Injuries continue to mount throughout the NFL. Plenty of players were banged up in Week 13, while others suffered injuries that could knock them out for several weeks or more.
Let’s round up the most notable injury updates while looking ahead to Week 14.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a concussion after absorbing a dirty hit from Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on Sunday. Al-Shaair was ejected from Sunday’s game, while the NFL is expected to suspend the 27-year-old defender.
“It’s a play that has no business in our league,” head coach Doug Pederson said after Jacksonville’s loss.
Pederson indicated it was too early to say whether Lawrence would play again the season. The Jaguars fell to 2-10 after Sunday’s loss and have no chance at a playoff berth, which could theoretically affect Lawrence and the club’s thinking.
It is now anticipated that Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair will be suspended for the hit that he delivered Sunday to Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence. The only question is for how long. pic.twitter.com/P8phFecS02
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2024
After the game, Lawrence posted the following update on X:
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me. I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all🙌🏼”
Backup quarterback Mac Jones threw for just 249 total yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions in his two starts; both were Jacksonville losses. He ranked dead last in passing success rate (31%) and next-to-last in EPA per dropback (-0.30) from Weeks 10 to 11.
Jones was more productive against the Texans on Sunday, completing 20 of 32 attempts for 235 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield was stepped on during the third quarter in Week 13 and initially believed he suffered a season-ending injury. Fortunately, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback only missed one snap on Sunday.
“Honestly, it scared the daylights out of me,” Mayfield said. “I’ve seen some people pop their Achilles before, and they say it feels like you got cleated. Obviously, not knowing what exactly happened, that’s what I thought I did. It was a little painful, but I got taped again and went back out there.”
Head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Mayfield’s leg is sore but expects his quarterback to start in Week 13.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucs running back Bucky Irving suffered a knee injury on Sunday and missed Tampa Bay’s first second-half drive. Fortunately, he returned for the club’s second third-quarter series and played for the rest of Week 13, finishing with a career-high 25 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown.
While Irving was “laboring” after yesterday’s game, he told reporters he felt better on Monday morning.
The Buccaneers had been threatening a hot-hand approach at running back, and on Sunday, Irving received 28 opportunities to Rachaad White’s 11. While the backs essentially played the same number of snaps, Irving was the clear lead back.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was limited by his ongoing calf injury at Monday’s practice.
Jacobs has been battling this same issue for several weeks but hasn’t missed time. Green Bay gave the veteran RB two days’ worth of rest during pre-Week 13 practices. Jacobs has touched the ball 71 times over the Packers’ last three games, so the club is likely exuding caution.
Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason, RBs, San Francisco 49ers
One of fantasy football‘s most productive players just can’t seem to catch a break in 2024.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a PCL sprain in the first half of Sunday night’s loss against the Buffalo Bills. McCaffrey’s injury generally involves a six-week recovery timeline, meaning his season is likely over.
The Niners officially placed CMC on injured reserve on Monday.
Kyle Shanahan said that Christian McCaffrey did injure his PCL and it is a 6-week recovery. His season now looks like it’s over.
49ers RB Jordan Mason suffered an ankle injury and also is being placed on injured reserve.
Two lost RBs. pic.twitter.com/tqxjJdKKrN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2024
It’s a potentially devastating end to the campaign for CMC, who was sidelined until Week 10 because of Achilles tendinitis. He didn’t seem to boast the same explosion upon returning, although McCaffrey’s receiving work was enough for him to land inside fantasy’s top 24 running backs in Weeks 10, 11, and 12.
Jordan Mason was in line to replace McCaffrey as San Franiscsco’s starting RB, but Mason went down with a high-ankle sprain on Sunday. He’ll also head to injured reserve and miss at least four games. Mason can return in Week 18 at the earliest, after the conclusion of most fantasy championships.
With CMC and Mason both sidelined, fourth-round rookie Isaac Guerendo will take over as the lead option in the 49ers’ backfield and profile as a potential league winner in fantasy.
Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers
Packers wideout Romeo Doubs returned to practice this week after sitting out the club’s Thanksgiving Night win against the Dolphins with a concussion. He was officially listed as limited.
The Packers have another Thursday game coming up, this time vs. the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions. Although Doubs is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol, he’s progressed to the point where he could play this week, head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on Monday.
A good sign for Romeo Doubs’ progress through concussion protocol: He’s practicing for the second straight day.
Jaire Alexander also on the field for a second day in a row.
Elgton Jenkins appears to be getting the day off.
Two other DNPs: Corey Ballentine, Edgerrin Cooper. pic.twitter.com/nVUVMMeYjN
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) December 2, 2024
Asked point blank if Doubs will play on TNF, LaFleur said, “We’ll see.”
If Doubs keeps logging limited practice sessions, he might be able to do enough to be cleared in time for Thursday’s critical matchup. Still, there’s a chance he’ll be a game-time decision for this week’s game. Luckily, fantasy managers will have plenty of time to find a replacement for Week 14.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Ladd McConkey never returned after his last reception with 5:39 remaining in the third quarter of Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Los Angeles Chargers announced that the rookie wideout was questionable to return, but he never re-entered yesterday’s game.
On Monday, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said McConkey is “working through some things,” noting the club needs to see how the receiver progresses during the week. Asked if McConkey would practice ahead of Week 14, Harbaugh said, “We’ll see.”
The Georgia product has quickly become Justin Herbert’s favorite receiver and put up another productive day in Los Angeles’ 17-13 win over Atlanta. McConkey posted nine catches on 12 targets for 117 yards before departing. No other Chargers pass catcher earned more than four targets or two receptions.
McConkey leads all Los Angeles receivers in targets (81), catches (58), and receiving yards (815) and is second in receiving touchdowns (four).
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
While the Philadelphia Eagles were hoping for good news on tight end Dallas Goedert after he departed Sunday’s game with a late knee injury, Goedert appears likely to miss time.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, Goedert is considered week to week ahead of Sunday’s game against the Panthers. Although Goedert’s knee injury is not season-ending, he could be placed on injured reserve.
Goedert has been banged up this year, missing Weeks 7-9 with a hamstring injury before later dealing with an ankle issue. Fellow Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra posted at least three catches or 50 yards in three games as Goedert’s replacement, finishing as a top-25 fantasy TE in all three contests.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
On Monday, the New Orleans Saints received the worst possible news about their versatile offensive weapon. Taysom Hill will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL on Sunday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Tests today confirmed that Saints TE Taysom Hill is out for the year with the knee injury he suffered Sunday, per source. pic.twitter.com/Iq3CbEqM2N
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2024
Hill’s versatility was on constant display this season, and Week 13 was no different. Before departing Sunday’s game, he had lined up at wide receiver (20 snaps), fullback (eight), halfback (five), running back (three), and tight end (three).
Hill finished Week 13 as the Saints’ leading receiver with five catches for 37 yards. He also rushed five times for 10 yards.
The 34-year-old was utterly dominant in a Week 11 win over the Cleveland Browns, totaling more than 200 scrimmage yards while accounting for three total touchdowns. Hill became the second player in the Super Bowl era with eight catches, 130 rushing yards, and three scores in a single game — and he also attempted two passes.