Patrick Mahomes, Malik Nabers, and Injured NFL Stars Who Could Miss the Start of 2026 Season

Training camps are getting underway around the NFL, which means it's officially time for fans to start tracking position battles, practice reps, and preseason highlights in preparation for the 2026 season.

It's also a good time to check in on the lengthy list of NFL stars who are recovering from significant 2025 injuries and/or offseason surgeries. That list, unfortunately, includes some of the game's biggest stars, and while many are expected to be back for Week 1, few things are guaranteed when it comes to injury recovery.

Here, we'll dive into the biggest names who could potentially miss Week 1. We'll examine the specifics of each injury, any relevant recent updates, and the best- and worst-case scenarios for the players and teams involved.

We'll focus specifically on veterans here, so incoming rookies on the mend won't be included. Players are listed in alphabetical order.

Nick Bosa, Edge, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

The San Francisco 49ers spent most of last season without star edge-rusher Nick Bosa, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 3. As a result, the 49ers fielded a lackluster pass rush that produced just 20 sacks as a unit.

Fortunately, Bosa's injury was a simple ACL tear and occurred early in the season, meaning he's expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, if not early training camp.

"I'm pretty far along," Bosa said in May, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner.

Best-Case Scenario

Bosa is back to 100 percent early in training camp, giving him ample time to work with new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

As a seven-year veteran, Bosa may not require live preseason reps to be ready for Week 1, but he'll likely want to participate in a couple of full-contact practices. Ideally, he'll be at full speed and in Pro Bowl form against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.

Worst-Case Scenario

If Bosa isn't at full speed by late training camp, he could stay in San Francisco as the 49ers travel to Melbourne to face the Rams.

He could miss another game or two, as well, but he'll be a year out from injury on September 21 and probably isn't a strong candidate for the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Brian Branch, S, Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch suffered a ruptured Achilles in December and is expected to miss the start of the 2026 season, if not the majority of it.

"I'm going to just go ahead and widen the window so we don't have to talk about it anymore. Let's just go ahead and say December," Lions coach Dan Campbell said in June, per ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "Anything before that is a bonus."

Best-Case Scenario

Branch opens the season on the PUP list but returns to practice well ahead of his Week 9 deadline to do so. This should put him on pace to return before December and to add a much-needed veteran presence to the back end of Detroit's defense.

While an earlier-than-expected return and a rapid return to full strength may be unlikely, Campbell has said that Branch has experienced "no setbacks," per Woodyard.

Worst-Case Scenario

Branch isn't ready to practice by Week 9 or isn't ready to see the field by the end of his 21-day practice window and is shut down for the entirety of the season. With Kerby Joseph's immediate future also uncertain, this would leave the Lions with massive question marks in the secondary.

Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

The Seattle Seahawks are highly unlikely to have either of their top two ball-carriers from last season in Week 1. Kenneth Walker III departed in free agency, while Zach Charbonnet is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in mid-January.

The good news is that, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Charbonnet had a late-July checkup and is "progressing well."

The bad news is that the timing of Charbonnet's injury isn't conducive to an early-season return.

Best-Case Scenario

Charbonnet opens the regular season on the PUP list and shows enough progress to make a return around midseason. In the meantime, Seattle's ground game continues humming with George Holani and rookie Jadarian Price leading the backfield.

Worst-Case Scenario

Seattle's ground attack flounders as Holani struggles to adapt to a bigger workload and Price struggles to adapt to the NFL. Charbonnet, meanwhile, doesn't progress quickly enough to provide reinforcements and spends the entire year on the PUP list.

Ikem Ekwonu, OT, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

The Carolina Panthers added former Green Bay Packers starting left tackle Rasheed Walker in free agency before drafting Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling in the first round. There's a reason why Carolina doubled down on tackles early in the offseason.

Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu suffered a ruptured right patellar tendon during the Wild Card Round in January and is expected to miss much or all of the 2026 season.

"From what I'm told, he won't be expected back until late in the season, potentially," Cameron Wolfe of ESPN and NFL Network said on The Insiders (beginning around the 28-second mark).

