We've made it nearly three-quarters of the way through the 2020 NFL season and while the schedule might as well be written in sand at this point, the league, and its 32 franchises continue to soldier on.
Here's a team-by-team breakdown of the biggest injury news coming out of this weekend:
Arizona Cardinals
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph suffered a stinger on Sunday against the Rams. The veteran has played sparingly since being acquired by the Cardinals in Week 9. However, the Arizona secondary is already thin with cornerbacks Kevin Peterson and Robert Alford already on the IR. If Joseph misses time, the only healthy corners on the active roster are Patrick Peterson, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Byron Murphy Jr.
Atlanta Falcons
Three different Falcons suffered head injuries on Sunday. Running back Ito Smith, DT Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, and S Ricardo Allen, who is dealing with a concussion. Allen, who has started every game this season, was replaced by Sharrod Neasman against the Saints. Neasman has played sparingly this year, earning an overall grade of 46.2 from Pro Football Focus in 107 defensive snaps.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore seems to be getting its footing after losing so many key players to COVID-19. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has been activated and will play on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, defensive linemen Brandon Williams and Calais Campbell are both expected to play despite being listed as questionable.
Buffalo Bills
Right guard Jon Feliciano suffered a knee injury on Monday night, but he came back to the game soon after exiting.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers returned from their bye week only to add eight players to the reserve/COVID-19 list. Wide receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel are the big names on the offensive side of the ball, while rookie DT Derrick Brown and LB Shaq Thompson are among the defensive players. However, there is some good news as it seems Christian McCaffrey is expected to play on Sunday. The running back has played in just three games this season and has missed the last three weeks with a shoulder injury.
Chicago Bears
The Bears didn’t suffer any injuries to key players on Sunday, but they did add LB Manti Te’o to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday. Te’o is on the Bears practice squad and has yet to suit up for a game this year.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback Brandon Allen left Sunday’s game with a chest injury. However, he told reporters after the game he was fine and just lost his breath. If Allen is unable to play next week, Ryan Finley and Kevin Hogan would be the only quarterbacks on the Bengals roster. Wide receiver Tee Higgins tweaked his hamstring at the end of the game and we’re still waiting on an update from the rookie.
Cleveland Browns
Linebacker Mack Wilson sustained a neck injury on Sunday. However, the second-year player did not suffer a concussion and should be ready to go in Week 14. The Cleveland linebacking corps had a good afternoon against Derrick Henry, holding the NFL’s rushing champ to just 60 yards on 15 carries, his lowest output since Week 5. Right guard Wyatt Teller was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after being exposed to someone who tested positive.
Dallas Cowboys
Right tackle Zack Martin was placed on IR after suffering a calf injury on Thanksgiving. With LT Cam Ervin also expected to be out, the Cowboys will start Brandon Knight and Terence Steele starting against Baltimore. Safeties Steven Parker (ankle) and Donovan Wilson (groin) are listed as out for Tuesday night’s game. Darian Thompson will make his first start since Week 4. Among all safeties with 200 snaps played, Thompson’s 36.0 defensive grade is the worst on PFF.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos suffered another major injury in the secondary. One week after losing Bryce Callahan, Callahan’s replacement, Essang Bassey, tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season. Duke Dawson, who has played four-straight games at safety slid down to the slot and was not targeted. Dawson has struggled in coverage during his two-year career, yielding a passer rating of 124.6 on 19 targets. The Broncos may also be without CB A.J. Bouye for a while as he’s facing a suspension for PED use.
Detroit Lions
Cornerback Desmond Trufant and DT Danny Shelton were both added to the IR this week. The Lions were also without the services of WR Kenny Golladay (hip) and RB D’Andre Swift. Swift was a late scratch due to a non-COVID illness. Safety C.J. Moore suffered an ankle injury. Moore has been a mainstay on the Lions’ special teams, playing 488 special teams snaps during his first two seasons in the NFL.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers suffered three injuries on Sunday and Matt LaFleur didn’t sound optimistic about DT Billy Winn (triceps), S Raven Green (shoulder), and return specialist Tyler Ervin (ankle) returning soon. In fact, LaFleur used the word “concerned” when describing their prognosis. Tavon Austin was recently acquired by Green Bay and could fill the void Ervin leaves on special teams. Former Seahawk Anthony Rush was also recently signed by the Packers and could move into a reserve role if Winn misses significant time.
