COVID-19 is certainly affecting the NFL playoff picture, but injuries are as well. Bumps and bruises along with more serious issues are beginning to affect contenders as we inch closer to the regular season finish line.
Below, we will examine the midweek injury reports for NFL teams and analyze the final injury report for Thursday night's matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans. If you have a question about an NFL injury heading into Week 16, this is the place to be.
All NFL odds come via Caesars Sportsbook.
San Francisco 49ers (-3) at Tennessee Titans
- 49ers: LB Dre Greenlaw (groin), S Talanoa Hufanga (knee), DL Maurice Hurst (calf), RB Elijah Mitchell (knee) OUT; LB Azeez Al-Shaair (elbow) QUESTIONABLE
- Titans: OT Taylor Lewan (back), LB David Long Jr. (hamstring), DL Larrell Murchison (knee), OG Rodger Saffold (shoulder/illness) OUT
The 49ers won't have Mitchell again this week due to his knee injury. It sounded like he was going to be a game-time decision, but San Francisco went ahead and ruled him out. Jeff Wilson Jr., who went for 110 yards last week, will again be the lead back along with Deebo Samuel. Keep an eye on Al-Shaair, as he was a limited participant in practice all week.
Ryan Tannehill was sacked four times last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he won't have the left side of his offensive line on Thursday, as Lewan and Saffold have been ruled out. Tennessee will have to wait another week for Long to return to the lineup, as he will miss his sixth straight game.
Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers (-7.5)
Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett did not practice Wednesday with his groin injury. Joining him on the sidelines were defensive tackle Malik Jackson (knee) and safety John Johnson III (hamstring). Limited participants were tight end Harrison Bryant (ankle), center JC Tretter (knee), tight end David Njoku (knee) and cornerback Denzel Ward (groin).
The Packers had a bit of a walkthrough Wednesday. Offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (knee), quarterback Aaron Rodgers (toe), linebacker Ty Summers (hamstring), wide receiver Malik Taylor (shoulder) and offensive lineman Billy Turner (knee) did not participate in the estimated practice report. Running back Aaron Jones (knee) was limited.
Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals (-1)
Safety Andrew Sendejo was the only Colt who did not practice Wednesday due to a concussion.
For the Cardinals, running back James Conner (heel), wide receiver Rondale Moore (ankle), defensive end Jordan Phillips (knee) and offensive lineman Max Garcia (knee) sat out Wednesday. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons (shoulder), tight end Zach Ertz (hamstring), pass-rusher Markus Golden (knee), nose tackle Zach Kerr (ribs) and wide receiver Antoine Wesley (ankle) were limited participants.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-9.5)
Only two players did not practice Wednesday for the Giants: offensive guard Ben Bredeson (ankle) and running back Gary Brightwell (neck). There were several limited participants. Among them were running back Saquon Barkley (ankle), defensive lineman Austin Johnson (foot), offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (ankle) and defensive lineman Leonard Williams (triceps).
The Eagles had an estimated practice report since they played just last night. Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (ankle) and running back Miles Sanders (quad) would not have practiced. Running back Jordan Howard (knee) and quarterback Jalen Hurts (ankle) would have been limited participants.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets (PK)
Jaguars defensive tackle Malcom Brown (toe), offensive lineman Andrew Norwell (back) pass-rusher Lerentee McCray (ankle), linebacker Myles Jack (knee) and wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (shoulder/foot) did not practice Wednesday. Among the limited participants were running back James Robinson (knee) and pass-rusher Josh Allen (shoulder).
For the Jets, wide receiver Jamison Crowder (calf), cornerback Bryce Hall (illness), linebacker C.J. Mosley (back), defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins (knee) and safety Elijah Riley (concussion) did not practice Wednesday. Offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (ankle), tackle George Fant (knee) and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (shoulder) were limited participants.
Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons (-5.5)
Linebacker Julian Okwara (ankle), cornerback Amani Oruwariye (thumb) and linebacker Josh Woods (neck) were the only players the Lions were missing at practice Wednesday. Defensive end Michael Brockers (knee), offensive guard Jonah Jackson (back), wide receiver Kalif Raymond (shoulder), wide receiver Josh Reynolds (thigh), running back D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder) were limited participants.
The Falcons were down four players at practice Wednesday. Wide receiver Tajae Sharpe was out with a foot injury, offensive guard Chris Lindstrom was dealing with a personal matter, and linebacker Deion Jones and defensive lineman Tyeler Davison were out with illnesses.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-2.5)
Running back Taiwan Jones was the only player who missed practice Wednesday for the Bills due to a knee injury. Defensive end Jerry Hughes (neck), safety Micah Hyde (back) and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) were limited participants.
