Injuries continue to mount throughout the NFL. Plenty of players were banged up in Week 15, while others suffered injuries that could knock them out for several weeks or more. Let’s round up the most notable injury updates with their final injury designation status.
Arizona Cardinals
Trey Benson, RB
Week 16 status: OUT
The Arizona Cardinals’ rookie running back missed practice all week with an ankle injury. Trey Benson is out this week.
Atlanta Falcons
Drake London, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Evidently, Drake London tweaked his knee at Friday’s practice, drawing a limited tag. However, he was not listed on the final injury report, so whatever he is dealing with must be minor.
Darnell Mooney, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
The Atlanta Falcons gave Darnell Mooney a lighter day at this week’s first two practices. The veteran WR is fine.
Baltimore Ravens
Justice Hill, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Justice Hill was absent from Wednesday’s practice due to a personal matter. Since we don’t know what he’s dealing with, there’s certainly a chance it could be something serious enough to keep him away from the team for a week. He returned in full on Friday and seems set to play.
Rashod Bateman, WR
Week 16 status: QUESTIONABLE
The Baltimore Ravens added Rashod Bateman to the practice report on Wednesday with a foot issue. He was listed as limited. Normally, this would be of no concern. However, Bateman did not have the injury on Tuesday, which suggests he picked it up at Wednesday’s practice.
Bateman did not practice at all on Thursday, which confirms my suspicions. Bateman has dealt with foot issues in the past, so this could be an aggravation or flare-up of a preexisting injury. With the Ravens only activating one WR from the practice squad to account for Nelson Agholor’s absence, I am cautiously optimistic that Bateman will end up playing.
Buffalo Bills
Amari Cooper, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Despite what the box score may tell you, Amari Cooper did, in fact, play last week. He remains on the weekly practice report with a wrist issue but is practicing in full. Cooper will play on Sunday. Whether that translates into any targets is a completely different question.
Dalton Kincaid, TE
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Last week, Dalton Kincaid returned after a multi-game absence due to a knee issue. The injury remains listed on the Buffalo Bills’ practice report, but Kincaid is participating in full. He will play on Sunday.
Carolina Panthers
Chuba Hubbard, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
As has been the case for several weeks now, the Carolina Panthers gave their veteran running back Wednesday off. Chuba Hubbard is fine.
Jalen Coker, WR
Week 16 status: QUESTIONABLE
Jalen Coker was limited at Thursday’s practice with a quad issue. He’s been dealing with this injury for several weeks. It could just be maintenance, but his absence from Wednesday’s report suggests there’s maybe a chance he aggravated the injury at Thursday’s practice. Coker being limited on Friday and drawing a questionable tag confirms it. Coker seems legitimately 50/50 to play.
Adam Thielen, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
The oldest wide receiver in the league continues to receive Wednesdays off from practice. Adam Thielen is fine.
Xavier Legette, WR
Week 16 status: OUT
The Panthers’ rookie WR did not practice all week due to a hip injury. He was ruled out on Friday.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow, QB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Joe Burrow said he will be dealing with his knee injury for a couple more weeks. The Cincinnati Bengals limited his practice reps on Wednesday and Thursday, but he returned to full practice on Friday and has no final injury designation.
Tee Higgins, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Tee Higgins was limited at Wednesday’s practice with a combination of knee and rest. Initially, I dismissed the knee part of the designation, as any time rest is included, it typically means the player is fine.
Initially, it was concerning that Higgins did not practice on Thursday, either. However, it appears this is all part of a plan, and Higgins was set to participate on Friday and play on Sunday … and that is exactly what happened.
Chicago Bears
Roschon Johnson, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
After missing the past two games with a concussion, Roschon Johnson practiced in full and cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol. He will play this week.
Cleveland Browns
Jameis Winston, QB
Week 16 status: QUESTIONABLE
The Cleveland Browns listed Jameis Winston on the practice report with a shoulder issue. He was limited on Thursday, which is a downgrade from Wednesday’s full practice. Winston remained limited on Friday, and head coach Kevin Stefanski was noncommittal on his status. Bailey Zappe would serve as Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s backup if Winston cannot play.
Cedric Tillman, WR
Week 16 status: QUESTIONABLE
At this point, I am very concerned about Cedric Tillman’s overall health. He’s already missed three games with a concussion and still hasn’t fully progressed through the protocol. Tillman was limited all week but will need to clear on Saturday to have a chance to play.
