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 Week 17 game against the Rams. On Wednesday, the Cardinals placed Conner on IR, which is really just a formality to get Michael Carter on the active roster.
Baltimore Ravens
Justice Hill, RB
Justice Hill remains absent from practice as he progresses through the concussion protocol. The consecutive DNPs are an ominous sign regarding his availability for Saturday’s game against the Browns. It’s pretty much a certainty he won’t play this week. Although, to be fair, the Ravens certainly do not need him to win this game.
Carolina Panthers
Miles Sanders, RB
With Chuba Hubbard out, the 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. He was designated to return from IR and practiced in full on Wednesday.
Xavier Legette, WR
Xavier Legette remains on the practice report with hip and wrist injuries. The rookie WR played last week and practiced in full on Wednesday. He should be fine for Sunday.
Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze, WR
Rome Odunze sat out Wednesday’s walkthrough with an illness. He should be fine for Sunday.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow, QB
The Bengals continue to manage Joe Burrow’s practice reps as he navigates a knee injury. He was limited both days to start the week, but there is absolutely no chance he will miss 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 Bengals’ overtime win over the Broncos. He is tentatively expected to go this week, given the importance of the game. However, he did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday. If Brown isn’t at Thursday’s practice, it will almost certainly be Khalil Herbert leading the way on Saturday.
Tee Higgins, WR
Tee Higgins has participated in two limited practices due to knee and ankle injuries. He will not miss Saturday’s game.
Cleveland Browns
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB
Dorian Thompson-Robinson was limited for a second consecutive day with a calf injury. DTR is probably healthy enough to start, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bailey Zappe get the nod, as it remains a mystery how Thompson-Robinson is still on an NFL roster.
Cedric Tillman, WR
Still battling concussion symptoms, Cedric Tillman has not yet cleared. With one week left and nothing to play for, Tillman won’t return for a final meaningless contest.
Jerry Jeudy, WR
Every week, Jerry Jeudy is on the practice report with a knee injury. Every week, he plays. Jeudy practiced in full all week and is fine.
Jerome Ford, RB
Jerome Ford suffered a sprained ankle early in last week’s loss to the Dolphins. He did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday. It would be pretty surprising if he played this week. With Pierre Strong 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 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 or Wednesday. I fully expect him to miss the final game of the season.
Dallas Cowboys
Jalen Tolbert, WR
Jalen Tolbert is dealing with a finger injury, but he practiced in full on Wednesday and will play on Sunday.
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs, RB
Josh Jacobs was limited at Wednesday’s practice with a wrist injury. He is fine to play this week if the Packers choose not to rest starters.
Christian Watson, WR
Just like last week, Christian Watson is not practicing due to a knee injury. With the Packers’ game this week of minimal importance, expect the team to err on the side of caution and hold Watson out to ensure he is as healthy as possible for the postseason.
Tucker Kraft, TE
Tucker Kraft was limited at Wednesday’s practice due to rest. He is fine.
Houston Texans
Joe Mixon, RB
The Texans gave Joe Mixon a light day at Wednesday’s practice. Mixon is not injured and will be fine to play on Sunday, but he is almost certainly not going to play the entire game with the Texans locked into the No. 4 seed.
Nico Collins, WR
The Texans gave Nico Collins a light day at Wednesday’s practice. Collins is not injured and will be fine to play on Sunday, but he is almost certainly not going to play the entire game with the Texans locked into the No. 4 seed.
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. However, this doesn’t sound like a great situation. Richardson did not practice on Wednesday. Joe Flacco is probably going to start on Sunday.
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson said he “couldn’t even stand up” last week due to severe back spasms.
He said he’s had back issues since eighth grade and got an MRI that revealed a “disc thing.”
He said his back issues “might be chronic,” but he doesn’t think he’ll need surgery. pic.twitter.com/Wf6zN6x4ux
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 1, 2025
Michael Pittman Jr., WR
Michael Pittman Jr. has been dealing with a back injury for most of the season. He remains on the practice report but participated in full. He will play this week.
Josh Downs, WR
Josh Downs popped up on the practice report with an ankle injury. He dealt with a high-ankle sprain earlier in the season, but it hasn’t been an issue for a while now. Since he practiced in full, this is nothing to worry about.
