By Brian French | FloridaMedicalNews.com | September 29, 2026
Quick Answer
NFL injuries cluster early in the season because players’ muscles and tendons haven’t fully adapted to the sudden jump from practice to full-speed games. Starters now play little or no preseason, and research shows that training camp and the first weeks of the season carry the highest risk for hamstring, groin, and Achilles injuries.
Florida’s three teams show the pattern. The Dolphins lost De’Von Achane to a torn ACL, the Buccaneers lost Baker Mayfield to a dislocated thumb, and the Jaguars have stayed mostly healthy.
Key Takeaways
- Six teams may have started backup quarterbacks within the first three weeks, which the Associated Press says hasn’t happened this early in a season since at least 2000.
- A 15-year study found that 62.1% of NFL Achilles ruptures happen in the preseason or the first half of the regular season.
- When the 2020 preseason was canceled, soft-tissue injuries rose significantly.
- Miami’s Achane will miss the season with a torn ACL, months after signing a four-year, $64 million extension.
- Tampa Bay’s Mayfield is expected to miss at least three weeks, ending his 57-game starting streak.
- Jacksonville has had no serious injuries through three weeks.
Florida Teams Injury Tracker (Through Week 3)
| Team | Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins | De’Von Achane | RB | Torn ACL | Out for season |
| Dolphins | Jaylen Wright | RB | Stinger/foot | Week to week |
| Dolphins | Caleb Douglas | WR | Ankle | Out Week 3 |
| Dolphins | Robert Beal Jr. | DE | Hamstring | Out Week 3 |
| Dolphins | Ronnie Harrison Jr. | LB | Hamstring | Injured reserve |
| Dolphins | Kyle Louis | LB | Knee | Injured reserve |
| Dolphins | Storm Duck | CB | Knee | PUP list |
| Dolphins | Julius Brents | CB | Knee | Questionable, Week 3 |
| Buccaneers | Baker Mayfield | QB | Dislocated thumb | Out 3+ weeks |
| Buccaneers | Jalen McMillan | WR | Knee (re-injured) | Questionable |
| Buccaneers | Rueben Bain Jr. | OLB | Foot | Questionable |
| Buccaneers | Josiah Trotter | LB | Not specified | Questionable |
| Jaguars | Patrick Mekari | OL | Not specified | Injured reserve |
| Jaguars | B.J. Green II | DE | Not specified | Injured reserve |
| Jaguars | Albert Regis | DT | Elbow | Likely back Week 4 |
| Jaguars | DaVon Hamilton | DT | Back | Playing, limited in practice |
| Jaguars | Robert Hainsey | OL | Elbow/groin | Playing |
Injury statuses change daily. Check official team reports before game day.
A League-Wide Early Injury Wave
The 2026 season started with an unusual number of quarterback injuries. Six starters were lost between training camp and Week 2, nearly a quarter of the league. Seattle’s Sam Darnold, last season’s Super Bowl champion, hurt his glute five snaps into the opener. Washington’s Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow for the second straight season. The Giants’ Jaxson Dart tore his meniscus and MCL and will miss the rest of the regular season.
Week 3 brought more injuries at other positions: Miami’s Achane, Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, and the Jets’ Breece Hall, among others.
The Medical Reasons Injuries Happen Early
1. The Ramp-Up Problem
Muscles and tendons need gradual, progressive loading to handle game-speed stress. Going from limited practice to full contact exposes tissue that hasn’t been conditioned for that load.
The research supports this. A 15-year study of NFL Achilles ruptures found that injuries occurred at about 21.3 per week during the preseason, compared with 6.9 per week across the regular season. During the regular season, the first half averaged 9.0 injuries per week and the second half 5.1. The preseason was the single highest-risk period, with more than three times the injury rate of the regular season.
2. The Disappearing Preseason
Many teams now hold starters out of preseason games to protect them. Many fans believe this contributes to early-season injuries, because players’ first full-speed contact comes in a game that counts.
There is evidence that preseason exposure matters. When the 2020 preseason was canceled because of COVID-19, the regular season saw significantly more soft-tissue injuries than in 2018, and researchers linked it to the missing preseason and a sudden jump in workload. The same pattern appeared after the 2011 lockout: 10 players ruptured their Achilles tendons in the first 12 days of training camp, and the season’s early total of Achilles injuries was about four times higher than normal.
