Injuries continue to mount throughout the NFL. Plenty of players were 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 looking ahead to Week 12.
Atlanta Falcons
Darnell Mooney, WR
Week 12 status: BYE
Darnell Mooney suffered a hamstring injury during the second half of the Atlanta Falcons’ contest against the Broncos. He was replaced by WR KhaDarel Hodge on the Falcons’ second drive of the third quarter and never returned.
Fortunately, Mooney indicated after Week 11 that he did not suffer a severe injury.
“I’ll be fine,” Mooney said, per The Athletic’s Josh Kendall. “My right leg was giving out on me a little bit. I’ll be fine, though.”
Mooney, who inked a three-year, $39 million deal with the Falcons over the offseason, still leads the club in receiving yards (711) despite missing the second half of Week 11. He’s second on the team to Drake London in targets, receptions, and receiving touchdowns.
Baltimore Ravens
Justice Hill, RB
Hill (concussion protocol) doesn’t have an injury designation heading into Monday’s clash against the Chargers.
Hill began the week with a limited practice while in concussion protocol but was able to log a full practice Friday. He was then estimated as a full participant again in Saturday’s walkthrough. As such, Hill will be able to suit up against the Chargers, and he’ll likely continue to work as Baltimore’s top kickoff returner as well as its change-of-pace back behind Derrick Henry.
Rashod Bateman, WR
Bateman (knee) doesn’t have an injury designation for Monday’s Week 12 contest against the Chargers.
He popped up on the injury report as a DNP on Thursday due to a knee issue, but the injury was apparently minor as the wideout was estimated as a full participant at Saturday’s walkthrough.
As such, Bateman will be able to suit up against Los Angeles on Monday Night Football. He’s tallied 11 catches on 17 targets for 109 yards and a touchdown over his past three games while working as Baltimore’s No. 2 receiver behind Zay Flowers.
Buffalo Bills
Keon Coleman, WR
Week 12 status: BYE
Keon Coleman has missed the Buffalo Bills’ last two games with a wrist injury but will now get time to recover during the club’s Week 12 bye. Josh Allen and Co. still took down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday without Coleman or TE Dalton Kincaid in the lineup.
Coleman was injured in Week 9 while trying to haul in a deep pass from Allen with 54 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. He went to Buffalo’s locker room before the game ended and had a brace on his right wrist after the Bills’ victory.
Head coach Sean McDermott said at the time that Coleman could have suffered a multi-week injury.
Dalton Kincaid, TE
Week 12 status: BYE
Kincaid (knee) didn’t suit up for the Bills’ win over the Chiefs on Sunday. Like Coleman, he’ll be allowed to rest during Buffalo’s Week 12 bye with an eye toward returning in Week 13.
Kincaid was initially listed as questionable after going down in Week 10. He returned for two snaps before departing again, noting after the game that he didn’t feel healthy enough to continue. Kincaid never practiced leading up to Week 11.
Fellow TE Dawson Knox replaced Kincaid in Buffalo’s starting lineup, posting a season-high four catches for 40 yards this past Sunday.
Carolina Panthers
Jonathon Brooks, RB
Rookie Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is on track to make his long-awaited NFL debut in Week 12. He fully practiced every day this week, and while Brooks is listed as questionable, head coach Dave Canales said he is “absolutely” playing on Sunday.
The Panthers activated the second-round pick from the non-football injury list ahead of Week 10, but Brooks didn’t play. Carolina went on bye in Week 11, leaving Week 12 vs. the Chiefs as Brooks’ first pro game.
Brooks will have to earn touches behind thriving starting Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard. However, fellow RB Miles Sanders (ankle) won’t play on Sunday, vacating a role for Brooks.
Jalen Coker, WR
Jalen Coker (quad) didn’t practice on Friday and is now considered questionable for Sunday’s game.
Coker wasn’t listed on the Panthers’ early-week injury reports, suggesting he may have been hurt during Friday’s practice. End-of-the-week downgrades are never a positive sign and often indicate that a player will miss the upcoming game. Carolina could update Coker’s game status over the weekend.
Coker finished as the fantasy WR17 in Week 8 but has otherwise finished outside the top 40 wideouts each week.
Adam Thielen, WR
Adam Thielen practiced on Wednesday for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 3. The veteran wideout remained limited for each practice ahead of Week 12, but Canales said Thielen will suit up on Sunday (despite his questionable label).
The Panthers only have four receivers on their active roster. If Coker can’t go, Thielen and first-round rookie Xavier Legette could be in for significant targets against Kansas City.
