Week 11 NFL Injury Report
Latest On NFL Injuries
Sunday Morning Updates
Lions QB Matthew Stafford (thumb): Stafford is dealing with a minor ligament tear in his thumb on his throwing hand, but he is expected to play on Sunday according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. While this is certainly good news for Detroit, the team will be missing key pieces on offense, including running back D’Andre Swift (concussion) as well as wide receivers Kenny Golladay (hip) and Danny Amendola (hip).
Broncos QB Drew Lock (ribs): Lock is also expected to play through his "questionable" tag on Sunday Lock has a strained muscle that caused him to miss Wednesday’s practice, but he was able to get in limited sessions on both Thursday and Friday of this week. Teammate Noah Fant (rib) is also expected to be available.
Panthers Teddy Bridgewater (knee): Of the questionable QBs, Bridgewater’s status remains the most uncertain as of Sunday morning. While Teddy "has steadily improved throughout the week," he’s still considered a true game-time decision. If Bridgewater is unable to go against the Lions, XFL alum P.J. Walker is expected to get the start. Bridgewater's final status will be updated in the table above as soon as the team releases its inactives list.
Friday Updates
Packers WR Davante Adams (ankle): After being downgraded to “DNP” (did not participate) in Thursday’s practice, Adams was back on the practice field as a limited participant Friday. He does not carry a game status designation, meaning he should be all systems go against the Colts this weekend.
Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater (knee): Although the expectation all week has been that Bridgewater would miss Week 11, the team has not yet ruled him out for this weekend’s matchup against the Lions. Head coach Matt Rhule said of Bridgewater today, “I truly feel it will be a game-time decision.” Stay tuned.
Broncos QB Drew Lock (ribs): Like Bridgewater, Drew Lock is also trending towards a game-time decision after the team designated him as “questionable” to play against Miami. Lock was held out of practice on Wednesday, but he was able to get in limited sessions on both Thursday and Friday. On Monday, head coach Vic Fangio hinted that Lock would be held out if he missed too much practice time this week.
Detroit Lions Update: The Lions’ offense is looking like it will be very short-handed this weekend against the Panthers. At running back, the team will be without D’Andre Swift, who was placed in the concussion protocol yesterday. At receiver, Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola have been ruled out with hip injuries. At quarterback, Matthew Stafford is officially questionable to play after ending the week with consecutive limited practice sessions. For whatever it’s worth, Stafford did say he “liked his chances” of being on the field when asked about his injury earlier in the week.
Thursday Updates
Seahawks RB Chris Carson (foot): The expectation is now that Carson will miss Thursday night's game against the Cardinals due to a foot injury he sustained in Week 7. There was some optimism that Carson would be able to play after he returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering the injury, but it appears that the team will wait one more week due to the short turnaround. Carlos Hyde (hamstring) is expected to return to the lineup tonight, while Travis Homer (hand) is considered doubtful to play. The team also promoted Bo Scarbrough from its practice squad for added depth at the position.
Packers WR Davante Adams (ankle): Adams was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday and he was downgraded to “DNP” (did not participate) on Thursday’s report. Adams’ Week 10 usage — an 82% snap share and 36% target share — is largely in line with his season averages, but the Packers have been notoriously cautious in managing injuries this season (much to Adams’ frustration). His Friday practice participation will likely go a long way in determining his Week 11 availability.
Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater (knee): According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Bridgewater is now considered unlikely to play in Week 11 due to his sprained MCL injury. This report comes after head coach Matt Rhule called Bridgewater “extremely limited right now”. If there’s any silver lining, it’s that Teddy has been able to participate in practice on a limited basis on both Wednesday and Thursday, but it’s looking more and more likely that it will either be P.J. Walker or Will Grier under center for Carolina this weekend.
