Week 12 isn't even in the books yet, but it's been a wild one so far. We've seen multiple quarterback injuries, one game get rescheduled four times, and a pair of PED suspensions on the same team.
So as we await the debut of Wednesday Afternoon Football, here's a rundown of all the major injury news as we enter the final five weeks of the 2020 NFL season:
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback Kyler Murray was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday last week, but both he and Kliff Kingsbury believe the shoulder injury didn’t play a part in the Cardinals posting just 160 passing yards or a season-low 17 points. Despite much of their starting front-seven on IR and S Jalen Thompson being out, the Cardinals defense shined on Sunday, allowing just 179 total yards and forcing two turnovers. After starting out 5-2, the Cardinals have lost three of their last four games and have fallen to third place in the NFC West with a Week 13 game against the Los Angeles Rams on the horizon.
Atlanta Falcons
After being limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Julio Jones was a non-participant in Friday’s practice and was inactive on Sunday due to his hamstring injury. It remains to be seen what his status will be for Week 13, but Atlanta managed 43 points in his absence, despite scoring just three offensive touchdowns. Left guard James Carpenter was carted off the field in the fourth quarter with a groin injury and was replaced by Justin McCray for the final 11 snaps. Carpenter has been the weak link on the Falcons offensive line this season, his 57.5 offensive grade on Pro Football Focus is by far the worst among the starters. McCray has 251 career snaps at left guard, but rookie third-round pick Matt Hennessy may get a shot as well, despite grading out poorly in his limited time this season.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are expected to play against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday night despite not having a practice since November 21st and having at least 30 people in the organization test positive or be identified as “close contact” since then. Since then, at least a dozen players have been ruled out, including QB Lamar Jackson, TE Mark Andrews, C Patrick Mekari, FB Patrick Ricard, DE Calais Campbell, LB Matthew Judon and LB Pernell McPhee. Running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but will be able to be activated in time for Wednesday's game.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills didn’t suffer any new injuries on Sunday, but things did get scary at the end of the first half when Josh Allen limped off the field with an apparent knee injury. Allen missed just one snap before returning to finish the drive, and the game. Allen has struggled since October, throwing 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his last seven games, his 89.6 passer rating in that time span is greatly inflated by his 415-yard, three-touchdown performance against Seattle’s putrid pass defense. Buffalo has a one-game lead over Miami in the AFC East and will travel to Arizona to play the 49ers next week.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers’ leading wide receiver, D.J. Moore, landed awkwardly late in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field. The Panthers have a bye in Week 13, so we may not get any updates on their injuries until next week. Teddy Bridgewater also seemed to injure his left shoulder on the last offensive play of the game, but he downplayed the severity of the injury in his press conference. Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday afternoon.
Chicago Bears
The Bears defense struggled on Sunday night with Akiem Hicks sidelined due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 10. Without Hicks in the middle of the defense, the Bears crumbled, allowing a season-high 182 rushing yards and failing to hit Aaron Rodgers once. Mitchell Trubisky returned to the starting lineup with Nick Foles still nursing his hip injury, and while the 25 points the Bears scored was their highest total since Week 3, they scored two touchdowns after falling behind by 31. David Montgomery returned from his concussion to run for 103 yards on just 11 carries.
Cincinnati Bengals
Guard Alex Redmond suffered a concussion in the second quarter and missed the rest of Sunday’s game. Quinton Spain slid over from left guard to fill in for Redmond while Michael Jordan filled in at left guard. The Bengals o-line allowed just two sacks, but LT Jonah Williams was to blame for both of them. Redmond has struggled in pass protection since being named the starter in Week 4. His 47.3 pass-blocking grade on PFF ranks fourth-worst among guards who have played 50-percent of their team’s snaps. Ironically two of the three guards he ranks ahead of are Spain and Jordan.
