Another week of NFL action means another week of injuries. Plenty of players got banged up in Week 15, while others suffered injuries that could knock them out for several weeks or more. Let’s round up the most notable injury updates from Sunday.
Week 15 NFL Injuries Recap
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence took several hard hits in the Jaguars’ Sunday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens but did not miss a snap. However, head coach Doug Pederson announced after the game that Lawrence is in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Asked Monday if Lawrence will be ready for Jacksonville’s Week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pederson demurred.
“I’m not at liberty to speculate on head injuries,” Pederson said. “I can’t say one way or another.”
Jacksonville has dropped three straight games, putting its AFC South lead and playoff chances in jeopardy, so the club can’t afford to be without its starting quarterback. C.J. Beathard, who relieved Lawrence when he injured his ankle in Week 13, will start if Lawerence is unavailable.
Zach Wilson, QB, New York Jets
While it was initially unclear whether the Jets had benched Wilson, New York eventually announced that the former first-round pick departed Week 15 with a concussion. One week after meaning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, Wilson completed just 4 of 11 attempts while being pressured on 12 of his 16 dropbacks before leaving Sunday’s game.
Trevor Siemian will likely start against the Washington Commanders if Wilson can’t play next week. Aaron Rodgers, who’s been designated to return from injured reserve (IR), is unlikely to play again this season now that New York has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
Levis and the Titans pulled off a miraculous comeback against the Miami Dolphins in Week 15, but they coughed up a lead of their own against the Houston Texans on Sunday. Adding salt to the wound, Levis went down with a leg injury near the end of Tennessee’s overtime loss.
While Levis was not wearing a knee brace after the game, he was walking with a limp. Speaking to reporters, Levis said he doesn’t believe he suffered a severe injury, noting it “could have been a lot worse.”
Zack Moss, RB, Indianapolis Colts
With Jonathan Taylor sidelined following thumb surgery, Moss has served as the Colts’ RB1 over the past three weeks. But Moss went down with a shoulder injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers and never returned.
However, Moss plans to play through the injury, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who added X-rays on Moss’ shoulder were negative. If Moss sits out Week 16, Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson will carry the load for Indy (assuming Taylor isn’t ready to return).
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals managed a comeback win against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15 despite missing Chase late in the game. Chase departed with a shoulder injury, later re-appearing on the sideline with his arm in a sling under a sweatshirt.
Head coach Zac Taylor labeled Chase “day to day” instead of “week to week,” suggesting Cincinnati’s WR1 could suit up for a critical Week 16 game against the Steelers. But NFL Network reported Monday that Chase will likely miss Saturday’s matchup and could be sidelined beyond Week 16.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
Pittman may have been lucky to escape Saturday’s game with only a concussion. The Colts’ top wideout took a brutal hit from Steelers safety Damontae Kazee, who was ejected from the game and has since been suspended for the rest of the season.
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Given that Pittman is unlikely to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol in time for Indy’s Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce will likely work as the Colts’ primary pass catchers.
Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers
Reed went down with a toe injury in the fourth quarter of the Packers’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and never returned after spending time in the medical tent. Head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t update Reed’s status after Sunday’s game.
Reed has been on fire recently, posting at least 50 yards and a touchdown in five of his last six games. He’s one reception shy of tying Sterling Sharpe’s franchise record for catches by a rookie. And with fellow WR Christian Watson sidelined by a hamstring injury, Green Bay can’t afford to lose Reed, too.
Zay Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jones has already missed six games this season while battling a nagging knee injury, and now he’s dealing with a new issue. Having already lost WR Christian Kirk to a groin injury, Jacksonville saw Jones leave Sunday’s game with a hamstring problem.
After the game, head coach Doug Pederson said Jones’s injury “looked bad,” so he’s likely to miss time. Parker Washington and Jamal Agnew could see more time if Jones is out, while the Jaguars could also lean into multiple-TE formations.
Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Brown has been dealing with a reoccurring heel injury, which cropped up again on Sunday despite Brown getting extra rest over Arizona’s Week bye. After the game, Brown said his heel issue devolved to a point where he couldn’t fight through the pain, while head coach Jonathan Gannon seemed concerned after the game.
“It’s been going on for a little bit, and he’s trying to grind through,” Gannon said. “He’s a warrior, and we need him. If he can’t go, he can’t go, and obviously that hurts us because he’s a good player.”
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots
Having reeled in three touchdowns over the past two weeks, Henry is one of the few offensive weapons the Patriots can rely on. But the veteran tight end left New England’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after suffering a knee injury in the fourth quarter.
Speaking to reporters after New England’s loss, Henry would not reveal whether he was physically able to return to Sunday’s game but indicated his knee is feeling “alright,” per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.
Zack Martin, G, Dallas Cowboys
Martin picked up a quad injury early in the Cowboys’ Week 15 game and never returned, but he’s hoping to be ready for Dallas’ next game. The 33-year-old guard has only missed one contest over the past two years. Undrafted rookie T.J. Bass relieved Martin on Sunday and will start if Martin cannot play.
Joel Bitonio, G, Cleveland Browns
The Browns are already playing with second and third-stringers at offensive tackle, missed starting center Ethan Pocic on Sunday, and are now watching Bitonio’s back injury. Head coach Kevin Stefanski labeled Bitonio day to day, which should give him a shot to play in Week 16. Michael Dunn replaced Bitonio at left guard.
D.J. Reader, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
Reader may be one of the more unheralded defenders in the NFL, but his absence will not be lost on the Bengals, who have already struggled to stop the run even with the mammoth nose tackle in the middle. Reader, a pending free agent, will miss the rest of the season after tearing his quad on Saturday.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
Fitzpatrick missed Weeks 9 through 12 with a hamstring injury and is now fighting a knee issue. The Steelers have already ruled him out for their critical Week 16 game against the Bengals. Pittsburgh’s safety situation is dire with Kazee suspended, Keanu Neal (hamstring) on IR, and Trenton Thomspon (stinger) also banged up.
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