Christmas weekend will compress the recovery period for most of the league, with 12 games played on Saturday this week. Jacksonville and the New York Jets play Thursday night. Green Bay, Miami, Denver, the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay, and Arizona play on Sunday.
Be mindful of the earlier-than-usual practice reports and make sure you have your lineups set on time.
QB Jalen Hurts | Right shoulder sprain | Week-to-week | Doubtful Week 16 (Monday update)
Reports from Adam Schefter, Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport, and Tom Pelissero today are that Hurts is "uncertain to play" this week. Hurts played most of the second half after suffering a low-grade shoulder sprain but a Monday re-evaluation raised additional concern.
The Eagles are unlikely to risk Hurts' playoff health unless his range of motion is baseline. Even low-grade shoulder sprains can take 1-3 weeks to rehab. Despite the critical division matchup with Dallas this week, consider Hurts doubtful to play unless he is cleared to throw by the end of the week.
RB Jonathan Taylor | Right ankle injury | Week-to-week | Doubtful Week 16
Taylor left Saturday's game after aggravating the high ankle sprain that's limited him for weeks. Jeff Saturday told reporters the team had no updates on Taylor's condition. While there are reports Taylor's aggravation is "nothing major," Adam Schefter and multiple local reporters are all speculating the Colts may choose to shut Taylor down for the season. There's little incentive for Indianapolis or Taylor to risk further injury without a chance at a playoff berth.
Monday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Taylor's injury is a high ankle sprain. Taylor is "highly unlikely" to return this season.
WR Tyler Lockett | Fractured left metacarpal | Week-to-week | Out Week 16 | Target return Week 17++
Pete Carroll tried to be optimistic in weekend press conferences after Lockett required surgery to stabilize a broken bone in his left hand. Carroll suggested Lockett could return in Week 17 after missing just one week. That's possible but unlikely. When Lockett does return, he should be immediately ready to resume a full workload.
QB Lamar Jackson | Left PCL sprain | Week-to-week | Questionable Week 16
Jackson reportedly has a low-grade PCL sprain and has a chance to return this week. These injuries are tricky to project, and players sometimes have stiffness or looseness in the joint longer than initially expected. It's possible for Jackson to heal in time to return this week. A full practice would reassure that he's immediately ready for his usual dual-threat role.
More Sunday injuries to monitor
- QB Ryan Tannehill | Right high ankle sprain | Questionable Week 16
- QB Colt McCoy | Concussion protocol | Questionable Week 16
- RB Travis Etienne | Ankle injury | Probable Week 16
- RB Caleb Huntley | Achilles injury | Season-ending injury
More recoveries to monitor
- QB Kenny Pickett | Concussion protocol | Probable Week 16
- QB Russell Wilson | Concussion protocol | Questionable Week 16
- QB Jimmy Garoppolo | Right foot fracture | Out Week 16 | Target Week 18++
- QB Mike White | Rib fractures | Doubtful Week 16 | Target Week 17
- RB Damien Harris | Thigh injury | Questionable Week 16
- RB DeeJay Dallas | High ankle sprain | Doubtful Week 16
- RB Jeff Wilson | Hip injury | Questionable Week 16
- WR Deebo Samuel | Left high ankle sprain / Left MCL sprain | Out Week 16 | Target Week 18+
- WR Courtland Sutton | Hamstring strain | Doubtful Week 16 | Target Week 17+
- WR Treylon Burks | Concussion protocol | Questionable Week 16
- WR Nico Collins | Foot injury | Questionable Week 16
- WR Brandin Cooks | Calf strain | Doubtful Week 16
- WR Corey Davis | Concussion protocol | Questionable Week 16
- WR DeVante Parker | Concussion protocol | Questionable Week 16
- WR Chase Claypool | Knee injury | Doubtful Week 16
- WR David Bell | Toe injury | Questionable Week 16
- TE Hayden Hurst | Right calf injury | Questionable Week 16
Designated to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI
- WR Quintez Cephus >> Left foot injury | Doubtful Week 16
Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire >> High ankle sprain | Doubtful Week 16 | Target Week 17+
- RB Khalil Herbert >> Hip injury | Probable Week 16
- RB Chase Edmonds >> High ankle sprain | Questionable Week 16
- WR Cooper Kupp >> High ankle sprain | Target return Week 17+ | Expect 2023 return
- WR Mecole Hardman >> Abdominal illness | Questionable Week 16
- WR Jake Kumerow >> Ankle injury | Doubtful Week 16 | Target return Week 17+
- TE Dallas Goedert >> Left shoulder injury | Probable Week 16
- TE Irv Smith >> High ankle sprain | Questionable Week 16
Eligible to return from injured reserve | PUP | NFI Week 17
- RB Elijah Mitchell | MCL sprain | Target return Week 19+
Footballguys injury coverage will return Saturday morning with analysis and Week 16 expectations for key injured players.