The regular season in 2021 is halfway over. With nine weeks behind them and nine more ahead, it’ll be a desperate sprint for a number of teams to make the playoffs. There are a handful of important playoff games this week, including Patriots-Browns and Chiefs-Raiders. Of course, injuries will play a role in these games in some way or another, and Week 10 is no different.
We’ll take a look at all the injury news as clubs across the league visit the practice field for the first time this week. Below, you’ll find out who’s in and who’s out, as well as a breakdown of each club’s initial injury reports.
Baltimore Ravens vs Miami Dolphins
Because Latavius Murray has been unable to practice with the Ravens this week, he is unlikely to play on Thursday. This will leave Le’Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman to handle the backfield duties. Meanwhile, Sammy Watkins participated fully in Wednesday’s walkthrough, indicating that he will play in Week 10. Marquise Brown, another wide receiver, was not listed on the final injury report due to a back ailment.
Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins’ quarterback, is listed as questionable for Week 10 after he was unable to start in Week 9 due to a fracture in his throwing hand’s finger. If he is unable to play, Jacoby Brissett, who started last week, will take his place.
New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans
Saints standout running back Alvin Kamara missed the first two practices of the week due to a knee issue, according to the team. Along with lineman Terron Armstead (knee, shoulder), defensive end Payton Turner (shoulder), and safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, he was one of four New Orleans players out on Wednesday. Ty Montgomery (hamstring) and defensive end Carl Granderson (shoulder) were among those who were unable to play due to injuries.
Jeffery Simmons (ankle), Harold Landry (hamstring), and Bud Dupree were among the eight Tennessee players who did not practice on Wednesday (knee). Due to a knee injury, both wide receiver A.J. Brown and tackle Taylor Lewan were limited.
Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Because of a thigh injury, Detroit’s first official practice after the Week 9 bye was without running back Jamaal Williams. Williams was the only Lion who did not practice, but linebacker Austin Bryant (shoulder), defensive end Jashon Cornell (illness), and kicker Austin Selbert (right hip) all had limited participation.
After playing Monday night, the Steelers performed a walkthrough on Wednesday, thus the team’s initial injury report is only an estimate if they actually play. QB Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral, right shoulder) and wide receiver Chase Claypool were the two players who were held out (toe).
Claypool was scheduled for an MRI on his toe on Wednesday, which indicated a non-season-ending injury, according to Mike Tomlin. Meanwhile, tight end Eric Ebron was limited after missing the previous two games due to a hamstring ailment. Tomlin said, “Last week was a good week for me.”
Washington Football Team vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When the Buccaneers visit Washington on Sunday, they may be without a few key players. On the initial injury report, seven players were designated as out, with four Buccaneers not participating. Chris Godwin (foot) and Antonio Brown (ankle), as well as tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs) and outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, were all injured (shoulder, hand). Bruce Arians said “we’ll see” about Godwin’s status for Week 10 in regards to his status.
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel (groin) and defensive end Montez Sweat (jaw) were the only two Washington players who did not practice. Antonio Gibson (shin), Brandon Scherff (knee), and Sam Cosmi (ankle) are among the injured players.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Atlanta Falcons
On Wednesday, Falcons outside linebacker Dante Fowler (knee) returned to practice. Fowler will return to practice, but that doesn’t mean he’ll certainly play, according to head coach Arthur Smith. Linebacker Steven Means (knee) and defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard (concussion) were both limited in practice, while tight end Lee Smith (back) and cornerback Kendall Sheffield (hamstring) were kept out.
The most noticeable development in Dallas is that quarterback Dak Prescott has been removed from the injury report entirely. However, the Cowboys were without six players at the start of the week, including receiver Cedrick Wilson (shoulder) and tackle Tyron Smith (ankle). Ezekiel Elliott (knee) and Amari Cooper (hamstring) were both restricted.
New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns
In addition to the Browns’ players missing practice, including Nick Chubb, owing to COVID-19 regulations, Myles Garrett (foot), Malik Jackson (ankle), Jarvis Landry (knee), and Takkarist McKinley (groin) were held out. Baker Mayfield (left shoulder, foot) and Jadeveon Clowney (ankle, knee) were both limited in practice for the Browns.
