Panic Meter for Justin Herbert, NFL Training Camp Injuries Ahead of Preseason Week 1
0 of 8
Los Angeles quarterback Justin HerbertKevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Injuries are the worst part of NFL training camps. They're also inevitable.
The best hope is that nothing devasting occurs, particularly to a key contributor. This outcome already happened in a couple of instances, with the Indianapolis Colts losing their top sack artist from last season, Samson Ebukam, to a season-ending Achilles injury and Sua Opeta conceding the left guard competition with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to an ACL tear.
Other squads find themselves on pins and needles with injuries that already occurred but aren't believed to have the same long-term ramifications. Still, these situations can create ripple effects that last into the regular season.
Eight notable injury situations need to be watched closely to see how worried the accompanying teams should be as preparation for Week 1 of the preseason goes into full swing next week.
QB Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
1 of 8
Steph Chambers/Getty Images
To start, a rather large sigh of relief can be heard emanating from the the Great Northwest.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith missed two practices after suffering what was deemed hip and knee injuries. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, tests proved to be negative.
"He shouldn't miss any time," a source told Schefter.
If Smith were forced to miss any further time—which doesn't appear to be the case—the Seahawks did acquire Sam Howell from the Washington Commanders this past offseason.
However, Howell has struggled in his new surroundings. Any backup should be an expected step down. In this case, Howell has looked closer to his fifth-round draft pick status than an NFL starter.
"Sam Howell is three days into an almost alarmingly inaccurate camp," Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune wrote last week. "So far, days before the team puts on full pads, the Washington Commanders' starter last season is closer to competing with third QB P.J. Walker to be Smith's backup than he is for any of Smith's playing time this year."
Meanwhile, Smith is a two-time Pro Bowl honoree, who appears to be perfectly fine to move forward throughout training camp and preseason.
Panic Meter: 1
WR DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
2 of 8
An injury to Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this year isn't as devastating had it occurred a year ago. The Titans offense is far better positioned today to offset any missed time by the veteran pass-catcher after the free-agent signings of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd.
According to Paul Kuharsky, Hopkins suffered a strained knee Wednesday, with a four-to-six-week timetable on a potential return. The injury could linger into the start of the regular season and shake up the Titans' wide receiver rotation to a degree.
A season ago, Titans quarterbacks targeted Hopkins 92 more times than any other wide receiver. So, general manager Ran Carthon lured Ridley by offering the 29-year-old a four-year, $92 million deal. Even if Hopkins is healthy to start the season, his target share will drastically decrease.
In the meantime, Hopkins' absence will create extra opportunities for 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks.
"I think Treylon has really grown up," Ran Carthon told reporters. "... He came in and he really took to heart the conversation that he had with myself and coach [Brian Callahan]. And he's completely bought in. ... And, again, we added Tyler, we added Calvin, obviously D-Hop was here. But for a young guy like that, he has vets that he can learn from."
The Titans' passing attack won't be brought to a halt without Hopkins.
Panic Meter: 4
RB D'Onta Foreman, Cleveland Browns
3 of 8
Nick Cammett/Getty Images
Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman suffered the scariest training camp injury so far. Thankfully, he appears to be fine.
The Browns released a statement Thursday that included, "Foreman sustained a direct blow to the head that resulted in neck pain." Medical personnel immobilized the running back before "being transported via helicopter" to be treated.
Foreman shared a message on Instagram that stated, "I'm doing good. Everything came back negative."
Obviously. there'll be no rush to get Foreman back on the field. His health is of the utmost importance.
But the Browns now find themselves in a situation, where a previous strength contains far too much uncertainty. Nick Chubb continues to work his way back from last season's devastating knee injury. His status for the start of the 2024 campaign has yet to be revealed.
Beyond Foreman, Jerome Ford and Nyheim Hines form Cleveland's backfield depth. Ford led Cleveland in rushing last season, but the team felt compelled to bring in Foreman this offseason. Hines is more of a third-down back.
If Chubb isn't ready for the regular season, Cleveland's offense will find itself in a similar situation as last season, with Ford leading the way and even more onus placed on quarterback Deshaun Watson to shine.
Panic Meter: 5
Edge Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
4 of 8
Dylan Buell/Getty Images
The Cincinnati Bengals' defensive line has been battered and missing a star. Both of the Bengals' starting defensive ends, Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, are currently dinged.
Hendrickson, who asked to be traded earlier this offseason, is currently dealing with a chest bruise, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Hubbard, meanwhile, has a balky knee.
"Nothing this week," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said about both. "Will kind of take it week-to-week right now with him, so we'll be slow to go with both those guys... Wouldn't expect anything through this week and then we'll revisit next week but give him time and Trey both time to recover. They're known quantities, what we got in them, so not gonna rush either one of those guys back."
While neither of the starters have a definitive timeline, a lot of concern doesn't seem to exist with their current standing. However, the Bengals' depth also took a hit.
