NFL injury report: Latest updates on Justin Jefferson, Geno Smith and more

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Our Week 12 NFL injury report is live with a look at the top players from a fantasy football relevence. Things get going this week on Thanksgiving with a tripleheader. There are several players who show up on said injury report for those games.

We’re also intrigued to learn about the statuses of some top-tier wide receivers in that of Justin Jefferson and Cooper Kupp. What happens with them moving forward in practice could have a major impact in your fantasy leagues.

Without further ado, here is a look at our Week 12 NFL injury report.

Related: Week 12 fantasy football rankings

NFL injury report Week 12: Quarterbacks

PlayerTeamInjuryBackupStatus
Geno SmithSeahawksElbowDrew LockQUESTIONABLE
Derek CarrSaintsShoulder/concussionJameis WinstonBYE WEEK
Aaron RodgersJetsAchillesZach WilsonINJURED RESERVE
Taylor HeinickeFalconsHamstringDesmond RidderOUT

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks

Smith remains questionable for Thursday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers after suffering an arm injury in last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Pete Carroll had indicated that he believes Smith would be able to go on Thanksgiving. However, the quarterback himself didn’t seem too sure. We’ll have a better understanding of his status the day of the game. If Smith can’t go, Drew Lock would get the start for Seattle.

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints

Despite the Saints having a bye last week, Carr remains in the concussion protocol. He suffered the head injury back in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings and has not yet been cleared. New Orleans is set to take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. If Brees does not clear the concussion protocol, Jameis Winston would get the start. He threw two interceptions after Carr was injured back in Week 10. Stay tuned to our NFL injury report for more updates on this.

Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets

Shockingly, Rodgers is now eyeing a Dec. 24 return against the Washington Commanders after suffering a torn Achilles back in Week 1. That would represent roughly 4.5 months in between injury and a returen to in-game action. Whether this happens remains to be seen. New York (4-6) just benched Zach Wilson in favor of Tim Boyle after last week’s blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. If they are out of playoff contention come Christmas Eve, Rodgers likely won’t return.

NFL injury report Week 12: Running backs

PlayerTeamInjuryBackupStatus
Aaron JonesPackersKneeA.J. DillonDOUBTFUL
Kenneth WalkerSeahawksObliqueZach CharbonnetDOUBTFUL
De’Von AchaneDolphinsKneeRaheem MostertQUESTIONABLE
Antonio GibsonCommandersToeChris Rodriguez QUESTIONABLE
Dameon PierceTexansAnkleDevin SingletaryQUESTIONABLE
Kyren WilliamsRamsAnkleZach EvansPROBABLE

Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

Jones suffered a sprained to his MCL in last week’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He’s considered week-to-week, but is expected to miss several games. It’s yet another brutal blow for a running back in Jones who has dealt with injuries all season. The bad news for Green Bay is that A.J. Dillon is also banged up with a groin issue. Though, he should be able to go on Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions.

Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks

Walker suffered a non-contact oblique injury last week against the Rams. While he was initially a candidate for injured reserve, head coach Pete Carroll indicated it’s too early to tell how long Walker will be out. What we do know is that he’s slated to miss Thursday’s game againt San Francisco. With Walker out, rookie second-round pick Zach Charbonnet will take over RB1 duties. He put up a mere 47 yards on 15 attempts last week.

NFL injury report Week 12: Wide receivers

PlayerTeamInjuryBackupStatus
Justin JeffersonVikingsHamstringBrandon PowellQUESTIONABLE
Cooper KuppRamsAnkleAustin TrammellQUESTIONABLE
Tee HigginsBengalsHamstringAndrei IosivasOUT
Puka NacuaRamsShoulderBen SkowronekQUESTIONABLE
Michael ThomasSaintsKneeA.T. PerryOUT
Christian WatsonPackersShoulderMalik HeathQUESTIONABLE

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Jefferson has missed the past six games with a hamstring injury. It was ahead of Week 10 that the three-week practice window opened up for the Vikings to decide whether to activate him off injured reserve or sit the star receiver for the remainder of the season. Jefferson still hasn’t played despite practicing in full. It remains to be seen when he’ll suit up again. We’ll have further updates on his status in our NFL Week 12 injury report moving forward.

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

Kupp exited last week’s game against the Seahawks with an ankle injury. At this point, it’s not known how severe the injury is. While he did try to come back in the game, it’s looking more and more like Kupp will not be able to go Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals.

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Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Higgins missed each of the past two games with a hamstring injury. It’s not yet known whether he’ll play this week. It’ll be all about his status in Bengals practices moving forward. With Joe Burrow lost for the season, Cincinnati needs to have all hands on deck moving forward.

NFL injury report Week 12: Tight ends

PlayerTeamInjuryBackupStatus
Mark AndrewsRavensAnkleIsaiah Likely INJURED RESERVE
Dallas GoedertEaglesArmJack StollOUT
Dawson KnoxBillsWristDalton KincaidINJURED RESERVE
Darren WallerGiantsHamstringDaniel BellingerINJURED RESERVE
Luke MusgravePackersAbdominalQUESTIONABLE
Greg DulcichBroncosLegAdam TrautmanDOUBTFUL
Zach ErtzCardinalsQuadricepsTrey McBrideINJURED RESERVE

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Initially, it seemed that Andrews would be lost for the season to an ankle and foot injury he suffered last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. While that might still be the case, head coach John Harbaugh is holding out hope for a late-season return. Either way, Andrews is lost for the foreseeable future.

NFL injury report Week 12: Players lost for the season

PlayerTeamPositionInjury
Joe BurrowBengalsQBWrist
Deshaun WatsonBrownsQBShoulder
Daniel JonesGiantsQBACL
Kirk CousinsVikingsQBAchilles
Anthony RichardsonColtsQBShoulder
Nick ChubbBrownsRBKnee
J.K. DobbinsRavensRBAchilles
Kendrick BournePatriotsWRACL
Mike WilliamsChargersWRACL
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