The NFL injury report is becoming more and more important, as teams from both conferences continue to fight for playoff positioning with the end of the regular season drawing near. Teams that can stay healthy and play consistently are usually the ones that find success in the postseason, and we should figure out who the legitimate Super Bowl contenders are in the coming weeks.
As we enter Week 12, you will notice that the injury reports are becoming lengthier, and some feature notable names. We already know that Houston Texans wide receivers Kenny Stills and Randall Cobb will be out for this week's matchup with the Detroit Lions, but there are other players whose statuses are currently up in the air. Both quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and running back Christian McCaffrey practiced Wednesday in red non-contact jerseys, and there are several other players who are trying to get back to 100 percent health before Sunday.
Below, we will break down all the important injury information you need to know coming out of the NFL on Wednesday. Additionally, we will break down the final injury reports for all four teams set to play on Thanksgiving, which is tomorrow! Unfortunately, we were supposed to have a holiday triple-header that included the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, but that AFC North showdown was moved to Sunday due to COVID-19 concerns.
All NFL odds courtesy of William Hill Sportsbook.
Texans (-3) at Lions
- Texans: FB Cullen Gillaspia (back), QB Josh McCown (illness) and WR Kenny Stills (quadriceps) OUT; P Bryan Anger (right quad) QUESTIONABLE
- Lions: WR Kenny Golladay (hip), WR Danny Amendola (hip), DE Austin Bryant (thigh), CB Mike Ford (concussion), DL Da'Shawn Hand (groin), CB Jeff Okudah (shoulder) OUT; CB Amani Oruwariye (back), LB Reggie Ragland (ankle), RB D'Andre Swift QUESTIONABLE
The Houston Texans will be a bit limited at receiver after ruling wide receiver Kenny Stills (quad) our for Thursday's Thanksgiving head-to-head with Detroit along with placing Randall Cobb (toe) on IR. In their absence, Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks should see expanded targets from Deshaun Watson.
The Lions won't have much to be thankful for this Thursday, as they will be without Golladay and Amendola on the outside. Additionally, they won't have rookie cornerback Okudah, and on the offensive side of the ball, Swift is questionable. Certainly not the final injury report you would like to see if you are a Lions fan.
Washington at Cowboys (-3)
- Washington: DE Ryan Anderson (knee), S Deshazor Everett (ankle), LB Jared Norris (hamstring) OUT; K Dustin Hopkins (right groin), WR Terry McLaurin (ankle), OT Cornelius Lucas (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
- Cowboys: K Greg Zuerlein (back), CB Anthony Brown (ribs) QUESTIONABLE
All eyes will be on McLaurin's status tomorrow, but he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, which bodes well for this offense. After missing practice on Monday due to an ankle issue, Washington running back Antonio Gibson was a full participant in practice on both Tuesday and Wednesday, and does not have an injury designation for Thursday.
For the Cowboys, Zuerlein was a limited participant in practice all week with a back injury, while Brown sat out on both Monday and Tuesday. He did return as a limited participant on Wednesday, however, and is officially listed as questionable.
Wednesday practice reports
Ravens at Steelers (OFF)
Along with the number of COVID-19 related issues that the team is facing, Baltimore did not have corner Jimmy Smith (ankle) or defensive end Derek Wolfe (illness) at practice on Wednesday. Tight end Mark Andrews (thigh) and linebacker Matthew Judon (ankle) were among those limited. With this game now pushed to Sunday, they will have a little more time to rest up.
The Steelers had corner Joe Haden (knee) back at practice on a limited basis on Wednesday after he was unable to go on Tuesday. Meanwhile, receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (foot), quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (quad) and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (ankle) were full participants on Wednesday after being limited on Tuesday. Running backs Jaylen Samuels (quad) and Trey Edmunds (hamstring) did not practice for the second straight day.
Los Angeles had a relatively small injury report on Wednesday but was missing defensive ends Melvin Ingram III (knee) and Uchenna Nwosu (shoulder, chest) along with corner Casey Hayward Jr. (groin). Running back Kalen Ballage (ankle, calf) was limited.
Buffalo is relatively healthy to start the week as they have just two players listed as a non-participant on Wednesday. That said, the team noted that defensive end Mario Addison (knee) was enjoying a veteran rest day. Receiver John Brown was held out due to an ankle injury. Outside of that, guard Cody Ford (ankle) and defensive end Jerry Hughes (back) were among three players limited. Defensive end A.J. Epenesa (concussion) was a full participant.
Tennessee received some good news at the receiver position as Adam Humphries was able to return to practice as a full participant after missing the last three games due to a concussion. Receiver A.J. Brown (knee) did not practice on Wednesday while corner Malcolm Butler (rib) was limited.
The big news surrounding the Colts is that the team placed defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on the reserve/COVID-19 list, leaving his status for Sunday up in the air. At practice, quarterback Philip Rivers (toe), offensive lineman Quenton Nelson (back, ankle) and receiver Zach Pascal (knee, foot) were among those who did not practice. Pass rusher Justin Houston was also not out there to begin the week, but the team notes it was not injury-related.
Dolphins limited quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on Wednesday due to a thumb injury on his throwing hand. This injury doesn't appear to hurt Tagovailoa's chances at playing on Sunday, however. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hip) and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (thumb) were the other Dolphins limited. Meanwhile, running back Salvon Ahmed (shoulder) and guard Solomon Kindley (foot) did not practice.
The Jets had quarterback Sam Darnold (shoulder) limited in practice on Wednesday, which is an encouraging sign that he may be able to return under center after missing the last two games. Receiver Breshad Perriman (shoulder) was among the others who were limited, while right tackle George Fant (knee, ankle) didn't practice.
