NFL Week 1 inactives, injury tracker: Joey Porter Jr. not active for Steelers, Bears' Rome Odunze will play

All the latest injury news and inactives for Week 1

At long last, the first week of the 2026 NFL season has arrived. The wait to see all 32 teams return to action is over, but it will take a little bit longer to watch some of football's biggest stars make their season debuts. Numerous standouts who promise to factor into the Super Bowl race will watch from the sidelines as their teams embark on a new campaign, and many others enter game day questionable to suit up.

In addition to those who are still recovering from injuries sustained last year and in the offseason, a handful of impact players popped up on their teams' injury reports in the immediate lead-up to the season opener. Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim this week, which will force him to miss at least one game. And the Atlanta Falcons will open the year without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he suffered an oblique injury in practice.

Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who has been in a contract dispute with Pittsburgh all summer, is inactive against the Falcons because of a back injury and the possibility of a trade remains in play, per ESPN.

It is far from ideal to have to start the season without key contributors. Teams that are missing starters in Week 1 can take solace in the reality that they are far from alone, though.

Stay here for the latest injury updates and status designations for Sunday's games.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 5:05 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

First-year Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray is officially ruled out after being evaluated for a concussion. He took a hard hit to the head in the first quarter that resulted in his helmet coming off. Murray remained on the field, laying down, as he was tended to by the medical staff. He later walked under his own power to the locker room. 

Carson Wentz is now in at quarterback. 

Murray went 3/5 for 18 yards, no touchdowns and one interception before being evaluated.

Here is a look at the play:

The Packers defense received an uneccessary roughness penalty from the play. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 3:44 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Zay Flowers is ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered in the first half of their game against the Colts. The extent of the injury is not yet known. 

Flowers suffered a hamstring injury in joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings and missed two weeks of practice due to the injury. He was limited in Wednesday's practice with a hamstring, but was a full participant on Thursday and Friday. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 3:15 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Ravens rookie wideout Ja'Kobi Lane will miss the remainder of Baltimore's season-opener vs. the Colts with a wrist injury. The Ravens currently have a 31-16 lead midway through the third quarter. 

Lane caught 1 of 3 targets for 11 yards in his NFL debut. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 3:12 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Nolan Smith will start in place of Jonathan Greenard, who continues to deal with a pectoral injury. Smith, a 2023 first-round pick, started in each of his 12 games lsat season. He had a career-high 6.5 sacks during the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning 2024 season. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 3:12 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane is ruled out with a wrist injury. The Ravens are already operating without wide receiver Zay Flowers, who is questionable to return with a hamstring injury. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 3:09 am ET · Shanna McCarriston]

The Chargers ruled out cornerback Garrett Williams (Achilles), safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ribs), offensive lineman Isaiah Adams (knee) ahead of the matchup. Third overall pick running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) was questionable after being a limited practice participant all week and is active. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 3:09 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Commanders will be light at receiver today with Luke McCaffrey and Treylon Burks inactive. Thankfully for Washington, they still have several notbale receivers in uniform today in Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs and rookie Antonio Williams. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 3:08 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

The Dolphins did not have anyone on their injury report this week.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 3:06 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

The Raiders offense will be without their favorite pass catcher Brock Bowers, who is dealing with a knee injury.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 3:05 am ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Cornerback Deane Leonard (abdomen) was ruled out ahead of their matchup against the Chargers. LB Tuli Tuipulotu (hip) was listed as questionable.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 3:05 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

As you can see, J.J. McCarthy, who made 10 starts for the Vikings last season, is inactive for Week 1. McCarthy entered the summer in a position battle with Kyler Murray, but he is now not only behind Murray, he's also behind veteran Carson Wentz on the depth chart. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 3:02 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

In addition to their inactives, the Packers will also be without Micah Parsons and Josh Jacobs. Parsons is on IR with the hope that he will be back during the second quarter of the regular season. Jacobs is on the commissioner's exept list as he recently pled no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 2:38 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is questionable to return with a hamstring injury. Flowers immediately grabbed his left hamstring after the play that appeared to re-aggravate the hamstring that caused him to be limited in practice on Wednesday. Flowers did not have a game designation after being a full participant on Thursday and Friday.

