Philadelphia Eagles backup Quarterback Nick Foles left the game early in the second quarter against the New England Patriots on August 16, 2018. He was hit from the back trying to throw the ball and immediately fell forward, gripping his shoulder. He was diagnosed with a shoulder strain.

A muscle strain is a tearing of the muscle fibers.

Muscle strain is diagnosed on examination. Usually symptoms include tenderness over the injured area and pain with stretching. Muscle strains heal over time.

The injury was characterized as minor after further testing. In pre-season, there seems to be a lower threshold for calling pain an injury and taking key players out of the game. Foles returned to play against the Cleveland Browns a week later.