The Atlanta Falcons lost not only their season opener but also their first-round pick to an injury.
Offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom is expected to be in a boot for about eight weeks after breaking a small bone in his foot, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported, per a source informed of the situation. The rookie left the stadium in a walking boot after exiting Sunday's game against the Vikings in the third quarter.
Selected 14th overall, Lindstrom was expected to be a plug-and-play starter along a remade offensive line. He made it just 42 plays into his season before those plans could be in jeopardy. Lindstrom will be placed on injured reserve and Jamon Brown will take over at right guard, the team announced.
Fellow Falcons first-round rookie Kaleb McGary has suffered his own health issues since being drafted, undergoing a heart procedure in late July. McGary played 40 snaps in Sunday's loss.
Entering the offseason with the goal of upgrading the offensive line after struggles in 2018, those plans might have gone awry -- or at least set back -- after just one tilt.
Other injuries and transactions we're monitoring around the league on Monday:
- Here are the inactives for the Houston Texans for Week 1: WR Keke Coutee (ankle), cornerbacks Xavier Crawford and Cornell Armstrong, guard/center Greg Mancz, tackle/guard Tytus Howard (finger), tight end Logan Paulsen and defensive end Charles Omenihu.
Here are the inactives for the New Orleans Saints for Week 1: CB Ken Crawley, S Saquan Hampton, LB Craig Robertson (hamstring), OL Ethan Greenidge, WR Austin Carr, DE Mario Edwards Jr. (hamstring) and DT Sheldon Rankins (Achilles).
- Here are the inactives for the Oakland Raiders for Week 1: G Jonathan Cooper, WR Keelan Doss, G Gabe Jackson, QB DeShone Kizer, S Dallin Leavitt, DT Corey Liuget and OT David Sharpe.
Here are the inactives for the Denver Broncos for Week 1: WR Juwann Winfree, CB Bryce Callahan, FB Andy Janovich, LB Joe Jones, LB Todd Davis, G/C Corey Levin and DL DreMont Jones.
- Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James was injured in the first quarter on Monday with an apparent left leg injury and will not return. He began to walk off the field, but then had to sit down before walking off slowly. James is being looked at on the sideline by the training staff. He has been replaced by Elijah Wilkinson at right tackle.
Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (hand) is questionable to return.
- Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley was carted off the field on a stretcher in the third quarter of Monday night's game against the Broncos.
Conley was attempting a tackle on Broncos running back Royce Freeman along the sideline when Raiders teammate Johnathan Abram attempted a tackle on the RB. Abram hit Freeman with his helmet, but the safety's leg hit Conley right on the top of his helmet as the CB was the ground. Conley laid on the field for around 10 minutes, as trainers attended to him. He left the field on a backboard and gave a thumbs up to the crowd upon departing.
- The Carolina Panthers announced the following players didn't participate in practice ahead of Thursday's game: S Rashaan Gaulden (groin), DE Bruce Irvin (hamstring) and TE Greg Olsen. The team also provided an update on T Greg Little; the 2019 second-round pick is nearing a return from the concussion protocol after being a full participant in Monday's practice.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the following players didn't participate in practice ahead of Thursday's game: S Justin Evans (achilles) and QB Blaine Gabbert (left shoulder).
Tampa Bay informed offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch that he's being waived, a source told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. A 2016 fifth-round pick, Benenoch started all 16 games for the Buccaneers last season. However, he played just four snaps in Sunday's loss to the 49ers.
- San Francisco 49ers running back Tevin Coleman suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's win over the Buccaneers, coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Monday. Coleman is expected to miss time due to the injury, but Shanahan said the team will not have to place him on injured reserve. The Niners intend to take Coleman's week to week, per Shanahan.
San Francisco has not had much luck at the running back position. 2018 free-agent acquisition Jerick McKinnon is already on injured reserve for the second straight season with another knee injury. Now Coleman, their 2019 free-agent hire, is set to miss time early in the season.
The 49ers will proceed with Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert and Kyle Juszczyk in their backfield. San Francisco could also add a free-agent back this week ahead of its Week 2 matchup against the Bengals.
- Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles will undergo surgery Monday morning to repair his broken left clavicle and will be placed on injured reserve with a liklely designation to return list, per Rapoport.
- Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson announced that defensive tackle Malik Jackson has a significant injury that will take time to heal. Pederson added that Jackson will undergo more tests and a roster move could happen Tuesday.
- Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill is still being evaluated after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 1 and it could take "a couple days" before his fate is decided, per Rapoport. Hill's options range from missing a few games to IR/designated to return.
- Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (ankle) received good news after his MRI results came back "all good," according to Pelissero, per a source familiar with the situation. With his injury not being deemed significant, Mixon has a real chance to play Week 2 against the 49ers. Coach Zac Taylor told reporters Mixon is day to day.
- Washington Redskins RB Derrius Guice will likely miss time after having an MRI on his right knee, Rapoport reported. The second-year back will continue to be evaluated but the team hopes he will not need surgery, per Rapoport. Guice, who missed his entire rookie year with a torn ACL in his left knee, gained 18 yards on 10 carries in his NFL debut.
- X-Rays cam back negative for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (toe), per Rapoport. Smith-Schuster limped off the field late in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh's loss to the Patriots on Sunday.
Cornerback Joe Haden has suffered a sprained AC joint, according to Rapoport via a source.
- Indianapolis Colts wideout Marcus Johnson (concussion) has been cleared and will be released today, Rapoport reported via a source. Johnson was waived/injured by the Colts and was placed on injured reserve on August 31. The Super Bowl LII champion is expected to garner interest in light of a rash of WR injuries around the NFL.
- Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said cornerback Jimmy Smith will be out "multiple" weeks with a Grade 2 MCL sprain, with the length of his absence depending on how he heels. Smith avoided major injury, but any missed time is compounded by cornerback Tavon Young also being sidelined.
- Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters he didn't have updates on defensive tackle Poona Ford (calf), tight end Will Dissly (knee) and cornerback Neiko Thorpe (hamstring), noting that all have them have issues after suffering injuries in Sunday's win against the Bengals.
Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Seahawks are re-signing veteran cornerback Jamar Taylor.
- New York Giants coach Pat Shurmur told reporters wide receiver Sterling Shepard suffered a concussion in New York's loss to the Cowboys and is in the protocol. Offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler (shoulder) and linebacker Kareem Martin (knee) are also being evaluated. Giants also announced the signing of LB Tuzar Skipper, who was recently waived by the Steelers.
- New York Jets coach Adam Gase said linebacker C.J. Mosley (groin) and Quinnen Williams (ankle) are unlikely to practice Wednesday. Williams was spotted at the team facility in a walking boot. Mosley will have a MRI later Monday.
- The New England Patriots have released safety Obi Melifonwu and tight end Lance Kendricks, according to NFL Network's Mike Giardi. Melifonwu's spot will be occupied by new addition Antonio Brown.
- Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said that receiver Mike Williams is getting his knee injury looked at and that it is hopefully not too serious. "He's getting it looked at today, so hopefully it's not too serious. Mike's a heck of a football player, and we're going to need him. So hopefully he'll be back soon," Lynn told reporters, via ESPN's Eric Williams. Williams suffered the injury in Sunday's win over the Colts.
Lynn added that kicker Michael Badgley, who missed the season opener with a groin injury, has a chance to play this week against the Lions.
- Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said that safety Eric Weddle is still in concussion protocol but did not have any symptoms on Monday.
