Editor's note: An adjustment to this file has moved the Redskins from No. 3 to No. 2.

Below, with the help of NFL Nation, we rank the most injured teams in the NFL from 1 to 32. Before getting to the list, a quick note on the methodology: The ranking was determined by each team's "total starts missed." What does that mean? Each time a starter or integral special-teams player missed a game, it counted toward that total. Players who had already been placed on season-ending injured reserve or short-term IR were given the number of starts they're guaranteed to miss while being sidelined.

Here are the teams who have been most banged up so far this season.

When Jordy Nelson blew out his knee in the preseason, it was almost a guarantee that the Packers' offense would have to change. Without his best deep-threat receiver, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not thrown the ball downfield as much. In his first seven years as a starter, Rodgers averaged 2.1 pass attempts per game that traveled 30 or more yards in the air, according to ESPN Stats & Information. This season, he has averaged just one per game and has had two games where he didn't attempt any. It's not just Nelson, either. The Packers have played half of their games without Davante Adams, who was expected to replace Nelson as that deep threat. -- Rob Demovsky

Players out for season: WR Jordy Nelson (knee), LB Sam Barrington (foot), DE Josh Boyd (ankle), S Sean Richardson (neck)

Players injured: TE Andrew Quarless (knee), S Morgan Burnett (calf), WR Davante Adams (ankle), OT Bryan Bulaga (knee), OLB Nick Perry (shoulder/hand), NT B.J. Raji (groin)

Total starts missed: 78 -- Nelson (16), Barrington (15), Boyd (14), Richardson (13), Quarless (7), Burnett (5), Adams (3), Bulaga (3), Perry (1), Raji (1)

The Redskins faced the Jets with an offensive line that had combined to make 14 NFL starts. Their top two tight ends right now were both elsewhere at the start of training camp, with none of the team's projected top three options available. The Redskins' projected starting secondary has played one game together, including the preseason. It's been that kind of a year. At least they'll get left tackle Trent Williams and center Kory Lichtensteiger back sometime soon. The Redskins need to run the ball to be successful, but they've struggled there lately in part because of injuries. With left guard Shawn Lauvao in the lineup, Washington has averaged 5.18 yards on runs to the left side; that's dropped to 3.19 in the three games since his injury, according to ESPN Stats & Information. It's not all the fault of his backup, Spencer Long, but it is a steep drop. Lauvao was playing well. -- John Keim

Players out for season: DE Junior Galette (Achilles), TE Niles Paul (ankle), S Duke Ihenacho (wrist), TE Logan Paulsen (foot), OLB Adam Hayward (knee), G Shawn Lauvao (ankle), OLB Martrell Spaight (concussion), RB Silas Redd (knee), DB Justin Rogers (foot)

Players injured: WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), CB DeAngelo Hall (toe), CB Chris Culliver (knee), TE Jordan Reed (concussion), ILB Perry Riley Jr. (calf), C Kory Lichtensteiger (shoulder/finger), T Trent Williams (concussion), RB Matt Jones (toe)

Total starts missed: 76 -- Galette (16), Paul (16), Ihenacho (15), Lauvao (13), Jackson (5), Hall (3), Culliver (2), Reed (2), Riley (2), Lichtensteiger (1), Williams (1)

The Steelers have been ravaged by injuries and are fortunate to be 4-2. Three of their top six offensive linemen are either out for the season or are uncertain to return, including starting center Maurkice Pouncey and left tackle Kelvin Beachum. Somehow, the guys up front have found a way to hold up without those players. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's MCL sprain forced Michael Vick into action, and now Vick is expected to miss this week's game against the Chiefs with a hamstring injury, clearing the way for Landry Jones. And, oh yeah, Pittsburgh's defense has gone the past five weeks without three starters in the back seven, including talented former first-rounder Ryan Shazier. The Steelers are playing well without key pieces, which means they should contend when everyone returns. -- Jeremy Fowler

Players out for season: K Shaun Suisham (knee), K Garrett Hartley (hamstring), T Kelvin Beachum (knee), CB Senquez Golson (labrum)

Players injured: C Maurkice Pouncey (fibula), CB Cortez Allen (knee), LB Ryan Shazier (shoulder), QB Ben Roethlisberger (knee), S Will Allen (ankle), WR Martavis Bryant (knee), OLB Jarvis Jones (hip), QB Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder), T Mike Adams (back), DT Dan McCullers (knee), QB Michael Vick (hamstring)

Total starts missed: 65 -- Suisham (16), Hartley (16), Beachum (10), Pouncey (8), C. Allen (5), Shazier (4), Roethlisberger (3), W. Allen (1), Bryant (1), Jones (1)

