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.
Atlanta Falcons
Drake London, WR
Drake London was added to the Atlanta Falcons’ Thursday injury report after not being listed on Wednesday. London was limited by a hip injury.
Normally, a mid-week downgrade would be cause for concern, but London has been dealing with a hip issue for weeks. He was still able to participate in Thursday’s session, so it doesn’t seem like this is a severe injury. As long as London isn’t downgraded to DNP on Friday, he should be ready to face the Chargers in Week 13.
Darnell Mooney, WR
Falcons wideout Darnell Mooney (hamstring) was limited for Wednesday’s practice. Fortunately, he was upgraded to a full practice on Thursday.
Mooney injured his hamstring in Week 11 and never returned. At the time, Mooney said he would “be fine,” noting that his injury wasn’t severe. He was able to rest during Atlanta’s Week 12 bye, and Thursday’s full session suggests he should be ready for Week 13.
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.
Buffalo Bills
Amari Cooper, WR
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is fully practicing and expected to play in Week 13.
Keon Coleman, WR
Bills rookie wideout Keon Coleman was limited for practice on Wednesday and Thursday while recovering from a wrist injury.
Keon Coleman was in a red non contact jersey today. Here’s a look at him during individual drills catching passes with injured wrist. pic.twitter.com/n5cBDVhUkh
— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) November 27, 2024
Coleman injured his wrist near the end of Week 9 and had not practiced or played since. While he was limited for this week’s sessions, his presence on the field is a good sign for his Week 13 availability. Head coach Sean McDermott had suggested that Coleman was facing a multi-week injury.
Dalton Kincaid, TE
Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid did not practice Wednesday or Thursday as he battles an ongoing knee injury.
Kincaid went down just before halftime of the Bills’ Week 10 win over the Chiefs. While he initially returned to that game, he departed again after a few snaps. Kincaid didn’t practice leading up to Week 11.
Buffalo had a bye in Week 12, so it’s worrisome that Kincaid still hasn’t participated. Unless he can manage a practice on Friday, Kincaid is trending toward missing Sunday night’s game vs. the 49ers.
With Kincaid sidelined in Week 11, fellow Bills TE Dawson Knox posted his best game of the season, hauling in four catches for 40 yards while finishing as fantasy’s TE18.
Carolina Panthers
Jalen Coker, WR
Carolina Panthers rookie wideout Jalen Coker missed Week 12 with a quad injury and did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday ahead of Week 13. Head coach Dave Canales said Coker is unlikely to play vs. the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Coker wasn’t listed on the Panthers’ early-week injury reports entering Week 12, 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 — which Coker did.
The undrafted rookie finished as the fantasy WR17 in Week 8 but has otherwise finished outside the top 40 wideouts each week. With Coker sidelined on Sunday, Xavier Legette and David Moore were Bryce Young’s top two wideouts, while a returning Adam Thielen played 61% of Carolina’s offensive snaps.
Adam Thielen, WR
Veteran Panthers receiver Adam Thielen played Sunday for the first time since late September, posting three catches for 57 yards in his return.
Thielen didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice, but Carolina listed his injury as “not injury-related/rest/hamstring.” He returned for a full practice on Thursday.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE
Panthers rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was involved in a frightening scene on Sunday when he landed on his head after hauling in a 10-yard pass in the second quarter. Sanders was carted off the field on a backboard and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Fortunately, Sanders was discharged from the hospital and had movement in his extremities.
“Scary moment. Right now, it appears we avoided a pretty bad injury based on the nature of the play,” Canales said Monday.
“It is a neck injury. He’s here; he’s in the building. He’s getting worked on. We’re still evaluating. We’re gonna have to take that all the way to Wednesday to see what his availability might be for this week.”
Sanders isn’t expected to play when Carolina faces Tampa Bay in Week 13 and is not practicing this week.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow, QB
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (right wrist) is fully practicing this week and will face the Steelers on Sunday.
Tee Higgins, WR
Tee Higgins returned from a three-game hamstring injury absence in Week 11. He was limited for Wednesday and Thursday’s practices ahead of Week 13, but fantasy managers shouldn’t be concerned.
