NFL Week 1 Injuries: Tua to Start Over Penix for Atlanta — SkimNews
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- Tua Tagovailoa will start at quarterback for Atlanta over Michael Penix Jr., who was a full practice participant despite a knee injury; the article notes Tagovailoa's last start was a loss for Miami against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
- Malik Nabers was a full participant at Giants practice after tearing his ACL in Week 4 last season; coach John Harbaugh said he thinks Nabers is "ready to go" for Sunday night's game against Dallas.
- Breece Hall was a full participant for the Jets after sustaining a groin injury during the later portion of training camp, a key return for New York's backfield.
- Cedric Gray did not practice for the Titans after suffering a concussion and other minor injuries over Labor Day weekend while away from the team's facility; coach Robert Saleh said Gray is "obviously apologetic" but has a chance to clear concussion protocol.
- TreVeyon Henderson was ruled out for the Patriots' Wednesday night opener in Seattle, likely leading to a heavier workload for Rhamondre Stevenson.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers are again dealing with multiple injuries after being "one of the league's most injury-plagued teams in 2025," with coach Todd Bowles calling running back Sean Tucker a game-time decision.
- Rome Odunze is trending toward playing Sunday against Carolina after using Monday and Tuesday as rehab days for a calf injury, while Bears teammate Tyson Bagnet did not practice with a back injury.
Why it matters: The most consequential Week 1 decision isn't an injury at all — Atlanta is benching a healthy Michael Penix Jr. (full practice, knee) for Tua Tagovailoa, effectively resetting the Falcons' QB competition on opening day. Elsewhere, Malik Nabers' return from a Week 4 ACL tear could revive a Giants passing attack that lost him midseason last year.
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