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
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
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. The veteran RB has been limited at practice all three days this week, but he does not look anywhere near 100%.
However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Conner is trending in the right direction.
#Cardinals RB James Conner (questionable, knee) is 'trending in the right direction' for Saturday vs. #Rams, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 27, 2024
Trey Benson, RB
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
After missing time with an ankle sprain, Trey Benson has been limited at practice all week. The Cardinals RB situation is currently as unclear as it gets, with both Benson and James Conner working through injuries. Michael Carter could end up being the starter … or he could end up being completely irrelevant with both Conner and Benson playing.
Atlanta Falcons
Drake London, WR
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Last week, Drake London left the game with what was initially described as a hamstring injury. After the game, London said he could have returned if necessary.
London was listed as limited on Wednesday’s estimated practice report but with a knee injury. On Thursday, London was limited once again. He told reporters he is playing this week, and I believe him. London participated fully in Friday’s practice and carries no injury designation.
Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen, QB
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Josh Allen continues to practice in full with right elbow and shoulder issues. He is going to play this week.
Dalton Kincaid, TE
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Dalton Kincaid remains on the practice report with his knee injury that cost him multiple games earlier in the season. Kincaid was listed as a full participant, though, and will play this week.
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young, QB
Week 17 status: PLAYING
The Carolina Panthers listed Bryce Young on the practice report with a hamstring issue, but he practiced in full. Young is fine.
Chuba Hubbard, RB
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
As has been the case for several weeks now, Chuba Hubbard got the first day of practice off. The Panthers held a walkthrough on Tuesday to give the players Christmas off but released the estimated report on Wednesday.
Hubbard returned to practice on Thursday but was listed as limited with a knee injury. I have some concerns that this injury happened at practice. Hubbard’s limited session on Friday suggests that his injury did, indeed, happen on Thursday’s practice. However, the fact that he was able to practice on Friday suggests he will be able to play.
Head coach Dave Canales was pretty candid regarding all the questionable designations. Pretty much everyone, including Hubbard, is expected to play.
Wide receiver Xavier Legette and most of the questionable Panthers’ players will play. pic.twitter.com/NAsh6nx1vf
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) December 27, 2024
Xavier Legette, WR
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
Xavier Legette is dealing with hip and wrist injuries. He practiced in full on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday and Friday, drawing a questionable tag. I believe Legette is truly 50/50 to play.
Adam Thielen, WR
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Adam Thielen was limited at Thursday’s practice with a hamstring issue. It’s a new injury for Thielen, who dealt with a lengthy hamstring strain earlier this season. He was limited again on Friday and has no injury designation.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow, QB
Week 17 status: PLAYING
The Bengals QB has been playing through a knee injury for a couple of weeks. Joe Burrow was limited all three days at practice this week, as the team manages his reps. Burrow was also listed with his weekly right wrist issue, which is a non-issue. Either way, Burrow is playing on Saturday.
Tee Higgins, WR
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
Tee Higgins picked up ankle and knee injuries in last week’s game. He was limited at practice all week and drew a questionable tag. I tentatively expect Higgins to play.
#Bengals WR Tee Higgins (questionable, ankle/knee) improved every day in practice and there's optimism he can play Sat. vs. #Broncos, barring new development, per sources.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 27, 2024
Cleveland Browns
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB
Week 17 status: PLAYING
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. He was limited on Thursday and is reportedly feeling good.
Cedric Tillman, WR
Week 17 status: OUT
Cedric Tillman remains limited at practice as he works his way through the NFL’s concussion protocol. It is quite curious that he continues to be able to practice but is not yet able to progress to full contact.
Jerry Jeudy, WR
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Jerry Jeudy has been on the practice report for weeks with a knee injury that hasn’t really been an issue. He’d been practicing in full. Now, he’s been limited the past two days with an additional shin injury. Jeudy should be fine to play on Sunday.
David Njoku, TE
Week 17 status: OUT
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. However, he did not practice all week and is out.
Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb, WR
Week 17 status: OUT
For the first time since injuring his shoulder weeks ago, CeeDee Lamb was unable to practice both days to open the week. The Cowboys were eliminated from playoff contention last week and Lamb aggravated his shoulder sprain when he fell on it in the second quarter. On Thursday, the team decided to shut its star WR down for the remainder of the season.
Denver Broncos
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Last week, Jaleel McLaughlin tried to practice through a quad injury but was ultimately unable to go. This week, McLaughlin got in two full practices and is off the injury report.
Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson, WR
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
The oft-injured WR injured his knee in Monday night’s shutout victory over the Saints. Fortunately, Christian Watson avoided serious injury but did not practice all week. Head coach Matt LaFleur left the door open for Watson to play, but I fully expect him to sit.
Tucker Kraft, TE
Week 17 status: PLAYING
The Packers starting tight end is apparently dealing with a hip injury. He was listed as limited on Wednesday’s estimated practice report and at Thursday’s practice but got in a full session on Friday and is good to go.
Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson, QB
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
Anthony Richardson apparently got a bit banged up in last week’s game. He is dealing with back and foot injuries and has not practiced all week. We may very well be looking at Joe Flacco back in the saddle with everything on the line for the Colts.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Dealing with his season-long back injury, Michael Pittman Jr. remains on the practice report but was listed as a full participant. He is not at any risk of missing this week’s game.
Alec Pierce, WR
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Working his way through the concussion protocol, Alec Pierce has been full on the practice report all week. He is on track to return this Sunday.
Los Angeles Chargers
J.K. Dobbins, RB
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
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. On Friday, the Chargers activated Dobbins ahead of the 4 p.m. ET deadline. They would not have done this unless he was going to play on Saturday.
Gus Edwards, RB
Week 17 status: OUT
Coming off the best game of his season, Gus Edwards apparently tweaked his ankle last week. It appears the injury is more serious than initially believed, as Edwards was ruled out for Saturday’s game.
Will Dissly, TE
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
After not practicing for multiple weeks, Will Dissly was back on the field Tuesday for a limited session. This puts him on track to return on Saturday.
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa, QB
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
Tua Tagovailoa was limited at practice all week with a hip issue. He should be fine. However, I will add a slightly cautionary comment that if the Dolphins end up mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday, it wouldn’t be a total shock if they shut down Tyreek Hill and Tua.
Jaylen Waddle, WR
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
Jaylen Waddle missed last week’s game with a knee injury. This week started the same as last, with a DNP. However, Waddle returned to a limited session on Thursday and followed that up with a second limited practice on Friday. Given the potential stakes of this week’s game, I tentatively expect Waddle to play. He seems to be in good spirits and says he feels good, but he will be a risky start, given his knee issue.
Jaylen Waddle feels he’s healthy and is thankful his knee injury wasn’t more serious than what it was. However, he’s still being limited. pic.twitter.com/TIa8y9TKXs
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) December 27, 2024
Tyreek Hill, WR
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
Tyreek Hill continues to play through torn ligaments in his wrist. He was limited at practice all week and drew a questionable tag but should be fine to play. However, I will add a slightly cautionary comment that if the Dolphins end up mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday, it wouldn’t be a total shock if they shut down Hill and Tua.
New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr, QB
Week 17 status: OUT
The Saints starting QB did not practice all week with his left-hand injury. Spencer Rattler will start.
Alvin Kamara, RB
Week 17 status: OUT
The Saints’ lead running back missed last week’s game with a groin injury. He has not practiced all week and won’t play again. Kendre Miller will lead an uninspiring committee.
Chris Olave, WR
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
Last week, Chris Olave returned to practice for the first time since sustaining his second concussion of the season. Olave was never going to play in that game, but he is now listed as a full participant. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi described him as “day-to-day.” We will know on Saturday around 4 p.m. ET if Olave is going to play, but Nick Underhill is skeptical.
