NFL 2026 season injury list: Who are the 10 biggest names that could be absent when the season kicks off

NFL 2026 injury report (Paramount Plus)

The 2026 NFL season is days away, and already several franchise players are in a race against the clock. From Patrick Mahomes’ knee to Micah Parsons sitting out on the PUP list, the injury report heading into Week 1 is longer and more alarming than most fans would like. Some of these names could still suit up. Others might not. Here is where things stand with the 10 biggest players whose availability remains in question.

NFL 2026 injury report (As of August 19th)

Preseason camps are never clean. Players get dinged up, timelines shift, and “questionable” can mean almost anything depending on which team doctor is talking. What makes this year’s list particularly striking is the concentration of star power. We are not talking about depth players or fringe roster guys. Several of these are Pro Bowl-level contributors whose absence would materially change how their teams operate in Week 1 and beyond. Here is the full breakdown.

1. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)Mahomes is dealing with a knee ACL concern, and his status is officially listed as questionable for Week 1 against Denver. This is the biggest name on any injury report in the league, period. The three-time Super Bowl champion’s knee was flagged during camp, and while the Chiefs have been cautious with details, the fact that it involves an ACL is enough to put the football world on high alert. If Mahomes cannot go, Kansas City will turn to a backup situation against a Broncos team that will absolutely try to exploit it. As of mid-August, there is no confirmed timeline beyond “monitoring week to week.”2. Micah Parsons (Green Bay Packers)Parsons was traded to Green Bay this offseason, but his debut in a Packers uniform is already on shaky ground. He is on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a knee ACL injury, and as of now, there is no confirmed return date listed. He was not given an “Expected Return – Week 1” tag the way some others were, which means Green Bay’s fans should temper expectations. His absence would be significant for a defense that brought him in specifically to change its identity up front.3. Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons)Atlanta’s second-year quarterback is questionable for Week 1 at Pittsburgh with a knee ACL issue. Penix took the starting job heading into 2026, but this injury, first flagged in late July, has hovered over the Falcons’ entire preseason. The Steelers’ defense is not the kind of opponent you want to face with a backup signal-caller. Atlanta has not confirmed whether Penix will start or sit.4. Malik Nabers (NY Giants)The receiver who turned heads as a rookie last season is now questionable for Week 1 against Dallas after being flagged with a knee ACL injury as recently as August 18. Nabers coming into 2026 was supposed to be a continuation of his breakout. Now, New York is holding its breath. A Nabers-less Giants offense against Dallas in the opener is a very different proposition.5. Tank Dell (Houston Texans)Dell’s injury designation reads knee ACL plus MCL, which is among the more serious combinations on this list. He is listed as questionable for Week 1 versus Buffalo, but ACL/MCL injuries rarely have clean recoveries on short timelines. The Texans’ passing attack was built around Dell and his ability to create separation underneath. Losing him, even for a few weeks, disrupts Houston’s offensive rhythm significantly.6. Myles Garrett (LA Rams)Garrett arrived in Los Angeles as the marquee offseason addition on defense. He is questionable for Week 1 against San Francisco with a knee issue. The Rams versus 49ers opener already carries enormous weight in the NFC West, and a healthy Garrett was supposed to be LA’s answer to San Francisco’s offensive line. His availability is genuinely uncertain entering the final week before kickoff.7. Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers)Jacobs is battling a groin injury and is listed as questionable for Week 1 at Minnesota. A Packers running game without Jacobs against the Vikings, especially in what promises to be a physical divisional opener, is a real problem for Green Bay’s offensive game plan. The Packers are already watching Parsons’ timeline. Losing Jacobs too would stretch their depth thin fast.8. Tucker Kraft (Green Bay Packers)Green Bay’s injury situation runs deeper than most realize. Kraft, their starting tight end, is also questionable for Week 1 with a knee ACL injury. Three notable starters on the injury report before the season has even begun is a difficult spot for any team, and the Packers have found themselves there.9. Puka Nacua (LA Rams)Nacua had one of the more stunning debut seasons in recent memory two years ago, and he has been building on it since. A groin injury has him listed as questionable for Week 1 against San Francisco. The Rams need Nacua healthy and on the field. Without him stretching the defense, the entire passing scheme becomes easier to defend.10. Isiah Pacheco (Detroit Lions)Pacheco signed with Detroit in the offseason and was expected to be a key piece of their backfield. A knee MCL issue has him questionable for Week 1 against New Orleans. The Lions have depth, but Pacheco was meant to be the featured back. MCL recoveries vary significantly, and the Lions will not want to rush him given the severity some MCL injuries carry.