Jerry Jeudy, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Jerry Jeudy remains on the practice report every week with a knee injury. He continues to practice in full and will play this week.
David Njoku, TE
Week 16 status: QUESTIONABLE
Despite pushing his coaches hard to clear him to play last week, David Njoku did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday hamstring strain. He did return to a limited session on Friday, but it’s rare for a player to go DNP-DNP-LP the week after missing a game and end up playing.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski on TE David Njoku’s availability for Sunday: “He’s very motivated to play. We'll see how he responds to practicing today and make the decision.”
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) December 20, 2024
Njoku was very motivated to play last week as well. Ultimately, it will come down to how his hamstring feels and the decision of the medical team.
Dallas Cowboys
Rico Dowdle, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
The Dallas Cowboys have had Rico Dowdle on the practice report for a couple of weeks now with a knee issue. He continues to practice in full and will play on Sunday.
CeeDee Lamb, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
CeeDee Lamb continues to battle a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. He was limited at Wednesday’s practice but upgraded to full on Thursday. He will once again play through the injury on Sunday.
Detroit Lions
David Montgomery, RB
Week 16 status: OUT
David Montgomery tore his MCL last week. While the Detroit Lions haven’t yet placed him on IR, as they are hopeful he can return for a deep postseason run, he is done for the regular season. Jahmyr Gibbs is set for a heavy workload going forward.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
The Lions’ WR1 got the day off on Wednesday. Amon-Ra St. Brown returned to full practice on Thursday.
Houston Texans
Joe Mixon, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Joe Mixon was limited the past three days with an ankle injury he sustained on an unflagged hip-drop tackle last week. He carries no injury designation and will play on Saturday.
Indianapolis Colts
Alec Pierce, WR
Week 16 status: OUT
Alec Pierce suffered a concussion last week. He did not practice all week and has been ruled out.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Michael Pittman Jr. has been dealing with a back injury for most of the season. It flares up every now and then. Last week, he practiced in full all week, but this week, he opened with a DNP.
As expected, Pittman returned to full participation on Thursday. He will play on Sunday.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Brenton Strange, TE
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Evidently, all of the targets hurled Brenton Strange’s way took a toll on his body. He was limited at all three days with a shoulder injury but is not listed on the final injury report.
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes, QB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
For the third consecutive day, Patrick Mahomes practiced in full. He is without a doubt less than 100%, but we can safely say he’s going to play this Saturday.
Hollywood Brown, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Just like his quarterback, Hollywood Brown also got in a third straight full practice on Wednesday. On Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs activated Brown from IR, setting the stage for his season debut on Saturday.
Las Vegas Raiders
Aidan O’Connell, QB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
On Tuesday, head coach Antonio Pierce said he expects Aidan O’Connell to return this week from his knee injury. The quarterback practiced in full all week and is on track to play after a one-game absence.
Desmond Ridder, QB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Desmond Ridder appeared on the practice report with a hip injury. He practiced in full and will be ready to go as Aidan O’Connell’s backup this week.
Sincere McCormick, RB
Week 16 status: OUT
It’s a really unfortunate end for a player who has overcome so much to carve out an NFL career. Sincere McCormick sprained his ankle in Monday night’s loss to the Falcons. On Wednesday, the Las Vegas Raiders played him on IR, ending his season. Alexander Mattison will be the lead back going forward with Ameer Abdullah as the primary passing-down back.
Alexander Mattison, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
With McCormick done for the season, Mattison is back in the RB1 role. He was listed on the practice report with a neck injury but has practiced in full. He will play on Sunday.
Jakobi Meyers, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Jakobi Meyers has been dealing with an ankle issue for a few weeks now. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday but upgraded to full practice on Friday.
Los Angeles Rams
Demarcus Robinson, WR
Demarcus Robinson has been dealing with a shoulder injury. He practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday and will play Sunday.
Tyler Higbee, TE
The Los Angeles Rams TE tore his ACL late last season. After a long recovery, Tyler Higbee is tracking toward making his 2024 debut this week. He practiced in full on Wednesday.
Higbee missed practice on Thursday, but it has nothing to do with his knee. He was sick and should be fine by the weekend.
