Week 12 NFL Injury Report: Updates on Julio Jones, Philip Rivers, More Injuries

All eyes have been on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12, as the team works to control a COVID-19 outbreak that so far has resulted in the placement of quarterback Lamar Jackson and two running backs on the reserve list.

We’ll also be keeping an eye on Carolina as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (knee) and running back Christian McCaffrey (shoulder) work their way back from injuries.

As always, be sure to check back throughout the week as the page is updated with the latest information.

Week 12 NFL Injury Report

Latest On NFL Injuries

Sunday Updates

Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring): Jones — who was limited to 35 percent of team snaps in Week 11 by a hamstring injury — is looking unlikely to play in Week 12, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

With that being said, Jones has not yet been officially ruled out by the team, and he’ll likely have an opportunity to test out his hamstring during pregame warmups before a final decision is made. His final status will be updated in the above table as soon as it becomes official.

Broncos QB Update: The Broncos placed backup QB Jeff Driskel on the Reserve/COVID-19 List after he tested positive for the virus on Thursday, and on Saturday, starting QB Drew Lock, along with backup QBs Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles, were deemed close contacts to Driskel. The quarterbacks were found to have been in contact with Driskel without wearing masks, leading to the “close contact” designation in the cases of Lock, Rypien and Bortles. As of Saturday evening, Driskel is the only QB who tested positive for the virus.

Denver is now left scrambling to fill the QB position in advance of its Week 12 matchup against the Saints. It appears the most likely scenario is that practice squad WR Kendall Hinton will get the start, due to his history of playing the position while at Wake Forest in college. Royce Freeman has been Denver’s “emergency QB” this season, and he may see snaps at the position as well.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (COVID-19): The Colts placed rookie RB Jonathan Taylor on the Reserve/COVID-19 List on Saturday, not because he himself tested positive for COVID-19, but because a close contact of his contracted the virus. Taylor will miss Sunday’s game against the Titans, leaving Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins to form a likely committee in the backfield.

Steelers RB James Conner (COVID-19): Conner was also placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 List Saturday, but unlike Taylor, Conner’s placement on the list is a result of him testing positive. If the Steelers/Ravens game is played on Tuesday as it's currently scheduled, Conner will be unavailable for Pittsburgh.

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (thumb): Originally listed as questionable on Miami’s Friday game status report, Tua was downgraded to doubtful on Saturday, leaving Ryan Fitzpatrick in line to get the start at quarterback. Fitzpatrick also replaced Tua in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss to the Broncos, but head coach Brian Flores clarified the move was not injury-related at the time.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring): Ekeler was activated from IR on Saturday by the Chargers, making him eligible to play in Week 12 against the Bills. With that said, it doesn’t appear likely that he will immediately step into a workhorse role. An overnight report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that Ekeler “won’t be the bell cow just yet”. Kalen Ballage (ankle/calf) is listed as questionable to play, and his Week 12 status will come down to a gametime decision.

Colts QB Philip Rivers (toe): Rivers missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday of this week before getting in a limited session on Friday due to a toe injury he is dealing with. According to head coach Frank Reich, Rivers’ toe responded well to Friday’s practice session and the veteran QB is expected to keep his consecutive games started streak alive at 234.

Friday Updates

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (COVID-19): Jackson joins a number of his teammates on the Reserve/COVID-19 List after it was announced that the reigning league MVP tested positive for the virus on Thursday. If the Steelers-Ravens game is played on Tuesday as currently scheduled, Robert Griffin III is likely to get the start under center for Baltimore.

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (shoulder): Although CMC is officially listed as “questionable” to play in Week 12, the Panthers are not expecting him to be on the field, according to head coach Matt Rhule. Still, McCaffrey is clearly trending in the right direction and he should have a chance to return in Week 14, following Carolina’s Week 13 bye.

Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater (knee): After missing one game with an MCL sprain, Bridgewater is expected to resume his duties as the starting quarterback for Carolina this weekend. Teddy has been able to practice in full throughout the week and he does not carry a game status designation heading into the Panthers' matchup against the Vikings.

Jaguars WR D.J. Chark (ribs): When Mike Glennon starts his first game of the season for Jacksonville this weekend, he’ll do so without the services of both Chark and Chris Conley (hip), who were both ruled out by the team on Friday.

