NOTE: During the regular season, this column is a living document through Tuesday morning. I'll be updating as needed after team press conferences, imaging reports, Monday Night Football injuries, etc. Major changes to the content will be noted in red.
Scroll to the bottom of this article for a quick look table of the week's most pressing injury situations and a review of players on injured reserve / PUP / NFI.
Footballguys will have close and detailed coverage of all injuries this season. Here's a look at my expected schedule. I will do my best to stick to this. Work and family responsibilities may sometimes cause brief delays.
Monday Injury Rounds: Posted Sunday night, updated through Tuesday AM. Detailed analysis of the week's injuries with table for quick review. Offensive injuries will be live Sunday night. Critical defensive and offensive line injuries will be added throughout the day on Monday. I'll be updating with news and analysis through Tuesday.
Midweek Injury Expectations: Posted Wednesday night. Analysis of the practice participation report with a table including my projection of each injured player's likely game status. Will include discussion of any major breaking injury news.
Sunday Gameday Expectations: Posted by Saturday afternoon, updated through Sunday morning inactives. Will include individual player blurbs with detailed thoughts on the week's injury news and my speculation on player availability and limitations. Will include table highlighting each day's practice participation, official game status, and my availability expectation.
I'll be contributing to our waiver wire podcast (Tuesday release) and our live Sunday morning pregame show (10 ET Sunday on YouTube). I will also be retweeting key pieces of news and my own reaction and analysis, so make sure you're following me @JeneBramel and checking my timeline on Twitter throughout the week.
Week 16 injuries of note
***Marcus Mariota aggravated an ongoing nerve issue in his elbow and did not return. Grip strength will be an issue this week. The Titans have allowed Mariota to play at full strength at times this season. In a must win situation in Week 17, they may do so again.
***Demaryius Thomas ruptured his left Achilles. He faces another grueling offseason rehab to return in time for the start of the 2019 season.
***Dante Pettis sprained his left MCL yesterday. The Niners will further evaluate his injury. Most MCL injuries do not require surgical repair but Pettis won't play in Week 17.
***Eric Ebron sustained a concussion. With the Colts in a must-win situation next Sunday night, they'll advance Ebron quickly through the protocol if his symptoms resolve by midweek.
***Terron Armstead aggravated a pectoral strain in his first game back since Week 11. He'll miss next week and then have two additional weeks to rehab before the Saints divisional round game in three weeks.
***Taylor Heinicke suffered a left elbow sprain but was able to return. He refused to discuss his Week 17 availability after the game.
***Ryan Kelly left with a neck injury of unknown severity. The Colts will hope to have both Kelly and guard Mark Glowinski back for Sunday night's game.
Follow-up Appointments
Note: I'll have full updates on injuries at every position once a month throughout the offseason, with additional features on notable situations as needed.
Todd gurley | Left knee inflammation | Day-to-Day | Doubtful Week 17
Gurley did not practice this week and looked unlikely to play until a late morning Adam Schefter report suggesting the Rams planned to allow Gurley to go. A pregame workout wasn't as reassuring as expected, unfortunately, and Gurley was inactive. Vaguely reported as inflammation, Gurley's underlying knee condition remains unknown.
The Rams rushed for over 250 yards and clinched a first round bye with their win over Arizona yesterday. The Saints clinched the top overall seed in the NFC. There seems to be little incentive for Gurley to practice or play in Week 17. He'll have nearly a month of rehab before the Rams' divisional round game.
James Conner | Right high ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 17
Conner did not practice last week and admitted to reporters he wasn't ready to return. The Steelers are now in a must win situation in Week 17. If Conner is close, expect him to be limited in practice this week and play. If he's able to manage any full practices this week, his outlook and upside is more reassuring.
Carson Wentz | Vertebral fracture | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 17
The Eagles remain in playoff contention after a winning field goal as time expired on Sunday. Wentz remains on the active roster and could be cleared to play this week. We should know early this week whether the team will go back to Wentz or not.
Others of note:
***Odell Beckham did not practice with a quad injury last week and has now missed three games. Unless he's fully recovered and practicing by midweek, expect him to miss Week 17.
***Matt Breida aggravated his high ankle sprain yet again early in the first half and did not return. Breida continues to try to play through his injury but the Niners may shut him down in Week 17.
