• The Sky Is Falling And Players Are Breaking – Injuries Heading Into Week 1

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    Week one of the NFL season is finally here. Some teams will be starting the season a few players down. We will take a look at each injury report, determine which players are in jeopardy of having a limited outing and who will have to look beyond week one for their 2018 regular season debut.


    THURSDAY, SEP 6, 2018

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    Atlanta at Philadelphia 8:20 pm

    It looks like both teams will be healthy at defense coming into this game. The Falcons will be somewhat shallow in the secondary with two young backup cornerbacks Isaiah Oliver and Blidi Wreh-Wilson out. This should not pose any issue due to the Falcons keeping seven cornerback on the active roster.

    SUNDAY, SEP 9, 2018

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    Buffalo at Baltimore 1:00 pm

    The Bills defense avoided the injury report this week - most notably Kyle Willams and Trent Murphy. The Ravens rookie Kenny Young was not so lucky. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and was joined by Maurice Canady. Both are questionable for this Sunday's game. Young would be in the mix to start if healthy. Canady's absence would leave Baltimore with a shallow cornerback unit that's already without Jimmy Smith due to suspension.

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    Cincinnati at Indianapolis 1:00 pm

    Cornerback Nate Hairston (hamstring) along with a pair of linebackers in Anthony Walker (groin) and rookie Darius Leonard (ankle, chest) were limited in Colts practice on Wednesday. All three are considered questionable for Sunday's game. The Bengals' defense looks to head in the game unscathed while only missing Vontaze Burfict as he begins to serve a four-game suspension.

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    Houston at New England 1:00 pm

    New England looks to open the season healthy on defense. The same can not be said for the Texans. Starting corner Kevin Johnson (concussion) practiced in full on Wednesday, but corner Kayvon Webster (Achilles) didn't practice at all.

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    Jacksonville at N.Y. Giants 1:00 pm

    Olivier Vernon (ankle) was held out of practice on Wednesday. He earns a questionable tag for Sunday. This likely leaves the starting duties at outside linebacker to rookie Lorenzo Carter. The Jags will open week one healthy and look to outdo their impressive 2017 season.

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    Pittsburgh at Cleveland 1:00 pm

    Both teams starting defense are healthy. Expect Joe Schobert and Denzel Ward to stay on the field for a high percentage of plays due to their backups E.J. Gaines (knee) and James Burgess (concussion) likely to miss the game.

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    San Francisco at Minnesota 1:00 pm

    We already know the defense will be without Reuben Foster (suspended), while linebacker Malcolm Smith (hamstring) and defensive back Jimmie Ward (quad) were limited in practice on Wednesday. The Vikings did not have cornerbacks Mackensie Alexander (ankle), Xavier Rhodes (hamstring) and Marcus Sherels (hamstring) in practice. They might go into Sunday's game depleted at the position. Mike Hughes will step up as starting cornerback if Rhodes misses Sunday.

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    Tampa Bay at New Orleans 1:00 pm

    Two rookies for Tampa Bay Vita Vea (calf) and backup cornerback M.J. Stewart(Foot) did not practice on Wednesday. Both are listed as questionable for Sunday.  As for the Saints, they have had all defensive players practice in full all week and look to start the season healthy.

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    Tennessee at Miami 1:00 pm

    While the Dolphins head into week one with no concerns on the defensive side, the Titans have three big names on the injury report. Rookie inside linebacker Rashaan Evans (hamstring), outside linebackers Derrick Morgan (knee) and Harold Landry (ankle). The news seems good for Landry and Morgan who looked like they would miss Week heading into this week, but all figure to only be questionable for Sunday.

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    Kansas City at L.A. Chargers 4:05 pm

    The Chiefs listed Eric Berry (heel) as day-to-day while being held out of practice Wednesday. He'll likely need to get some type of practice reps in by Friday to appear in Week 1. The Chiefs would love to have his talent back. For the Chargers, only one defender, Corey Liuget, is out while serving a suspension.  Joey Bosa (foot) was listed as limited, and Justin Jones (ankle) was listed as fully practicing on their injury report. While Bosa continues to be listed, the Chargers believe he will be ready for week 1.

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    Dallas at Carolina 4:25 pm

    The Cowboys were without safety Xavier Woods (hamstring) and defensive tackle Datone Jones (knee) in practice and it looks to be the same case Sunday. The team is already without defensive tackle David Irving due to suspension. Safety Kavon Frazier (shoulder) was limited as well, threatening to leave the team shorthanded at safety. Carolina's healthy defense will attempt to shoulder the load while their offense fight through a long list of injuries.

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    Seattle at Denver 4:25 pm

    Rookie Shaquem Griffin has been announced as the Week 1 starter with K.J. Wright(knee) out. Dion Jordan (knee) was limited in practice after being on the PUP list for the offseason. If Jordan does play, expect it to be in a limited capacity with rookie Jake Martin and Frank Clark to pick up the slack on the defensive line. The Broncos listed no injuries on their Wednesday practice report.

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    Washington at Arizona 4:25 pm

    For the Cardinals, three defensive linemen were listed as limited, including Robert Nkemdiche (foot) and Corey Peters (knee). They were also without Markus Golden (knee) on Wednesday. All are listed as questionable for Sunday but the potential of Arizona opening the season without any of their assumed staters on the defensive line is a very real thing. Washington almost avoided the injury report as a whole with one depth player Anthony Lanier(Hip) being listed.

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    Chicago at Green Bay 8:20 pm

    Packers safety Josh Jones (ankle) was the only Green Bay player not to practice. However, linebackers Oren Burks (shoulder) and James Crawford (hamstring) were limited. All three are considered questionable for Week 1. Antonio Morrison would be the main beneficiary if Burks were to miss any time. Roquan Smith dodges the first injury report of the year and will be ready to go after dealing with a hamstring injury in the preseason. The Bears only defensive injury is backup safety DeAndre Houston-Carson.

    MONDAY, SEP 10, 2018

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    N.Y. Jets at Detroit 7:10 pm

    The Jets will head into the first week with plenty of injuries on the defensive side. Josh Martin, Avery Williamson, and Steve Mclendon are all listed as questionable for week one with an undisclosed injury. Marcus Maye has been dealing with an ankle issue and has received the same questionable designation. Detriot, on the other hand, will be kicking off the season with a fully healthy defense.

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    L.A. Rams at Oakland 10:20 pm

    Mark Barron remains on the injury report this week while having limited participation in practice since early last week. Though it is believed that Barron will be ready for Monday, Ramik Wilson would get the nod if he is not. Barron's original backup Travin Howard was placed on IR last week during roster cuts. As of now, it looks like the Raiders defense has avoided injury and will head into Week 1 fully intact.


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    Ronald Heckel

    Unabashed Patriots fan with a 15+ year addiction to Fantasy Football. Biggest vices are larger dynasty leagues, contract, and IDP. Feel free to contact me on Twitter @TheReaperKing21 about anything Fantasy Football.
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