Injuries continue to mount throughout the NFL. Plenty of players were banged up in Week 12, 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 13.
Dallas Cowboys
Cooper Rush, QB
The Dallas Cowboys only held an estimated practice on Monday, but quarterback Cooper Rush (knee) was considered limited.
Rush’s injury could be minor, but with the Cowboys facing a game on Thursday, we’ll need to monitor his participation over the next two days. As long as he logs limited (or better) practices, Rush should be ready to go against the Giants.
If Rush were forced to sit vs. New York, Trey Lance would start under center for Dallas.
Brandin Cooks, WR
Could Brandin Cooks return from injured reserve to play on Thanksgiving? Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said Monday (Nov. 25) that the veteran receiver has a “good chance” to suit up against the Giants this week.
Cooks was limited for Monday’s walkthrough. Dallas opened his IR return window last Wednesday (Nov. 20). Cooks hasn’t played since September while battling a knee injury. The 31-year-old was limited for every practice leading up to Week 12 but did not play despite being listed as questionable.
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.
Jake Ferguson, TE
While the Cowboys hope to get Cooks on the field this week, tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) is “little more of a long shot,” Jones said Monday.
Ferguson never practiced last week and didn’t play in Dallas’ win over the Commanders in Week 12. With the short turnaround before Thursday’s game, Ferguson will likely need more time to exit the NFL’s concussion protocol. He didn’t participate in Monday’s estimated practice.
Luke Schoonmaker, the Cowboys’ second-round pick in 2023, has been a viable replacement with Ferguson sidelined for most of the past two games. He caught six passes for 56 yards in Week 11 before collecting three catches for 55 yards and his first touchdown of the year in Week 12, finishing as a top-10 fantasy TE in both games.
CeeDee Lamb, WR
CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was limited for Monday’s walkthrough. The Cowboys are likely taking it easy on their star wideout, who’s battled injury issues all season.
Last week, Lamb went limited-DNP-full before being removed from Dallas’ injury report. With the Cowboys facing another game in three days, Lamb could log more limited sessions leading up to Thursday.
Lamb has remained the featured weapon in Dallas’ offense with Rush under. He caught eight passes for 93 yards in Week 11 and hauled in 10 catches for 67 yards in Week 12, finishing as fantasy’s WR14 in both weeks.
Detroit Lions
David Montgomery, RB
After suffering a shoulder injury in the Detroit Lions’ Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts, running back David Montgomery didn’t participate in Monday’s walkthrough ahead of his club’s Thanksgiving Day game.
Montgomery told reporters after Sunday’s victory that he expects to play against the Chicago Bears on Thursday. Meanwhile, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he felt “OK” about Montgomery, left tackle Taylor Decker, and cornerback Carlton Davis, all of whom suffered injuries in Week 12.
Detroit’s optimism about Montgomery’s Week 13 availability is clearly a good sign heading into Week 13. Still, he’ll probably need to log at least a limited practice on Tuesday or Wednesday for fantasy managers to feel secure.
If Montgomery can’t go on Thursday, fellow Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs would offer slate-breaking upside.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR
Star Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown was a non-participant in Detroit’s estimated Monday practice due to a knee injury.
St. Brown never went down or left the game in Week 12. He played 68 offensive snaps — his second-highest total of the year — while reeling in six catches for 62 yards.
At this point in the week, it’s too early to determine whether we should be concerned about St. Brown’s Thursday status. The fact that he played almost every snap on Sunday is a good sign, but this is a new injury for St. Brown.
On Monday, head coach Dan Campbell did not include St. Brown in the group of injured Lions he’s “most concerned” about (WR Kalif Raymond, OT Taylor Decker, and CB Carlton Davis III). However, Campbell did admit that St. Brown is “a little banged up,” per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs, RB
Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs received a rest day on Monday.
Romeo Doubs, WR
Wideout Romeo Doubs did not practice on Monday after suffering a concussion in Week 12.
Doubs missed the remainder of Sunday’s game and will likely be sidelined for Thanksgiving. With such a tight turnaround, he probably won’t be able to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol in time.
“That’s unfortunate because I thought Romeo was really having himself a really great game,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. “He came out, made some critical plays: that third-down long was pretty special where he almost got out the backside.
“He is very, very consistent. So, you know, if we don’t have him that’s a big loss, but we do feel like we have other guys. This can open up some other opportunities for some of these other guys.”
Wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks will step into Green Bay’s starting lineup if Doubs can’t play on Thursday.
Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill, WR
Tyreek Hill is still battling a wrist injury and was limited for the Miami Dolphins’ Monday walkthrough.
The Dolphins don’t appear to have any long-term concerns about Hill’s wrist issue. He was considered a game-time decision for Week 10 but ultimately suited up. Hill has been limited for certain practice sessions since but hasn’t missed any game action.
Despite Tua Tagovailoa returning under center in Week 8, Hill still hasn’t managed an explosive fantasy performance. He’s been a top-25 receiver just once (Week 11) since Tua re-entered the lineup.