While Higgins worked on a practice field for the club’s first practice of the week, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said this was part of a plan for Higgins’ recovery. Cincinnati listed “rest” as the reason for Higgins’ limited status on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Higgins came back with a vengeance in Week 11, putting up nine catches on 13 targets for 148 yards and a touchdown while finishing as fantasy’s WR2. Injuries have cost Higgins five games so far this season, but the pending free agent is averaging six catches for 82 yards per healthy contest.
Cleveland Browns
Jerry Jeudy, WR
Cleveland Browns WR Jerry Jeudy (knee) is fully practicing this week and will play in Week 13.
Cedric Tillman, WR
Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol after going down last Thursday night (Nov. 21), head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Wednesday. He did not practice on Thursday (Nov. 28) ahead of Week 13.
Tillman suffered a third-quarter brain injury after hauling in his second of the night in an eventual win vs. the Steelers. Most players need at least one week to clear the protocol. Tillman has a few extra days to work with because the Browns are coming off a TNF game and playing on Monday night, but he still may be unable to go.
No Browns pass catcher benefitted more from Amari Cooper being traded than Tillman, who ranked top-20 league-wide in yards per route run and on-field target share from Weeks 7 through 10.
Jeudy and Elijah Moore will be Jameis Winston’s top two wideouts if Tillman is sidelined, while sixth-round rookie Jamari Thrash or October addition Jaelon Darden could have an expanded role.
Denver Broncos
Bo Nix, QB
Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix is dealing with a back injury ahead of his club’s Monday night matchup against the Browns. Nix was limited for Wednesday’s practice.
As Underdog’s James Palmer noted, Nix appeared to be in pain during Week 12’s win over the Raiders and received attention from Denver’s medical staff.
#broncos QB Bo Nix was listed as limited in the estimated injury report today because of a back injury. Against the #raiders you could see times where he was in pain. The medical staff wrapped it on the sideline after his touchdown throw to Courtland Sutton pic.twitter.com/UsvBk7lno8
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 28, 2024
At this point in the week, it’s probably too early to be concerned about Nix’s Week 13 availability. He still put in a limited practice on Thursday, so he was able to do at least something. As long as Nix isn’t downgraded throughout the week, he should be ready to play on MNF.
Jarrett Stidham is the Broncos’ backup quarterback and would start if Nix were unexpectedly sidelined.
Josh Reynolds, WR
Josh Reynolds (hand) has been sidelined since Week 5. He’s fully practicing this week, but he’s also fully practiced over the past two weeks — before eventually being ruled out for games.
The 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.
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs, RB
Week 13 status: PLAYING
Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs received a rest day on Monday and Tuesday. He fully practiced on Wednesday and will play on Thanksgiving Day.
Romeo Doubs, WR
Week 13 status: OUT
Wideout Romeo Doubs did not practice this week and will not play on Thursday after suffering a concussion in Week 12.
“That’s unfortunate because I thought Romeo was really having himself a really great game,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said this week. “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.
Houston Texans
Nico Collins, WR
Houston Texans wideout Nico Collins was given rest on Wednesday and was listed as limited. He is not injured.
Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs, WR
Indianapolis Colts wideout Josh Downs is in danger of missing Week 13 after injuring his shoulder on Sunday. NFL Network reported while Downs is not believed to have a serious injury, he is a “long shot” to play in Week 13. He didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
Downs’ right shoulder was driven into the ground on an end-around early in the fourth quarter of the Colts’ Week 12 matchup against the Lions. Indianapolis announced that he was questionable to return as a result.
The 2023 third-round pick re-entered the game on the Colts’ next offensive drive. However, he didn’t look right after failing to catch a deep pass from Anthony Richardson with roughly five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Downs returned to Indianapolis’ sideline and appeared to be having trouble with his shoulder injury. He finished the game with just three catches for 27 yards.
Alec Pierce, WR
Downs isn’t the only Colts wide receiver dealing with an injury issue. Alec Pierce also failed to practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a foot problem.
Head coach Shane Steichen said Pierce was “good” on Monday after gingerly walking in the locker room after Sunday’s game. However, consecutive DNPs tell a different story.