New York did not have corner James Bradberry to start the week of practice, but the team says that his absence was not injury-related. Receiver Sterling Shepard (hip, toe) did practice on a limited basis on Wednesday but seems in line to play this week against the Bengals, according to Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com.
For Cincinnati, running back Giovani Bernard did not practice on Wednesday because he is in concussion protocol. This backfield is now limping into Week 12 with starter Joe Mixon already on injured reserve. Receiver Mike Thomas (hamstring) was the only other Bengals player missing from practice due to injury. Corner Mackensie Alexander (hamstring) and linebacker Markus Bailey (hamstring) were both limited.
Arizona did not have star receiver DeAndre Hopkins at practice to begin the week with what the team is calling an illness. He was among six Cardinals that missed Wednesday's opening session. The biggest name of note for the Cardinals, however, is quarterback Kyler Murray, who was limited with a right shoulder injury. The former top overall pick seemed to suffer the injury last week but was able to play through it. He'll likely do the same in Week 12, but whether or not he has limitations will be something to monitor.
New England continues to have a number of players listed on the injury report. In all, 15 players were named with 11 of them dubbed as limited participants. Most notable on the limited front is corner Stephon Gilmore. While he was able to make his return from a three-game absence due to a knee injury last week, Gilmore is now said to be dealing with a hand injury. Guards Joe Thuney (able), and Shaq Mason (calf) were among the other notable limited Patriots. Meanwhile, left tackle Isaiah Wynn (knee) was the key name who did not practice to begin the week.
Cleveland had a large injury report to begin the week as 20 players were listed. Eight of those players, however, were on there for non-injury reasons. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, those players were held out as possible COVID-19 contacts, but should be back on Thursday. Corner Denzel Ward wasn't at practice and has already been ruled out for Week 12. Staters JC Tretter (knee), Wyatt Teller (calf), Jack Conklin (knee), and Ronnie Harrison (knee) were all limited.
Jacksonville had a number of players listed on its injury report to begin the week and had six players listed as non-participants. Receiver DJ Chark Jr. (ribs) and Chris Conley (hip) headline that bunch that consisted of corners Chris Claybrooks (core muscle) and Sidney Jones IV (Achilles) along with offensive lineman Andrew Norwell (forearm) and Cam Robinson (illness). Receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (hamstring) and quarterback Garnder Minshew (thumb) were limited.
On Wednesday, Panthers head coach Matt Rhule told reporters that he expects Bridgewater to suit up on Sunday, but does not expect McCaffrey to play this week. Both were limited participants in practice on Wednesday, along with offensive linemen John Miller (knee/ankle) and Russell Okung (calf). Offensive guard Dennis Daley (concussion) and cornerback Donte Jackson (toe) were the only two players for the Panthers who missed practice.
Vikings offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland (ankle), defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (shoulder/concussion) and safety Harrison Smith (neck) missed practice on Wednesday, while tight end Irv Smith Jr. was limited with a groin injury.
Corner Damon Arnette and Amik Robertson were held out of practice for the Raiders on Wednesday due to an illness. They were the lone two Raiders who missed the opening session of the week, but safety Erik Harris (calf) and right tackle Sam Young (knee) were among those limited.
Atlanta had a number of heavy-hitters on offense on this opening injury report, including running back Todd Gurley (knee) and tight end Hayden Hurts (ankle), who were held out from practice on Wednesday. Receivers Julio Jones (hamstring) and Calvin Ridley (foot) were among the eight Falcons limited.
New Orleans had just two players missing from practice on Wednesday as guard Andrus Peat (concussion) and receiver Deonte Harris (neck) were held out. With quarterback Drew Brees (chest) on IR, the offense will lean on both Alvin Kamara (foot) and Michael Thomas (ankle) to carry the unit and it appears the team is taking that into account by limiting them in practice to start the week.
Drew Lock (ribs) was a full participant in Denver's Wednesday practice, but the team did limit his rookie receiver Jerry Jeudy due to an ankle and Achilles injury. He was among five Broncos that were limited, while corner Bryce Callahan (foot), tackle Demar Dotson (calf, hand), guard Graham Glasgow (calf), and safety Trey Marshall (shin) were held out.
Deebo Samuel (hamstring) was a limited participant for the 49ers as they began practice this week, along with defensive end Arik Armstead (not injury related) and running back Tevin Coleman (knee). Corner K'Waun Williams and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring) were the lone two players missing for San Francisco.
The Rams held a walkthrough on Wednesday, so this is more of an estimation based on if there was a full session. In any event, Aaron Donald was held out Wednesday, but it was not injury-related. Center Brian Allen (knee) was limited while tight end Tyler Higbee (elbow) and linebacker Micah Kiser (knee) were held out.
Chiefs (-3.5) at Buccaneers
The Chiefs are extremely healthy as every play on the active roster practiced fully on Wednesday.
Tampa Bay was missing four players to begin the week, including offensive tackle Donovan Smith (ankle), center A.Q. Shipley (neck) and corner Jamel Dean (concussion). The good news, however, is that guard Ali Marpet (concussion) practiced fully.
The Bears did not have quarterback Nick Foles (hip) to begin practice this week. He joins defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (hamstring) as the only two players to miss practice due to injury. Tight end Jimmy Graham was given a rest day while linebacker Danny Trevathan was out due to personal reasons. Running back David Montgomery (concussion) was a full participant as was quarterback Mitchell Trubiskey (right shoulder), who may get the nod if Foles cannot suit up in Week 12.
Davante Adams (ankle) headlined a number of Packers who were a limited participant in practice. The star receiver was joined by the likes of tight end Robert Tonyan (ankle) and corners Jaire Alexanders (knee, hand) and Chandon Sullivan (ribs). Corner Josh Jackson (concussion) did not practice.