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Injuries continue to pile up across the league as the 2026 NFL season reaches its midway point, impacting several key players and starting quarterbacks ahead of Week 9. Among the major updates, Seattle Seahawks guard Quenton Nelson is facing a week-to-week recovery following a minor knee procedure, while multiple teams prepare to deploy backup quarterbacks on Sunday.
Key Quarterback Changes and Major Roster News
Seattle’s newly acquired guard, Quenton Nelson, will avoid injured reserve for now after undergoing a procedure to remove cartilage fragments causing knee issues, according to head coach Mike Macdonald. The eight-time Pro Bowler was acquired just last week from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a third-round pick and a future fifth-round selection. With Nelson sidelined, Seattle is expected to rely on Grey Zabel at left guard and Anthony Bradford at right guard.
Quarterback updates dominate the slate across several games. Shedeur Sanders is set to make his first start of the season for the Cleveland Browns against the New Orleans Saints, replacing Deshaun Watson, who remains questionable with a concussion. Meanwhile, Drew Lock takes over for Sam Darnold in Seattle as Darnold sits out with quad and rib injuries. Carson Wentz will also step into the starting role to face the Buffalo Bills while Kyler Murray recovers from a hamstring injury.
International Game: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons square off in Madrid with contrasting health updates. Bengals safety Kyle Dugger is out with a quad injury, and defensive end Cedric Johnson is questionable, though Johnson participated fully in Friday’s practice. Cornerback DJ Turner will play after being removed from the injury report.
For the Falcons, wide receiver Zachariah Branch and running back Brian Robinson Jr. are out. Edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who was suspended for the first eight games of the season, is questionable to make his debut due to a back issue. Linebackers Yasir Abdullah and Divine Deablo, wide receiver Beaux Collins, and tackle Cameron Williams are also listed as questionable.
Game-by-Game Injury Summaries
Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts
Dallas ruled out edge rusher Malachi Lawrence and receiver KaVontae Turpin. Tight end Jake Ferguson, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., and receiver George Pickens are questionable after practicing in a limited capacity Friday. Defensive back Caleb Downs and safety P.J. Locke III cleared concussion protocol. The Colts ruled out linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and cornerback Justin Walley, while safety A.J. Haulcy and tackle Jalen Travis are questionable.
New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs
The Jets will be without receiver Garrett Wilson due to a concussion, as well as linebacker Trevin Wallace. Edge rusher Joseph Ossai is questionable. Kansas City ruled out defensive tackle Peter Woods with a neck injury and defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, while receiver Nikko Remigio is questionable.
Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins
Detroit ruled out five players, including safety Kerby Joseph, linebacker Jack Campbell, and cornerback D.J. Reed. Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and running back Sione Vaki are questionable. For Miami, running backs Jaylen Wright and Kaytron Allen, along with defensive end Malik Herring, are listed as questionable.
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints
Cleveland defensive tackle Maliek Collins is out, and Watson is questionable despite Sanders being named the starter. The Saints list offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. and rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson as questionable after both logged limited practice sessions this week.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Giants running back Cam Skattebo is doubtful with a hamstring issue. The Eagles will start Joe Milton at quarterback with backup Tanner McKee questionable. Philadelphia ruled out several key contributors, including receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, as well as linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders
Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson is out for the season with a shoulder injury, while safety Kam Curl and cornerback Trent McDuffie are questionable. Washington ruled out wide receivers Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks, while defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton is questionable.
Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers
The Panthers ruled out edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, guard Damien Lewis, linebacker Bobby Okereke, and rookie cornerback Will Lee III. Denver ruled out safety Brandon Jones and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, while safety Talanoa Hufanga is questionable.
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers
Houston running back David Montgomery and safety Reed Blankenship are out. The Chargers ruled out cornerback Deane Leonard and safety Kendall Williamson, with wide receiver Brenen Thompson, guard Kayode Awosika, tight end David Njoku, and linebacker Denzel Perryman listed as doubtful.
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots
Green Bay ruled out edge rusher Micah Parsons alongside four other players, while running backs Chris Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd are questionable. New England wide receiver A.J. Brown is out due to lower-body injuries, and running back TreVeyon Henderson is out following a medical emergency that required hospitalization.
Las Vegas Raiders at San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers will be without top receivers Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Christian Kirk. The Raiders ruled out defensive tackle Thomas Booker, while cornerback Darien Porter is questionable.
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Arizona ruled out offensive lineman Jon Gaines II, running back Bam Knight, and lineman Jayden Williams. Seattle ruled out tackle Charles Cross, quarterback Darnold, guard Nelson, linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, and receiver Rashid Shaheed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
Tampa Bay ruled out edge rusher Yaya Diaby, while wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is questionable despite practicing fully late in the week. Chicago lists running back Kyle Monangai and cornerbacks Malik Muhammad and Tyrique Stevenson as questionable for Sunday Night Football.
