Injuries continue to rise in the NFL as the season approaches its end. Teams are becoming more cautious with playing injured players as they head into the final week. Let’s take a look at some of the notable injury updates for Week 18:
Arizona Cardinals
James Conner, RB
Week 18 status: IR
James Conner tried to play through a knee injury from Week 16 but aggravated it during Week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams. The Arizona Cardinals placed him on injured reserve on Wednesday to make room for Michael Carter.
Michael Wilson, WR
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Michael Wilson appeared on Friday’s injury report as limited with a hamstring injury, possibly sustained during practice. With the Cardinals out of playoff contention, they may not risk playing him.
Atlanta Falcons
Drake London, WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Drake London returned to practice fully on Friday after a knee injury limited him earlier in the week. He will play in the regular season finale against the NFC South title contenders.
Darnell Mooney, WR
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Darnell Mooney’s shoulder injury has him listed as questionable as he missed practice towards the end of the week. His availability for Sunday’s game is uncertain.
Raheem Morris said WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder) will be a game-time decision Sunday. #Falcons
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) January 3, 2025
If Mooney can’t play, Ray-Ray McCloud III may step in as the starting wide receiver for the Falcons.
Baltimore Ravens
Justice Hill, RB
Week 18 status: OUT
Justice Hill is dealing with a concussion but was unable to practice due to an illness. His absence from practice indicates he may not be available for Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen, QB
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Josh Allen has been practicing fully despite shoulder and elbow injuries. He is set to play on Sunday, with additional backup support from Mike White.
Amari Cooper, WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Amari Cooper is expected to play without any injury designation after dealing with a back issue earlier in the week. However, his playing time may be limited.
Dalton Kincaid, TE
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Dalton Kincaid is healthy and ready to play after a full week of practice following a knee injury. He could see limited playing time as the Bills secure the No. 2 seed.
Carolina Panthers
Miles Sanders, RB
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Miles Sanders is expected to return from an ankle sprain as he practiced fully this week. He is listed as questionable for his first game back since Week 10.
Xavier Legette, WR
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Xavier Legette continues to deal with hip and wrist injuries but is likely to play on Sunday despite being listed as questionable.
Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze, WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Rome Odunze overcame an illness earlier in the week and is set to play on Sunday after a full practice on Friday.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow, QB
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Despite managing a knee injury, Joe Burrow is expected to start on Saturday after limited practice earlier in the week.
Chase Brown, RB
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Chase Brown’s ankle injury has him listed as questionable for Saturday’s game, with uncertainty around his availability and effectiveness if he does play.
“It seems dubious.” @profootballdoc weighs in on Bengals RB Chase Brown’s chances of playing this week. #rulethejungle
▶️https://t.co/SXF4oxbjTk pic.twitter.com/F1uMaIEfzY
— Sports Injury Central (@SICscore) January 3, 2025
If Brown is unable to play, Khalil Herbert is expected to take the lead at running back for the Bengals.
Tee Higgins, WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Tee Higgins is set to play despite knee and ankle injuries after participating in limited practice sessions. He is unlikely to miss Saturday’s game.
Cleveland Browns
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Dorian Thompson-Robinson is dealing with a calf injury but is expected to play on Sunday, with Bailey Zappe slated to start the game.
Cedric Tillman, WR
Week 18 status: OUT
Cedric Tillman’s season has ended due to persistent concussion symptoms, as he has been placed on injured reserve.
Jerry Jeudy, WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Jerry Jeudy has a knee injury that has him listed on the injury report every week. Despite this, he is expected to play after a full week of practice.
Jerome Ford, RB
Week 18 status: IR
Jerome Ford’s ankle injury will keep him out of Saturday’s game after he was placed on injured reserve. D’Onta Foreman is likely to lead the running back group in Ford’s absence.
David Njoku, TE
Week 18 status: IR
David Njoku remains sidelined with a knee injury and has been placed on injured reserve, ruling him out for the final game of the season.
Dallas Cowboys
Jalen Tolbert, WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Jalen Tolbert is expected to play despite a finger injury, as he practiced fully throughout the week.
Detroit Lions
David Montgomery, RB
Week 18 status: OUT
David Montgomery will not play due to a knee injury suffered in Week 15. He remains out as he continues to recover, ruling him out for the final game of the season.
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs, RB
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Josh Jacobs will play despite a wrist injury limiting his practice time earlier in the week. He may not see a full workload as the Packers secure their playoff position.
Christian Watson, WR
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Christian Watson is questionable due to a knee injury that kept him out of practice early in the week. With the Packers playing for seeding, they may opt to rest him for the Wild Card round.
Tucker Kraft, TE
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Tucker Kraft is set to play after limited practice sessions early in the week. He is expected to be available without any injury designation.
Houston Texans
Joe Mixon, RB
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Joe Mixon is healthy and expected to play after dealing with a minor issue during practice earlier in the week. He is likely to see limited action with the Texans already locked into the No. 4 seed.
Nico Collins, WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Nico Collins is expected to play despite being limited in practice this week. He is healthy and will likely see limited playing time as the Texans prepare for the postseason.
Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson, QB
Week 18 status: OUT
Anthony Richardson is out due to back spasms that kept him from practicing all week. Joe Flacco will step in as the starting quarterback for the Colts.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Michael Pittman Jr. is dealing with a back injury but will play in the final game of the season after practicing fully.