Before going down with the injury, Flowers had five receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown in the air.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 1:55 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Jaguars defensive end B.J. Green to return to in their game against the Browns with an elbow injury. Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is also questionable to return with a shoulder injury.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 1:53 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Ravens cornerback T.J. Tampa has been ruled out with a knee injury. He was seen going into the locker room and the extent of the injury is not yet known. He has struggled with injuries during his career.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 1:49 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

The Browns offense is not off to the best start and are now down a running back. Dylan Sampson was initially listed as questionable with a knee injury, but was downgraded to out.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 1:43 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

The cart came out for guard Christian Mahogany who suffered a knee injury after going out awkwardly. The Lions listed him questionable to return initially and later downgraded him to out.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 1:39 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was downgraded from questionable to return to doubtful with a groin injury. He was able to walk off the field on his own and was spotted on the bike on the sideline. Omar Cooper (ankle) was carted off the field and was downgraded from questionable to out.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 11:57 am ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Houston is largely healthy, but they will continue to be without receivers Tank Dell and Jayden Higgins, who are both on IR. That should lead to more targets for Nico Collins and Kayshon Boutte. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 11:54 am ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Both of Buffalo's squad call ups are active today. Greg Dortch is expected to return punts and Frank Gore Jr. -- the son of future HOF RB Frank Gore -- is also up

[Sep 13, 2026 at 11:50 am ET · Bryan DeArdo]

For the Titans, LB Cedric Gray (concussion) is out after he sustained a UTV incident over the holiday break. As you can see, the Titans are a little light today at linebacker. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 11:48 am ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Trevin Wallace and Blake Grupe are the only healthy scratches for the Jets. With Blake Grupe injured, Jason Sanders -- elevated from the PS -- will handle the kicking today. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 11:45 am ET · Bryan DeArdo]

No surprises for the Colts, who are relatively healthy for their season opener. Anthony Richardson is in uniform and will be available for the Colts, with Riley Leonard serving as the emergency QB. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 11:43 am ET · Bryan DeArdo]

As expected, Joey Porter Jr. is inactive as he is dealing with an injury. There's also his ongoing contract dispute that has led to rumors about a possible trade. 

Another interesting tidbit from the Steelers' inactive list is Will Howard serving as the emergency QB over Drew Allar, who had an impressive training camp/preseason. 

QB Drew Allar
QB Will Howard (3rd QB)
G Gennings Dunker
DE Kevin Jobity Jr.
DE Gabriel Rubio  
CB Joey Porter Jr. 

[Sep 13, 2026 at 11:40 am ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Baltimore's injury report is comprised of three injured players (Madubuike, Buchanan and Walker), two rookies (Sarratt and Rivers) and Jones, a 2025 third-round pick. 

Joe Fagnano is emergency No.3 QB.   

[Sep 13, 2026 at 11:39 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Running back Alvin Kamara was questionable with a knee injury and will be sidelined today. They won't have defensive end Cameron Jordan, who was sidelined at practice this week with a hamstring injury.

Here are New Orleans' inactives today:

TE Oscar Delp 
RB Alvin Kamara
OL Mason Murphy
EDGE Cam Jordan
DL John Ridgeway III
DL Khristian Boyd
QB Zach Wilson (designated third QB)

[Sep 13, 2026 at 11:37 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

The Panthers are pretty healthy going into Week 1, with just one player on the injury report. EDGE Patrick Jones II is out with a back injury. Running back Jonathan Brooks was cleared to play and will play his first NFL game since December of 2024. 

Here is a look at their inactives today:

TE Ja'Tavion Sanders
WR John Metchie
QB Haynes King (emergency third)
S Zakee Wheatley
OT Albert Reese
OLB Patrick Jones II
DT Cam Jackson

[Sep 13, 2026 at 11:36 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) was doubtful heading into their game against the Bengals. He is out.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 12:35 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Wide receiver Rome Odunze was listed as questionable with a calf injury and he is not on the inactive list.

[Sep 13, 2026 at 12:34 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

The Falcons are without their top two quarterbacks, with Tua Tagovailoa out with an oblique injury and Michael Penix Jr. out with a knee injury. Cooper Rush will be at the helm. 

Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus will be the Falcons emergency quarterback against the Steelers.