NFL Week 1 Injury Report: Brock Bowers Doubtful for Raiders, Ja’Marr Chase Probable for Bengals

Biggest Injury Updates: Brock Bowers (Doubtful), Ja’Marr Chase (Probable)

NFL fans alike hold their collective breath as the injury reports for Week 1 roll out. Naturally, there’ll be good news, bad news, and worst-case-scenario news for all 32 teams. Some of the NFL’s biggest stars have shown up on injury reports heading into Week 1. The likes of Ja’Marr Chase, Zay Flowers, and Brock Bowers feature in different capacities, but what are their respective statuses heading into Week 1? Who’ll be playing, and who’ll be waiting another week (or longer) to suit up?

NFL Week 1 Injury Report: Key Storylines

The headline concern is Las Vegas, where Brock Bowers is set to miss Week 1 following knee surgery — arguably the single biggest name across the entire league’s injury report, and one that meaningfully lowers the ceiling on the Raiders’ passing game and Bowers’ own DFS/prop pricing. On the brighter side, Cincinnati gets some real relief with Ja’Marr Chase trending toward playing, and Indianapolis and Carolina both look likely to have key difference-makers (Tyler Warren, Jaelan Phillips) available. In between, a cluster of offensive and defensive linemen — Josh Simmons, T.J. Sanders, Rome Odunze — carry real spread and total implications for the Chiefs-Broncos, Bills-Texans, and Bears-Panthers games specifically.

✅ Probable

Position	Team	Player	Injury
WR	Bengals	Ja’Marr Chase	Knee
HB	Jets	Breece Hall	Groin
EDGE	Panthers	Jaelan Phillips	Arm
CB	Cardinals	Will Johnson	Lower Body/Ankle
T	Packers	Zach Bako-Bewele	Patellar
TE	Colts	Tyler Warren	Groin
WR	Ravens	Zay Flowers	Hamstring

Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals vs. Buccaneers): Probable

The Bengals are looking to kick off what they hope will be a bounce-back season against the Buccaneers with an important win. For that to happen, they’ll need their top offensive weapon, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, on the field. Chase is Joe Burrow’s favorite target and arguably the best receiver on the planet. If he’s on the field, the Bengals’ offense can reach its highest possible ceiling. He can win at all three levels and is the best YAC receiver in the league.

Jaelan Phillips (Panthers vs. Bears): Probable

Jaelan Phillips was the Panthers’ splash signing this offseason, signing a four-year, $120 million contract. He injured his arm earlier in the preseason and missed the final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but should be ready to rock for Sunday’s game against the Bears. Phillips can be the pulse injection that the Panthers’ defensive front needs. They struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks in 2025. With Phillips on the field, they have a better chance of making an impact.

Tyler Warren (Colts vs. Ravens): Probable

The Colts’ offense had two forms in 2025. For the first half of the season, they were historically one of the most efficient offenses of all time. For the second half of the season, they struggled as Daniel Jones battled injuries. Jones is back fully healthy and raring to go, but to reach their full potential, they’ll need Tyler Warren (groin). Warren is likely the Colts’ primary passing option in 2026 and Jones’ safety blanket. The offensive line and running game are the fulcrum of what the Colts do, but they need Warren to efficiently move the ball.

Also Probable: HB Breece Hall (Jets), CB Will Johnson (Cardinals), T Zach Bako-Bewele (Packers), WR Zay Flowers (Ravens)

❓ Questionable

Position	Team	Player	Injury
EDGE	Bengals	Shemar Stewart	Knee
CB	Falcons	Billy Bowman	Achilles
T	Chiefs	Josh Simmons	Back
DT	Bills	T.J. Sanders	Knee
WR	Bears	Rome Odunze	Foot
T	Jaguars	Cole Van Lanen	Knee

Josh Simmons (Chiefs vs. Broncos): Questionable

Big things are expected of Josh Simmons (back) in his second year in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs’ franchise tackle showed some real promise in his rookie season, but played just eight times. Simmons is questionable heading into Week 1, and if he’s missing, the Chiefs’ offensive line would be weaker for it. The Broncos’ pass rush has the juice to consistently pressure Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs will be aiming to keep their star quarterback unscathed in his first snaps since tearing his ACL. Without Simmons, the Chiefs could be reliant on 2026 undrafted free agent Kahlil Benson to protect Mahomes’ blindside — a tough prospect. The Chiefs are currently home favorites against the Broncos, but if Simmons sits out, they’ll have a potentially torrid time against an excellent pass rush.