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa, QB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
The Miami Dolphins QB was limited at Wednesday and Thursday’s practice with a hip injury, but upgraded to full on Friday. Tua Tagovailoa is not at risk of missing this week’s game.
De’Von Achane, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
De’Von Achane popped up on Wednesday’s practice report with a groin issue but practiced all week. That suggests the injury is minor and he will play on Sunday.
Tyreek Hill, WR
Week 16 status: QUESTIONABLE
Tyreek Hill is playing through torn ligaments in his wrist and has typically not carried an injury designation. After resting Wednesday, Hill practiced in full on Thursday. However, he was limited again on Friday and drew a questionable tag. That suggests there is a chance he might not play.
Jaylen Waddle, WR
Week 16 status: DOUBTFUL
Last week, Jaylen Waddle left the game with a knee injury. While the injury is not considered overly serious, Waddle did not practice all week. He is listed as doubtful, which is tantamount to out, as it is rare that a doubtful player plays. Malik Washington will start in Waddle’s place.
New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr, QB
Derek Carr evidently cleared the concussion protocol, as he’s only listed on the practice report with his left hand injury. However, he did not practice on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. He has been ruled out for Monday’s game — backup Spencer Rattler will start.
Alvin Kamara, RB
Alvin Kamara picked up a groin injury in last week’s game and did not return. Unsurprisingly, he did not practice on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. He has been ruled out for Monday’s game.
The Saints have three games left in the season. There’s a very strong chance that the next time we see Kamara play football is in September 2025.
Chris Olave, WR
On Thursday, the Saints opened Chris Olave’s three-week window to be activated from IR. He has been limited at practice, but with the Saints playing out a lost season, there’s no guarantee Olave will ever be activated. Still, it’s a great sign to see him back on the field after a scary hit that resulted in his second concussion of the season.
Juwan Johnson, TE
The Saints TE was limited at Thursday and Friday’s practice with an ongoing foot injury. Juwan Johnson was a full participant on Saturday and has no injury designation headed into Monday’s game.
New York Giants
Drew Lock, QB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
After a one-week absence, Drew Lock was back at practice on Wednesday. He is dealing with heel and left elbow injuries. He was upgraded to full on Thursday.
With Tommy DeVito hurt and the only other healthy quarterback Tim Boyle, head coach Brian Daboll has already indicated Lock will start against the Falcons this Sunday. The New York Giants have no good options at quarterback, but Lock does provide this offense with the most upside.
Tommy DeVito, QB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Tommy DeVito was limited at the Giants’ first two practices as he worked his way through the concussion protocol. He cleared it on Friday, getting in a full practice, and will serve as Drew Lock’s backup on Sunday.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB
Week 16 status: QUESTIONABLE
Evidently, Tyrone Tracy Jr. picked up an ankle injury in last week’s game. He was limited all three days at practice and drew a questionable tag. I would expect Tracy to play, but Devin Singletary would serve as the lead back if Tracy can’t go.
Malik Nabers, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Seemingly always dealing with something, Malik Nabers just got over his hip and groin issues. Now, he’s dealing with knee and foot injuries. Nabers was limited at Wednesday’s practice, full on Thursday, and limited on Friday. He may not be 100%, but he’ll play this week.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Wan’Dale Robinson is dealing with a shoulder injury. He was limited at Wednesday’s practice but upgraded to full on Thursday and was full again on Friday. He will be fine to play on Sunday.
New York Jets
Braelon Allen, RB
Week 16 status: QUESTIONABLE
Braelon Allen is dealing with a back injury that had him in and out of last week’s game. He was limited at the first two practices of the week but got in a full session on Friday. Despite the questionable tag, Allen is likely to play on Sunday.
Isaiah Davis, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Isaiah Davis is dealing with a back injury. He was limited at practice on Wednesday and Thursday but got in a full session on Friday and carries no final injury designation.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts, QB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
The Philadelphia Eagles continue to list Jalen Hurts on the practice report with a left finger issue. He continues to practice in full and is at no risk of missing this week’s game.
Saquon Barkley, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
The Eagles gave several veterans Wednesday off. Saquon Barkley has no injury and practiced in full on Thursday.