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes, QB
The Chiefs listed Patrick Mahomes as limited on Wednesday’s practice report with his ankle injury. Mahomes is perfectly fine to play, but we won’t see him again until the Divisional Round. Carson Wentz will start on Sunday.
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 Chiefs will not be playing any starters with the No. 1 seed locked up. Pacheco did not practice on Wednesday and probably won’t practice all week.
He 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.
Las Vegas Raiders
Ameer Abdullah, RB
Ameer Abdullah did not practice on Wednesday due to a foot injury. It’s entirely possible he sits out a meaningless Week 18 game, which would put Alexander Mattison in the lead back role.
Los Angeles Chargers
Gus Edwards, RB
Gus Edwards did not practice on Wednesday due to his ankle injury. He did not play last week and is unlikely to play this week, either.
Ladd McConkey, WR
Ladd McConkey did not practice on Wednesday due to a toe injury. The rookie WR is probably alright, but with the Chargers possibly having nothing to play for, there’s definitely a chance he might sit this week.
Joshua Palmer, WR
Joshua Palmer did not practice on Wednesday due to a foot injury. He seems to be trending toward not playing this week.
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. Tagovailoa was limited at Wednesday’s practice.
Tua Tagovailoa expected to be limited today according to Mike McDaniel
“I think Snoop (Huntley) is starting,” as of today, McDaniel said.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 1, 2025
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. The WR was limited at Wednesday’s practice.
Tyreek Hill, WR
Tyreek Hill continues to play through torn ligaments in his wrist. He was limited at Wednesday’s practice, but this is just veteran maintenance. Hill is playing this week.
Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones, RB
The Vikings’ star RB suffered a quad contusion late in Minnesota’s win over the Packers. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Aaron Jones should be able to practice this week, and that came to fruition with the running back getting in a limited session on Wednesday. With the No. 1 seed on the line Sunday night against the Lions, I expect Jones to play.
New England Patriots
Drake Maye, QB
Drake Maye was limited at Wednesday’s practice with a right hand injury. Head coach Jerod Mayo already said Maye will start if he’s healthy enough to do so. Maye is definitely healthy enough to start if the game mattered. Since it doesn’t, we should consider Maye 50/50 to suit up.
Kayshon Boutte, WR
Kayshon Boutte did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness. He will be fine for Sunday.
Hunter Henry, TE
Hunter Henry was limited at Wednesday’s practice with a foot injury. He is probably fine to play this week.
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. The Saints QB did not practice on Wednesday. I would be stunned if Carr played.
Alvin Kamara, RB
Alvin Kamara missed his second straight game with a groin injury. He did not practice on Wednesday. It’s unlikely he will return for a final meaningless game.
Kendre Miller, RB
Kendre Miller is currently in the concussion protocol and did not practice on Wednesday. It seems highly improbable that he will play this week. Clyde Edwards-Helaire may very well be the lead back in Week 18.
Chris Olave, WR
Chris Olave has not yet been activated from IR as he returns from a concussion. Olave practiced in full on Wednesday. While he is healthy enough to play, it is unlikely he will return for one meaningless game. He is simply here to be around and practice with his teammates.
Juwan Johnson, TE
Juwan Johnson has been limited to start the week’s practices for a month now due to a knee injury. Johnson is fine and will play this week.
New York Jets
Tyler Conklin, TE
Tyler Conklin did not practice on Wednesday with a calf injury. Given that it’s Week 18, any DNP could easily mean a player gets held out. Conklin will have to practice on Thursday to have a shot at playing.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts, QB
Head coach Nick Sirianni said Jalen Hurts remains in the concussion protocol. Regardless of his status, Hurts was never going to play this week. It remains to be seen if it will be Kenny Pickett or Tanner McKee starting in a meaningless game for the Eagles on Sunday. Concussions are tricky, but it would be pretty surprising if Hurts weren’t able to return for the Eagles’ Wild Card game.
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 Eagles to push Pickett to play at anything less than 100%. He did not practice Wednesday. Tanner McKee is likely going to start in a game that does not matter this week against the Giants.