While Laviska Shenault (hamstring) has been sidelined over the past two weeks, Chark and Conley have combined for 40 percent of the targets in the receiving game. If there’s any silver lining here for the Jags, it’s that Shenault appears poised to return to the field in Week 12.

Bears QB Nick Foles (hip): After missing practice throughout the week, Foles is considered doubtful to play against Green Bay this weekend due to a hip injury he sustained in Week 10 before Chicago’s Week 11 bye. Mitch Trubisky — who was benched in favor of Foles in Week 4 — will get the start for the Bears.

Colts QB Philip Rivers (toe): Rivers is listed as questionable to start in Week 12 with a toe injury after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. He was back on the practice field Friday, albeit as a limited participant. Rivers has started 234 consecutive games, dating back to 2006, so you know he will make every effort to be on the field if at all possible this weekend.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen (COVID-19): Earlier in the week, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thielen had received both positive and negative tests. Further test results are not known as of Friday afternoon and head coach Mike Zimmer said, “We’ll just have to wait and see” if Thielen will be available this weekend. 

Wednesday Updates

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (shoulder): Although McCaffrey participated in practice on a limited basis today for the Panthers, he is not expected to play in Week 12, according to head coach Matt Rhule. With the Panthers going on bye in Week 13, the team will take a cautious approach and allow their dynamic playmaker extra time to recover in anticipation of a Week 14 return.

Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater (knee): While McCaffrey is unlikely to return, the news isn’t all bad for Carolina. Rhule was much more optimistic that Bridgewater would be available to play in Week 12 after sitting out last week. Bridgewater was able to get in a practice session today and barring a setback, he’ll be under center for Carolina against Minnesota on Sunday.

Lions WR Kenny Golladay (hip): Unsurprisingly, the Lions have ruled out Golladay for the fourth consecutive game as his recovery from a hip injury continues. Golladay was listed as a limited practice participant on Monday, creating some hope that he’d be able to return in Week 12, but those were dashed after Golladay was a non-participant on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Danny Amendola (hip) will also be unavailable again for Detroit on Thanksgiving.

Lions RB D’Andre Swift (concussion): Swift is listed as questionable to play against the Texans after missing Week 11 with a concussion. The rookie was listed as a limited participant on both Tuesday and Wednesday, but his Week 12 availability will ultimately depend on whether he is able to clear the concussion protocol prior to kickoff.

Washington WR Terry McLaurin (ankle): McLaurin is listed as questionable to play in Washington’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Cowboys, but his practice participation has been trending in the right direction. After being listed as DNP (did not participate) on Monday’s practice report, McLaurin was limited on Tuesday and practiced in full on Wednesday. McLaurin was on the field for 92% of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 11, and he does not appear to be in danger of missing tomorrow’s game.

Baltimore Ravens update: The Ravens have now had seven players test positive for COVID-19 this week, and their previously scheduled Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Steelers has been pushed back to Sunday afternoon.

Bears RB David Montgomery (concussion): Montgomery was forced to miss the Bears’ Week 10 loss to the Vikings after sustaining a concussion in Week 9. Coming out of Chicago’s Week 11 bye, Montgomery is now clear of the concussion protocol and is expected to play this weekend against Green Bay.

Monday Updates

Bengals QB Joe Burrow (knee): While there were fewer key injuries in Week 11 than in other weeks we’ve seen throughout the season, there was one major injury that overshadowed the slate. Burrow was carted off the field on Sunday after sustaining a knee injury that was later confirmed as both a torn ACL and MCL, closing the door on an excellent rookie campaign.

Burrow’s status to begin the 2021 season also becomes murky given an estimated 8-9 month recovery timeline. Ryan Finley filled in for the Bengals after Burrow left the game and should be first in line to start under center moving forward.

Ravens RBs J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram (COVID-19): Both Dobbins and Ingram were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 List after testing positive for the virus today.

As of Monday afternoon, backup RBs Gus Edwards and Justice Hill remained off the reserve list, making them likely to be the top two backs on the depth chart when the Ravens face the Steelers on Thanksgiving Day. An ESPN reportstated there had been at least four positive tests among the Ravens’ players and personnel.