To begin the week of practice, the Patriots were without five players, including running backs Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, who are all in concussion protocol. Gunner Olszewski, a wide receiver, is also in concussion protocol and did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.
Jamie Collins, a linebacker, was held out of practice due to an ankle injury, while Matthew Judon was held out for non-injury reasons. The players that were limited were tight end Jonnu Smith (shoulder), receiver N’Keal Harry (knee), and linebacker Dont’a Hightower (ankle).
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Due to an ankle injury he received in the win over Buffalo, quarterback Trevor Lawrence was restricted from practice on Wednesday. James Robinson (heel), Chris Claybrooks (concussion), and Myles Jack (knee) were all held out due to injuries. Adam Gotsis, an experienced defensive lineman, was granted a day off.
Xavier Rhodes (calf) and Brad Smith (elbow) were the only two Colts players who did not participate in the team’s first practice on Wednesday. T.Y. Hilton (concussion), Darius Leonard (ankle), and Quenton Nelson (ankle, toe) were all hampered in the meantime.
New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills
Due to injury, receiver Cole Beasley (ribs), linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (hamstring), and running back Zack Moss (concussion) were all given veteran rest days. Five Buffalo players were limited, including tight end Dawson Knox (hand) and offensive lineman Spencer Brown (back).
Corey Davis, while being labeled as a limited participant in practice Wednesday by the Jets, told reporters that he was “full throttle” despite a hip issue. Meanwhile, quarterback Zach Wilson (knee), running back Tevin Coleman (hamstring), offensive lineman Chuma Edoga (knee), defensive lineman Shaq Lawson (hamstring), offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker (toe), and offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker (toe) were all limited.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings held a walkthrough on Wednesday, so their practice report is based on an estimate of how many people would have attended if they had a full session. With that in mind, the only non-participants were Anthony Barr (knee) and Michael Pierce (elbow). Bashaud Breeland (groin), Cameron Dantzler (ankle), Harrison Hand (ankle), and Oli Udoh (knee) all had restricted playing time due to injuries.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers
End of the defense After leaving the Panthers’ Week 9 game against the Patriots twice, Brian Burns did not practice on Wednesday. Stanley Thomas-Oliver III (toe), Sam Darnold (right shoulder), Frankie Luvu (knee), and Sam Darnold (right shoulder) were all held out. Rashaan Melvin’s (hand) abilities were limited.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, have a long injury list, with 12 players listed as non-participants. Kyler Murray (ankle), DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring), Rondale Moore (neck, concussion), Chase Edmonds (ankle), and Budda Baker (ankle) are among the most notable (concussion, knee). Meanwhile, Kelvin Beachum (shin), Darrell Daniels (shoulder), Demetrius Harris (sickness), and Jordan Hicks (illness) are all nursing injuries (toe).
Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks
In addition to Aaron Rodgers’ absence from practice due to COVID-19 regulations, the Packers have designated tight end Dominique Dafney (hamstring) as a non-participant. Equanimeous St. Brown (ankle), Eric Stokes (knee), Dennis Kelly (back), Kenny Clark (back), and Kingsley Keke (concussion) were all limited. The good news for Green Bay is that left tackle David Bakhtiari has been formally activated from the PUP list, making him eligible to play on Sunday.
Denver Broncos vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Darius Slay (hamstring), Rodney McLeod (neck), Javon Hargrave (shoulder), and Avonte Maddox (shoulder) were among the six players who missed the first week of practice (knee). J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (ankle) and DeVonta Smith (elbow) were both limited. Meanwhile, tight end Noah Fant was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list by Denver.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs
Chris Jones and Dorian O’Daniel were mentioned on Kansas City’s initial injury report, but with the proviso that their absence from practice was not due to injury. Due to injuries, L’Jarius Sneed (ankle, wrist), Lucas Niang (ribs), and Mike Remmers (knee) were unable to participate in the practices. Tyreek Hill (ankle), Travis Kelce (neck), Joe Thuney (hand), and Frank Clark (abdomen, foot) were all listed as injured but played full games.
During Wednesday’s practice, the Raiders were without defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (back), linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (ankle), and corner Keisean Nixon (ankle). Tight end Darren Waller did not compete as well, but for non-injury reasons. Hunter Renfrow, a wide receiver, was hindered by an ankle ailment.
