Entering Week 4 of the 2023-24 NFL season, there have been many highs and many lows. Already, some teams have exceeded expectations, (see Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and some have fallen short (see Cincinnati Bengals).
Additionally, some key players have suffered injuries. Here are the biggest setbacks for each team in the league.
AFC EAST:
Miami Dolphins
For the Miami Dolphins, the biggest injury of the season so far has been 28-year-old cornerback, Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey, who was traded to the Dolphins in 2023 from the Los Angeles Rams, has been a standout cornerback in the league every year since he was drafted back in 2016. A training camp knee injury that occurred in August will sideline him until December.
New Jersey Jets
The Jets’ season ran into turmoil barely four plays into the 2023-24 season. Newly signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon during their season opener against the Buffalo Bills. The four-time NFL MVP will be out for the rest of the season. Former second-overall draft pick Zach Wilson has been starting in his place.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have had a more fortunate start, with the only notable player out being linebacker Von Miller who is still in rehabilitation from his torn ACL in November 2022. Miller is looking for a Week 5 return, which will be a positive addition for the Bills’ defense.
New England Patriots
The biggest injury in Foxborough, Massachusetts this season has been the hamstring injury of second-year cornerback Jack Jones. Jones, who had a productive season in his rookie campaign totaling 30 tackles, one forced fumble, one touchdown and two interceptions, will return to action in Week 5 at the earliest.
AFC WEST:
Las Vegas Raiders
This year, the most significant injury in Las Vegas is not an injury at all, but instead the placement of 2x All-Pro defensive end Chandler Jones on the non-football injury list. Jones has been away from the team since Labor Day, and his return date is so far unknown. The Raiders are 1-2, barely coming out on top against the Broncos, losing to the Bills and the Steelers.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have not been struck with any significant injuries this season. Two players, tight end Jody Fortson and safety Nazeeh Johnson, were placed on injured reserve, but neither of the two were predicted to have significant roles.
Los Angeles Chargers
Losing running back Austin Ekeler for Week 2 was a significant challenge for the Chargers. Without him, they came out on the losing end of a 27-24 score against the Titans, only rushing for 61 total yards as compared to the 233 they were able to amass with Ekeler at tailback. Despite missing Ekeler in a Week 3 meeting with the Vikings, the Chargers were able to pull away with the win. Only rushing for 30 yards as a team in that game, the Chargers will benefit greatly from the return of their lead running back.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos placed starting tight end, Greg Dulcich, on injured reserve for a hamstring injury, losing one of the more productive players on their somewhat dismal 2022-23 team. Dulcich had 411 receiving yards as well as two touchdowns last year but was only able to catch two passes for 22 yards so far this season. The Broncos have yet to win a game this year and have a tough matchup ahead with the Miami Dolphins lined up for Week 3.
AFC North:
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens’ big injury concern came in Week 1, on running back JK Dobbins. Dobbins is no stranger to injury, as he has had to miss several weeks every year that he has been in the NFL. The Ravens have been able to pick up his slack using a combination of Justice Hill and Gus Edwards but will lack the star power that Dobbins typically provides.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Not one, but two big injuries have hit the Steelers organization this season. Veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and number one wide receiver Diontae Johnson were both placed on the injury reserve list. Heyward has been a staple of the Steelers franchise for years now, and Johnson was aiming to have a breakout season. Without these two, the Steelers have a win and a loss, but the future seems bleak.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns have had one of the worst injuries in recent NFL years. Four-time pro-bowler Nick Chubb was tackled by Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, resulting in the twisting and planting of Chubb’s knee in an unnatural angle. Chubb was immediately put on injury reserve, and he will have a long road to recovery ahead of him. Additionally, the injury to his knee is the second injury to that same knee. While playing for the University of Georgia, Chubb underwent surgery on said knee, making this injury even more dire. In light of this issue, Cleveland picked up former Browns running back Kareem Hunt to work as the backup running back behind recent star Jerome Ford.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals, barring the Chiefs, have lost the least due to injury. The only player out with a significant injury is defensive tackle Devonnsha Maxwell. As Maxwell was not predicted to have any big-time contribution on the defensive end, the injury does not hurt the team very much.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have been the subject of controversy for many months now. Star running back Jonathan Taylor has been in a trade dispute with the franchise. As a result, he was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The PUP list is for athletes who are out for non-injury related reasons. Also working back from an ankle injury, Taylor will look to return in the coming weeks. On top of the injury to Taylor, newly drafted starting quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered a minor concussion during his game against the Houston Texans. The former University of Florida starter missed the Colts’ Week 3 matchup versus the Ravens, which they happened to win with second-string quarterback Gardner Minshew throwing for 227 yards and a touchdown. Richardson is questionable to return for Week 4’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Houston Texans
The Texans placed number one cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. on injured reserve leading up to their Week 3 matchup with the Jaguars. Stingley suffered a hamstring injury and will reportedly miss at least four weeks. Without Stingley, the Texans secondary allowed 279 yards in the air but managed to steal an interception from Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and pull out an impressive 37-17 upset win.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have been somewhat untouched by injuries thus far in the season. Despite this, a slew of players have been placed on assorted injury-related lists so far; most notably, tight end Sammis Reyes, cornerback Chris Claybrooks, linebacker Dawuane Smoot, offensive tackle Cooper Hodges and defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton. Overall, none of these players had much of an effect during pre-season, therefore the Jaguars’ season has not been too affected.
Tennessee Titans
The only injury to affect the Titans this year was the back injury that placed second-year cornerback Caleb Farley on the PUP list. Losing Farley is a hit to an already lackluster defense that has allowed 22 points and almost 345 total offensive yards per game. The Titans are 1-2 and appear to be on the journey from playoff contender to one of the bottom 10.