The Bears have been ravaged by injuries through six games, most notably to quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen struggled to move the football after Cutler went down with a strained hamstring in Week 2. Cutler's injury forced him to miss the second half of Chicago's game against Arizona, plus the next week at Seattle. The Bears lost both games. Jeffery, meanwhile, sat out four straight weeks due to his own hamstring problem before he returned last week. Without Jeffery in the lineup, Cutler experienced difficulty stretching the field. -- Jeff Dickerson

Players out for the season: S Ryan Mundy (hip), C Will Montgomery (fibula), DE Ego Ferguson (knee), RB Jacquizz Rodgers (arm), DE Cornelius Washington (quadriceps)

Players injured: WR Kevin White (leg), WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), T Jermon Bushrod (concussion/shoulder), CB Tracy Porter (hamstring), S Antrel Rolle (ankle), QB Jay Cutler (hamstring), LB Shea McClellin (knee), P Pat O'Donnell (knee), DT Jeremiah Ratliff (ankle), WR Eddie Royal (ankle), CB Alan Ball (groin), DE Will Sutton (elbow), OLB Jonathan Bostic (ankle/traded to New England), G Patrick Omameh (ankle)

Total starts missed: 61 -- Mundy (16), Montgomery (12), Ferguson (11), White (6), Jeffery (4), Bushrod (3), Porter (2), Rolle (2), Cutler (1), McClellin (1), O'Donnell (1), Ratliff (1), Royal (1)

The Patriots have been hit hardest along the offensive line, where starting left tackle Nate Solder was lost for the season after four games, and starting center Bryan Stork opened the year on injured reserve with a designation to return due to a concussion. The status of No. 3 tackle Marcus Cannon, who injured his toe Sunday night, adds to the roster-related stress the team is feeling along the line. The amount of time Cannon might miss is still unclear. Meanwhile, losing CB Tarell Brown is a blow to what was already a thin position. -- Mike Reiss

Players out for season: FB James Develin (tibia), CB Tarell Brown (foot), LT Nate Solder (biceps)

Players injured: C Bryan Stork (concussion), C/G Ryan Wendell (illness), DT Dominique Easley (hip), LB Dont'a Hightower (ribs), OT Marcus Cannon (toe), DE Trey Flowers (shoulder/knee); DE Jabaal Sheard (ankle), ST Matthew Slater (knee)

Total starts missed: 56 -- Develin (16); Brown (14); Solder (12); Stork (7); Wendell (5); Easley (1); Hightower (1)

Injuries have really hurt the Jaguars in the pass rush and at receiver. The biggest loss is DE Dante Fowler Jr., the team's first-round draft pick. He was expected to be the Jaguars' best pass-rusher and would have been the opening-day starter had he not torn his ACL on the first day of rookie minicamp. Andre Branch inherited the starting job, but he missed the first three games of the season with a sprained MCL, which left 33-year-old Chris Clemons as the starter. The Jaguars have just one sack out of the LEO (pass-rushing end) position. Rashad Greene was the Jaguars' leading receiver and top punt returner before suffering a thumb injury that landed him on short-term IR. He's eligible to return to the field in Week 11. Marqise Lee continues to have hamstring issues and has played just 1½ games. The team was counting on Arrelious Benn to make a big contribution this season, but he fractured a collarbone in the preseason and was put on IR. As a result, the Jaguars don't have much wide receiver depth behind Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. -- Mike DiRocco

Players out for the season: DE Dante Fowler Jr. (knee), G Brandon Linder (shoulder), WR Arrelious Benn (collarbone), DE Ziggy Hood (foot), T Josh Wells (thumb)

Players injured: WR Rashad Greene (thumb), WR Marqise Lee (hamstring), TE Julius Thomas (hand), DE Andre Branch (knee), S Johnathan Cyprien (calf), T Luke Joeckel (ankle), S Sergio Brown (calf), LB Paul Posluszny (ankle), RB T.J. Yeldon (groin), RB Toby Gerhart (abdominal), CB Dwayne Gratz (ankle), LB John Lotulelei (concussion), RB Bernard Pierce (concussion), RB Denard Robinson (knee), S James Sample (shoulder)

Total starts missed: 54 -- Fowler (16), Linder (13), Greene (7), Lee (4), Thomas (4), Branch (3), Cyprien (2), Joeckel (2), Brown (1), Posluszny (1), Yeldon (1)

ESPN analyst Cris Carter said the Panthers couldn't win more than seven games after star wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp. The Panthers are 5-0. That they've done this with Benjamin and defensive end Frank Alexander (Achilles) out for the season -- not to mention other key injuries along the defense -- has been impressive. But the injuries have taken their toll. The Panthers' wide receiver corps ranks last in the NFL in most categories, and Carolina's sacks are down, as the defense has been forced to create quarterback pressure more with blitzes than the past three seasons. -- David Newton

Players out for season: WR Kelvin Benjamin (knee), DE Frank Alexander (Achilles), WR Stephen Hill (knee), OT Nate Chandler (knee)

