Well, folks, we have arrived. It’s the Grand Daddy of them all. Super Bowl week is upon us, and it’s a shame the NFL season is coming to an end, but we’ve got a GREAT game lined up. The razor-thin spread tells the story, but these teams are very evenly matched. In games like this, any little advantage can be the difference between a championship and disappointment. The injury report is a great place to start when deciding which team has the edge for Super Bowl LVIII.
Here is everything you need to know regarding the BIGGEST injuries on both sides of the ball. Welcome to the Super Bowl Injury Report! Injury news happens fast and can change quickly, so for the most up-to-date news and analysis, follow me on X @SGPNFootballDoc! This article is updated daily until the Super Bowl, so check back in before setting your lineup!
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Derrick Nnadi (NT) Kansas City Chiefs
Joe Thuney (LG) Kansas City Chiefs
Charles Omenihu (DE) Kansas City Chiefs
Kalia Davis (DT) San Francisco 49ers
Joe Thuney (G) Kansas City Chiefs
Injury: Pec Strain
Injury Date: 1/21/2024
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Super Bowl: 3 weeks
The Kansas City Chiefs went into Buffalo and slayed the dragon that is the Bills Mafia. Despite coming out victorious, there were some casualties. The biggest injury on the offensive side was to All-Pro LG Joe Thuney. He was knocked out of the game with a chest injury, and there was some concern for a serious injury initially.
Fortunately, the Chiefs received some good news from the MRI, and Thuney only suffered a pectoral strain and not a full tear. A pectoral (pec) strain refers to damage to the chest musculature. This is the best case from the injury, but that does not mean he will be fully healed by Sunday.
Based on his lack of practice, it seems Thuney is dealing with a Grade 2 pec strain. These injuries typically take 4-6 weeks to fully recover. It is looking unlikely that Thuney will be able to play, but thankfully, backup LG Nick Allegretti has been rock solid.
Chiefs LG Joe Thuney suffered a moderate pec injury that makes it unlikely he will play Sunday – OUT.
Charles Omenihu (DE) Kansas City Chiefs
Injury: ACL Tear
Injury Date: 1/28/2024
Expected Recovery Time: 9-12 months
Recovery Time to Super Bowl: 2 weeks
Unfortunately, there is one player on the Super Bowl Injury Report that we know is definitely out. Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu tore his ACL in the AFC Championship. It’s a shame, as he had made some great strides as a pass rusher of late, even coming up with a huge strip sack before his injury in the last game.
An ACL tear refers to a complete tear of the major stabilizing ligament in your knee. With a 9-12 month recovery timeline and his injury occurring this late in the season, I would not expect to see Omenihu until midseason next year at the earliest.
Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu is OUT for the Super Bowl with an ACL tear – OUT.
Willie Gay (LB) Kansas City Chiefs
Injury: Neck Spasms
Injury Date: 1/13/2024
Expected Recovery Time: 1-3 weeks
Recovery Time to Super Bowl: 4 weeks
Part of what makes this Kansas City defense so dominant is their ability to fly around and pursue the ball. A huge testament to that ability is speedy LB Willie Gay, who is dealing with a neck injury.
He injured his neck in the Wild Card round, and his availability has been in question ever since. Gay was able to play the next week in Buffalo but had to leave during the game and missed the AFC Championship.
Gay is dealing with neck spasms, which refer to muscle tightness and cramps, typically as a response to a neck injury. These injuries tend to be a bit unpredictable as they can react differently each day.
Having two weeks off is really going to help the Chiefs LB, as he was close to being able to play last week. He practiced last week, and the expectation is he will be off the injury report for the Super Bowl.
Chiefs LB Willie Gay is dealing with neck spasms but is expected to suit up for the Super Bowl – START.
Isiah Pacheco (RB) Kansas City Chiefs
Injury: Toe Injury
Injury Date: 1/21/2024
Expected Recovery Time: 1-3 weeks
Recovery Time to Super Bowl: 3 weeks
Despite playing a full game and putting up impressive numbers, Chiefs stud RB Isiah Pacheco popped up on the injury report last week. He is practicing with a moderate toe injury.
The team is not too concerned as he is reportedly getting better and said himself that he will play Sunday. Minor toe injuries can be played through, but this may limit his ability to push off, thus affecting his acceleration and speed.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is dealing with a minor toe injury but is expected to play this week – START.
Jerick McKinnon (RB) Kansas City Chiefs
Injury: Sports Hernia and Pelvis Fracture
Injury Date: 12/17/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-3 months
Recovery Time to Super Bowl: 2 months
The Kansas City Chiefs designated him to return from IR and opened the practice window for RB Jerick McKinnon. McKinnon injured his groin earlier in the year, which led to him having a pelvis fracture and sports hernia surgery. Typically, it takes about 2-3 months to fully recover, and McKinnon will be hoping he can return closer to the two-month mark.
There have been some conflicting reports regarding the chances that we will see McKinnon on Super Bowl Sunday. After reportedly having a good chance to return, head coach Andy Reid said he has a “slim” chance to play.
