NFL injuries are piling up, and a few of the league’s biggest stars won’t be on the field for Week 3 of the season. Some, however, are more costly than others.
Each player listed has either been officially ruled out or is unlikely to suit up. The rankings are based on the impact each one’s absence have on his respective team’s chances to win this weekend.
6. Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals
The phrase “injury-prone player” is widely debated for its worthiness, but running back Andre Ellington is Exhibit A supporting its merit. Ellington exited the season opener due to a knee injury, was unavailable last week and has missed five straight practices, per ESPN.
Fortunately for the Cardinals, however, Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald have a terrific connection, and rookie running back David Johnson has tallied three touchdowns in two games. Arizona battles the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon and seven-point favorites anyway. Ellington is an asset when healthy, but the Cardinals offensive show rolls along without him.
5. Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons
The rookie running back grabbed the starting job, but a cracked rib will take Tevin Coleman away from what he earned and protected. Coleman scampered for 80 yards in his NFL debut then scored a touchdown last week before sustaining the injury. Unfortunately, Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said there is no timetable for Coleman’s return.
Devonta Freeman, who has managed 106 total yards on 29 touches this season, will replace Coleman. But the Falcons boast one of the NFL’s best quarterback-receiver combinations in Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. As long as that duo is available for the weekend, Atlanta will always have a chance to win—regardless of who handles the carries.
4. Jay Cutler and Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears
Ordinarily, a team that doesn’t have its starting quarterback and No. 1 receiver would be higher on this type of list. However, the Chicago Bears didn’t have much chance Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks anyway, so Jay Cutler and Alshon Jeffery being sidelined because of hamstring injuries is essentially the dagger in Chicago’s slim chances.
Bears fans might want to simply avoid the nationally televised matchup, since Seattle has a collection of reasons why a victory is desperately needed. The Seahawks are 0-2, safety Kam Chancellor returns after his holdout and Chicago is terrible. Jimmy Clausen might need another layer of pads to survive what’s only his second start since 2011.
3. Ryan Shazier, Pittsburgh Steelers
One of the more underrated players in the league is Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier, but the second-year stud is under the weather for Week 3. Shazier injured his shoulder and isn’t available for Pittsburgh’s clash with the St. Louis Rams, who have a formidable offense to challenge a depleted and underwhelming Steelers defense.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, star running back Le’Veon Bell returns from his two-game suspension. Additionally, Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown are dominating opposing secondaries on a weekly basis. If the Steelers can hold off St. Louis’s pass rush, Shazier’s absence will be noticeable yet not damaging.
2. Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
Luke Kuechly ranked in the top 5 of tackles in each of the last three seasons—leading the NFL twice—but won’t return to his middle linebacker position during Week 3. The Boston College product exited the season opener due to a head injury, which has since been diagnosed as a concussion.
There’s no question Kuechly’s absence is a disappointment and creates a major void. Though Carolina’s standout defensive tackle Star Lotulelei is probable to play and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is out, missing a player of Kuechly’s caliber could prove detrimental against a bulldozing running back in Mark Ingram.
1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Brees gave it his best effort to overcome a bruised rotator cuff sustained last weekend, but the quarterback couldn’t quite do it. According to Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate, Brees “tried to throw” Friday morning but the “velocity wasn’t there.”
Luke McCown, who coincidentally appeared in a commercial where he said backups deserve a chance, will step into the starting job for the Saints. The 34-year-old quarterback has thrown a grand total of one pass since 2011. McCown hopes to keep New Orleans from trudging to an 0-3 start, but starring in a commercial is exponentially easier than dominating on the field.