Week 7 represented another turning point for a lot of teams hoping to make their way into the expanded 2020 playoff field.
Here's a team-by-team look at some of the biggest injury issues in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals suffered a litany of injuries in their overtime win on Sunday night. Defensive linemen Zach Allen (ankle) and Jordan Phillips (hamstring) left the game early, leaving Arizona’s defensive line severely depleted. Rookie Leki Fotu saw a career-high 49 snaps on Sunday night, but for 2020, he’s recorded just three quarterback pressures in 76 opportunities and PFF has given him a 47.0 overall grade for the season. Running back Kenyan Drake suffered an ankle injury, but his prognosis remains unknown. Backup RB Chase Edmonds is averaging 6.1 yards per carry in 2020.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons remain healthy as they head into their Thursday night matchup with the Carolina Panthers. As of now, rookie safety Jaylinn Hawkins is the only player whose status for Thursday remains in question. Hawkins hasn’t played since suffering a concussion in Week 4.
Baltimore Ravens
Coming out of their bye week, the Ravens seem prime to get back to nearly full-strength. Defensive lineman Derek Wolfe should be ready to return from his concussion in Week 8 and G Tyre Phillips was dealing with a non-serious hand injury prior to the bye. As for RB Mark Ingram, his ankle injury wasn’t feared to be too severe, so he should be ready to go in Week 8, even if it is just in a limited role.
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo was missing a pair of starting cornerbacks on Sunday. Levi Wallace remains on the IR with an ankle injury and Josh Norman was inactive with a back injury. However, the Bills defense dominated the Jets, allowing just 91 net passing yards and holding Sam Darnold to a passer rating of 31.1 on the day. The Bills get an easy matchup again next week against the New England Patriots. New England ranks last in the NFL in passing touchdowns and interceptions. Linebacker Matt Milano played for the first time since Week 4 and recorded half a sack while playing just 19 snaps.
Carolina Panthers
Cornerback Rasul Douglas was placed on the COVID-19 list and missed Week 7, allowing rookie Troy Pride Jr. to start in his place. Pride has struggled in coverage all year allowing 15 completions on 18 targets for 236 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 155.8. The Panthers also lost LT Russell Okung to a calf injury and his status for Thursday night is in question. Greg Little could replace Okung on Thursday night. The 2019 second-round pick has a pass-blocking grade of 35.5 from PFF in limited snaps this season. As for Christian McCaffrey, the running back is considered “a long-shot” to play in Week 8 given the short week. However he was seen at practice on Monday.
Chicago Bears
Starting center Cody Whitehair suffered a calf injury in the first half of Monday night’s game and did not return. Wide receiver Allen Robinson was removed from the game late in the fourth quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. We are still waiting for updates on both players.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals lost three of their starting offensive linemen against the Browns on Sunday. Left tackle Jonah Williams left the game with a neck injury, but should only miss one week. Center Trey Hopkins left the game with a concussion. But most consequentially, right tackle Bobby Hart is expected to miss up to eight weeks with a knee injury. As a result of these losses, Joe Burrow was hit six times and sacked twice, while Giovani Bernard was the Bengals' leading rusher with 37 yards on 13 carries. With Hart out, expect former Florida Gator Fred Johnson to get the start at right guard. The second-year man has made three starts in his career and has allowed 11 pressures in 131 pass-blocking snaps in 2020.
Cleveland Browns
Odell Beckham Jr. left the game in the first quarter after attempting to make a tackle on an interception return. However, in the process, the star receiver tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2020 season. Beckham struggled for much of the season, posting career lows in yards per reception, catch percentage and yards per game. Expect Rashard Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones to get more snaps in Beckham’s absence. It’s also worth noting TE Austin Hooper’s status for Week 8 remains in question after having an appendectomy on Saturday.
Dallas Cowboys
Things have gone from bad to worse in Dallas. Just two weeks after losing franchise QB Dak Prescott for the season, Andy Dalton took a vicious late hit on Sunday and had to leave due to a concussion. Mike McCarthy reported on Monday that Dalton was currently in concussion protocol, but refused to go into detail regarding the quarterback’s condition. Rookie seventh-round pick Ben DiNucci will make his first career start for Dallas if Dalton is out against the Eagles.
Denver Broncos
Broncos starting NT Mike Purcell will miss the rest of 2020 after suffering a Lisfranc injury to his foot. Defensive end Shelby Harris has experience playing the nose, starting the first four games of 2019 at the position and accumulating six pressures in that span. Phillip Lindsay is currently in concussion protocol after getting injured in the first half on Sunday.