Players injured: DE Charles Johnson (hamstring), LB Luke Kuechly (concussion), WR Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring), DT Star Lotulelei (foot), DE Jared Allen (pinched nerve), LB A.J. Klein (concussion)

Total starts missed: 48 -- Benjamin (16), Alexander (16), Johnson (7), Kuechly (3), Cotchery (2), Lotulelei (2), Allen (1), Klein (1)

Every team has injuries, but it's hard to imagine anyone being hit with two more significant blows than the Cowboys. Tony Romo has missed the past three games with a broken left collarbone and will not return until Nov. 22 at the earliest. Dez Bryant has missed the past four games and could return Sunday vs. the Giants. The offense has wilted without its two top players, leaving little margin for error for the defense. Changes are at hand with Matt Cassel at quarterback and La'el Collins at left guard, and the team hopes those tweaks will lead to more big plays and more points. -- Todd Archer

Players out for season: CB Orlando Scandrick (knee), RB Lance Dunbar (knee), DT Terrell McClain (toe)

Players injured: QB Tony Romo (collarbone), WR Dez Bryant (foot), TE James Hanna (ankle), G Ronald Leary (groin), DE Jeremy Mincey (concussion), DE Randy Gregory (ankle), WR Brice Butler (hamstring)

Total starts missed: 44 -- Scandrick (16), Dunbar (12), Romo (7), Bryant (4), Hanna (2), Leary (2), Mincey (1)

One common thread among Chip Kelly's offseason moves was that most of the players seemed to be injury risks. Sam Bradford and Kiko Alonso, two key additions, were coming off ACL injuries. So far this season, the Eagles have been somewhat healthy compared to other teams. Bradford's continued good health is a major part of that. Alonso has missed most of the season thus far with a sprained knee, but he is expected to return. -- Phil Sheridan

Players out for season: G Andrew Gardner (foot), K Cody Parkey (groin)

Players injured: LB Kiko Alonso (knee), LB Mychal Kendricks (hamstring), DE Brandon Bair (groin), DE Cedric Thornton (hand), WR Nelson Agholor (ankle), WR Seyi Ajirotutu (concussion), RB DeMarco Murray (hamstring)

Total starts missed: 40 -- Gardner (13), Parkey (13), Alonso (4), Kendricks (3), Bair (2), Thornton (2), Agholor (1), Ajirotutu (1), Murray (1)

Tackle Ty Sambrailo is the only Broncos offensive lineman to miss a game with an injury, but several others have been held out of practice. In fact, over the past three weeks, the O-line that started each game practiced together just two times total. The lack of cohesion has spilled over to the field, where QB Peyton Manning has been sacked 12 times in the team's first six games, and the team's running backs have rushed for no gain or negative yardage on 23.5 percent of their carries. In other words, Denver's bye came at a very good time. -- Jeff Legwold

Players out for season: OT Ryan Clady (knee), TE Jeff Heuerman (knee)

Players injured: KR Omar Bolden (foot), OT Ty Sambrailo (shoulder), OLB DeMarcus Ware (back)

Total starts missed: 39 -- Clady (16), Heuerman (16), Bolden (3), Sambrailo (3), Ware (1)

Entering Week 5, the Raiders were in pretty good shape injury-wise, with just one key player (offensive lineman Menelik Watson) lost for the season. That changed against the Broncos, when Justin Tuck went down with a pectoral injury, which required surgery. He has not yet been officially put on injured reserve, but the expectation is that he'll miss the rest of the season. Safety Nate Allen, who tore his MCL in Week 1, is eligible to come off the injured reserve designated to return list in Week 10. -- Bill Williamson

Players out for season: T Menelik Watson (Achilles), DE Justin Tuck (pec), WR Andre Debose (achilles)

Players injured: S Nate Allen (knee), DT Justin Ellis (ankle), RB Taiwan Jones (foot), DE Denico Autry (concussion)

Total starts missed: 39 -- Watson (16), Tuck (11), Allen (7), Ellis (3), Jones (2)

The Giants' highest-profile injury issues occurred last year and in the offseason. Wide receiver Victor Cruz still hasn't played since Week 6 of 2014, when he tore the patellar tendon in his right knee. (An August calf injury further delayed his return to the field.). Left tackle Will Beatty tore a pectoral muscle lifting weights in May and hasn't played so far this season, forcing rookie Ereck Flowers into starting left tackle duty. And of course, franchise defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has missed all six games after severely damaging his hand in a July 4 fireworks accident. By comparison, the in-season injuries to defensive starters Prince Amukamara, Robert Ayers and Devon Kennard seem tame. The Giants also appear to have dodged a bullet with Odell Beckham Jr.'s hamstring injury last week. -- Dan Graziano