Best-Case Scenario

Ekwonu opens the season on the PUP list and returns to practice before the end of his nine-week window. The Panthers, meanwhile, get solid play out of Walker at left tackle, giving Ekwonu plenty of time to get up to speed and back onto the field ahead of the postseason.

Worst-Case Scenario

The Panthers never open Ekwonu's 21-day practice window or decide not to activate him after it has opened. Walker, who battled quad and groin injuries in 2025, doesn't provide stability at left tackle, while Freeling is forced to start at right tackle before he is ready.

Nick Emmanwori, S, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori was spectacular as a rookie, tallying 81 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception during the regular season before starting all three playoff contests. Unfortunately, the second-year star is opening camp on the PUP list.

Emmanwori underwent right ankle surgery earlier this month but is expected to be ready by Week 1, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson.

Best-Case Scenario

Following what Henderson described as an "arthroscopic procedure," Emmanwori experiences a quick recovery and is ready to take the practice field well before the end of camp. This would likely put him on track to start against the New England Patriots in Week 1, even if he doesn't get on the field for the preseason.

Worst-Case Scenario

Obviously, a significant injury setback would be a worst-case scenario for any player on this list. Barring a catastrophic turn of events, though, Emmanwori's worst case will likely involve opening the regular season on the PUP list.

Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Last season, the Indianapolis Colts appeared to stumble into a new franchise quarterback when they signed Daniel Jones to a one-year free-agent deal. Jones performed splendidly while going 8-5 as a starter, but he tried playing through a leg fracture and ended up suffering a torn Achilles in early December.

The Colts, though, locked up Jones with an offseason extension, and he appears on track to participate in training camp.

"I'm doing everything. Cleared to do everything. I think it's just about, at this point, sharpening that," Jones told reporters on July 10 (h/t The Athletic's James Boyd).

Best-Case Scenario

Jones suffers no setbacks, is a full participant in early training camp, and remains on track to return in Week 1. He avoids mobility limitations and is the same dangerous dual-threat he was in early 2025 when Indy faces the Baltimore Ravens to open the season.

Worst-Case Scenario

Jones isn't at full speed by the end of training camp and opens the season on the PUP list. The Colts stumble through the first month of the season with Anthony Richardson and/or Riley Leonard behind center, forcing them to push Jones back onto the field before he's completely ready.

This could be particularly problematic for the Colts, who are betting on Jones to provide stability at quarterback. If he isn't as mobile or as effective as he was early last season, Indy could enter 2027 with some massive questions about his future.

Kerby Joseph, S, Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

There's a very real chance that the Lions could play most or all of the 2026 season without either of their standout starting safeties.

Kerby Joseph was a first-team All-Pro just two years ago but was limited to six games by a nagging knee injury last season. He was eventually placed on injured reserve, and the Lions don't seem to have much clarity on when he'll be cleared to practice again.

"I honestly do not know," head coach Dan Campbell said in June, per ProFootballTalk's Michael David Smith. "...I mean, honestly, we probably won't know until we get into the thick of training camp."

Best-Case Scenario

Joseph shows enough medical progress to participate in training camp and get a few reps under his belt in the preseason. Detroit will undoubtedly want to exercise caution with his return, but a return by Week 1 isn't out of the question just yet.

Worst-Case Scenario

Unfortunately, the lack of available information about Joseph's injury and the lack of a recovery timeline suggests that it could be a serious and potentially chronic ailment. There's a chance that he isn't even a candidate for the PUP list and is instead placed on injured reserve before the start of the season.

In a worst-case scenario, Joseph and Branch both miss the 2026 season, forcing the Lions to rely on free-agent additions Christian Izien and Chuck Clark with disappointing results throughout the year.

George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle suffered a torn right Achilles during the playoffs in January, making a Week 1 return a long shot.

While a Week 1 return is exactly what Kittle is targeting, San Francisco shouldn't expect him to be back on the field and in Pro Bowl form against the Rams on September 10.

"This would be a remarkably speedy recovery from an Achilles tear, though not all tears are created equal," ESPN's Ben Solak wrote on July 21. "Still, there is a difference between returning from an Achilles tear and returning to form after an Achilles tear."