3. Fewer Practices
Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman has argued that the rules meant to protect players may be part of the problem. His view is that players aren’t worn down in camp the way they were in the 1980s and 1990s, but they also may not be ready for the physical toll at the start of the season. Labor agreements have steadily reduced practice time.
The league has tried to address this. After a 2023 drop in lower-extremity injuries, the NFL credited its work with team medical and coaching staffs on managing the ramp-up period, especially in the first two weeks of training camp.
4. Speed Injuries
Hamstring, groin, and quad strains are sometimes called “fast-guy injuries.” They mostly affect explosive skill players, and once a hamstring injury happens, it is more likely to recur. Symptoms can also be misleading, so players may feel ready to return before the muscle has fully healed.
5. Contact and Bad Luck
Some injuries can’t be prevented through conditioning. Achane was tackled awkwardly near the sideline on an 11-yard run. Mayfield dislocated the thumb on his throwing hand near the end of the game. Traumatic injuries like ACL tears and dislocations happen because football is a collision sport, regardless of the week.
The Florida Factor: Heat
Florida’s teams face a problem most of the league doesn’t: September heat and humidity. Early-season home games in Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville often combine high heat with high humidity, which increases fluid loss and fatigue. Tired muscles control movement less effectively, and that can raise the risk of strains and cramps late in games.
Florida teams practice in these conditions all summer, which may help them adapt. Visiting teams from cooler climates may not have that advantage.
Team by Team
Miami Dolphins (0-3)
Miami has been hit hardest. Achane tore his ACL in the first quarter against Kansas City and will need surgery. Before the season, first-year head coach Jeff Hafley joked that Achane might get 40 to 45 touches a game. Instead, he finished with barely 40 touches for the entire season.
The injuries have also hit the rest of the backfield. Jaylen Wright was inactive with a stinger and foot injury, leaving Ollie Gordon II as Miami’s only other active running back. The defense has lost linebackers Ronnie Harrison Jr. (hamstring) and Kyle Louis (knee) to injured reserve.
Achane’s injury came as a result of contact, but Miami’s other injuries, including hamstring strains and knee problems, match the early-season soft-tissue pattern.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3)
The Buccaneers lost 23-16 to Minnesota at home, and Mayfield dislocated the thumb on his throwing hand near the end of the game. Head coach Todd Bowles said the injury was a dislocation, as expected, and that Mayfield will likely miss a minimum of three weeks.
The imaging was encouraging. Mayfield has no fracture and no ligament or tendon damage. Rookie Jalon Daniels will start in his place. It is Tampa Bay’s first in-season quarterback change in eight years.
Receiver Jalen McMillan’s case shows the re-injury risk. After missing the entire preseason and Week 1 with a knee injury, he re-injured the same knee in the first quarter against the Vikings.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)
The Jaguars have been the healthiest Florida team. They had no serious injuries in either of their first two weeks, and after a 35-6 win over New England, they lead the AFC South.
Their main absences are offensive lineman Patrick Mekari and defensive end B.J. Green II on injured reserve. Rookie defensive tackle Albert Regis sat out Week 3 with an elbow injury, but head coach Liam Coen said he likely will be available against Cincinnati.
Lessons for Florida’s Weekend Athletes
The same principles apply to high school players, adult league players, and anyone returning to a sport:
- Build up gradually. Increase intensity over several weeks instead of starting at full effort.
- Train for speed before you need it. Include sprints and quick changes of direction in your preparation.
- Respect the heat. Hydrate before, during, and after activity, and schedule workouts for cooler hours when possible.
- Don’t rush back. An injury that feels better isn’t necessarily healed, especially a hamstring strain.
- Get evaluated. A sudden pop, swelling, or instability calls for a sports medicine evaluation.
FAQ
Why are there so many NFL injuries early in the season?
Players’ bodies aren’t yet adapted to full-speed game loads, starters play little preseason, and research shows training camp and the first weeks of the season carry the highest risk for soft-tissue injuries.
Which Florida NFL players are injured?
The most significant are Miami’s De’Von Achane (torn ACL, out for the season) and Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield (dislocated thumb, out 3+ weeks). Several other players on each team are listed in the tracker above.