INJURED PLAYERS ON ACTIVE ROSTER
|
Quarterbacks Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Cam Newton | Car | Right shoulder injury | Chronic | Out for Season | 2019 return | Out Week 17 |
| Taylor Heinicke | Car | Left elbow injury | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 17 | |
| Marcus Mariota | Ten | Stinger | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Carson Wentz | Phi | Vertebral fracture | Week 14 | Week-to-Week | 2019 return | Doubtful Week 17 |
| Colt McCoy | Was | Right fibula fracture | Week 13 | Week-to-Week | Playoff+ Return | Out Week 17 |
|
Running Backs Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
|
LAR
|
Knee injury
|
Week 15
|
Day-to-Day | Playoff Return | Doubtful Week 17 | |
|
Pit
|
Right high ankle sprain
|
Week 13
|
Day-to-Day | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 | |
|
SF
|
Aggravated left high ankle sprain
|
Week 16
|
Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 17 | ||
|
LAC
|
Concussion / Recurrent stinger
|
Week 14
|
Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 | |
|
KC
|
Hamstring strain / Right shoulder injury
|
Week 14
|
Week-to-Week | Playoff Return | Doubtful Week 17 | |
|
Hou
|
Right ankle sprain
|
Week 15
|
Day-to-Day | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 | |
|
Atl
|
Groin injury
|
Week 16
|
Awaiting Information | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 17 | |
|
Sea
|
Knee injury
|
Week 14
|
Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 | |
|
Buf
|
Shoulder injury
|
Week 14
|
Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | ||
|
Wide Receivers Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
|
Odell Beckham
|
NYG
|
Quad contusion
|
Week 14
|
Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 17 | |
|
KC
|
Foot injury
|
Week 9
|
Week-to-Week | Playoff Return | Doubtful Week 17 | |
|
GB
|
Concussion
|
Week 15
|
Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | ||
|
GB
|
Concussion
|
Week 16
|
Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | ||
|
NYJ
|
Ankle injury |
Week 14
|
Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | ||
|
SF
|
Left MCL sprain |
Week 16
|
Awaiting Information | Out Week 17 | ||
|
SF
|
Achilles contusion |
Week 16
|
Day-to-Day | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 17 | |
|
Hou
|
Left Achilles rupture |
Week 16
|
Out for Season | 2019 return | ||
|
Hou
|
Hamstring strain aggravation |
Week 12
|
Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 | |
|
NE
|
Knee injury |
Week 16
|
Awaiting Information | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 | |
|
Cin
|
Right knee injury
|
Week 15
|
Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | ||
|
Dal
|
Groin strain
|
Week 6
|
Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | ||
|
Tight Ends Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
|
Ind
|
Concussion
|
Week 16
|
Awaiting Information
|
Week 17+ Return
|
Questionable Week 17 | |
|
Was
|
Right foot injury
|
Week 14
|
Week-to-Week
|
|
Doubtful Week 17 | |
|
Was
|
Concussion
|
Week 16
|
Week-to-Week
|
|
Questionable Week 17 | |
|
Offensive Linemen Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Tackles
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Jason Peters | Phi | Quad strain | Week 16 | Day-to-Day | Week 17 Return | Probable Week 17 |
| Terron Armstead | NO | Aggravated pectoral strain | Week 16 | Week-to-Week | Playoff Return | Out Week 17 |
| Josh Wells | Jax | Concussion | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 17 | |
| Germain Ifedi | Sea | Groin strain | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Korey Cunningham | Ari | Left leg injury | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 17 | |
|
Guards
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Trai Turner | Car | Ankle injury | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 17 | |
| D.J. Fluker | Sea | Hamstring strain | Week 13 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Mark Glowinski | Ind | Ankle injury | Week 14 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Isaac Seumalo | Phi | Pectoral strain | Week 14 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Alex Lewis | Bal | Shoulder injury | Week 13 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
|
Centers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Ryan Kelly | Ind | Neck injury | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Spencer Pulley | NYG | Calf injury | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | |
|
Defensive Players Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Edge Rushers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Markus Golden | Ari | Ankle injury | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 17 | |
| Brian Orakpo | Ten | Elbow injury | Week 14 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
|
Defensive Linemen
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Jurrell Casey | Ten | MCL sprain | Week 16 | Injured reserve | IR | Out for Season |
| Kawann Short | Car | Calf injury | Week 14 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | |
| David Irving | Dal | High ankle sprain | Week 7 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Tyrone Crawford | Dal | Neck injury | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Playoff Return | Doubtful Week 17 |
| Kenny Clark | GB | Elbow injury | Week 14 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | |
|
Linebackers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Eric Kendricks | Min | Hamstring strain | Week 16 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Sean Lee | Dal | Hamstring strain | Week 11 | Day-to-Day | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Alec Ogletree | NYG | Concussion | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 17 | |
| Vince Williams | Pit | Foot injury | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Anthony Walker | Ind | Shoulder injury | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Vontaze Burfict | Cin | Concussion | Week 13 | Week-to-Week | Out Week 17 | |
| Kevin Pierre-Louis | NYJ | Shoulder injury | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | |
|
Defensive Backs
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Eddie Jackson | Chi | Right high ankle sprain | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Playoff Return | Doubtful Week 17 |
| Clayton Geathers | Ind | Knee injury | Week 15 aggravation | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| T.J. McDonald | Mia | Right ankle injury | Week 15 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | |
| Bradley McDougald | Sea | Patellar tendinitis aggravation | Chronic | Day-to-Day | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Jaquiski Tartt | SF | Shoulder injury | Week 12 aggravation | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | |
| Denzel Ward | Cle | Concussion | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 17 | |
| Xavien Howard | Mia | Meniscectomy | Week 12 | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 17 | |
| Xavier Rhodes | Min | Groin strain | Week 16 | Day-to-Day | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Jaire Alexander | GB | Groin strain | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Questionable Week 17 | |
| Kendall Fuller | KC | Wrist fracture | Week 15 | Day-to-Day | Playoff Return | Doubtful Week 17 |
| Dre Kirkpatrick | Cin | Shoulder strain | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Doubtful Week 17 | |
| Kareem Jackson | Hou | Knee injury | Week 16 | Awaiting Information | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
| Sidney Jones | Phi | Hamstring strain | Week 14 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
|
Kickers Injured | On the Active Roster
|
||||||
|
Player
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Date
|
Player/Team Says
|
FBG Expects
|
Notes
|
| Josh Lambo | Jac | Groin strain | Week 14 | Week-to-Week | Week 17+ Return | Questionable Week 17 |
