Injuries continue to mount throughout the NFL. Plenty of players were banged up in Week 16, while others suffered injuries that could knock them out for the rest of the regular season.
Let’s round up the most notable injury updates looking ahead to Week 17.
Arizona Cardinals
James Conner, RB
As a reminder to everyone out there, these guys love football. The Arizona Cardinals may be out of the playoff race, but James Conner is going to play if his knee allows him to. We will have to wait and see if he can practice later this week.
Gannon: no updates on Sunday injuries yet. Wait to see on RB James Conner, RT Jonah Williams.
With Conner, “I know he wants to play.”
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) December 23, 2024
Baltimore Ravens
Justice Hill, RB
The Baltimore Ravens’ passing-down back had a scary-looking concussion on Saturday, landing on his head and immediately getting knocked out. Fortunately, Justice Hill was able to walk off the field under his own power. The shifty running back will now have to progress through protocol before returning to action.
With just four days separating the Ravens’ two games, Hill will not play on Wednesday. Expect the Ravens to have Keaton Mitchell active, but it remains to be seen whether he will serve as the RB2 ahead of Rasheen Ali.
Zay Flowers, WR
Apparently, Zay Flowers picked up a shoulder injury in the Ravens’ victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. He did not practice on Monday, but head coach John Harbaugh does not seem overly concerned.
Ravens practice Monday
Not practicing:
WR Zay Flowers (shoulder)
WR Nelson Agholor (concussion)
RG Daniel Faalele (knee)
RB Justice Hill (concussion)-Harbaugh was “pretty optimistic” on Sunday that Flowers and Faalele would play
-C Tyler Linderbaum (back) returned to practice pic.twitter.com/bSL1FRcPpg
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 23, 2024
Cleveland Browns
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB
Making his first start of the season, Dorian Thompson-Robinson hurt his calf in the Cleveland Browns’ embarrassing offensive performance against the Cincinnati Bengals’ bottom-of-the-barrel defense. Head coach Kevin Stefanski already said DTR will start again if he is healthy enough to go.
David Njoku, TE
After a one-game absence, David Njoku was able to convince coaches he was healthy enough to play through a hamstring strain despite just one limited practice at the end of the week. The good news is Njoku came out of Sunday’s game with his hamstring no worse for wear. The bad news is he picked up a knee injury of currently unknown severity.
As is always the case with Njoku, if he can play, he will. We await Wednesday’s first official practice report.
Houston Texans
Tank Dell, WR
The weekend’s most devastating injury belonged to Tank Dell, who was really starting to put it together after a slow start to the season, likely precipitated by his 2023 fractured leg. Unfortunately, Dell dislocated his knee, tore his ACL, and sustained other damage to his knee on an impressive touchdown grab in the Texans’ loss to the Chiefs.
In a best-case scenario, Dell makes a full recovery and is able to get back on the field sometime in the 2025 season. However, there’s a very real chance we won’t see Dell again until 2026. John Metchie III will likely occupy the WR2 role behind Nico Collins for the remainder of the season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes, QB
Patrick Mahomes says his ankle feels much better now than it did a week ago. Mahomes practiced in full ahead of last week’s game and played with no issue. He was listed as a full participant on Monday’s report and will play on Wednesday.
Xavier Worthy, WR
The speedy rookie tweaked his ankle on Saturday and missed a handful of plays before ultimately returning. Xavier Worthy remains on the practice report with the injury but is listed as participating fully. He will play on Wednesday.
Los Angeles Chargeres
J.K. Dobbins, RB
On Monday, the Los Angeles Chargers designated J.K. Dobbins to return from injured reserve. He’s been out the last four games with a knee injury. There’s a chance Dobbins can return for this week’s game.
New York Giants
Drew Lock, QB
Drew Lock returned to the starting lineup after a one-week absence but evidently hurt his shoulder. He is set to undergo an MRI. It certainly does not appear as if Lock will be able to play this week, which would return Tommy DeVito to the starting lineup and be a significant downgrade for all offensive weapons.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB
Tyrone Tracy Jr. was limited at all three practices last week with an ankle injury. Head coach Brian Daboll said Tracy aggravated the injury in last week’s game. It’s still very early, but it does not sound too promising for the talented rookie for Week 17. Devin Singletary will start if Tracy is unable to go.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts, QB
Jalen Hurts is currently in the concussion protocol. With the Philadelphia Eagles not one of the many teams playing on a short week, there remains a chance he can clear by the time they play again on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers
George Pickens, WR
After being listed as limited on Sunday’s practice report, George Pickens was upgraded to a full participant on Monday. By all accounts, he is set to return on Wednesday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
George Pickens is expected to play against the Chiefs, pending one final health confirmation.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) December 23, 2024
Mike Williams, WR
The Steelers gave Mike Williams Sunday off from practice, as they have been doing on the first day of the work week since acquiring him. Williams returned to a full practice on Monday and will play on Wednesday.
Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III, RB
Mike Macdonald’s opening to his presser today. Says no update on Kenneth Walker III. pic.twitter.com/pf3dJndsuk
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) December 23, 2024
The Seattle Seahawks were required to release an estimated practice report. Kenneth Walker III was listed as DNP with what reporters are calling a new ankle injury.
Zach Charbonnet, RB
Evidently, Zach Charbonnet’s oblique injury was a bit more significant than we realized. That explains his strange usage, plus Kenny McIntosh entering the game before him.
On No.-2 back Zach Charbonnet., injured oblique coming into the Vikings game, for #Seahawks Thursday night game vs Chicago: "He was limited during the game, but signs are positive with Zach right now.”
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 23, 2024
This latest update from Mike Macdonald is a positive development. Charbonnet did appear on Monday’s practice report as limited, but he was listed as dealing with an elbow injury. The oblique wasn’t even noted, which implies it is no longer an issue. An elbow injury for a running back is far less concerning.
If Walker is unable to go on Thursday, it sounds like it will be business as usual for Charbonnet as the lead back.
Noah Fant, TE
The Seahawks’ starting TE was listed as limited on Monday’s estimated practice report with a knee injury. Fant missed a month earlier this season with a knee issue, so this is likely the team just managing his reps. He should be fine to play on Thursday.