Players out for season: TE Daniel Fells (staph infection), S Nat Berhe (calf), S Mykkele Thompson (Achilles), S Bennett Jackson (knee)

Players injured: T Will Beatty (pec), WR Victor Cruz (knee/calf), Jason Pierre-Paul (hand), DE Robert Ayers (hamstring), LB Jon Beason (knee, concussion), DT Markus Kuhn (knee), DE Owa Odighizuwa (foot), LB Devon Kennard (hamstring), CB Prince Amukamara (pectoral), T Ereck Flowers (ankle), CB Trumaine McBride (groin), CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (concussion), LB Jonathan Casillas (hamstring)

Total starts missed: 37 -- Beatty (6), Cruz (6), Pierre-Paul (6), Ayers (4), Beason (3), Kuhn (3), Odighizuwa (3), Kennard (2), Amukamara (1), Flowers (1), McBride (1), Rodgers-Cromartie (1)

This starts with linebacker DeAndre Levy, who has been plagued by a hip injury all season. He tried to play through it in Week 5, but managed to re-injure it. He had surgery and is out indefinitely, which will continue to be a blow to the middle of the defense. Running back Joique Bell has been unable to get healthy, even being inactive after practicing in full last week. Right guard Larry Warford has been in and out of the lineup since suffering an ankle injury in the preseason. The defensive tackle spot has also been problematic. Haloti Ngata has been out with a calf injury, while Tyrunn Walker is out for the season after breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle against Seattle. Two players signed in Week 5 -- Andre Fluellen and Ishmaa'ily Kitchen -- played somewhat significant time at tackle in Week 6 due to all the injuries. The good news? The Lions still have Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and a majority of their secondary healthy, and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has been quite good at matching players to certain roles in his defense. -- Michael Rothstein

Players out for season: DT Tyrunn Walker (leg, ankle), RB Zach Zenner (ribs, punctured lung).

Players injured: LB DeAndre Levy (hip), TE Eric Ebron (knee), TE Brandon Pettigrew (knee), SS James Ihedigbo (quad), RB Joique Bell (ankle/Achilles), RG Larry Warford (ankle), RT LaAdrian Waddle (knee), OT Corey Robinson (ankle), DT Caraun Reid (ankle), DT Haloti Ngata (calf).

Total starts missed: 36 -- Walker (12), Levy (5), Pettigrew (4), Warford (3), Bell (3), Ebron (2), Waddle (2), Ngata (2), Reid (2), Ihedigbo (1)

Injuries are one of the biggest reasons for why the Ravens have a 1-5 record, the worst start in the 20-year existence of the franchise. The team watched first-round pick Breshad Perriman go down with a knee injury in the first practice of training camp and lost linebacker Terrell Suggs to a season-ending Achilles injury in the first game of the regular season. If that wasn't bad enough, Baltimore's only proven wide receiver (Steve Smith Sr.) is playing with four microfractures in his back. It's hard not to cringe when writing about this truly painful season for the Ravens. --Jamison Hensley

Players out for season: LB Terrell Suggs (Achilles), WR Michael Campanaro (back), S Matt Elam (biceps), RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot), CB Will Davis (knee)

Players injured: WR Breshad Perriman, DE Chris Canty (calf), T Eugene Monroe (concussion), TE Crockett Gillmore (calf), DT Timmy Jernigan (knee), WR Steve Smith Sr. (back), CB Lardarius Webb (thigh), DB Terrence Brooks (thumb), S Kendrick Lewis (knee)

Total starts missed: 33 -- Suggs (15), Perriman (6), Canty (4), Monroe (3), Gillmore (2), Jernigan (1), Smith (1), Webb (1)

The loss of center John Sullivan and right tackle Phil Loadholt has hindered an offensive line that was already expected to be among the team's biggest concerns this season. The Vikings have also been forced to scramble at wide receiver after injuries to Charles Johnson and Jarius Wright, though that's allowed them to work in rookie Stefon Diggs, who has 13 catches for 216 yards in the two games Johnson has missed. The Vikings are likely counting down the days until Sullivan's return in November; Teddy Bridgewater has been pressured on 33.1 percent of his dropbacks, which is the fourth-highest figure in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Information. -- Ben Goessling

Players out for season: T Phil Loadholt (Achilles)

Players injured: C John Sullivan (back), CB Josh Robinson (pec), WR Charles Johnson (ribs), S Andrew Sendejo (knee), WR Jarius Wright (hand), DE Justin Trattou (foot), CB Jabari Price (shoulder)

Total starts missed: 31 -- Loadholt (16), Sullivan (7), Robinson (5), Johnson (2), Sendejo (1)

