We're nearing the midway point in the 2021 NFL regular season, and seemingly every NFL team is dealing with at least one significant injury entering Week 8. Among those teams is the Cleveland Browns, who are hoping to have at least a few of their marquee players back for Sunday's home game against the Steelers.
The Dallas Cowboys have listed Dak Prescott as questionable against the Minnesota Vikings after the starting quarterback was limited in practice Friday with a calf injury. Prescott is expected to be a game-time decision Sunday.
The defending champion Buccaneers have also had their share of notable injuries that includes tight end Rob Gronkowski, receiver Antonio Brown, cornerback Richard Sherman and pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul. The Cowboys made headlines this week when quarterback Dak Prescott's practice workload was limited during to his calf injury.
Here's a rundown of each NFL team injury report for Week 8. Included in each report is an analysis on the players who may or may not suit up on Sunday.
All odds are courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Bengals (-10.5) at Jets
Bengals: RB Chris Evans (ankle) OUT; WR Auden Tate (thigh) QUESTIONABLE
Jets: RB Tevin Coleman (hamstring), DL Bryce Huff (back), QB Zach Wilson (knee), Trevon Wesco (knee) OUT; WR Corey Davis (hip) DOUBTFUL; S Ashtyn Davis (shoulder), TE Tyler Kroft (back), DL Shaq Lawson (wrist), LB C.J. Mosley (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
The Bengals did receive good news as it relates to the statuses of center Trey Hopkins, guard Jackson Carman and defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Each player is expected to play after being a full participant during Friday's practice.
With Wilson out, Mike White will start under center for the Jets. White went 20 of 34 for 202 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in relief of Wilson during last week's loss to the Patriots.
Dolphins at Bills (-14)
Dolphins: WR DeVante Parker (shoulder/hamstring), OL Greg Mancz (groin), CB Noah Igbinoghene (knee/ankle), LB
Jerome Baker (knee) QUESTIONABLE
Bills: TE Dawson Knox (hand) OUT; T Spencer Brown (back) DOUBTFUL; DT Justin Zimmer (foot) QUESTIONABLE
Parker has not played since Week 4 and has been surpassed by Jaylen Waddle as a result. The Dolphins could still use him as a downfield presence -- and an opportunity as trade bait should he play this week. No injury designations for cornerbacks Byron Jones and Xavien Howard, so they'll be available this week.
Knox being out was expected for the Bills since he has a broken hand (which he played through in the Bills' loss to the Titans two weeks ago). Tommy Sweeney is expected to start at tight end in Knox's place.
Steelers at Browns (-3.5)
Steelers: TE Eric Ebron (hamstring) OUT; OLB Melvin Ingram (groin) DOUBTFUL
Browns: S Richard LeCounte III (non-injury related), WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin), CB Denzel Ward (hamstring) OUT; WR Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder), DE Jadeveon Clowney (ankle/groin/knee), CB A.J. Green (groin), DT Malik Jackson (knee), Takk McKinley (groin) QUESTIONABLE
Zach Gentry, the Steelers' best blocking tight end, will get extra playing time Sunday with Ebron out. If Ingram can't play, the only other backup outside linebacker currently on Pittsburgh's 53-man roster is Derrek Tuszka, a special teams contributor who has yet to play a defensive snap with the Steelers.
Despite multiple shoulder injuries, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will start Sunday's game after missing the Browns' Week 7 win over the Broncos. Also returning is running back Nick Chubb, who was also inactive for Cleveland's last game. Tackle Jedrick Wills is also expected to play after being limited during the week. Beckham was limited this week as he continues to work through his shoulder injury.
Panthers at Falcons (-3)
Panthers: WR Terrace Marshall Jr. (concussion), DE Darryl Johnson (hamstring) OUT; CB CJ Henderson (shoulder), LB Shaq Thompson (foot) QUESTIONABLE
Falcons: WR Calvin Ridley (personal) OUT
Both Henderson and Thompson were limited all week. Defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon will play despite being limited earlier in the week.
Ridley was announced as a surprise inactive on Sunday morning due to an undisclosed personal matter. His absence could mean even more targets for rookie tight end Kyle Pitts.
