There are no bye teams in the NFL in Week 13, which means we’ll enjoy a packed slate of Sunday games even after seeing four games played on Thursday and Friday.
Among the most notable players who will miss this weekend’s games are JK Dobbins, Josh Downs, Braden Smith, Jordan Whitehead and Dalton Kincaid. And we have a group of players whose status is up in the air, like Trevor Lawrence, Alex Highsmith, Orlando Brown, Cam Robinson, Alec Pierce, Tristan Wirfs, Keon Coleman and Matt Milano. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is listed as questionable but is expected to play.
We’ll have to wait for more information on Saturday night and Sunday morning for many of these players, but for now, here’s everything you need to know about the latest round of NFL injury reports.
*All odds courtesy of BetMGM
Not only will Los Angeles be without Dobbins, but they will also be missing at least three key defenders. Henley appeared on Friday’s injury report for the first time this week, which is also not a good sign.
We’ll find out more about Koo’s status when we see if the Chargers elevate a kicker to the active roster on Saturday. If they do, you’ll likely be out for a week.
Highsmith has missed each of the last two games since suffering an injury against Washington in Week 10. He had a couple of limited practices on Thursday and Friday, but that was the first time he participated since the injury, so it appears unlikely to play. . Nick Herbig will continue to play additional snaps in his absence.
Brown has missed the last three games, but was promoted to a full practice on Friday, which is a good sign of his potential availability. Cincinnati’s offensive line has been a problem this season, so the Bengals could really use him.
Not having Pitre could hurt Houston’s defense against Jacksonville, especially if Lawrence returns to the lineup. Hutchinson returned to a back-up role with the return of Nico Collins last week.
We’re awaiting official word on Lawrence, although coach Doug Pederson expressed optimism that he’ll be able to suit up after a two-game absence before the team’s bye week.
The four questionable Cardinals were limited in practice on Friday. If Demercardo has to sit, James Conner and Trey Benson would likely be in a two-man rotation, rather than giving up some third-down snaps to Demercardo. Robinson has yet to debut this season.
Minnesota will once again be without Oliver, who operates as a blocking tight end. TJ Hockenson came close to having a full complement of snaps last week and could get even more on Sunday. Robinson moved to a full practice on Friday, which is potentially a good sign.
- Foals: G Tanor Bortolini (concussion), WR Josh Downs (shoulder), WR Ashton Dulin (ankle), OT Braden Smith (personal) OUT; WR Alec Pierce (foot) QUESTIONABLE
- Patriots: G Cole Strange (knee) OUT; WR Demario Douglas (ankle), S Kyle Dugger (ankle), LB Christian Elliss (knee), LB Anfernee Jennings (knee), T Vederian Lowe (shoulder), S Jabrill Peppers (knee), DT Jaquelin Roy (neck), LB Sione Takitaki (knee), DE Deatrich Wise (foot) QUESTIONABLE
The Colts could be very shorthanded offensively. Two linemen won’t be active and the receiving corps could be seriously depleted if Pierce can’t give it a try. There would be a lot of pressure on Michael Pittman and Adonai Mitchell if that were the case.
New England has a long list of players whose status is up in the air, with key players involved on both sides of the ball. Not having Douglas could be a bad thing for Drake Maye, especially if the offensive line remains banged up. And so many question marks in the front seven and at safety could affect the Patriots’ ability to deal with Indy’s running game.
Pretty clean report for the Seahawks.
New York will be without Smith again, while Mosley and Clark were demoted to limited on Friday, which is never a good thing. However, Hall and Hanson participated fully on Friday, which is a good sign for them.
Tennessee having a pair of defensive backs against Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin and Co. is far from ideal. Spears was upgraded to full practice on both Thursday and Friday, indicating he is close to clearing concussion protocol.
Ekeler is out, but Brian Robinson Jr. does not have injury status for Washington. He will likely share the backfield with Jeremy McNichols. Lattimore has yet to suit up since arriving via trade from New Orleans, and it appears he could miss at least another week.
Tampa will be without several contributors on defense. For a unit that has struggled mightily this season, it’s far from ideal. Not having Wirfs could hurt Baker Mayfield and the offense, but they did well without him last week against the Giants.
Bryce Young will be without a pair of rookie pass catchers for this matchup against a depleted Bucs defense. But the Panthers could also be without several defenders against what has been a very good Tampa offense.
- Rams: TE Tyler Higbee (knee), OL KT Leveston (ankle) OUT; OL Alaric Jackson (foot) QUESTIONABLE
- Saints: G Lucas Patrick (calf) OUT, C Eric McCoy (groin), RB Jamaal Williams (groin), DL Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles) QUESTIONABLE
Both Higbee and Leveston had a full practice on Friday, but are listed as out. Jackson participated in Friday’s tryout and is expected to play, according to Rams coach Sean McVay.
McCoy didn’t practice at all this week, so it seems unlikely he’ll be able to try. Williams was upgraded to full on Friday and Kpassagnon was full all week, so their statuses should be a little more optimistic.
Slay left last week’s win against the Rams early and is apparently not ready to return after not practicing all week. Smith was also out last week, but at least participated in a limited practice session on Friday. His return would be huge in allowing the Eagles to keep pace with the Ravens’ explosive offense.
Kolar’s absence could mean more snaps for Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Pierce and Tampa remain on injured reserve for the time being and would need to be activated Saturday in order to play. Pierce had a full practice on Friday and appears more likely to go. Not having Van Noy against the Eagles would be a major obstacle to defenses’ efforts to stop Saquon Barkley and Co.
- 49ers: OL Aaron Banks (concussion), DL Jordan Elliott (concussion), CB Deommodore Lenoir (knee), DE Nick Bosa (jump/oblique), OT Trent Williams (ankle), LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) OUT; QB Brock Purdy (right shoulder), LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee), WR Chris Conley (knee), DL Kevin Givens (groin), CB Renardo Green (neck) QUESTIONABLE
- Invoices: TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) OUT; WR Keon Coleman (wrist), DT DeWayne Carter (wrist) LB Matt Milano (biceps) QUESTIONABLE
Purdy is listed as questionable, but is expected to play and start, according to Kyle Shanahan. But the Niners will still be incredibly shorthanded and without some of their best players on both sides of the ball, for an incredibly important matchup for their playoff hopes.
Dawson Knox will return to the tight end spot full-time with Kincaid on the bench. The fact that he couldn’t practice even after the Bills folded is less than ideal. Coleman was limited in practice all week, so his status is likely up in the air. Both Carter and Milano are still on injured reserve and would need to be activated Saturday in order to play.
- Browns: To be determined
- Broncos: To be determined
Analysis to come