Saquon Barkley, RB
The Eagles gave Saquon Barkley Wednesday off from practice. He is not injured but will not play in a meaningless game on Sunday, despite the fact he’s in striking distance of the all-time single-season rushing yardage record.
A.J. Brown, WR
The Eagles’ WR1 did not practice on Wednesday due to a combination of his knee injury and rest. A.J. Brown is fine but won’t play in a meaningless game on Sunday.
DeVonta Smith, WR
The Eagles’ WR2 did not practice on Wednesday due to a combination of his wrist injury and rest. DeVonta Smith is fine but won’t play in a meaningless game on Sunday.
Dallas Goedert, TE
On Wednesday, the Eagles designated Dallas Goedert to return from IR. Goedert won’t play this week, but he is fully expected to return for the Eagles’ Wild Card game next week.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson, QB
The Steelers’ QB1 was limited at Tuesday’s practice. However, Russell Wilson is not injured but merely getting a light day. He practiced in full on Wednesday.
Jaylen Warren, RB
Jaylen Warren was limited at Tuesday’s practice with a rib injury but upgraded to full on Wednesday. He will be fine to play on Saturday.
San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy, QB
The 49ers announced Wednesday that Joshua Dobbs will start in place of Purdy (elbow) in Sunday’s Week 18 game against Arizona.
On Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that Purdy was diagnosed with nerve inflammation and a contusion in his right elbow. It comes as no surprise, then, that the playoff-eliminated 49ers aren’t going to start Purdy for a Week 18 contest with little at stake.
It’s likely that Purdy will ultimately be ruled out, and he could even be placed on IR in order to open up a roster spot. With Dobbs set to start Sunday, Brandon Allen should continue to work as San Francisco’s No. 2 quarterback.
Deebo Samuel, WR
Samuel didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice due to rib and knee injuries.
Since the 49ers’ Week 9 bye, Samuel has managed more than 40 yards from scrimmage just two times in eight games, turning 46 touches into 334 total yards and two receiving TDs during that span.
With new health concerns in tow, it’s unclear whether he may be in danger of missing Sunday’s season finale in Arizona, but the next two days of work likely will determine if he has a chance to suit up this weekend.
George Kittle, TE
Kittle didn’t practice Wednesday due to ankle and hamstring injuries.
Kittle has missed two games this season due to health concerns, but it’s unclear if he’s in danger of sitting out again Sunday at Arizona. He’s put together three 100-yard efforts in the last four contests en route to a 26-430-0 line on 30 targets during that stretch.
Ultimately, the next two days of practice likely will determine whether or not Kittle will have a chance to build on his recent hot streak this weekend.
Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Lockett, WR
Tyler Lockett was limited at Wednesday’s practice due to rest. He will play on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving, RB
The Bucs’ lead running back was limited at Wednesday’s practice with shoulder and shin injuries. Bucky Irving is not at risk of missing this week’s game.
Mike Evans, WR
The Bucs’ WR1 had his reps managed at Wednesday’s practice. Mike Evans is not injured. He will play on Sunday, and Baker Mayfield will do everything he can to get Evans the 85 yards he needs to continue his 1,000-yard streak.
Cade Otton, TE
Cade Otton has missed the past two weeks with a knee injury. He did not practice on Wednesday, which puts him on track to miss a third straight game.
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 back.
Tony Pollard, RB
For the first time in weeks, Tony Pollard actually practiced, getting in a limited session on Wednesday. He’s been dealing with a sprained ankle for most of the season. With contract incentives at play, I expect Pollard to suit up this Sunday and handle as much work as he can.
Washington Commanders
Austin Ekeler, RB
On his way back from a concussion, the Commanders designated Austin Ekeler to return from IR on Wednesday and he practiced in full. It’s unclear if he will play in a regular-season finale that isn’t that important with the Commanders already locked into a playoff spot. But Ekeler will definitely be back for Washington’s Wild Card game next week.
Terry McLaurin, WR
Terry McLaurin did not practice on Wednesday. While his ankle is listed as half of the reason he’s on the report, the other half — rest — is what carries the designation here. McLaurin is fine.
Zach Ertz, TE
The Commanders continue to give their veteran TE Wednesdays off. Zach Ertz is fine.