The injury report becomes more important as the regular season rolls on, and we all know that the best ability in the NFL is availability. With teams fighting for playoff spots, everyone will be focused on who can and who cannot suit up this Sunday. A total of 30 teams have a couple more days to figure out if all of their star players will be able to play here in Week 14, while the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams are set to kick off the week tomorrow on "Thursday Night Football." Below, we will tell you what you need to know about every team's midweek injury report and also examine the final reports for both the Patriots and Rams.
All NFL odds courtesy of William Hill Sportsbook.
Patriots at Rams (-3)
- Patriots: LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (groin), DL Adam Butler (shoulder), DL Byron Cowart (back), DB Kyle Dugger (toe), K Nick Folk (back), DL Lawrence Guy (shoulder), TE Ryan Izzo (hamstring, neck, hand), CB J.C. Jackson (hip, knee), FB Jakob Johnson (knee), CB Jonathan Jones (neck), G Shaq Mason (calf), QB Cam Newton (abdomen), WR Matthew Slater (knee), RB J.J. Taylor (quad) QUESTIONABLE
- Rams: K Matt Gay (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE
While Newton is not expected to miss Thursday night's game, Izzo is among the Patriots' questionable players who could miss Thursday's game after leaving Sunday's win over the Chargers with an injury. If Izzo can't go, that would leave Dalton Keene as the Patriots' only healthy tight end versus the Rams.
The Rams can promote Austin MacGinnis off the practice squad if Gay is unable to play on Thursday. Los Angeles will have running back Cam Akers (shoulder), defensive lineman Michael Brockers (neck), and linebacker Terrell Lewis (knee) for Thursday's game after all three players were listed in the injury report during in the week.
Wednesday practice reports
Broncos at Panthers (OFF)
Rookie receiver Jerry Jeudy (ankle) was one of four Broncos that practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday. While Jeudy has played through the injury over the past several weeks, his numbers have fallen off since catching four passes for 68 yards against the Raiders back in Week 10. Jeudy did not catch a pass in Week 12 and caught just one pass in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs.
Offensive guard Dennis Daley (concussion) and defensive end Marquis Haynes (illness) did not practice for the Panthers on Wednesday, but there was a worrisome development concerning their star running back. Christian McCaffrey was a limited participant due to his shoulder injury, but he also tweaked his thigh last week, and it apparently tightened up again during practice on Wednesday. His status will certainly be something to watch moving forward. Joining McCaffrey as limited participants were cornerback Donte Jackson (toe) and safety Sam Franklin (ankle).
Cardinals (-2) at Giants
Five Cardinals defensive players, including defensive backs Johnathan Joseph (neck), Jalen Thompson (ankle) and Charles Washington (groin) did not practice on Wednesday. The only offensive player that did not practice Wednesday was DeAndre Hopkins, whose absence was non injury-related.
Defensive back Madre Harper (knee), linebacker Blake Martinez (back) and offensive tackle Matt Peart (ankle) would have missed practice for the Giants on Wednesday. Since they had a walkthrough, it was an estimated report. Quarterback Daniel Jones was a limited participant due to his hamstring issue. All signs point to him starting on Sunday, however.
Chiefs (-7) at Dolphins
Tyreek Hill (illness) was one of three Chiefs players that did not practice on Wednesday. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who did not receive a carry in Sunday night's win over the Broncos after sitting out last week's practices with an illness, was a full participant on Wednesday.
Tua Tagovailoa was limited during Wednesday's practice with a left thumb injury. The injury did not appear to bother Tagovailoa on Sunday, as he threw for a season-high 296-yard passing performance in the Dolphins' win over the Bengals. Running back Myles Gaskin, who rushed for 90 yards on Sunday in what was his first game back after missing time with a knee injury, was limited during Wednesday's practice.
Vikings at Buccaneers (-6.5)
Linebacker Eric Kendricks (calf) was one of four Vikings who missed Wednesday's practice. As far as their offensive line is concerned, centers Garrett Bradbury (abdomen) and Brett Jones (neck), tackle Riley Reiff (ankle) and guard Ezra Cleveland (ankle) were each limited participants.
Receiver Chris Godwin (finger) did not practice on Wednesday, while fellow receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity. Godwin had a procedure on Tuesday that removed 10 pins from his left index finger that he has played with for the past four games. The plan is for Godwin -- who broke the finger while catching a touchdown pass in Week 7 -- to be a full participant during Friday's practice.
Cowboys (-3.5) at Bengals
In their estimated practice report (the Cowboys did not practice Wednesday after playing the Ravens on Tuesday night), offensive linemen Cameron Erving (knee) and safety Donovan Wilson (groin) did not practice. Running back Ezekiel Elliott (calf) and cornerback Anthony Brown (ribs) were limited.
Quarterback Brandon Allen (chest) was a full participant during the Bengals' Wednesday practice, while rookie receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) was limited. The Bengals will again be without running back Joe Mixon, who hasn't played since sustaining a foot injury in Week 6.
Titans (-7.5) at Jaguars
A.J. Brown (ankle) was one of three Titans who did not practice on Wednesday. While he has missed several practices this season, Brown did appear to suffer an injury when he slipped while running a route during Sunday's loss to the Browns.