Detroit Lions
Detroit didn’t suffer any new injuries against the Falcons on Sunday. Their secondary remains a bit thin, Detroit played just three different cornerbacks on Sunday as Desmond Trufant (hamstring) and Justin Coleman (hamstring/IR) continue to miss action.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers dominated the Texans, despite RB Aaron Jones (calf), LT David Bakhtiari (back), S Darnell Savage (quad), DT Tyler Lancaster (shoulder), and CB Kevin King (quad) all being inactive. Green Bay should get some reinforcements in Week 8, both Bakhtiari’s and Jones’s injuries were considered minor/mild when they occurred and King was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday last week.
Houston Texans
Bradley Roby left the game on the Packers’ first drive with a knee injury and never returned. The Texans already have CB Gareon Conley and S AJ Moore on the IR. Roby was expected to undergo further tests on his knee to determine the severity. The Texans do have a Week 8 bye, so it’s possible Roby doesn’t miss any time. Phillip Gaines replaced Roby on Sunday and he has been atrocious in coverage the last two weeks, allowing 12 completions on 20 targets for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts come out of the bye week with a number of guys banged up. Michael Pittman Jr. (leg) and LB Matthew Adams (ankle) are eligible to return from the IR when the Colts reconvene and Frank Reich said last week the injured guys on his active roster such as LB Darius Leonard and TE Mo Alie-Cox are “making good progress.”
Jacksonville Jaguars
Wide receiver Dede Westbrook was placed on the IR Monday after tearing his ACL in Week 7. One year after making a career-high 11 starts, Westbrook only saw action in two games, catching one pass for four yards. The Jaguars also played without LB Myles Jack (ankle) and S Jarrod Wilson (hamstring) on Sunday. Jack’s ankle has been bothering him since Week 4 and Wilson has played in just three games all season. Without the duo, the Jaguars defense allowed 39 points and 484 yards of offense in a loss to the Chargers.
Kansas City Chiefs
One week after suffering his second hamstring injury of 2020, Alex Okafor landed on the IR to heal up. Okafor played sparingly in four games this season as he tried to come back from a different hamstring injury, but had just nine quarterback pressures to go along with a single sack. Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz was inactive with a back injury he suffered in Week 6. Veteran guard Mike Remmers filled in for Schwartz and performed admirably, allowing just one pressure in pass protection and earning a 64.5 PFF grade for Week 7.
Los Angeles Chargers
Star defensive end Melvin Ingram returned from the IR on Sunday and both WR Keenan Allen (back) and DE Joey Bosa (ankle) were able to play in Week 7 after dealing with injuries prior to their Week 6 bye. The Chargers remain thin upfront as G Trai Turner hasn’t played since Week 2 due to a groin injury and T Bryan Bulaga has been out since Week 3 with a back injury. However, the Chargers allowed just one sack and five QB hits against Jacksonville. Tight end Virgil Green left the game with an ankle injury. Anthony Lynn said the team is awaiting further tests before making a decision on Green possibly going on the IR. Backup TE Donald Parham has just two catches this season, but both have gone for touchdowns.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams were without TE Tyler Higbee (hand), but the duo of Johnny Mundt and Gerald Everett combined to catch seven of their eight targets for 65 yards and Everett added a touchdown. Rookie safety Terrell Burgess had a career-high five tackles, but he had to be carted off the field in the fourth quarter after sustaining an ankle injury.
Las Vegas Raiders
Sam Young filled in for Trent Brown at right tackle on Sunday, but left the game early with a knee injury. However, Brown, who is currently on the COVID-19 list, has a shot of returning in Week 8, according to Jon Gruden. Brown has only seen action in two games this season with mixed results. However, the Raiders offensive line is in desperate need of help, Derek Carr was pressured 13 times on Sunday and RG Gabe Jackson was the only offensive lineman with a run-blocking grade north of 60, per PFF.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are coming off their bye with a few starters banged up such as linebackers Kyle Van Noy (groin/foot) and Kamu Grugier-Hill (hand). We will get an update on their condition when the first injury report comes out on Wednesday.
Minnesota Vikings
Cornerback Mike Hughes left the Vikings’ Week 6 matchup with a neck injury. Defensive backs Holton Hill (foot) and Kris Boyd (hamstring) were inactive. Dalvin Cook was inactive in Week 6 as well with an ankle injury, but he should be ready to suit up against the Packers.
New England Patriots
Starting LB Brandon Copeland will miss the rest of 2020 after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. Despite starting four games, Copeland played no more than 30 defensive snaps in any game. Rookie third-round pick Anfernee Jennings could take Copeland’s snaps, but the Pats’ 2020 second-round pick Josh Uche, who is on his way back from the IR, could also factor into their plans. Jennings played a season-high 53 snaps in Week 7 and earned an overall grade of 28.8 from PFF.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints were expecting to have Michael Thomas for the first time since Week 1 on Sunday, but a hamstring injury forced the star receiver to miss his fifth-straight game. Thomas injured his ankle in the season opener, but was a healthy scratch in Week 6 due to team discipline. The hamstring injury is new and could lead to him missing more time. Wide receiver Marquez Callaway is considered day-to-day after suffering an ankle sprain on Sunday. Callaway was the Saints best wide receiver against Carolina, catching eight passes for 75 yards. Tre’Quan Smith and Deonte Harris combined for 100 receiving yards on eight catches.
