Tag: ACL

Nov 13, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz at press conference at Ciudad Deportiva del Real Madrid. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Report: TE Zach Ertz (ACL) eyes 14th NFL season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent tight end Zach Ertz intends to play in 2026 and is expected to be cleared from his rehab following a torn ACL around the season opener, NFL Network reported on Tuesday.

Ertz, 35, is two months into his rehab after injuring his right knee during the Washington Commanders’ 31-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 7.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ertz posted 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games (all starts) last season while playing on a one-year contract with the Commanders.

Ertz won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2017 season.

His 825 career receptions are fifth all-time among tight ends, while his 8,592 yards rank eighth at the position.

Ertz has 57 touchdowns in 181 regular-season games (143 starts) with the Eagles (2013-21), Arizona Cardinals (2021-23) and Commanders.

–Field Level Media

Report: QB Gardner Minshew healthy after knee injury

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Quarterback Gardner Minshew has returned to health after working his way back from a bone bruise late in the regular season, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

Minshew, who is headed to free agency, originally was thought to have sustained a torn ACL in the Kansas City Chiefs’ 26-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 21. He injured the left knee on a scramble during the Chiefs’ first possession and limped off the field but returned to play the team’s next three possessions.

Signed to a one-year deal to effectively back up star Patrick Mahomes, Minshew completed six of 13 passes for 37 yards and an interception in four games (one start) this season.

Minshew, 29, has completed 63.1% of his passes for 11,987 yards with 68 touchdowns and 35 interceptions in 63 career regular-season games (47 starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-20), Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22), Indianapolis Colts (2023), Las Vegas Raiders (2024) and Chiefs. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2023.

The Jaguars selected Minshew in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes wants to be ready Week 1 of ‘26

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes revealed to reporters Thursday that doctors have told him it’s possible he will be ready for Week 1 of next season after tearing two ligaments in his left knee.

“I want to be ready for Week 1,” Mahomes said in his first comments since the injury. “The doctors said I could, but I can’t predict what happens throughout the process. That’s the goal, to play Week 1 and have no restrictions. You want to be out there healthy and give us the best chance to win. I hope to do some things in OTAs and training camp and be able to do things there.”

Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL late in a Dec. 14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, which all but eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention. Kansas City went on to finish 6-11, ending the season on a six-game losing streak, including three without Mahomes.

But Mahomes has reason to be optimistic about his injury recovery, given that the knee damage could have been worse.

“What I got from my doctor is obviously I had the ACL and the LCL, but everything else was clean,” Mahomes said. “As bad as it was, it was as clean as it could be. There’s a lot of little things that could happen around that knee that I didn’t know. So now it’s just about rehabbing and getting the ACL and the LCL right.”

Mahomes underwent surgery in Dallas the day after his injury and began rehab four days later.

The three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time league MVP has stayed in Kansas City to do most of his rehab with the team’s physical therapist.

“Knowing me, I’m going to push it to the exact limit every single day,” Mahomes said. “There’s places you can’t go yet. You want to but you can’t go yet. And they’re doing it for a reason. It starts with Dr. (Dan) Cooper and his team, and (physical therapist) Julie (Frymyer) and the training room.”

The 2026 season is expected to begin on Thursday, Sept. 10, with most teams playing Sunday, Sept. 13, giving Mahomes about nine months between the injury and the date he’d like to be back.

Mahomes, 30, finished the 2025 season with 3,587 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions along with a career-high 422 rushing yards and five scores in 14 games. The ligament tear is the first major injury of his NFL career.

–Field Level Media

Report: MRI shows ACL tear for Packers DE Micah Parsons

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An MRI on Monday confirmed Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons has a torn ACL in his left knee that will end his season, ESPN reported.

In Sunday’s 34-26 road loss to the Denver Broncos, Parsons collapsed in a heap and clutched his knee after attempting to take down Broncos quarterback Bo Nix in the final minute of the third quarter. The two-time All-Pro walked to the locker room with the help of medical personnel. The Packers quickly announced he was questionable to return before downgrading him to out during the fourth quarter.

Parsons, 26, acknowledged a serious injury in a post to social media Monday.

“I may be sidelined, but I am not defeated. This injury is my greatest test — a moment God allowed to strengthen my testimony. I believe He walks with me through this storm and chose me for this fight because He knew my heart could carry it,” Parsons posted to X on Monday.

