The 2026 NFL preseason injury report tracks the latest injuries, recovery updates and return timelines for key players across the league. Sports Injury Central will update this report throughout the week as new information becomes available.
Friday, September 4th
Nnamdi Madubuike, Ravens - Neck
Madubuike participated in team drills this week for the first time all summer as he continues his recovery following neck surgery. Head coach Jesse Minter said Madubuike is “progressing really well” and remains day-to-day, with his progress providing optimism that he could return for Week 1 against the Colts.
D’Andre Swift, Bears - Cramp
Swift reportedly left Thursday’s practice due to a cramp after initially appearing to be in “significant discomfort” and holding his midsection. The Bears have not provided an official update on his status, but the reported diagnosis suggests he avoided a significant injury.
Thursday, September 3rd
Rome Odunze, Bears - Right Leg
Odunze left Thursday’s practice early after coming up hobbled with an apparent right leg injury. He initially tried to continue before trainers pulled him from the session. The Bears have not provided an update, and head coach Ben Johnson is not scheduled to speak until next week. Odunze dealt with a foot injury last season, though reports indicate Thursday’s issue appeared to involve his right leg.
D’Andre Swift, Bears - Undisclosed
Swift left Thursday’s practice with trainers after appearing to suffer an injury late in the session. He reportedly appeared to be in “significant discomfort” and was seen holding his midsection/core area as he exited. The Bears have not provided an update, with more clarity potentially coming when official injury reports begin next week.
Nick Bosa, 49ers - Right ACL
Bosa participated in a full practice Wednesday for the first time since tearing his right ACL last season, taking part in both individual and team drills. He said he “felt great” and called the progress “very encouraging,” but stopped short of confirming he will play Week 1 against the Rams.
Ashton Jeanty, Raiders - Ankle
Jeanty remains sidelined with an ankle injury, but head coach Klint Kubiak expressed optimism Wednesday that he will be ready to play Week 1 against the Dolphins.
Michael Penix Jr., Falcons - Knee
Penix continues to work back from his knee injury, with NFL Network reporting that the Falcons plan for him to start “eventually” this season. The report states that head coach Kevin Stefanski has not yet decided between Penix and Tua Tagovailoa for Week 1, though the team itself has not announced a decision or confirmed that timeline.
Malik Nabers, Giants - ACL
Nabers continues to work back from his torn ACL and took most of the team reps after joining Tuesday’s practice. Head coach John Harbaugh called the change in his practice routine “part of the process,” but Nabers remains noncommittal about Week 1, saying he feels “real good” while acknowledging he still has checkpoints to clear and plans to “keep the checkpoints in-house.”
TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots - Ankle
Henderson remained out of practice Thursday as he continues to recover from an ankle injury suffered Aug. 24. He has yet to return to practice, leaving his Week 1 status worth monitoring as the Patriots approach their first official injury reports.
Wednesday, September 2nd
Jonathon Brooks, Panthers - Soreness
Brooks has missed the Panthers’ first two practices following the roster cut-down deadline due to soreness. Head coach Dave Canales said he is “very optimistic” Brooks will be available for Week 1 against the Bears.
Mike Evans, 49ers - Adductor
Evans returned to practice Wednesday after missing much of training camp with quad, groin and adductor injuries. His status will be worth monitoring when the 49ers begin issuing practice reports next week, but he is currently trending toward being available for Week 1.
Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs - Ankle
Walker returned to full practice Wednesday after dealing with ankle swelling.
Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers - Toe
Egbuka worked on a side field with trainers and did some running as he continues to recover from a toe injury. Head coach Todd Bowles said Egbuka is “headed in the right direction” for Week 1 but that the team will have a better gauge of his status next week.
Chris Jones, Chiefs - Back
Jones did not participate in Wednesday’s practice due to a back injury. Head coach Andy Reid said the Chiefs believe Jones will be “alright” moving forward, with no indication that his Week 1 availability is in jeopardy.
George Kittle, 49ers - Right Achilles
Kittle will travel with the 49ers to Australia after two positive days of practice as he continues his recovery from a torn right Achilles. He is trending in the right direction to play in the Week 1 opener against the Rams.
Nick Bosa, 49ers - Right Knee
Bosa will travel with the 49ers to Australia as he continues to ramp up his workload following ACL surgery. He missed most of training camp but is progressing toward a potential Week 1 return against the Rams.
Isiah Pacheco, Lions - Knee/Back
Pacheco was placed on injured reserve as he continues to recover from an MCL sprain and a recent back injury. He will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Kyler Gordon, Bears - Calf
Gordon remains on the PUP list with a lingering calf injury and will miss at least the first four games of the season. General manager Ryan Poles said there is no clear timeline for his return and, when asked whether Gordon would play for the Bears again, responded, “I don’t know. I would hope so.”