Cam Sample required the help of a cart after hurting his left knee during Thursday's practice. The Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway spotted Sample riding a scooter in the Bengals' locker room.
Hendrickson and Hubbard will likely be back for the regular season, but Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy should expect to pick up any slack left by Sample's absence.
Panic Meter: 6
Edge Yaya Diaby, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5 of 8
Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Yaya Diaby was one of the bigger surprises from the 2023 NFL draft class. Now, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to be worried because he's a core piece who isn't on the practice field.
Tampa chose the edge defender in the third round. At the time, Diaby was viewed as a premium athlete, who lacked polish. He went on to lead the team with 7.5 sacks, which ranked third among rookies.
This offseason, the Buccaneers finally moved beyond veteran Shaquil Barrett. Diaby instantly became the focal point of Todd Bowles' pass rush.
But the second-year defender suffered a high-ankle sprain during Thursday's practice. The injury could have been much worse. However, the severity of high-ankle sprains varies, with a tendency to linger.
Diaby plans to be back on the field by Week 1. Though Tampa Bay must prepare for the possibility that he's not on the field, which amplifies the spotlight on 2021 first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who desperately needs a breakout campaign during a contract year. Furthermore, Randy Gregory hasn't reported to camp.
More of the onus will fall on the defensive line, specifically Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea to create pressure. Second-round outside linebacker Chris Braswell will be integral as well.
Panic Meter: 7
OL Jonah Jackson, Los Angeles Rams
6 of 8
Ric Tapia/Getty Images
The Los Angeles Rams made the offensive line a priority this offseason. Yet that same position group is under fire right now due to multiple injuries. Jonah Jackson's situation is the most concerning.
Currently, Jackson is dealing with a bruised scapula. He's expected to miss "around six weeks," according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The left guard was the Rams' prized free-agent signing at $51 million. Now, he may not be ready for the start of the regular season.
Long-time right tackle Rob Havenstein got stepped on during Thursday's practice and suffered a foot injury. How much time he'll miss, if any, has yet to be determined.
Left tackle Alaric Jackson is also dealing with a shoulder injury, though he's expected back "sooner than later."
Still, an offensive line needs time to gel. Three-fifths of the starting unit being injured, plus Steve Avila converting to center, will need time to play together before the group really hits its stride.
"Next man up, right? That's what this game is," said offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur told reporters. "There is gonna be guys going down for sometimes a day, sometimes an extended period of time. So I think the guys that stepped in (on Tuesday) got better as the practice went on, as we got to that second day and (they got) used to the speed of going against the No. 1s."
Panic Meter: 7
S Cole Bishop, Buffalo Bills
7 of 8
Bryan Bennett/Getty Images
The safety tandem of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer roamed the Buffalo Bills secondary for seven seasons. The organization decided to get younger this year and moved on from both. The situation hasn't gone exactly to plan.
Taylor Rapp is the logical choice to replace one of them since he started four games last season.
General manager Brandon Beane signed veteran Mike Edwards this offseason, then drafted Utah's Cole Bishop in the second round. The competition between the two came to abrupt end due to injuries suffered by both.
Bishop has a shoulder injury. His status is week-to-week, according to Spectrum News 1's Andy Young. Edwards, meanwhile, is dealing with a tweaked hamstring, which could linger.
Both missing time is critical, though it's more so for the rookie, who was likely earmarked for the other starting spot. The Bills need to build communication on the back end and can't do so effectively without a potential starter out on the field.
Buffalo can turn to Damar Hamlin, who's now in his fourth season. The organization also signed Kareem Jackson and Terrell Burgess this week. Clearly, the Bills aren't entirely comfortable with the current setup and expect two of their expected contributors to miss some time.
Panic Meter: 8
QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
8 of 8
Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Justin Herbert was arguably the biggest reason why Jim Harbaugh decided to leave his alma mater and rejoin the NFL ranks as the Los Angeles Chargers' head coach.
Harbaugh's first season at the helm could be difficult, because his star quarterback may not be 100 percent for any portion of the 2024 campaign.
The 26-year-old quarterback is suffering from plantar fascia in his right foot. According to the team, Herbert will "approximately [be] two weeks in a boot—followed by a graduated return to play protocol—with the expectation that he will be ready for the start of the regular season."
The concern is the injury lingers. It's a soft-tissue issue that can be reaggravated as the weeks progress.
"He may be back for the start of the regular season, that may be the expectation," ESPN's Adam Schefter said (h/t Bolt Breakdowns' Alex Insdorf). "But he's going to be playing through some discomfort in that foot for I think, potentially, the whole regular season."
Los Angeles should be transitioning to a run-heavy approach under Harbaugh's supervision. If it wasn't, it's definitely in the mix now.
The philosophy should protect the quarterback to some degree. But football is a physical sport. Herbert will get hit. He'll be asked to navigate the pocket and create plays outside of structure. If those attributes are hampered, the overall offense will be limited.
Panic Meter: 9
