As the 2025 NFL season kicked off in earnest on Sunday, a litany of players ended up suffering injuries that hampered their team’s efforts.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London, and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave were among the big names on a list that keeps on growing.
Besides those players, who else has been injured in their teams’ openers?
What NFL Players Were Injured on Sunday?
Bowers suffered a knee injury, while London suffered a shoulder injury. According to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, “Bowers is ‘fine’ after leaving today’s game with a knee injury. Bowers ‘took a little hit on the knee’ and there are ‘no concerns moving forward.'”
In the Raiders’ 20-13 road win over the New England Patriots, Bowers finished with five catches for 103 yards in less than three quarters.
London suffered a shoulder sprain in the Falcons’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport offered an update on London’s status. Rapoport posted on X, “#Falcons WR Drake London suffered a shoulder sprain and is considered day-to-day as of now, source said. He’ll have more tests, but initial good news on Atlanta’s star who was ruled out earlier today.”
Olave injured his ribs and was on the receiving end of a shot from Arizona Cardinals rookie defensive back Will Johnson. Olave, though, later returned for the Saints in their game against the Cardinals.
He went into the Saints’ blue tent a number of times, with the last time in the fourth quarter, as just staying healthy has been a struggle for him in his NFL career.
Chris Olave looks devastating after going back into the tent for the second time today 😞
He just can’t stay healthy man, this is really getting out of hand.
Damn bro. pic.twitter.com/zDdYF6d9Nl
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) September 7, 2025
The list, which comes from Sunday’s early and late games, probably will grow as Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football play out.
Injuries so far in Week 1:
Xavier Worthy – R shoulder dislocation
George Kittle – hamstring
Brock Bowers – knee
Puka Nacua – laceration, cleared concussion
Drake London – shoulder
Chris Olave – ribs (returned)
Tyreek Hill – unknown (returned)
Jaylen Waddle – L Shoulder…— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) September 7, 2025
In addition to those who suffered injuries Sunday, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy suffered a right shoulder dislocation after colliding with teammate Travis Kelce in the Chiefs’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday night in Brazil.
On Sunday, San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle suffered a hamstring injury and never returned. While the 49ers didn’t immediately address how many games, if any, Kittle might miss, injury analyst Deepak Chona offered his opinion in a post on X.
#49ers George Kittle – Out w/hamstring. Avg 2-3 wks.
Age 31 + his soft tissue history makes this a higher risk situation for delay and re-injury pic.twitter.com/sivzM4dQCU
— Deepak Chona, MD. SMA (@SportMDAnalysis) September 7, 2025
“#49ers George Kittle – Out w/hamstring. Avg 2-3 wks.,” Chopra wrote. “Age 31 + his soft tissue history makes this a higher risk situation for delay and re-injury.”
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered an unknown injury against the Indianapolis Colts, but he returned to the game. During the game, though, cameras caught an incensed Hill yelling and waving his hands in the air. Hill might have been frustrated with his lack of targets from Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Holy Sh*t: Tyreek Hill is CRASHING OUT at today’s game.
Expect a trade request sooner than later…
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 7, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua left the field with a possible concussion and suffered a laceration above his eye in their Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans.
Prayers: Rams star WR Puka Nacua is BLEEDING from his eye and is headed to the locker room 🙏pic.twitter.com/W8OhNFIYOk
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 7, 2025
Photos and videos taken during the game’s telecast showed Nacua with a stream of blood down his face. Nacua did return to the game, which the Rams won by a 14-9 score at SoFi Stadium.
Also, Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle suffered a left shoulder injury against the Colts but returned. Rams tight end Colby Parkinson hurt his shoulder against the Texans.
The injury report stemming from Sunday’s action could grow over the next 24 hours as players’ postgame conditions are further assessed. Still, the sheer number of players listed is enough to give their teams some headaches and additional work for their medical personnel this week.