Josh Downs, WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Josh Downs is set to play after recovering from an ankle injury that had him limited in practice earlier in the week. He is available without any injury status.
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes, QB
Week 18 status: DOUBTFUL
Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury has him listed as doubtful for the final game of the season. Carson Wentz will start in his place as the Chiefs prepare for the Divisional Round.
Travis Kelce, TE
Week 18 status: DOUBTFUL
Travis Kelce is unlikely to play despite being listed as doubtful for rest purposes. He is expected to return for the Divisional Round.
Isiah Pacheco, RB
Week 18 status: OUT
Isiah Pacheco is dealing with a rib injury but was declared out for the final game of the season. The Chiefs are resting several starters with the No. 1 seed secured.
Kareem Hunt, RB
Week 18 status: DOUBTFUL
Kareem Hunt is listed as doubtful due to rest, with Kansas City opting to rest its top rusher as Pacheco deals with a rib injury.
Las Vegas Raiders
Ameer Abdullah, RB
Week 18 status: OUT
Ameer Abdullah will not play due to a foot injury that has kept him out of practice all week. Alexander Mattison is expected to take over the lead back role in his absence.
Los Angeles Chargers
Gus Edwards, RB
Week 18 status: OUT
Gus Edwards will miss his second consecutive game due to an ankle injury. His status for the Wild Card Round remains uncertain.
Ladd McConkey, WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Ladd McConkey dealt with a toe injury early in the week but returned to full practice and is set to play on Sunday without any injury designation.
Joshua Palmer, WR
Week 18 status: OUT
Joshua Palmer will miss the final game of the season due to a foot injury that has kept him out of practice all week. His availability for the Wild Card Round is uncertain.
Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford, QB
Week 18 status: DOUBTFUL
Matthew Stafford is unlikely to play on Sunday despite not being injured. The Rams have secured their division title and are opting to rest key players for the playoffs.
Kyren Williams, RB
Week 18 status: DOUBTFUL
Kyren Williams is expected to sit out for rest purposes despite not being injured. The Rams are prioritizing his rest ahead of the playoffs.
Puka Nacua, WR
Week 18 status: DOUBTFUL
Puka Nacua is unlikely to play despite being healthy, as the Rams want to avoid risking further injuries before the playoffs.
Cooper Kupp, WR
Week 18 status: DOUBTFUL
Cooper Kupp is unlikely to play as the Rams prioritize rest over risking an injury before the playoffs despite being healthy.
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa, QB
Week 18 status: DOUBTFUL
Tua Tagovailoa continues to recover from his hip injury and is unlikely to play on Sunday. Tyler Huntley may step in as the starting quarterback for the Dolphins.
Jaylen Waddle, WR
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Jaylen Waddle may return from his knee injury after a full practice on Friday. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Tyreek Hill, WR
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Despite torn ligaments in his wrist, Tyreek Hill is expected to play on Sunday. He was limited in practice earlier in the week but is likely to suit up for the game.
Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones, RB
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Aaron Jones is set to play after dealing with a quad contusion. He practiced fully towards the end of the week and carries no injury designation for Sunday Night Football.
New England Patriots
Drake Maye, QB
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Drake Maye may start on Sunday if he recovers from a right-hand injury. He has been limited in practice but is expected to play if healthy.
Kayshon Boutte, WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Kayshon Boutte is expected to play after dealing with an illness that kept him out of practice earlier in the week. He will be available on Sunday.
Hunter Henry, TE
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Hunter Henry is listed as questionable due to a foot injury, but he is likely to play despite the injury concerns.
New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr, QB
Week 18 status: OUT
Derek Carr will not play on Sunday as he continues to recover from a left-hand injury. His absence opens the door for other quarterbacks to start the game.
Alvin Kamara, RB
Week 18 status: DOUBTFUL
Alvin Kamara is unlikely to play due to a groin injury that has kept him out of practice all week. He is expected to miss the final game of the season.
Kendre Miller, RB
Week 18 status: OUT
Kendre Miller remains in the concussion protocol and will not play in the final game of the season. Clyde Edwards-Helaire may see an increased role in the backfield.
Chris Olave, WR
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Chris Olave has returned from a concussion and is healthy enough to play. However, the Saints may opt to rest him for the meaningless season finale to avoid any potential injury concerns.
Juwan Johnson, TE
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Juwan Johnson has been limited in practice due to a knee injury, but he is expected to play on Sunday despite the injury designation.
New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR
Week 18 status: PLAYING
Malik Nabers is set to play after being limited in practice earlier in the week. He is expected to be available for the season finale.
New York Jets
Tyler Conklin, TE
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Tyler Conklin is questionable with a calf injury that limited him in practice early in the week. His availability for the final game remains uncertain.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts, QB
Week 18 status: OUT
Jalen Hurts remains in the concussion protocol and will not play in the final game of the season. He is expected to return for the Wild Card game.
Kenny Pickett, QB
Week 18 status: QUESTIONABLE
Kenny Pickett is questionable due to a rib injury that aggravated during practice. He is unlikely to play, with Tanner McKee expected to start.
Saquon Barkley, RB
Week 18 status: DOUBTF
Source link
