Week 14 ended with a bang in a Monday night AFC North clash that is already garnering “game of the year” praise. Of course it wouldn't have been a classic without some injury, or illness, drama as reigning MVP Lamar Jackson left for a portion of the second half for “cramps” only to return late in the fourth quarter and throw a go-ahead touchdown and lead the game-winning drive.
Even with Jackson's potentially faux injury, Week 14 saw four different quarterbacks unable to finish their game and two teams have lost their entire starting secondary. Here's a team-by-team breakdown of all the latest injury news and what it means moving forward:
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals got banged up in their win over the Giants, but Kliff Kingsbury didn’t have many updates for the media on Monday. However, Kingsbury did note that DE Jordan Phillips will miss Week 15 after aggravating a hamstring injury that had him shelved on the IR since November 8. The defensive end spot has been a black hole for the Cardinals as Phillips did not impress earlier in the season, totaling just two sacks, and his replacement, Angelo Blackson, has played worse, earning an overall grade of 45.1 from Pro Football Focus. In other news, Justin Pugh suffered a calf injury (no update) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph was placed on the IR after suffering a stinger in Week 13.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were without four key veterans on Sunday with WR Julio Jones, S Ricardo Allen, LG James Carpenter, and RT Kaleb McGary all out. Jones has struggled with a hamstring injury dating back to Week 2, but Russell Gage stepped up on Sunday, catching five passes and even throwing a touchdown. Carpenter and McGary were replaced by Justin McCray and Matt Gono. Gono played well against LA, but McCray struggled, allowing a pair of sacks and four total QB pressures. Rookie DT Marlon Davidson suffered a knee injury against the Chargers, but he is expected to play in Week 15.
Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson missed a portion of the second half with apparent “cramps.” He later returned and led the game-winning drive.
Buffalo Bills
Cornerback Taron Johnson suffered a concussion on Sunday night against the Steelers. Johnson has been the Bills most-targeted defensive back, allowing 626 yards on 77 targets. Johnson did have a nice pick-six on Sunday to give the Bills a lead over the Steelers. Siran Neal filled in for Johnson and allowed a touchdown pass on one of his two targets. Expect Johnson to spend most of the week in concussion protocol and his status for Week 15 is questionable.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have a short week before heading to Green Bay on Saturday night. Carolina was without Christian McCaffrey (shoulder/thigh) and D.J. Moore (COVID-19), but both playmakers are expected to suit up in Week 15. McCaffrey was expected to play in Week 14 before his thigh injury in Wednesday’s practice and Moore was among the eight Panthers who were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list following the bye week.
Chicago Bears
The Bears secondary is lacking depth. Slot cornerback Buster Skrine was out on Sunday due to a concussion and cornerback Jaylon Johnson suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter of Sunday’s win. Johnson is expected to return next week, but he has had three shoulder surgeries in his career—two on the left, one on the right—so it should be treated with some caution. Skrine is still in concussion protocol and was replaced by Duke Shelley at nickel back. Shelley allowed five catches on six targets for a total of 50 yards.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback Brandon Allen left Sunday’s game with a leg injury. It was later revealed to be a bone bruise and Allen is expected to start on Sunday, “if healthy.” The Bengals were without left tackle Jonah Williams, who was put on the IR this week, and RB Joe Mixon, who has been on the IR since Week 11, but will not be activated before Week 15, according to Zac Taylor. Rookie Hakeem Adeniji filled in for Williams and has played well, allowing zero sacks in his three starts at left tackle this season.
Cleveland Browns
Tight end Austin Hooper was a game-time decision on Monday night, but was ultimately inactive as he deals with a neck injury. David Njoku and Harrison Bryant combined to catch six passes for 63 yards in Hooper’s absence. Cornerback Greedy Williams has yet to play in 2020 due to what he recently revealed to be “axillary nerve damage” in his shoulder. Williams promised to be back ASAP in his tweet, but obviously, that isn’t an official timeline. Cleveland’s defense struggled on Monday night without Williams or CB Denzel Ward (calf). The Browns allowed 45 points to Baltimore.
