A trio of offensive studs were ruled out for their teams' respective Week 8 games on Friday. Michael Thomas, Aaron Jones and Joe Mixon will all get an extra week to recover.
Elsewhere, Andy Dalton looks unlikely to start this weekend for the Cowboys against the Eagles, but Dalvin Cook is set to return to Minnesota's lineup for a matchup at Lambeau Field.
As always, we’ll be updating this page throughout the week with all the latest injury news and practice reports.
Week 8 NFL Injury Report
Sunday Updates
Bears WR Allen Robinson (concussion): It’s been a busy couple of days for Robinson as he recovers from a concussion suffered on Monday Night Football in Week 7. On Friday, Robinson was initially listed as “questionable” on the Bears game status report before later being downgraded to “doubtful.” Then yesterday afternoon, it was reported that Robinson had cleared the concussion protocol and had been removed from the injury report. Expect A-Rob to be out there against the Saints.
Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay (concussion): Lindsay is also working his way back from a concussion, and while he has not yet cleared the concussion protocol, he is “expected” to do so before kickoff today, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. After missing practice on Wednesday, Lindsay was listed as a limited participant on both Thursday and Friday.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (groin): Omitted from the Vikings’ original game status report, Cook was later listed as “questionable” to play in Week 8. He practiced in full on Friday and is expected to play, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Cook is now three weeks removed from the groin injury he suffered in Week 5 against Seattle.
Seahawks RB Chris Carson (foot): Although he was unable to practice throughout the week, Carson is considered a game-time decision, and the Seahawks will wait to see how he looks in warmups before making a final call on his Week 8 status. Seattle also lists Carlos Hyde (hamstring) as doubtful and Travis Homer (knee) as questionable, leaving rookie DeeJay Dallas as the only truly healthy back on the active roster at the moment.
Friday Updates
Saints WR Michael Thomas (ankle/hamstring): Although he was able to practice on Thursday and Friday as a limited participant, Thomas has once again been declared out by the Saints. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that Thomas was able to string together consecutive practices for the first time since Week 5. The Saints will also be without rookie Marquez Callaway (ankle), who racked up 75 receiving yards on 10 targets in Week 7, and possibly Emmanuel Sanders, who remained on the Reserve/COVID-19 List as of Friday afternoon.
Bears WR Allen Robinson (concussion): Originally listed as “questionable” on the Bears initial game status report, Robinson’s status was later updated to “doubtful.” Robinson was listed as a DNP (did not participate) for the third straight day in practice and he remains in the concussion protocol. Most likely, both Chicago and New Orleans will be without their top receivers when the two teams face off on Sunday.
Packers RB Aaron Jones (calf): Jones was considered a game-time decision in Week 7 before ultimately being ruled out 90 minutes before kickoff. This week, he’s already been ruled out after missing practice each day. The Packers have been conservative in bringing their players back from injury this season, most notably with Davante Adams, who voiced his frustration on Twitter when he learned the Packers would be holding him out in Week 4. Jamaal Williams will have another chance to lead the Packers backfield against the Vikings.
Bengals RB Joe Mixon (foot): Mixon was held out of practice throughout the week and has been officially declared out for Week 8. Speaking about Mixon earlier today, head coach Zac Taylor said the team “held out hope, but it’s not going to be this week.” Mixon’s return timeline is currently unclear.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (groin): Though he was not listed when the Vikings initially released their game status report today, Cook was later added to the report with a “questionable” tag. Earlier in the day, head coach Mike Zimmer had said of Cook, “He’s going to be ready to go.” Whether that sentiment still holds true after Cook was re-added to the injury report is currently unclear. For what it’s worth, Cook was a full participant in today’s practice.
Cowboys QB Andy Dalton (concussion): Dalton remained in the concussion protocol — and off the practice field — Friday, making it highly unlikely he’ll be able to play this weekend against Philadelphia. He is officially listed “doubtful” on the game status report. Expect seventh-round rookie Ben DiNucci to start under center for Dallas in Week 8.
Ravens RB Mark Ingram (ankle): Ingram was unable to practice this week due to an ankle injury he suffered in Week 6, before the Ravens’ Week 7 bye. Ingram is officially considered doubtful to play in Week 8 and his recovery timeline is not yet known after head coach John Harbaugh declined to update his running back’s status this afternoon. The Ravens will likely lean on a backfield led by running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards against Pittsburgh.
Thursday Updates
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (ankle): CMC was not activated from injured reserve by the 4 p.m. ET deadline today, making him ineligible to play against the Falcons. Carolina designated McCaffrey for return on Oct. 27, giving them until Nov. 19 to activate the reigning scrimmage yard leader. For at least one more week, it will be the Mike Davis show in the backfield for Carolina.
Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew (thumb): It was revealed today that Minshew has been dealing with multiple fractures and a strained ligament in his thumb dating back nearly three weeks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The team was unaware of the injury until Minshew underwent an X-ray following last Sunday’s loss to the Chargers.
Since Minshew has been able to play through the injury to this point, there’s a chance he’ll be able to play in Week 8 as well, but he should be considered highly questionable, if not doubtful, for now.
