Monday Injury Rounds: Week 16

Photo: Kirby Lee, USA Today Sports

Christmas weekend will compress the recovery period for most of the league, with 12 games played on Saturday this week. Jacksonville and the New York Jets play Thursday night. Green Bay, Miami, Denver, the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay, and Arizona play on Sunday.

Be mindful of the earlier-than-usual practice reports and make sure you have your lineups set on time.

QB Jalen Hurts | Right shoulder sprain | Week-to-week | Doubtful Week 16 (Monday update)

Reports from Adam Schefter, Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport, and Tom Pelissero today are that Hurts is "uncertain to play" this week. Hurts played most of the second half after suffering a low-grade shoulder sprain but a Monday re-evaluation raised additional concern.

The Eagles are unlikely to risk Hurts' playoff health unless his range of motion is baseline. Even low-grade shoulder sprains can take 1-3 weeks to rehab. Despite the critical division matchup with Dallas this week, consider Hurts doubtful to play unless he is cleared to throw by the end of the week.

RB Jonathan Taylor | Right ankle injury | Week-to-week | Doubtful Week 16

Taylor left Saturday's game after aggravating the high ankle sprain that's limited him for weeks. Jeff Saturday told reporters the team had no updates on Taylor's condition. While there are reports Taylor's aggravation is "nothing major," Adam Schefter and multiple local reporters are all speculating the Colts may choose to shut Taylor down for the season. There's little incentive for Indianapolis or Taylor to risk further injury without a chance at a playoff berth.

Monday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Taylor's injury is a high ankle sprain. Taylor is "highly unlikely" to return this season.

WR Tyler Lockett | Fractured left metacarpal | Week-to-week | Out Week 16 | Target return Week 17++

Pete Carroll tried to be optimistic in weekend press conferences after Lockett required surgery to stabilize a broken bone in his left hand. Carroll suggested Lockett could return in Week 17 after missing just one week. That's possible but unlikely. When Lockett does return, he should be immediately ready to resume a full workload.

QB Lamar Jackson | Left PCL sprain | Week-to-week | Questionable Week 16

Jackson reportedly has a low-grade PCL sprain and has a chance to return this week. These injuries are tricky to project, and players sometimes have stiffness or looseness in the joint longer than initially expected. It's possible for Jackson to heal in time to return this week. A full practice would reassure that he's immediately ready for his usual dual-threat role.