With the NFL season a quarter of the way over for nearly every team (besides the Panthers and Redskins who had Week 4 byes), many teams have already seen their depth tested due to injuries throughout the league.

Here are the best players at each position who are currently on the mend and on injured reserve. While many of these players are out for the season, some may be able to return. Each team is now allowed to designate two players on injured reserve who would be eligible to return after eight weeks away.

Offense

  • QB - Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers

A torn ACL, unfortunately, ended Garoppolo's season after just three games.

He signed an enormous five-year, $137.5 million deal ($74.1 million guaranteed) deal in the offseason.

  • RB - Jerick McKinnon, 49ers

The 49ers also signed McKinnon to a four year, $30 million deal ($18 million guaranteed) this past offseason. He tore his ACL in practice which ended his first year with his new team before it even started.

  • RB - Derrius Guice, Redskins

A second-round pick out of LSU by the Redskins in 2018, Guice was expected to get the bulk of the carries from the get-go. A torn ACL in the preseason opener will not allow him to do so.

  • WR - Marqise Lee, Jaguars

Lee was one of Blake Bortles’ favorite targets in 2016-17 as he totaled 119 receptions for 1,553 yards over those two seasons.

He suffered significant knee ligament damage due to a hit in the preseason, an injury that will keep him the entirety of the regular season.

  • WR - Mike Wallace, Eagles

A three-time 1,000+ yard receiver (2010, 2011, and 2016), Wallace sustained a fractured fibula which has placed him on injured reserve. Despite starting the first two games prior to the injury, he does not have a catch this year.

  • TE - Delanie Walker, Titans

Walker was named to the Pro Bowl in each of the past three seasons as he averaged approximately 78 catches for 898 yards and five touchdowns from 2015-17. He fractured his ankle in Week 1 which prematurely put an end to his season.

  • C - A.Q. Shipley, Cardinals

Shipley was the starting center for all 32 of the Cardinals' games over the past two seasons.

The 32-year-old tore his ACL in August which effectively ended his season.

  • G - Josh Sitton, Dolphins

Sitton made four Pro Bowls in five years from 2012-16. Picked up by the Dolphins in the offseason, he started in the regular season opener but tore his rotator cuff which will be a season-ending injury.

  • G - Andy Levitre, Falcons

Now in his 10th season, Levitre entered this year having started all 141 of his career games. He started the first two of 2018, but he is now on injured reserve due to a torn triceps.

  • T - Matt Kalil, Panthers

A Pro Bowler in his rookie season with the Vikings in 2012, Kalil started all 16 games in his first season with the Panthers last year after signing a five-year, $55 million deal ($31 million guaranteed).

Offseason knee surgery will shelve him for at least the first half of the 2018 season.

  • T - Daryl Williams, Panthers

Williams injured his knee in the season opener and was later placed on injured reserve. He potentially could be activated by Week 10. He started all 16 games at right tackle for Carolina last season.

Defense

  • DE - Muhammad Wilkerson, Packers

A Pro Bowler in 2015, Wilkerson twice has finished a season with over 10 sacks (10.5 in 2013 and 12 in 2015). According to NFL.com, he underwent season-ending surgery on Sunday for a significant ankle injury that occurred in Week 3.

  • DE - William Hayes, Dolphins

An 11-year veteran, Hayes has accumulated 37.5 sacks throughout his career including two in Miami's first three games.

Unfortunately for them and him, he tore his ACL in Week 3 as he was trying to avoid a roughing the passer penalty.

  • DT - Timmy Jernigan, Eagles

Jernigan had surgery for a herniated disc in his back during the offseason and could come back by a Week 7 (unclear if he will). He started 15 games and all three playoff games for Philadelphia en route to their Super Bowl win.

  • DT - Mitch Unrein, Buccaneers

Unrein signed a three year, $10.5 million deal ($4 million guaranteed) to join Tampa Bay after starting 17 games for the Bears over the last two seasons. He was placed on injured reserve prior to the regular season beginning with a concussion and is eligible to return in Week 9.

  • LB - Ryan Shazier, Steelers

A scary spinal injury in Week 13 during Monday Night Football of last year has Shazier on the mend.

While he has been ruled out for all of 2018, Heavy.com has reported that his dream is to come back and play football once again.

  • LB - Deion Jones, Falcons

A second round pick in 2016, Jones was named to the Pro Bowl last year as he intercepted three passes. He also intercepted a pass in the season opener, but also injured his foot which placed him on injured reserve. It is not yet clear whether he will return later this season.

  • LB - Jake Ryan, Packers

Ryan tore his ACL in training camp which put a premature end to his season. The 26-year-old recorded 163 tackles in 2016-17 while starting 22 of his 29 appearances.

  • CB - Aqib Talib, Rams

Talib had surgery to repair a high ankle sprain that was suffered in Week 3 against the Chargers.

The hope by the team is that he will be able to return before the season comes to an end. The 32-year-old has been named to each of the last five Pro Bowls.

  • CB - Jason Verrett, Chargers

Verrett has been unable to stay healthy for the Chargers after a 2015 season that saw him named to the Pro Bowl. He played a grand total of just five games in the previous two years and will miss all of 2018 after he tore his Achilles.

  • FS - Earl Thomas, Seahawks

A long-time Seattle star, Thomas was involved in a contract dispute before joining the team right before the regular season opener. The six-time Pro Bowler fractured his leg in Sunday’s win over the Cardinals, an injury that will end his season.

  • SS - Keanu Neal, Falcons

A Pro Bowl safety last season, Neal tore his ACL in the Falcons' season opener against the Eagles. It will cost him the rest of the season. The 2016 first round pick forced eight fumbles over his first two seasons.
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