The 2021 season is already over for Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the former first-round pick suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, an MRI confirmed, per a source informed of the situation. Coach Dan Campbell later confirmed the report and the team placed Okudah on injured reserve.
The loss of Okudah is the outcome the Lions feared when the corner suffered the injury Sunday afternoon.
The 2020 first-rounder played 48 snaps before exiting the game early in the fourth quarter of the San Francisco 49ers' 41-33 win in Detroit.
It's a brutal premature end to the season for Okudah after the Lions believed he was improving following a rocky rookie campaign. The corner earned four tackles and a pass breakup in the loss. He was also beat deep on a 79-yard catch-and-run touchdown by Niners receiver Deebo Samuel.
The Lions were hopeful the former No. 3 overall pick in 2020 could turn the corner under the tutelage of new DBs coach Aubrey Pleasant. Now that plan is back to the drawing board with Okudah suffering an injury that is traditionally difficult for corners to recover from.
In other news, Campbell announced receiver Tyrell Williams is in concussion protocol.
Injuries/COVID-19
- Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (non-COVID illness) is active for Monday's game versus the Ravens. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported earlier today that the Pro Bowler was trending toward playing. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue injured his hamstring in the second half and did not return. Following the game, head coach Jon Gruden said Ngakoue "pulled a hamstring," but he did not know the severity. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was ruled out after being carted off the field in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.
- Baltimore Ravens guard Tyre Phillips was carted off in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return. Head coach Jim Harbaugh had no update after the game.
- Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced safety Tyrann Mathieu will be back in Week 2. Mathieu was inactive after missing a week of practice following a positive COVID-19 test. Reid also said defensive end Frank Clark (hamstring) is "right on the edge" of playing. Clark has been dealing with the injury since last month in training camp.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed starting defensive back Sean Murphy-Bunting and long-snapper Zach Triner on injured reserve, Pelissero reported.
- Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera announced quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a hip subluxation in Week 1. He is eligible to return after three weeks. Running back Antonio Gibson (shoulder) was listed as limited on the estimated injury report.
- Denver Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy will miss time after suffering a high ankle sprain Sunday, coach Vic Fangio confirmed. Fangio also noted that the team is monitoring offensive lineman Graham Glasgow after he left the stadium in an ambulance due to an elevated heartbeat. Glasgow stayed overnight as a precaution and is expected to head back to Denver tomorrow.
- The New York Giants listed tight end Evan Engram (calf) as a DNP and running back Saquon Barkley (knee) as limited on their estimated injury report. The team did not practice.
- Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny aggravated a calf injury against Indianapolis and is expected to be shut down for a few weeks to fully heal, Rapoport reported. Penny could land on IR.
- New Orleans Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport suffered a pec strain in Sunday's win over the Packers, Rapoport reported, per a source familiar with the situation. Davenport, who logged two tackles and a sack against Green Bay, will miss some time but is expected to return sooner rather than later.
- New York Jets defensive back Lamarcus Joyner, who exited Sunday's loss to the Panthers, suffered an apparent torn tendon in his arm that will require surgery, Rapoport reported. Pending further tests, the injury will likely knock Joyner out for the season. Rapoport also reported that Jets offensive lineman Mekhi Becton will be out about 4-5 weeks after arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies. He was carted off the field late in the third quarter after suffering a knee cap dislocation that popped back into place and an MCL strain. Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters that punter Braden Mann (knee) will be out a minimum of 4-6 weeks while safety Jamien Sherwood (sprained ankle) and linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring) will miss a couple weeks. Receivers Jamison Crowder (COVID-19) and Keelan Cole (knee) have a shot at playing in Week 2, per Saleh.
- Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Jedrick Wills is day-to-day with an ankle injury, per coach Kevin Stefanski. Wills' X-rays were negative.
- New England Patriots offensive lineman Trent Brown is day-to-day with a calf strain, Rapoport reported.
- Carolina Panthers cornerback Myles Hartsfield suffered a wrist injury that will require surgery, Rapoport reported. The injury is not season-ending and he's considered week-to-week.
- Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor told reporters that cornerback Trae Waynes is not expected to play in Week 2 against the Bears. Waynes was held out of Week 1 with a hamstring injury.
- San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan announced that running back Raheem Mostert (knee) will be placed on injured reserve and could return in about eight weeks. Shanahan also confirmed that cornerback Jason Verrett (ACL) will miss the rest of the season. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin) is considered day-to-day.
- Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said safety Darnell Savage doesn't appear to be a long-term injury and he's hopeful the "extra day" ahead of the team's Monday night game versus the Lions will allow Savage to play, per NFL Network's Stacey Dales.
- Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin and offensive tackle Brandon Knight were activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, while defensive end Randy Gregory was placed on the COVID list. Receiver Michael Gallup is being placed on injured reserve.
Roster signings
- The New Orleans Saints are signing wide receiver Kenny Stills to their practice squad following his workout Monday, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. The ninth-year veteran spent his first two seasons with the Saints, registering career highs of 63 catches and 931 yards in 2014.
- The San Francisco 49ers are finalizing a deal to sign veteran cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick following the season-ending injury to Jason Verrett, Rapoport reported.
- The Baltimore Ravens elevated defensive back Anthony Levine and defensive tackle Justin Ellis from the practice squad for Monday Night Football.
- The Dallas Cowboys are expected to re-sign kicker Lirim Hajrullahu to the practice squad, per Pelissero.
- The Washington Football Team signed quarterback Kyle Shurmur to the practice squad.
- The Atlanta Falcons re-signed linebacker Brandon Copeland to their active roster.
- The Las Vegas Raiders are signing veteran defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to the practice squad, Rapoport reported, via Clinton-Dix's agency. The Raiders elevated running back Trey Ragas from the practice squad.
- The Carolina Panthers re-signed cornerback Corn Elder to their practice squad and wide receiver Alex Erickson from their practice squad.
- The Tennessee Titans added practice squad tight end MyCole Pruitt and defensive back Bradley McDougald to the active roster.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have promoted safety Andrew Adams to the active roster and signed cornerback Pierre Desir and safety Chris Cooper to the practice squad.
- New England Patriots kicker Nick Folk and quarterback Brian Hoyer have reverted back to the practice squad.
Roster cuts
- The Philadelphia Eagles are releasing veteran defensive tackle T.Y. McGill, per Rapoport. McGill did not play on Sunday against the Falcons.
- The Miami Dolphins released fullback/tight end Carl Tucker from the practice squad.
- The Tennessee Titans waived kicker Mike Badgley and tight end Tommy Hudson.
Visits
- The New Orleans Saints worked out a group of veteran receivers, including Marqise Lee and Kenny Stills, Pelissero reported.
Suspensions lifted
- Miami Dolphins wide receiver Will Fuller has been removed from the reserve/suspended list and is now active.
- New Orleans Saints defensive back Bradley Roby has been removed from the reserve/suspended list and is now active.
