While some teams have clinched playoff spots and can therefore afford to rest their starters, others, in win-win situations, are dealing with injuries at key positions.
The Jacksonville Jaguars can take the AFC South with a road win against the Tennessee Titans, but they may have to do it without starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars will wait until game time to see if his sprained right AC joint will allow him to throw well enough to play.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can capture the NFC South with a road win against the Carolina Panthers, and things are looking a little better for them with starting quarterback Baker Mayfield. On Friday he practiced fully despite some discomfort in his ribs.
The Atlanta Falcons can displace the Bucs atop the NFC South if Tampa stumbles, but they have their own problems at quarterback. They’ve had a revolving door at the position this season, and current starter Taylor Heinicke is questionable with an ankle injury. They will return to Desmond Ridder if Heinicke cannot play.
Here are more injury updates from our NFL Nation reporters as we head into the final weekend of the regular season.
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Injury: Right AC joint sprain
Coach Doug Pederson said Lawrence could be a game-time decision depending on how his shoulder feels Saturday and Sunday after he throws more on Friday. If they don’t respond well, the Jaguars will opt for CJ Beathard in a game they must win to claim the AFC South.
–Michael DiRocco
Injury: Ribs
Coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Mayfield will be “at full strength” against the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield was limited Thursday and participated fully in Friday’s practice. Additional testing revealed no cracks or fractures. Mayfield said his ribs feel “tender” and that it’s just a matter of pain tolerance and the need to stay relaxed throughout the game.
– Jenna Laine
Injury: Left ankle
Heinicke is officially listed as questionable with an ankle injury he suffered two weeks ago against Indianapolis. Heinicke told ESPN that he will need to warm up Sunday before the game against the New Orleans Saints and see how he feels. If Heinicke can’t go, Desmond Ridder will likely start for Atlanta in a game the Falcons must win (and then have Carolina beat Tampa Bay) to make the postseason.
-Michael Rothstein
Injury: hamstring
Rice, the Chiefs’ top wide receiver by a wide margin, did not practice all week and will not play Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs will also be without wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hip and ankle) and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (calf). Toney also missed the last two games.
–Adam Teicher
Injury: coach’s decision
Jackson will miss his first start of the season because coach John Harbaugh decided to rest him, Beckham and a handful of other starters. The Ravens have already clinched the number one seed in the AFC. Tyler Huntley will start in Jackson’s place. Over the previous two seasons, the Ravens went 2-8 in December and January without Jackson, averaging 18.6 points per game.
With WR Zay Flowers (calf) listed as doubtful, the Ravens will likely start Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor at wide receiver.
– Jamison Hensley
Injury: Quadruple
Jacobs has missed three consecutive games for the first time in his five-year career, and the reigning NFL rushing champion will miss a fourth, it was announced Friday. Jacobs, an All-Pro last season, averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry this season. In his absence, second-year running back Zamir White has averaged 4.8 yards per carry on the ground for a combined 285 yards and a touchdown in those three starts.
–Pablo Gutierrez
Injury: hamstring
Higgins did not practice all week. While the Bengals will evaluate him all weekend, it seems like a long shot for him to play in the finals.
– Ben baby
Injury: Knee
Henry injured his knee in the Week 15 loss to the Chiefs and hasn’t played since. He was limited all week in practice and was ruled out Friday. The eight-year veteran is scheduled for unrestricted free agency this offseason after totaling 42 receptions for 419 yards and six touchdowns this season.
–Mike Reiss
Injury: Knee
Allen, who missed the Pro Bowl this season after earning a spot in each of the previous two years, was ruled out for Sunday’s finals. Allen started the first 16 games and has missed only three games in the last six years. He finishes the year with 5.5 sacks, the most for any current commander, although wing Montez Sweat, traded in October, had 6.5 with Washington.
-John Keim
Injury: hamstring
Watson took Friday off after practicing Wednesday and Thursday, his first on-field work since the Dec. 3 injury. Both Watson and coach Matt LaFleur said that was by design. “I struggled a little bit the first two days,” Watson said Friday. “So to give myself the best chance to go on Sunday was to get some rest today and make sure I do everything I can to take care of my body and put myself in the best position to hopefully play on Sunday.”
-Rob Demovsky
Injury: Knee
For the first time since injuring his knee in the Week 15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Fitzpatrick is doubtful to play. He has been ruled out for the last two weeks, but has a real chance to play in a crucial game. Inside linebacker Elandon Roberts is also listed as questionable with a pectoral injury, but was emphatic that he will play against the Baltimore Ravens.
–Brooke Pryor
Injury: Concussion; shoulder
Mooney will miss his second straight game with a concussion, which could mean we’ve seen the last of the receiver in a Bears uniform. The fourth-year wide receiver heads into free agency after a disappointing season marked by career lows in receptions (31), receiving yards (414) and touchdowns (1).
Johnson left the Falcons game after 20 plays with a shoulder injury and did not practice this week. The cornerback, who is listed as doubtful, said the day after receiving his first Pro Bowl honor that his plan is to try to play against the Green Bay Packers.
-Courtney Cronin
Injury: Heel
Allen will miss his fourth consecutive game with a heel injury that has prevented him from continuing his already record-breaking season. Allen finishes the year with 108 receptions (a single-season franchise record) and 1,243 yards.
– Kris Rhim
Injury: Ankle
Williams was out of practice all week and was ruled out for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. He appeared to sprain both ankles after catching a 63-yard bomb from QB Jared Goff in the fourth quarter of Detroit’s 20-19 loss at Dallas on Dec. 30 and was seen limping out of the locker room after the game.
–Eric Woodyard
Injury: Ankle
Smith left Lincoln Financial Field wearing a walking boot and crutches and has been ruled out. However, his recovery seems to be going well. Since then, he abandoned the boots and crutches and walked around the locker room without a limp all week. Smith and cornerback Darius Slay (knee) appear on track to return to the playoffs.
-Tim McManus
Injury: Shoulder
The Giants’ first-round pick participated on a limited basis in practice this week after missing the Week 17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. But he has doubts for Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. You won’t see the rookie in the finals. It just doesn’t make sense.
–Jordan Raanan
Injury: hamstring
Although Piñeiro said he would kick if possible on Sunday, he is listed as doubtful, putting Matthew Wright in the spotlight. Interim coach Chris Tabor did not say what Wright’s range is, but Wright has connected from 59 yards, so the Panthers at least have a good option that they didn’t have last week when Piñeiro began to feel discomfort in warmups.
–David Newton
Injury: Ankle
Kamara sprained his ankle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and did not practice all week. Saints coach Dennis Allen said Kamara will be a game-time decision against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He is officially listed as questionable.
–Katherine Terrell
