Injury report: Updates on Joe Mixon, Matthew Stafford and others
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Many players across the NFL are dealing with injuries heading into Week 13.
The Buffalo Bills put pass-rusher Von Miller on the injured reserve list on Thursday, meaning he will miss the team’s next four games. Miller said he suffered lateral meniscus damage to his right knee during the Bills’ win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.
“He’s been doing treatment and trying to rehab it,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said. “… We just think in talking to the medical people that the best decision right now is to give this time, and that gives him the best opportunity to help us down the stretch.”
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields‘ status for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers is looking more promising. Fields practiced on Thursday and Friday after being listed as limited on Wednesday. He is now expected to start on Sunday. The ailment caused him to miss the Bears’ game against the New York Jets on Sunday.
The Packers also have health issues at quarterback, as Aaron Rodgers is dealing with a rib injury he suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Rodgers will play on Sunday and will “probably” wear some type of rib protection for the first time in his career.
Here are some more injury updates from our NFL Nation reporters entering Week 13.
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Injury: Concussion
Mixon was limited all week while still in concussion protocol. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Mixon will be monitored throughout the weekend as they eye a potential return for Sunday’s game against Kansas City.
— Ben Baby
Injury: Knee
Njoku, who came down with a game-tying, one-handed TD grab on fourth down in Sunday’s eventual win over Tampa Bay, was unable to practice this week with a knee injury. Njoku, who battled an ankle injury earlier this season, is a key part of the Browns’ offense. If Cleveland is going to make a push for a playoff spot, it will need to get Njoku back from this injury as quickly as possible.
— Jake Trotter
Injury: Ankle
The Packers might finally be able to use their two rookie receivers together extensively if Doubs plays on Sunday. So far, they have played a grand total of 52 snaps together this season. While Doubs was playing extensively early in the season, Christian Watson was battling injuries. And Watson’s emergence has come while Doubs has missed the last three games because of an ankle injury. Doubs returned to practice on Wednesday.
— Rob Demovsky
Injury: Illness
The Colts will be missing a key piece of their offensive line at an inopportune time. Dallas leads the NFL in sacks with 45. Meanwhile, Smith just had a strong performance against Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt, holding him without a sack and limiting him to one quarterback hit in the Colts’ Monday night loss to the Steelers.
— Stephen Holder
Injury: Calf
Jacobs initially tweaked his left calf in practice last Friday, was a gametime decision at Seattle, reaggravated it late in the game, convinced his coaches to let him return and finished with 303 all-purpose yards and two scores, including his epic 86-yard walk-off touchdown. The calf has kept him limited in practice all week. “I don’t feel too bad,” he said. “It’s more so just not trying to overwork myself. Not trying to do too much in practice and then come into the game sore. I feel pretty good. Just trying to maintain that.” If Jacobs cannot play, expect rookie Zamir White to get added reps.
— Paul Gutierrez
Injury: Ankle
Williams will miss a second consecutive game after aggravating a high ankle sprain in Week 11 against the Chiefs. Williams originally suffered the injury in Week 7 against the Seahawks and missed two games before returning and reaggravating the injury. The Bolts’ offense also will be without starting center Corey Linsley (concussion) and right tackle Trey Pipkins III (knee), so quarterback Justin Herbert will have his work cut out for him.
— Lindsey Thiry
Injury: Neck
Stafford has been cleared from the concussion protocol, but he will miss the Rams’ Week 13 game against the Seattle Seahawks with a neck injury. Coach Sean McVay said last week that Stafford felt some numbness in his legs after taking a hit in Week 11 against the New Orleans Saints, a game Stafford was playing in two days after he was cleared from the concussion protocol the first time. McVay said there has been dialogue about shutting Stafford down for the rest of the season, but that the Rams are still taking it “a step at a time” with the quarterback’s injury.
Injury: Ankle
Donald will not play on Sunday against Seattle after injuring his ankle against the Chiefs in Week 13. This is the first game the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has missed because of injury in his NFL career.
— Sarah Barshop
Injury: Ankle
Carter, the Jets’ leading rusher since Breece Hall was injured in Week 7, is doubtful with a low ankle sprain. Look for a backfield by committee, with Ty Johnson, rookie Zonovan Knight and James Robinson handling the work. Johnson and Knight, both of whom sparked the offense last week, figure to get most of the carries.
— Rich Cimini
Injury: Knee
Quinn was a late addition to the injury report this week. He’s listed as out for Sunday against the Titans along with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (lacerated kidney). Defensive tackle Jordan Davis, meanwhile, is expected to make his return from a high ankle sprain — just in time to face Derrick Henry.
— Tim McManus
Injury: Oblique
Harris played just half of Monday night’s win against the Colts before exiting with an oblique injury. He returned to practice Friday, though, and said he was clear to play Sunday. Still, he could be limited against the Falcons after not practicing Wednesday or Thursday. The Steelers don’t necessarily need to rush him back with Jaylen Warren (hamstring) available again and after getting solid performances from Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland in the second half of the win Monday.
— Brooke Pryor
Injury: Foot
Gibson did not practice Thursday and was limited Friday, but Washington remains optimistic about his availability for Sunday. Offensive coordinator Scott Turner said he expected Gibson to play vs. the Giants. Considering that Washington wants to attack New York on the ground, pairing Gibson with Brian Robinson will be pivotal. If he can’t play, Jonathan Williams would play more and Jaret Patterson would be elevated off the practice squad.
Injury: Knee
Young was limited in practice Friday, and Washington won’t make a final call on his status until pregame Sunday. The coaches have wanted to see him push off his knee with confidence and that’s not something they’ve seen consistently. They were enthusiastic about what they saw a week ago but more muted this week. It could be another game before Young plays.
— John Keim
