We are just a few weeks away from wrapping up the 2021 NFL regular season, although things are getting tougher with each passing day. The league is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak, as dozens and dozens of players -- including plenty of notable names -- have been placed on reserve/COVID-19 lists. Some will miss Week 15, while others' statuses are still up in the air.
Between the coronavirus and injuries, some NFL rosters are getting pretty thin. Those on the reserve/COVID-19 list will not appear on injury reports, but notable names are registered there as well. Elsewhere, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is reportedly out for the rest of the regular season due to a knee injury, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is still working back from his ankle injury and Tennessee Titans star pass-rusher Bud Dupree is close to returning to the field.
Below, we will examine the midweek injury reports for 14 NFL teams and analyze the final injury report for Thursday night's matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers. If you have a question about an NFL injury heading into Week 15, this is the place to be.
All NFL odds come via Caesars Sportsbook.
Kansas City Chiefs (-3) at Los Angeles Chargers
- Chiefs: CB L'Jarius Sneed (personal) OUT; OG Andrew Wylie (knee) QUESTIONABLE
- Chargers: RB Austin Ekeler (ankle), S Alohi Gilman (quad), S Derwin James Jr. (hamstring), CB Asante Samuel Jr. (concussion) QUESTIONABLE
Sneed will miss "Thursday Night Football" due to the death of his brother, while Willie Gay will be out due to going on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Star defensive lineman Chris Jones is also on COVID reserve and will likely be sidelined. Wylie is questionable, but was a full participant in practice all week.
Every player listed as questionable for the Chargers was able to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, which should be looked at positively in terms of their chances of playing Thursday. Meanwhile, receiver Mike Williams (heel) was a full participant at practice Wednesday following his limited to return to action Tuesday. He carries no designation heading into this matchup.
Las Vegas Raiders (-1.5) at Cleveland Browns
Las Vegas ran a walkthrough Wednesday, so this practice report is merely an estimation of the participation had the team gone full speed. The big name worth monitoring continues to be tight end Darren Waller (knee, back). He was held out for the second straight day, which doesn't trend favorably for his chances of playing Saturday. Linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle) and corner Trayvon Mullen (toe) were the two other DNPs for the Raiders.
The Browns are dealing with quite a lot when it comes to COVID-19, but also have some notable injuries to worry about. Running back Kareem Hunt (ankle), defensive tackle Malik Jackson (knee), cornerback Greg Newsome II (concussion) and wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (concussion) did not practice Wednesday. Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (back), tight end Harrison Bryant (ankle), safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. (ankle) and center JC Tretter (knee) were limited participants.
New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5)
The Patriots were without three players Wednesday -- offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste (illness) and linebackers Ronnie Perkins (ankle) and Chase Winovich (illness). Meanwhile, eight players were limited, including running back Damien Harris (hamstring), defensive lineman Christian Barmore (knee), and center David Andrews (shoulder). Quarterback Mac Jones (left thumb) was a full participant.
Indy only had one player missing from Wednesday's session as linebacker Bobby Okereke was absent due to an illness. Tight end Jack Doyle (ankle) was the lone Colts player who was limited.
Dallas Cowboys (-10.5) at New York Giants
Running back Tony Pollard (foot) and left tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) were the only Cowboys players not to practice Wednesday. Meanwhile, every other active player on the roster was a full participant, including running back Ezekiel Elliott (knee).
New York was without running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) to begin the week along with offensive lineman Ben Bredeson (ankle), kicker Graham Gano (illness), defensive back Adoree' Jackson (quad), and defensive lineman Austin Johnson (foot). Quarterback Daniel Jones (neck), offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (ankle), and defensive lineman Leonard Williams (triceps) were limited.
Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles (-7)
Washington is in the midst of a COVID outbreak as over a dozen players have been placed on the reserve list over the past week. As for non-COVID situations, the team was without receiver Terry McLaurin and running back J.D. McKissic as they are both in concussion protocol. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke (right elbow) was a full participant.
Jalen Hurts was among eight players who were listed as limited participants for the Eagles walkthrough on Wednesday. Defensive end Derek Barnett (neck) and running backs Miles Sanders (ankle) and Jordan Howard (knee) were among the other notable players limited for Philly.
Tennessee Titans (-1.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee listed seven players as nonparticipants Wednesday: defensive lineman Teair Tart (ankle), fullback Tory Carter (ankle), safety Dane Cruikshank (illness), cornerback Janoris "Jackrabbit" Jenkins (ankle), linebacker David Long (hamstring), defensive lineman Larrell Murchison (knee), and guard Rodger Saffold (shoulder). Outside linebacker Harold Landry was limited with a hamstring injury.
Ben Roethlisberger was held out of practice to begin the week due to pectoral and right shoulder injuries, as was corner Joe Haden (foot) and defensive end Montravius Adams (illness). Linebacker T.J. Watt (groin) was one of the notable Steelers players who was limited Wednesday.
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-10)
Defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins (knee) and offensive tackle George Fant (knee) were missing from practice for New York, as were corner Isaiah Dunn and linebacker Hamsah Nasirildeen due to non-COVID illnesses. On a positive side of things, rookie running back Michael Carter (concussion) was listed as a full participant.
As for Miami, tight end Hunter Long (illness) was the only player to miss practice due to injury. Wide receiver DeVante Parker was also absent, but the team noted he was simply given a rest day. Safety Brandon Jones (ankle, elbow) and tight end Adam Shaheen (knee) were both limited.
