The injury report coming out of Sunday of Week 7 of the NFL season has some big names at the top of it and some potentially season-altering injuries for several teams throughout the league. The most serious-looking situation of the weekend occurred in the Jets vs. Steelers Sunday Night Football game when New York guard Xavier Newman was carted off the field on a backboard and taken to a Pittsburgh hospital with a neck injury. Fortunately, initial reports say that Newman was conscious and moving his limbs as he was taken from Acrisure Stadium.
Other stars, including Cleveland's Deshaun Watson, Washington's Jayden Daniels and San Francisco's Brandon Ayiuk all left their games early on Sunday with injuries as well. Here's a look at some of the news and notes coming out of Week 7.
The scary scene that unfolded at Acrisure Stadium wound up being precautionary. Jets guard Xavier Newman underwent testing after a neck injury and tests came back negative for major injury. He was able to return to New York with the team following the Jets' 37-15 loss to the Steelers. While the Jets did confirm the neck injury after the game, the extent of the injury is not yet known.
Jeff Ulbrich provides an update on injuries, including Xavier Newman, who will be travelling back with the team after sustaining a neck injury: pic.twitter.com/GEJ8UDqz0a
It's another crushing injury for the Browns quarterback, whose career has been marred by scandal, suspension and long-term stays on injured reserve. Watson was carted off the field during Cleveland's 21-14 loss to the Bengals after going down with a non-contact injury.
Brandon Aiyuk out for the year with ACL, MCL tears
In another crushing blow to the 49ers offense, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in San Francisco's 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Aiyuk held out of camp this offseason and just before the regular season began, signed a four-year, $120 million extension with $76 million in guaranteed money. The 49ers offense has been decimated by injury this season, with George Kittle having missed a game and Christian McCaffrey not having played at all in 2024 because of Achilles tendonitis.
Jayden Daniels exits early with rib injury
The leading candidate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year left Washington's 40-7 blowout win over Carolina with a rib injury. While they didn't miss a beat without him in the comfortable win, any time on the injury report could be short-lived — that's if his mom is to be taken at her word. During the game she posted "He's fine" on X, and Daniels finished the game on the sidelines in warmups.
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Sean Leahy
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk out for season with torn ACL, MCL
Aiyuk caught a pass over the middle of the field late in the first half of Sunday’s game at Levi’s Stadium, but his knee buckled in hard as he was hit and brought down. Ayiuk remained on the field for quite some time before he eventually walked off and into the medical tent. He was eventually carted off into the locker room, and was ruled out of the game.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that the team feared he had sustained an ACL injury.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, bottom, remains on the field after being hit during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Sean Leahy
Saints adding WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
The Saints are without Rashid Shaheed, who's out for the season following surgery on his meniscus, and Chris Olave, who remains in concussion protocol.
Dolphins WR placed on IR after reportedly tearing his ACL vs. Colts
The Dolphins wide receiver and return specialist suffered the injury in the fourth quarter during a kickoff return in their 16-10 loss to the Colts.
An MRI today revealed that Dolphins WR Braxton Berrios tore his ACL, per source. The team has placed him on IR. There was no additional ligament or meniscus damage. pic.twitter.com/4pSIMRTvm3
D.K. Metcalf "week to week" with Grade 1 MCL sprain
Metcalf landed hard during a catch attempt in the third quarter of the Seahawks' win over the Falcons.
“On that sideline catch, he banged up his knee a little bit,’’ said Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald. “Not sure the severity. We’re optimistic at this point, so it doesn’t look too bad.’’
The Seahawks take on the Bills Sunday in Week 8.
Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf — who left Sunday’s win over Atlanta with a knee injury — suffered a Grade 1 sprained MCL and now will be considered “week to week”, per source. pic.twitter.com/emGKx7FEJd
The Commanders' rookie QB left Sunday's 40-7 win over the Panthers early with a rib injury after taking several hard hits.
Daniels was ruled out after halftime after first being questionable to return. After the game his mother, Regina Jackson, posted on X that her son was "fine."
The Commanders face the Bears on Sunday.
Jayden Daniels status is week to week. Rib injury. “We’re hopefully he can play but also make sure we take every precautionary step,” Dan Quinn.
NFL makes Sunday Night Football schedule change for Week 9
The Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts are headed to Sunday Night Football in Week 9, with the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars bumped to the afternoon.
Flex! The Week 9 Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings game will move to Sunday Night Football on NBC. The Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles game will be played at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks
Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell now is expected to miss four to six weeks with a broken thumb, per sources. He is getting a second opinion today to confirm the initial diagnosis. pic.twitter.com/9Ag3lZko8k
No news yet on QB Jayden Daniels' health following rib injury
The Commanders are waiting to hear about Jayden Daniels' health just like the rest of us. He left Washington's 40-7 win over the Panthers early with what turned out to be a rib injury. The Athletic's Mike Jones is reporting that it may be a few days before we know about Daniels' status for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Commanders are still waiting to learn more about Jayden Daniels’ health. Might not know about his availability for that meeting with Caleb Williams and the Bears until Wednesday or Thursday, I’m told.
Mike Tomlin revels in results of Russell Wilson decision
Following the Steelers' 37-15 stomping of the Jets on Sunday night, head coach Mike Tomlin sat at the podium and answered questions about one of his most daring decisions yet: starting veteran QB Russell Wilson over young Justin Fields.
Tomlin is perhaps the most professional coach in all of the NFL. He didn't use the presser to soak in compliments, he used it to honestly assess the game his team played. But he did allow a moment of levity to close the affair, when retired NFL wide receiver and Pittsburgh native Brandon Marshall stopped by to ask him a question.
Brandon Marshall stops by the postgame presser and asks Mike Tomlin if it was one of his boldest decisions to start Russell Wilson.
At 2-5, Aaron Rodgers and Co. face an uphill battle just to earn a wild-card spot, which is dismal compared to the expectations they had before the season.
Georgia-Texas drew the highest college football viewership so far this season, while Alabama-Tennessee got the third-highest audience. Both games were broadcast on ABC.
