How are big-name injuries affecting each team's performance?

We are just three weeks into the NFL season and there are already many notable injuries on a few teams that have proven to hurt their overall performance. Two teams in particular were hit hard with these injuries.

San Francisco 49ers

Injuries plagued this offense which is partly why they currently have a 1-2 record.

Their season began with bad news after Christian McCaffrey sustained a calf injury as well as Achilles tendinitis which already put the team at a disadvantage.

McCaffrey is a crucial part of this offense. He led the league in rushing last season, accumulating nearly 1,500 yards with nobody close by, and isn’t expected to return until Oct. 20.

Additionally, they lost Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) as well as George Kittle (hamstring) in their second game of the season against the Minnesota Vikings, both of which were having an amazing game.

Between them, Samuel and Kittle recorded 186 total yards, accounting for a lump sum of the receiving yards on the day. That right there should show you just how important these two weapons are.

They are both questionable to return for Sunday’s game.

Despite these losses, a few teammates stepped up to fill their places until they return to the field.

Jordan Mason is holding his own at running back averaging 108 yards per game. He is currently the second-best rusher in the league with 324 total yards and two touchdowns.

At receiver, Jauan Jennings had a breakout game against the LA Rams, hauling in 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns and looks to be Brock Purdy’s main target while Samuel and Kittle are sidelined.

However, the team just doesn’t have enough weapons at the moment to successfully beat high-caliber teams.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams aren't far behind San Francisco, starting the season 1-2 tied for second in the NFC West.

The team also lost two of their star receivers to injury.

Puca Nacua (knee) exited the team’s season opener and Cooper Kupp (ankle) left in the very next game. These two players make up the majority of the offense and both receivers aren’t expected to return until October.

Without them, Matthew Stafford has to find less-used targets across the field.

In the last few games, he relied mostly on Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, and Tyler Johnson for plays down the field and Kyren Williams in the backfield.

All three players have a combined 384 yards which is nearly half of all passing yards on the team.

Williams played a big part in their 27-24 comeback victory against the Niners scoring all three touchdowns which helped the team get in the win column.

Each of these players will likely be a main focal point of this offense moving forward until Nacua and Kupp come back from injury.

The Rams were surprisingly able to overcome these injuries, but the real question is if they will be able to maintain their performance for the following weeks to come.

Carlin Whalen is a fourth-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email cjw6426@psu.edu.