For some teams, this is the first week of the fantasy playoffs. For others who had a particularly strong season, this might be a bye week. For the rest of the folks who aren't in the playoffs, there might still be a reason to finish strong, even if it's just for pride. If you're setting a lineup, injuries are a factor. If you're not, well, you might just want to get a jump on considering who you might need to replace in the weeks ahead.
For reference, players might be classified on the team's final injury report of any given week as "questionable (Q)," "doubtful (D)" or "out." Besides the obvious designation of a player being ruled out, "questionable" indicates a player is uncertain to play, while "doubtful" means a player is unlikely to play.
Since the NFL did away with the "probable" designation two years ago, players who are expected to play on Sunday (or Monday) are simply removed from the injury report by the reporting deadline (Friday evening for Sunday games, Saturday afternoon for Monday night games).
For the purposes of this injury-related game preview, players will be grouped by position. Below each player's name, team, injured body part (as listed on the official NFL injury report), official game-status designation and game time (ET), the following elements are included: any known relevant details about the injury, the player's involvement in practice during the week and any additional notes to provide context around the player's status.
For anyone seeking more specific details about certain types of injuries, here is an illustrated injury glossary, which you also can find on the right side of the ESPN fantasy home page.
Also, please check out my Answering the Bell podcast in which we take a deeper dive into various medical topics with special guests, including experts in their respective fields, as well as athletes who have firsthand experience with various injuries or medical conditions. All episodes are archived here.
And now, on to the Sunday/Monday games preview:
Quarterbacks
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, right shoulder (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report six weeks ago
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Thursday; full Friday
Notes: Newton's appearance on the injury report each week as he continues to play on Sundays is so routine that it barely catches the attention of fantasy players. This week was different, however.
Following a four-turnover outing against a Buccaneers team that had fewer interceptions on the season coming into the game than they did on Sunday, coach Ron Rivera said Newton's shoulder was sore. His concern appeared somewhat elevated compared to other weeks, and Newton himself hinted at the possibility of a procedure in the offseason. His practice routine, however, remained the same as in past weeks, and his removal from the injury report confirms that Newton, despite being a little more banged up this week than usual, is expected to play his normal load on Sunday.
Don't expect things to change much for Newton given that his style of play invites contact and, as we've seen this year, a running Newton is typically a more productive Newton. Now, if he can just avoid some of those hits ...
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, knee (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Sprained left knee, Week 1
Practice report: Full Wednesday-Friday (Note: The Packers did not conduct practice on Friday, so the Friday report is an estimation)
Notes: Outside of the bump in the road Rodgers hit several weeks after his initial injury, he has done well, at least as far as his knee goes. The offense in Green Bay has felt out of sync for some time, and last week coach Mike McCarthy was fired after the Packers game. It's hard to know what to expect from Rodgers and the rest of the fantasy-relevant players this week, but from an injury standpoint, the knee does not appear to be holding him back.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots, knee (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report two weeks ago
Practice report: Limited Wednesday; off injury report Thursday
Notes: A little treatment or a light practice are the kinds of things that will land you on the injury report. But, when you're removed the very next day as Brady was, it can't be considered serious in any way. Brady will make yet another start in Miami.
Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins, right shoulder (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 5; right shoulder capsular injury
Practice report: Full Wednesday-Friday
Notes: Tannehill remains on the injury report for documenting and compliance purposes, but he is practicing fully every day and is making another start this week.
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens, right hip (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 9 (bye in Week 10)
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Thursday; full Friday
Notes: Flacco continues to make steady progress as far as his hip is concerned. Last week he returned to practice for the first time, albeit in limited fashion, on Friday. This week he was limited early on but progressed to a full practice Friday, leading coach John Harbaugh to say he could be active, potentially in a backup role, if cleared medically to return.
According to ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley, the expectation is that Lamar Jackson will get the start this week, but Harbaugh was not willing to speculate who might be under center beyond Week 14. For fantasy planning purposes, the starter this Sunday remains Jackson.
Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears, right shoulder (off pregame injury report), 8:20 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 11; DNP Weeks 12-13
Practice report: Full Wednesday-Friday
Notes: The Bears were not interested in rushing Trubisky back into action, even though his injury was never reported to be serious. Most notably, he was restricted from throwing until late last week. This week he increased his throwing and told reporters that his arm felt good. By putting in three consecutive full practices, Trubisky showed there were no ill effects of throwing on back-to-back days, and with his removal from the pregame injury report, it appears he is poised to make his return on Sunday night against the Rams.
Sam Darnold, New York Jets, foot (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 9
Practice report: Full Wednesday-Friday
Notes: Initially it seemed as if Darnold was hinting at playing the week following his foot injury, but that did not come to pass. Apparently the Jets felt he needed substantially more time off, and he was not even a full practice participant until this week. After three consecutive full days and a removal from the pregame injury report, Darnold is in line to resume his duties under center when the Jets travel to face the Bills on Sunday.
Running backs
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals, foot (off pregame injury report), 4:05 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report this week
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Thursday; full Friday
Notes: The best news for the Bengals was when Mixon upgraded to a full practice session Friday and had his name removed from the pregame injury report. The news was also good for fantasy players who have him on their roster, especially given the late kickoff in this contest. Expect Mixon to play against the Chargers.
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers, ankle (off pregame injury report), 4:05 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report for ankle this week
Practice report: Full Wednesday-Friday
Notes: With Melvin Gordon sidelined for another week due to an MCL sprain, Ekeler's status is key for the Chargers. Once again he practices in full and is removed from the pregame injury report.
Adrian Peterson, Washington Redskins, shoulder (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 5
Practice report: DNP Wednesday; limited Thursday; full Friday
Notes: It would be easy to forget that Peterson dislocated his shoulder in Week 5 because he hasn't missed any time. He does however remain a regular on the injury report as the team limits his practice reps for obvious reasons. He is expected to play as usual Sunday.
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks, finger (off pregame injury report), Monday night
Additional injury details: Dislocated finger in Week 13
Practice report: Limited Thursday; full Friday-Saturday
Notes: Carson dislocated his finger late in last week's game, but both he and coach Pete Carroll were optimistic about his status heading into this week. It appears the optimism was justified as Carson put in two full practices and was taken off the injury report Saturday.
Josh Adams, Philadelphia Eagles, shoulder (off pregame injury report), 4:25 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report this week
Practice report: Limited Wednesday; full Thursday-Friday
Notes: Adams overcame a minor hip ailment to play in Monday night's game, but the attention shifted to his shoulder this week as he was limited Wednesday. His quick upgrade to full practices and removal from the pregame injury report are reassuring however, and it doesn't appear the shoulder will be a factor.
Kenyan Drake, Miami Dolphins, shoulder (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report in Week 9
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Friday
Notes: Drake's status has not changed for several weeks. He remains on the practice injury report because of his shoulder but is removed from the pregame injury report and plays.
Doug Martin, Oakland Raiders, knee (Q), 4:25 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 13
Practice report: Full Wednesday-Friday
Notes: Martin injured his knee in last week's game, and the Raiders signed C.J. Anderson as insurance, according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Interestingly, Martin was listed as a full participant in practice each day yet shows up designated as questionable. Puzzling. It seems likely Martin will play, but there is at least some question about how much work he would get. In any scenario in which fantasy players are considering starting him, have a backup plan in place and keep in mind this is a late game.
Isaiah Crowell, New York Jets, toe (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report this week
Practice report: DNP Wednesday-Thursday; limited Friday
Notes: Last week Crowell touched the ball more than he has in any other game this season and got a toe injury to go with it. After resting in the early part of the week, Crowell did return to a limited session Friday. Despite the questionable tag, ESPN.com's Rich Cimini believes Crowell will play. It's easy to confirm his status and insert an alternate if necessary as this is an early kickoff.
Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks, ankle (Q), Monday night
Additional injury details: Added to injury report Saturday
Practice report: Not listed on practice reports
Notes: Interestingly, Penny popped up on Saturday's report as questionable heading into Monday, yet he was not listed as a limited practice participant. Perhaps something happened at the end of practice that led him to seek evaluation, but whatever the case might be, his status has suddenly changed. This is probably a situation to avoid for fantasy players.
Wide receivers
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons, foot (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added foot to injury report this week
Practice report: DNP Wednesday, Thursday; limited Friday
Notes: Jones is such a trusted veteran that the only time for real concern is if he doesn't participate in any fashion in Friday practice. That is not the case this week as he returned to a limited session Friday, prompting coach Dan Quinn to announce he would play on Sunday.
