The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off the 2020 NFL season with a 34-20 victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday night in a game that wasn't without its share of bumps and bruises.
Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders took an early trip to the sidelines after suffering an elbow injury in the first quarter. He was later ruled out for the remainder of the game. K.C. later lost another defensive lineman for the night when Alex Okafor suffered a hamstring injury. Cornerback Charvarius Ward injured his hand in the second half and was also ruled out.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach told reporters after the game that Saunders suffered a dislocated elbow, while Ward has a fractured hand that will be re-checked Friday. Okafor's injury was described as a "slight hamstring" issue, per Reid.
Texans RB Duke Johnson sustained a leg injury in the third quarter and was deemed questionable to return. He was eventually ruled out.
Here's other news, injuries and transactions we're tracking on Thursday:
- David Montgomery has a shot to play when the Chicago Bears take on the Detroit Lions to open the season Sunday.
The running back told reporters he was a step closer to feeling healthy after dealing with a groin injury and was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
“I didn’t do much in practice yesterday,” he said, according to NFL Network’s Stacy Dales. “Wanna be safe.”
He said when the injury happened on August 26, he thought he tore something but luckily there wasn’t a tear, Dales added.
Coach Matt Nagy told reporters linebacker Robert Quinn's ankle injury was "unrelated" to his previous absences during training camp. Quinn did not practice for the second straight day and linebacker Khalil Mack (knee) remained limited.
- Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (back) was added to injury report and did not practice.
- Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said center JC Tretter looked good at practice Wednesday. He added that they’ll trust the medical staff on the decision whether he plays Sunday.
- Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said he expects wideout Amari Cooper (hamstring), cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (knee) and safety Xavier Woods (groin) to play at “full capacity” Sunday vs. the Rams. Cornerback Jourdan Lewis (ankle) did not participate at practice. Linebacker Luke Gifford (hamstring) was limited.
- The Los Angeles Rams listed offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth as a full participant in practice. He had a day off yesterday.
- Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia said wideout Kenny Golladay's hamstring injury is something that showed up on Wednesday. He said they are being careful with it and guys were sore after a couple days off. He along with tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot), safety C.J. Moore (hamstring), and tight end Hunter Bryant (hamstring) did not practice. Wideout Danny Amendola (hamstring), defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (groin), cornerback Jeff Okudah (hamstring) and running D’Andre Swift (hip) were limited.
- Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores said cornerback Byron Jones (Achilles) is day to day. Jones was limited in practice again, as were Xavien Howard (knee), DeVante Parker (hamstring), Kyle Van Noy (hand), Preston Williams (knee), Clayton Fejedelum (pec) and Mike Gesicki (glute).
- The New York Jets announced they signed linebacker Alec Ogletree and wideout Jaleel Scott to the practice squad. Additionally, they placed wide receiver Donte Moncrief on practice squad IR. Safety Marcus Maye (calf/ankle) did not practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Starting linebacker Avery Williamson also did not practice.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed running back Dare Ogunbowale to the active roster, the team announced. To make room on the roster, they placed RB Devine Ozigbo (hamstring) on the team’s reserve/injured list.
- The Washington Football Team announced that they signed kicker Brett Maher to the practice squad.
- Pittsburgh Steelers guard David DeCastro (knee) and wideout Diontae Johnson (foot) did not participate at practice.
- New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (illness) did not participate at practice. defensive back Adrian Colbert (illness), linebacker Tae Crowder (hamstring), wideout Golden Tate (hamstring) and tight end Levine Toilolo (hamstring) were limited. The club also waived defensive back Montre Hartage.
- Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Jalen Reagor, who's been limited by a shoulder injury, was a full participant Thursday.
- The New England Patriots added Stephon Gilmore (hamstring) and Dalton Keene (neck) to the injury report Thursday. Both players were limited, as was Julian Edelman (knee). Also, offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste was added to the reserve/injured list.
- Mike Evans did not participate in practice Thursday for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's his third straight practice missed, as he deals with a hamstring injury. Tampa Bay also added running back Kenjon Barner to the practice squad.
- San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who's been sidelined for weeks with a hamstring injury, returned in a limited capacity. Center Ben Garland (ankle) was also limited. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (foot) remained out.
- Washington Football Team linebacker Thomas Davis did not practice on Thursday after limited work the day prior due to a calf injury. Offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles (calf) and cornerback Kendall Fuller (knee) were each limited for the second straight day. Washington also signed kicker Brett Maher to the practice squad.
- Arizona Cardinals tight end Maxx Williams (ankle) was limited for the second day in a row. Wide receiver KeeSean Johnson was added to the injury report and did not practice for a "non-injury related" matter.
- The Green Bay Packers have released defensive tackle Treyvon Hester.
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