Russell Wilson claims undisclosed hamstring tear before Week 2

Quarterback Russell Wilson said he suffered a torn hamstring ahead of New York’s Week 2 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, an injury he claims he “couldn’t tell anybody” about.

When asked Monday by reporters about his future plans, the 37-year-old Wilson referenced his health as a factor in his decision to keep playing and revealed an injury that did not appear on official Giants’ injury reports.

“You know, I played that (Week 2) game, you know, I tore my hamstring on Friday in practice — the last play of practice. And I had a grade two (tear). I couldn’t tell anybody. I had to go and play on it just because I knew the circumstance, I had to play on it, no matter what,” Wilson told reporters as he cleaned up his locker after a one-year stint with the Giants.

“I actually ended up going to the Dallas Mavericks’ facility, training. And, you know, kept it quiet, just trying to get treatment on it and just knowing that I probably couldn’t run from the goal line to the 10-yard line if I wanted to, but I feel like, you know, I got to play this game.”

Wilson rushed for 23 yards on three carries, with a long of 15 yards, in the 40-37 overtime loss to Dallas in Week 2. He was 30-of-41 passing for 450 yards and three touchdowns.

Wilson’s only appearance on an injury report in the 2025 season was in Week 5 when he was listed as having an ankle issue, though he was listed as a full participant in practice.

It is unclear who, if anyone, in the Giants’ organization was made aware of Wilson’s hamstring injury, and if anyone in the organization was aware, whether they inappropriately kept that information from other sources such as the opposing teams, the league and the general public.

An investigation by the NFL into who knew what about Wilson’s injury is likely forthcoming, in part because of the increasing concerns about inside information related to gambling scandals in other leagues.

After an 0-3 start, the Giants benched Wilson in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart. Wilson ultimately saw brief action in three more games, finishing the season with 831 yards on 58.0% passing. He had three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Wilson insisted Monday he intends to continue his playing career.

“I’m not blinking,” he told reporters. “I know what I’m capable of. I think I showed that in Dallas, and I want to be able to do that again. You know, and just be ready to rock and roll, and be as healthy as possible and be ready to play ball.”

Wilson won a Super Bowl, made nine Pro Bowls and won 104 games with the Seattle Seahawks from 2012-21 before two seasons with the Denver Broncos and one with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he made a 10th Pro Bowl in 2024.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Report: 49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) headed to IR

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle will be placed on injured reserve and miss at least the next four games, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection sustained a hamstring injury in the first half of Sunday’s season-opening 17-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Kittle caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to open the scoring and had four receptions on four targets for 25 yards before exiting.

Wide receiver Jauan Jennings also left the game with a shoulder injury but multiple reports Tuesday said the issue wasn’t serious. Jennings is considered questionable for the Week 2 game at New Orleans.

In addition to this Sunday’s clash with the Saints, Kittle must sit out Week 3 and Week 4 home games against the Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively, and a Week 5 Thursday night road game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Jake Tonges, San Francisco’s third-string tight end, filled in for Kittle and caught Brock Purdy’s deflected pass for a 4-yard touchdown with 1:34 left in Sunday’s win. Tonges finished with three catches for 15 yards.

Kittle, 31, caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight TDs last season, his eighth campaign with San Francisco since being a fifth-round draft pick in 2017. He has four career 1,000-yard seasons.

Kittle became the highest-paid tight end in NFL history in the offseason when he signed a four-year, $76.4 million extension ($19.1 million average) through 2029.

–Field Level Media

Jul 29, 2025; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) looks on during the teams training camp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring) to be re-evaluated next week

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson will sit out this weekend’s preseason game against the New England Patriots and be re-evaluated next week, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Wednesday.

The four-time All-Pro has been sidelined since taking himself out of practice on July 24 with a strained left hamstring.

“Just an update on Justin, you’ve seen him starting to take part in walk-throughs. He’s definitely progressing and doing a great job there,” O’Connell told the media on Wednesday ahead of the team’s joint practice with the Patriots.

“We hope to reassess early next week and see if we can start building on that workload.”

Jefferson, 26, missed seven games in 2023 with a torn right hamstring.

The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson has recorded more receiving yards (7,432) than any other player through five NFL seasons. He already ranks fourth in franchise history in receiving yards and first in receiving yards per game (96.5), which also ranks first in NFL history.

–Field Level Media

May 28, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) catches a ball during OTAs at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles WR A.J. Brown (hamstring) misses practice

Philadelphia Eagles standout wide receiver A.J. Brown did not practice Sunday due to a hamstring injury.

He left practice early Friday because of the issue. There was no timetable provided for his return.

A three-time second-team All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowl selection, Brown is entering his seventh NFL season — fourth with the Eagles.

In 13 games (all starts) last season, Brown caught 67 passes for a team-leading 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns.

Brown, 28, has appeared in 90 games (82 starts) with the Tennessee Titans (2019-21) and Eagles. He has five 1,000-yard seasons and 446 receptions for 7,026 yards with 49 scores. He also has one rushing touchdown.

The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles open preseason play Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. They will host the NFC East-rival Dallas Cowboys in the NFL season opener on Thursday, Sept. 4.

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) on the bench against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott on injury rehab: ‘I’m where I want to be’

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said he is progressing in his recovery from his season-ending hamstring injury.

So much so, in fact, that Prescott said he would be able to suit up right now if needed.

“If I had to play a game today, I definitely could do that,” Prescott said on Friday at the 35th annual Children’s Cancer Fund gala. “It’s about moving forward healthy to make sure I can play 17 times, 20 (games) — whatever we get to when the time’s right.”

