5 NFL Injury Storylines to Watch for in Week 3

Trey Lance Done for Season, Garoppolo Back Under Center

The serendipitous 49ers turned to veteran backup Jimmy Garoppolo after Trey Lance's first tenure as the starting quarterback ended when he suffered a right ankle fracture dislocation one-and-a-quarter games into the season.

Lance will undergo season-ending surgery and should be on track to return for training camp next July 2023, but will lose another year of development, his third straight full season without more than one or two games of action. 

Garoppolo, meanwhile, went 13/20 with one touchdown and another score on a one-yard QB push in his first showing since shoulder surgery in March. 

The 30-year-old is 35-16 as San Francisco's starter and will now likely play for a new contract in red and gold. 

Justin Herbert's Ribs Recovery Timeline

Third-year quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a rib cartilage injury in the fourth quarter of the Chargers' Week 2 win but stayed in to finish the contest despite his clear discomfort.

With over a week until their next game against the Jaguars, Herbert will likely be able to undergo a rib block injection – the same type of pain-killing shot that the team doctor accidentally punctured Tyrod Taylor's lung with – to play in Week 3.

The rib cartilage, unfortunately, takes longer to heal than a rib fracture but is less dangerous and will be more-or-less a pain management issue for the quarterback. 

The injury will limit his practice snaps and likely limit his rushing ability, as was the case on Thursday night. 

Will Broncos' Young Stars Play Week 3?

The Broncos won a close contest against the Texans to move to 1-1, but were without wide receiver Jerry Jeudy with an apparent upper-body injury and cornerback Patrick Surtain II with a shoulder injury.

According to the Pro Football Docs, Jeudy likely suffered a right SC joint sprain – where the collarbone and sternum meet – and could land on short-term IR while he recovers from his multi-week injury.

Courtland Sutton, who brought in seven of 11 targets for 120 yards, and Javonte Williams, who has totalled 193 yards on 34 touches this season, will lead Denver's struggling offense in the next few weeks. 

Surtain II was ruled out with a shoulder injury that the Docs believed to be minor, and head coach Nathaniel Hackett said that he was still being evaluated and the team would know more on Monday.

Cowboys Down Another Key Player?

Tight end Dalton Schultz suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys' Week 2 win, but the injury is believed by both the team and the Pro Football Docs to be a relatively minor issue.

Schultz likely suffered a low-grade PCL strain, according to the Docs, which could keep him out up to 2-to-4 weeks depending on which. 

Dallas faces the Commanders, Rams, and Eagles over the next three weeks with Cooper Rush expected to be at the helm. 

Will Kamara's Absence Stretch Into Week 3?

Saints' swiss-army back Alvin Kamara was ruled out on Sunday with his own rib cartilage injury he picked up in the season-opener. The Pro Football Docs initially believed he could play through the ailment with a rib-block injection to numb the pain.

Because of his position and playing style, Kamara's injury management and return will be different than Herbert's, but the Docs are hopeful that he will be able to play in Week 3.