If Downs and Pierce are both sidelined this week, Michael Pittman Jr. and second-round rookie Adonai Mitchell will work as Anthony Richardson’s top two receivers.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR
Pittman (back) is fully practicing this week and is expected to play on Sunday.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB
After missing the Jacksonville Jaguars’ two games before their Week 12 bye, quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) returned to practice this week. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday.
NFL Network reported that there is a “good possibility” that Lawerence will start against in Week 13, assuming he suffers no setbacks.
From @GMFB: A look at key injuries for #Cowboys vs #Giants, including Tommy DeVito, plus #Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is back at practice. pic.twitter.com/bwhkhYCWbr
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2024
Lawrence, who has a severe AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, was spotted throwing earlier this week. Head coach Doug Pederson said the Jags would see how Lawrence feels this week before determining whether he can start against the Texans on Sunday.
Backup quarterback Mac Jones threw for just 249 total yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions in his two starts, both Jacksonville losses. He ranked dead last in passing success rate (31%) and next-to-last in EPA per dropback (-0.30) from Weeks 10 to 11.
Tank Bigsby, RB
Tank Bigsby (ankle) fully practiced on Wednesday and Thursday. The second-year running back missed Week 11 but was able to rest during Jacksonville’s Week 12 bye. Assuming he doesn’t suffer a setback, Bigsby should return in Week 13, creating a frustrating — at least, for fantasy managers — Jaguars running back committee with Travis Etienne Jr.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kareem Hunt, RB
Week 13 status: PLAYING
Kareem Hunt (toe) is fully practicing this week and will play on Black Friday. However, he may no longer be the Kansas City Chiefs’ unquestioned starting running back.
Isiah Pacheco, RB
Week 13 status: PLAYING
Hunt will face competition from Isiah Pacheco, who fully practiced all week and has no injury destination for Week 13. Head coach Andy Reid said Pacheco will play this week, provided he had no setbacks.
Pacheco has been on IR since fracturing his fibula in Week 2. He’s been practicing for two weeks but was limited in every session until Tuesday. Now that he’s fully participating, Pacheco has never been closer to a potential return.
It remains to be seen how K.C. will divide touches between Pacheco and Hunt once the former returns. Hunt has finished as a top-25 fantasy RB or better in four of seven games.
“We’ll find a way. Both of them are good players,” head coach Andy Reid recently 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
Week 13 status: PLAYING
JuJu Smith-Schuster is fully practicing and will play this week, but he’s notably dealing with a new injury. The Chiefs WR is now battling a hip injury after previously missing three games with a hamstring issue. Smith-Schuster has caught just two passes since returning in Week 11.
Las Vegas Raiders
Aidan O’Connell, QB
Week 13 status: PLAYING
The Las Vegas Raiders are set to have a new quarterback in Week 13.
After Gardner Minshew II broke his collarbone last week, Aidan O’Connell will come off injured reserve to start against the Chiefs on Black Friday. He fully participated in practice all week and will be under center in Week 13.
Minshew beat O’Connell for the Raiders’ QB1 job out of training camp. O’Connell reclaimed the gig in Week 6 but broke his thumb a week later, necessitating an IR stint.
O’Connell — Vegas’ fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft — completed 27 of 40 pass attempts for 227 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a Week 6 loss to the Steelers.
Alexander Mattison, RB
Week 13 status: QUESTIONABLE
Alexander Mattison never practiced last week and missed Sunday’s game after going down with an ankle injury in Week 11.
This week, he was limited for every practice, a positive sign and an upgrade over his participation from last week. Still, Mattison is only considered questionable for Friday’s game vs. the Chiefs
Fellow Raiders RB Zamir White (quad) also missed Week 12, leaving veteran Ameer Abdullah as the club’s top running back vs. the Broncos.
White didn’t practice this week and will not play in Week 13. With White sidelined, Abdullah could retain some standalone value — especially as a pass catcher — even if Mattison returns.
Los Angeles Chargers
J.K. Dobbins, RB
J.K. Dobbins had defied his lengthy injury history until Week 12, when the Los Angeles Chargers running back departed his club’s Monday night loss to the Ravens and never returned.
Dobbins will not play against the Falcons in Week 13 and could miss more time moving forward after spraining his MCL.