Dallas Cowboys
Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie missed Sunday’s game due to COVID-19 protocol. Saivion Smith made his first career start, allowing just two completions on five targets for 15 yards. However, Smith suffered a broken hand, but will try to practice this week. Awuzie is expected to return to practice this week, as is CB Trevon Diggs, who has been on the IR since Week 9 with a foot injury. The Cowboys offensive line continues to fall apart as LT Cam Erving joined RT Nick Martin on the IR. Brandon Knight and Terence Steele are the Cowboys’ third-stringers and will be expected to start for the rest of the season.
Denver Broncos
Cornerback Bryce Callahan was lost for the season in Week 12. Callahan’s replacement, Essang Bassey, tore his ACL and A.J. Bouye was suspended in Week 13. And in Week 14, the Broncos lost Duke Dawson and Kevin Toliver to torn ACLs. That’s five cornerbacks lost in just three short weeks. Denver doesn’t have much to work with at cornerback now, with rookie Michael Ojemudia, De’Vante Bausby (four career starts), and Nate Hairston (signed this week) representing their best options. Will Parks has also resigned with Denver after being cut by the Eagles, but most of his experience is at safety. Denver ranks seventh in net yards per attempt allowed, but that number should balloon as this group faces Josh Allen and Justin Herbert in the next two weeks.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback Matthew Stafford was knocked out of Sunday’s game with a rib injury. On Monday, interim head coach Darrell Bevell told reporters Stafford’s x-rays were negative, but his status for Week 15 is still “up in the air.” Stafford started 16 games for eight-straight seasons, before missing half the year in 2019 with a back injury. Veteran backup Chase Daniel would start for Detroit if Stafford is held out.
Green Bay Packers
Cornerback Chandon Sullivan suffered a hip injury on Sunday. Sullivan allowed two catches on both of his targets before exiting. Rookie S Vernon Scott slid into the slot to replace Sullivan and should start there if Sullivan misses time. Scott has been targeted in the passing game just six times in his young career, allowing five catches and 50 yards. Defensive end Rashan Gary was also limited in his snaps due to an undisclosed injury.
Houston Texans
Brandin Cooks was held out of Sunday’s game due to his foot injury. The Texans are already without Randall Cobb (toe) and Will Fuller V (suspension) for the rest of the season. However, Houston does expect Cooks to return this season, unlike Cobb. Also done for the year is nose tackle Brandon Dunn, who suffered a hip fracture on Sunday. Dunn signed a three-year extension with the Texans in the offseason, but his play has been putrid this season. Dunn’s 35.5 overall grade from PFF ranks second-to-last among all defensive linemen who have played 400 snaps.
Indianapolis Colts
Linebacker Darius Leonard suffered a back injury on Sunday, but Frank Reich told the media that it wasn’t too serious. Leonard is the Colts’ leading tackler, despite missing two games earlier in the year and his 83.6 pass-rushing grade ranks second on the team. The Colts dodged another bullet with CB Xavier Rhodes, who isn’t ruled for Week 15 after suffering a knee injury. Rhodes has been among the NFL’s top cornerbacks this season, allowing a passer rating of 60.9 when targeted. Both guys being available would be huge for Indianapolis when it plays Houston next week.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Safety Josh Jones suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday. Head coach Doug Marrone told reporters he won’t know the extent of the injury until later in the week. Andrew Wingard could replace Jones if he has to miss time. Wingard has made four starts for the Jags this season at safety and is much better in coverage than Jones. Wingard has an interception and three passes defended this year while Jones has allowed 23 completions for 243 yards and two touchdowns on just 25 targets. Marrone also said C Brandon Linder will miss his second-straight game with an ankle injury. Tyler Shatley played center on Sunday and was the Jaguars’ highest-graded pass-blocker.
