NFL News: Panthers, Colts, Ravens plagued with injuries

As Week 3 of the NFL unfolds, several teams find themselves navigating the challenges of missing their star players due to injuries. Affected teams are the Carolina Panthers, Indiana Colts and Baltimore Ravens.

Panthers’ QB, this year’s No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young, and Ravens’ WR Odell Beckham Jr. are currently sidelined due to ankle injuries. On the other hand, the Colts will go into their next game without No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson, who is suffering a concussion.

The three teams are to face their respective opponents this weekend without their starters and have chosen the appropriate backup to fill in the spots. The Panthers will have veteran Andy Dalton step in for Bryce, while the Colts chose Gardner Minshew as Richardson’s backup. Furthermore, Beckham Jr.’s absence has made way for Rashod Bateman to get a more prominent role in the team.

Young, Richardson and Beckham Jr. off the field

According to ESPN Panthers reporter David Newton, Young is expected to miss one to two weeks due to his injury. The setback stems from a sprain incurred during the first half of Monday night’s 20-17 defeat against the New Orleans Saints.

Stepping in for him is the seasoned veteran Dalton, who joined the team on a two-year contract during the offseason. The team asked Dalton not only to guide and mentor Young but also to be available when the rookie QB is unavailable.

Dalton is expected to excel in the upcoming match against the Seattle Seahawks defense, which allowed opposing quarterbacks to maintain an average passer rating of over 100 in the first two games.

Although the Colts have been impressed with Richardson, they turn to Minshew, who has 24 career starts. This change will force an adjustment in the Colts’ offensive approach.

The team will need to shift from Richardson’s dual-threat style to Minshew’s dropback and quick-throw style. Meanwhile, Kelly’s absence means that backup Wesley French is set to make his inaugural career start. The Colts, set to face the Ravens this Sunday, will also be without center Ryan Kelly due to concussions.

More injury news

Aside from the star players above, Green Bay Packers WR Christian Watson has also been dealing with a hamstring injury. The Packers adopted a unique approach by having him practice on Wednesday, giving him a scheduled day off on Thursday to avoid setbacks and then resuming practice on Friday.

Although he is listed as questionable, there is a greater likelihood that he will make his season debut this week after missing the first two games. If Watson is available, the Packers may only be without one of their top two playmakers, with Aaron Jones likely to miss his second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury.

Detroit Lions RB David Montgomery is nursing a thigh injury and has missed an entire week of practice. Montgomery had made an impressive start to his Lions career, leading the team with 37 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns over two games.

Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs is expected to shoulder a heavier workload in Montgomery’s absence, as Lions coach Dan Campbell expressed confidence in the team’s running backs.

As for the San Francisco 49ers, they recently impressed with their offensive prowess on Thursday night. The team managed to clinch a decisive 30-12 victory against the New York Giants, even in the absence of WR Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk had a strong start to the season with 11 receptions, 172 yards and two touchdowns in two games. However, he had to sit out due to a shoulder injury sustained against the Los Angeles Rams last week.