Gus Edwards received nine carries on Monday night and will likely have the first crack at replacing Dobbins. However, the Chargers’ backfield could quickly devolve into a full-blown committee.
Edwards is a non-factor in the receiving game. He’s been in the NFL since 2018 and has never garnered over three targets in a single contest.
There’s room for Hassan Haskins and sixth-round rookie Kimani Vidal to establish roles in Los Angeles, depending on how long Dobbins is sidelined. That’s especially true behind a solid Bolts offensive line that features outstanding tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.
Will Dissly, TE
Chargers tight end Will Dissly did not practice on Wednesday due to a groin injury. He was upgraded to limited participation on Thursday.
Dissly played 52 offensive snaps in Week 12, tied for his second-highest total of the year. Given that, his injury might not be all that serious. If he’s limited again on Friday, Dissly should have a chance to suit up for Week 13.
The Chargers’ offseason addition has become a viable weapon recently, catching at least four passes in each of the club’s last three games. He finished as fantasy’s TE5 after putting up a 4-80-1 line against the Bengals in Week 11.
Fellow L.A. tight end Hayden Hurst is already on IR, leaving Stone Smartt and Tucker Fish as the next men up.
Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill, WR
Week 13 status: PLAYING
Tyreek Hill is still battling a wrist injury and was limited for the Miami Dolphins’ Monday walkthrough. Hill was downgraded to DNP on Tuesday, but that was due to personal reasons.
Hill is in no danger of missing Thursday’s game. He fully practiced on Wednesday, and the Dolphins formally removed him from their injury report. Hill will not carry a designation into Week 13.
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.
New England Patriots
DeMario Douglas, WR
New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas was limited by an ankle injury during Wednesday and Thursday’s practices.
Douglas played 68% of New England’s offensive snaps in Week 12 (his highest rate in three games), so his ankle injury doesn’t appear to be serious. As long as he manages a limited or better practice to complete the week, he should be ready for Sunday.
Douglas is rarely an explosive option, but he catches enough passes to be viable in PPR leagues. He’s scored just one touchdown this year, finishing as fantasy’s WR8 when he found the end zone in Week 6.
New York Jets
Breece Hall, RB
New York Jets RB Breece Hall didn’t practice on Wednesday while he deals with a knee injury. He returned for a limited session on Thursday.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said Hall tweaked his knee against the Colts in Week 11 — before New York’s Week 12 bye — but remained in the game and later developed soreness. While the Jets are hopeful that Hall will play vs. the Seahawks in Week 13, his status is up in the air.
The fact that Hall is still battling an injury even after Gang Green’s bye week is undoubtedly concerning. On the other hand, even a limited practice on Thursday suggests that Hall could still suit up this week.
Hall’s production has been spotty recently inside a broken Jets offense, but he finished as fantasy’s RB3 against the Colts. He’s been RB24 or better in seven of 11 games this year.
If Hall can’t go against the Seahawks, fourth-round rookie Braelon Allen will handle the majority of New York’s backfield touches. Allen was more involved earlier this season and even finished as fantasy’s RB6 after scoring twice in Week 2. However, the Wisconsin product played just nine snaps and took two carries in Week 11.
Seattle isn’t a great matchup for whoever New York RB carries the load on Sunday, as the Seahawks have improved against the run after acquiring LB Ernest Jones at the trade deadline. Since Week 9, Seattle ranks fifth-best in the NFL with a 67.2% run-defense success rate on defense.
Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley, RB
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was given a rest day on Wednesday after rushing for 255 yards — the ninth-most in a single game in NFL history — in Week 12. He is not injured.
DeVonta Smith, WR
After sitting out Week 12 with a hamstring injury, Eagles wideout DeVonta Smith started Week 13 on the wrong foot by missing Wednesday’s practice. He returned for a limited session on Thursday.
Friday’s report could offer more clarity on Smith. For example, in Week 11, Smith was a Wednesday DNP but returned for limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. Last week, he never practiced at all. We’ll need to see which path Smith takes ahead of Sunday’s game vs. the Ravens.
It’s possible that Smith returned to game action too quickly. Hamstring injuries can often linger, and if Smith aggravated his issue in Week 11, he could be starting a muli-week problem.
