NFL Week 17 injuries: Zach Ertz, James Conner ruled out; Deshaun Watson, Odell Beckham Jr. questionable
A complete look at injury reports across the league entering the final week of the regular season
This is it, football fans. The final week of the 2019 regular season has arrived. But the stakes are still plenty high for a handful of teams around the league, with playoff spots -- not to mention future starting spots and coaching jobs -- on the line.
As always, injuries are also a huge storyline as we wrap up the schedule and venture toward the postseason. In Week 17 alone, we've got a number of big names on our radar because of question marks about their health. Among them: Star rookie running back Josh Jacobs, whose Oakland Raiders are in a do-or-die situation; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, who's battled a shoulder issue for weeks; and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, who's had a breakout 2019 but remains sidelined ahead of an NFC South rematch.
To find out more on all those players, here's our complete rundown of this week's final injury reports, which we'll update leading into Week 17:
Browns (-2.5) at Bengals
- Browns: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (illness), TE Pharaoh Brown (illness), TE Ricky Seals-Jones (illness), OT Kendall Lamm (knee), C JC Tretter (knee), DE Olivier Vernon (knee), DT Sheldon Richardson (back) QUESTIONABLE
- Bengals: CB William Jackson III (shoulder) OUT; WR Stanley Morgan (concussion) DOUBTFUL
Beckham has battled a groin injury all season but still appeared in all 15 Browns games, though he was one of three players to miss Friday's practice with an illness. If he's somehow unable to go on Sunday, his teammate Jarvis Landry would be in line for even more targets from Baker Mayfield.
Bears (-3) at Vikings
- Bears: WR Taylor Gabriel (concussion), DT Akiem Hicks (elbow), DT Eddie Goldman (concussion); OL Rashaad Coward (knee) OUT; OL Bobby Massie (ankle) DOUBTFUL; CB Prince Amukamara (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
- Vikings: RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder), LB Eric Kendricks (quad) OUT; RB Alexander Mattison (ankle), CB Mackensie Alexander (knee), S Jayron Kearse (foot) QUESTIONABLE
Cook's shoulder is worth monitoring into the playoffs, as he remained limited at practice this week. Otherwise, don't expect much from any starters out of Minnesota on Sunday. The Vikes are expected to treat this rematch as a "mini bye" with their No. 6 NFC seed already secure, with QB Kirk Cousins among those set to sit out. Sean Mannion will likely handle most of the snaps.
Falcons at Buccaneers (-1)
- Falcons: WR Brandon Powell (wrist), OG Jamon Brown (illness), DE Adrian Clayborn (knee) OUT
- Buccaneers: WR Chris Godwin (hamstring), DT Beau Allen (ankle) OUT; QB Jameis Winston (thumb, knee), OT Donovan Smith (ankle, knee) QUESTIONABLE
Winston is only 92 yards away from a 5,000-yard season -- and then a potential trip into 2020 free agency. Though he's questionable, expect him to play after full practices on Thursday and Friday. He won't, however, have his top receiving options with Godwin still in recovery and Mike Evans on IR.
Saints (-13) at Panthers
- Saints: CB Eli Apple (ankle), S Vonn Bell (knee), S Marcus Williams (groin) OUT; FB Zach Line (knee) QUESTIONABLE
- Panthers: WR D.J. Moore (concussion), LB Shaq Thompson (foot) OUT; DE/LB Marquis Haynes (knee), CB Corn Elder (illness) QUESTIONABLE
Neither QB Drew Brees (knee) nor WR Michael Thomas (hand) appeared on the Saints' final report, indicating both will be good to go as New Orleans looks to potentially boost its playoff seeding. Carolina has nothing but pride to play for in its season finale, but Moore and Thompson are big names who'll be sidelined for them. Curtis Samuel could see an increase in targets with the former out of the WR rotation.
Jets at Bills (-1.5)
- Jets: OL Tom Compton (calf), OG Alex Lewis (ankle) OUT; RB Kenneth Dixon (illness), WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring, knee), WR Robby Anderson (calf), OT Kelvin Beachum (back, ankles), DL Henry Anderson (knee, shoulder), DL Steve McLendon (knee, hip), CB Brian Poole (ankle), S Jamal Adams (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
- Bills: WR Andre Roberts (foot), DE Shaq Lawson (hamstring) OUT; OT Ty Nsekhe (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Even if Buffalo isn't playing for anything, the Jets -- or, more specifically, QB Sam Darnold -- could be in some trouble on the road against the Bills "D" and with a number of starters either sidelined or on the mend.
Dolphins at Patriots (-16)
- Dolphins: CB Jomal Wiltz (shoulder) OUT; WR Allen Hurns (ankle, neck), DE Taco Charlton (ankle), DT Christian Wilkins (ankle), DT Zach Sieler (ankle, thumb), LB Vince Biegel (elbow) QUESTIONABLE
- Patriots: WR Julian Edelman (knee, shoulder), OL Marcus Cannon (ankle), LB Jamie Collins (shoulder), LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (knee), LB Shilique Calhoun (illnesss), CB Jason McCourty (groin), DB Jonathan Jones (groin), S Terrence Brooks (groin), RB Sony Michel (illness) QUESTIONABLE
As always, the Pats littered their report with questionable tags. Edelman is the most notable name among them, though he's played through that label for weeks. Michel was added to the injury report on Saturday, putting his status up in the air. No matter what, New England shouldn't have much trouble scoring points at home against Miami.
