Injuries continue to mount throughout the NFL. Plenty of players were banged up in Week 11, while others suffered injuries that could knock them out for several weeks or more.
Let’s round up the most notable injury updates looking ahead to Week 12.
Atlanta Falcons
Darnell Mooney, WR
Week 12 status: BYE
Darnell Mooney suffered a hamstring injury during the second half of the Atlanta Falcons’ contest against the Denver Broncos. He was replaced by WR KhaDarel Hodge on the Falcons’ second drive of the third quarter and never returned.
Fortunately, Mooney indicated after Week 11 that he did not suffer a severe injury.
Early prognosis is #Falcons WR Darnell Mooney's hamstring injury from Sunday is not serious, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 18, 2024
“I’ll be fine,” Mooney said, per The Athletic’s Josh Kendall. “My right leg was giving out on me a little bit. I’ll be fine, though.”
Mooney, who inked a three-year, $39 million deal with the Falcons over the offseason, still leads the club in receiving yards (711) despite missing the second half of Week 11. He’s second on the team to Drake London in targets, receptions, and receiving touchdowns.
Buffalo Bills
Keon Coleman, WR
Week 12 status: BYE
Keon Coleman has missed the Buffalo Bills’ last two games with a wrist injury but will now get time to recover during the club’s Week 12 bye. Josh Allen and co. still took down Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday without Coleman or TE Dalton Kincaid in the lineup.
Coleman was injured in Week 9 while trying to haul in a deep pass from Allen with 54 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. He went to Buffalo’s locker room before the game ended and had a brace on his right wrist after the Bills’ victory.
Head coach Sean McDermott said at the time that Coleman could have suffered a multi-week injury.
Dalton Kincaid, TE
Week 12 status: BYE
Dalton Kincaid (knee) didn’t suit up for the Bills’ win over the Chiefs on Sunday. Like Coleman, he’ll be allowed to rest during Buffalo’s Week 12 bye with an eye toward returning in Week 13.
Kincaid was initially listed as questionable after going down in Week 10. He returned for two snaps before departing again, noting after the game that he didn’t feel healthy enough to continue. Kincaid never practiced leading up to Week 11.
Fellow TE Dawson Knox replaced Kincaid in Buffalo’s starting lineup, posting a season-high four catches for 40 yards this past Sunday.
Carolina Panthers
Jonathon Brooks, RB
Rookie Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is on track to make his long-awaited NFL debut in Week 12.
The Panthers activated the second-round pick from the non-football injury list ahead of Week 10, but Brooks didn’t play. Carolina went on bye in Week 11, leaving Week 12 vs. the Chiefs as Brooks’ likely first pro game.
Brooks, a year removed from tearing his ACL, fully practiced on Wednesday. Head coach Dave Canales said the Panthers have “high hopes” that Brooks will suit up on Sunday. Even if he does play, Brooks will have to battle thriving Carolina RB Chuba Hubbard for backfield touches.
Adam Thielen, WR
Adam Thielen practiced on Wednesday for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 3. The veteran Panthers wideout was officially limited.
After practice, Thielen told reporters he’s been cleared to play on Sunday.
#Panthers WR Adam Thielen has been cleared to play. He’s excited to be back in team drills for the first time in eight weeks. pic.twitter.com/uCaDIg1L44
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) November 20, 2024
Carolina had to activate Thielen from IR last week, even though the club was on a bye. If they’d kept Thielen on IR past his 21-day return window, he’d have remained on IR for the rest of the year.
The 34-year-old demonstrated a strong rapport with Bryce Young last season, recording 103 catches for 1,014 yards. It was Thielen’s first 1,000-yard season since 2018, his last Pro Bowl berth with the Vikings.
Chicago Bears
D’Andre Swift, RB
Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift failed to practice on Wednesday due to a groin injury. This is a new issue for Swift, who wasn’t listed on the club’s injury report leading into last week’s game.
Head coach Matt Eberflus said the Bears remain “hopeful” that Swift will be able to suit up against the Lions on Sunday. Eberflus also suggested Swift could be rested for Thursday’s practice.
If Swift sits in Week 12, second-year back Roschon Johnson would be in line to start for Chicago. He’d already begun to see more work behind Swift. Johnson’s snap rate crept to a season-high 42% in Week 11, while he handled 11 touches and scored a rushing touchdown.
Detroit is a poor matchup for whichever running back starts for the Bears. The Lions allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs, rank third in rushing success rate, and 11th in EPA per rush.
Cleveland Browns
Jerry Jeudy, WR
Week 12 status: PLAYING
Jerry Jeudy (knee) is fully practicing this week. He’s been listed on the Cleveland Browns’ injury report every week since the beginning of the season but has yet to miss a practice or a game.
