The Los Angeles Chargers' aberrant injury luck shows no signs of abating.
Having already lost tight end Hunter Henry and cornerback Jason Verrett to major injuries, the Bolts learned Sunday that safety Jaylen Watkins' initial test results revealed a torn ACL, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, via a source informed of the situation.
The team placed Watkins on the reserve/injured list.
A backup and special teamer in Philadelphia over the past four years, Watkins started Saturday's 24-14 victory over the Seahawks on the heels of a strong training camp. He wasn't guaranteed to enter the season atop the depth chart, though, with No. 17 overall draft pick Derwin James coming like a freight train.
Decimated by season-ending injuries to nucleus players over the past half-decade, the Chargers have been exceptionally snakebitten. After entering the offseason with one of the deepest rosters in the league, they've now lost three core contributors.
Here are the other injuries we're tracking Sunday around the NFL:
- The Green Bay Packers activated starting outside linebacker Nick Perry from the physically unable to perform list. The team's most effective pass rusher over the past few years, Perry is ready to begin practicing following offseason ankle surgery. If Mike Pettine is going to turn Green Bay's defense around this season, he's going to need strong performances from the veteran bookend duo of Perry and Clay Matthews.
- Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDormett told reporters quarterbackAJ McCarron will undergo further tests on his fractured collarbone. Veteran defensive tackleKyle Williams is week-to-week with a knee injury that likely won't require surgery.
- Cleveland Browns cornerback E.J. Gaines was carted off with a right knee injury during practice Sunday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. He went down grabbing his knee and in noticeable pain.
In other Browns injury news, running back Carlos Hyde (shoulder) and rookie receiver Antonio Callaway (groin) did not finish Sunday's practice.
- An MRI for Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (knee) revealed no ligament damage. The All-Pro did suffer a hyperextension and bone bruise but the team is optimistic he'll return in time for Week 1.
- Chicago Bears tight end Adam Shaheen suffered a low ankle sprain, Rapoport reported per sources informed of the initial tests. Shaheen is scheduled to undergo further testing but as of now isn't being ruled out to play Week 1.
- Carolina Panthers left tackle Matt Kalil missed practice on Sunday with an undisclosed ailment, the team announced. "[We're] just trying to take care of him and get him a little bit of rest," coach Ron Rivera told reporters, per the team's website.
- San Francisco 49ers backup offensive lineman Erik Magnuson will miss around six to eight weeks with a hamstring strain suffered on Saturday, coach Kyle Shanahan said on a conference call. Backup running back Joe Williams will also miss several weeks and will likely miss Week 1 with a rib fracture. Shanhan did not rule out placing either player on injured reserve.
Shanahan added that cornerback Richard Sherman (hamstring) is expected back to practice this week, while DE Solomon Thomas and OL Garry Gilliam remain in concussion protocol and will be evaluated again Tuesday.
