Injuries continue to mount throughout the NFL. As we look ahead to Week 16, the teams playing on Saturday will have their first official practices of the week on Tuesday. Here is your first look at the Week 16 injury report.
Denver Broncos
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB
Jaleel McLaughlin picked up a quad injury in the Denver Broncos’ victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. He was listed as a DNP on Monday’s estimated practice report but participated on Tuesday, putting him on track to play, despite the short week.
Houston Texans
Joe Mixon, RB
Joe Mixon received a rest day on Tuesday. He’s fully expected to play in Week 16.
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes, QB
There is nothing more terrifying for the Kansas City Chiefs than seeing Patrick Mahomes barely able to walk. This is not the first time Mahomes has suffered a high ankle sprain. He’s shown an ability to play through it before.
With the Chiefs having clinched the AFC West and still in possession of the No. 1 seed in the AFC, they could opt to play it safe with their quarterback. However, Mahomes offered an alternative perspective on rest and recovery.
Mahomes to @SamMcDowell11 question about how to view big picture of his health/postseason implications: pic.twitter.com/wdUc9JwQJb
— Vahe Gregorian (@vgregorian) December 17, 2024
It’s clear the goal is to get Mahomes some time off. The question is whether the Chiefs do that now or have him push through the injury with the hope of securing the No. 1 seed, thus allowing him to have Week 18 and the first week of the playoffs to rest up.
The fact that Mahomes practiced in full on Tuesday suggests he is opting for the approach of winning now, locking up the bye, and hoping to get three weeks off at the end of the season.
Chiefs listed Patrick Mahomes as a full participant in today’s practice.
Hollywood Brown also was listed as a full participant.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2024
Hollywood Brown, WR
Last week, the Chiefs designated Hollywood Brown to return from IR. He hasn’t played this season due to a significant sternoclavicular joint injury.
Brown practiced in full on Tuesday, putting him on track to make his regular season debut this Saturday against the Houston Texans. He will almost certainly be eased back into action, seeing minimal work as the team ramps him up for what could be a pivotal role in the postseason.
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert, QB
Frequently banged up but rarely missing games, Justin Herbert has been nursing an ankle injury for a couple of weeks. Ahead of the short week, Herbert was listed as limited on Monday’s estimated practice report. He was limited in Tuesday’s practice but does not appear to be in jeopardy of missing Thursday’s game.
Quentin Johnston, WR
Apparently, Quentin Johnston is not injured. His inclusion on Monday’s practice report was in error by the Chargers.
An update to yesterday's report: It should have been Zion Johnson listed as DNP with an ankle injury, not Quentin Johnston. https://t.co/HZMtn1Lgus
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) December 17, 2024
Will Dissly, TE
Will Dissly did not practice on Monday or Tuesday with his shoulder issue. He missed last week’s game, and the injury was deemed a multi-week one. With the Los Angeles Chargers playing Thursday, it’s safe to say we’re looking at another week of Stone Smartt as the team’s primary TE.
Pittsburgh Steelers
George Pickens, WR
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ top wideout has missed the last two weeks with a hamstring strain he picked up at practice. While Pickens is progressing and has been working with trainers, he did not practice on Tuesday.
Steelers wide receivers doing individuals while George Pickens (hamstring) works off to the side pic.twitter.com/Ge04dBhPFf
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 17, 2024
If Pickens cannot return to at least a limited session on Wednesday, we can essentially rule him out of this Saturday’s showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.
T.J. Watt, EDGE
The last thing the Steelers need against the Ravens is to be without T.J. Watt. He hurt his ankle in last week’s game and did not practice on Tuesday.
Given the Steelers’ tendency to give veterans days off early in the week, it’s still too early to draw any conclusions. Even a second absence on Wednesday wouldn’t be a death blow to his game status. A triple DNP would be, though.