Jeudy finished as fantasy’s WR5 after putting up six catches for 142 yards and a touchdown against the Saints on Sunday. His yardage total was the second highest of his career.
Elijah Moore, WR
Week 12 status: PLAYING
Elijah Moore was limited for Monday and Tuesday’s practices while battling a shoulder issue. This is a new injury for Moore, who was not listed on the Browns’ injury report ahead of Week 11.
Fortunately, he returned for a full practice on Wednesday and was removed from Cleveland’s report. Moore is good to go against the Steelers on TNF.
Moore has become far more involved in Cleveland’s offensive attack since the club traded fellow WR Amari Cooper at the deadline. Moore has received at least six targets in four straight games. He posted his best performance of the season in Week 11, hauling in six catches for 66 yards and his first touchdown of the year.
David Njoku, TE
Week 12 status: PLAYING
While David Njoku was limited for Monday and Tuesday’s practices after picking up a Week 11 knee injury, there was no suggestion that the Browns’ tight end was in danger of missing Thursday night’s game. Indeed, Njoku fully practiced Wednesday and will play against the Steelers this week.
He’s been a top-seven fantasy TE in three of Cleveland’s last four games, including on Sunday, when he posted nine catches for 81 yards.
Dallas Cowboys
Brandin Cooks, WR
The Dallas Cowboys opened WR Brandin Cooks’ IR-return window on Wednesday. Cooks has not played since September while battling a knee injury.
“My mindset is to go out there as if I ain’t lose a step,” Cooks said, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. “I’ve been putting in the work with the training staff, the strength coaches. That’s my mindset going into it. Let’s go.”
Cooks posted nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in four games before going down. While he could overtake Jalen Tolbert to become Dallas’ WR2 down the stretch, there’s not much fantasy appeal in a Cowboys offense helmed by Cooper Rush or Trey Lance.
CeeDee Lamb, WR
CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was limited for Wednesday’s practice.
The Cowboys added Lamb to their practice report on Saturday, listing him as questionable for MNF due to his back injury. He ultimately played against the Texans on Monday but must have picked up a new foot injury.
Lamb has been fighting through injuries all season. As long as he keeps logging limited practices, he’s in no danger of missing game action.
Week 11 was a positive development for Lamb in that backup Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush passed for 354 yards. Rush won’t do that every week, but he’s established a ceiling that helped Lamb go 8-93 and rank as the WR14 in fantasy last week.
Jake Ferguson, TE
Jake Ferguson did not practice on Wednesday after suffering a concussion in the Cowboys’ Week 12 loss to the Texans. He’ll need to exit that NFL’s concussion protocol before he can suit up again. Most players need at least one week of recovery before playing after suffering a brain injury.
Mike McCarthy said TE Jake Ferguson I’ll be “hard-pressed” to work his way through concussion protocol in time to play Sunday against Washington. pic.twitter.com/MG3mLi2cMa
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) November 19, 2024
Luke Schoonmaker hauled in six catches on 10 targets for 56 yards in Ferguson’s absence on Monday night, finishing as the TE10 in fantasy. You could do worse as a replacement option than Schoonmaker if Ferguson doesn’t play on Sunday.
Denver Broncos
Josh Reynolds, WR
Josh Reynolds (hand) fully practiced on Wednesday. He also fully participated in every session before Week 11 but did not play after being designated to return from injured reserve.
The Broncos designated Reynolds for return on Nov. 13. They’ll have three weeks from that date to formally activate the veteran wideout to their active roster. Reynolds has been sidelined since Week 5.
Detroit Lions
Sam LaPorta, TE
Sam LaPorta is dealing with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder but appears to be nearing a return after missing Week 11.
LaPorta fully practiced on Wednesday, strongly suggesting that the Detroit Lions TE will be ready to play against the Colts on Sunday.
“It’s questionable to above for LaPorta,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “It’s trending the right way.”
LaPorta finished as fantasy’s TE1 in his 2023 rookie campaign but has struggled to contribute this season. However, his 3-66-1 line on SNF in Week 10 was one of his best performances of the season (TE4 on the week).
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs, RB
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is battling a quad injury and was limited for Wednesday’s practice.
This is the same issue that limited Jacobs for the club’s first two practices entering Week 11. Fortunately, he fully practiced last Friday, was removed from Green Bay’s injury report, and didn’t have a designation for Sunday’s win over the Bears.
Jacobs took 18 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown against Chicago, adding four catches for 58 yards. He’s finished as a top-five fantasy running back in two of Green Bay’s last three games.
Jacobs was dealing with an ankle injury in Week 9 before Green Bay went on bye. He was listed as questionable but ultimately suited up.
MarShawn Lloyd, RB
Week 12 status: NFI
MarShawn Lloyd just cannot catch a break. The third-round rookie hoped to return in Week 11 after missing time with hamstring and ankle injuries. However, he woke up with appendicitis last Friday and couldn’t play on Sunday.
