by We’re officially through three weeks of the NFL season and the injuries continue to pile up. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert left Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Steelers with a high ankle sprain, Packers signal caller Jordan Love missed more time with a knee injury and San Francisco 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey remains on the reserve list with a Achilles tendonitis.
Here is a list of the key players dealing with injuries and their latest status before Week 4.
Quarterbacks
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Status: Active vs. Vikings
Jordan Love is active and expected to play in his first game since Week 1, likely with a brace on the left knee he sprained.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Status: Start expected vs. Chiefs
Justin Herbert is expected to play against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a high ankle sprain. Herbert also tried to play through the injury against the Steelers before being removed from the game.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
Tagovailoa suffered at least the third concussion of his career in Week 2’s 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. On September 17, Miami placed him on the injured reserve list, and he will be out until at least Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals on October 27.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Status: Away vs. Colts
Wilson has yet to play this season due to a calf injury. Head coach Mike Tomlin said Wilson (calf) will begin preparing for Week 4 as a limited practice participant on Wednesday, and the Steelers are preparing for Justin Fields to make a fourth straight start at quarterback Sunday against the Colts, Brooke Pryor reports from ESPN.com.
Running backs
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
McCaffrey, arguably the biggest offensive threat in the NFL, was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles injury and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks. Backup running back Jordan Mason has stepped up in his absence, averaging 4.8 yards per carry with 324 yards and two scores in three weeks.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
Many thought this was Pacheco’s breakout season, but unfortunately he will likely miss at least six weeks due to a broken fibula. With backup Clyde Edwards-Helaire also injured, the Chiefs signed Kareem Hunt to their practice squad. Carson Steele will be the primary defender for Week 4 vs. Los Angeles.
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Status: Questionable vs. Jaguars
Mixon suffered an ankle injury midway through the Texans’ 19-13 win against the Chicago Bears in Week 2, but appears to have avoided any long-term injury. He missed Week 3 and was not spotted during practice on Wednesday.
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Status: Playing against Lions
Walker is no longer on the injury report after missing Week 2 and Week 3.
Austin Ekeler, Washington commanders
Status: Away vs. Cardinals
Ekeler looked poised for a big performance against Cincinnati on Monday — 35 yards rushing and a goal — but suffered a concussion in the first half. He was ruled out by Washington on Wednesday.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Status: Active vs. Indianapolis
Harris suffered a right arm injury in Week 3, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says that won’t be an issue against the Colts. “Naj will be ready to rock and roll,” Tomlin told reporters this week.
Wide receivers
AJ Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Status: Inactive vs. buccaneers
Brown is out again. He missed weeks 2 and 3 due to a hamstring injury he suffered during training.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Expected to play against Patriots
Samuel strained his calf late in San Francisco’s Week 2 loss to the Vikings, but he will reportedly play on Sunday.
Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
Status: Expected to play against Rams
Allen was inactive in both Weeks 2 and 3 due to a heel injury.
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Status: Away against Bears
The veteran wideout, who started the season with 18 receptions and 147 yards, is out with an ankle injury. He won’t be good to play against Chicago on Sunday. It’s terrible news for Los Angeles, which already lost star receiver Puka Nacua. Speaking of which…
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
Nacua could be out until Week 9 due to a posterior cruciate ligament strain that he re-aggravated in Week 1. A breakout star in his first year — he broke a 63-year-old record for most receiving yards for a rookie in NFL history last season — Nacua joins his teammate Cupp on the sideline, skyrocketing Los Angeles’ offensive potential becomes exhausted.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
Status: Active vs. Packers
Addison is dealing with an ankle injury that has sidelined him for all but one game this season, but he will play on Sunday.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
Status: Out, placed on injured reserve
The Panthers veteran was placed on Injured Reserve after injuring his hamstring in Week 3 against the Saints. It’s a big blow for a Carolina offense after a shocking win against Las Vegas.
Tight ends
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Active vs. Patriots
Kittle is active and expected to start.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Status: Away vs. Raiders
Njoku missed Week 2 and Week 3 due to an ankle injury and did not practice on Wednesday.
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Status: Away vs. Texans
Engram suffered a hamstring injury during warm-ups prior to Week 3.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Status: Playing against Seahawks
Dan Campbell said LaPorta — who suffered a sprained ankle in last year’s 20-13 win over the Cardinals — will play.
