Another week of NFL action means another week of injuries. Plenty of players got banged up in Week 10, while others suffered injuries that could knock them out for several weeks or more. Let’s round up the most notable injury updates from Sunday.
Week 10 NFL Injuries Recap
Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr went down with a shoulder injury and a concussion in Week 10, forcing backup Jameis Winston into an eventual loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Fortunately, the Saints have a bye in Week 11, and Carr is expected to return for a critical NFC South matchup against the Atlanta Falcons the following Sunday.
Carr suffered an AC joint injury to his right throwing shoulder in Week 3 and missed the remainder of that game. Consequently, another injury to the same shoulder is cause for concern, but Carr is unlikely to miss any time.
Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson’s injury issues have been an ongoing saga during the 2023 campaign. But the Browns quarterback’s right shoulder isn’t the issue following Week 10 — it’s his left ankle.
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Watson was favoring his left leg during yesterday’s game. QB2 P.J. Walker heaved a pre-halftime Hail Mary instead of Watson because the latter was getting his ankle taped on the sideline. Watson left the stadium in a walking boot and will undergo an MRI on Monday.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The current Browns QB is dealing with a nagging injury, and so is a former Cleveland signal-caller. Baker Mayfield banged his thumb on a defender’s hand in Week 10 but ultimately played through whatever damage he may have suffered.
He underwent tests on Monday morning and did not experience any issues, per ESPN. Mayfield isn’t expected to miss any practice sessions and will be available for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Taylor Heinicke, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Taylor Heinicke was the third and final NFC South QB to go down on Sunday, leaving yesterday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals with a hamstring injury and throwing Atlanta’s QB situation into further flux.
The Falcons had intended to let Heinicke play in Week 10, then use their Week 11 bye to decide between him and Desmond Ridder for the rest of the season. Ridder, who started eight games this season and closed out Atlanta’s Week 12 loss, will win the job by default if Heinicke has to miss time.
Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings
The offensive injuries will not stop for the Vikings. Kirk Cousins and Cam Akers are already out for the season, Justin Jefferson is still on injured reserve, K.J. Osborn missed yesterday’s game, and T.J. Hockenson is banged up.
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Alexander Mattison joined the list on Sunday when he left Minnesota’s eventual win with a concussion. Ty Chandler, who finished with 15 carries for 45 yards and a TD, will be the Vikings’ RB1 if Mattison can’t play against the Denver Broncos in Week 11. Minnesota also re-signed RB Myles Gaskin to its practice squad on Monday.
Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
Michael Thomas has one of the NFL’s lengthiest injury histories, so any new issue is always concerning. The veteran wide receiver went down with a hamstring injury during the first half of the Saints’ loss to the Vikings and never returned.
Fortunately, Thomas is not believed to have suffered a severe injury. Sixth-round rookie A.T. Perry replaced Thomas in two-wide sets (instead, notably, of Rashid Shaheed, who stayed in the slot) and hauled in his first NFL touchdown.
Gerald Everett, TE, Los Angeles Chargers
Gerald Everett injured his back against the Detroit Lions in Week 10 and did not re-enter the game. The Chargers have already lost Mike Wiliams for the season, while fellow WR Joshua Palmer is on IR. Keenan Allen also briefly departed yesterday’s contest with a shoulder injury but eventually returned.
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We’ll have to wait for an update on Everett’s status. Donald Parham Jr. will become L.A.’s top tight end if Everett needs time to recover.
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Baltimore Ravens
Ronnie Stanley has already dealt with more than his fair share of injury issues, having missed 33 games from 2020 to 2022. But the veteran left tackle might have another concern after going down in Sunday’s loss.
The Ravens’ LT was writing on the ground during the fourth quarter of yesterday’s game and was subsequently listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Daniel Faalele replaced Stanley on Lamar Jackson’s blindside. Patrick Mekari, playing right tackle in place of the injured Morgan Moses, would fill in on the left side moving forward if needed.
Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals
Arguably the Bengals’ best defensive player, Trey Hendrickson hyperextended his knee in the club’s Week 10 loss to the Houston Texans, according to NFL Network. He will undergo an MRI but is facing a “short-term absence.”
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There’s a very real possibility Cincinnati will face the AFC North-leading Ravens on Thursday night without Hendrickson, fellow pass rusher Sam Hubbard, or wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Marshon Lattimore, CB, New Orleans Saints
Carr, Thomas, and Marshon Lattimore — three of the Saints’ most significant pieces suffered injuries in Week 10 and didn’t return.
Lattimore was carted off the field in the fourth quarter after picking up an ankle injury. Like Carr and Thomas, Lattimore could benefit from New Orleans’ upcoming bye, but we won’t know more until updates come in regarding the cornerback’s condition.
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Baltimore Ravens
Marlon Humphrey missed the first four games of the season with a foot injury, and he could be further sidelined moving forward. Baltimore’s top corner went down with a non-contact ankle injury on Sunday and never re-appeared in the club’s loss to the Browns.
Thankfully, Humphrey only suffered a lower calf strain, per NFLN, which is a better outcome than expected. Still, the Ravens play on TNF, so he might not be ready to play.
Denzel Ward, CB, Cleveland Browns
Humphrey wasn’t the only AFC North cornerback to get banged up in that game. Denzel Ward also left with a neck injury and did not return. However, the Browns’ CB1 was cleared of a concussion.
With Ward injured, usual slot corner Greg Newsome played outside in nickel packages while Mike Ford spent time inside.
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