Titans at Colts (-2.5)
Titans: FB Khari Blasingame (knee), RB Darrynton Evans (knee), WR Julio Jones (hamstring) OUT; DB Chris Jackson (foot), DT Teair Tart (groin), T Kendall Lamm (ankle), LB Rashaan Evans (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Colts: CB BoPete Keyes (hamstring) OUT; OL Braden Smith (foot/thumb), WR T.Y. Hilton (quad), CB Xavier Rhodes (calf) QUESTIONABLE
Not having Jones will be a blow to the Titans offense, but Tennessee has Marcus Johnson, Josh Reynolds, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to fill the void. Left tackle Taylor Lewan cleared concussion protocol so he's good to go. Defensive end Harold Landry (hamstring) did not carry an injury designation.
Smith and Rhodes was able to practice in full after being limited earlier in the week. Hilton was held out of Wednesday's practice before returning in a limited capacity. Colts coach Frank Reich said that Carson Wentz is feeling "much better" after dealing with ankle sprains earlier in the season.
Rams (-16) at Texans
Rams: WR DeSean Jackson (rest), DL Sebastian Joseph-Day (chest), OL Andrew Whitworth (knee) OUT; CB Jalen Ramsey (illness), S Jordan Fuller (knee), DB Robert Rochell (knee) QUESTIONABLE
Texans: QB Deshaun Watson (not injury related) OUT; OL Justin Britt (knee), DL Jaleel Johnson (back), LB Christian Kirksey (thumb), OL Justin McCray (ankle) TE Pharaoh Brown (thigh) QUESTIONABLE
Jackson won't play Sunday as he's been granted permission to seek a trade. Head coach Sean McVay said is boils down to "opportunities that I think he's deserving of," which is why the Rams adhered to his request. Ramsey's illness is not COVID related, as the Rams are giving him extra time to get healthy.
There's still hope Brown plays for the Texans, even though he did not practice Friday. Rex Burkhead (hip) was not given an injury designation, so he'll play this week.
Eagles (-3.5) at Lions
Eagles: CB Zech McPhearson (hamstring), RB Miles Sanders (ankle/foot) OUT; S Anthony Harris (hands/groin) DOUBTFUL; WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (back) QUESTIONABLE
Lions: OLB Trey Flowers (knee), CB Jerry Jacobs (illness), CB AJ Parker (neck), RB D'Andre Swift (groin), RB Jamaal Williams (thigh) QUESTIONABLE
The Eagles are placing Sanders on injured reserve, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Harris and Arcega-Whiteside returned to practice in a limited capacity after not practicing to start the week.
Each Lions' player on the final injury report was a limited participant Friday. Swift is expected to go as he continues to play with a groin injury that he has been dealing with since training camp.
49ers (-4) at Bears
49ers: DL Maurice Hurst (calf), DT Javon Kinlaw (knee), S Jaquiski Tartt (knee) OUT; LB Azeez Al-Shaair (concussion), DL Dee Ford (concussion) DOUBTFUL; DL Samson Ebukam (ankle), T Trent Williams (ankle, elbow) QUESTIONABLE
Bears: LB Khalil Mack (foot) OUT; DB Tashaun Gipson (hip), WR Jakeem Grant (ankle), DL Akiem Hicks (groin), LB Sam Kamara (knee), TE Jesper Horsted (knee) QUESTIONABLE
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the two players in concussion protocol (Al-Shaair and Ford) still have a chance to play, which is why they weren't ruled out. Williams did practice -- Shanahan said it was a "good sign" he was out there -- and Shanahan hopes the injuries get better as the weekend goes on. Trey Lance will be the backup quarterback Sunday.
As expected, Mack will be inactive Sunday as the former Defensive Player of the Year continues to work through his foot injury. Mack's absence makes Kamara's injury all the more significant, as he would be in line to replace Mack in the starting lineup. He was a full participant during this week's practices.
Jaguars at Seahawks (-3.5)
Jaguars: DT Jay Tufele (hand) OUT; CB Tyson Campbell (toe), DT DaVon Hamilton (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE
Seahawks: S Marquise Blair (knee) OUT; G Damien Lewis (shoulder), T Duane Brown (illness), RB Alex Collins (groin) QUESTIONABLE
Campbell and Hamilton were limited for the Jaguars, so their status will come down to Sunday. Myles Jack was a full participant in practice and was not given an injury designation, so he's good to play this week.