#Panthers WR Adam Thielen has been cleared to play. He’s excited to be back in team drills for the first time in eight weeks. pic.twitter.com/uCaDIg1L44
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) November 20, 2024
Carolina had to activate Thielen from injured reserve last week, even though the club was on a bye. If they’d kept Thielen on IR past his 21-day return window, he’d have remained there for the rest of the year.
The 34-year-old demonstrated a strong rapport with Bryce Young last season, recording 103 catches for 1,014 yards. It was Thielen’s first 1,000-yard season since 2018, his last Pro Bowl berth with the Vikings.
Chicago Bears
D’Andre Swift, RB
Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift failed to practice on Wednesday due to a groin injury. This was a new issue for Swift, who wasn’t listed on the club’s injury report leading into last week’s game.
Fortunately, Swift returned for a limited practice on Thursday and a full session on Friday. While he’s technically listed as questionable, ending the week with a full practice signals that Swfit should be good to go for Week 12.
Indeed, Swift told reporters that he fully expects to play against the Vikings on Sunday.
#Bears RB D’Andre Swift, who has a groin injury, tells me there’s no question he’ll play Sunday.
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) November 22, 2024
In the unlikely event that Swift sits in Week 12, second-year back Roschon Johnson — who’s already begun to see more work — would be in line to start for Chicago. Johnson’s snap rate crept to a season-high 42% in Week 11, while he handled 11 touches and scored a rushing touchdown.
Keenan Allen, WR
Keenan Allen popped up on the club’s Friday practice report with an ankle injury and was listed as limited. He was not included on either of Chicago’s first two reports this week, suggesting Allen was injured during practice.
Fortunately, Allen told Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times that while his ankle is a “little stiff,” he expects to suit up against the Vikings on Sunday. Head coach Matt Eberflus was similarly optimistic, noting the Bears are “hopeful” Allen will be available.
Allen has finished better than WR30 just once this season (Week 6). He’s probably not a critical asset for your fantasy team if you’re still in the mix at this point in the year.
Dallas Cowboys
Brandin Cooks, WR
The Dallas Cowboys opened WR Brandin Cooks’ IR-return window on Wednesday. Cooks has not played since September while battling a knee injury.
The 31-year-old was limited for every practice this week as he looks to return from a knee injury. He’s officially listed as questionable for Week 12.
“My mindset is to go out there as if I ain’t lose a step,” Cooks said, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. “I’ve been putting in the work with the training staff, the strength coaches. That’s my mindset going into it. Let’s go.”
Cooks posted nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in four games before going down. While he could overtake Jalen Tolbert to become Dallas’ WR2 down the stretch, there’s not much fantasy appeal in a Cowboys offense helmed by Cooper Rush or Trey Lance.
CeeDee Lamb, WR
CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was limited for Wednesday’s practice but downgraded to a DNP on Thursday.
Fortunately, Dallas’ star wideout returned to a full practice on Friday and doesn’t have an injury designation for Week 12. Lamb is ready to go for Sunday’s game.
The Cowboys added Lamb to their practice report last Saturday, listing him as questionable for MNF due to his back injury. He ultimately played against the Texans on Monday but must have picked up a new foot injury.
Week 11 was a positive development for Lamb in that Rush passed for 354 yards. He won’t do that every week, but Rush has established a ceiling that helped Lamb go 8-93-0 and rank as the WR14 in fantasy last week.
Jake Ferguson, TE
Jake Ferguson did not practice this week after suffering a concussion in the Cowboys’ Week 11 loss to the Texans. He was officially ruled out for Week 12 on Friday.
Ferguson will need to exit the NFL’s concussion protocol before he can suit up again. Most players need at least one week of recovery before playing after suffering a brain injury.
Luke Schoonmaker hauled in six catches on 10 targets for 56 yards in Ferguson’s absence, finishing as the TE10 in Week 11. You could do worse as a replacement option than Schoonmaker with Ferguson sidelined in Week 12.
Denver Broncos
Josh Reynolds, WR
Josh Reynolds (hand) has been sidelined since Week 5 and will have to wait another week to suit up. While he’s fully practiced in every session over the past two weeks, he will again be ruled out for this Sunday’s game.
The Denver Broncos designated Reynolds for return on Nov. 13. They’ll have three weeks from that date to formally activate the veteran wideout to their active roster. His continued full participation would seem to suggest that a return is imminent.
Detroit Lions
Sam LaPorta, TE
Sam LaPorta is dealing with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder but is nearing a return after missing Week 11. He fully practiced all week and is no longer listed on the Detroit Lions’ injury report.
Barring a setback, LaPorta will play against the Colts on Sunday.
