Harvard in the NFL | Aug. 2–8, 2026
Anthony Firkser's second act in Detroit lasted about as long as a preseason hype cycle.
The Lions placed the Harvard tight end on injured reserve this week, cutting short what had been a noteworthy comeback bid. Firkser, who carved out a reliable role in Tennessee before bouncing around the league, had returned to Detroit with something to prove. Instead, he joins the IR list before the regular season even gets underway — a brutal outcome for a veteran fighting for a roster spot.
The specifics of the injury weren't disclosed, but the IR designation ends his availability for at least the early portion of the season under current NFL rules. For Firkser and Lions fans who had circled his return as a feel-good story, this is a deflating turn heading into the final stretch of the preseason.
San Francisco's Injury Pile Swallows Juszczyk
Meanwhile, out in Santa Clara, the 49ers' training camp has become something of a walking wounded showcase — and Kyle Juszczyk is caught up in it. The Harvard fullback, a six-time Pro Bowler and one of the most decorated players at his position in modern NFL history, has been sidelined from practice alongside a long list of San Francisco offensive players.
The situation around Juszczyk is particularly grim in context: wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is out for the season, George Kittle is working back from an Achilles tear, and Christian Kirk and De'Zhaun Stribling are also unavailable. The 49ers' offense — expected to be a strength heading into 2026 — is taking on water at camp before a regular-season snap has been played. Juszczyk's absence is a smaller footnote in a larger story, but it's one Harvard fans will be monitoring as the preseason progresses.
The Bigger Picture
Two of Harvard's most prominent NFL alumni dealing with injury news in the same week is a rough stretch for Crimson fans tracking their own in the league. Firkser's situation is the more immediate concern — IR is IR, and his season outlook is suddenly murky. Juszczyk, a proven commodity who has defied the odds and age at fullback, has enough of a track record to inspire confidence he'll return to the field, but the 49ers can't afford more bad news on offense.
The rest of Harvard's NFL contingent — Truman Jones (Titans, LB), Tyler Ott (Commanders, LS), and Aaron Shampklin (Dolphins, RB) — generated no notable news this period.
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