Following a relatively injury-free Week 13 slate of games, all eyes this week will be on Carolina, where the Panthers’ team facilities have been shut down after multiple positive COVID-19 tests were discovered within the organization.
As we’ve seen in similar cases in Tennessee and Baltimore, the extent of this outbreak within the organization will determine the status of their Week 14 matchup against the Broncos.
As always, be sure to check back throughout the week as this page is updated with the latest injury information from around the league.
Latest On NFL Injuries
Sunday Update
Lions RB D’Andre Swift (illness): Swift has missed the last three games with a concussion followed by an illness, but he is expected to return to the lineup today, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
#Lions RB D’Andre Swift, who missed last week with an illness, is expected to play today vs. the #Packers barring a setback, source said. Detroit gets its starting RB back.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 13, 2020
Swift got in a full practice session on Friday, his first such practice since being concussed heading into Week 11.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (ankle): Jacobs is expected to return from a one-game absence today when the Raiders take on the Colts. The former first-round pick got in limited practice sessions on Thursday and Friday of this week and RapSheet notes Jacobs is “nearly at full strength."
#Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (ankle) is expected back after missing last week, source said. He’s nearly at full strength. Meanwhile, S Johnathan Abram (knee) should also be good to go.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 13, 2020
Lions QB Matthew Stafford (thumb): Stafford has been listed on the Lions’ injury report with a thumb injury dating back several weeks now. As was the case in previous weeks, the Lions QB is fully expected to play in Week 14 following a week of limited practice sessions.
Lions’ QB Matthew Stafford (right thumb) and RB D’Andre Swift (illness), each listed as questionable for Sunday, both are expected to play against the Packers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 13, 2020
Dolphins RB Myles Gaskin (COVID-19 Protocol): Yesterday, it was revealed that Gaskin had tested positive for COVID-19 and he’s been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 List as a result, making him ineligible to play in Week 14.
The three players placed on the COVID-19 list today – Dolphins RB Myles Gaskin, Lions DE Everson Griffen and Rams OLB Jachai Polite – were all as a result of a positive test.
Based off of NFL protocols, that makes it unlikely we will see any of them play in Week 15 as well.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 12, 2020
Because he was placed on reserve so late in the week, Gaskin is also unlikely to play in Week 15. Backfield mate Matt Breida is also currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 List, while Salvon Ahmed has already been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
DeAndre Washington, Patrick Laird, and Eliljah McGuire will be the only running backs on the active roster for Miami, though WRs Lynn Bowden and Malcolm Perry may also sprinkle in a few carries.
Friday Update
Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring): Jones was ruled out for Week 14 today by interim head coach Raheem Morris after the star receiver missed Atlanta’s Wednesday and Thursday practices this week. Morris added that the team will “figure it out later” regarding Jones’ status for the remainder of the season. With Olamide Zaccheaus (toe) already on injured reserve, expect Christian Blake to soak up most of the snaps that will be vacated by Jones on Sunday.
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (shoulder/thigh): CMC has been trending in the wrong direction all week and things didn’t get any better on Friday as he’s been given a “doubtful” tag on Carolina’s weekly game status report. Head coach Matt Rhule said today, “I’m sure as a young kid, growing up watching the Denver Broncos and watching his dad, he wanted to play in this game. But it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott (calf): Following a week of limited practice sessions, Zeke has been designated as questionable to play in Week 14. Despite the Q tag, Elliott is fully expected to be available and has said “it’s important” that he play through injury while the Cowboys are still technically in the hunt for the division title.
Giants QB Daniel Jones (hamstring): Listed questionable to play, Jones’ Week 14 availability is trending in the right direction. The second-year QB was upgraded to full participation in today’s practice after being limited on both Wednesday and Thursday. Head coach Joe Judge said today he’s “fairly optimistic” Jones will be active against Arizona.
Texans RB David Johnson (COVID-19 Protocol): Earlier today, interim head coach Romeo Crennel said Johnson may miss Week 14 due to a “personal issue”, and hours later, Johnson was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 List by the team. It’s unclear whether DJ has tested positive for the virus or whether he is being considered a close contact. Backup RB Duke Johnson was limited in Thursday’s practice by an illness, but he was able to get in a full practice session today and does not carry a game status designation into the weekend. When David Johnson missed Weeks 10-12, Duke averaged 14 touches and 56.3 yards per game. Expect similar production from Duke as long as David remains on the reserve list.
Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins (NIR/neck/back): Hopkins popped up on the Cardinals’ Week 14 injury report with an injury listed by the team as “Not-Injury Related/Neck/Back”, and some combination of those injuries held him out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Nuk did practice in a limited capacity on Friday and he’s officially questionable to play. Hopkins is one of the NFL’s true ironmen, and with the Cardinals fighting for a playoff spot, he seems likely to play against the Giants.
Thursday Update
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (shoulder/thigh): McCaffrey’s chances of returning to the field in Week 14 took a hit on Thursday when he was held out of practice due to shoulder and quad injuries. To make matters worse, Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said after practice that he “does not expect” CMC to play against Denver this weekend. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added that he’s been told that CMC should be considered doubtful to play.
Wednesday Update
Giants QB Daniel Jones (hamstring): A hamstring injury kept Jones out of the lineup in Week 13 when Colt McCoy led the team to an improbable victory over the Seahawks. Although the Giants held a walkthrough in place of a full practice today, Jones’ practice participation was estimated as “limited.”
Head coach Joe Judge said today he is “optimistic” that Jones will be able to play in Week 14, while Jones himself said, “I’m not sure it’s a percentage. I’m just working every day to improve.”
Steelers RB James Conner (COVID-19): Two days after the Steelers rushed 14 times for 21 yards as a team in their Week 13 loss to Washington, the team activated Conner from the Reserve/COVID-19 List, making him eligible to play in Week 14.
Given Pittsburgh’s struggles in the ground game over the last two weeks, Conner seems likely to resume his bell-cow role in the backfield this weekend. A cancer survivor, Conner was considered one of the higher-risk players headed into the season, so it's good to see him clear the COVID protocol so quickly.
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (shoulder/thigh): McCaffrey has most recently been held out of action with a shoulder injury, which he was previously expected to return from in Week 14 following Carolina’s Week 13 bye.
However, the most recent injury report lists CMC with both shoulder and thigh injuries, raising some concern for his Week 14 status. The good news is that McCaffrey was still able to practice today in a limited fashion. For now, consider him questionable to play pending further news.
Washington Football Team RB Antonio Gibson (toe): Gibson was knocked out of Washington’s upset win over Pittsburgh on Monday with a turf toe injury that is likely to keep him out of the lineup for at least one week. Assuming Gibson is unable to go this weekend, expect Peyton Barber and J.D. McKissic to operate as a committee in the backfield.
Monday Update
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (COVID-19): After Robert Griffin III and Trace McSorley filled in for Jackson while he was on the Reserve/COVID-19 List in Week 12, Jackson will be back under center against the Cowboys on Tuesday night. The Ravens activated Jackson from the reserve list on Monday afternoon, making him eligible to play.
Panthers WR D.J. Moore (COVID-19): The Panthers have reported multiple positive COVID-19 tests coming out of their bye week, and the team’s facility has been shut down through at least Wednesday as a result. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported this morning that Moore has tested positive and is among the Panthers being added to the Reserve/COVID-19 List. Moore’s Week 14 status was already in question after he left the Panthers’ Week 12 loss to the Vikings with a leg injury, but he’ll now most likely miss this week’s game. Several Panthers — including Curtis Samuel — were identified as close contacts of Moore and have also been placed on the reserve list.
