Injuries continue to mount throughout the NFL. With one week left in the season, teams are going to be even more cautious with playing injured players. For one last time in the regular season, let’s round up the most notable injury updates looking ahead to Week 18.
Arizona Cardinals
James Conner, RB
James Conner tried to push through a knee injury suffered in Week 16. He quickly aggravated the injury and could not finish the game. There’s no way he plays in Week 18. With Trey Benson done for the season (placed on injured reserve, IR), it will be Michael Carter as the lead running back.
Baltimore Ravens
Justice Hill, RB
Justice Hill remains absent from practice as he progresses through the NFL’s concussion protocol. The Tuesday DNP is an ominous sign regarding his availability for Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Although to be fair, the Baltimore Ravens certainly do not need him to win this game.
Carolina Panthers
Miles Sanders, RB
With Chuba Hubbard out, the Carolina Panthers were forced to go with Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone last week. It looks like they will get Miles Sanders back from his ankle sprain this week, though.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow, QB
The Bengals continue to monitor Joe Burrow’s reps at practice. He was listed as limited on Tuesday’s practice report with his knee injury. There is absolutely no chance Burrow misses Saturday’s game.
Chase Brown, RB
Chase Brown sprained his ankle trying to slide to run out the clock late in the fourth quarter of the Cincinnati Bengals’ overtime win over the Denver Broncos. He is tentatively expected to go this week, given the importance of the game. However, he did not practice on Tuesday. Khalil Herbert would be the lead running back if Brown can’t play.
Tee Higgins, WR
The Bengals listed Tee Higgins as limited on Tuesday’s practice report due to knee and ankle injuries. Higgins played through the injuries last week and will do so again this week.
Cleveland Browns
Cedric Tillman, WR
Still battling concussion symptoms, Cedric Tillman has not yet cleared protocol. With one week left and nothing to play for, Tillman likely won’t return for a final meaningless contest.
Jerome Ford, RB
Jerome Ford suffered a sprained ankle early in last week’s loss to the Miami Dolphins. He did not practice on Tuesday. It would be pretty surprising if he played this week. With Pierre Strong Jr. in the concussion protocol and Nick Chubb done for the season, Week 18 should see a large dose of D’Onta Foreman as the lead running back.
David Njoku, TE
We know David Njoku really wants to play football. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to shake this knee injury. With one game left, it’s hard to imagine any injured players playing. Njoku did not practice on Tuesday. I fully expect him to miss the final game of the season.
Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson, QB
Head coach Shane Steichen said Anthony Richardson is dealing with back spasms but will start if he is healthy enough to do so.
Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco, RB
On Christmas, Isiah Pacheco left the game with a rib injury. He is likely healthy enough to play this week, but the Kansas City Chiefs will likely not be playing any starters with the No. 1 seed locked up. Pacheco will have two weeks off before the Chiefs host a Divisional Round game. It remains to be seen if Kareem Hunt will be rested this week as well, resulting in Samaje Perine and Carson Steele manning the backfield.
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa, QB
Tua Tagovailoa pushed very hard to play last week but was shut down by the medical team due to his hip injury. On Monday, head coach Mike McDaniel remained uncertain regarding his quarterback’s status. The Dolphins need to win to have any shot at making the playoffs this week, but reading the early tea leaves, it sounds like it will be Tyler Huntley once again.
Jaylen Waddle, WR
Jaylen Waddle has missed the past two weeks with a knee injury. On Monday, head coach Mike McDaniel expressed optimism that Waddle could return this week.
Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones, RB
The Minnesota Vikings star RB suffered a quad contusion late in their win over the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Aaron Jones should be able to practice this week. With the No. 1 seed on the line on Sunday night against the Detroit Lions, I expect Jones to play.
exactly perfect precision from aaron jones makes carrington valentine look like he's stuck in mud. packers have this fit up exactly how they want but the force gets caught playing passive pic.twitter.com/fl5pCsbcsb
— Luke Braun (@LukeBraunNFL) December 31, 2024
New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr, QB
Interim head coach Darren Rizzi did not rule out Derek Carr returning from his left-hand injury this week. I would be stunned if Carr played.
Alvin Kamara, RB
Alvin Kamara missed his second straight game with a groin injury. It’s unlikely he will return for a final meaningless game.
Kendre Miller, RB
Kendre Miller is currently in the concussion protocol. It seems highly improbable that he will play this week. Clyde Edwards-Helaire may very well be the lead running back in Week 18.
Philadelphia Eagles
Kenny Pickett, QB
Starting in place of a concussed Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett aggravated his preexisting rib injury. Reportedly, Pickett is playing through broken ribs. Despite being the backup, there’s no incentive for the Philadelphia Eagles to push Pickett to play at anything less than 100%. Tanner McKee is likely going to start in a game that does not matter this week against the New York Giants.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson, QB
The Pittsburgh Steelers QB1 was limited at Tuesday’s practice. However, Russell Wilson is not injured but merely getting a light day.
Jaylen Warren, RB
Jaylen Warren was limited at Tuesday’s practice with a rib injury. He will be fine to play on Saturday.
Tennessee Titans
Tyjae Spears, RB
Tyjae Spears suffered a concussion last week. He has already been ruled out for Week 18. After a one-week absence, Tony Pollard should be back to chase contract incentives. If not, Julius Chestnut would serve as the lead.
San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy, QB
Late in the fourth quarter of the San Francisco 49ers’ Monday night loss to the Lions, Brock Purdy injured his elbow and was visibly concerned on the sideline. While it does appear the 49ers QB avoided serious injury, the team has nothing to gain by putting him at further risk in Week 18. He will not play.