With the regular season roughly two weeks away, player health has become the primary focus for teams across the league. Tuesday delivered a mix of encouraging updates and notable setbacks.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to advance in his recovery from last December’s ACL tear, while Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase dodged a potential knee injury scare. Elsewhere, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce took a significant step toward his season debut.
Here is the essential injury news from around the NFL as of Tuesday.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes expressed confidence Tuesday that he remains on track to start the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos. He continues his rehabilitation throughout training camp following surgery on his left knee last December.
Mahomes is not expected to suit up for Friday’s preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks as he awaits final medical clearance from team staff.
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“Being able to go out there, day after day, and have the grind of a camp, that can even be harder than the regular season,” Mahomes said. “Honestly, the more we practice, the better I feel.”
Should Mahomes sit out against Seattle, it would mark the first time in his 10-year career that he has missed the entire preseason slate.
Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy highlighted Mahomes’ engagement on the sideline during exhibition games.
“With him not playing in the preseason, it could drive you crazy,” Bieniemy told reporters. “He’s like a coach on the sideline. But it’s a good thing because you know he’s itching to get back out there and do whatever he can do to help us win.”
The Cincinnati Bengals received a significant scare Tuesday afternoon when star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase landed awkwardly on a deep route and departed practice with a knee injury.
Chase quickly alleviated concerns, telling Cincinnati’s ESPN 1530 that he was “fine” after suffering a minor hyperextension. He felt well enough to return and finish the session, though the team held him out strictly as a precaution.
With quarterback Joe Burrow adopting a “now or never” mindset for the upcoming campaign, preserving the Bengals’ offensive arsenal is paramount. If Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown remain healthy, Cincinnati possesses the firepower necessary for a deep postseason run.
Chase is coming off another elite campaign, posting 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns despite Burrow missing half the season with a turf toe injury. He recorded seven games with over 100 receiving yards amid the quarterback instability.
The Bengals open the regular season at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Chicago Bears right tackle Darnell Wright exited practice early Tuesday after medical staff evaluated his right elbow.
Wright reportedly left during red-zone drills, prompting trainers to remove a brace from his right elbow as he was sidelined.
Wright played through a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in that same elbow last season, utilizing a protective brace en route to earning second-team All-Pro honors.
The organization is monitoring the situation with the expectation that the setback will not jeopardize his availability for the regular season opener.
Fresh off signing a four-year, $114 million extension, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is nearing a return to the field. Head coach Shane Steichen announced that Pierce could participate in practice as early as this week, provided his progress continues as planned.
The development marks a major milestone for Pierce, who underwent offseason ankle surgery shortly after finalizing his contract. He has been sidelined for the entirety of training camp and summer workouts.
With Pierce’s status for the season opener still firming up, the Colts signed veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen as insurance. Once fully healthy, Indianapolis will boast a formidable receiving trio of Pierce, Allen, and Josh Downs, complementing quarterback Daniel Jones.
Pierce is coming off a breakout 2023 season in which he hauled in 47 receptions for a career-high 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. He logged 50 or more receiving yards in 10 separate games and averaged 21.6 yards per catch, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier deep threats.
If the Colts can maintain their health, they project as legitimate contenders in the AFC South race.
The Seattle Seahawks have lost promising rookie safety Bud Clark for the 2026 season. After suffering a broken ankle against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 of the preseason, Seattle is placing Clark on season-ending injured reserve, head coach Mike Macdonald announced Tuesday.
Clark, a second-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft out of TCU, was competing for safety reps alongside Julian Love and Nick Emmanwori. With Clark sidelined, Ty Okada moves next in line at the position.
The injured defensive back closed his five-year collegiate career at TCU on a high note, anchoring one of the Big 12’s top run defenses. In his final season, Clark amassed 56 total tackles, four interceptions, seven pass deflections, a sack, and 31 solo tackles.
- Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak offered no specific update on running back Ashton Jeanty’s ankle injury, stating only that “he’s on the mend.”
- ESPN reported that Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz split backup repetitions during Tuesday’s practice.
- Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta returned to practice Tuesday after managing a hip injury.
- San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans missed Tuesday’s session with a groin injury, per The Athletic.
- Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. will start the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions and play the entire first quarter.
- Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley announced that third-round pick Chris Bell will make his preseason debut Friday against the Atlanta Falcons. Bell, a projected first-round talent before suffering a season-ending torn ACL last November, will appear in his first game action since the injury.