Tuesday, September 1st
Aaron Donald, Rams - Return to Play
Donald did not practice Monday as part of the Rams’ planned ramp-up after returning from two years of retirement. Head coach Sean McVay said there is no set timeline for Donald’s first game and acknowledged he could miss Week 1 against the 49ers.
Malik Nabers, Giants - ACL
Nabers continues to practice fully as he works back from last season’s torn ACL and said he feels “real good.” He still has several checkpoints to clear with the medical staff and remains uncertain for Week 1 against the Cowboys.
Mike Evans, 49ers - Adductor
Evans remains sidelined with an adductor injury, but general manager John Lynch said the 49ers hope he will return to practice next week.
George Kittle, 49ers - Right Achilles
Kittle participated in team reps Monday for the first time since undergoing surgery on his torn right Achilles in January. General manager John Lynch said Kittle has “absolutely crushed” the objective benchmarks in his recovery.
Ashton Jeanty, Raiders - Ankle
Jeanty did not participate in Tuesday’s practice as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. He was seen working off to the side with trainers during the session.
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals - Knee
Chase did not participate in Tuesday’s practice as he continues to recover from a knee hyperextension. Head coach Zac Taylor said Chase will be limited throughout the week but expressed no concern about his availability for Week 1 against the Buccaneers.
Tee Higgins, Bengals - Heel
Higgins did not participate in Tuesday’s practice due to a heel contusion. Taylor said Higgins will be limited throughout the week but expressed no concern about his Week 1 availability.
Nick Bosa, 49ers - Knee
Bosa is nearing a return to practice as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. General manager John Lynch said Bosa worked off to the side Monday and is hoping to return to practice Wednesday.
Braden Smith, Texans - Foot
Smith was placed on injured reserve due to the foot injury he suffered in practice last week. He will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Brady Christensen, Panthers - Hamstring
Christensen was placed on injured reserve Tuesday as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. He will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Monday, August 31st
George Kittle, 49ers - Right Achilles
Kittle is practicing this week and is expected to progress into team drills as he continues his recovery from a torn right Achilles. Head coach Kyle Shanahan clarified that Kittle has not suffered a setback, but his status for Week 1 against the Rams remains uncertain.
Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks - Left ACL
Charbonnet will begin the season on the PUP list as he continues his recovery from a torn left ACL. He will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Micah Parsons, Packers - Knee
Parsons was officially moved to the Reserve/PUP list as he continues his recovery from his knee injury. He will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Jordyn Tyson, Saints - Right Hamstring
Tyson was placed on injured reserve due to his right hamstring injury and will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Tank Dell, Texans - Knee
Dell was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return as he continues his recovery from his knee injury. He will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Brian Branch, Lions - Achilles
Branch was placed on the Reserve/PUP list as he continues his recovery from a torn Achilles. He will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Kerby Joseph, Lions - Knee
Joseph was placed on the Reserve/PUP list as he continues to recover from a lingering knee injury. He will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Dillon Gabriel, Browns - Back
Gabriel suffered a back injury during the preseason finale and experienced pain afterward, leading to an MRI. The Browns placed him on injured reserve with a designation to return, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Kyler Gordon, Bears - Calf
Gordon will begin the regular season on the Reserve/PUP list as he continues to deal with a calf injury. He will miss at least the first four games of the season.
Mykel Williams, 49ers - ACL
Williams was placed on the Reserve/PUP list as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL. He will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Sunday, August 30th
Aaron Donald, Rams
Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement for the Los Angeles Rams and has signed a one-year deal, returning at 35 through a slow, deliberate comeback process with the Rams likely easing him in as a rotational piece early on.
Thursday, August 27th
Alec Pierce, Colts - Ankle
Pierce was activated from the PUP list Thursday as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery in March. He will begin ramping up at practice with hopes of being ready for the regular-season opener against the Ravens.
Braden Smith, Texans - Foot
Smith suffered a plantar fascia injury after being carted off during Wednesday’s practice. He avoided a major injury but could miss a few weeks.
James Conner, Cardinals - Foot
Conner’s status for Week 1 against the Chargers remains uncertain as he continues recovering from his foot injury. Head coach Mike LaFleur said it is “too early to tell” whether Conner will be ready for the regular-season opener.
Wednesday, August 26th
Rueben Bain Jr., Buccaneers - AC Sprain
Bain suffered an AC sprain during Tuesday’s joint practice and did not participate Wednesday. The injury is considered “nothing serious,” and he is expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Bengals.
Calvin Austin III, Giants - Right ACL
Austin suffered a torn ACL in his right knee while running a route during Tuesday’s training camp practice and will miss the 2026 season.
Charvarius Ward, Colts - Back
Ward expects to play in Week 1 after missing the past two weeks with a back injury. He said the issue is not fully healed and will be something he has to manage moving forward, but he expects to be ready for the regular-season opener.
Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals - High Ankle Sprain
Love did light agility work with trainers ahead of Wednesday’s practice as he continues his recovery from a high ankle sprain. He remains out of team drills but has progressed to on-field rehab work.
