The Green Bay Packers skipped practice on Monday ahead of their game against the Atlanta Falcons, while the Falcons participated in a walkthrough, according to official NFL injury reports. Zach Bako-Bewele, Aaron Banks, Warren Brinson, Anthony Campbell, Donovan Jennings, and Jayden Reed were listed as non-participants due to various injuries including knee, ankle, hand, and neck issues. The number of injured players on both sides of the line has raised concerns, though the team may manage with its available depth for now.
Bako-Bewele suffered a knee injury and Reed suffered a neck injury during Sunday’s overtime win over the New York Jets. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said after the game that Bako-Bewele could be out for a long time. Reed was carted off with his neck braced but had movement in all his extremities. The Packers had not announced that either player would be placed on injured reserve as of Tuesday.
Other players estimated to be limited in practice included Brandon Cisse, Edgerrin Cooper, and Javon Hargrave, who were dealing with issues such as teeth, shoulder, knee and concussion concerns. Hargrave did not play against the Jets after being ruled out with knee and concussion issues. Bo Melton and Benjamin St-Juste were listed as full participants, though Melton’s neck injury had not been previously announced by the team. St-Juste did not play on Sunday but may be ready to return for Thursday’s game.
In Chicago, quarterback Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring strain during the Bears’ loss to the Vikings on Sunday. The injury was diagnosed as a right hamstring injury. Williams had previously suffered a significant hamstring injury during the 2022 Pac-12 championship.
Although he has not been officially ruled out for Monday’s game against the Eagles, the Bears are taking a cautious approach. Coach Ben Johnson said Williams is considered week-to-week and probably will not practice this week. Johnson did not rule out Williams from facing Philadelphia. The Bears said the medical report was somewhat encouraging.
Meanwhile, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels experienced another left elbow dislocation. This is not the first time he has suffered such an injury, as he had a similar issue in Week 9 last season and re-aggravated it in Week 14.
Daniels avoided a fracture but will continue working with specialists to determine his next steps in recovery. The Commanders have not announced a timetable for his return. The team said Tuesday that Daniels was scheduled to see specialists before Washington decides on its short-term plan.
Daniels was injured on the final play of the first half of Washington’s 37-20 loss to Dallas. Guard Chris Paul stepped on his foot as Daniels took the snap near the goal line. Daniels stumbled and braced his fall with his left arm. He was carted from the field and did not return.
In Pittsburgh, running back Rico Dowdle was injured during a Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots. Dowdle suffered a toe injury in the second quarter and underwent tests that showed he had not suffered serious damage. He returned briefly after halftime before later being ruled out for the remainder of the 20-3 loss.
Dowdle signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason after spending the 2025 season with the Carolina Panthers. Dowdle was expected to share reps with Jaylen Warren on the team. He is now considered day-to-day heading into Pittsburgh’s game against Cincinnati.
Last year with Carolina, Dowdle rushed for 1,076 yards and scored six rushing touchdowns in 17 games. He also caught 39 passes for 297 yards and another touchdown.
The Steelers’ offense has struggled early in the season. Pittsburgh beat Atlanta 20-13 in Week 1 but seven of those points came on a T.J. Watt interception return. The Steelers then scored only three points against New England. That leaves the Pittsburgh offense responsible for 16 points across the first eight quarters.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not started the season well, throwing only one touchdown and one interception while passing for 408 yards in two games. He has completed 47 of 79 passes and has a passer rating of 72.1.
Rodgers threw for 221 yards and a touchdown in the opening victory over Atlanta. He followed that with 187 yards and an interception in the loss to New England.
The Steelers face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Cincinnati held Houston to six points in Week 2, not in its opening game. Pittsburgh will then travel to Cleveland to play the Browns on Thursday night in Week 4.
The injuries leave several teams monitoring key players as the third week of the NFL season approaches. Green Bay has a short turnaround before Thursday night. Chicago is preparing for the possibility of playing without Williams on Monday. Washington is waiting for more information about Daniels while Marcus Mariota prepares to take over at quarterback. Pittsburgh is hoping Dowdle’s toe injury remains a short-term problem.
IMAGE: Rico Dowdle
Photo by Chris Gillespie. Photo: Gamecock Central / Wikimedia, taken 2019-11-16, CC BY 2.0