Jaguars running back James Robinson (knee) was limited on Wednesday, while fellow rookie Laviska Shenault (thumb) was also limited. Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said this week that Robinson is expected to be "full go" for Sunday's game. Shenault, who missed two games with an injury earlier this season, scored two touchdowns in last Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Vikings.
Texans at Bears (PK)
Texans cornerbacks Keion Crossen (foot), Phillip Gaines (knee/shoulder) and John Reid (neck) did not practice on Wednesday. Receivers Brandin Cooks (foot/neck) and Keke Coutee (knee) were limited participants.
Linebacker Khalil Mack (shoulder) was one of three Bears players who missed practice on Wednesday due to an injury. Receiver Allen Robinson (knee) was a limited participant. Robinson played through the injury during last Sunday's loss to the Lions, as he caught six of seven targets for 75 yards.
Jets at Seahawks (-13.5)
Rookie safety Ashtyn Davis (foot) was one of four Jets players who missed practice on Wednesday due to injury. Receiver Breshad Perriman (shoulder) was limited on Wednesday, while running back Frank Gore (concussion) was also limited.
Running back Travis Homer (knee) and defensive end Carlos Dunlap (foot) were two of five Seahawks players that did not practice on Wednesday. Running back Chris Carson (foot) was limited. Pete Carroll said that the team will continue to limit Carson's touches, while Carroll said that Dunlap will likely receive more playing time Sunday after logging 23 snaps in his last game. Seattle also activated running back Rashaad Penny this week; the former first-round pick hasn't played since tearing his MCL in Week 14 of the 2019 season.
Colts (-3) at Raiders
As has been the case for the past several weeks, Philip Rivers did not practice Wednesday with a toe injury. Rivers was limited, then a full participant during the Colts' last two practices prior to last Sunday's 26-20 win over the Texans. Rivers' injured toe didn't appear to bother him on Sunday, as he threw for 285 yards and two scores while helping the Colts improve to 8-4.
Running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday, as Raiders coach Jon Gruden said earlier this week that he does not expect Jacobs or safety Johnathan Abram (who was limited on Wednesday with a knee injury) to be available for Sunday's game. Cornerback Damon Arnette and safety Jeff Heath also missed Wednesday's practice, as both players continue to recover from concussions.
Saints (-7) at Eagles
Michael Thomas, per usual, was limited during Wednesday's practice as the Saints continue to monitor the All-Pro receiver's ankle injury. Thomas is coming off of his best game of the season, as he caught nine passes for 105 yards in the Saints' 21-16 win over the Falcons.
Fletcher Cox (neck) was one of four Eagles defensive players who were inactive on Wednesday. Receiver Alshon Jeffery (calf), offensive tackle Jason Peters (toe), and cornerback Darius Slay (knee) were limited.
Packers (-7.5) at Lions
Receiver Allen Lazard (core) was one of nine Packers who were limited during Wednesday's practice. Lazard, who initially sustained the injury back in Week 3, caught three of four targets for 50 yards in Sunday's win over the Eagles. Lazard's numbers should increase on Sunday as the Packers will face a Lions defense that has allowed the second-most yards and receptions to opposing receivers over the past four weeks.
Receiver Kenny Golladay, who has appeared in just five games this season, did not practice on Wednesday as he continues to work through a hip injury. Rookie running back D'Andre Swift, who has not played since sustaining a concussion prior to the Lions' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Texans, was limited on Wednesday with an illness. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 402 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday despite playing with an injured right thumb, was limited on Wednesday.
Washington at 49ers (-3)
Antonio Gibson, who suffered a toe injury during the first quarter of Monday's win over Pittsburgh, did not practice on Wednesday. If Gibson can't face the 49ers, the Football Team will again rely on the running back duo of J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber. McKissic caught a career-high 10 passes against the Steelers, while Barber's one-yard touchdown run helped Washington upset the previously undefeated Steelers.
Receiver Deebo Samuel, who has been dealing with injuries throughout the year, missed Wednesday's practice with a foot injury. Samuel played through the injury last Sunday, catching six of nine targets for 73 yards in San Francisco's 34-24 loss to the Bills.
Falcons (-2.5) at Chargers
Receiver Julio Jones (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. Running back Todd Gurley, who had just 16 total carries in his last two games, was limited. Gurley has already said that he plans to be on the field when the Falcons play in Los Angeles on Sunday.
While cornerback Tevaughn Campbell (shoulder) practiced in full on Wednesday, fellow defensive backs Chris Harris (foot) did not practice and Casey Hayward (hamstring) was limited. Joshua Kelley (foot) did not practice, as the rookie running back sustained his injury during Sunday's loss to the Patriots.
Steelers at Bills (-2.5)
The Steelers had several notable names miss practice on Wednesday. Among them were defensive tackle Chris Wormley (illness), cornerback Joe Haden (concussion) and then of course linebacker Robert Spillane (knee), who was injured earlier this week against Washington. In good news, cornerback Steven Nelson was a full participant in practice with his knee injury.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (hip) and safety Jaquan Johnson (ankle) were the only two Bills who did not participate in Buffalo's walk-through session. Wide receiver Andre Roberts was limited with an Achilles injury.