Best-Case Scenario

If Kittle wants to be realistic, he should probably forget about Week 1 and the disruptive trip to Australia it will involve.

A return sometime in the early part of the season—perhaps around San Francisco's home opener against the Miami Dolphins or later in September—is closer to his best‑case scenario barring setbacks.

Even if Kittle does return by mid-September, he probably won't be at full speed until midseason or later.

Worst-Case Scenario

Kittle isn't even ready to practice by the end of training camp and opens the regular season on the PUP list. This would require him to miss at least the first four games but could lead to a lengthier absence.

Kittle probably will return at some point in 2026, but if he's on the PUP list, the 49ers will have nine weeks in which to open his 21-day practice window.

Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft was having a career year and served as Jordan Love's de facto No. 1 receiver last season before suffering a torn ACL. In just eight games, he racked up 32 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns.

Heading into 2026, Kraft figures to be one of Green Bay's most important offensive players, and he expects to be ready to contribute by Week 1.

"With how I feel, I would say I'm gonna get all the conditioning I need in camp to start Week 1 on no pitch count," Kraft said in June, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

Best-Case Scenario

Kraft is indeed healthy enough to fully participate in training camp, participates in limited preseason work, and is a full-go to face the rival Minnesota Vikings to open the regular season.

Worst-Case Scenario

Kraft isn't quite at 100 percent by the end of training camp and misses the start of the regular season—either as a precautionary "healthy" scratch or as a member of the PUP list.

While fans shouldn't expect Kraft to miss more than the first month of the season, there's also a chance that he doesn't reestablish himself as the same dangerous threat he was in 2025 until next season.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Ed Zurga, Archive)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was arguably the biggest star to suffer a season-ending injury in 2025, after tearing his ACL and LCL on December 14.

Fortunately for Chiefs fans, Mahomes underwent surgery the following day and has reportedly been progressing very well.

The 30-year-old was far along enough to participate in organized team activities (OTAs) earlier this offseason, and, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, he's expected to be fully cleared in training camp:

"There's an expectation among Chiefs people that Mahomes will be fully cleared this week, and also the knowledge that when they tell him he can go, he will really go. So the plan is to be smart with it, and make sure everyone is doing what's going to put him in the best position to be at his best from September through February, not just ready for Week 1."

Best-Case Scenario

Mahomes makes it through training camp without any setbacks and with enough practice reps to make the most out of his supporting cast and Andy Reid's offense. Not only is he healthy enough to face the Denver Broncos on September 14, but he's also able to perform with his usual mobility.

Worst-Case Scenario

Mahomes does experience a setback in his recovery or simply doesn't show enough mobility to justify playing him against Denver's ferocious pass rush in Week 1.

Kansas City could opt to hold Mahomes out for a handful of games to start the season while relying on offseason addition Justin Fields. However, it'll be a major surprise if Mahomes isn't back before October.

Taylor Moton, OT, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Unfortunately, Ekwonu isn't the only starting tackle that Carolina is likely to be without in Week 1. Right tackle Taylor Moton was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung last month and isn't expected to be cleared to face the Chicago Bears on September 13.

"The expectation is he's going to miss some regular-season time, but they believe he'll play at some point in 2026," Cameron Wolfe of ESPN and NFL Network said on The Insiders (beginning at the 15-second mark).

Best-Case Scenario

Moton opens the season on the PUP list but suffers no setbacks in his treatment and is back on the practice field after the mandatory four weeks. Rookie Monroe Freeling, meanwhile, performs well and gets valuable reps at right tackle in his stead.

Worst-Case Scenario

Moton does not respond as well to treatment as expected, and his return doesn't come until after midseason. Ekwonu doesn't return at all in 2026, the Panthers only get marginal play out of Freeling and Rasheed Walker at tackle, and quarterback Bryce Young faces major hurdles in his ongoing development as a result.

Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers was an instant sensation as a rookie in 2024. However, he appeared in only four games last season before suffering a torn ACL.

While ESPN's Jordan Raanan recently reported that Nabers is expected to avoid the PUP list to start the season, reports about his recovery have been mixed.