On Wednesday, the Packers put Lloyd on the non-football injury list. He’ll have to miss at least four games but can return this season.
Indianapolis Colts
Michael Pittman Jr., WR
Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is fully practicing this week. He hasn’t missed a practice since taking Week 10 off to recover. Barring a setback, Pittman will play against the Lions in Week 12.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Gabe Davis, WR
Week 12 status: IR
Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Gabe Davis will miss the rest of the 2024 season after tearing his meniscus in Week 11, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Coach Doug Pederson confirmed that Gabe Davis will miss the rest of the season. https://t.co/NZ2Na1ZDJB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 18, 2024
Jacksonville signed Davis to a three-year, $39 million contract this offseason from Buffalo, hoping he’d become a viable WR2/3 for Trevor Lawrence. But Davis has averaged just two catches for 24 yards per game through 11 weeks.
With fellow Jags WR Christian Kirk on IR (collarbone), first-round rookie Brian Thomas Jr. is the last man standing.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kareem Hunt, RB
Kareem Hunt (knee) is fully practicing this week and will play on Sunday. However, he may not be the only Kansas City Chiefs running back in line for significant touches this week.
Isiah Pacheco, RB
While Isiah Pacheco has been on IR since fracturing his fibula in Week 2, he is on track to return in Week 12.
Pacheco practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday. Over the weekend, NFL Network reported that he’s expected to be ready to face the Panthers on Sunday. Pacheco was a limited participant in every practice leading up to last week’s game, but the Chiefs decided to give him more time to recover.
It remains to be seen how K.C. will divide touches between Pacheco and Hunt, who has finished as fantasy’s RB11 or better in four of seven games.
“We’ll find a way. Both of them are good players,” head coach Andy Reid said of the Pacheco-Hunt split. “We’ll find a way to get both of them in if and when that takes place. That’s a good problem to have.”
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is fully practicing this week. He returned on Sunday after a three-week absence but played just 36% of the Chiefs’ snaps, catching one pass for eight yards.
Las Vegas Raiders
Alexander Mattison, RB
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison did not practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. He departed Week 11 in the fourth quarter and did not return.
Mattison finished Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins with five carries for 19 yards and three catches for 50 yards.
Raiders RB Zamir White also left Sunday’s game with a quad injury. He didn’t return or practice on Wednesday, either. Las Vegas could be dealing with a shorthanded running back room heading into its Week 12 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Veteran Ameer Abdullah and fifth-round rookie Dylan Laube are the next RBs up on the Raiders’ depth chart.
Miami Dolphins
Raheem Mostert, RB
Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (hip) is fully practicing this week. He is expected to play against the Patriots in Week 12.
Tyreek Hill, WR
Tyreek Hill was limited on Wednesday as he continued battling a wrist injury.
Hill was a game-time decision for the Dolphins’ Week 10 win against the Rams but ultimately suited up, playing 87% of the club’s snaps while catching three passes for 16 yards and a touchdown. Last week, Hill went DNP-limited-full in practice before being removed from Miami’s injury report.
Given that Hill didn’t practice last Wednesday, today’s limited session represented an upgrade.
Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold, QB
Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold was limited in Wednesday’s practice while dealing with a shoulder injury. This doesn’t appear to be a serious issue, but it will be worth monitoring Darnold’s practice participation nonetheless.
Last week, Darnold began the week with a limited practice while battling a right hand injury. He was upgraded to full on Thursday and Friday.
Nick Mullens is Minnesota’s backup quarterback.
Aaron Jones, RB
Aaron Jones (ribs) is fully practicing this week. The veteran running back is recovering from the rib issue he suffered after taking a hard shot in the fourth quarter of the Vikings’ Week 10 win over the Jaguars.
Jones started last week’s practices with two limited sessions, so Wednesday’s full practice represented an upgrade. He’s good to go for Week 12.
New York Giants
Darius Slayton, WR
Darius Slayton (concussion) fully practiced on Wednesday. The New York Giants WR suffered a brain injury in Week 9, didn’t play in Week 10, and rested during his club’s Week 11 bye. Slayton will be ready to face the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts, QB
Jalen Hurts was limited for Wednesday’s practice with an ankle issue, but his absence was part of a plan.
According to ESPN’s Tim McManus, Wednesday was the “final day of a strengthening program geared towards” Hurts’ lower body. Hurts will fully practice on Thursday and Friday before playing in Week 12.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni let slip that Hurts was battling an ankle injury entering Week 10, while other reports suggested the quarterback had been dealing with lower leg soreness — none of which was ever documented on the Eagles’ injury report.
DeVonta Smith, WR
DeVonta Smith didn’t practice on Wednesday due to his hamstring injury, but this is nothing to be concerned about.