Houston Texans
Backup TE Pharaoh Brown suffered a concussion on Sunday, but he is third on the depth chart behind Darren Fells and Jordan Akins. The Texans are thin at wide receiver with Will Fuller suspended and Randall Cobb on IR. Chad Hansen made his Texans debut and caught five passes for 101 yards.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts had La’Raven Clark replaced Anthony Castonzo at left tackle, but Clark will be gone for the rest of 2020 after tearing his Achilles. Castonzo was out on Sunday due to a sprained MCL, so he could return by Week 14. The Colts turned to Chaz Green to protect Philip Rivers’ blindside on Sunday and the former Cowboy struggled, allowing two sacks on 35 pass-blocking snaps. Next week, the Colts will face a Raiders’ pass rush that is ranked 26th in the NFL, according to PFF.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Both WR Laviska Shenault (thumb) and C Brandon Linder (ankle) were absent from the end of the Jaguars' loss on Sunday. Doug Marrone didn’t have an update on either player on Monday, but did note that Shenault’s x-rays came back negative. Tyler Shatley slid over from left guard to fill in for Linder, Shatley made three starts at center earlier this season, allowing one sack and four pressures in those games.
Kansas City Chiefs
Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was active on Sunday night after being a late addition to the injury report with an illness. However, the rookie didn’t play a snap and Andy Reid told reporters after the game that he held the running back out because he “lost some weight” due to the illness he suffered from. With Edwards-Helaire out, Le’Veon Bell and Darrel Williams combined for 78 yards on 17 carries. The rookie should be back next week, provided he puts on some weight.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers didn’t suffer any major injuries in their blowout loss to the Patriots, although LT Sam Tevi was a surprise healthy scratch. It was later reported Tevi did not play so he could stay with his wife for the birth of the couple’s child. Storm Norton got his first career start and allowed a sack and three total pressures. The Chargers managed just 258 yards of offense in their shutout loss.
Los Angeles Rams
Defensive tackle Michael Brockers has played the second-most snaps of any Rams defensive linemen, but his status for Thursday night is in question after he suffered a stinger on Sunday. Running back Cam Akers was also a non-participant in Monday’s practice after suffering a shoulder injury late on Sunday. Akers missed four games earlier this season and the Rams averaged 125 rushing yards per game thanks to the tandem on Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown.
Las Vegas Raiders
Running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) missed Week 13 and is not expected to play next week and neither S Johnathan Abram (knee), per Jon Gruden. Jacobs has struggled in his second season, his yards per carry has dropped from 4.8 in his rookie year to 3.8 in 2020, despite his yards before contact remaining at 1.9 in both seasons. Fellow 2019 first-round pick Abram has had a rough go of it in 2020 as well, his 40.8 defensive grade is the worst among all starting safeties on PFF. There is good news in Vegas as RT Trent Brown is expected to be activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list this week. Brown hasn’t played since Week 5 and has played in just two games all season. If he’s able to play, he represents a huge upgrade over Sam Young.
Miami Dolphins
Starting guard Ereck Flowers had his leg rolled up on and had to be carted from the sideline into the locker room on Sunday, but apparently, he only suffered an ankle sprain and is expected to return sometime this season. Flowers was enjoying the best season of his career, allowing just 15 quarterback pressures in 434 pass-blocking snaps. Right guard Solomon Kindley slid over to the left side to fill in for Flowers on Sunday while versatile backup Jesse Davis took his spot on the right side. The Dolphins offensive line has struggled all season, they rank 21st in pass-blocking and 30th in run-blocking, according to PFF.
Minnesota Vikings
Slot CB Jeff Gladney suffered a calf injury on Sunday. The 2020 first-round pick has struggled in his rookie season, allowing 12.1 yards per catch and a passer rating of 126.4 when targeted. Temple product Harrison Hand replaced him and allowed a 22-yard completion in his only target. Cornerback injuries are nothing new for Minnesota with Mike Hughes, Mark Fields, and Holton Hill all on the IR. Minnesota draws a tough matchup in Week 14, traveling to Tampa Bay to face their trio of Pro Bowl wide receivers.