Rome Odunze (Bears vs. Panthers): Questionable

The Bears’ offense has one of the highest ceilings of any unit in the NFL. They’ve got the playcaller, the makings of an excellent quarterback, and a plethora of offensive talent. But one player they could be without against the Carolina Panthers is wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot). The former first-round pick plays a significant role in the Bears’ offense as their natural X receiver, but he can also move around the offense. The Bears have a lot of starting talent at receiver, but their depth is lacking. If Odunze isn’t ready to rock, the Bears might have to roll out more 12 personnel with Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, with Luther Burden and Kalif Raymond at receiver. That means there’s a less natural possession receiver and contested-catch guy on the field. The Bears’ offense will still be effective, but they wouldn’t be at their best without Odunze.

T.J. Sanders (Bills vs. Texans): Questionable

The Bills moved on from Sean McDermott after another playoff loss in 2025, hiring offensive coordinator Joe Brady to replace him. Brady has the respect and knowledge of the locker room, but he brought in Jim Leonhard to help vitalize the defense. Having T.J. Sanders is a major part of the team’s identity on defense. The defensive tackle has to be an impactful presence on the Bills’ interior line that needs a real sense of punch and gumption. The Bills have depth on the line, but Sanders is a big body that can clog rushing lanes. The Texans’ offensive line is an improved unit with two new starters on the interior, and the rushing game should be better. That could prove an issue for the Bills if Sanders isn’t in the lineup.

Also Questionable: EDGE Shemar Stewart (Bengals), CB Billy Bowman (Falcons), T Cole Van Lanen (Jaguars)

🏥 Doubtful

Position	Team	Player	Injury
DT	Ravens	Nnamdi Madubuike	Neck
LB	Titans	Cedric Gray	Concussion
S	Chiefs	Chamarri Conner	Knee
T	Bears	Ozzy Trapilo	Knee
TE	Raiders	Brock Bowers	Knee (meniscus)

Nnamdi Madubuike (Ravens vs. Colts): Doubtful

Anything that the Baltimore Ravens get out of Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) in 2026 is playing with house money. There was a chance the former Pro Bowler could have to retire after serious neck surgery last season, but he’s improbably returning in 2026. However, Week 1 might be a step too far for Madubuike in his recovery. The Ravens’ defense can be a top-tier unit in 2026 with new head coach Jesse Minter calling the plays. There’s a plethora of impressive defensive talent on the roster, but Madubuike is an interior force that provides something different up front. The Ravens now have Trey Hendrickson rushing the passer off the edge, but Madubuike provides assurances against the run, too. The Ravens face a strong Colts’ running game and offensive line in Week 1, and though they’re used to life without Madubuike, his presence will be missed.

Cedric Gray (Titans vs. Jets): Doubtful

The Titans aren’t expecting to make too much noise in 2026. They’re hoping to be better than in 2025, but the defense still has some glaring holes. One of their breakout players a season ago was 2024 fourth-round pick Cedric Gray (concussion). The former North Carolina star had 164 combined tackles and seven tackles for loss in his second season in the league, and began to solidify himself as a major player in the NFL. However, Gray suffered a UTV accident just before the start of the season and is now in concussion protocol. An already questionable defense losing one of its best players is a real concern. The Jets might not pose the threat akin to the league’s top offenses, but they’ve got a strong offensive line and an excellent running back in Breece Hall. Not having a leader in the middle of the defense and an excellent tackler like Gray means the Jets could have more success in getting downhill and attacking the second level.

Brock Bowers (Raiders vs. Dolphins): Doubtful

This one is rubber-stamped already. Unfortunately, the Las Vegas Raiders are going to be without their star tight end and main offensive talent, Brock Bowers (meniscus), in Week 1. Bowers underwent knee surgery on the eve of the season and was promptly ruled out for Week 1, and potentially longer. Bowers has been the fulcrum of the Raiders’ passing offense in recent seasons, and that’s set to continue when he returns to the field. For now, an already light receiving room is going to have to step up in his absence. The Raiders are favorites against the Dolphins in Week 1, but without Bowers, the ceiling of the passing game feels considerably lower.

Also Doubtful: S Chamarri Conner (Chiefs), T Ozzy Trapilo (Bears)

How to Read NFL Injury Designations

• Out: Will not play.
• Doubtful: Unlikely to play (historically ~25% chance).
• Questionable: Uncertain, roughly a coin flip.
• Probable: Considered very likely to play. Note: this hasn’t been an official NFL designation since 2016 (replaced by the current three-tier system), but it’s still used informally by analysts and fantasy outlets as shorthand for “expected to play barring a setback” — worth confirming this is the terminology you want to keep using rather than switching those seven names to “no designation” language.
• DNP / LP / FP: Did Not Practice / Limited Practice / Full Practice — the daily practice-report shorthand that builds toward Friday’s final designation.

Photo Credit: REUTERS