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints, ankle (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to the injury report this week
Practice report: DNP Wednesday; Full Thursday-Friday
Notes: Whatever the issue was with Thomas' ankle, it only kept him out of one day of practice. No worries here as he is expected to play as usual on Sunday.
DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans, foot (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 2
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Friday
Notes: This is the same report every single week. Hopkins plays every single week.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts, shoulder (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report for shoulder this week
Practice report: DNP Wednesday-Thursday; limited Friday
Notes: Hilton landed hard on his shoulder last week, and it looked as if he was in a good deal of pain. He exited the game but only very briefly, then returned to action. His Friday participation suggests he will play, but it will be important to verify his status in the morning.
Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings, knee (off pregame injury report), Monday night
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 12; Played in Week 13
Practice report: Limited Thursday-Saturday
Notes: Diggs already played through this injury, and while he didn't look quite like himself and even left the game briefly, limping as he exited the field, he returned and was serviceable. A week later and he has improved to practicing daily on a limited basis and is removed from the pregame injury report. Barring a setback, he will play Monday night.
Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions, quadricep (off pregame injury report), 4:25 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report this week
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Thursday; full Friday
Notes: The most important notes are that Golladay practiced fully Friday and was removed from the pregame injury report, suggesting the issue with his quad was never that serious. Expect him to take the field Sunday.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos, ankle (off pregame injury report), 4:05 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report last week
Practice report: Full Wednesday-Friday
Notes: It seemed as if Sutton was primed for a larger role when Demaryius Thomas was traded to the Texans. That didn't exactly happen. Now there is no choice but for it to happen. The Broncos lost Emmanuel Sanders to an Achilles rupture in practice Wednesday and his season is over. Sutton becomes the top receiving option in Denver, and he showed last week with his 85 yards and a touchdown that he is up for the task.
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants, rib (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 12
Practice report: Limited Wednesday; full Thursday-Friday
Notes: Shepard's removal from the pregame injury report confirms his availability for Sunday, and that's a good thing as the Giants will be without Odell Beckham Jr., who was ruled out Saturday with a bruised quad. The target share for Shepard should increase, and he could have an opportunity to shine against a Washington defense that has been generous to wide receivers.
Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks, hip (Q), Monday night
Additional injury details: Added to injury report two weeks ago
Practice report: DNP Thursday-Saturday
Notes: Two weeks ago Baldwin was a game-time decision due to a groin injury. Last week he appeared to have improved to the point of being removed from the pregame injury report. This week he did not practice at all and is listed as questionable, shaping up as another game-time decision. Although he is formally listed on the team's report with a hip issue, this is undoubtedly tied to the groin injury that has been nagging at him the last couple of weeks.
Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons, elbow/hand (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report for elbow last week; hand this week
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Friday
Notes: Ridley has played each week no matter which body part is listed next to his name. His productivity however has fluctuated wildly. The Falcons have a decent matchup this week against the Packers, so fantasy players have to be hopeful that Ridley's fluctuation goes in the positive direction this week.
Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers, hamstring (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to the injury report 10 weeks ago; DNP Weeks 4-6; Returned to action Weeks 8-9; DNP Weeks 10-12; Returned to action Week 13
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Thursday; full Friday (Note: The Packers did not conduct practice Friday, so the Friday report is an estimation)
Notes: Cobb is a study in just how nagging hamstring injuries can be. The good news is that he emerged from the Week 13 contest without any issues, but proactive management can be expected going forward. Barring a late setback, Cobb, now off the pregame injury report, should play Sunday.
Danny Amendola, Miami Dolphins, knee (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report two weeks ago
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Friday
Notes: Amendola did not play in Week 13 after not practicing and being listed as doubtful. This week he practiced in limited fashion and is listed as questionable, an upgrade over last week. Still, he's not a lock to play against his former team. His status is shaping up to be a game-time decision.
Keke Coutee, Houston Texans, hamstring (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Original injury in preseason; appeared on injury report again in Week 5; aggravated injury in Week 12
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Friday
Notes: Coutee aggravated his hamstring in Week 12; this is the third aggravation of his injury this season. It still doesn't seem as if he has made enough progress to risk a return to action on his finicky hamstring.