The Texans' most important injury was to running back Arian Foster, who suffered a torn groin Aug. 3, in the team's first fully padded practice of training camp. Foster recovered more quickly than expected, making his debut in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons. He was ineffective in that game but has been slowly working into a rhythm, eclipsing 100 yards from scrimmage in his past two games. The other concern for the Texans is Jadeveon Clowney's ankle injury. The former No. 1 overall pick had been playing well since returning from December microfracture surgery. -- Tania Ganguli

Players out for season: G Jeff Adams (knee), TE Ryan Griffin (knee), QB Tom Savage (shoulder), S Lonnie Ballentine (knee)

Players injured: RB Arian Foster (groin), T Duane Brown (thumb), LB Akeem Dent (hamstring), LB Jadeveon Clowney (ankle), WR Cecil Shorts III (shoulder), S Quintin Demps (hamstring), RB Jonathan Grimes (hamstring), WR Nate Washington (hamstring), G Xavier Su'a-Filo (ankle)

Total starts missed: 29 -- Adams (14), Griffin (7), Foster (3), Brown (2), Dent (2), Clowney (1)

The offense has lost a lot of punch. Running back Jamaal Charles -- arguably the team's most important player -- had his season ended in Week 5 when he tore his right ACL. The Chiefs have 10 points in the five-plus quarters since Charles left the lineup. Kansas City hopes that his replacements, Charcandrick West and Knile Davis, will be more productive as they get more playing time, but that could be a case of wishful thinking. Opponents have had success picking on the Chiefs' third cornerback. Phillip Gaines was the team's best option at the slot CB position, and he tore his ACL in Week 3. -- Adam Teicher

Players out for the season: CB Phillip Gaines (knee), RB Jamaal Charles (knee), OL Paul Fanaika (back), LB Justin March (knee)

Players injured: LB Josh Mauga (groin/Achilles), WR Albert Wilson (shoulder), NT Dontari Poe (ankle)

Total starts missed: 29 -- Gaines (13), Charles (11), Mauga (2), Wilson (2), Poe (1)

The Rams managed to avoid serious injuries in the first couple of weeks, but they were hit hard before the bye, losing LB Alec Ogletree to a fractured fibula, DE Chris Long to a hyperextended knee and guard Rodger Saffold to a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Saffold was the team's most experienced starter on the league's youngest offensive line and his loss forces the Rams to dip into an already-shallow depth chart for help. Saffold won't return this season, and while the Rams are hopeful that Ogletree can, it won't be until the final couple of weeks, if at all. Ogletree was playing at a Pro Bowl level before the injury and his loss is a significant blow to the defense. Long is expected back in the next few weeks and his presence, particularly against the run, will be needed. (One more note: The ambiguous timetables around Olgetree's and Long's returns -- and the fact that St. Louis didn't place either on short-term IR -- deflated the team's number of "total starts missed" here, making the Rams appear healthier than they really are.) -- Nick Wagoner

Players out for the season: CB E.J. Gaines (knee), OL Rodger Saffold (shoulder)

Players injured: LB Alec Ogletree (fibula), DE Chris Long (knee), TE Lance Kendricks (finger)

Total starts missed: 28 -- Gaines (16), Saffold (11), Ogletree (1)

Cornerback Joe Haden is a linchpin for the Browns defense, the guy who would be assigned the opposing team's best receiver, which would then free up others for double-teams or blitzes. But Haden has been slowed or sidelined by a broken finger, a rib injury and now a concussion this season. That has hampered the Browns' approach -- and, when combined with an ankle injury to unheralded inside linebacker Craig Robertson, it's easy to see why the defense ranks 30th overall. -- Pat McManamon

Players out for season: LB Scott Solomon (knee), DB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (knee), QB Connor Shaw (thumb), OT Michael Bowie (shoulder)

Players injured: LB Craig Robertson (ankle), DE Desmond Bryant (shoulder), CB Justin Gilbert (hamstring), S Tashaun Gipson (ankle), CB Joe Haden (finger/rib/concussion), WR Dwayne Bowe (hamstring), QB Josh McCown (concussion), RB Robert Turbin (ankle), CB K'Waun Williams (concussion), CB Charles Gaines (hamstring), TE Randall Telfer (foot), RB Glenn Winston (knee),

Total starts missed: 27 -- Solomon (14), Robertson (3), Bryant (2), Gilbert (2), Gipson (2), Haden (2), Bowe (1), McCown (1)

Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins' shoulder injury interrupted the early chemistry he developed with rookie quarterback Jameis Winston. Seferian-Jenkins had a team-high 139 yards on seven catches before he was sidelined starting in Week 3. When asked last week about the possibility of Seferian-Jenkins returning for a Week 7 matchup against the Washington Redskins, coach Lovie Smith said, "We hope so. Just know that he's doing everything we're asking him to do." But the second-year tight end was one of just two players -- along with left guard Logan Mankins -- not seen participating in practice Tuesday. Still, Seferian-Jenkins said he's "close" to coming back. -- Andrew Astleford