Is Baker Mayfield’s injury serious?
It is significant but not structural. Imaging showed no fracture or ligament damage, and he is expected to miss about three weeks.
Are Achilles injuries more common early in the season?
Yes. A 15-year study found that 62.1% of NFL Achilles ruptures happen in the preseason or the first half of the regular season.
Does Florida’s heat increase injury risk?
Heat and humidity increase fatigue and fluid loss, which may raise the risk of strains and cramps. Florida teams practice in these conditions, which may help them adapt.
Brian’s Take
Early-season injuries are a matter of load and risk. The NFL has cut preseason exposure to protect its stars, and the evidence suggests that has simply moved some of the risk into September games, when the results count.
For Florida, the stakes are different for each team. Miami, already 0-3, has lost its most explosive offensive player for the season. Tampa Bay, also 0-3, has to rely on an undrafted rookie quarterback. Jacksonville is the exception, 2-1 and healthy, which is a competitive advantage that tends to matter more as the season goes on.
With the league discussing a possible move to 18 games, early-season injuries will stay a live issue. The science is clear that tissue needs time to adapt, and professional athletes are no exception.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified sports medicine professional for any injury.
Sources and Further Reading
- Last Word on Sports — NFL quarterback injury crisis of 2026: https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2026/09/25/nfl-quarterback-injury-crisis/
- CBS Sports — Teams with injured quarterbacks: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/resetting-expectations-nfl-teams-injured-quarterbacks/
- BroBible — Are NFL quarterbacks more injured than ever: https://brobible.com/sports/article/nfl-quarterbacks-injured-first-two-weeks/
- Archynewsy — NFL injury update 2026: https://www.archynewsy.com/nfl-injury-update-2026-latest-news-on-star-players/
- Yahoo Sports — NFL injury report, Week 4: https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/nfl-injury-report-week-4-latest-news-updates-on-justin-jefferson-devon-achane-more-for-fantasy-football-151829331.html
- FantasyPros — Week 4 injury report: https://www.fantasypros.com/2026/09/fantasy-football-injury-report-updates-week-4-2026/
- Forbes — Week 4 injury report: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/2026/09/28/fantasy-football-week-4-injury-report-devon-achane-breece-hall-justin-jefferson-and-more/
- ESPN — Miami Dolphins injuries: https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/injuries/_/name/mia/miami-dolphins
- NFL.com — Week 3 injury report: https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-week-3-injury-report-player-statuses-for-all-16-games
- Buccaneers.com — Baker Mayfield to miss minimum of three weeks: https://www.buccaneers.com/news/baker-mayfield-three-weeks-minimum-thumb-injury-update
- Buccaneers.com — Next game vs. Packers: https://www.buccaneers.com/news/next-game-green-bay-packers-vs-tampa-bay-buccaneers-nfl-season-week-4-2026
- SI — Packers vs. Buccaneers Week 4 injuries: https://www.si.com/betting/packers-vs-buccaneers-prediction-odds-spread-injuries-trends-for-nfl-week-4-2026
- Jaguars.com — Coen after 35-6 win over Patriots: https://www.jaguars.com/news/coen-talks-building-on-week-3-success-day-after-35-6-victory-over-patriots-that-is-the-challenge
- Big Cat Country — Jaguars vs. Patriots injury report: https://www.bigcatcountry.com/jacksonville-jaguars-injuries/89167/jaguars-vs-patriots-injury-report-whos-in-out
- Black and Teal — Jaguars injury status, Week 3: https://blackandteal.com/jaguars-can-t-use-injuries-as-an-excuse-vs-patriots-in-week-3-2026-season
- PMC — Timing of Achilles tendon ruptures in the NFL, 15-year analysis: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13530731/
- PMC — Soft tissue injuries after the canceled 2020 preseason: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9158490/
- NBC News — Lockout and Achilles injuries: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna45699656
- ESPN — NFL injury trends and the ramp-up period: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39442460/joint-committee-finds-nfl-injuries-similar-surfaces
- UW Orthopedics — Soft-tissue injuries in the NFL: https://ortho.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Packers-Heiderscheit-article-9-11-24.pdf
- Fox News — Troy Aikman’s theory on early injuries: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ex-nfl-star-troy-aikman-drops-theory-about-cause-early-season-injuries