The Eagles are just taking it easy on their WR2. Smith was a DNP for last week’s Wednesday practice, as well. He returned for limited sessions on Thursday and Friday before posting four catches for 29 yards in Philadelphia’s Week 11 win over the Commanders.
Smith should be ready to play against the Rams on Sunday night as long as he returns to practice later this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris, RB
Week 12 status: PLAYING
Najee Harris did not practice on Monday, but the Pittsburgh Steelers listed “rest” as the reason for his absence. He returned for a full practice on Tuesday and Wednesday and was officially removed from the team’s injury report.
Harris failed to practice last Wednesday while battling an ankle injury. Fortunately, he returned for full sessions on Thursday and Friday and was a full go for Sunday’s win over the Ravens. Harris took 22 touches for 93 total yards, finishing as fantasy’s RB17.
San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy, QB
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was limited for Wednesday’s practice after injuring his shoulder in Week 12.
However, head coach Kyle Shanahan said the club is not concerned about Purdy’s shoulder issue. The 49ers have given no indication that Purdy is in danger of missing Sunday’s game against the Packers.
Still, it will be worth watching Purdy’s practice participation throughout the week, especially ahead of a must-win game. If Purdy can’t play, Brandon Allen — who beat Josh Dobbs for San Fran’s QB2 role this offseason — would start.
Christian McCaffrey, RB
Christian McCaffrey did not practice on Wednesday, but his absence was part of a maintenance plan as he recovers from Achilles tendinitis.
Last week, CMC was limited on Wednesday and Thursday before fully practicing on Friday. He didn’t have an official injury diagnosis for Week 12. McCaffrey’s DNP is new, but it’s probably nothing to be worried about.
As expected, San Francisco didn’t hold McCaffrey back in Weeks 10 or 11, when he played 88% and 84% of the club’s snaps. While he’s yet to score, his receiving work has propelled him to RB11 and RB14 finishes in fantasy.
George Kittle, TE
George Kittle (hamstring) did not play in the San Francisco 49ers’ loss to the division-rival Seahawks in Week 11, but the veteran TE will make his return in Week 12.
“I will be playing on Sunday,” Kittle told reporters on Wednesday.
Kittle didn’t practice last Wednesday but returned for limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. Typically, that’s enough for a veteran like him to suit up on Sunday, but the All-Pro tight end wasn’t able to go.
The 49ers have a critical matchup against the Packers in Week 12.
Kittle also missed Week 3 — another division loss, this time to the Rams — with a hamstring issue.
Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Lockett, WR
The Seattle Seahawks gave veteran wideout Tyler Lockett the day off on Wednesday. He is not injured.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving, RB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (toe) is fully practicing this week. Barring a setback, the fourth-round rookie will play in Week 12.
Mike Evans, WR
Sidelined by a hamstring injury since going down in Week 7, Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans returned to practice on Wednesday. He was officially listed as limited.
The veteran pass catcher expects to play against the Giants in Week 12, according to FOX’s Jordan Schultz.
Sources: #Bucs WR Mike Evans, who has been out since Week 7 with a hamstring injury, is back at practice and is planning to play on Sunday vs the #Giants.
A huge boost for Baker Mayfield. pic.twitter.com/xbG8jMfcKd
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 20, 2024
Head coach Todd Bowles was a bit less declarative, noting that Evans is “trending” toward facing Carolina on Sunday.
Evans was a top-10 fantasy WR three times in his first seven games. Assuming he doesn’t suffer a setback, Evans will instantly become Baker Mayfield’s WR1 down the stretch and should immediately be inserted into fantasy lineups.
Jalen McMillan, WR
Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan (hamstring) is fully practicing this week. Barring a setback, the third-round rookie will play in Week 12. However, McMillan won’t have nearly as clear a path to targets with Evans due back.
Tennessee Titans
Tyjae Spears, RB
Tyjae Spears left Week 11 early in the fourth quarter to be evaluated for a concussion and did not return. Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan confirmed Monday that Spears is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. He did not practice on Wednesday.
Spears missed Weeks 7 through 9 with a hamstring injury, allowing fellow Titans RB Tony Pollard to turn into a genuine workhorse. In Week 11, Spears played 26 offensive snaps to Pollard’s 37.
Tennessee has a Week 12 date with the Houston Texans on tap. Spears will have a hard time getting cleared in time for Sunday’s game.
Calvin Ridley, WR
Calvin Ridley missed Wednesday’s practice because of an illness, but he’s expected to participate on Thursday. NFL players rarely miss game action due to illnesses, so this is nothing to worry about.
Ridley has posted several ceiling performances in recent games, finishing as fantasy’s WR4 in Week 8 and WR3 in Week 1.
Washington Commanders
Zach Ertz, TE
Zach Ertz was given a rest day on Wednesday. He is not injured.