Cleveland Browns
Safety Ronnie Harrison injured his shoulder on the first snap of the game and will be undergoing an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. Former first-round pick Karl Joseph filled in and was a liability in pass coverage, allowing all five of his targets to be completed for 79 yards and two touchdowns. In other news, Myles Garrett is expected to rejoin the team on Wednesday after missing two games on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Dallas Cowboys
Not only did Dallas lose their Thanksgiving game, but the Cowboys will also be without both of their tackles for “multiple weeks.” Both RT Zack Martin (calf) and LT Cam Erving (knee) went down on the game’s opening drive. The Cowboys’ original starting tackles were placed on the IR earlier this year after having season-ending surgery. Now it looks like Dallas will turn to Brandon Knight at left tackle and Terence Steele will replace Martin at right tackle. Steele made nine starts at right tackle this year, allowing 7 sacks (most among tackles) and receiving a 49.7 overall grade from PFF, second-lowest among tackles. Knight has performed a bit better in his time at left tackle, compiling a grade of 58.3 from PFF.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos had to play without a quarterback on Sunday, but things should change this week. Vic Fangio told reporters Drew Lock and the other QBs could return if they test negative on Tuesday. The biggest news comes on defense where it seems like CB Bryce Callahan will miss “significant time” due to the foot injury he sustained on Sunday. Callahan has been the Broncos’ best cornerback, starting games on both sides of the defense, as well as the slot. Callahan has allowed a passer rating of 46.9 when targeted this season (best in the NFL) and is PFF’s second-highest graded cornerback. Rookie Essang Bassey could replace Callahan. He had an interception on Sunday.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are searching for a new head coach and general manager after their Thanksgiving loss to Houston. However, they did suffer a couple injuries on Thursday. Desmond Trufant is dealing with a hamstring injury and DT Danny Shelton has a knee injury. Trufant has been in and out of the lineup all year with injuries and has been putrid in pass coverage, receiving a pass coverage grade of 36.7 from PFF. Justin Coleman filled in for Trufant on Thursday and allowed two completions for 44 yards and a touchdown. We’re still waiting for updates on the rest of the Lions' injuries, including first-round pick CB Jeff Okudah.
Green Bay Packers
Center Corey Linsley left Sunday night’s game in the first quarter with a knee injury. The good news is it isn’t expected to be season-ending, but Linsley will still miss some time with an MCL sprain. Linsley’s absence forced the Packers to shuffle their offensive line, LG Elgton Jenkins slid inside to replace Linsley and Jon Runyan Jr. filled in for Jenkins at left guard. Linsley will be tough to replace, he is PFF’s highest-rated center and has allowed just two QB pressures all season. Jenkins played his best game of 2020 on Sunday, allowing zero pressures against the Bears and Runyan Jr. received a 57.7 overall grade from PFF for his efforts.
Houston Texans
The Texans didn’t suffer any new injuries on Thanksgiving, but WR Will Fuller V was suspended for the rest of 2020 after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The former first-round pick was in the midst of a breakout season, leading the Texans in all receiving categories and setting career highs in yards, touchdowns, yards per reception, and yards per target. Fuller will be a free agent in the offseason, but will still have to serve a one-week suspension in 2021. The Texans are already without slot receiver Randall Cobb, who is on IR with a toe injury. They're also without Kenny Stills, who was released earlier in the week, before the Fuller suspension. Later on Monday night, it was announced Bradley Roby was also suspended for six games. Phillip Gaines is expected to start in his spot for the rest of the season.
Indianapolis Colts
Left tackle Anthony Castonzo suffered a sprained MCL on Sunday and could miss a few weeks. Castonzo has allowed just two sacks all season and ranks 13th among tackles in PFF’s pass-blocking grade. Le’Raven Clark will start in Castonzo’s place while he’s out. Clark has struggled in his limited snaps in 2020, allowing five quarterback pressures in his lone start at left tackle. More seriously, Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez announced on Monday he will have surgery this week to remove a cancerous tumor. Sanchez is out indefinitely and the Colts will need to find a replacement as they do not have another punter on their roster.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars played without Gardner Minshew again and lost the services of DE Dakota Allen (ankle) and DT DaVon Hamilton (knee). Doug Marrone told reporters on Monday that Hamilton will be placed on IR and will miss at least three weeks. Hamilton had been starting at defensive tackle since Abry Jones went on IR in Week 6, and ironically Jones was designated to return from the IR last week, so he might take his spot back starting next week. As for Minshew, he could be back next week. He was limited in practice every day leading up to Week 12.
Kansas City Chiefs
Special teamer Dorian O’Daniel suffered a sprained ankle on Sunday and could miss some time. Other than that, the Chiefs remain relatively healthy, save for RT Mitchell Schwartz, who remains on the IR with a back issue.
Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman left Sunday’s game with a back injury, but his x-rays on Monday came back negative, so he should be good to go in Week 13. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga was active on Sunday, but did not play due to an illness. He did not practice on Thursday due to a knee injury, but was expected to play before falling ill on Sunday. Trey Pipkins struggled in place of Bulaga, allowing seven quarterback pressures.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams remain one of the healthiest teams in the NFL, despite having veterans LT Andrew Whitworth and LB Micah Kiser on IR. Los Angeles didn’t suffer any injuries in Week 12.
Las Vegas Raiders
Running back Josh Jacobs suffered an ankle sprain on Sunday, but it wasn’t as severe as initially thought. Jacobs does have a chance of being active in Week 13. Las Vegas ran for just 40 yards, but that is the least of their worries following a 43-6 blowout. Devontae Booker could be the next man up if Jacobs misses any time. Booker is averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Jalen Richard is another option, but he has missed two straight games with a chest injury.