Jordy Nelson, Oakland Raiders, foot (off pregame injury report), 4:25 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report for foot this week
Practice report: Full Wednesday-Friday
Notes: Nelson's removal from the pregame injury report indicates he will play. And, for what it's worth, he is coming off his most receptions in a game so far this year. Unfortunately, the Raiders face a tougher test against the Steelers this week.
Josh Doctson, Washington Redskins, hip (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report this week
Practice report: Limited Friday
Notes: A Friday addition to the injury report is never encouraging, particularly when it's a player who has a significant injury history. Sometimes a limited workout is a proactive measure if a player even feels a hint of something unusual. While his questionable status creates uncertainty, ESPN.com's John Keim noted that the team does not consider this injury serious. It sounds as if he has a good chance to play, but double-check pregame inactives to be sure.
Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins, ankle (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 5; returned to action in Week 13
Practice report: Full Wednesday-Friday
Notes: Crowder returned to action last week after missing seven games with a significant ankle injury. He emerged from the game without any setbacks and was a full participant in practice throughout the week. Last week he was questionable; this week he is off the pregame injury report, so he is trending in the right direction.
Bruce Ellington, Detroit Lions, back (Q), 4:25 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury three weeks ago
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Friday
Notes: The good news is that Ellington participated in practice each day. The bad news is that he is listed as questionable in a late game. The better news is that he has been listed as questionable before with this injury and has played through it. For fantasy players who are considering plugging him in as a flex option, be sure to double-check his status before kickoff.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins, shoulder (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report last week
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Friday
Notes: Parker followed a similar routine last week and played in Sunday's game. Hey, he even found the end zone! For fantasy owners looking for a player to flex, Parker is an option, and his removal from the pregame injury report indicates he'll play.
Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs, foot (D), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 9
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Thursday; DNP Friday
Notes: Watkins has only suited up once since injuring his foot. That was in Week 11, and he lasted all of five snaps. The doubtful tag indicates the Chiefs do not expect to have him this week, and the recent signing of Kelvin Benjamin makes one wonder if they think it will be a bit longer before he returns.
Tight ends
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots, ankle/back (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report eight weeks ago; back added in Week 7
Practice report: Limited Wednesday; off injury report Thursday
Notes: Gronkowski has definitely turned a corner as far as his health, given that the team removed him entirely from the injury report as of Thursday. He has also passed the eyeball test and played virtually all of the offensive snaps the last two weeks, even if his passing targets are few. The hope for fantasy owners is that Tom Brady finds him in the end zone against the Dolphins.
Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts, back/illness (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report this week
Practice report: DNP Wednesday-Thursday; full Friday
Notes: Perhaps it was the two off days of practice this week instead of the usual one that had Ebron watchers concerned, but given that he was also fending off an illness in addition to his sore back, the extra rest makes sense. Most importantly, he was back for a full session Friday and off the pregame injury report, meaning he will play Sunday.
Jimmy Graham, Green Bay Packers, knee/thumb (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 11, fractured left thumb
Practice report: DNP Wednesday; limited Thursday; full Friday
Notes: There's really nothing to see here. Graham is routinely listed on the injury report because of his knee, and he has already returned to action since fracturing his thumb. In fact, last week he caught more passes than he has in any other game this season. If there are any offensive issues for the Packers, it won't be because of injuries to their tight end.
Evan Engram, New York Giants, hamstring (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 12
Practice report: Limited Wednesday; full Thursday-Friday
Notes: Engram injured his hamstring two weeks ago and hasn't played since, but that is about to change. After consecutive full practices this week, Engram was removed from the pregame injury report and will play. According to ESPN.com's Jordan Raanan, expectations for Engram are similar to what they have been so far this season: playing on primarily passing downs for about half of the Giants' offensive snaps. With Odell Beckham Jr. being ruled out Saturday however, perhaps there is an opportunity for Engram to see more targets.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns, knee (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared on injury report six weeks ago
Practice report: Limited Wednesday-Thursday; full Friday
Notes: Njoku's practice status and his playing status remain the same as they have for several weeks now. His productivity however has been inconsistent, making him a less appealing option for fantasy players.