LaPorta finished as fantasy’s TE1 in his 2023 rookie campaign but has struggled to contribute this season. However, his 3-66-1 line on SNF in Week 10 was one of his best performances of the season (TE4 on the week).
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs, RB
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is battling a quad injury and was limited for practice every practice this week.
Fortunately, the Packers removed Jacobs from their injury report on Friday. He has no designation and will play in Week 12.
This is the same issue that limited Jacobs for the club’s first two practices entering Week 11. Fortunately, he fully practiced last Friday, was removed from Green Bay’s injury report, and didn’t have a designation for Sunday’s win over the Bears.
Jacobs took 18 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown against Chicago, adding four catches for 58 yards. He’s finished as a top-five fantasy RB in two of Green Bay’s last three games.
Jacobs was dealing with an ankle injury in Week 9 before Green Bay went on bye. He was listed as questionable but ultimately suited up.
MarShawn Lloyd, RB
MarShawn Lloyd just cannot catch a break. The third-round rookie hoped to return in Week 11 after missing time with hamstring and ankle injuries. However, he woke up with appendicitis last Friday and couldn’t play on Sunday.
On Wednesday, the Packers put Lloyd on the non-football injury list. He’ll have to miss at least four games but can return this season.
Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs, WR
Josh Downs was listed as a full participant on Thursday and Friday with a calf injury after not being listed at all on Wednesday. While it’s usually concerning to see a midweek addition to an injury report, Downs was officially removed from Indy’s injury report entering Week 12 and will play on Sunday.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR
Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is fully practicing this week. He hasn’t missed a practice since taking Week 10 off to recover. Barring a setback, Pittman will play against the Lions in Week 12.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Gabe Davis, WR
Week 12 status: IR
Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Gabe Davis will miss the rest of the 2024 season after tearing his meniscus in Week 11, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Coach Doug Pederson confirmed that Gabe Davis will miss the rest of the season. https://t.co/NZ2Na1ZDJB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 18, 2024
Jacksonville signed Davis to a three-year, $39 million contract this offseason from Buffalo, hoping he’d become a viable WR2/3 for Trevor Lawrence. But Davis has averaged just two catches for 24 yards per game through 11 weeks.
With fellow Jags WR Christian Kirk on IR (collarbone), first-round rookie Brian Thomas Jr. is the last man standing.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kareem Hunt, RB
Kareem Hunt (knee) is fully practicing this week and will play on Sunday. He’ll enjoy at least one more week as the Kansas City Chiefs’ unquestionable running back.
Isiah Pacheco, RB
Although Isiah Pacheco appeared to be trending toward a Week 12 return, the Chiefs will give the running back at least one more week to recover.
Pacheco has been on IR since fracturing his fibula in Week 2. He practiced on a limited basis all week, while multiple reports indicated he was ready to face the Panthers on Sunday. According to NFL Network, Pacheco is healthy enough to play, but Kansas City isn’t rushing him back.
Charles Omenihu (knee) and Isiah Pacheco (ankle) won’t play on Sunday, per Coach Reid.
“Just taking it day-by-day,” Reid added.
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) November 22, 2024
Pacheco was also limited for every Chiefs practice leading up to Week 11.
It remains to be seen how K.C. will divide touches between Pacheco and Hunt once the former returns. Hunt has finished as fantasy’s RB11 or better in four of seven games.
“We’ll find a way. Both of them are good players,” head coach Andy Reid said of the Pacheco-Hunt split. “We’ll find a way to get both of them in if and when that takes place. That’s a good problem to have.”
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is fully practicing this week and will play on Sunday. He returned in Week 11 after a three-week absence but played just 36% of the Chiefs’ snaps, catching one pass for eight yards.
Las Vegas Raiders
Alexander Mattison, RB
Las Vegas Raiders RB Alexander Mattison did not practice this week due to an ankle injury and is doubtful for Sunday’s game. Before exiting Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins in the fourth quarter, Mattison posted five carries for 19 yards and three catches for 50 yards.
Raiders RB Zamir White also left Sunday’s game with a quad injury. He never practiced this week and is also considered doubtful for Week 12.
Las Vegas will be dealing with a shorthanded RB room heading into its Week 12 matchup against the Broncos.
On Friday, head coach Antonio Pierce said veteran Ameer Abdullah will be the Raiders’ starter vs. Denver if Mattison and White can’t play. Fifth-round rookie Dylan Laube will likely also be involved, while Vegas could promote an RB from its practice squad for depth.
Los Angeles Chargers
J.K. Dobbins, RB
Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins was given a rest day on Friday. He is not injured.
Ladd McConkey, WR
McConkey (shoulder) is questionable for Monday’s Week 12 battle against Baltimore.