Kansas City Chiefs
Right tackle Mike Remmers left Sunday’s game with a back injury. While the extent of his injury is not yet known, the Chiefs are already planning on going with Yasir Durant at right tackle if Remmers misses time. Usual RT Mitchell Schwartz remains on the IR with a back injury as well. Durant has played just 38 career snaps and he allowed a sack and two QB pressures on 13 pass-blocking snaps against the Dolphins.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers had five key offensive players held out of Monday’s practice: TE Hunter Henry (hip), G Trai Turner (neck), WR Mike Williams (back), WR Keenan Allen (hamstring), and Austin Ekeler (quad). Most of those guys were banged up and were unable to finish Sunday’s win over the Falcons. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga is in concussion protocol and will likely miss Thursday’s game.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams didn’t suffer any new injuries on Thursday night, but haven’t received any good news on any of the veterans currently sitting on the IR. Both LB Micah Kiser and S Taylor Rapp are expected to spend at least another week on IR and LB Terrell Lewis sounds like a longshot to play against the Jets. Troy Reeder has been starting at MLB for Kiser and played extremely well against the Patriots, posting an 80.4 defensive grade on PFF and leading the team with nine tackles.
Las Vegas Raiders
Running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) was a game-time decision on Sunday, but he played 43-percent of the offensive snaps and got 16 touches. He was limited in Monday’s practice. Safety Jonathan Abram suffered a concussion against the Colts and it will be challenging to get through concussion protocol in time for Thursday’s game. Dallin Leavitt could start in Abram’s place. Leavitt has played a total of 51 defensive snaps in his three-year career.
Miami Dolphins
Running back Myles Gaskin could be out multiple weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. With Matt Breida also on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Miami used DeAndre Washington as their lead back, giving him 13 carries and four targets in the passing game. The Dolphins had bad luck with other weapons with WR Jakeem Grant (hamstring), WR Devante Parker (hamstring), and TE Mike Gesicki (shoulder) expected to miss time as well. Adam Shaheen could fill in for Gesicki and Malcolm Perry could be the Dolphins new slot receiver if Grant is out.
Minnesota Vikings
Linebacker Eric Kendricks missed his second-straight game with a calf injury. Todd Davis filled in for the second-straight week and was the Vikings’ worst-graded defender on Pro Football Focus. Right tackle Brian O’Neill had to leave the game after suffering an eye injury and was replaced by Rashod Hill, who didn’t allow a single QB pressure and was the Vikings’ second-highest graded offensive player on PFF, behind TE Irv Smith, who was filling in for an injured Kyle Rudolph. The Vikings haven’t released any updates on their players.
New England Patriots
Running back Damien Harris left Thursday night’s game with a back injury. Harris has been the Patriots' lead back all season, starting 10 games and averaging nearly 14 carries each week. However, it seems like the Pats aren’t worried about his availability moving forward.
New Orleans Saints
Right guard Nick Easton sustained a concussion against the Eagles on Sunday, it was his second of the season. He was replaced by Cesar Ruiz, who allowed a single QB pressure in his 31 pass-blocking snaps. Ruiz has made seven starts at right guard this season and the rookie first-round pick has yet to allow a sack. The Saints also moved CB Patrick Robinson to IR after he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 13. The return of Janoris Jenkins softens that blow tremendously. Jenkins played 59 snaps against the Eagles, allowing just 30 yards on five targets.
New York Giants
The Giants didn’t suffer any new injuries on Sunday, however, Daniel Jones was pulled in the fourth quarter of the blowout loss. Jones, who is coming back from a hamstring injury, was ineffective and sacked six times on just 27 dropbacks. Curiously, Joe Judge said last week that Jones would not suit up if he could not use his legs and it’s pretty apparent that was the case. Colt McCoy was inserted into the game as a precaution according to Judge, so Jones should be expected to start in Week 15.
