. While it’s still only June, the Browns are in a bit of a pickle. Cooper turns 30 in five days, so giving him a big contract would be extremely risky. If they don’t pay him, however, they’ll risk throwing away a chance to make a deep playoff run in 2024.
It’s early in the summer, so I’ll only give this a 2/10 Disaster Grade at the moment. If Cooper is still holding out by August, the situation will obviously become more dire.
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March 21 Updates
Lions CB Cameron Sutton released (warrant for arrest): 2/10 Disaster Rating
Cameron Sutton had a down year, but it was recently known that this was the least of his troubles. A warrant for his arrest has been issued for an alleged domestic battery by strangulation. Authorities have reportedly been searching for Sutton for two weeks and even went to social media to locate him.
The Lions, understandably, cut Sutton. While it would usually be detrimental for a team that struggles against the pass to cut a cornerback with talent, this isn’t going to be very painful for Detroit. First of all, as mentioned, Sutton had some struggles this past season. He wasn’t a total liability, but he was burned enoguh for the Lions to need an upgrade. Second, Detroit already added Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson to help the secondary. And third, the 2024 NFL Draft class is packed with talented corners to further replace Sutton. Check out the 2024 NFL Draft Cornerback Prospect Rankings.
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Oct. 30 Updates
Falcons DT Grady Jarrett out for season (torn ACL): 6/10 Disaster Rating
The Falcons made a number of key upgrades to their woeful defense this past offseason. This helped transform the unit into a top-15 defense. One crucial holdover was Grady Jarrett, who was originally drafted by Atlanta in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Jarrett’s season-ending injury hurts, but it’s not as damaging as it would have been in past years. The Falcons are deep on the defensive line, while Jarrett was having a bit of a down year. He was still playing very well, but he wasn’t his usual, dominant self. If the Falcons acquire a defensive lineman at the trade deadline, they can survive this injury.
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Vikings QB Kirk Cousins out for season (torn Achilles): 9/10 Disaster Rating
Regardless of what you thought about the Vikings’ playoff chances, this is a devastating blow for the team. If you thought they could make the playoffs, Cousins’ injury derails that. If you thought they were a fraud, then this is also devastating because Minnesota can’t trade Cousins anymore.
I think the Vikings had a legitimate chance at the postseason. Their defense was improving each week, while Justin Jefferson’s eventual return would transform Minnesota’s receiving corps into a prolific unit with Jordan Addison emerging in the wake of Jefferson’s injury.
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Updates
Bills LB Matt Milano out for season (leg): 8/10 Disaster Rating
The Bills looked like an unstoppable force when they destroyed the Dolphins a couple of weeks ago. They’ve suffered some catastrophic blows since, however. Tre’Davious White was ruled out for the season initially, and now Matt Milano will miss the rest of the year with a leg injury.
Milano’s absence will be the greater blow. Buffalo has played well without White recently, but the defense is never the same without Milano. It’d be one thing if the Bills still had Tremaine Edmunds on the roster, but he signed with Chicago last offseason. Thus, the Milano injury will be even more impactful than it would have been a year ago.
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Bills CB Tre’Davious White out for season (torn Achilles): 7/10 Disaster Rating
This is a shame for Tre’Davious White, who worked so hard to return from a torn ACL he suffered in 2021. He’ll now have to recover from a torn Achilles, which will knock him out for the rest of the season.
The Bills aren’t very deep at cornerback, so this is a problematic injury. White is a talented player and will be sorely missed, especially when Buffalo takes on some of the prolific passing attacks in the AFC playoffs. The Bills should consider acquiring a cornerback ahead of the trade deadline because of how thin they are at such a crucial position.
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Chargers WR Mike Williams out for season (torn ACL): 4/10 Disaster Rating
I can’t imagine that anyone is too surprised by this injury. The Charger receivers have an extensive track record of getting hurt, so Mike Williams’ season-ending torn ACL can’t have been shocking to anyone.
Williams is an incredible talent, but there are two reasons why this injury doesn’t warrant too high of a Disaster Grade. First, the Chargers are very deep at receiver, so they can survive with Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston complementing Keenan Allen. Second, the Chargers’ defense stinks and won’t give the team much of a chance to win anyway. Perhaps the best course of action is for the team to tank and land an elite defensive talent in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Browns RB Nick Chubb out for season (torn ACL): 5/10 Disaster Rating
This injury won’t do running backs any favor in contract negotiations. Nick Chubb was supposed to be the safest of all the best running backs this year, yet he tore up his knee in Week 2.
Chubb is an incredible talent, but running back is one of the most replaceable positions in the NFL. Obviously, the Browns won’t have the same upside as they had with Chubb, but Jerome Ford has shown that he can play well behind his terrific offensive line. Thus, I can’t issue too high of a Disaster Grade even though Chubb is one of the top players at his position in the NFL.
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Jets QB Aaron Rodgers out for season (torn Achilles): 10/10 Disaster Rating
Four plays. That’s all it took for the Jets’ season to end. New York came into the year with so much optimism because of Aaron Rodgers’ presence on the roster, yet Rodgers was able to play just four offensive snaps before tearing his Achilles.
I don’t need to tell you that this is incredibly devastating for the Jets. They surrendered so many resources to obtain Rodgers, so to not even have him for a complete drive was absolutely crushing. Because of the Rodgers trade, the Jets don’t have the money or draft picks to find a viable replacement.
The worst thing is that this was supposed to be Rodgers’ F-U season. He was eager to prove the Packers wrong for getting rid of him. Will he have the same fire 12 months later? More importantly, will Rodgers even be the same quarterback at 40 than he was supposed to be at 39? There’s not even a guarantee that Rodgers will return to play in 2024, so this is an obvious 10/10 Disaster Grade.
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July 28 Updates
Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey out several months (knee): 6/10 Disaster Rating
Two major players were carted off the field in the past couple of days. Joe Burrow was diagnosed with just a calf strain, so he should be good to go for the season opener. Jalen Ramsey, conversely, had to undergo a full meniscus repair surgery, meaning he won’t be playing until December.
This is obviously a huge blow for the Dolphins, who invested a third-round pick into the stud cornerback. Ramsey was supposed to fix Miami’s poor secondary, which ranked 20th against the pass last year. Second-round rookie Cam Smith will have to fill the void.
The one silver lining here is that there’s a decent chance Ramsey will be available for a playoff run. However, his absence could negate that possibility, given that there are so many terrific passing offenses in the AFC.
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June 29 Updates
Cam Robinson suspended four games (PEDs): 1/10 Disaster Rating
It’s safe to say that Jacksonville’s offensive tackle situation is a concern. The team lost Jawaan Taylor to the Chiefs in free agency, and now it won’t have Cam Robinson for the first four games of the season because he violated the NFL’s PED policy.
I’d normally give a team a higher Disaster Grade for losing both of its tackles from the prior season, but this is an exception. First of all, three of Jacksonville’s first four opponents – Colts, Chiefs, Texans, Falcons – don’t have a great edge rush, and Jacksonville should still be able to beat them. The other team is the Chiefs, and the Jaguars probably weren’t going to win that game anyway. Second, even if the Jaguars get off to a bit of a slow start, they should still be able to win their weak division, so I don’t think this suspension matters very much, especially given that it’s only for four games.
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