Patriots WR Julian Edelman (knee): Throughout the 2020 season, the Patriots have limited Edelman’s practice participation and listed him as “questionable” on their game status report. Edelman had been able to play through the injury for the first half of the season, but he underwent surgery today to address the issue. He’ll miss at least one game and likely more, though his recovery timeline is not yet known.
N’Keal Harry is currently in the concussion protocol, meaning there’s a good chance Damiere Byrd and Jakobi Meyers will serve as New England’s top two receivers this weekend.
Eagles RB Miles Sanders (knee): Sanders remained out of practice on Thursday, making it five missed practices in a row for the Eagles’ star RB. When Sanders’ injury was initially reported, his recovery timeline was estimated as 1-2 weeks, and barring a surprise return to practice tomorrow, it’s looking like Sanders will be out at least two weeks. Sanders’ current status was described as “day-to-day” by head coach Doug Pederson this morning.
Saints WR Michael Thomas (ankle/hamstring): Thomas was back at practice today for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury last Wednesday. Though his ankle injury is also listed on the injury report, Thomas’ hamstring is the greater concern at the moment. After suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 1, the reigning receiving champion likely would have been healthy enough to play in Week 5 had he not been suspended for punching teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Wednesday Updates
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (groin): Following the Vikings’ Week 7 bye, Cook will be three weeks removed from a groin injury he suffered in Week 5. Cook said Wednesday that he is “feeling like Dalvin,” while sounding optimistic about his chances of playing against the Packers. As long as Cook can get through this week’s practices without suffering a setback, he should be back on the field this weekend. He was officially listed as a limited participant in today’s practice.
Packers RB Aaron Jones (calf): Jones remained sidelined in Wednesday’s practice as he works his way back from a calf injury he suffered last Thursday. Updating Jones’ status today, head coach Matt LaFleur said the team will “be smart with him,” adding that holding Jones out of last week’s game “definitely helped him.” For now, consider Jones questionable to play in Week 8.
Bears WR Allen Robinson (concussion): Robinson has been placed in the concussion protocol, according to head coach Matt Nagy. He was absent from today’s practice, and his Week 8 availability will depend on whether or not he clears the protocol before Sunday’s game. The Bears are facing a short turnaround after playing on Monday night, which puts Robinson at a disadvantage.
Bills WR John Brown (calf): After being held out of practice throughout last week, Brown was listed as a full participant on Buffalo’s initial practice report. As long as Brown makes it through the next couple practices, expect him to be on the field against the Patriots this weekend.
Tuesday Updates
Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin (finger): It was revealed today that Godwin suffered a broken finger during last week’s victory over the Raiders. Godwin has already undergone surgery and he’ll miss at least one game while he recovers.
According to Greg Auman of The Athletic, Tampa Bay is “optimistic” that Godwin will be available to play in Week 9 against the Saints, a game that will also likely serve as Antonio Brown’s debut as a Buc.
Monday Updates
Browns WR Odell Beckham (knee): Beckham was forced out of yesterday’s victory over the Bengals with a knee injury he sustained while making a defensive play after a Browns turnover. Beckham confirmed today that he suffered a torn ACL that will end his 2020 campaign.
The Browns are already without Austin Hooper, who is recovering from an appendectomy performed last week. Rashard Higgins and rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones absorbed most of Beckham’s snaps after he left yesterday’s game, a trend that will likely continue moving forward.
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (ankle): McCaffrey was present and in uniform at Panthers practice today for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2. While that’s a good sign, CMC is still a “long-shot” to play on Thursday against the Falcons. For the time being, McCaffrey should be penciled in for a Week 9 return.
Seahawks RB Chris Carson (foot): An MRI Monday showed that Carson sustained a mid-foot sprain last night against the Cardinals. He is currently being considered “week-to-week”.
Carlos Hyde led the team in carries yesterday, converting 15 carries into 68 rushing yards with one touchdown. Travis Homer (knee) also suffered an injury last night, so Hyde could be even busier in Week 8 against the 49ers if Carson and Homer are unable to play.
Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake (ankle): Drake was carted off the field last night after suffering an ankle injury late in the game against the Seahawks. He underwent a post-game X-ray, which came back negative, and will undergo an MRI early this week to determine the severity of the injury. The Cardinals are on bye in Week 8, leaving Drake 13 days to heal before the next game.
Cowboys QB Andy Dalton (concussion): Dalton was knocked out of yesterday’s game by a vicious hit from Washington linebacker Jon Bostic. The ex-Bengal has subsequently entered the concussion protocol and his Week 8 outlook is currently unclear.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys are not likely to sign another quarterback to its roster, meaning it could be Ben DiNucci under center this weekend if Dalton is unable to clear the protocol in time.
Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay (concussion): Lindsay has also entered the concussion protocol after suffering a head injury on Sunday. It's been an injury-plagued season so far for Lindsay, who was was only two weeks removed from a turf toe injury that caused him to miss four games earlier in the season. It’s unfortunate timing as he was well on his way to his second consecutive game exceeding 100 rushing yards at the time of his injury.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring): Samuel suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7 that could cause him to miss some time, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, although Samuel thankfully appears to have avoided a long-term injury. The 49ers also lost Jeff Wilson (ankle) and Jeff Wilson (ankle) to injuries yesterday.