New York Jets
Safety Saquan Hampton suffered a torn Achilles on Sunday and will miss the rest of 2020. However, Week 14 was his first action of 2020 and he played just five special teams snaps. The Jets do expect RB La’Mical Perine and K Sam Ficken to return to practice this week as they work their way back from ankle and groin injuries, respectively. However, with the emergence of Ty Johnston (4.7 yards per carry) and Josh Adams (6.1 YPC) in recent weeks, it will be interesting to see if there is a role for Perine in a suddenly crowded backfield that also features Frank Gore.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles defense was decimated with injuries again this week. Safety Rodney McLeod tore his ACL and will be out for the rest of the season. Cornerback Avonte Maddox is expected to miss “a couple of weeks” with a knee injury and CB Darius Slay left the game after suffering a concussion. By the end of the game, S Jalen Mills and recently acquired Kevon Seymour were the Eagles’ cornerbacks and rookie K’Von Wallace and Marcus Epps were the safeties. If Slay is unable to go in Week 15, it looks like that’s how the Eagles secondary will be configured against DeAndre Hopkins and the Cardinals.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers suffered a pair of injuries at left guard on Sunday. Matt Feiler left in the first quarter with a pectoral injury that already has him on IR and Kevin Dotson left in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. JC Hassenauer finished the game at left guard, he started at center each of the last two weeks. Hassenauer did not allow a quarterback pressure and hasn’t allowed a sack this season. The Steelers draw a favorable matchup in Week 15 with a Bengals team that has just two players with multiple sacks this season.
San Francisco 49ers
Linebacker Fred Warner is dealing with neck and shoulder injuries, but Kyle Shanahan only classified it as a stinger, so his prognosis is a little cloudy. Azeez Al-Shaair will start at middle linebacker if Warner can’t suit up. The loss of Warner would be a huge one, he is the 49ers' highest-graded player on PFF. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury he suffered on the first play of the game. In better news, TE George Kittle is expected to practice in a limited capacity this week.
Seattle Seahawks
Right tackle Brandon Shell is back on the shelf after suffering an ankle injury against the Jets. With both Cedric Ogbuehi and Jamarco Jones out, Chad Wheeler filled in and earned a PFF grade of 77.4 for his efforts. However, Pete Carroll was pretty confident Shell will play in Week 15. Carroll also said on Monday that TE Greg Olsen (foot) and CB Quinton Dunbar (knee) are both trying to practice this week in an effort to be activated off the IR.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Running back Ronald Jones broke his pinky finger on Sunday. The Bucs left Leonard Fournette inactive on Sunday to give Jones a bigger role, but LeSean McCoy got four carries for 32 yards while Jones was in the locker room. Bruce Arians told reporters on Monday the team was still waiting to hear an update on Jones’s x-rays and if it is broken, there’s a chance he could play through it. If not, expect McCoy and Fournette to split time.
Tennessee Titans
Linebacker Tuzar Skipper suffered an elbow injury on Sunday. Skipper isn’t even on Tennessee’s 53-man roster, instead getting called up from the practice squad and starting each of the last two weeks. The Titans linebacking corps is getting thin with Jayon Brown already on IR. The Titans also have to activate CB Kristian Fulton on Tuesday to avoid losing him for the season. This isn’t the first time Tennessee has misused the 21-day practice window. Adoree’ Jackson has been wasting a roster spot for weeks due to the same situation.
Washington Football Team
Quarterback Alex Smith left Sunday’s game due to a leg injury, but Ron Rivera assured reporters it was a precautionary move due to soreness and Dwayne Haskins won’t have to start for the Football Team in Week 15. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen left the game in the fourth quarter with a groin injury. No update on his condition has been given yet, but he would be a huge loss for a Washington defense that is built around its stellar defensive front. With Matt Ioannidis on the IR, Tim Settle could get increased snaps if Allen misses time.