A.J. Brown only saw seven targets in Week 12 as the Eagles leaned into Barkley and the rushing attack, but that should change against a Baltimore secondary that ranks the fifth-worst in defensive pass efficiency.
San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy, QB
After missing Week 12 due to a right shoulder injury, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was limited for practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
Purdy was also limited for last week’s Wednesday session. He went limited again last Thursday before being downgraded and ruled out on Friday.
Purdy’s presence at this week’s sessions was a good sign but hardly indicates he’s guaranteed to face the Bills on Sunday night. He’ll need to complete the week without experiencing the shoulder soreness that kept him out of Week 12’s loss to the Packers.
49ers backup quarterback Brandon Allen completed 17 of 29 attempts for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception vs. Green Bay. He earned a C (72.8) in PFN’s QB+ grades, No. 19 among 26 quarterbacks who played in Week 12.
Christian McCaffrey, RB
Christian McCaffrey received a rest day on Wednesday. He returned for a full practice on Thursday.
Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Lockett, WR
Seattle Seahawks wideout Tyler Lockett did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. While Seattle has been known to give off days to its veterans, Lockett is dealing with a new knee issue, and two straight DNPs are a cause for concern.
Last week, Lockett got a rest day on Wednesday, went full on Thursday, and was limited on Friday (with rest/foot given as his designation). He’s not following the same pattern this week.
DK Metcalf, WR
Lockett isn’t the only Seahawks wide receiver missing from this week’s practices. DK Metcalf also sat out of the club’s Week 13 sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.
As Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes, this is the first we’re hearing of Metcalf’s shoulder injury. He was sidelined by a knee injury earlier this season, but this is a new shoulder issue.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald hasn’t spoken to reporters since before Wednesday’s practice, so the club hasn’t addressed Metcalf or Lockett’s absences.
If Metcalf and Lockett both sit, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be in line for an absurd target share against the Jets in Week 13. Jake Bobo could also be in the WR mix, while Seattle could lean into two-TE sets with a returning Noah Fant and AJ Barner.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans, WR
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) — who returned from a three-game injury absence in Week 12 — is fully practicing and expected to play in Week 13.
Tennessee Titans
Tyjae Spears, RB
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears is trending toward returning from a concussion to play in Week 13.
Spears was a limited practice participant on Wednesday but was upgraded to a full session on Thursday. The second-year RB went down in Week 11 and missed the Titans’ Week 12 win over the Texans.
Spears also 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.
Pollard took it to another level last week, playing 94% of the team’s snaps while touching the ball 27 times, his second-highest usage of the year.
Calvin Ridley, WR
Titans wideout Calvin Ridley did not practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. He was upgraded to a full practice on Thursday and should be ready to play in Week 13.
Ridley has been hampered by other injuries this year and has missed practices, but he’s yet to be sidelined for a game. He became the Titans’ unquestioned WR1 after Tennessee traded DeAndre Hopkins in October. In five games since, Ridley has averaged six catches for 90 yards while scoring twice.
Washington Commanders
Austin Ekeler, RB
The Washington Commanders could have a running back problem in Week 13. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler both went down with injuries in the club’s Week 12 loss to the Cowboys.
Robinson went down first, so Ekeler stepped into Washington’s starting RB role. However, he suffered a concussion on a kick return just before the end of regulation and was even taken to a local hospital out of an abundance of caution.
Ekeler is now in the NFL’s concussion protocol and will be hard-pressed to play in Sunday’s game against the Titans. He did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB
Robinson rolled his ankle on the Commanders’ first offensive play of Week 12. While he was deemed questionable to return and did come back in for a few plays, Robinson didn’t take a snap in the second half.
On Monday, head coach Dan Quinn said Robinson is receiving treatment for his ankle injury, adding that the team will have a better sense of his Week 13 availability later in the week.
Fortunately, Robinson was able to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He was limited, so he might not be out of the woods yet, but Robinson seems to be trending toward playing on Sunday.
If neither Robinson nor Ekeler can suit up against Tennessee, Jeremy McNichols could become the Commanders’ starting RB and offer surprising fantasy football potential on Sunday.
Zach Ertz, TE
Veteran Commanders TE Zach Ertz was given a rest day on Wednesday. He returned to a full practice on Thursday.