Topline
An alarming number of star players limped off the field Sunday during Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season, and many of those injuries were confirmed to be serious on Monday, when fans learned that two of the sport’s premier running backs would miss significant time.
Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants is helped off the field with an injury against the Chicago … [+]
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Key Facts
The New York Giants announced Monday afternoon that additional testing confirmed running back Saquon Barkley tore the ACL in his right knee and will miss the remainder of the season.
Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Monday that RB Christian McCaffrey would miss “multiple weeks” due to a high-ankle sprain, and the NFL Network is reporting McCaffrey will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock suffered a severe rotator cuff strain in Week 2 and will reportedly miss “at least” two weeks before his team doctors re-evaluate his injury.
The Broncos also lost their best pass catcher on Sunday, as wide receiver Courtland Sutton reportedly “tore up his knee” and is expected to be placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
Nick Bosa, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft and a dominant defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers, had to be carted off the field on Sunday with what appeared to be an ACL tear, and the team is expected to confirm later today that his season is over.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said RB Raheem Mostert suffered an MCL sprain on Sunday and “likely won’t play” in Week 3 against the Giants, while QB Jimmy Garoppolo is dealing with a minor ankle sprain and “has a chance to play” Sunday vs. New York.
Key Background:
While no NFL player tested positive for Covid-19 over the first two weeks of the season, several teams will now be forced to make roster moves or rely on backups in starting roles due to injuries. Devonta Freeman, arguably the top free-agent running back on the market, is scheduled to visit with the Giants Tuesday. Mike Davis filled in for Christian McCaffrey in Week 2 and will serve as the team’s starter until Christian McCaffrey returns. Out in Denver, quarterback Jeff Driskel, who made three spot-starts for the Detroit Lions last year, will step in for Drew Lock. And with Sutton sidelined, rookie WR Jerry Jeudy will be asked to shoulder a large load offensively. The 49ers know they can’t replace Bosa’s passing rushing ability, but they did sign veteran defensive end Ziggy Ansah to a one-year contract on Monday. Ansah has recorded 50.5 career sacks over his seven-year career.
Crucial Quote:
“Mike Davis is a starting tailback in the National Football League,” Carolina coach Matt Rhule said Monday. “He got out there [Sunday] and made some great catches. Was physical. He was ready when his number was called. He’ll play well in Christian’s absence.”
Tangent:
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams exited Sunday’s win over the Lions with a hamstring injury and did not play in the fourth quarter. However, he was never ruled out of the contest, only listed as “questionable” and may have been cleared to return if the Packers weren’t blowing out the Lions.
Further Reading:
Carolina Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey out multiple weeks with high ankle sprain (ESPN)
MRI confirms New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley has torn ACL (ESPN)
