It’s December in the NFL, which means every game matters more as teams battle for playoff positioning. Several games this weekend are bound to have playoff thrills, including an AFC Championship Game rematch between the Bengals and Chiefs and a possible Super Bowl preview between the Dolphins and 49ers.
As always, injuries are a main scenario going into games this weekend, especially in the two games mentioned above. The Bengals are hoping Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Mixon will be available for Sunday’s big game. The status of Deebo Samuel, All-Pro of the 49ers was also questioned this week as he suffers from a quadriceps injury.
In other games, Bears quarterback Justin Fields returned to full practice this week after missing Chicago’s last game with a shoulder injury. His Sunday counterpart, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, is suffering from thumb and waist injuries.
In addition to those injuries, here’s a look at each NFL team’s final injury report ahead of Sunday’s games. We’ll be updating the following lists throughout the day, so be sure to check this page frequently for the latest player injury updates.
All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook
Steelers: CB Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstrings) OUT; RB Jaylen Warren (hamstrings), TJ Watt (ribs) DOUBTFUL
Falcons: LB Arnold Ebiketie (forearm), OT Chuma Edoga (knee), DT Jalen Dalton toe) QUESTIONABLE
Watt’s absence would be major considering the Steelers’ 1-10 record without the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the roster. Pittsburgh has received positive news as Najee Harris has been removed from the injury report after leaving Monday night’s win over Indianapolis early after sustaining an oblique injury.
Atlanta is relatively healthy for Sunday’s home game. Ebiketie and Dalton tend to play after both players were restricted in training on Thursday and Friday. The same cannot be said for Edoga, who did not train on Thursday and Friday after being restricted on Wednesday.
Packers (-3) at Bears
Packers:
Bear: OL Larry Borom (ankle/knee), DB Jaquan Brisker (concussion), DB Kyler Gordon (concussion), QB Trevor Siemian (oblique) OUT; OL Riley Reiff (back), DB Kindle Vildor (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Chicago will have Justin Fields back on the court after Fields was a full participant in the last two practices of the week. Bears fans were hit with grim news earlier this week when safety Eddie Jackson (Lisfranc) and wide Darnell Mooney (ankle) were placed on the disabled list.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Friday that Siemian will undergo season-ending surgery.
Jaguar: RB Travis Etienne (foot), FS Andre Cisco (shoulder), DE Roy Robertson-Harris (illness), RB Darrell Henderson Jr. (illness), QUESTIONABLE
The Lions:
Although listed as questionable, Jaguars coach Doug Peterson is optimistic about his second-year running back Etienne’s ability to play. Peterson isn’t as optimistic about Henderson, saying he’ll likely be inactive on Sunday.
Jets: S Ashtyn Davis (hamstring) OUT; RB Michael Carter (ankle), OT Cedric Ogbuehi (groin/illness) DOUBTFUL; OT Duane Brown (shoulder) DOUBTFUL
Vikings: OT Christian Darrisaw (concussion), TE Ben Ellefson (groin) OUT; DT Ross Blacklock (disease) DOUBTFUL
With Carter doubtful, James Robinson’s wish for more litters might be granted. Robinson may be playing behind a revamped offensive line, as the Jets’ two starting tackles are on the injury report. Mike Remmers and Max Mitchell are in line to start if Brown and Ogbuehi can’t play. Remmers is a 10-year veteran with 90 starts under his belt. Mitchell has already recorded four starts in his rookie season.
With Darrisaw out, Blake Brandel is set to make his second start in as many weeks. A sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Brandel played in every one of the Vikings’ offensive snaps in the team’s 33-26 win over the Patriots on Thanksgiving.
Commanders:
Giants: G Joshua Ezeudu (neck), CB Adoree’ Jackson (knee), G Shane Lemieux (toe) OUT; WR Richie James (knee), RB Gary Brightwell (illness), TE Daniel Bellinger (eye), FS Dane Belton (clavicle), LB Carter Coughlin (thigh), C Jon Feliciano (neck), CB Darnay Holmes (shoulder), CB Fabian Moreau (oblique), WR Darius Slayton (illness) QUESTIONABLE
The Giants have a long list of injuries coming into Sunday’s big divisional showdown. The receiver is among the positions where the Giants have been injured. Isaiah Hodgins, Kenny Golladay and David Sills V will have to take over in case James and Slayton cannot play.
Titans:
Eagles :
Analysis to come.
Broncos:
Crows:
Analysis to come.
Browns:
Texas: DL Mario Addison (thigh) DOUBTFUL; OF Rasheem Green (thigh) DOUBTFUL
It’s likely that Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will continue to play an important role in the Texans’ defense on Sunday given Addison and Green’s status. A five-year veteran, Okoronkwo has started in each of Houston’s last two games. He had seven tackles against the Commanders two weeks ago.
Seahawks:
Rams:
Analysis to come.
Dolphins at 49ers (-4)
Dolphins:
49ers:
Analysis to come.
Chiefs (-2) at the Bengals
Chiefs: WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring) OUT; DB Deon Bush (elbow) QUESTIONABLE
Bengals:
Not having Toney injured, but the Chiefs have a plethora of other offensive skill players — including Travis Kelce, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore and Isiah Pacheco — ready to take over. A more pressing issue would be the Chiefs’ safety depth if Bush can’t play. Bryan Cook, a rookie who played college football in Cincinnati, is the Chiefs’ only other backup safety.
Chargers:
Raiders:
Analysis to come.
Foals: CB Kenny Moore II (ankle), OT Braden Smith (illness) OUT
Cowboys:
Colts interim coach Jeff Saturday called Moore “week after week.” Tony Brown and Dennis Kelly are expected to replace Moore and Smith respectively in the starting lineup. A four-year veteran, Brown recorded his first career sack earlier this season. Kelly, an 11-year veteran who previously played in Green Bay, Tennessee and Philadelphia, has 53 career starts under his belt.
Saints:
Buccaneers:
Analysis to come.