Signed to a four-year, $240 million contract extension in September that made him the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history in terms of annual average value, Prescott played just eight games before sustaining his season-ending injury.

With 11 touchdown passes and eight interceptions, Prescott was on pace for one of his worst statistical seasons.

Prescott, 31, said Friday that he plans to participate in organized team activities in some capacity.

“I’m getting close to where I want to be, I don’t want to put a percentage on it,” Prescott said. “I know we’ve got team activities coming up, imagine myself being involved in some sort if not all.

“Then again I just understand my age, what I’ve had, what I’ve went through, it’s about being my best in the fall. So I’m not rushing anything, but I’m where I want to be.”

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Prescott owns a 76-46 record in 122 career starts since being picked by Dallas in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has thrown for 31,437 yards with 213 touchdowns and 82 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA;  Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Roy Lopez (98) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Panthers QB Bryce Young full participant despite hamstring listing

The Carolina Panthers listed quarterback Bryce Young as having a hamstring injury on the practice report released Wednesday, although he reportedly was a full participant on the field the day before.

Young, the first pick in the 2023 draft, is averaging 206.3 yards per game and has thrown for 10 touchdowns over his last eight games. The Alabama product was benched after two poor starts to begin the season and did not play in three of the next five games.

Young started 16 of the Panthers’ 17 games as a rookie last season, completing 59.8 percent of his passes for 2,877 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also threw 10 interceptions.

Young has nine interceptions this season, but only six during his return to the starting role. He played the entire game on Sunday as the Panthers outlasted visiting Arizona 36-30 in overtime. Young went 17 of 26 passing for 158 yards and two touchdowns with no picks.

Running back Chuba Hubbard (rest) did not participate on Tuesday. The players had the day off on Christmas.

The Panthers (4-11) visit fellow NFC South foe Tampa Bay (8-7) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) breaks through the defense for a touchdown reception in the first quarter of the NFL Week 13 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024.

Steelers WR George Pickens ‘doubtful’ against Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is doubtful to play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.

Pickens injured his hamstring in practice last Thursday, three days before the Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns.

The Steelers decided to hold out Pickens against the Browns out of caution, and an MRI postgame showed the injury was more troubling than the team thought.

“So, we’re just in the mindset now of getting him healthy as quickly as we possibly can,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “There’s a potential for this week, but it’s an outside chance. If you press me, I’d probably say he’s out, or could be characterized as doubtful as we sit here. But, again, like we always do, we’ll go through normal procedure. We’ll let participation be our guide in terms of availability and then obviously the quality of that participation.”

Pickens, 23, has a team-leading 55 catches and 850 yards. He has caught three touchdown passes.

The Steelers (10-3) lead the AFC North. They can clinch a playoff spot on Sunday by beating or tying the Eagles, or a loss or tie by both the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson questionable for Sunday night at Broncos

Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson is questionable to play at Denver when Minnesota meets the Broncos on Sunday night.

Jefferson said Thursday after participating in individual drills in practice that the final call on his game status would be his to make. He remains in the 21-day window to return from injured reserve and last played Oct. 8. He said he wouldn’t play until he’s 100 percent healthy.

“Well, I’m the main person who’s gonna make the decision,” Jefferson told reporters. “At the end of the day, I’m the person that’s going out there running, putting my body on the line to win games.”

Kevin O’Connell sounded less than optimistic about Jefferson’s return this week.

“He was listed as limited, and that’s what I would classify him as,” O’Connell said Friday after practice.

Jefferson, 24, was injured in the Vikings’ Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has 36 catches for 571 yards and three TDs this season.

While he was sidelined, the Vikings lost quarterback Kirk Cousins to a season-ending Achilles injury but haven’t lost a game. They have put together five consecutive wins.

The Vikings (6-4) are 2-0 since Joshua Dobbs took over at quarterback after injuries to Cousins and rookie Jaren Hall, who was ruled out for Week 11 at Denver. They are 1 1/2 games behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North.

Starting running back Alexander Mattison (concussion) is also questionable for Sunday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) reacts after completing a catch in the fourth quarter during a Week 9 NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins out again with hamstring injury

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins won’t play against the rival Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, missing his second straight game with a hamstring injury.

Higgins, who has not practiced this week, came away with the injury at practice last Wednesday and missed Sunday’s 30-27 loss to the Houston Texans.

The Bengals (5-4) lost to the AFC North-leading Ravens (7-3) at home in Week 2 despite Higgins catching eight passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns — his only scores this season.

Defensive end Sam Hubbard (ankle) and wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (knee) were also ruled out. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati’s top pass rusher, will play Thursday after injuring his knee against the Texans.

Higgins, 24, has 27 catches for 328 yards in seven games this season. In four seasons with Cincinnati, he has 242 regular-season receptions for 3,356 yards and 21 TDs. He also has 31 receptions and three TDs in seven playoff games.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA;  Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Bucs WR Mike Evans to have MRI on hamstring

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans will have an MRI to determine the severity of a hamstring injury he sustained Sunday in a win over the New Orleans Saints, ESPN reported Tuesday.

It is believed to be a mild hamstring injury, per the report.

In four games this season, Evans has 20 catches for 337 yards and three touchdowns.

The Buccaneers have a Week 5 bye before returning to play on Oct. 15 against the Detroit Lions. Having the week off could bolster Evans’ chance of playing, especially if the injury is mild as believed.

Evans, 30, was the No. 7 overall draft pick in 2014. In his first nine seasons with the Bucs, he has nine straight 1,000-yard seasons — the most ever to start a career. Only Pro Football Hall of Fame member Jerry Rice has more with 11 (1986-96).

Evans is a four-time Pro Bowl selection.

–Field Level Media