Injuries to monitor after Week 7

Each week of the NFL season, Yardbarker will be monitoring players who have suffered notable injuries.

From a Washington Commanders quarterback to a Tennessee Titans defensive lineman, here are five players we’re tracking after Week 7: 

Daniels injured his right hamstring early in the third quarter of a 44-22 road loss to the Dallas Cowboys while trying to evade a sack. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finished 12-of-22 passing for 156 yards and one TD pass. 

In his postgame news conference, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said the QB will undergo an MRI on Monday. Backup QB Marcus Mariota will replace Daniels if he can’t play in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs on “Monday Night Football.” 

Mariota already started two games when Daniels suffered a knee injury earlier this season and finished Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. In three games, the 2015 first-round pick has completed 31-of-48 passes for 363 yards, three TDs and one interception. 

Young suffered a right ankle injury late in the third quarter of a 13-6 Carolina win over the New York Jets after taking a sack. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick finished 15-of-25 passing for 138 yards and one TD.

“We’re taking all the information in,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said of Young’s injury postgame. “We’re going to look at him when we get home some more and see where we are.”

Joe Person of The Athletic reported X-rays on Young’s ankle were negative. He will likely have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. ESPN’s David Newton also spotted the QB in a walking boot after the game.  

The Panthers have an experienced backup QB in 15-year veteran Andy Dalton, a former Cincinnati Bengals starter. Against the Jets, the three-time Pro Bowler completed 4-of-7 passes for 60 yards.

Crosby injured his left knee and back in the second quarter of Sunday’s road game against the Chiefs. He suffered it on a low block from Kansas City tight end Noah Gray. The DE finished with three tackles. 

Following the 31-0 loss, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll didn’t provide details about the injury but said Crosby’s knee had been bothering him before the game. The coach added he took him out because the pass-rusher “didn’t look right.” 

Depending on the severity of the injury, Crosby may try to play through pain. In seven seasons with the Raiders, the DE has only missed five games because of injury. Those came last season when he was battling a nagging ankle issue.

The Raiders can’t afford to lose Crosby, who led the team in tackles for loss (10) through his first six games. Their defense collapsed when he exited in Sunday’s game, allowing 30 first downs and 434 yards. 

Gardner went to the locker room in the fourth quarter of the loss to the Panthers. In a postgame news conference, Jets rookie head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed the defensive back suffered a concussion, and the team will see how he progresses throughout the week to determine if he can play in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Gardner will now be placed in concussion protocol. To play in Week 8, he must complete a five-step program (which includes being cleared by an independent neurologist).

The fourth-year corner missing time would create more problems for Glenn, who seems to be in over his head. Through seven games, Gardner has seven passes defended, tied for 13th in the NFL. 

Simmons was ruled out of a 31-13 Titans loss to the New England Patriots due to a hamstring injury suffered in the second quarter. After going into the blue medical tent, he attempted to run but couldn’t. 

In his postgame news conference, Titans interim HC Mike McCoy confirmed Simmons injured his hamstring. He didn’t provide details about the severity of the injury.

Simmons — who received a $632.5K raise in September — has shown why he’s among the best interior pass-rushers in the NFL this season. Through seven games, the three-time Pro Bowler has 4.5 sacks, tied for eighth in the league. 

Without him, the Titans defense folded against Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. The former North Carolina star completed 21-of-23 passes (91.3%) for 222 yards and two TDs, setting a franchise record for completion percentage in a game.