Week 12 of the NFL is set to be an exciting one with nine games featuring two teams with .500-or-better records, the most such games in Week 12 or later in league history. The appetizer for Sunday's main course will be this year's Thanksgiving games, as the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys continue their longstanding tradition of hosting a game on the holiday.
As the league has three games on Thursday and a near-full slate of games over the weekend, the injury reports are starting to pile up as most of the teams had their bye week with a few other teams yet to have their week off.
Here's the first injury report from what is to be an exciting Week 12 in the NFL. All odds come courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Thanksgiving games
Chicago Bears (-3) at Detroit Lions
- Bears: QB Justin Fields (ribs), DT Akiem Hicks (ankle),RB Damien Williams (calf) OUT; WR Allen Robinson (hamstring) DOUBTFUL; DB Eddie Jackson (hamstring), DE Mario Edwards Jr. (ribs), DB Tashaun Gipson (chest), WR Marquise Goodwin (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE
- Lions: OLB Trey Flowers (knee) WR Trinity Benson (knee), T Matt Nelson (ankle), CB AJ Parker (ankle) T Halapoulivaati Vaitai (concussion) OUT; QB Jared Goff (oblique), RB Jermar Jefferson (knee/ankle), DE Michael Brockers (knee) QUESTIONABLE
Fields has officially been ruled out, so Andy Dalton will start at quarterback for the Bears. Head coach Matt Nagy said Fields will start again when he is healthy. Robinson hasn't practiced all week, and the short week gives him the "doubtful" designation. Darnell Mooney was limited all week, but was not given an injury designation.
For the Lions, Goff called himself a "game-time decision" earlier this week, so his status won't be determined until the inactive report is released. Dan Campbell said Goff is on track to return, but Tim Boyle will get the start if Goff can't go. Goff has been limited in practice all week. Flowers will miss his second consecutive game.
Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys (-7.5)
- Raiders: LB Nick Kwiatkoski (ankle), CB Keisean Nixon (ankle) OUT; G John Simpson (ribs) QUESTIONABLE
- Cowboys: WR CeeDee Lamb (concussion) QUESTIONABLE
Kwiatkoski will miss his third straight game for the Raiders, who have a light injury report heading into Thanksgiving. Jalen Richard (ribs) was a full participant, so he'll be good to go for Thursday's showdown. Guard John Simpson was limited in practice Wednesday.
Lamb is the only player on the injury report for the Cowboys as he's still in concussion protocol. Lamb did practice Wednesday as Dallas hopes he's cleared on the short week.
Buffalo Bills (-6) at New Orleans Saints
- Bills: No injuries
- Saints: RB Alvin Kamara (knee), T Ryan Ramczyk (knee), DE Marcus Davenport (shoulder), DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (ankle) OUT; RB Mark Ingram (knee), T Terron Armstead (knee, shoulder) QUESTIONABLE
While Buffalo may be fully healthy, it's a different story in New Orleans. The Saints officially ruled out running back Alvin Kamara after the star running back did not practice all week due to a knee injury. The club will also be without starting All-Pro right tackle Ryan Ramczyk and defensive end Marcus Davenport as well. Meanwhile, Mark Ingram did return to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday, which gives him chance to try and help the Saints backfield in the wake of losing Kamara once again.
Sunday games
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (-4.5)
The Steelers are getting healthier as they gear up for Week 12. Pass-rusher T.J. Watt (hip/knee),, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (COVID list) and defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk (groin) were all back at practice on Wednesday after missing last week. Watt and Loudermilk both practiced on a limited basis. Meanwhile, corner Joe Haden (foot) along with offensive linemen Trai Turner (knee) and J.C. Hassenauer (pectoral) did not practice.
Cincinnati was without wide receiver Auden Tate as he continues to deal with a thigh injury. Meanwhile, guard Hakeem Adeniji (ankle), corner Darius Phillips (hip), and defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin (knee) were all limited.
New York Jets at Houston Texans (-2.5)
Michael Carter (ankle) was the lone Jets player missing from practice to begin the week. Meanwhile, five players were limited, including receiver Corey Davis (groin), defensive lineman Shaq Lawson (wrist), and linebacker C.J. Mosley (shoulder).
Defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. and receiver Davion Davis were the two Texans held out of practice on Wednesday for injury reasons as they are about dealing with an illness. Meanwhile, defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard (foot), linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (knee) and defensive back A.J. Moore Jr. (back) were all limited.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) at Indianapolis Colts
In all, the Buccaneers had 11 players listed on their first injury report of the week after defeating the Giants on Monday night. That said, the team did hold a walk-through, so this is an estimation of what their statuses would have been had they held a full-fledged session. Wide receiver Mike Evans (back), linebacker Devin White (quad), left guard Ali Marpet (abdomen) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (ankle) were the four Bucs who did not practice. On a positive note, defensive tackle Vita Vea (knee) -- who missed last week's win over New York -- was back at practice on a limited basis.
Indy saw linebacker Darius Leonard (ankle), receiver T.Y. Hilton (toe), and corner T.J. Carrie (knee) all practice in a limited capacity to begin the week. Meanwhile, guard Quenton Nelson was the lone player missing from action as he was held out due to an ankle injury.
