Media by Associated Press – Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, left, runs against Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig (25) during an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
With Week 1 of the NFL season in the books, teams are regrouping and getting ready for the second game. Of course, the first game always leads to overreaction after weeks and months of speculation and predictions leading up to the opener.
The big thing this week is for teams to make adjustments. And to take inventory on injuries as players get second, or in some cases, third opinions. The news after Week 1 is plentiful around the league.
Dak Has Surgery
The most high-profile injury in Week 1 came Sunday night when Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott left the game against Tampa Bay with a hand injury. He had surgery on Monday, and it was originally expected that he would land on IR and return in November.
But now, owner Jerry Jones said on his radio show in Dallas that the team won’t put Prescott on IR, and they are hopeful he will only miss three games at most. The surgery was a clean one, and the Cowboys are hopeful that Prescott can return to practice in the upcoming weeks and play as soon as Week 5 or Week 6.
Dallas turned to backup Cooper Rush to finish the game against Tampa Bay. Rush got a win last year against Minnesota and will likely start against Cincinnati at home on Sunday. Will Grier will be elevated from the practice squad after getting solid minutes in the preseason.
The Cowboys are +6 against Cincinnati on Sunday, with the Bengals at -345 on the moneyline. Cincinnati lost in overtime to Pittsburgh in the opener, while the Cowboys scored just three points against Tampa Bay.
Watt Not on IR…Yet
After initially fearing a season-ending injury, Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt will seek a second and maybe third opinion on his pectoral injury. Watt, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, left the Steelers win late in regulation after being hurt on a play in which he was also penalized.
Coach Mike Tomlin told the media on Tuesday that Watt is out for this week, but beyond that, they don’t know yet. He did say the team was encouraged more than they were in Sunday’s post-game, and they will take their time with a decision. Watt then tweeted an “I’ll be back” meme from the Terminator.
The Steelers host New England on Sunday afternoon with the Patriots as slight favorites. New England is -120 on the moneyline, with the Steelers at +100, and the spread is -1 Patriots.
Allen Out on Thursday
The Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs face off in a 1-0 battle on Thursday night. The Chargers will head to Kansas City without wideout Keenan Allen who left Sunday’s opener with a hamstring injury. The team is hoping it isn’t a long-term injury after Allen had four catches for 66 yards against the Raiders.
Because of the Thursday night game, the Chargers have ten days off before facing Jacksonville in Week 3. They are optimistic that Allen can return for that contest.
Justin Herbert threw to eight different receivers in the 24-19 win on Sunday. Deandre Carter had three catches for 64 yards and a touchdown, while Mike Williams had two catches for 10 yards, and Josh Palmer had three catches for five yards. No player had more than four targets, and Herbert completed six passes to tight ends and eight to running backs.
The Chiefs have an injured defensive back as well as rookie Trent McDuffie is expected to miss Thursday’s game. The first-round pick left Sunday’s win in Arizona with a hamstring injury.
The Chiefs are -4.5 for Thursday’s game, while the Chargers are +175 on the moneyline.
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