McConkey recorded a career-high 123 receiving yards against Cincinnati last Sunday, but he also picked up a shoulder injury. The rookie receiver logged a DNP/LP/LP practice progression this week, and it’s uncertain if he’ll be able to suit up for Monday Night Football.
If McConkey misses the contest, Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer would be the Chargers’ top two wideouts against the Ravens.
Miami Dolphins
Raheem Mostert, RB
Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (hip) is fully practicing this week and is expected to play against the Patriots in Week 12.
Tyreek Hill, WR
Tyreek Hill was limited on Wednesday as he continued battling a wrist injury. He was upgraded to full on Thursday before regressing to limited on Friday.
Still, the Dolphins don’t appear to have any concern. They officially removed Hill from their injury report on Friday, so he’s good to go in Week 12.
Hill was a game-time decision for the Dolphins’ Week 10 win against the Rams but ultimately suited up, playing 87% of the club’s snaps while catching three passes for 16 yards and a touchdown. Last week, Hill went DNP-limited-full in practice before being removed from Miami’s injury report.
Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold, QB
Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold was limited in Wednesday’s practice while dealing with a shoulder injury. This doesn’t look like a serious issue, as he was upgraded to a full participant on Thursday.
Darnold fully practiced again on Friday and was officially removed from Minnesota’s injury report. He will start against the Bears in Week 12.
Last week, Darnold began the week with a limited practice while battling a right-hand injury.
Aaron Jones, RB
Aaron Jones (ribs) is fully practicing this week. The veteran running back is recovering from the rib issue he suffered after taking a hard shot in the fourth quarter of the Vikings’ Week 10 win over the Jaguars.
Jones started last week’s practices with two limited sessions but hasn’t required that level of maintenance at all this week. He’s good to go for Week 12.
New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers did not participate in Friday’s practice due to a groin injury. Nabers wasn’t listed on the club’s injury report on Wednesday or Thursday. Late-week downgrades are never positive and could often portend an inactive status for Sunday.
However, while Nabers is listed as questionable for Week 12, he told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan that he intends to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Malik Nabers wasn’t participating in the open portion of practice. He hasn’t been on the injury report this week… pic.twitter.com/vezZsg6NdX
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) November 22, 2024
According to The Athletic’s Charlotte Carroll, Nabers told reporters in October that he’s been battling a groin injury since college. “It’s just becoming a normal thing,” Nabers said.
This isn’t the first time fantasy managers have had to account for a Nabers absence. The No. 6 overall pick missed Weeks 5 and 6 while recovering from a concussion.
Darius Slayton, WR
Darius Slayton (concussion) fully practiced all week and will play on Sunday. The Giants WR suffered a brain injury in Week 9, didn’t play in Week 10, and rested during his club’s Week 11 bye. He’s ready to face the Bucs in Week 12.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts, QB
Jalen Hurts was limited for Wednesday’s practice with an ankle issue, but his absence was part of a plan.
According to ESPN’s Tim McManus, Wednesday was the “final day of a strengthening program geared toward” Hurts’ lower body. He returned to full practices on Thursday and Friday and is good to go for Week 12.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni let slip that Hurts was battling an ankle injury entering Week 10, while other reports suggested the quarterback had been dealing with lower leg soreness — none of which was ever documented on the Eagles’ injury report.
DeVonta Smith, WR
DeVonta Smith (hamstring) never practiced this week and will not play in Week 12.
This represents a regression for the Eagles’ WR2. Smith was a DNP for last week’s Wednesday practice but returned for limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. He posted four catches for 29 yards in Philadelphia’s Week 11 win over the Commanders.
It’s possible that Smith returned to game action too quickly. Hamstring injuries can often linger, and if Smith aggravated his issue last Sunday, he could be starting a muli-week problem.
A.J. Brown’s already massive target share will only expand with Smith sidelined, while Jahan Dotson should step into the Eagles’ WR2 role.
San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy, QB
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not play in Week 12 after injuring his shoulder against the Cardinals in Week 11. He failed to participate in Friday’s practice after being involved earlier this week.
Purdy was limited for Wednesday’s session. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said at the time that the club was not concerned about Purdy’s shoulder issue.
However, following another limited practice from Purdy on Thursday, the 49ers curiously moved the starting QB press conference to Friday. As team reporters noted, that indicated the team was uncertain about who would start under center on Sunday.
On Thursday, 49ers general manager John Lynch said Purdy underwent an MRI, noting that the club felt “good about where [Purdy’s injury was] from that standpoint.” However, Lynch also said that Purdy’s status for Week 12 was “tenuous.”