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3.5)
Houston was missing four players to begin the week due to injury: running backs Terrance Mitchell (ankle, knee) and Rex Burkhead (hip, quad) along with defensive backs Terrence Brooks (hamstring) and Justin Reid (concussion, illness). Quarterback Deshaun Watson was a nonparticipant, but that was not injury related as its been all season. Tight end Brevin Jordan (hand), linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis (hamstring, wrist) and offensive lineman Justin Britt (knee) were all limited.
Running back James Robinson (heel, knee) was one of four players limited for the Jaguars on Wednesday along with offensive linemen Brandon Linder (back), Jawaan Taylor (ankle), and Ben Bartch (back). Meanwhile, Marvin Jones Jr. was a notable player who missed practice, but the team was giving him a rest day.
Arizona Cardinals (-13) at Detroit Lions
The big injury news out of Arizona on Wednesday is that wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will reportedly miss the remainder of the regular season due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, running back James Conner (ankle) was a notable Cardinal held out of practice.
In Detroit, running back D'Andre Swift (shoulder) headlined the five Lions players who were held out of practice due to injury. Tight end T.J. Hockenson (hand), linebacker Alex Anzalone (ankle), guard Jonah Jackson (back0 and linebacker Julian Okwara (ankle) were the others missing from the session. Defensive end Michael Brockers (knee) and tackle Penei Sewell (shoulder) were among those limited.
Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills (-10.5)
Cornerback A.J. Bouye was the only Panther who missed practice Wednesday, as he sat out with a foot injury. Wide receiver D.J. Moore and offensive guard Michael Jordan were limited with hamstring injuries.
For the Bills, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and running back Taiwan Jones sat out of practice Wednesday with knee injuries. Quarterback Josh Allen was limited with his foot injury, and the Bills will continue to monitor his progress before making any decisions about his game status. Defensive end Jerry Hughes (foot), defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (toe) and tight end Tommy Sweeney (hip) were limited participants.
Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos (-2.5)
Cincinnati had 16 players listed on its injury report with 10 of those not participating at all Wednesday. Headlining that group is quarterback Joe Burrow (right finger), linebacker Logan Wilson (shoulder), offensive tackle Riley Reiff (ankle) and defensive end Trey Hendrickson (back). Wide receiver Tee Higgins (ankle) was one of six players limited.
Defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (foot) was among six Broncos players who did not practice to begin the week. Head coach Vic Fangio noted that Jones is "truly 50-50" to play Sunday. Linebacker Kenny Young (concussion), tackle Bobby Massie (hip), safeties Kareem Jackson (back) and Caden Sterns (shoulder, neck) and outside linebacker Stephen Weatherly (illness) also did not practice. Running backs Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip) and Javonte Williams (knee) were limited.
Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers (-9)
Tight end Hayden Hurst (illness), safety Erik Harris (chest), and linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (calf) were all missing from practice to begin the week. Defensive end Grady Jarrett was listed as a limited participant during the session, but the team noted he was given a rest day.
The 49ers were missing seven players due to injury Wednesday: linebacker Fred Warner (ankle), tight George Kittle (knee soreness), nose tackle D.J. Jones (knee soreness), running back Elijah Mitchell (concussion/knee), linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (elbow), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin), defensive lineman Maurice Hurst (calf)
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams (-4.5)
Seattle was missing seven players due to injury Wednesday: wide receiver DK Metcalf (foot, back), guard Gabe Jackson (knee), tackle Brandon Shell (shoulder), receiver Dee Eskridge (foot), safety Quandre Diggs (knee), receiver Freddie Swain (ankle), and linebacker Carlos Dunlap (quad). Running back Alex Collins (abdomen), defensive tackle Bryan Mone (knee), and safety Ryan Neal (oblique) were all limited.
The Rams did not practice Wednesday due to their ongoing COVID situation, so their injury report is an estimation. They listed defensive lineman Aaron Donald (knee) and offensive lineman Brian Allen (knee) as nonparticipants while defensive lineman Greg Gaines (hand) was limited.
Green Bay Packers (-5.5) at Baltimore Ravens
Green Bay held a walkthrough, so its injury report is an estimation. On Wednesday, it listed quarterback Aaron Rodgers (toe), tight end Dominique Dafney (ankle), Equanimeous St. Brown (concussion) and offensive lineman Billy Turner (knee) as nonparticipants. Running back Aaron Jones (knee) and tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) were among the notable players limited.
Lamar Jackson did not practice with the Ravens as he continues to deal with an ankle injury he suffered last week. Head coach John Harbaugh has been optimistic about Jackson's chances of playing Sunday, but he'll need to see some time on the field this week. Defensive tackle Calais Campbell (thigh), offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (knee) and fullback Patrick Ricard (back, knee) were among those also held out of Wednesday's session.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-11)
Tackle Ryan Ramczyk continues to be held out of practice due to a knee injury. He's missed the previous four games and has not practiced in any capacity in over two weeks. Meanwhile, fellow tackle Terron Armstead (knee) was also missing from practice along with receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey (hamstring), tight end Garrett Griffin (hamstring) and linebacker Kaden Elliss (hamstring). Quarterback Taysom Hill (right finger) was a full participant.
Tampa Bay held a walkthrough Wednesday, so this list should be taken with a grain of salt as Bruce Arians likes to keep players fresh. That said, running back Leonard Fournette (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, nor did cornerback Jamel Dean (concussion), cornerback Richard Sherman (Achilles), or safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot).
Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) at Chicago Bears, Monday
Analysis to come.