A.J. Brown, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
The Eagles gave several veterans Wednesday off; A.J. Brown returned to a limited practice on Thursday with a combination of knee and rest. He was limited again on Friday, suggesting he picked the knee injury up at Wednesday’s practice. Clearly, there’s something minor he’s dealing with, but he will play on Sunday.
“I’m playing.”
Doesn’t sound like AJ Brown is 100 percent but as he points out, nobody is this time of year. pic.twitter.com/wERpXY265B
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 20, 2024
DeVonta Smith, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
The Eagles gave several veterans Wednesday off. DeVonta Smith was listed as a DNP with both rest and a back injury, but the rest designation is carrying the day here. Smith is fine, as evidenced by his return to a full practice on Thursday.
Pittsburgh Steelers
George Pickens, WR
Week 16 status: OUT
It’s been two weeks since we saw George Pickens play football after straining his hamstring at practice. He did not practice at all this week and won’t play on Saturday.
San Francisco 49ers
Isaac Guerendo, RB
Week 16 status: OUT
Last Thursday, Isaac Guerendo was able to gut out a foot sprain on a short week, handling 100% of the San Francisco 49ers running back carries. The foot is no longer an issue, but now the rookie is dealing with a hamstring issue. He did not practice all week.
The 49ers are now down to their RB5. Patrick Taylor Jr. is set to start with Ke’Shawn Vaughn somehow likely to actually see the field in the year 2024.
Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith, QB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Geno Smith hurt his knee in last week’s loss to the Packers. He tried to return to the game but was visibly frustrated on the bench that he couldn’t. Somehow, Smith appears to have avoided a long-term injury. He got in full practices all week and is ready to go.
Kenneth Walker III, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Kenneth Walker III has missed the last two games with a calf injury. Head coach Mike Macdonald was noncommittal on Walker’s status for this week’s game. He suggested Walker would do something at Wednesday’s walkthrough, but Walker was listed as a DNP.
Fortunately, Walker returned to practice on Thursday and got in a full session. He has no injury designation.
Zach Charbonnet, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
After missing Wednesday’s practice, Zach Charbonnet returned to a limited session on Thursday and was full on Friday. He has no injury designation. However, with Walker back, Charbonnet is not startable in fantasy.
DK Metcalf, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
DK Metcalf is on the practice report more often than not but rarely misses games. He did not practice on Wednesday with a shoulder injury, which I thought was maintenance. Metcalf’s return to full practices on Thursday and Friday confirms that. Metcalf will play on Sunday.
Tyler Lockett, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
The veteran WR has been getting Wednesdays off every week. Tyler Lockett is not injured but is a distant third receiver behind DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield, QB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Frequently on the injury report but rarely actually missing games, Baker Mayfield did not practice on Wednesday with a knee injury, but it was merely maintenance. He practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and is ready to go.
Bucky Irving, RB
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Bucky Irving has dealt with a medley of injuries in his rookie season. He was limited at Wednesday’s practice with back and hip issues. That may seem concerning, but it’s a huge step forward after he did not practice at all last week. Irving was limited again on Thursday but progressed to full on Friday. He will play.
Mike Evans, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Mike Evans has battled a hamstring strain for nearly two months now. However, on this week’s practice report, Evans was listed as limited all three days due purely to rest. He is all systems go for Sunday.
Cade Otton, TE
Week 16 status: DOUBTFUL
Cade Otton returned to a limited practice on Thursday due to a knee injury but drew a doubtful tag. Doubtful players rarely play.
Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard, RB
Week 16 status: QUESTIONABLE
For the third time this season, Tony Pollard did not practice all week. For most players, this would be concerning, but Pollard has already played twice after not practicing all week. I will believe he is going to miss a game when the team actually lists him out. If Pollard ends up sitting, Tyjae Spears would serve as the lead back and likely handle a heavy workload.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday due to an ankle issue. However, he returned to a full practice on Friday and is not listed on the final injury report. Regardless of NWI’s status, he is not on the fantasy radar.
Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin, WR
Week 16 status: PLAYING
The Washington Commanders gave their veteran WR the day off on Wednesday. Terry McLaurin is fine.
Zach Ertz, TE
Week 16 status: QUESTIONABLE
Zach Ertz is in the concussion protocol after suffering the injury last week. He did not practice on Wednesday but returned to a limited session on Thursday. He was able to ditch the red no-contact jersey on Friday but has not cleared the concussion protocol just yet.
