Another week of NFL action means another week of injuries. Plenty of players got banged up in Week 14, 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 14 NFL Injuries Recap
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Having already dealt with a finger injury to his left hand earlier this season, Justin Herbert fractured the index finger on his right hand in Week 14. The Chargers have already ruled him out for Thursday night’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Given that Los Angeles is 5-8 and outside the AFC playoff picture, Herbert may not play again this year.
Herbert will likely undergo surgery on Tuesday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The results of that procedure will determine whether Herbert can play again this season.
Easton Stick will take over under center for the Chargers. L.A. selected Stick, a North Dakota State product, in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He’d attempted one pass heading into Sunday’s game and finished 13-of-24 for 179 scoreless yards this week.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
The betting favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, C.J. Stroud is in the NFL’s concussion protocol after taking a brutal hit from New York Jets DT Quinnen Williams. San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy suffered a concussion earlier this year and played the next week, but he was an exception, not the rule.
If Stroud can’t suit up against the Tennessee Titans, Davis Mills will handle QB duties for the Texans. After falling to the Jets on Sunday, Houston desperately needs a win to stay in the thick of the playoff race.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Josh Jacobs hasn’t been able to match his 2022 production with the Las Vegas Raiders this season, and now he might be sidelined. The veteran running back departed the Raiders’ Week 14 loss with a knee injury and never returned. Jacobs was limping significantly when he left for Vegas’ locker room.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
With the Raiders facing a short turnaround before TNF, Jacobs seems unlikely to be available against the Chargers. He was listed as a non-participant in Las Vegas’ estimated Monday practice while dealing with a quad injury.
Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah could form an RB committee if Jacobs is sidelined, but CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported the Raiders plan to see a free agent RB.
Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Jacobs wasn’t the only RB hurt in the Raiders-Vikings game. Alexander Mattison sprained his ankle on Sunday, which could theoretically lead to an absence. However, we’ll need to hear more about the nature of Mattison’s sprain before assessing his timeline.
Ty Chandler ultimately played 40 snaps against Las Vegas and will profile as Minnesota’s starting running back against the Cincinnati Bengals if Mattison can’t play in Week 15.
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings could be dealing with plenty of offensive changes on Sunday. Nick Mullens will likely make his first 2023 start under center after relieving Joshua Dobbs in Week 14, Mattison might not play, and All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson’s status is uncertain after leaving this week’s game with a chest injury.
Jefferson was taken to a local hospital out of precaution but was able to travel back to Minnesota with the rest of his team. Fortunately, Jefferson is already doing well enough that the Vikings consider him day-to-day, while head coach Kevin O’Connell said he has a chance to play against the Bengals on Saturday.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
The Texans already lost rookie phenom Tank Dell to a season-ending injury and might be without Stroud in Week 15. As if that weren’t enough, Nico Collins also went down with a calf issue this week and might not be ready to play against the Titans.
Collins has a strained calf. He already dealt with a calf issue this season, so a reoccurrence is concerning. If Collins is sidelined, Robert Woods, Noah Brown, and John Metchie III will be in line for extra work.
Tutu Atwell, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Tutu Atwell has had his moments this season, but the third-year wideout may be unavailable when the Los Angeles Rams play the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
Atwell is in the concussion protocol and could have trouble getting cleared for Week 15. Demarcus Robinson took over as the Rams’ WR3 against the Baltimore Ravens and posted a 3-46-1 line.
Dawand Jones, OT, Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are down to their third-string right tackle. Rookie Dawand Jones — already filling in for Jack Conklin on the right side — will undergo season-ending surgery on his knee. James Hudson III will be Cleveland’s starting RT moving forward.
MORE: NFL Playoff Bracket 2023
The Browns are already playing second-stringer Geron Christian at left tackle. Starter Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) is eligible to return from injured reserve (IR), but it’s unclear if the former first-round pick is ready to play.
Kyle Hamilton, S, Baltimore Ravens
Kyle Hamilton suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in the Ravens’ win over the Rams, per Jordan Schultz of The Score, while Schefter labeled the second-year safety day to day. Baltimore has to be breathing a sigh of relief that one of its best defensive players won’t be sidelined for an extended period.
The Ravens can activate slot corner Damarion Williams from IR this week. With Hamilton banged up, it seems likely that Baltimore will want another nickel option on its roster.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!
