NFL Injury Report Week 1: Team by Team Updates, Inactive List and More

Finally, the preseason schedule is over. Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season—the start of the real games—is close to beginning, as the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants kick off the year Wednesday from MetLife Stadium.

With the start of the regular season inevitably comes the importance of week-to-week injury reports. Every week, teams give a detailed report on which players have injuries, their limitations at practice and projections on game status. 

In this space, we'll keep a running log of the most important Week 1 injury reports and news. Be sure to check back throughout the week to stay up-to-date on your favorite team and players. 

[SUN 9/9 2:45 P.M.] Inactives for Sunday Night Football are now in:

Broncos' Inactives: Wide receiver Andre Caldwell, running back Ronnie Hillman, linebacker Steven Johnson, offensive lineman Phillip Blake, defensive lineman Malik Jackson and nose tackle Sealver Siliga. 

Hillman, Johnson, Jackson and Blake are all rookies, so being inactive in Week 1 isn't necessarily surprisingly. However, Hillman was a third-round pick and there was a general sentiment that he'd be the team's change-of-pace back to starter Willis McGahee. He practiced this week, but dealt with a hamstring tweak in training camp. 

Steelers Inactives: Quarterback Charlie Batch, offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum, safety Ryan Clark, offensive lineman David DeCastro, linebacker James Harrison, running back Rashard Mendenhall and Alameda Ta'amu.

 

The inactives for the Steelers are much more worrisome. Due to Clarke's sickle cell trait, it's extremely dangerous for him to play in Denver's high altitude. Harrison is out with a knee injury, though he did practice this week. Mendenhall and DeCastro were expected to be out, as both are nursing severe knee injuries. 

[SUN 9/9 7:45 P.M.] Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas left in the second half Sunday with an apparent head injury. His return is questionable.

Rams left tackle Roger Saffold also appeared injured against the Lions. His status is currently unavailable.

[SUN 9/9 2:30 P.M.] Injury updates: Bears cornerback Charles Tillman left with a leg injury, Saints receiver Devery Henderson appeared to be knocked out momentarily and stayed down on the field and Titans quarterback Jake Locker came off with a shoulder injury. We'll have more on Locker as information becomes available, but Matt Hasselbeck is in the game. 

[SUN 9/9 2:15 P.M.] Both Cardinals running back Beanie Wells and Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch are active for Sunday's late games.

The 49ers made running back Brandon Jacobs and returner Ted Ginn inactive, while Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart was officially made inactive. Each move was expected. 

[SUN 9/9 2:00 P.M.] More injury news rolling in: Rams center Scott Wells left with a foot injury and is questionable to return, while Jaguars running back Rashad Jennings stayed in the locker room after half time with a leg injury. His return is questionable. 

Robert Turner has replaced Wells for St. Louis. The Jaguars will turn to Maurice Jones-Drew in a more featured role now that Jennings is unavailable. 

[SUN 9/9 1:50 P.M.] Confirmed: Adrian Peterson is not from this world. Just eight months removed from complete reconstructive knee surgery, Peterson has two scores and looks every bit the back he was before his injury. Medical miracle? Or alien being?  

[SUN 9/9 1:40 P.M.] It's only been one half and seven carries, but Vikings running back Adrian Peterson looks strong making cuts on his surgically repaired knee.

During his touchdown run in the second quarter, Peterson planted and cut inside to finish off the run. There doesn't appear to be any hesitation either. He just continues to be a medical freak of nature. 

[SUN 9/9 1:20 P.M.] Two more potentially significant injuries to report: Bills running back Fred Jackson left for the locker room with an apparent leg injury, and Titans linebacker Collin McCarthy went off with an ankle injury. The return of each is currently unknown.

[SUN 9/9 1:10 P.M.] A number of important injuries in Sunday's early games, including Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon (foot), Colts linebacker Dwight Freeney (ankle) and Vikings cornerback Chris Cook. 

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady also took a shot to the face. Here's a tweet from Will Brinson of CBS Sports with a screen grab of the damage. 

[SUN 9/9 11:10 A.M.] The Indianapolis Colts deactivated receiver Austin Collie (concussion) Sunday, meaning Donnie Avery will start opposite Reggie Wayne against the Chicago Bears. Collie came out for pre-game warmups but was shut down. 

[SUN 9/9 11:00 A.M.] Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (knee) is active today against the Indianapolis Colts.

He has battled knee problems throughout the preseason, but his playing status was never really in question for Week 1. He'll attempt to stop Colts first-round quarterback Andrew Luck. 

[SUN 9/9 10:55 A.M.] Among the bigger names who are active and playing Sunday: Adrian Peterson (knee), Arian Foster (knee), Stevie Johnson (groin), Marques Colston (foot), Dustin Keller (hamstring), Justin Blackmon (hamstring) and Trent Richardson (knee). 