Miami Dolphins
Rookie quarterback Tua Tugovailoa was inactive on Sunday. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for a pair of touchdowns in the Dolphins’ 20-3 win over the Jets. Brian Flores would not commit to who his quarterback will be in Week 13, but it is unclear if Tugovailoa will be ready. The rookie is dealing with a thumb injury he suffered during practice last week and was benched in the second half of his last start. Running backs Myles Gaskin (knee) and Salvon Ahmed (shoulder) are both taking things “one day at a time.”
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are hoping to have a pair of playmakers available in Week 13. Dalvin Cook left Week 12 in the first half with an ankle injury, but later returned and is “feeling pretty good” according to Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. As for Adam Thielen, the wide receiver remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but Zimmer is hopeful he can clear protocol and rejoin the team this week. Olabisi Johnson had a career day in Thielen’s absence, catching all seven of his targets for a team-high 74 yards.
New England Patriots
Cornerback J.C. Jackson left Sunday’s game late in the fourth quarter with hip and lower back injuries, according to NFL Network. Bill Belichick was tight-lipped on the situation as usual, so we will have to wait until later in the week to really get an understanding of Jackson’s condition. The former undrafted free agent has been stellar in coverage this year, intercepting six passes and allowing a passer rating of 54.7 when targeted.
New Orleans Saints
Cornerback Janoris Jenkins suffered a knee injury in the first half on Sunday and was replaced by Patrick Robinson. However, that injury is now considered “non-serious” and he shouldn’t miss any more time. The prognosis for WR Marquez Callaway is a bit grimmer. Callaway suffered a minor sprain, but could miss some time. Callaway injured his knee in the return game filling in for Deonte Harris who is out with a neck injury. It’s unclear who the next man up would be. Alvin Kamara has returned two kicks this year and RB Dwayne Washington has returned one.
New York Giants
Quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday, but the injury isn’t expected to be season-ending. It’s unlikely for Jones to suit up in Week 13, but he has a chance of playing in the final four games. Veteran Colt McCoy will replace Jones in the interim. McCoy is 7-21 in his career as a starter and he hasn’t won a game since 2014.
New York Jets
With both George Fant (ankle) and Chuma Edoga (ankle) out, Connor McDermott got the start at right tackle for the Jets, allowing two pressures and receiving a 58.0 PFF grade for his efforts. Elsewhere, S Bradley McDougald remains on the IR while he recovers from shoulder surgery. He was eligible to return last week. With McDougald out, Marcus Maye has transitioned to free safety and has played the best football of his career. PFF now has Maye graded as the sixth-best safety in football this year.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles played on Monday Night Football. Jason Peters moved from left tackle to right guard while nursing a broken toe and was the Eagles second-highest graded offensive player according to PFF. Also, RT Lane Johnson is out for the season after undergoing surgery on his ankle.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are expected to play against the Ravens on Wednesday night, provided the COVID-19 situation in Baltimore doesn’t worsen. Cornerback Joe Hayden is considered questionable and RB Jaylen Samuels has been ruled out.
San Francisco 49ers
Veteran CB Jamar Taylor tore his ACL on Sunday and will miss the rest of 2020. Taylor was a late addition to the 49ers roster, but has started three games in the slot and allowed a passer rating of 59.4 when targeted. With Richard Sherman active for the first time since Week 1, Emmanuel Moseley transitioned to the slot when Taylor went down. Moseley was targeted seven times and allowed four completions for 54 yards.
Seattle Seahawks
Veteran defensive end Carlos Dunlap left Monday night’s game with a foot injury and is expected to get an MRI on it to determine the severity. Pete Carroll described the issue as a “sore foot” on Tuesday morning. Seattle acquired Dunlap at the trade deadline and he has responded by recording six sacks and 16 quarterback pressures in his four games as a Seahawk. Benson Mayowa could be thrust back into a starting role if Dunlap has to miss anytime. Mayowa started the first six games for Seattle and has recorded three sacks on the season, including one on Monday night against the Eagles.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers didn’t suffer any new injuries in Week 12, but they did get LG Ali Marpet back. Marpet missed three games with a concussion and his return could not have come at a better time as reserve C A.Q. Shipley was moved to the IR with a neck injury. Unfortunately, Marpet struggled against Kansas City, allowing three quarterback hits and earning pass-blocking grade of 3.3 from PFF.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans didn’t suffer any new injuries this week. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson remains out with his knee injury. Jackson has been on the active roster since November 11, but still hasn’t even practiced with the team. Adam Humphries also remains out with a concussion. He was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, but was limited on Thursday and Friday.
Washington Football Team
The Washington Football Team had to play without its left tackle on Thanksgiving as Cornelius Lucas missed his second-straight game with an ankle injury. Morgan Moses has transitioned from right tackle the last two weeks, allowing a sack and five QB pressures in those two contests. David Sharpe struggled at right tackle on Thursday, allowing four quarterback pressures on 33 pass-blocking snaps.