Players out for season: DE Larry English (knee), WR Kenny Bell (hamstring), DE T.J. Fatinikun (shoulder/knee)

Players injured: T Demar Dotson (knee), TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder), C Evan Smith (ankle), S Major Wright (abdomen), CB Johnthan Banks (knee), CB Mike Jenkins (hamstring), WR Russell Shepard (hamstring), TE Luke Stocker (hip), WR Mike Evans (hamstring), G Logan Mankins (groin), DT Akeem Spence (back)

Total starts missed: 26 -- Dotson (7), Seferian-Jenkins (3), Smith (3), Wright (3), Banks (2), Jenkins (2), Shepard (2), Stocker (2), Evans (1), Mankins (1)

Losing running back Andre Ellington to a PCL injury for three games in the season opener turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Cardinals' offense. Arizona was forced to turn to Chris Johnson early and often, and the former rushing champ established that he still had some gas left in the tank. During those three games Ellington missed, Johnson had the second-most rushing yards in the NFL. His presence has only made the Cardinals' backfield stronger. -- Josh Weinfuss

Players out for season: DT Corey Peters (Achilles), LB Kenny Demens (knee), TE Ifeanyi Momah (knee), TE Gerald Christian (knee)

Players injured: RB Andre Ellington (knee), G Mike Iupati (knee), LB Alex Okafor (calf), WR J.J. Nelson (shoulder)

Total starts missed: 23 -- Peters (16), Ellington (3), Iupati (3), Okafor (1)

Cornerback Jason McCourty's preseason groin surgery caused him to miss the first three games of the season, and the Titans felt his absence in Week 2, allowing two back-breaking deep passes against Johnny Manziel and the Browns. Starting nose tackle Sammie Hill hasn't played after injuring his knee in OTAs, but Al Woods has been fine in his place. But the biggest injury problems are likely ahead. Quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a grade 2 left knee sprain in Week 6, and while he has a chance to go Sunday against Atlanta, the injury often means a 2-3 week absence. And starting center Brian Schwenke dislocated his ankle and fractured his leg last week against the Dolphins, ending his season and thrusting rookie Andy Gallik into the starting lineup. -- Paul Kuharsky

Players out for the season: C Brian Schwenke (ankle)

Players injured: NT Sammie Hill (knee), CB Jason McCourty (groin), RG Chance Warmack (knee), TE Delanie Walker (wrist), ILB Avery Williamson (hamstring), RB Antonio Andrews (hamstring), CB Cody Riggs (knee)

Total starts missed: 23 -- Schwenke (11), Hill (5), McCourty (3), Warmack (2), Walker (1), Williamson (1)

Conventional wisdom said the Colts would struggle after quarterback Andrew Luck went down with a right shoulder injury, but the opposite ended up happening. Veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck stepped into the starting lineup and led the Colts to back-to-back victories over Jacksonville and Houston. Luck returned against New England and had his best game of the season, passing for 312 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. -- Mike Wells

Players out for season: KR Tyler Varga (concussion)

Players injured: CB Greg Toler (neck), QB Andrew Luck (shoulder), TE Dwayne Allen (ankle), LB Jerrell Freeman (groin)

Total starts missed: 22 -- Varga (13), Toler (4), Luck (2), Allen (2), Freeman (1)

The Chargers have been most affected by missing three starters along the offensive line, with left tackle King Dunlap, left guard Orlando Franklin and center Chris Watt missing from the lineup the past three games. While the Chargers struggled to protect Philip Rivers early, the makeshift front has competed better of late, allowing Rivers to throw for a franchise-record 503 yards on the road against the Packers. On the other side of the ball, the Chargers need to get defensive playcaller and leading tackler linebacker Manti Te'o back on the field to help solidify a front seven that struggled to consistently stop the run. -- Eric D. Williams

Players out for the season: G Johnnie Troutman (broken arm), DE Tenny Palepoi (foot)

Players injured: S Jahleel Addae (ankle/back), T King Dunlap (concussion), G Orlando Franklin (ankle), WR/KR Jacoby Jones (ankle), C Chris Watt (concussion/groin), WR Stevie Johnson (hamstring), CB Brandon Flowers (knee), G D.J. Fluker (ankle), LB Manti Te'o (ankle), CB Jason Verrett (foot), LB Tourek Williams (foot)

Total starts missed: 22 -- Addae (4), Dunlap (3), Franklin (3), Jones (3), Watt (3), Johnson (2), Flowers (1), Fluker (1), Te'o (1), Verrett (1)

