Injuries are a huge part of every NFL season and this year is no different. Multiple teams have faced challenges without their starting quarterbacks and many have had All-Pro players out for the season with significant injuries.
Week 7 may be one of the toughest weeks for injuries so far. Starters at key positions may not take the field for Sunday or Monday’s NFL action.
Cincinnati kicked off the week with a win over Pittsburgh on ‘Thursday Night Football’ behind quarterback Joe Flacco – a recent trade acquisition in the wake of Joe Burrow’s Week 2 injury. But wide receiver may be the most-affected position in the league this week.
Starters for contending teams in the AFC and NFC look poised to sit out Week 7. There’s only one divisional matchup left this week – Las Vegas at Kansas City in the AFC West – and that’ll see the return of a wide receiver in Rashee Rice’s debut this season.
That’s not the case for the likes of Puka Nacua, Terry McLaurin, Garrett Wilson and many more key contributors for their team’s passing offenses. Here’s the latest updates for top wide receivers this year.
Puka Nacua injury update
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay confirmed today that Nacua will not be playing the Rams’ Week 7 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
Los Angeles boasts the No. 3 passing offense in the league and Nacua is the driving force behind it. His ankle injury will keep him out until at least Week 9 when the Rams are back in action after their bye week.
Terry McLaurin injury update
The Commanders’ top wide receiver a year ago has missed three games already this season and will be out once again. Coach Dan Quinn confirmed today that McLaurin will miss the team’s Week 7 game against Dallas with a quad injury.
McLaurin did not practice Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. He hasn’t played since Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders when he had three catches for 74 yards.
Garrett Wilson injury update
Wilson has a better outlook than others on this list. New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn didn’t fully rule out Wilson plaing in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers but did say he is doubtful with a knee injury.
That means there is a chance he’ll suit up but it’s not a very high likelihood.
Calvin Ridley injury update
It’s been a big week for the Tennessee Titans as the franchise became the first to make a coaching change in the 2025 season. Tennessee fired Brian Callahan and installed senior offensive assistant Mike McCoy as the interim head coach.
McCoy’s first game as head coach will be against the New England Patriots and former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. They’ll be without their top wide receiver as Ridley will miss his first game of the season with a hamstring injury.
Deebo Samuel injury update
With McLaurin out, the Commanders will need their other wide receivers to step up. That may not be the case for the veteran Samuel, who is dealing with a heel injury.
Samuel said ‘we’ll just have to see’ about his status for Sunday’s game against Dallas, per ESPN’s John Keim. Samuel did not practice Thursday but was able to get reps in today.
Emeka Egbuka injury update
Egbuka left the Buccaneers’ Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers with a hamstring injury. The rookie first-round pick is the team’s top receiver through six games this season with a team-high 27 catches, 469 yards and five touchdowns.
Egbuka was initially thought to miss some time and did not practice on Thursday. He was on the field Friday but did not practice with the starting offense.
Tampa Bay will play Detroit on Monday night, giving Egbuka an extra day to rest up. It’s still unclear whether he will play.