Another week of NFL action means another week of injuries. Plenty of players got banged up in Week 11, 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 11 NFL Injuries Recap
Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks lost a critical NFC West matchup to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday and might’ve lost their QB, too. Geno Smith suffered an elbow injury during the third quarter and didn’t return until Seattle’s final offensive drive.
Speaking after the game, Smith acknowledged that his elbow was hurting and said he wasn’t sure if he’d be ready for the Seahawks’ Thanksgiving Day game against the San Francisco 49ers.
But head coach Pete Carroll has better news on Monday. Smith has a contusion on the bottom of his triceps but didn’t suffer any other damage, per Carroll, who said Geno should be able to play on Thursday.
Drew Lock, who completed two of six attempts for three yards and an interception in Week 11, will start on Thursday if Smith is unable to suit up.
De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
Rookie phenom De’Von Achane returned from a four-game absence only to suffer another knee injury on Sunday. Fortunately, it doesn’t sound like Achane is expected to miss time, even though the Dolphins’ next game is on Black Friday.
Head coach Mike McDaniel said Achane was trying to come back into Sunday’s contest and suggested Miami only removed him as a precautionary measure.
On Monday, McDaniel confirmed Achane aggravated his existing knee issue but will not require surgery. In fact, Achane is considered day-to-day and has not been ruled out for Friday’s game.
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Geno wasn’t the only Seahawk who went down in Week 11. Running back Kenneth Walker III left yesterday’s game after picking up an oblique injury on Seattle’s first offensive series and never returned.
After the game, head coach Pete Carroll called Walker’s oblique injury “legit,” which is typically how he describes an issue that will cause a player to miss time, as ESPN’s Brady Henderson noted.
On Monday, Carroll said Walker is not a candidate for injured reserve “at this point,” adding the Seahawks need more time to evaluate Walker’s injury. Still, the fact that Carroll didn’t completely rule out IR doesn’t bode well for Walker’s Thursday availability.
With a quick turnaround on tap, the Seahawks will likely have to rely on fellow RBs Zach Charbonnet, DeeJay Dallas, and Kenny McIntosh (who’s expected to be activated from IR) against the 49ers.
Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones had already missed time this year, but he was breathing a sigh of relief on Sunday after tests showed the veteran RB did not suffer a season-ending ACL injury. Still, h he was listed as a non-participant in Monday’s estimated practice.
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Like Seattle, Green Bay is also playing on Thanksgiving, so timing will be an issue even if Jones is not seriously hurt. Fellow RB Emmanuel Wilson was also injured on Sunday, leaving AJ Dillon as the Packers’ only back. Green Bay signed Patrick Taylor to its active roster and James Robinson to its practice squad on Monday.
D’Onta Foreman, RB, Chicago Bears
Even though Khalil Herbert returned from injured reserve on Sunday, D’Onta Foreman still earned the start as the Bears’ lead running back. However, Foreman eventually injured his ankle against the Detroit Lions and did not return.
Head coach Matt Eberflus didn’t update Foreman’s status after Chicago’s loss, so we’ll need to wait to hear more. If Foreman misses time, Herbert and rookie Roschon Johnson will handle the Bears’ backfield work.
Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Rams head coach Sean McVay didn’t offer much of an update on Cooper Kupp, who departed L.A.’s win over the Seahawks with a second-quarter ankle injury and never returned.
Still, McVay said Kupp was trying to re-enter the game in the second half, so his injury might not be all that concerning. Kupp missed the final eight games of the 2022 campaign with a high ankle sprain, then sat out the first month this year due to a hamstring issue.
Kupp has a low ankle sprain, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Monday. He’s considered day to day, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, who notes the Rams “will be careful” with Kupp ahead of their Week 12 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Mekhi Becton, OT, New York Jets
The Jets’ offensive line simply cannot catch a break. Mekhi Becton, who’s rebounded from multiple injury-plagued seasons to post the best year of his career, likely suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 11, according to Rapoport. He will undergo an MRI on Monday.
New York must activate fellow offensive tackle Duane Brown from IR before Week 12 — otherwise, he’ll stick on the injured list for the rest of the season. Assuming he can suit up, Brown should start at left tackle against the Dolphins on Friday.
Joey Bosa, EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers
Joey Bosa left the field with tears in his eyes and his head in a towel after going down with a foot injury on Sunday. Bosa eventually returned to the sideline on crutches and sporting a walking boot, but subsequent updates have been far more positive.
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First, Bosa told his brother — 49ers EDGE Nick Bosa — on Sunday night that his injury might not be as serious as expected. Then, Rapoport reported Monday that Joey Bosa did not suffer an Achilles injury and is likely dealing with a foot sprain.
That diagnosis was confirmed on Monday, and Bosa is expected to be placed on IR this week. He’ll have to miss at least four games, so he’ll — at best — only be available for the Chargers’ last three regular-season contests.
Talanoa Hufanga, S, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers earned another win on Sunday, but it came at a cost. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that safety Talanoa Hufanga likely has a torn ACL and is expected to miss the rest of the season. The diagnosis was confirmed on Monday.
Hufanga was a first-team All-Pro in 2022, so it’s difficult to overstate his loss for San Francisco’s defense. Third-round rookie Ji’Ayir Brown is expected to replace Hufanga and play alongside fellow 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson.
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