New York Giants
Running back Devonta Freeman suffered an ankle injury on Thursday night after having just three carries for eight yards. In his absence, Wayne Gallman played a season-high 32 snaps and carried the ball 10 times for 34 yards, while adding five catches for 20 yards in the passing game. The Giants will face the NFL’s top run defense when they host Tampa Bay on Monday. The Bucs are allowing just 3.0 yards per carry in 2020. The Giants won’t release their first injury report of the week until Thursday, but Freeman was not participating in Tuesday’s practice.
New York Jets
The Jets defense is banged up after losing DE Kyle Phillips for the year with an ankle injury. Phillips started the Jets' last three games, logging three defensive stops and three quarterback pressures. The Jets added former Eagles DE Daeshon Hall this week to replace Phillips on the roster. The former third-round pick hasn’t played since tearing his ACL in 2019. Complicating the depth of the Jets defensive line are reports of their willingness to trade former first-round pick Quinnen Williams. The 2019 third-overall pick has three sacks and is the Jets only lineman with multiple sacks on the season.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles lost DeSean Jackson for 6-8 weeks after the wide receiver suffered a broken ankle in his first game since Week 3. He, along with DT Hassan Ridgeway (biceps), were both placed on the IR. The Eagles did activate the 21-day practice window for T Jason Peters and rookie WR Jalen Reagor. With T Lane Johnson possibly now out again with a sprained MCL in addition to his ankle injury, adding Peters would greatly help the Eagles’ depth. If Peters could accept a movement to guard, that would greatly help a team that has struggled to get consistent play from the interior of their offensive line.
Pittsburgh Steelers
There are a number of Steelers currently banged up, WR Diontae Johnson (ankle bruise) being the most important. Johnson is expected to play and so is LB Robert Spillane, who is dealing with a shoulder issue. Fullback Derek Watt and CB Mike Hilton missed Week 7, but are expected to rejoin practice this week.
San Francisco 49ers
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is expected to miss two weeks, per Kyle Shanahan, with a hamstring injury. Samuel missed the first three games of the year with a foot injury. Running back Jeff Wilson had a career day against New England, rushing for 112 yards and three touchdowns, however, he left the game early with an ankle injury and will be placed on the IR where RB Raheem Mostert currently resides. Rookie JaMycal Hasty has gotten nine carries in each of the last two weeks, rushing for 37 and 57 yards respectively.
Seattle Seahawks
Chris Carson suffered a foot sprain on Sunday night and will be out after Pete Carroll said he was “week-to-week.” Carson is enjoying a career season, setting career-highs in yards per carry and receptions per game. Backup RB Carlos Hyde is also dealing with some hamstring tightness, so he should be limited in practice this week. With Travis Homer also dealing with a knee contusion, rookie fourth-round pick DeeJay Dallas is the only healthy running back on the Seahawks roster. Dallas has played in two games, carrying the ball twice for four yards and catching four passes for 33 yards.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wide receiver Chris Godwin broke his finger on Sunday and will be out for Week 8 after having surgery on Tuesday. Godwin has already missed three weeks this season due to a hamstring injury. Antonio Brown was officially signed by the Bucs, but he will not be eligible to play until Week 9. Justin Watson filled in for Godwin earlier in the season, catching six passes for 88 yards in a pair of starts. However, Watson has not been targeted since Week 4. Scotty Miller could see an increase in targets as well.
Tennessee Titans
Rookie CB Kristian Fulton suffered a knee injury on Sunday and is expected to miss a few weeks. Adoree’ Jackson’s return would soften the blow, the former first-round pick has been on the IR all year with a knee injury, but has been designated to return, so he could be ready for Week 8 against the Bengals. Ty Sambrailo started in place of Taylor Lewan, who is done for 2020 with an ACL tear. Sambrailo played well, not allowing a single pressure in 34 pass-blocking opportunities.
Washington Football Team
Washington lost a pair of defenders on Sunday. Safety Landon Collins is done for the year after tearing his Achilles against the Cowboys. Rookie Kamren Curl should be first up to take Collins’s spot. He played well against the run on Sunday (82.3 run-defense grade), but has allowed a passer rating of 110.4 when targeted in pass coverage. Edge rusher Montez Sweat was evaluated for a concussion on Sunday. If he misses time, the duo of Ryan Kerrigan and Chase Young still represent a formidable duo.