[SUN 9/9 10:50 A.M.] Inactive lists are starting to trickle in. Here's a running list:

Rams inactive list: Michael Brockers, Terrance Ganaway, Darian Stewart, Ty Nsekhe, Shelley Smith, Matt Conrath and Darell Scott. 

Saints inactive list: Chris Ivory, Jabari Greer, Tyrunn Walker and Akiem Hicks. 

Eagles inactive list: Dion Lewis, Colt Anderson, David Sims, Nate Menkin, Vinny Curry, Demetress Bell and Riley Cooper.

Vikings inactive list: McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Jarius Wright, A.J. Jefferson, Andrew Sendejo, Marvin Mitchell, Audie Cole and Mark Asper.

Patriots inactive list: Daniel Fells, Marcus Forston, Jake Bequette, Justin Francis, Shane Vereen, Alfonzo Dennard and Nick McDonald.

Redskins inactive list: Rex Grossman, Dezman Briscoe,  Butler, Brandon Meriweather, LeRibeus, Gettis, and Baker

Colts inactive list: Austin Collie, T.Y. Hilton, Delone Carter, Joe Reitz, Chandler Harnish, Pat Angerer and Mike Person. 

Lions inactive list: Ryan Broyles, Kellen Moore, Tahir Whitehead, Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard. 

Falcons inactive list: Dominique Davis, Charles Mitchell, Robert McClain, Joe Hawley, Lamar Holmes, Lawrence Sidbury and Jonathan Massaquoi.

Browns inactive list: Thaddeus Lewis, Jordan Norwood, Chris Ogbonnaya, Trevin Wade, Usama Young, James-Michael Johnson and Oneil Cousins. 

Jets inactive list: Greg McElroy, Clyde Gates, Eric Smith, Damon Harrison, Caleb Schlauderaff, Dennis Landolt and Sione Po‘uha.

Texans inactive list: DeVier Posey, John Beck, Roc Carmichael, Brandon Harris, Bryan Braman, Andrew Gardner and Brandon Brooks.

Dolphins inactive list: Pat Devlin, Lamar Miller, S. Brown, W. Yeatman, R. Feinga, Michael Egnew, R. Matthews. 

Chiefs inactive list: Ricky Stanzi, Kendrick Lewis, Brandon Flowers, Cyrus Gray, Steve Maneri, Allen Bailey, Anthony Toribio. 

Titans inactive list: Rusty Smith, Javon Ringer, Zac Diles, Mike Otto, Byron Stingily, Pannel Egboh and Sen'Derrick Marks. 

[SUN 9/9 10:25 A.M.] Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reports that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, although he is expected to split carries with Toby Gerhart. Neither development is surprising.

Peterson didn't take one snap in the preseason, so don't expect much. The Vikings are going to ease their best offensive player back slow.

[SUN 9/9 10:15 A.M.] Updating a previous item on Trent Richardson, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that the Browns expect to give their first-round back plenty of touches "both as a runner and receiver" Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

[SUN 9/9 10:10 A.M.] ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Houston Texans expect running back Arian Foster to play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. However, Schefter also reports that the Texans want to see Foster during pre-game warmups, which obviously shows how cautious the Texans are approaching Foster's knee.

The Texans should have no problems dropping an undermanned Dolphins team, and Ben Tate is plenty capable of handling a big role. Foster may play early, but expect a heavy dose of Tate Sunday.

[SUN 9/9 10:05 A.M.] ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is expected to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Back spasms have limited Lynch for the better part of two weeks, but it looked more and more likely he would play as the week wore on. 

Schefter says that coach Pete Carroll may limit Lynch in Week 1 to protect him against re-injuring a back that has become somewhat troublesome. Rookie Robert Turbin is his primary backup. 

[SUN 9/9 9:50 A.M.] Albert Breer of NFL.com reports that Cleveland Browns running Trent Richardson will start Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Richardson didn't play in the preseason because of a knee scope, but he's a go in Week 1.

While Richardson's touches may be limited today, his status is an encouraging sign for the Browns in a game many are picking the Eagles to win handily. 20 touches are certainly within his workload. 

[SUN 9/9 9:45 A.M] According to his official Twitter account, Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart will miss Sunday's opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Stewart injured his ankle during Carolina's final preseason game and then missed the entire week of practice in the lead up to Sunday. 

With Stewart out, expect a heavy dose of DeAngelo Williams against a below average Bucs' run defense. Free-agent signee Mike Tolbert may also see an increased role. 

[THUR 9/6 3:45 P.M.] John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports that Texans running back Arian Foster left the latter portions of Thursday's practice with knee soreness. Linebacker Brooks Reed also left early with a sore hip. 

