2024 NFL preseason injury tracker: Notable players out of league, expected return dates

Injuries are unfortunately a fact of life in the NFL, and all 32 teams have struggled with issues during training camp and the preseason. However, some clubs are dealing with more serious problems. Several core players have already suffered season-ending injuries, while others are questionable about their availability in Week 1.

Below, we list some of the most notable injuries from the NFL and give you our best guess as to when the player could potentially return to the field. Not every single injured player will make this list, such as those who are “day to day” injured. But these are some of the most notable injuries to remember or keep an eye on as we approach the opening game of the regular season.

Moore, who was traded to Atlanta during the offseason, suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this month. He left the practice field with an aircast on his right leg and was taken to a local medical facility.

Expected return: 2025

The Falcons' No. 74 pick will miss his entire rookie season after Trice tore his ACL in his first preseason game. It's a big blow for the two-time First Team All Pac-12 player and may have something to do with the Falcons' signing of Matt Judon.

Expected return: 2025

Buffalo Bills

Milano is one of the NFL's best linebackers, but has been plagued by the injury spree of late. He broke his leg in Week 5 of last season and now has a torn bicep that will keep him out of action for most of the year. It's possible Milano could miss the entire 2024 season, but a later return seems possible.

Expected return: December

The Bills have been hit pretty hard by injuries in the preseason, so Sean McDermott will not start his No. 1s in the final preseason game. Free agent signing Curtis Samuel is listed as week to week due to turf toe. Since we are 20 days away from Buffalo's season opener, his status is still uncertain.

Expected return: Week 2

MVS suffered a neck strain after a hard hit during the win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 of the preseason, and coach McDermott said Monday that he will be out for several weeks.

Expected return: Week 3

The Panthers obviously knew about Brooks' torn ACL when they brought him on, and he is expected to miss several regular-season games. Head coach Dave Canales said earlier this month that Week 3 or Week 4 would be “great” for Brooks' return.

Expected return: Week 4

Coach Canales said, according to ESPN, that free agent signing Dane Jackson suffered a “serious” hamstring injury and could be out for up to six weeks. This is especially notable given that Carolina is incredibly thin at the cornerback position.

Expected return: Week 4

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals' first-round pick suffered a strained pectoral muscle in Cincinnati's first preseason game and will be out for “several weeks.” Mims played 16 times as a right tackle in his only appearance. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed no pressure on 10 pass-blocking snaps.

Expected return: Week 2

Evans will reportedly miss the entire regular season due to a torn patellar tendon sustained during a joint practice with the Chicago Bears. according to Bleacher ReportHe reportedly injured himself on a kickoff return and was taken off the field on a cart with an aircast to his knee.

Expected return: 2025

Chubb suffered a serious knee injury last season and had to undergo two surgeries to repair his medial capsule, meniscus, medial and anterior ligaments. While he has made incredible progress in recovery and is expected to play sometime in 2024, it's impossible to say when.

Expected return: Week 5

Williams tore his ACL in training camp last month and will miss the entire 2024 season. As CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported, he was participating in special teams drills when he sustained the injury. Although Williams has yet to start an NFL game, he has recorded 8.5 sacks in two seasons.

Expected return: 2025

The versatile sophomore running back suffered a hamstring injury during practice this month, but Dan Campbell publicly stated that it is not believed to be a serious issue.

Expected return: Week 1

Downs reportedly suffered a severe ankle sprain earlier this month. This was somewhat good news, as he was initially thought to have sustained a potentially serious injury. However, severe ankle sprains can be quite tricky.

Expected return: Week 2

Ebukam suffered a torn Achilles tendon during training camp and will miss the entire 2024 season. 2023 was his career year, recording 9.5 sacks, 57 combined tackles, 17 QB hits and three forced fumbles.

Expected return: 2025

Marquise Brown is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after suffering a sternoclavicular joint injury in Week 1 of the preseason that resulted in a brief hospital stay. Andy Reid told reporters after the game that Brown suffered a dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint, which is where the collarbone meets the breastbone. We don't have a clear recovery timeline for Hollywood, but Bleacher Report reports he will be out four to six weeks.

Expected return: Week 2

Herbert was diagnosed with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot that required him to wear a walking boot for two weeks. However, Herbert is expected to be fit for the start of the regular season and was seen back on the practice field on Monday.

Expected return: Week 1

The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year sustained a right knee injury during practice earlier this month, but head coach Sean McVay said he is expected to be fit for the season opener.

Expected return: Week 1

Higbee will begin the season as a PUP as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in the playoff loss to the Lions. The Rams would be wise to take their time with his recovery.

Expected return: Week 15

After suffering a torn Achilles on Black Friday last year, Phillips was only activated from the PUP list last week. I guess we'll be bold and say he plays in the season opener. In just eight games in 2023, Phillips recorded 43 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and his first career interception.

Expected return: Week 1

Chubb recorded 11 sacks, 73 tackles (career high) and six forced fumbles (league high) in 16 games for Miami last year, but unfortunately suffered a torn ACL in Week 17. Unlike Phillips, he is still on the PUP list.

Expected return: Week 8

The No. 10 pick threw two impressive touchdowns in his preseason debut, but complained of knee pain after the game. Tests revealed that McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus and will likely miss his entire rookie season. The Vikings are taking a better-than-usual approach with their first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and are prioritizing his long-term health.

Expected return: 2025

Hockenson suffered a serious knee injury in Week 16 last year, tearing his anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. He had to wait five weeks for the swelling to go down before undergoing surgery in late January, pushing back his final return date. Hockenson said in May that they hadn't really set a schedule about when he might return.

Expected return: Week 7

Unfortunately, the Vikings suffered a major loss in the first training camp of the year when Blackmon tore his ACL. Blackmon played 15 games with three official starts in his rookie season last year and recorded a total of 41 tackles, eight passes defensed and one interception.

Expected return: 2025

The Saints' first-round pick left Sunday's preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers early due to a knee injury, but head coach Dennis Allen said it doesn't appear to be a serious issue. We don't know the exact severity, so McKinstry qualified for this list. Other Saints like Juwan Johnson and Taliese Fuaga are also expected to be ready for Week 1.

Expected return: Week 1

Pittsburgh Steelers

Warren injured his hamstring in the first half of the Steelers' final preseason loss to the Bills. The injury is expected to sideline Warren for several weeks, putting his status for Week 1 in jeopardy, according to NFL Media.

Expected return: Week 1

Herbig has suffered a torn rotator cuff and could miss the entire 2024 season, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The center sustained the injury during Pittsburgh's last training camp. His job will likely be taken by second-round rookie Zach Frazier.

Expected return: December

San Francisco 49ers

McCaffrey suffered a calf injury earlier this month, but you can confidently select him as the No. 1 overall pick in the fantasy draft since he's not expected to miss any time in the regular season.

Expected return: Week 1

Tennessee's No. 1 wide receiver suffered a knee injury in early August that is expected to keep him off the field for four to six weeks, jeopardizing his ability to play in Week 1.

Expected return: Week 1