Collins is the one to watch for the Seahawks, but he played through a groin injury last week. He'll likely see the majority of the snaps if he plays, even with Rashaad Penny, Travis Homer, and DeeJay Dallas in the backfield. Right tackle Brandon Shell has been dealing with an ankle injury the past few games, but was not given an injury designation.
Patriots at Chargers (-4.5)
Patriots: LB Brandon King (thigh) OUT; C David Andrews (ankle), LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (ribs), WR Kendrick Bourne (shoulder), DB Kyle Dugger (neck), K Nick Folk (left knee), DT Davon Godchaux (finger), LB Dont'a Hightower (ankle), OL
Shaq Mason (abdomen), TE Jonnu Smith (shoulder), LB Josh Uche (shoulder), LB Kyle Van Noy (groin), CB Shaun Wade (concussion), DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (knee), DL Carl Davis (hand) QUESTIONABLE
Chargers: RB Austin Ekeler (hip), LB Drue Tranquill (chest) QUESTIONABLE
A typical Bill Belichick injury report, listing all his questionable players as limited participants in practice. Fourteen Patriots were listed as questionable.
Ekeler was the player to watch on the Chargers, and he told ESPN late Saturday that he will play against New England despite missing Friday's practice with hip soreness. All signs point to Ekeler handling a full workload, though Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley are among reserve options behind him.
Buccaneers (-4.5) at Saints
Buccaneers: WR Antonio Brown (ankle) OUT; TE Rob Gronkowski (ribs), LB Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder/hand), CB Richard Sherman (hamstring), LB Lavonte David (ankle), CB Dee Delaney (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Saints: G/T Andrus Peat (pectoral), RB Dwayne Washington (neck), QB Taysom Hill (concussion), DE Payton Turner (Calf) OUT; WR Deonte Harris (Hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
Gonk was considered a game-time decision, but he is officially active. Antonio Brown was ruled out for Sunday's game by Bruce Arians prior to the team's release of their final injury report. The veteran receiver is continuing to deal with an ankle sprain that has sidelined him for the past two weeks.
Harris was limited the last two days and would provide a huge boost to the downfield passing game if he returns. Peat is expected to miss the rest of the season with pectoral surgery so no surprise he's out. Calvin Throckmorton is expected to start at left guard.
WFT at Broncos (-3)
WFT: WR Dyami Brown (knee), OT Sam Cosmi (ankle), WR Curtis Samuel (groin) OUT; CB William Jackson III (knee), G Brandon Scherff (knee), WR Cam Sims (hamstring), OT Cornelius Lucas (illness) QUESTIONABLE
Broncos: DT Mike Purcell (thumb) OUT; LB Von Miller (ankle), S Jamar Johnson (quad) QUESTIONABLE
Jackson, Scherff and Sims were limited practice participants throughout the week. Antonio Gibson, despite his lingering shin injury, will play Sunday after being limited during the week.
Jerry Jeudy was activated off injured reserve after an ankle injury. Miller has been ruled out for the Broncos.
Cowboys at Vikings (-3): 'Sunday Night Football'
Cowboys: QB Dak Prescott (calf), LT Tyron Smith (ankle), DE Dorance Armstrong (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Vikings: DT Michael Pierce (elbow) OUT; DE Patrick Jones II (knee) DOUBTFUL; WR Dede Westbrook (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
The Cowboys do have a stretch of six games in 33 days, which is why they have to be cautious regarding playing Prescott this week. Prescott admitted he likely wouldn't have been able to play when Dallas was on their bye week last week and the decision to play this week isn't entirely up to him. Cooper Rush would start in place of Prescott if he cannot go.
Good news for the Vikings as Anthony Barr (knee), Alexander Mattison (shoulder), and Adam Thielen (foot) were not given an injury designation for Sunday. All three will be available against Dallas.
Giants at Chiefs (-9.5): 'Monday Night Football'
Giants: TBA
Chiefs: TBA
Analysis to come.