Neither injury is expected to cause missed time in Week 1, but Foster's soreness is certainly something to keep an eye on moving forward. The Texans are playing it safe with both players. If the soreness lingers past Friday, however, Foster could be in trouble for Sunday. 

[THUR 9/6 3:35 P.M.] The Jaguars official Twitter account reports that receiver Justin Blackmon was a full participant at Thursday's practice. He had been limited Wednesday with an ankle injury.

Barring any set back before Sunday, Blackmon should be a full-go for the Jaguars' Week 1 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

In Carolina, running back Jonathan Stewart missed Thursday's practice with an ankle injury, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. He hasn't practiced all week and remains questionable for Week 1. 

Also, Oakland Raiders receiver Denarius Moore practiced Thursday for the first time in over a month. He could still play in the team's Week 1 game Monday night. Keep an ear out for any word about his hamstring. 

[THURS 9/6 3:20 P.M.] According to the NFL's official injury report, the following players were limited in practices this week: Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Bills receiver Stevie Johnson, Dolphins tackle Jake Long, Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, Patriots tackle Sebastian Vollmer, Saints linebackers David Hawthorne and Curtis Lofton, Browns running back Trent Richardson, Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers, Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson, Packers nose tackle B.J. Raji and Steelers linebacker James Harrison. 

[WED 9/5 6:55 P.M.] The Cowboys have activated tight end Jason Witten for Wednesday night's opener against the Giants. Witten is still dealing with a lacerated spleen. New York receiver Hakeem Nicks is also active.

[WED 9/5 5:50 P.M.] According to the Cleveland Browns official site, rookie running back Trent Richardson was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Richardson is still recovering from a knee scope done several weeks back.

He was joined in the limited category by fellow running back Chris Ogbonnaya and tight ends Jordan Cameron and Benjamin Watson. 

[WED 9/5 3:35 P.M.] Both Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman were full participants at practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers Wednesday. Guard David DeCastro and linebacker Larry Foote were among those who didn't practice. 

Mendenhall (knee) is a surprising name to see on the "full participant" list. Could the Steelers just be bluffing for their season opener by listing Mendenhall as a likely go?

[WED 9/5 3:20 P.M.] According to the Carolina Panthers, running back Jonathan Stewart did not practice Wednesday. He's battling an ankle injury. The Panthers remain optimistic he can play Sunday, but they have the horses at the position to be cautious bringing Stewart back. 

[WED 9/5 3:18 P.M.] According to the Green Bay Packers official injury report, running back James Starks will not play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. He's been out since the first week of the preseason with a turf toe injury.

Cedric Benson will likely start, with second-year back Alex Green also seeing time. 

Nose tackle B.J. Raji (ankle) and cornerback Davon House (shoulder) were among those listed as limited participants. 

[TUES 9/4 1:21 P.M] The Giants officially ruled out cornerback Prince Amukamara for Wednesday's opener. He had missed all three of New York's Week 1 practices with an ankle injury. If anything, not having Amukamara helps Tony Romo and the Cowboys' passing game for Wednesday.

Hakeem Nicks practiced for the first time Tuesday in a limited capacity. He's officially listed as questionable, although most expect him to play. Ahmad Bradshaw (hand) was a full go and is listed as probable. 

[TUES 9/4 11:40 A.M.] The Cowboys officially ruled Jay Ratliff out for Wednesday's opener, Tuesday morning. Ratliff had been trying to recover from a high ankle sprain. 

The team also listed tight end Jason Witten as doubtful, meaning he has a small chance of still playing against the Giants. Witten lacerated his spleen against the Oakland Raiders during the preseason opener. 

Cornerback Mike Jenkins (shoulder) is questionable and safety/special teamer Danny McCray (neck) is doubtful. 

[TUES 9/4 10:55 A.M.] The Giants official injury report includes both receiver Hakeem Nicks (foot) and cornerback Prince Amukamara (ankle) among those who sat out Monday's practice. Nicks has already vowed to play in the opener Wednesday, despite missing both Sunday and Monday.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (hand) and cornerback Jayron Hosley (toe) were full participants. 

[TUES 9/4 10:50 A.M.] The Cowboys official injury report lists three players held out and four others who were limited from Monday's practice.

Included in the players held out were defensive tackle Jay Ratliff (high ankle sprain) and valued special teamer Danny McCray (neck). Tight end Jason Witten (spleen) was limited, along with cornerback Mike Jenkins (shoulder) and receiver Andre Holmes (knee). 

Witten and Ratliff are the big names to monitor here. Witten remains iffy just weeks after lacerating his spleen, and Ratliff was expected to miss 2-4 weeks after twisting his ankle. Both are former Pro Bowlers.