T-25. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have been without one offensive playmaker through the first six games with wide receiver Devin Hester, the most accomplished kick returner in league history, on short-term injured reserve with turf toe. Hester, who made the Pro Bowl last season as a return man, is not due back until Week 13. Eric Weems hasn't done much to create a spark in the return game in Hester's absence. The Falcons are 28th in the league with an average of 20.1 yards per kickoff return, though Weems is 10th in punt returns (10.2-yard average). Defensively, the Falcons could use weakside linebacker Justin Durant back in the lineup after he suffered ligament damage in his left elbow. Durant was the team's leading tackler at one point. -- Vaughn McClure

Players out for the season: G Jon Asamoah (hip)

Players injured: WR/KR Devin Hester (turf toe), LB Brooks Reed (groin), RB Tevin Coleman (ribs), LB Justin Durant (elbow), FS Ricardo Allen (knee), C Mike Person (ankle), TE Jacob Tamme (concussion), DE Malliciah Goodman (elbow)

Total starts missed: 21 -- Hester (11), Reed (3), Coleman (2), Durant (2), Allen (1), Person (1), Tamme (1)

The Dolphins have experienced a lot of issues during their 2-3 start, but they've been fortunate to mostly avoid any major injuries. Miami suffered its biggest loss in training camp this summer when starting safety Louis Delmas tore his ACL. Since then, it's been mostly nagging ailments that have affected practice time. Starting left tackle Branden Albert's hamstring is the biggest concern. He missed two starts in Weeks 3 and 4, which hurt Miami's pass protection. Albert returned after the bye week to play in Sunday's win over the Titans. Other key players -- tight end Jordan Cameron and Pro Bowlers Cameron Wake and Brent Grimes -- have played through their ailments this season. But they're getting healthier: Wake had four sacks last week against Tennessee and Grimes added a key interception. -- James Walker

Players out for the season: S Louis Delmas (knee)

Players injured: TE Dion Sims (concussion), T Branden Albert (hamstring),

Total starts missed: 21 -- Delmas (16), Sims (3), Albert (2)

It's not that the Saints have been hindered by major season-ending injuries, but nagging ailments to key players have contributed to the team's poor starts. QB Drew Brees' shoulder injury was the blockbuster. The Saints went 0-2 in the game when he got hurt and the game he missed a week later. It's unclear if Brees is fully back to 100 percent, but he has proved to be effective regardless -- and that should only get better as the year goes on. The offensive line seems to have a new injury creep up every week, which is a big reason for the inconsistency up front. But the Saints are expecting to get standout left tackle Terron Armstead back soon from a knee injury, which is imperative. The defense, meanwhile, began the year without three key starters (cornerback Keenan Lewis, safety Jairus Byrd and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe). All have returned, though Lewis has been extremely limited while dealing with a nagging hip injury. It would really help if he can get right down the stretch. -- Mike Triplett

Players out for season: S Rafael Bush (chest), LB Davis Tull (shoulder), CB P.J. Williams (hamstring), S Vinnie Sunseri (leg)

Players injured: S Jairus Byrd (knee), LB Dannell Ellerbe (foot), G Jahri Evans (knee), CB Keenan Lewis (hip), T Terron Armstead (knee), P Thomas Morstead (quadriceps), QB Drew Brees (shoulder), WR Marques Colston (shoulder), G Tim Lelito (shoulder), DE Bobby Richardson (hip), RB C.J. Spiller (knee), OT Andrus Peat (knee), DB Damian Swann (concussion)

Total starts missed: 20 -- Byrd (3), Ellerbe (3), Evans (3), Lewis (3), Armstead (2), Morstead (2), Brees (1), Colston (1), Lelito (1), Richardson (1)

The Niners have avoided a costly catastrophic injury through six games, but they've been plagued with a few nagging ailments. Reggie Bush, acquired to be a playmaker as a change-of-pace back, has been a non-factor since straining his left calf on his second carry as a member of the 49ers. He has just five touches for 13 yards. Tight end Vernon Davis, mentioned in trade rumors, has missed two games for the second season in a row, while Bruce Ellington, expected to be the primary returner, has already missed half of the season. (It's worth noting, however, that Ellington's absence has allowed for Jarryd Hayne's ascension as a punt returner.) Truly, center Daniel Kilgore's injury might have had the longest-lasting effect on the team. He's eligible to come off the PUP list this week and start practicing, but he's still recovering from a follow-up surgery on his badly broken left ankle/lower leg suffered last October. The Niners have had to play with a patchwork offensive line in his absence and the right side, along with center Marcus Martin, is among the lowest-rated in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. -- Paul Gutierrez

Players out for season: TE Busta Anderson (ankle), WR Dres Anderson (knee)

Players injured: C Daniel Kilgore (ankle), WR/PR/KR Bruce Ellington (ankle/calf), TE Vernon Davis (knee), TE Vance McDonald (knee), RB Reggie Bush (calf)

Total starts missed: 12 -- Kilgore (6), Ellington (3), Davis (2), McDonald (1)