With Purdy sidelined, Brandon Allen — who beat Joshua Dobbs for San Fran’s QB2 role this offseason — would start. We’ve seen nondescript quarterbacks have success in Shanahan’s offense before, but expectations have to be lowered for all of the 49ers’ skill-position weapons.
According to PFN’s Playoff Predictor, San Francisco only has a one-in-four shot of making the postseason in 2024. Facing a team like the Packers without Purdy won’t help those odds. Even if the 49ers can survive Green Bay, they have another daunting matchup against the Bills in Week 13.
Unfortunately, Shanahan said Friday that Purdy’s status for that matchup against Buffalo is “up in the air.”
Christian McCaffrey, RB
Christian McCaffrey did not practice on Wednesday, but his absence was part of a maintenance plan as he recovers from Achilles tendinitis. He was back to limited on Thursday and fully practiced on Friday. CMC has no designation for Week 12.
Last week, McCaffrey was limited on Wednesday and Thursday before fully practicing on Friday. He didn’t have an official injury diagnosis for Week 11. McCaffrey’s Wednesday DNP is new, but the fact that he returned on Thursday is good news.
As expected, San Francisco didn’t hold McCaffrey back in Weeks 10 or 11, when he played 88% and 84% of the club’s snaps, respectively. While he’s yet to score, his receiving work has propelled him to RB11 and RB14 finishes in fantasy.
George Kittle, TE
George Kittle (hamstring) did not play in San Francisco’s loss to the division-rival Seahawks in Week 11, but the veteran TE will make his return in Week 12. Kittle isn’t listed on the 49ers’ injury report ahead of Sunday’s game.
“I will be playing on Sunday,” Kittle told reporters on Wednesday. He was been limited in each of the first two practices to start Week 12 but fully practiced on Friday.
Kittle didn’t practice last Wednesday but returned for limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. Typically, that’s enough for a veteran like him to suit up on Sunday, but the All-Pro tight end wasn’t able to go.
Kittle also missed Week 3 — another division loss, this time to the Rams — with a hamstring issue.
Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Lockett, WR
The Seattle Seahawks gave veteran wideout Tyler Lockett the day off on Wednesday. He returned to practice in full on Thursday.
On Friday, Lockett was limited, but the Seahawks listed his injury as rest/foot. Regardless, he was removed from the club’s injury report and is good to go against the Cardinals in Week 12.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving, RB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (toe) is fully practicing this week. Barring a setback, the fourth-round rookie will play in Week 12.
Mike Evans, WR
Sidelined by a hamstring injury since going down in Week 7, Buccaneers WR Mike Evans returned to practice on Wednesday and was officially listed as limited. After putting in full practices on Thursday and Friday, the veteran pass catcher appears ready to return.
While Evans is officially considered questionable, he told reporters that he will play against the Giants on Sunday.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles on how much his team will use Mike Evans’ in his return Sunday vs. the Giants after he had missed the past three games due to a hamstring injury: “We’ll play him as long as he’s healthy and fresh. If he needs to be in there, he’ll be in there, but we’ll get… pic.twitter.com/WST8SmGKZP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 22, 2024
Evans was a top-10 fantasy WR three times in his first seven games. Assuming he doesn’t suffer a setback, he will instantly become Baker Mayfield’s WR1 down the stretch and should immediately be inserted into fantasy lineups.
Jalen McMillan, WR
Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan (hamstring) is fully practicing this week. Barring a setback, the third-round rookie will play in Week 12. However, he won’t have nearly as clear a path to targets with Evans due back.
Tennessee Titans
Tyjae Spears, RB
Tyjae Spears left Week 11 early in the fourth quarter to be evaluated for a concussion and did not return. The Tennessee Titans RB never practiced this week and has been ruled out for Week 12.
Spears missed Weeks 7 through 9 with a hamstring injury, allowing fellow Titans RB Tony Pollard to turn into a genuine workhorse. Pollard played at least 82% of Tennessee’s snaps and handled 22+ touches in each game without Pollard.
The Titans haven’t shown any willingness to involve backup RBs Julius Chestnut or Joshua Kelley, so Pollard could be trending toward another insane workload.
Calvin Ridley, WR
Calvin Ridley missed Wednesday’s practice because of an illness but was upgraded to a full participant on Thursday. It appears Ridley just needed a sick day, as he also spoke to reporters in the locker room after practice on Thursday.
Ridley fully practiced again on Friday and was removed from the Titans’ injury report. He’s good to go against the Texans in Week 12.
Ridley has posted several ceiling performances in recent games, finishing as fantasy’s WR4 in Week 8 and WR3 in Week 1.