Lions RB D’Andre Swift (concussion): Swift was a surprise addition to the Lions’ Thursday injury report following his breakout Week 10 performance. After practicing in full on Wednesday, the rookie was listed as a “DNP” (did not participate) on today’s practice report and he’s been placed into the league’s concussion protocol. Because Swift was not listed on yesterday’s injury report, it’s unclear when he sustained the injury. In any event, it seems unlikely that Swift will be able to clear the protocol before Sunday given the late week downgrade. If that’s the case, Detroit will likely utilize a backfield by committee involving Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson.
Wednesday Updates
Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett (knee): Lockett is listed as questionable to play in tomorrow night’s divisional showdown against the Cardinals with what head coach Pete Carroll called “a bit of a knee sprain." Despite the Q tag, Lockett is expected to play.
Seahawks RB Chris Carson (foot): Seattle has been without its top two running backs on the depth chart — three if you include Rashaad Penny, who has missed the first 10 weeks of the season after tearing his ACL last season — for the past several games, but it looks like that is going to change in Week 11. Carson was able to return to practice this week for the first time since injuring his foot in Week 7 and is considered “questionable” to play. Meanwhile, Carlos Hyde carries no game status designation and is fully expected to play against Arizona.
Lions WR Kenny Golladay (hip): Golladay was back at practice today for the first time since injuring his hip in Week 7, albeit as a limited participant. Head coach Matt Patricia has not updated Golladay’s status, but as long as he’s able to make it through the week of practice unscathed, the Lions’ WR1 should have a chance to return against the Panthers this weekend.
Falcons WR Calvin Ridley (foot): A foot injury suffered in Week 8 kept Ridley out of the lineup in Week 9 before the Falcons went on bye last week. Ridley kicked off Week 11 on a positive note by returning to the practice field as a limited participant today, though his status for this weekend’s game against the Saints is unclear. Head coach Raheem Morris said the team would have a better feel after seeing how Ridley’s foot responded to today’s increased level of activity.
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (shoulder): The Panthers ruled out McCaffrey — who's dealing with a shoulder injury — for the second consecutive week on Wednesday. There has been some optimism that McCaffrey will be able to return sooner rather than later from his latest injury, but it’s not a good sign that he was ruled out so early in the week.
Monday Updates
Saints QB Drew Brees (ribs): Brees was knocked out of Sunday's victory over the 49ers in the first half with a rib injury after completing eight passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, further testing revealed that Brees is dealing with multiple fractured ribs along with a collapsed lung. Though his recovery timeline has not yet been announced, Brees seems very likely to miss multiple games for New Orleans. Jameis Winston filled in after Brees left on Sunday, but head coach Sean Payton said today he has not yet decided who will start under center in Week 11.
Broncos QB Drew Lock (ribs): Lock is dealing with a strained muscle near his ribs, though thankfully none of his bones are broken or fractured. Head coach Vic Fangio called Lock “questionable for Wednesday’s practice” on Monday. If Lock misses too much practice this week, he’ll likely be held out in Week 11, according to Fangio, who went on to say, “We definitely want Drew to have a good week of preparation so he’s ready to play the game. So that could enter into the equation as we go into the week.”
Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater (knee): Head coach Matt Rhule passed along some good news regarding Bridgewater on Monday after his starting quarterback was forced to leave the Panthers’ Week 10 loss with an injury. Updating Bridgewater’s status, Rhule said that Teddy “doesn’t have a significant injury,” though his Week 11 outlook is currently murky. For the time being, Bridgewater is being considered day-to-day, and if he’s unable to go this weekend, Will Grier and P.J. Walker will compete for the starting job.
Lions QB Matthew Stafford (thumb): After leading the Lions to a victory over the Washington Football Team on Sunday, Stafford underwent an X-ray on this thumb, which came back negative. Stafford suffered the injury in the first quarter of the game but was able to play through it, throwing for 276 yards with three touchdowns. When asked whether the injury may cause him to miss time, Stafford said, “I’m going to do everything I can to be out there. I like my chances.” Consider him probable to play this weekend until we hear otherwise.
