Week 12 of the 2020 NFL season began on Thanksgiving Day with Houston and Washington each winning their second game in a five-day span. Thanksgiving didn’t come without injuries, however, as the Cowboys offensive lineman Zack Martin injured his calf in Dallas’ 41-16 loss to Washington. The Lions lacked running back Andre Swift (concussion) and wide receiver Kenny Golladay (hip) on Thursday, with both players being ruled out before Detroit’s 41-25 loss to the Texans.
There are several notable injuries to look out for ahead of this weekend’s games. Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (shoulder) is hoping to return to the field after missing the last two games. Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is set to face the Vikings – his former team – after missing last Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Nick Foles may not be so lucky, as the Bears’ starting quarterback missed Wednesday’s practice with a hip injury. With Foles out, Mitchell Trubisky has taken all the offensive reps, as the former first-round pick could start his first game since Week 3, when the Bears face the Packers on Sunday night.
Two days away from Sunday’s games, here’s a look at the Week 12 injury reports from each NFL team. Several NFL teams were forced to cancel trials on Friday due to COVID-19.
All NFL odds are taken from William Hill Sportsbook.
- Cardinals: TE Darrell Daniels (ankle), DE Josh Mauro (hamstring), S Jalen Thompson (ankle) OUT; S Charles Washington (groin), OL Justin Murray (hand) QUESTIONABLE
- Patriots: RB Rex Burkhead (knee), OT Isaiah Wynn (knee) OUT; LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (groin), DL Tashawn Bower (illness), DL Adam Butler (shoulder), DL Byron Cowart (back), DL Carl Davis (concussion), DB Kyle Dugger (toe), K Nick Folk (back) ), CB Stephon Gilmore (hand), WR N’Keal Harry (shoulder), TE Ryan Izzo (hamstrings, hand), G Shaq Mason (calf), WR Matthew Slater (knee), RB JJ Taylor (quad)
The Cardinals haven’t given quarterback Kyler Murray (shoulder) an injury designation, so he will start against the Patriots on Sunday. Murray was a full participant in practice Friday. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (illness) also did not receive an injury designation. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is on the reserve / COVID-19 list.
Bower, Davis, Slater and Taylor were limited participants in training for the Patriots, but all of them made it to head coach Bill Belichick’s questionable roster. It will not be known whether these players will be suitable until the inactive roster is released on Sunday, although Harris and Harry both played last week.
Panthers at Vikings (-4)
As Bridgewater takes on his former team, Panthers coach Matt Rhule has said he’s pessimistic McCaffrey will play after being restricted during the week.
The Vikings will have safety Harrison Smith on Sunday after missing practice time during the week. Minnesota will likely be without a pretty formidable attacking target to Irv Smith, who caught two touchdowns in the red zone in the Vikings’ Week 9 win over the Lions.
With Ward out, Kevin Johnson, a six-year veteran, will likely make his third start of the season. Cleveland will continue to be passer-less Myles Garrett, who is still on the team’s reserve / COVID-19 list.
While Minshew has not been ruled out, Jaguars coach Doug Marrone announced earlier this week that Mike Glennon will start against the Browns. With Chark and Conley out, Glennon will have to rely more on running back James Robinson and wide receiver Keelan Cole.
As Ingram heads to the injured reserve on Friday, four-year veteran Isaac Rochell (who has 1.5 sacks and two starts this season) is expected to start in his place. Anthony Lynn indicated on Friday that there was a chance the team could have cornerback Chris Harris Jr., who was activated by IR on Friday, and running back Austin Ekeler available on Sunday.
While the Bills will be without Brown and Ford, they will have cornerback Josh Norman, who returns after being recently placed on the COVID-19 list. Brown’s absence could mean more chances for Gabriel Davis, who is currently fourth on the team in receiving yards and tied for second with two touchdown catches.
Ferrell was ultimately taken off the reserve / COVID-19 list, but head coach Jon Gruden will not reveal his status for Sunday. Running back Josh Jacobs (hip) has been limited all week but did not receive an injury designation for Sunday. He will play.
The Falcons will look to Brian Hill and Ito Smith as the main running backs with Gurley out, but the biggest question on the agenda is whether Jones is playing. Jones’ status for Sunday is uncertain after being restricted on Wednesday, and Atlanta canceled training Thursday due to a COVID-19 precaution. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley (foot) did not receive an injury designation.
Dolphins coach Brian Flores has said he will have to watch Tagovailoa’s practice film before deciding who starts Sunday’s game. Ryan Fitzpatrick, who played in the final two series of last Sunday’s loss in Denver, threw three touchdowns and two interceptions in the Dolphins’ Week 6 win over the Jets. On Saturday the Dolphins deemed Tua questionable and now Fitzpatrick is expected to start.