"This past spring, Nabers had to undergo a second procedure on the same knee -- a sign that his recovery was likely not going well," ESPN's Ben Solak wrote.

Naturally, the Giants would prefer to have Nabers on the field and ready to aid second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. However, they won't want to risk reinjury by rushing him back onto the field.

Best-Case Scenario

Nabers progresses at a reasonable pace and, given the timing of his injury early in 2025, a Week 1 return involves minimal risk of reinjury. In a best-case scenario, the third-year wideout is on the field and close to pre-injury form against the Dallas Cowboys on September 13.

Worst-Case Scenario

Nabers' recovery is more complicated than most expected, and he is forced to open the regular season on the PUP list. The Giants proceed to struggle through the first month of 2026 with players like Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin III, Odell Beckham Jr., and Darnell Mooney leading their receiving corps.

Micah Parsons, Edge, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Just before the start of last season, the Packers made a bold trade for star pass-rusher Micah Parsons. Early in the year, he led what looked like a championship-caliber defense. However, he suffered a torn ACL in mid-December, and Green Bay could go close to a year without having him in the lineup.

Parsons has made it very clear that, while he'd prefer to return for the 2026 postseason, he isn't about to put his long-term health at risk.

"The goal isn't for me to go out there and re-hurt myself trying to force myself to get back the first few games," he said in June, per Mike Spofford of the team's official website. "The goal has always been playoffs, and I think we're all on the same page."

Best-Case Scenario

Parsons and the Packers take the cautious approach and target a return in November or December. He opens the season on injured reserve with a designation to return, opens the practice window some time after midseason, and returns at full strength in time to aid Green Bay's postseason push.

Worst-Case Scenario

Parsons never makes it off of injured reserve in 2026, for one of two reasons. Either he hasn't recovered enough physically to be an effective pass-rusher down the postseason stretch, or Green Bay's defense—which lost Rashan Gary in an offseason trade—is enough of a liability without Parsons that the Packers simply aren't poised for a deep postseason run.

If Parsons can't help the Packers chase a championship in 2026, waiting until 2027 could be the more prudent move.

Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Colts receiver Alec Pierce was one of the NFL's most explosive receivers in 2025, leading the NFL in yards per catch for the second consecutive season.

While he didn't suffer a significant 2025 injury like some other players on this list, he did experience ongoing ankle issues and underwent a clean-up procedure in the spring.

The hope is Pierce will be back by Week 1, though his recovery timeline might not cooperate.

"The return timeline, which Pierce said can range from four to six months, could keep him out well into training camp and past the preseason," ESPN's Stephen Holder wrote in June.

Best-Case Scenario

Pierce is back on the practice field at the tail end of training camp and is able to physically prepare himself for Week 1. While he may not be ready for a full workload after missing most of camp and the preseason, he can still be a difference-making deep threat if he's running at full speed.

Worst-Case Scenario

While Pierce doesn't need to miss a full month on the PUP list, he still misses games to open the season while working his way back into game shape.

Once Pierce is back on the playing field, it may still take several more weeks for him to regain his trademark speed and explosiveness.

Mykel Williams, Edge, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Unfortunately, Bosa isn't the only notable edge-defender the 49ers lost to injury last season. Rookie Mykel Williams started all nine games in which he appeared before suffering a torn ACL that ended his inaugural campaign.

The good news is that Williams appears to be recovering with no setbacks, and GM John Lynch said in May that the Georgia product should return to practice "at some point" in training camp, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur.

Tafur reported earlier this month that Williams might be ready for the start of camp.

Best-Case Scenario

Williams returns to practice early in camp and is healthy enough to participate in the preseason. While San Francisco will certainly be cautious with his workload in an exhibition setting, getting Williams some live game reps ahead of Week 1 would be ideal.

If Bosa and Williams are both able to suit up in Week 1, San Francisco's pass rush will be significantly better than it was at the end of last season.

Worst-Case Scenario

Williams isn't close to 100 percent by the end of the preseason and begins the regular season on the PUP list. Given the timing of his injury (early November), it's unlikely that any absence will stretch deep into 2026.