“I’m deeply grateful to the Packers organization and my teammates for their unwavering support, love, and belief in me during this season. I trust His timing, His plan, and His purpose. I will rise again.”

Packers coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged the severity of the injury following the loss, saying, “It doesn’t look good. I’ll leave it at that.”

The loss to the Broncos dealt a blow to the Packers’ playoff hopes, dropping Green Bay down to the No. 7 (and final) playoff seed. A continued absence for Parsons will only add to Green Bay’s challenges.

Picked 12th overall by the Cowboys in the 2021 NFL Draft, Parsons came into Sunday with 12.5 sacks in his first season with Green Bay. He was traded from the Cowboys to the Packers in August following a contract dispute.

Immediately after the trade, Parsons signed a four-year, $186 million contract with the Packers that included $120 million fully guaranteed and $136 million in total guarantees.

–Field Level Media

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes visiting Dallas for second opinion on ACL

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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is heading to Dallas for a second opinion on his left knee injury after initial testing revealed a torn ACL.

Head coach Andy Reid said Mahomes would visit Dr. Dan Cooper in Dallas and then attack his plan for surgery and recovery.

In general, players who suffer major injuries that require surgery seek a second opinion. Reid said the additional medical input is not a sign the Chiefs fear additional ligament damage.

“Most guys get a second opinion. That’s just part of it,” Reid said.

Mahomes was injured running away from pressure Sunday when he was hit on his left leg from behind by pursuing Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand.

“I’ve had a good visit with him a couple of different times. He’s in a good place,” Reid said Monday of Mahomes. “He feels like he let people down, but he’s ready for the challenge ahead, which is what’s real right now. He’s just got to get through surgery, wherever it might be, and move on from there.”

Typical recovery from ACL reconstruction would likely put the Chiefs in position to need another quarterback next year, at the very least as insurance Mahomes will not be available for the start of the regular season.

Gardner Minshew entered Sunday’s game when Mahomes was injured and was driving the Chiefs for a potential game-tying field goal when his pass intended for tight end Travis Kelce was intercepted.

Reid said Monday he has a “ton of confidence” Minshew can do the job. Backup Chris Oladokun, 28, has been on the practice squad since 2022.

–Field Level Media

Injured Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) is carted off the field during the third quarter of their game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, November 2, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Reports: MRI shows torn ACL for Packers TE Tucker Kraft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

An MRI conducted Monday showed Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft has a torn right ACL and will miss the rest of the season, multiple outlets reported.

The news came on Kraft’s 25th birthday.

The injury occurred in Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers when Kraft’s right leg was hit by another player as he blocked on a running play in the third quarter. He was helped off the field and soon carted to the locker room.

Kraft leads the Packers (5-2-1) in both receiving yards (489) and receiving touchdowns (six) and is second in receptions with 32.

Green Bay selected Kraft in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of South Dakota State. He has been a valuable asset for quarterback Jordan Love over 42 games (33 starts). He has 113 receptions for 1,551 yards, good for an average of 13.7 yards per catch, and 15 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Jul 15, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers offensive lineman Connor Lew answers questions from the media during SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

Reports: Auburn C Connor Lew (ACL) out for season

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Auburn starting center Connor Lew will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury, according to multiple reports Monday.

Lew, who has started 24 games for the Tigers (3-4, 0-4 SEC), is widely considered one of the top projected draft-eligible centers in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The junior suffered a torn ACL when he got rolled up on by a teammate in Auburn’s 23-17 loss to Missouri (6-1, 2-1) in double overtime Saturday.

Lew was replaced by true freshman Kail Ellis, who played in his third game of the season and will likely be Auburn’s starting center for the remainder of the season.

“We got banged up tonight, for sure. And obviously, when you lose a guy like Connor (who) battles for you against a really talented defense, it’s a challenge,” Auburn coach Hugh Freeze told reporters after the game.

“I really don’t know how Kail performed. Obviously, I think he’s going to be a really good football player. But, you know, you know, that was a huge loss to lose the leader of your O-line. He makes all protection calls and all the calls up there, run game, pass game. So that was a tough loss, for sure.”

