The Los Angeles Rams were fortunate to get through the 2025 season without suffering any long-term injuries that could affect a player’s availability for Week 1 of the upcoming campaign. Other teams were not as fortunate.
There are several players who got hurt last season and may not be ready for the start of 2026. The Rams are scheduled to face three of them early in the season, which puts their availability for those games against Los Angeles in question.
George Kittle, Malik Nabers and Bo Nix are all still recovering from injuries suffered last year, and though there’s a chance they’ll be healthy for Week 1, it’s not a certainty.
Week 1: George Kittle, 49ers tight end
Injury: Torn Achilles in wild-card game
The latest: A torn Achilles is no joke, especially when suffered as late in the year as Kittle’s was. He went down in the wild-card game in January, and though that injury can sometimes have a year-long recovery timeline, Kittle has a chance to be ready for Week 1. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said “there’s a chance” he’ll play in the opener, though he stopped short of saying Kittle is “on track” for that game. GM John Lynch said he’ll be ready “at some point, if not for the first game.”
By no means do those comments rule out Kittle, nor do they suggest he’s certain to play against the Rams. If he’s unable to go, that would leave San Francisco without one of its top weapons.
Week 2: Malik Nabers, Giants wide receiver
Injury: Torn ACL in Week 4
The latest: Nabers’ injury occurred the longest ago but it’s also the most worrisome. He’s had multiple surgeries on his knee and his timeline for return has been pushed back from training camp to now Week 1. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported recently that Nabers had a second surgery and the Giant are hopeful he can return for Week 1.
Nabers is the clear-cut No. 1 receiver for the Giants, especially now that Wan’Dale Robinson is gone. So missing him in the second game of the season would be a big blow for Big Blue.
Week 3: Bo Nix, Broncos quarterback
Injury: Fractured ankle in divisional round
The latest: Nix suffered a freak injury at the end of the divisional round, fracturing his ankle and knocking him out for the AFC title game. Though it required surgery, it’s not as serious an injury as a torn Achilles or ACL tear. CBS Sports’ Carter Bahns reported recently that Nix has a “good chance” to be back on the field for minicamp and will be a full participant in training camp. That should make. him available for Week 3, barring a setback.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams’ first 3 opponents all have injured stars who bear monitoring
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
