Injuries continue to mount throughout the NFL. Plenty of players were banged up in Week 12, 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 13.
Gardner Minshew II, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II suffered a season-ending broken collarbone against the Denver Broncos in Week 12.
Desmond Ridder, whom the Raiders signed off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad on Oct. 21, replaced Minshew on Sunday. However, Las Vegas could have another option moving forward.
Fellow quarterback Aidan O’Connell (broken thumb) might be able to play next week when he’s eligible to come off injured reserve. When asked if O’Connell is an option for the Raiders’ Black Friday game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Pierce gave a candid response.
“Yeah, we’re going to need somebody. We’re running out of quarterbacks too, now,” Pierce said. “We’ll see what happens tomorrow, but obviously, it looks like he’s getting better. He threw a little bit in practice this week. Obviously, we’ve got a short week, play on Friday, travel on Thursday, so we have to make that decision very quickly.”
David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions
David Montgomery limped to the Detroit Lions’ locker room near the end of the third quarter of his club’s Week 12 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Detroit later announced that Montgomery was questionable to return with a shoulder injury, but he never re-entered Sunday’s game.
Montgomery told reporters after Sunday’s victory that he expects to play against the Chicago Bears on Thursday.
Detroit’s all-around optimism on Montgomery’s Week 13 availability is clearly a good sign heading into Thanksgiving. Still, we’ll need to monitor his practice participation leading up to the game.
If Montgomery can’t go on Thursday, fellow Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs would offer slate-breaking upside.
Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, RBs, Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders have a running back problem heading into Week 13.
Brian Robinson Jr. rolled his ankle on the club’s first offensive play. While he was deemed questionable to return and did come back in for a few plays, Robinson didn’t take a snap in the second half.
Austin Ekeler took over Washington’s backfield after Robinson’s injury, but he also went down on Sunday. Ekeler suffered a concussion on a kick return just before the end of regulation and was even taken to a local hospital out of an abundance of caution.
The Commanders will face the Tennessee Titans in Week 13 before taking their bye in Week 14. With Robinson and Ekeler both banged up, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Washington rest both players next Sunday and through the bye.
In that scenario, Jeremy McNichols could become the Commanders’ starting RB and offer surprising fantasy football potential in Week 13.
Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers
Romeo Doubs is in the concussion protocol after suffering a brain injury in the Green Bay Packers’ Week 12 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Not only did Doubs miss the remainder of Sunday’s game, but he’s also in significant danger of missing the Packers’ game against the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day.
“That’s unfortunate because I thought Rome was really having himself a really great game,” head coach Matt LaFleur said. “He came out, made some critical plays: that third-down long was pretty special where he almost got out the backside.
“He is very, very consistent. So, you know, if we don’t have him that’s a big loss, but we do feel like we have other guys. This can open up some other opportunities for some of these other guys.”
Most players require at least one week of recovery before exiting the NFL’s concussion protocol. With only four days until Green Bay’s next game, Doubs has almost no chance of being cleared for Week 13.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs’ right shoulder was driven into the ground on an end-around early in the fourth quarter of the Colts’ Week 12 matchup against the Lions. Indianapolis announced that he was questionable to return as a result.
Downs re-entered the game on the Colts’ next offensive drive. However, he didn’t look right after failing to catch a deep pass from Anthony Richardson with roughly five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Downs returned to Indianapolis’ sideline and appeared to be having trouble with his shoulder injury. He finished the game with just three catches for 27 yards.
On Monday, NFL Network reported that while Downs is not believed to have a serious injury, he is a “long shot” to play in Week 13.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was involved in a frightening scene on Sunday when he landed on his head after hauling in a 10-yard pass in the second quarter. Sanders was carted off the field on a backboard and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Fortunately, Sanders was discharged from the hospital and reportedly had movement in his extremities.
“He’s still under evaluation,” head coach Dave Canales said. “But certainly a positive sign. He’s coming back here to the facility right now.”
Sanders, a fourth-round pick out of Texas in this past April’s NFL Draft, entered Week 12 with 26 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown. He posted three catches for 49 yards before exiting Sunday’s game.