Aside from LeSean McCoy's lingering hamstring issue, the Bills were one of the NFL's healthiest teams through the first three games of the regular season until a cascade of injuries hit. McCoy re-injured his hamstring, Sammy Watkins hurt his calf, Karlos Williams suffered a concussion, Tyrod Taylor injured his knee and Percy Harvin aggravated his hip injury. The team took more blows in Sunday's loss to the Bengals, when right tackle Seantrel Henderson left with a concussion and defensive tackle Kyle Williams injured his knee. Coach Rex Ryan's frustration boiled over after Sunday's game when he brought up, on his own, that the Bills had been "snake-bit" and that the amount of injuries has been "unbelievable" to him. But it's important for Ryan to remember that his team has completely avoided season-ending injuries to key contributors, which is why they rank so low on this list. -- Mike Rodak

Players out for season: LB Ty Powell (knee), DE Jarius Wynn (knee)

Players injured: RB Karlos Williams (concussion), RB LeSean McCoy (hamstring), WR Sammy Watkins (calf/ankle), WR Marcus Easley (shoulder), WR Percy Harvin (hip), G John Miller (groin), QB Tyrod Taylor (ankle, knee), WR Marquise Goodwin (ribs), T Seantrel Henderson (concussion), DT Kyle Williams (knee), S Aaron Williams (neck), S Bacarri Rambo (quad)

Total starts missed: 11 -- Williams (3), McCoy (2), Watkins (2), Easley (1), Harvin (1), Miller (1), Taylor (1)

The Bengals were in the enviable position last Thursday and Friday of practicing all 53 men on their active roster -- something they couldn't say at all during an injury-filled 2014 season. Although three players left Sunday's game with injuries, coach Marvin Lewis expects the Bengals to return from the bye quite close to full health. As an added bonus, the Bengals could be getting a couple of late-October call-ups off their injury lists. Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list with his rehab from a January microfracture surgery now complete, while first-round pick Cedric Ogbuehi (knee) and backup linebacker Sean Porter (knee) could also be back on the field soon. -- Coley Harvey

Players out for season: OLB Marquis Flowers (shoulder), WR James Wright (knee)

Players injured: OLB Vontaze Burfict (knee), CB Leon Hall (back), S George Iloka (ankle), T Cedric Ogbuehi (knee), OLB Sean Porter (knee)

Total starts missed: 8 -- Burfict (6), Hall (1), Iloka (1)

The Jets' most newsworthy injury occurred in the preseason when quarterback Geno Smith had his jaw broken by a teammate's fist, but it hasn't hurt the team at all. Truth be told, they're better off with Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has stabilized the offense with his heady leadership. He doesn't have Smith's physical talent, but Fitzpatrick makes better decisions and doesn't get sacked. Their depth took a few hits in the preseason with season-ending injuries to tight end Jace Amaro and safety Antonio Allen and a two-month injury to cornerback Dee Milliner, who was put on short-term IR with a dislocated wrist. -- Rich Cimini

Players out for season: DB Antonio Allen (Achilles), TE Jace Amaro (shoulder), TE Zach Sudfeld (knee)

Players injured: QB Geno Smith (jaw), G Willie Colon (knee), TE Jeff Cumberland (concussion), WR Eric Decker (knee), RB Chris Ivory (quadriceps), CB Dee Milliner (wrist), S Jaiquawn Jarrett (knee), LB Jamari Lattimore (concussion), LB Lorenzo Mauldin (concussion), WR Chris Owusu (knee), CB Darrin Walls (hamstring), CB Marcus Williams (hamstring)

Total starts missed: 6 -- Smith (2), Colon (1), Cumberland (1), Decker (1), Ivory (1)

Running back Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) missed back-to-back games for the first time, but he returned last week. The Seahawks have struggled to close out games both with and without Lynch on the field. It's tough to make too much of his absence considering backup Thomas Rawls averaged 5.7 yards per carry on 59 attempts. Other than Lynch, the only true starters who have missed time are middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (strained pectoral) and nose tackle Brandon Mebane (groin). The Seahawks definitely missed Wagner down the stretch last week during their meltdown against the Panthers, but he's expected back either this week or next. Mebane only missed one game. -- Sheil Kapadia

Players out for season: CB Tharold Simon (toe)

Players injured: CB Marcus Burley (thumb), RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring), DT Brandon Mebane (groin), LB Bobby Wagner (pec), TE Luke Willson (back), DL Frank Clark (hamstring), DT Jordan Hill (quad), LB Brock Coyle (knee), LB Mike Morgan (hamstring), LB Nick Moody (ankle), S Steven Terrell (hip), CB Tye Smith (hip), DT Demarcus Dobbs (shoulder)

Total starts missed: 6 -- Burley (2), Lynch (2), Mebane (1), Wagner (1)