Michael Penix Jr., Falcons - Knee
Penix will not play in Friday’s preseason game against the Dolphins as he continues his recovery from his knee injury. He believes he will be available for the Week 1 matchup against the Steelers on Sept. 13.
Luther Burden III, Bears - Groin
Burden returned to practice Wednesday as he continues his recovery from a groin injury. He was limited to individual drills.
Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals - Left Knee
Chase did not participate in Wednesday’s practice after suffering a left knee injury during Tuesday’s session.
Kenneth Walker, Chiefs - Ankle
Walker is dealing with ankle swelling caused by his shoe. Head coach Andy Reid said the Chiefs are working to get the swelling down and that Walker is “gonna be fine.”
Tuesday, August 25th
Myles Garrett, Rams - Knee
Garrett remained out of practice Tuesday due to minor knee swelling, marking his 12th missed practice. Head coach Sean McVay continues to downplay the issue and said the goal is to have Garrett ready for the Rams’ trip to Australia.
Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals - Left Knee
Chase left Tuesday’s practice early after suffering an apparent left knee injury. Chase said afterward that he is “good” and described the injury as a “little hyperextension,” adding that he could have continued practicing if needed. The Bengals have not provided an official diagnosis.
Sam LaPorta, Lions - Hip
LaPorta returned to practice Tuesday after missing less than a week with a hip injury. He participated in both individual and team drills.
Alec Pierce, Colts - Ankle
Pierce will not practice Tuesday but could return later this week as he continues his recovery from offseason ankle surgery. Head coach Shane Steichen said the Colts have not discussed keeping Pierce on the PUP list to begin the regular season.
Kenneth Walker, Chiefs - Foot
Walker was added to the injury report Tuesday with a foot injury and is not expected to practice. He practiced Monday, suggesting the issue developed during the practice week. The extent of the injury is not yet known.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars - Left Shoulder
Thomas left Tuesday’s joint practice against the Buccaneers after landing hard on his left shoulder. Head coach Liam Coen said Thomas is OK and that holding him out was a precaution as the Jaguars focus on having him ready for the regular season.
Mike Evans, 49ers - Groin
Evans did not practice Tuesday due to a groin injury after exiting practice early on Sunday. He worked on a side field during Tuesday’s session.
Ashton Jeanty, Raiders - Ankle
Jeanty remains sidelined with an ankle injury, but head coach Klint Kubiak declined to provide details on the severity or whether Jeanty could begin the season on injured reserve. Kubiak said only that Jeanty is “on the mend.”
Monday, August 24th
Bud Clark, Seahawks - Right Ankle
Clark suffered a broken right ankle during Sunday night’s preseason game against the Titans and will be sidelined for multiple months. He was carted off the field after suffering the injury on Seattle’s first defensive play.
Michael Penix Jr., Falcons - Left ACL
Penix has been cleared to practice fully as he continues his recovery from left ACL surgery in November. He is now eligible to participate in 11-on-11 team periods for the first time since undergoing surgery.
Malik Nabers, Giants - ACL
Nabers shed the red no-contact jersey and participated in live drills Monday as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL. He is tracking toward being ready for the Week 1 opener against the Cowboys, barring a setback.
Jalen Ramsey, Steelers - Knee
Ramsey will be activated from the PUP list Monday and return to practice, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed. He had been sidelined with a knee injury.
Maliek Collins, Browns - Quad
Collins was activated from the PUP list Monday after recovering from the quad injury he suffered in Week 13 last season. He passed his physical and is eligible to return to practice.
Makai Lemon, Eagles - Hamstring
Lemon participated fully in practice Monday for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury on Aug. 3. After missing eight practices and returning in a limited capacity last week, Lemon believes he can be back to full form for the regular-season opener against the Commanders.
Danny Pinter, Ravens - Right Patellar Tendon
Pinter tore his right patellar tendon during Wednesday’s joint practice with the Vikings and is expected to miss the 2026 season.
Sunday, August 23rd
Ashton Jeanty, Raiders - Right Knee
Jeanty is believed to have suffered a sprained ankle after being helped off the practice field Sunday. The Raiders are unsure how long he will be sidelined, but the injury is not considered long-term.
George Kittle, 49ers - Right Achilles
Kittle was activated from the PUP list Sunday as he continues his recovery from the torn right Achilles he suffered in January. He returned to practice for individual work in full pads and continues to target a potential Week 1 return against the Rams.
Christian McCaffrey, 49ers - Tightness
McCaffrey returned to practice Sunday after missing a string of practices due to tightness. He participated in individual drills after returning to the field in uniform.
Alex Wright, Browns - Achilles
Wright suffered a ruptured Achilles during Thursday’s joint practice against the Bills. The Browns placed him on season-ending injured reserve.
Tyler Biadasz, Chargers - Left Knee
Biadasz was placed on season-ending injured reserve Sunday after suffering ACL damage and additional injuries to his left knee during a joint practice against the 49ers.
