Notable players are out due to injury

With the NFL season about to begin, avid fantasy players are starting to prepare, scouring training camp videos, press releases and injury reports to gain an edge over their league counterparts before the draft. Injuries are, of course, the biggest concern. Nothing ruins a fantasy season more than drafting four players who won't play until Week 8.

Even if you're not into fantasy, following injury reports can help you understand what to expect from your favorite team early in the season.

The best way to keep track of injuries is during the preseason. While star players may sit out to rest for the regular season, their teams still need to note their injuries on their weekly reports throughout the week. With the season starting in just over two weeks, players who may have previously been injured may need to get some more practice in against live competition to get back into the swing of things before the games really matter.

Here are some of the more notable player injuries heading into the final week of NFL preseason.

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Notable injuries in Week 3 of the NFL preseason:

Buffalo Bills:

Linebacker Matt Milano: After breaking his leg in Week 5 of last season, Milano has been hit by injury again. This time, a torn bicep will sideline him for most, if not all, of the 2024-25 season. Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters it's too early to say when Milano might return. He didn't rule out the possibility of Milano missing the entire season.

Carolina Panthers:

RB Jonathon Brooks: He is considered one of the best rookie running backs of this year's class, but fans will have to wait a few more weeks before the star halfback takes the field in an NFL game. Brooks' ACL injury was known when the Panthers signed him, which means the team must be really happy with Brooks. As it stands right now, Brooks is expected to be back around Week 4.

Cincinnati Bengals:

OT Amarius Mims: The Cincinnati Bengals selected Georgia tackle Amarius Mims in the first round to protect quarterback Joe Burrow. Unfortunately, Mims suffered a strained pectoral muscle during the preseason and is expected to miss several weeks. Reports suggested Mims could be back as early as Week 2, but the severity of Mims' injury has been hyped and it wouldn't be surprising if Mims is out longer.
Running Back Chris Evans: With the departure of Joe Mixon in the offseason, the door was open for Evans to carve out a role in Cincinnati's backfield. Unfortunately, Evans will miss the entire 2024-25 season with a torn patellar tendon. This likely gives Chase Brown a big role in Cincinnati.

Cleveland Browns:

RB Nick Chubb: Chubb has made a great recovery from his horrific injury in 2023. For a while, it was thought he wouldn't be available until next year, but now reports suggest he could return sometime in 2024.

Detroit Lions:

RB Jahmyr Gibbs: Gibbs broke out in the second half of last season and will have even more to do in his sophomore season. Although Gibbs' hamstring injury appears to be serious, reports indicate that Gibbs should be ready to play by the start of the NFL season.

Indianapolis Colts:

WR Josh Downs: High ankle sprains are one of the most difficult injuries to measure, but the Colts are breathing a sigh of relief after initially thinking Downs suffered a much more serious injury. He is expected back in Week 2.

Kansas City Chiefs:

WR Marquise Brown: Hollywood Brown, arguably Kansas City's biggest offseason addition, suffered a sternum injury during the preseason and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. He will return around Week 2 of the regular season. In Brown's place, first-round rookie Xavier Worthy has shined in the preseason.

Los Angeles Chargers:

QB Justin Herbert: The Chargers quarterback is dealing with a right foot injury and isn't expected to miss much time. He wasn't going to play much in the preseason anyway, and the rest seems to be doing Herbert good, as he's expected to be the team's starter in Week 1.

Los Angeles Rams:

WR Puka Nacua: Reports from camp indicate that the Rams' offense will run through Cooper Kupp in 2024, just like in 2021. But that doesn't mean Nacua's injury isn't a cause for concern. Fortunately for Rams fans, the star wideout's injury isn't considered serious and Nacua is expected to be ready for Week 1.
TE Tyler Higbee: Higbee suffered a torn ACL and medial ligament during last year's playoff loss to the Lions. He won't be back for some time, with some timelines calling for a return between Weeks 14 and 16. Colby Parkinson will take over as the Rams' starting tight end until Higbee returns.

Miami Dolphins:

Linebacker Jaelan Phillips: Phillips was activated from the PUP list on August 12. Still, it would be a stretch to assume he will be ready to play in Week 1. A return in Week 2 or 3 is much more likely, but if Phillips doesn't suffer any setbacks, anything is possible.
Linebacker Bradley Chubb: After an incredible first season for Chubb in Miami, he suffered an unfortunate ACL tear in Week 17 of last season and is still on the PUP list. Chubb will play in 2024, but that won't happen until about halfway through the season.

Minnesota Vikings:

TE TJ Hockenson: Hockenson, the Vikings' No. 2 passing attack, is out with a torn ACL and medial ligament. Normally that would sideline players for most of next season, but Hockenson is expected to return midseason and a timeline currently calls for a Weeks 7-10 return.

Pittsburgh Steelers:

RB Jaylen Warren: Warren was a shooting star a year ago and his efficiency has been a boon to Steelers fans who have watched Najee Harris struggle in the tackles. Warren is dealing with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out of action for several weeks. His Week 1 status is currently questionable and reports do not express much optimism that he will be back to 100% by the start of the season. A Week 2 return seems more likely.

San Francisco 49ers:

RB Christian McCaffrey: The 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year suffered a calf injury in early August, but it is considered a non-serious injury. It is almost certain that McCaffrey will not miss any time in the regular season.

Tennessee Titans:

WR DeAndre Hopkins: Hopkins suffered a knee injury early in the preseason that was expected to keep him out of action for 4-6 weeks. His status for Week 1 is currently uncertain, but team DC Brian Callahan reportedly expects Hopkins to be available for the team's Week 1 game against the Chicago Bears.

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Notable players are out due to injury