At this point in the season, all 32 NFL teams are dealing with injuries. Even some of the best players in the world. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is suffering from a sprained ankle that has his availability in doubt, Eagles running back and MVP candidate Saquon Barkley is “dealing with a little thing,” and then the Lions currently have a whopping 21 players on injured reserve.
The Seahawks also received a positive update on Geno Smith, but still have a number of injuries on offense. The Rams got another star skill position player back, while the Dolphins had Tua Tagovailoa and the Bengals had Joe Burrow appear on their respective injury reports.
Who is heading in the right direction this week and who do we have to worry about? Below, we’ll break down midweek injury reports from across the NFL and reveal the final injury report for Thursday night’s matchup between the Broncos and Chargers.
Odds courtesy of SportsLine Consensus
The Broncos will be without their backup running back in McLaughlin for Thursday’s matchup against the Chargers. Audric Estime will be the backup running back behind Javonte Williams. Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (ankle) participated fully Wednesday and did not receive an injury designation.
The Chargers had quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) on the injury report all week, but he is ready as he did not receive an injury designation. With Dissly out, Hayden Hurst is TE1 this week.
The Texans still had running back Joe Mixon on the injury report after a day off Tuesday. Mixon participated on a limited basis with an ankle injury, while linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips was also added to the injury report (foot). Phillips was also limited.
For the Chiefs, the focus is on Mahomes, who participated fully in practice for the second straight game. Mahomes appears ready to play on Saturday. Wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) also practiced fully, while tackle DJ Humphries (hamstring) did not practice.
The Ravens added wide receiver Rashod Bateman (foot) to the injury report on Wednesday, along with outside linebacker Odafe Oweh. Both players were limited. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor (concussion) is still in protocol and missed practice for the second straight day.
For the second straight day, wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) did not practice for the Steelers. Linebacker TJ Watt (ankle) was upgraded to limited, while quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal) and safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) did not practice.
The Browns included wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) and quarterback Jameis Winston (right shoulder) as full participants in practice. Cleveland benched Winston for Dorian Thompson-Robinson this week.
The Bengals had an extensive injury report on Wednesday, starting with quarterback Joe Burrow (right wrist/knee) a limited participant. Tackle Orlando Brown (fibula) did not practice while wide receiver Tee Higgins (knee) was limited, but also had a designated day of rest.
The banged-up Giants had linebacker Brian Burns (ankle/neck) and linebacker Bobby Okereke (back) sitting out Wednesday’s practice. Quarterback Drew Lock (left heel/elbow) was limited but is expected to start this week. Wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee/foot) and running back Tyrone Tracy (ankle) were also limited.
The Falcons have been blessed with few injuries this season. The most notable name on the injury report was tackle Kaleb McGary (elbow), and he participated fully in practice.
There will be no practice for Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) on Wednesday, which will be something to monitor this week. Cornerback Max Melton (shin) was limited along with defensive lineman Darius Robinson (calf).
For the Panthers, wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip) and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (illness/knee) did not practice Wednesday. Several Panthers had days off, including running back Chuba Hubbard, cornerback Jaycee Horn and wide receiver Adam Thielen.
The Lions have a slew of injuries heading into this week, but most of those players are on injured reserve. Defensive back Brian Branch (calf) and guard Graham Glasgow (knee) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Many players, including wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, had days off.
It was a minor injury report for the Bears, but offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (calf) did not practice. Offensive lineman Braxton Jones (concussion) also did not participate.
The Titans had a group of players who didn’t practice Wednesday, but only one (Jeffery Simmons) had a day off. Running back Tony Pollard (ankle), receiver Tyler Boyd (foot), receiver Nick Westbrook-Irkine (ankle), defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat and kicker Nick Folk (abdomen) did not participate.
The Colts could be without three wide receivers this week as Michael Pittman Jr. (back), Alec Pierce (concussion) and receiver Ashton Dulin (ankle) did not practice. Kicker Matt Gay (neck) also did not participate.
The Rams activated tight end Tyler Higbee from injured reserve on Wednesday, a big boost for an offense with its top playmakers healthy. Higbee participated fully in Wednesday’s practice. Cornerback Cobie Durant (chest) was limited while everyone else practiced.
For the Jets, offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. Running back Breece Hall (knee) did not receive an injury designation.
The Eagles had several starters on rest days, notably running back Saquon Barkley and guard Landon Dickerson (knee). Barkley said he felt fine and had no injury designation other than rest. Defensive end Bryce Huff (wrist) was limited when the Eagles opened their 21-day practice window to return, while quarterback Jalen Hurts (left finger) participated fully.
The Commanders had some players with days off, but point guard Samuel Cosmi (illness) did not practice. Tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) was also listed as having a day of rest, but Ertz is still in the protocol. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (pectoral) and defensive tackle DaRon Payne (back) were limited.
The Vikings had safety Harrison Smith (foot) and tackle Brian O’Neill (knee) as limited participants Wednesday. Cornerback Fabián Moreau (hip) did not practice.
The Seahawks received excellent news regarding quarterback Geno Smith (knee), as he participated fully in practice on Wednesday. For skill position players, it was a different story. Running back Zach Charbonnet (oblique), wide receiver DK Metcalf (shoulder) and running back Kenneth Walker (calf) did not practice while tight end Noah Fant (knee) was limited.
The Bills had a walk-through practice Wednesday while cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee), safety Damar Hamlin (rib), linebacker Matt Milano (biceps/groin) and linebacker Dorian Williams (elbow) were limited.
The Patriots’ most notable injuries are to cornerback Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) and safety Kyle Dugger (ankle/illness). Gonzalez was limited while Dugger did not participate.
A minor injury report for the Jaguars on Wednesday, as offensive linemen Brandon Scherff (knee/shoulder), Ezra Cleveland (knee) and Walker Little (ankle) were limited. Tight end Brenton Strange (shoulder) participated on a limited basis.
For the Raiders, quarterback Aidan O’Connell (knee) was a full participant, meaning he will likely start Sunday. Running back Alexander Mattison (neck) participated fully and receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) was limited.
The 49ers may be without tackle Trent Williams (ankle) for the fifth straight game, as he did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Running back Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) also was sidelined Wednesday, while defensive end Nick Bosa (hip/oblique) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (knee) were limited.
The Dolphins have some notable players hit this week. Tackle Terron Armstead (knee), receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist/rest) and receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) did not practice. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) was listed as limited.
The Buccaneers had quarterback Baker Mayfield sitting out Wednesday’s practice (knee), along with tight end Cade Otton (knee) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee). Tackle Tristan Wirfs (foot/knee) also did not practice. Running back Bucky Irving (back/hip) was limited.
For the Cowboys, cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) did not practice. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) was limited as Wednesday’s practice was a walk-through.