Auburn plays at Arkansas (2-5, 0-3) on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) is tended to by medical staff after injuring his leg against the New York Jets during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images

Report: Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill tore ACL, other ligaments

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill remained in the hospital overnight and will undergo left knee surgery to address a dislocation, torn ACL and other ligament damage suffered in Monday’s 27-21 victory over the New York Jets, ESPN reported early Tuesday morning.

Hill’s injuries are expected to be season-ending.

Hill was injured when he caught a 10-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa near the New York sideline with 13:21 left in the third quarter. His leg twisted awkwardly as he was going out of bounds, and Hill immediately grabbed for the knee.

While being carted off with an air cast on his leg, Hill forcefully clapped his hands several times, smiled and laughed in response to the crowd.

“He was probably in the best spirits of any player that I’ve ever — it’s just such a terrible experience when you go out and see guys when they have issues like that,” Miami head coach Mike McDaniel said. “But he immediately had wide eyes and was talking, ‘I’m good. Just make sure the guys get this win.’ He was focused on the team.

“That’s what I know about it. Outside of that, I’m sure I’ll be given more information (on Tuesday).”

Hil, 31, had six receptions for 67 yards before exiting. Including the Monday output, he has 21 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown in four games this season.

The eight-time Pro Bowler is in his fourth season with the Dolphins after playing his first six campaigns with the Chiefs. Hill helped Kansas City win the Super Bowl after the 2019 season. He is a five-time first-team All-Pro who was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-2010s Team as a punt returner.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) is carted off the field following an injury during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Report: Giants WR Malik Nabers out for season with torn ACL

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New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is out for the season with a torn right ACL, ESPN reported Monday.

Nabers was carted off the field in the second quarter of the Giants’ 21-18 victory Sunday against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers.

Nabers was injured as he jumped for a downfield pass from rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart with 6:12 remaining in the first half. As the pass fell incomplete, Nabers immediately grabbed for his right knee as he went to the ground.

“Injuries happen. Certainly not happy about it, whether it’s Malik or anybody else,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll said after the game. “Unfortunately, this is a business of injury. I feel terrible for Malik’s injury, we’ll see where it’s at. He’s an important piece of our team, but the guys that play behind him. … Everybody gets paid to do a job. It’s next man up”

ESPN reported Monday that an MRI at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City confirmed the injury to be a torn ACL.

Nabers had been limited in practice earlier in the week because of a shoulder injury.

Nabers, 22, entered Week 4 leading New York in receptions (16), receiving yards (251) and receiving touchdowns (two). Before departing Sunday, he had two receptions on three targets for 20 yards.

Wan’Dale Robinson, who now shares the team lead with 18 catches in 2025, and tight end Theo Johnson were both targeted five times in the win over the Chargers. Robinson suffered the same injury — a right ACL tear — in Nov. 2022, also on the MetLife Stadium turf and was ready for training camp in August 2023.

Last season, Nabers set an NFL rookie record for receivers with 109 catches, also establishing a new franchise mark for the Giants.

Nabers totaled 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games (13 starts) last season en route to being named to the Pro Bowl.

The Giants selected Nabers with the sixth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of LSU.

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) runs after the catch during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Pats say WR Stefon Diggs (ACL) is ‘ahead of schedule’

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New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is “ahead of schedule” in his return from a torn ACL, executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said Monday.

Diggs began training camp last month with no restrictions after receiving medical clearance, but he has yet to appear in a preseason game.

“Stefon has done everything we’ve asked,” Wolf said. “He’s been attentive in meetings. He’s been good on the field. He had two really good practices in Minnesota. He’s ahead of schedule, injury-wise.”

Diggs has been cleared for contact, but Wolf did not say whether the four-time Pro Bowl selection will be active for Thursday’s preseason finale against the host New York Giants.

Diggs told reporters last week “we’ll see” when asked about his availability for the Sept. 7 season opener against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders.

Diggs signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract with the Patriots in March.

Playing for the Houston Texans last season, he caught 47 passes in eight games before sustaining the season-ending knee injury on Oct. 27 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Diggs, 31, has 857 career catches for 10,491 yards and 70 touchdowns in 144 regular-season games (136 starts) with the Minnesota Vikings (2015-19), Buffalo Bills (2020-23) and Texans. He also owns 69 receptions for 909 yards and four touchdowns in 14 postseason games.

–Field Level Media