New England Patriots
New England plays against the Rams on Thursday night. In typical Patriot fashion, their current injury report is a mess to read. Fourteen players are listed as limited in Monday’s practice and that trend should continue through the week. Since Week 10, the Patriots have designated every player on their injury report as “questionable.”
New Orleans Saints
Cornerback Patrick Robinson suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday. Robinson was filling in for Janoris Jenkins, who has been dealing with a knee injury recently. The Saints will head to Philadelphia to face the hapless Eagles, so even if S PJ Williams has to start at CB after filling in for Robinson, it shouldn’t be a huge disadvantage for the Saints. Williams allowed five completions on nine targets for 92 yards.
New York Giants
Quarterback Daniel Jones has a shot of playing in Week 14 after sitting out Week 13 with a hamstring injury. Backup Colt McCoy posted a passer rating of 67.4 in the Giants’ upset win over Seattle. The Giants plan on letting Jones play against Arizona in Week 14 if he is able to use his legs effectively. Jones struggled in the Giants' loss to Arizona in 2019, posting a passer rating of 78.6 in the 27-21 defeat.
New York Jets
Starting right guard Greg Van Roten will miss the remainder of 2020 due to a toe injury. Van Roten was the Jets' second-best pass-blocking offensive lineman this season, according to PFF. He will be replaced by Josh Andrews. Andrews has struggled across four different positions this season, allowing 13 quarterback pressures and earning a putrid 16.6 pass-blocking grade from PFF. Meanwhile, RB Frank Gore suffered a concussion on Sunday. With Gore out, Ty Johnson ran the ball 22 times for 104 yards.
Philadelphia Eagles
Cornerback Darius Slay was forced out of Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Slay was dealing with a calf injury leading up to Week 13 and has struggled in recent weeks, allowing 269 yards and 2 TDs on 20 targets in the last two weeks. However, his new injury isn’t considered major. Jason Peters also left the game early due to a toe injury that has been bothering him for a while and forced him to move from tackle to guard.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Linebacker Robert Spillane had been a revelation for the Steelers in 2020. The former special teamer was pressed into action after the injury to Devin Bush and Spillane responded by allowing a passer rating of 68.2 in pass coverage and pressuring the QB on 10 of his 31 pass-rushing opportunities. However, Spillane suffered a knee injury on Monday night and is expected to miss some time. The good news is he doesn’t need surgery and should return before the end of 2020. The Steelers linebacking corps is already thin with Bush, Bud Dupree, and Ulysees Gilbert all on the IR. Luckily, the Steelers traded for Avery Williamson at the deadline and he should fill in the middle of their defense until Spillane gets healthy.
San Francisco 49ers
Defensive tackle DJ Jones might have suffered a high-ankle sprain, which would be another blow to an already depleted defensive front. Jones missed the postseason last year with the same injury. Kevin Givens or Kentavius Street could slide into Jones’ spot on the defensive line if he misses time. The 49ers were thin at cornerback with both K’Waun Williams and Emmanuel Moseley out, but Dontae Johnson started in the slot and played well, earning an 85.0 defensive grade from PFF for his effort.
Seattle Seahawks
With both Brandon Shell and Cedric Ogbuehi out, the Seahawks turned to Jamarco Jones at right tackle. Unfortunately, Jones left the game early with a groin injury and was replaced by Chad Wheeler. Wheeler, a former Giant who hadn’t taken an NFL snap since 2018, allowed a sack and two pressures in his limited time. Luckily for Seattle, Pete Carroll is fairly optimistic Shell will be able to return next week against the Jets.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay enjoyed its bye week in Week 13. There’s no new injury news to report.
Tennessee Titans
Starting TE Jonnu Smith was inactive in Week 13 with a knee injury. The duo of Anthony Firkser and MyCole Pruitt combined to catch six passes for 73 yards and a touchdown in his absence. Tennessee will be without DT Teair Tart next week, he was suspended for one game by the NFL for stepping on an opponent.
Washington Football Team
Rookie running back Antonio Gibson injured his toe on his first carry on Monday night and never returned. Gibson has 11 TDs on the season and he could be a huge loss for the Washington offense. The duo of Peyton Barber and JD McKissic will be Washington’s lead backs moving forward, but neither have the explosiveness of Gibson. Ron Rivera did not have an update on his condition following the game.