NFL Week 1 injury report: A.J. Brown heads to IR while Tua Tagovailoa faces new setback

Week 1 has barely begun, yet several NFL teams are already dealing with difficult injury decisions. A.J. Brown is heading to injured reserve after suffering a high-ankle sprain, while Sam Darnold avoided a feared fracture but will still miss time. Tua Tagovailoa has also been ruled out for Atlanta, adding another twist to an already unsettled quarterback situation.NFL Injury Report Week 1: A.J. Brown Lands On Injured ReserveThe New England Patriots will have to adjust quickly after losing one of their biggest offseason additions. A.J. Brown suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Patriots' 13-10 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks and has now been placed on injured reserve.“Just in: The #Patriots have placed WR AJ Brown on IR due to a high-ankle sprain suffered on Wednesday night, per @AdamSchefter. He will miss at least the next 4 games: vs. PIT, at JAX, at BUF, and vs. LV,” reported NFL insider Ari Meirov on Friday.Brown's absence comes at a difficult point for New England. The wide receiver was brought in after four seasons with Philadelphia and was expected to give the Patriots' offense another proven playmaker. He caught three passes for 26 yards before the ankle problem forced him out.Seattle also received concerning news involving Sam Darnold. The quarterback left the same game with a hip injury, initially raising fears that he could have suffered a season-ending fracture. Further testing provided better news, as doctors ruled out a broken bone.Darnold instead has a muscle strain and is expected to miss Seattle's Week 2 meeting with the Arizona Cardinals on September 20.Tua Tagovailoa Injury Adds To Falcons' Quarterback ConcernsAtlanta's quarterback plans have taken another hit. Tua Tagovailoa had earned the starting role for Week 1, but a right oblique injury has ruled him out against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cooper Rush will take over, while Michael Penix Jr. remains unavailable.“Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered an oblique injury, is experiencing enough discomfort that he will miss Sunday’s game vs the Steelers. Cooper Rush will start. Michael Penix Jr. is getting closer, but he’s not there yet,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on X.The injury leaves Atlanta relying on another quarterback while its preferred options work their way back. That could put added pressure on the team's supporting cast in its opening matchup.Elsewhere, San Francisco lost defensive tackle Alfred Collins to a knee injury before facing the Los Angeles Rams. Collins has been placed on injured reserve. Rookie wide receiver De’Zhan Stribling also suffered an ankle injury and was carted off the field.The Las Vegas Raiders will begin their campaign without tight end Brock Bowers, who is recovering from a knee procedure. Dallas will also be without left guard Tyler Smith, who is expected to miss four to six weeks after a thumb injury landed him on injured reserve.With more games still to come, the NFL injury report could change rapidly. For teams preparing for their first full weekend of action, even one major injury can force coaches to rethink their plans immediately.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.