The NFL has updated its injury list of players heading into Week 1 of the 2020 season.  The action got underway last night with the Kansas City Chiefs taking a 34-20 win against the Houston Texans on Thursday night in a contest that had several hits and bruises among players.

This could be just a precursor to more in-game injuries as the season progresses, and there are already a number of players that will be riding the bench for a couple of weeks.

No Shortage Of NFL Injuries

Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders headed towards the sidelines last night due to an elbow injury in the first quarter.  Later, he was excluded for the remainder of the game. Sometime later, the Chiefs lost another defensive lineman when Alex Okafor suffered a hamstring injury.  Then, cornerback Charvarius Ward suffered an injury to his hand in the second half of the game, so he was also excluded.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters after the game that Saunders suffered a dislocated elbow, and also commented that Ward had a broken hand that will be re-examined today. Reid said that Okafor’s injury was a slight hamstring pull and was nothing to be deeply concerned about.  He’ll be back in no time.

Texans running back Duke Johnson suffered a leg injury in the third quarter of the game and was not sure if he could return or not.  Finally, he was ruled out.  If he isn’t able to return soon, the Texans will have to bring in Buddy Howell or Scottie Miller to fill in the gap.

David Montgomery has a chance to play when his team, the Chicago Bears, compete against the Detroit Lions to open the season on Sunday.  Montgomery let know reporters he was now much closer to feeling healthy after coping with a groin injury, and he had active participation in Thursday’s drills.

“I didn’t do much in practice yesterday,” said Montgomery, who added that when the injury happened on August 26, he believed he tore something, but it was later determined to not be anything severe.

Bears head coach Matt Nagy told reporters that linebacker Robert Quinn had an ankle injury, but it wasn’t related to his previous absences during training camp.  The report revealed Quinn didn’t practice for the second day in a row and linebacker Khalil Mack, who has a knee injury, remains excluded, as well.  The team is still trying to put its lineup together, and this is going to spell trouble as the season gets underway.

Almost All Teams Are Dealing With Injuries

As everyone gets ready for a weekend full of football, there are going to be a number of adjustments being made.  The following is a compilation of a number of the injuries teams are dealing with as they look to get their seasons off on the right foot.

Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (back) was included on the injury report and didn’t practice.

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said he hopes wideout Amari Cooper (hamstring), cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (knee) and safety Xavier Woods (groin injury) play at their full capability on Sunday against the Rams.

Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia announced wideout Kenny Golladay suffered a hamstring injury on Wednesday.  He said they are handling this carefully.  Golladay, along with tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot), safety C.J. Moore (hamstring), defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (groin), cornerback Jeff Okudah (hamstring) didn’t attend practices this week.

The New York Jets have added wide receiver Donte Moncrief to the practice squad IR. Safety Marcus Maye (calf/ankle) didn’t practice Thursday after being excluded Wednesday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed running back Dare Ogunbowale to the active list.  To make space on the list, the team added RB Devine Ozigbo (hamstring) to the injured list.

New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (illness) didn’t take part in team practices.  Then, defensive back Adrian Colbert (illness), linebacker Tae Crowder (hamstring), wideout Golden Tate (hamstring) and tight end Levine Toilolo (hamstring) were also excluded.

The New England Patriots put Stephon Gilmore (hamstring) and Dalton Keene (neck) on the injury list Thursday.  Both players were limited, as was Julian Edelman (knee).  Also, offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste was added to the injured roster.

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who’s been excluded for weeks with a hamstring injury, came back in a limited capacity.  Center Ben Garland (ankle) was also ruled out.