It was a brutal day in the NFL as several of the league’s key players were injured in Week 6.
The San Francisco 49ers lost two of their top playmakers in Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and Christian McCaffrey (oblique/rib) in their surprising 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Samuel was forced out of the game midway through the first quarter while McCaffrey was injured early in the second half. The team initially announced the star running back hurt his oblique, but Kyle Shanahan clarified after the game he’s dealing with a rib injury as well. The head coach said the team did not have an immediate update on the severity of either player’s injury.
Samuel and McCaffrey weren’t the only star 49ers to go down. Standout tackle Trent Williams injured his ankle in the first quarter but was able to return. However, he was seen in a walking boot after the game.
Meanwhile, five starting quarterbacks went down in Jimmy Garoppolo (back), Ryan Tannehill (ankle), Justin Fields (hand), Trevor Lawrence (knee) and Baker Mayfield (hand).
Garoppolo was taken to the hospital with a back injury after playing the entire first half. He was replaced by veteran Brian Hoyer in the Raiders’ 21-17 win.
Tannehill was carted to the locker room in the fourth quarter of the Titans’ 24-16 loss to the Ravens. Head coach Mike Vrabel said the team was “uncertain” in terms of the severity and that he would get an MRI on his ankle when the team returns from London. Tannehill was using crutches after the game.
Fields dislocated his thumb trying to avoid a sack by Danielle Hunter on the first drive of the second half. Head coach Matt Eberflus announced after the game that X-rays were negative, but that he’ll undergo an MRI on Monday. Fields was replaced by undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent, who was 10-for-14 for 83 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Lawrence injured his knee late in Jacksonville’s 37-20 win over the Colts. The team announced he was questionable to return and opted to send C.J. Beathard onto the field for the final kneel downs. Lawrence said he felt “pretty good” after the game but is set to undergo several tests. The Jaguars have a quick turnaround as they face the Saints on Thursday Night Football.
Mayfield played the entirety of the Buccaneers' 20-6 loss to the Lions, and after the game head coach Todd Bowles announced the quarterback suffered a left hand contusion. X-rays were negative, and Mayfield said he was in pain but overall it felt "fine."
Meanwhile, David Montgomery suffered a rib injury in the second quarter of the Lions’ victory. FOX Sports announced during the game, though, that X-Rays were negative. Montgomery entered Week 6 ranked third in rushing touchdowns (seven) and fourth in carries (88). He previously missed Detroit’s Week 3 win over the Falcons with a thigh injury.