Chris Olave is questionable but I’d bet he doesn’t play
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) December 27, 2024
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
Marquez Valdes-Scantling missed last week’s game with a chest injury. He was listed as limited on Wednesday’s estimated practice report, though, which suggests he may be able to return this week. MVS was again limited on Thursday and Friday.
Juwan Johnson, TE
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Juwan Johnson has been listed on the practice report with a foot injury for several weeks. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, which has been the routine. Johnson will play this week.
New York Giants
Drew Lock, QB
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Drew Lock returned to the starting lineup after a one-week absence but evidently hurt his shoulder. He underwent an MRI on Monday. It appears the results were good, as head coach Brian Daboll announced Lock would start this week. He was listed as limited on Wednesday’s estimated practice report but upgraded to full on Thursday and Friday.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Tyrone Tracy Jr. was limited at all three practices last week with an ankle injury. Head coach 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. Tracy was listed as DNP on Wednesday’s estimated practice report and was also absent on Thursday.
Tracy was able to return to a limited session on Friday and, somehow, doesn’t even have an injury designation. He will play.
Malik Nabers, WR
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
Malik Nabers was listed as a DNP on Wednesday’s estimated practice report with a toe issue. It’s a new injury for Nabers, who also did not practice on Thursday. In the past, head coach Daboll was pretty optimistic about Nabers playing through injury. This time, he was a bit more noncommittal.
Nabers did get in a limited practice on Friday, though, and has played through a DNP-DNP-LP before.
New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers, QB
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Aaron Rodgers hurt his knee in last week’s game with what he described as a little MCL issue. Rodgers was listed as a full participant at practice all week and will play.
Davante Adams, WR
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
The Jets listed Davante Adams as DNP on Wednesday’s estimated practice report due to a hip injury. He was absent again on Thursday but returned to a limited session on Friday and reportedly looked good. He will probably play.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts, QB
Week 17 status: OUT
Jalen Hurts is currently in the concussion protocol. He did not practice all week. Meanwhile, the Eagles signed Ian Book to the practice squad on Thursday. Kenny Pickett will make his first start as an Eagle this week
Kenny Pickett, QB
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Kenny Picket is dealing with a rib injury that will require some extra padding underneath his jersey. However, the backup QB practiced in full on Thursday and Friday. He is all set to make his first start this season on Sunday.
Saquon Barkley, RB
Week 17 status: PLAYING
The NFL’s leading rusher got Wednesday off from practice. Saquon Barkley is fine.
A.J. Brown, WR
Week 17 status: PLAYING
The Eagles WR1 got a day off on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday with a combination of rest/knee; A.J. Brown practiced again on Friday, though, and is good to go.
San Francisco 49ers
Isaac Guerendo, RB
After missing last week’s game with a hamstring strain, Isaac Guerendo was back on the practice field Thursday, getting in a limited session. He was limited again on Friday. The rookie is expected to return to the RB1 role on Monday night.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans, WR
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Mike Evans was limited on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday due to rest. He is fine.
Cade Otton, TE
Week 17 status: OUT
Last week, Cade Otton opened with two DNPs before returning to limited practice due to a knee injury. He did not play. This week, Otton did not practice at all and is out.
Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard, RB
Week 17 status: QUESTIONABLE
For the second consecutive week and the third time this season, Tony Pollard did not practice all week due to his lingering ankle injury.
Pollard has yet to miss a game, including twice playing after not practicing all week. I refuse to believe Pollard will sit until I see him listed as inactive 90 minutes before kickoff.
Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin, WR
Week 17 status: PLAYING
The Washington Commanders’ WR1 was listed as DNP on Wednesday’s estimated practice report due to an ankle injury. It’s unclear what exactly happened as Terry McLaurin played the entire game last week. He returned to a limited session on Thursday and was full on Friday, which confirms my suspicions that this was likely just maintenance. McLaurin is good to go.
Zach Ertz, TE
Week 17 status: PLAYING
Zach Ertz was listed on the practice report with a shoulder injury but got in two full sessions to close out the week. He is fine.
