It has been a pretty grim year for injuries in the NFL.  Lots of guys are hurt and still playing, lots of guys are on the Injured Reserve (IR) list and others are already out for the season.  It seems like there is a man down on one play or the other in almost every series of downs, and that cart comes out all too often this season.  As we enter Week 9, the trend continues.

NFL Injuries Continue To Be An Issue

Kenny Golladay, Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, will miss at least one game due to a hip injury he received when the Lions lost to the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday.  The Lions are having a look at free agent wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, who was released by San Francisco after starting three games for the 49ers and have also announced that Trey Flowers has been placed on the injured reserve list.

Tampa Bay had five guys inactive for their Monday Night Football (MNF) game against the New York Giants.  Wide receivers Chris Godwin and Cyril Grayson, quarterback Ryan Griffin, defensive lineman Khalil Davis and guard Aaron Stinnie are down.

The Giants were also playing shorthanded on MNF.  The team’s inactive list includes WR C.J. Board, RB Devonta Freeman, FS Adrian Colbert CB Ryan Lewis, OT Jackson Barton, TE Eric Tomlinson and DE R.J. McIntosh.  There must be plenty of room on the Giants bench.

The Injured List Continues

The Browns’ Myles Garrett is expected back in Week 10 after a knee injury scare and Joey Bosa of the LA Chargers is in concussion protocol.

The Colts have lost wideout T.Y. Hilton to a groin injury and Ashton Dulin is day to day with a knee injury.  Meanwhile, corner back Rock Ya-Sin has cleared concussion protocol.

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold will get an MRI on his sore shoulder, but is expected to practice this week as he tries to work through the shoulder soreness.

Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Cameron Dantzler was taken off the field on a stretcher last week with a neck injury.  However, coach Mike Zimmer says that he is doing well and is expected to make a quick return.

The big news for the Panthers is that Christian McCaffrey, who has been dealing with a bad high ankle sprain, is expected to practice this week and possibly play in the upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday.

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is in wait-and-see mode with his running back Chris Carson and his injured foot.  However, receiver Phillip Dorsett is “not doing well” trying to comeback from his foot injury.

San Francisco Still Hurting For Players

It’s a double whammy for the San Francisco 49ers, as both quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, with a hurt ankle, and their Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle, who has a foot injury, are expected to miss “extended periods of time.”  Additionally, San Francisco will be without the services of wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who has a hamstring problem, safety Jaquiski Tartt with a groin injury, running back Tevin Coleman with a bad knee and wide receiver Dante Pettis with a shoulder injury.

The bad news for the Green Bay Packers is that kicker Mason Crosby has a left calf injury along with a back strain.  Offensive tackle David Bakhtiari has some problem with his chest, linebacker Rashan Gary has a hurt ankle, running back Aaron Jones has a sore calf, cornerback Kevin King has a quadriceps injury, linebacker Preston Smith has a bum shoulder and, finally, wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown is out with a knee injury.

The Arizona Cardinals had to put cornerback Byron Murphy and linebacker Devon Dennard on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

All these players on the IR list creates some opportunities for some of the younger players on the roster, and some who didn’t make the roster this year, to get out there and prove their worth to the coaching staff and perhaps earn themselves a permanent spot on the team.