Atlanta Falcons (-2.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
After missing last week's loss to New England, Cordarrelle Patterson was limited in Atlanta's first practice of the week. That's certainly a positive sign for his chances to make his return against the Jags on Sunday. Meanwhile, Safety Jaylinn Hawkins, who also missed Week 11, was a full participant in practice. Defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard (ankle) and cornerback Kendall Sheffield (hamstring) were all missing from Wednesday's session.
Jacksonville had eight players listed on the initial injury report with three players missing from the session -- receiver Tavon Austin (shoulder), corner Shaquill Griffin (concussion), and linebacker Myles Jack (knee). Running back James Robinson (heel, knee) was among those limited.
Carolina Panthers (-2) at Miami Dolphins
Carolina has a small injury report to begin the week as they listed just three players on the opening report. Left tackle Dennis Daley (glute) was a full participant, while guard John Miller (ankle) was limited, and defensive back Myles Hartsfield (wrist) was the lone non-participant.
Corners Byron Jones and Xavien Howard were both given a veteran rest day on Wednesday, while defensive back Elijah Campbell (toe, knee) and tight end Adam Shaheen (knee) were the two Dolphins who did not practice. Linebacker Elandon Roberts (hip), defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (quad) and safety Jevon Holland (knee, ankle) were among those limited.
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (-6.5)
Tennessee had a Thanksgiving grocery list-sized injury report on Wednesday. In all, 16 players were listed with 10 of those not participating in the week's opening session. Key among them was wide receiver A.J. Brown who is dealing with a chest injury. Running back Jeremy McNichols (concussion) and Rashaan Evans (ankle) were two others that made up the big list. Meanwhile, Running back D'Onta Foreman (tricep) was limited.
New England also had a rather large injury report, but no player was missing from practice. Defensive lineman Christian Barmore (knee), offensive tackle Trent Brown, Tight end Hunter Henry (neck), and running back Damien Harris (neck) were among the 11 Patriots listed as limited participants.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) at New York Giants
The Eagles ran a walkthrough on Wednesday so their injury report is an estimation. Had they gone full speed, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (rest), running back Jordan Howard (knee) and corner Darius Slay (concussion) all would have been held out.
New York was missing a handful of players to begin the week of practice with receivers Kadarius Toney (quad) and Sterling Shepard (quad) along with tight end Kyle Rudolph (ankle) headlining the group of six Giants not practicing on Wednesday. Running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) was limited.
Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) at Denver Broncos
L.A. was missing four players to begin the week -- Safety Alohi Gilman (quad), defensive back Trey Marshall (ankle, hip), corner Asante Samuel Jr. (concussion), and defensive back Mark Webb Jr. (knee). Guard Matt Feiler (ankle) was the lone limited player.
The Broncos were without safety Kareem Jackson on Wednesday and head coach Vic Fangio did reveal that his neck/shoulder injury could impact his game status this week. Meanwhile, tackle Bobby Massie (ankle), running back Mike Boone (hip) and linebacker Baron Browning (back) all returned to practice on a limited basis. Fangio also noted that linebacker Bradley Chubb has looked good as he continues to sit on IR and possibly slated to make his return this week.
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers (PK)
Los Angeles was without three players to begin the week. Linebacker Leonard Floyd (concussion) and corner Donte Deayon (thigh) were missing due to injury, while veteran tackle Andrew Whitworth was given a rest day.
Green Bay held a walkthrough, so this injury report is an estimation. Had they gone through a full session, Aaron Rodgers (toe), David Bakhtiari (knee), Kevin King (hip, knee), and Malik Taylor (abdomen) all would have been held out. Davante Adams (ankle) and Aaron Jones (knee) would have been limited.
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers (-3)
Everson Griffen was the only Vikings player not practicing on Wednesday. His absence is not injury-related and comes after an incident at his home where he is now in the care of mental health professionals. Meanwhile, linebacker Anthony Barr (knee), corner Bashaud Breeland (groin) and guard Wyatt Davis (ankle) were all limited. Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will miss the game.
After missing Week 11 with a finger injury that required surgery, running back Elijah Mitchell (rib, finger) was limited for the 49ers on Wednesday along with corner Josh Norman (rib), and offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (ankle). Running back JaMycal Hasty (ankle) and defensive lineman Maurice Hurst (calf) were theoonly Niners players missing from practice due to injury reasons.
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-3.5)
Cleveland held out quarterback Baker Mayfield from Wednesday's practice as he deals with a left shoulder, foot, and groin injury. He was joined by linebacker Tony Fields (illness), defensive tackle Malik Jackson (knee), receiver Jarvis Landry (knee), receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin), and receiver Anthony Schwartz (concussion). Pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney (neck, wrist, knee) was limited. The Browns also designated running back Kareem Hunt and tackle Jack Conklin to return off IR.
Lamar Jackson practiced in full to begin the week after he missed last week's game against Chicago due to an illness. Wide receiver Marquise Brown (thigh) was also back at practice, albeit on a limited basis. A total of 10 Ravens didn't practice on Wednesday, including defensive tackle Calais Campbell (concussion) and right tackle Patrick Mekari (ankle).
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Football Team (-1) (MNF)
Analysis to come