For the Patriots, wide receiver Nelson Agholor (concussion) and running back Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) sat out of practice Wednesday. Several players were limited participants. Among them were center David Andrews (shoulder), defensive tackle Christian Barmore (knee), running back Brandon Bolden (knee) and running back Damien Harris (hamstring).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-10) at Carolina Panthers
Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (foot) did not practice, but that was expected, as he will reportedly miss several games. Wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring), running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring/ankle), and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) did not practice Wednesday, either. Antonio Brown was limited with his ankle injury, but head coach Bruce Arians said he looked great.
Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore did not practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore (knee) and offensive tackle Cameron Erving (calf) were limited participants.
Los Angeles Chargers (-10) at Houston Texans
Chargers safety Derwin James (hamstring) and tight end Donald Parham (concussion) did not practice. Rookie cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. was a full participant after his concussion.
Running back David Johnson was the only Texan who did not practice Wednesday due to a quad injury. Offensive lineman Justin Britt (knee), wide receiver Chris Conley (knee) and defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. (quad/shoulder) were limited participants.
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)
Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson sat out of practice Wednesday due to his ankle injury. Joining him sidelined were wide receiver Devin Duvernay (ankle), offensive guard Tyre Phillips (knee), offensive guard Ben Powers (foot) and cornerback Tavon Young (concussion). Tight end Nick Boyle (knee), defensive tackle Calais Campbell (thigh), offensive lineman Patrick Mekari (hand) and Patrick Ricard (knee) were limited participants.
For the Bengals, defensive end Khalid Kareem (concussion), defensive tackle D.J. Reader (knee), tight end Drew Sample (foot) and linebacker Logan Wilson (shoulder) sat out of practice Wednesday. Offensive guard Hakeem Adeniji (ankle) and tight end Mitchell Wilcox (toe) were limited participants.
Los Angeles Rams (-3) at Minnesota Vikings
According to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry, the Rams didn't practice while the Vikings had a walkthrough. For the Rams, defensive lineman Greg Gaines (ankle), defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson (bicep) and linebacker Jamir Jones (ankle) were estimated to be limited participants.
Offensive lineman Mason Cole was the only Viking that did not practice Wednesday due to an elbow injury. Quarterback Kirk Cousins (ribs), linebacker Eric Kendricks (back), wide receiver Adam Thielen (ankle) and fullback C.J. Ham (hamstring) were limited participants. In good news, star running back Dalvin Cook was a full participant with his shoulder injury.
Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks (-6.5)
Defensive back Xavier Crawford and wide receiver Jakeem Grant were the two Bears who did not practice Wednesday due to concussions. Quarterback Justin Fields was limited with an ankle injury, and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin was limited with a foot injury.
For the Seahawks, offensive guard Gabe Jackson (knee), linebacker Jon Rhattigan (knee), running back Travis Homer (hamstring) and defensive tackle Al Woods (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday. A few limited participants included wide receiver DK Metcalf (foot), wide receiver Freddie Swain (ankle) and running back Alex Collins (abdomen).
Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5)
Steelers rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth missed practice Wednesday due to a concussion while defensive end Chris Wormley sat out with a groin issue.
The Chiefs had no players who missed practice or who were limited participants.
Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders (PK)
Teddy Bridgewater is out this week for the Broncos, and it will be Drew Lock under center. Missing from Wednesday's practice session were running back Melvin Gordon (thumb/hip), safety Kareem Jackson (back), defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (foot), defensive lineman Shamar Stephen (knee) and linebacker Kenny Young (concussion). Limited participants included pass-rusher Bradley Chubb (shoulder/ankle), defensive end Shelby Harris (ankle), offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz (back/rib), tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (knee), defensive lineman Mike Purcell (thumb/neck), safety Caden Sterns (shoulder/neck), wide receiver Courtland Sutton (wrist) and running back Javonte Williams (knee).
For the Raiders, running back Josh Jacobs (illness), defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (back), wide receiver Zay Jones (toe), linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle) and tight end Darren Waller (knee/back) missed practice Wednesday. Tight end Foster Moreau (abdomen/thigh) and offensive tackle Brandon Parker (knee) were limited participants.
Washington Football Team at Dallas Cowboys (-11)
Washington played last night. Those who were listed as not participating in practice Wednesday were safety Landon Collins (foot), running back Antonio Gibson (toe), cornerback William Jackson (calf) and defensive tackle Daniel Wise (knee). Linebacker Jamin Davis (shoulder) and wide receiver Curtis Samuel (hamstring) were listed as limited.
For Dallas, offensive tackle Tyron Smith was the only player who did not participate Wednesday due to an ankle injury. Running back Corey Clement (toe), defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (foot) running back Tony Pollard (foot) were limited participants. Running back Ezekiel Elliott (knee) was a full participant.
