NFL Injury Update: Key Players to Keep an Eye On

Key Players That Will Affect the Season

With the NFL regular season in full swing, injuries are starting to take their toll on teams across the league. Some of the most impactful players in the NFL have already missed time due to injury, and their absence could have a major impact on the playoff race. Here is a look at some of the key players who are currently injured and how their injuries could affect their teams:

Quarterbacks

Quarterback is the most important position in football, and injuries at this position can be devastating for teams. Several starting quarterbacks have already missed time this season due to injury, including Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and Trey Lance of the San Francisco 49ers. Prescott is expected to miss several weeks with a thumb injury, while Lance is out for the season with a broken ankle. These injuries could have a major impact on the Cowboys' and 49ers' playoff hopes. * Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys - Thumb injury expected to keep him out several weeks * Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers - Season-ending ankle injury

Running Backs

Running backs are also key players in the NFL, and injuries at this position can also be very impactful. Several starting running backs have already missed time this season due to injury, including Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers and Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints. McCaffrey is expected to miss several weeks with a foot injury, while Kamara is out for the season with a knee injury. These injuries could have a major impact on the Panthers' and Saints' playoff hopes. * Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers - Foot injury expected to keep him out several weeks * Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints - Season-ending knee injury

Wide Receivers

Wide receivers are another important position in the NFL, and injuries at this position can also be very impactful. Several starting wide receivers have already missed time this season due to injury, including Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers and Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints. Allen is expected to miss several weeks with a hamstring injury, while Thomas is out for the season with a foot injury. These injuries could have a major impact on the Chargers' and Saints' playoff hopes. * Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers - Hamstring injury expected to keep him out several weeks * Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints - Season-ending foot injury

Defensive Players

Injuries to defensive players can also have a major impact on a team's success. Several key defensive players have already missed time this season due to injury, including T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers. Watt is expected to miss several weeks with a pectoral injury, while Bosa is out for the season with a torn ACL. These injuries could have a major impact on the Steelers' and 49ers' playoff hopes. * T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers - Pectoral injury expected to keep him out several weeks * Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers - Season-ending ACL injury