The biggest news for the Jets is that Sam Darnold hasn’t received an injury designation. Darnold (shoulder) will start Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, as will wide receiver Breshad Perriman (shoulder), who also did not receive an injury designation.
The Giants are coming off a healthy week off for this game. Three starters – receiver Sterling Shepard (hip / toe), cornerback James Bradberry (unrelated to injury) and guard Kevin Zeitler (concussion) – were not given any injury designation. They will be ready to go on Sunday.
Every player listed above for the Bengals was a full participant in Friday’s practice. Asked specifically about Bernard, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said he was optimistic about his running back status for Sunday.
- Titans: CB Adoree ‘Jackson (knee), TE MyCole Pruitt (knee), WR Adam Humphries (concussion) OUT; G Rodger Saffold III (ankle), C Ben Jones (knee) QUESTIONABLE
- Colts: RB Jonathan Taylor (COVID-19), C Ryan Kelly (neck), LB Bobby Okereke (ankle) OUT;, G / C Quenton Nelson (back / ankle), WR Zach Pascal (knee / foot), QB Philip Rivers (toe ), S Khari Willis (ribs / shoulder), LB Anthony Walker (ribs), CB Isaiah Rodgers (knee) QUESTIONABLE
The Titans didn’t even give an injury designation to wide receiver AJ Brown, as he was a full participant in practice on Friday. Brown missed practice Wednesday and Thursday. Tennessee could lose two starters on the offensive line if Saffold and Jones don’t play. Both were limited in Friday practice.
Despite being listed as questionable, Rivers is set to start Sunday’s game for the Colts. Pascal was limited on Friday after missing the first two tests of the week.
The Sants suffered a major loss on Saturday following the start of the Pro Bowl against Terron Armstead tested positive for COVID-19, which means he’ll miss Sunday’s game against the Broncos. Running back Alvin Kamara (foot) and wide receiver Michael Thomas (ankle) have been limited all week but have not received an injury designation and will play for the Saints. Nick Easton moved up to left guard and Cesar Ruiz went to right guard when Peat left Week 11 against the Falcons last week.
Denver canceled training after a player and two staff tested positive for COVID-19. Jeudy missed practice on Thursday, the only dubious player to miss Thursday’s session.
The 49ers are running low on wide receiver with Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve / COVID-19 roster. Kendrick Bourne and Richie James are expected to have more playing time, even with Deebo Samuel back. Left tackle Trent Williams is still on the reserve / COVID-19 list. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said running backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson will be on the active roster on Saturday, as both are expected to return to the offensive. Shanahan also said “there is a chance” Williams is playing and they will be smart with Samuel.
The Rams called off the practice after two members of the organization received results of COVID-19 tests on Thursday that require additional testing. Head coach Sean McVay said Higbee would be a game decision for Sunday and also mentioned that the Rams wanted to be smart with him.
The Chiefs offense is sure to welcome the return of Sammy Watkins, who hasn’t played since Week 5. Every player on the team’s injury report has been listed as training in full all week and no ‘has the final injury designation for this game.
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians has been transparent with the status of his left tackle and left guard. Smith will be a game time decision and Marpet is still in concussion protocol, so Tampa Bay will be waiting for him to be eliminated. Shipley suffered a career-ending injury and will be on the Tampa Bay coaching staff in the future.
Bear at Packers (-8.5)
- Bear: QB Nick Foles (hip) DOUBTFUL; DT Akiem Hicks (hamstrings), S Sherrick McManis (hand), OL Rashaad Coward (ankle), LT Charles Leno Jr. (toe), CB Buster Skrine (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
- Packers: RB Tyler Ervin (wrist, ribs), CB Josh Jackson (concussion), C Corey Linsley (rear), WR Equanimeous St. Brown (knee), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Achilles), CB Kevin King (Achilles) QUESTIONABLE
The Bears will start Mitchell Trubisky on Sunday as Foles is unlikely to be suitable after not practicing all week. Trubisky will make his first start since Week 3, when he benched for Foles. Trubisky treated a shoulder injury for a few weeks, but didn’t get the final injury designation this week.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said “we have high hopes” on the status of Valdes-Scantling, who was not a participant in Friday’s practice. He is optimistic about Linsley’s possibility of leaving after leaving last Sunday’s game against the Colts with a back injury. Wide receiver Davante Adams (ankle) has not received an injury designation and is expected to be available on Sunday.
Analysis to come.
- Ravens: To be determined
- Steelers: To be determined
The Ravens are currently away from their facilities due to the team’s current COVID-19 situation. Thursday night’s game has been postponed to Sunday – and has been postponed again to Tuesday. Pittsburgh called off training for a second straight day on Friday.