There have been a bit of mixed signals regarding McKinnon’s chances to play. From an injury perspective, the fracture should definitely be healed, but the sports hernia may take up to 3 months to fully recover.
Hmmm mind games or is Rapoport just misinformed 🤔
Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon
– Sports Hernia – 12/17/23
– IR Return – 2/3/24
– “Very real” chance he plays – 2/5/24
– “Slim chance” – Andy Reid – 2/6/242 months recovery time makes a #SuperBowl return realistic🤷🏽♂️ #ChiefsKingdom https://t.co/Aw6KwsfpNT pic.twitter.com/dXblSeNVK2
— Sebastian Fearon PT, DPT, CSCS, TSAC-F, OCS (@SGPNFootballDoc) February 6, 2024
Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon is dealing with a groin injury, and his status is uncertain – QUESTIONABLE.
Deebo Samuel (WR) San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Shoulder Injury
Injury Date: 1/20/2024
Expected Recovery Time: 1-3 weeks
Recovery Time to Super Bowl: 3 weeks
Next up is the MOST important injury on this Super Bowl Injury Report, in my opinion. San Francisco WR Deebo Samuel is the engine that makes the 49ers offense drive.
He was knocked out of the game early against the Packers with a shoulder injury, and that offense looked like a shell of itself.
At this point, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding his injury. What we do know is that Deebo does NOT have a broken bone in his shoulder like he did earlier in the season.
Based on the injury mechanism, Samuel is likely dealing with a minor AC sprain. This refers to damage to the joint connecting the shoulder and clavicle. When minor, most players are able to play through the pain.
After playing and being effective last week, I do fully expect Deebo to be close to 100% this Sunday. There is some concern if he lands on his shoulder or takes a big hit, but for the most part, he should be good to go.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel is dealing with a shoulder injury that he will play through with little to no limitations – START.
Dre Greenlaw (LB) San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Achilles Tendinitis
Injury Date: 12/31/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks
Recovery Time to Super Bowl: 6 weeks
As the 49ers ramp up for their Super Bowl matchup, they have a few injuries that were aided by the extra week off. This includes LB Dre Greenlaw, who is dealing with Achilles Tendinitis.
This refers to inflammation and damage of the Achilles Tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel bone. This is typically an overuse injury, and it’s a bit difficult to rehab during the season. It is all about appropriately loading the tendon and not overworking it.
For this reason, Greenlaw has not practiced much in the past few weeks. The 49ers noted this was more of a maintenance decision, and Greenlaw was able to play last week. I am expecting more of the same this week with some limited practice, but for him to play Sunday.
The concern I do have is that his Achilles Tendon is unlikely to fully heal until the offseason when he can really focus on his rest and recovery. This means that there is a real chance of his tendon flaring up during a game, causing him to sit out or cause further damage to the tendon.
49ers LB Dre Greenlaw is dealing with a nagging Achilles injury but is expected to play – START.
Ambry Thomas (CB) San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Low Ankle Sprain
Injury Date: 1/28/2024
Expected Recovery Time: 1-2 weeks
Recovery Time to Super Bowl: 2 weeks
The 49ers have been fairly healthy this season, but one area where they have seen some issues is their secondary. The trend continued in the NFC Championship as their starting slot CB, Ambry Thomas, suffered an injury.
He rolled his ankle in the second half, causing him to be knocked out of the game. Thankfully, the injury does not appear to be very serious.
The mechanism of injury (the foot rolling out) and the fact he practiced some last week makes it likely he is dealing with a mild low ankle sprain. A low ankle sprain refers to damage to the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. These ligaments are commonly injured and, in mild cases, only take 1-2 weeks to heal.
Most players will try to play through this injury with just one week of rehab, so Thomas having two weeks increases his likelihood of playing.
He also practiced in a limited capacity last week and did not miss a single practice. Expect Ambry Thomas to play in the Super Bowl with minor limitations and a mild reinjury risk.
49ers CB Ambry Thomas is dealing with a minor low ankle sprain and is likely to play – START.
Arik Armstead (DT) San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Foot and Knee Injury
Injury Date: 11/29/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 3-4 months
Recovery Time to Super Bowl: 2.5 months
Arik Armstead is an exceptional talent. He is a great player with all the skills needed, but the best ability is availability, and he has struggled to stay healthy.
This season is no different, as he has been in and out of the lineup. The bright side is that he has played in the past two playoff games and is expected to be available for the Super Bowl. In late November of this season, Armstead picked up an undisclosed knee and foot injury, which forced him to miss some games.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan says the foot injury is the more concerning of the two. Armstead dealt with foot issues last season, and it appears a similar issue arose again. Last season, he suffered from plantar fasciitis, which refers to inflamed connective tissue on the bottom of the foot.
This injury is very irritating, and it takes several months to heal fully. Its intensity can change from day to day and depending on the activity being performed. Despite not practicing last week, the expectation is Armstead will play, but this foot injury could flare up and limit him.
49ers DT Arik Armstead is expected to play in the Super Bowl but may be limited some with a plantar foot injury – START.