Packers (-12.5) at Lions
- Packers: RB Jamaal Williams (shoulder), FB Danny Vitale (knee), S Will Redmond (hamstring) DOUBTFUL; WR Jake Kumerow (illness) QUESTIONABLE
- Lions: DT A'Shawn Robinson (shoulder) OUT; OT Rick Wagner (knee), LB Devon Kennard (shoulder), LB Steve Longa (quad), S Tavon Wilson (hamstring), K Matt Prater (illness) QUESTIONABLE
Green Bay would prefer to have Williams healthy entering the playoffs, but as long as Aaron Jones keeps it up, they'll be fine. The Lions, meanwhile, remain banged up on every unit as they prepare to close out a disappointing second year under Matt Patricia.
Chargers at Chiefs (-9)
- Chargers: OT Russell Okung (groin) OUT
- Chiefs: CB Morris Claiborne (shoulder) OUT; OT Cam Erving (illness), OG Andrew Wylie (ankle), DT Xavier Williams (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Not a ton of injuries in this AFC West rematch, though Philip Rivers probably would've preferred to have Okung protecting his blind side for what could be his final game as a Charger.
Titans (-3.5) at Texans
- Titans: WR Adam Humphries (ankle), WR Kalif Raymond (concussion), CB Adoree Jackson (foot) OUT; WR Cody Hollister (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
- Texans: WR Will Fuller (groin) OUT; QB Deshaun Watson (back), WR DeAndre Hopkins (illness), WR Kenny Stills (knee), OT Laremy Tunsil (ankle), OLB Jacob Martin (knee), CB Bradley Roby (hamstring), S Jahleel Addae (Achilles) QUESTIONABLE
In a must-win game, Tennessee has three wideouts on its injury report, but the good news is that Corey Davis has cleared concussion protocol, making him a safe bet to suit up after two straight full practices. RB Derrick Henry (ankle) is also healthy for the big game.
Texans coach Bill O'Brien has insisted his team will play to win in what's likely to be a meaningless game in terms of Houston's playoff seeding. But it's probably not a coincidence they've got so many big names casually listed as questionable here. Watson, Hopkins, Tunsil -- the whole bunch could end up sitting while the Texans rest up with the No. 4 seed.
Colts (-3.5) at Jaguars
- Colts: RB Jordan Wilkins (ankle), CB Quincy Wilson (shoulder), DL Denico Autry (concussion) OUT; S Khari Willis (shoulder), CB Kenny Moore II (ankle) DOUBTFUL; OG Quenton Nelson (concussion), DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (groin) QUESTIONABLE
- Jaguars: WR Michael Walker (hamstring), CB A.J. Bouye (wrist) OUT; RB Leonard Fournette (neck) DOUBTFUL; QB Gardner Minshew (shoulder), WR Dede Westbrook (neck, shoulder), TE Nick O'Leary (shoulder), LB Dakota Allen (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
The Colts remain banged up on defense, as the team downgraded Autry and Moore on Saturday, but they did announce Nelson had cleared the concussion protocol, clearing the way for him to play in the finale. The Jags, meanwhile, have half their skill-position starters on the injury report. If Minshew were unable to go, Nick Foles would be in line for just his fifth start of the season. Fournette announced on Twitter on Saturday that he would miss the finale, and the team downgraded him to doubtful and Bouye to out.
Redskins at Cowboys (-10.5)
- Redskins: WR Terry McLaurin (concussion), SS Landon Collins (shoulder), QB Dwayne Haskins (ankle), CB Josh Norman (illness) OUT; OT Morgan Moses (knee), S Troy Apke (knee) QUESTIONABLE
- Cowboys: LB Joe Thomas (knee) OUT; OT Tyron Smith (back), DT Antwaun Woods (hip, ankle), CB Byron Jones (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
The Cowboys could be missing key players on both sides of the ball, with their left tackle missing practice all week and their top corner sidelined on Friday. However, Dak Prescott (shoulder) appears ready to play after being upgraded to a limited practice on Friday. The Redskins will roll out Case Keenum as their starter, but he'll be without his top option in the passing game with McLaurin ruled out. Norman was downgraded to out on Saturday.
Eagles (-4) at Giants
- Eagles: WR Nelson Agholor (knee), TE Zach Ertz (ribs, back) OUT; OT Lane Johnson (ankle), CB Jalen Mills (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
- Giants: TE Rhett Ellison (concussion), TE Scott Simonson (concussion), OT Mike Remmers (concussion) OUT; LB Alec Ogletree (back), CB Sam Beal (shoulder), CB Corey Ballentine (back) QUESTIONABLE
RB Jordan Howard (shoulder) will return for the Eagles after missing six games, but coach Doug Pederson made it clear this week that he'll have a secondary role while getting back into "game shape." Expect Miles Sanders and Boston Scott to remain the lead ball-carriers against New York. Ertz, meanwhile, will miss his first game since December 2017, with Dallas Goedert set to get his first-ever start as the No. 1 tight end. Greg Ward will remain a top WR option with Agholor sidelined once more as well.
Steelers (-2) at Ravens
- Steelers: RB James Conner (quad), C Maurkice Pouncey (knee) OUT
- Ravens: RB Mark Ingram (calf) OUT; WR Marquise Brown (illness), TE Mark Andrews (ankle), CB Marcus Peters (chest), CB Jimmy Smith (groin), S Earl Thomas (knee, hand) QUESTIONABLE
Conner will end his 2019 having played just 10 games this year after previously missing five with recurring shoulder problems. In his place, Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell figure to once again lead the way at RB. Pouncey's absence might be an even bigger issue for Pittsburgh in a must-win scenario, with backup B.J. Finney struggling with off-target snaps in Week 16.
The Ravens could be without Ingram for a few weeks yet. Either way, though, don't expect to see many starters for very long on Sunday. Baltimore has the AFC's No. 1 seed in the bag, so they won't be risking any injuries to top talent. Robert Griffin III is set to start in place of resting MVP favorite Lamar Jackson at QB.
Cardinals at Rams (-5)
- Cardinals: TE Darrell Daniels (biceps), QB Kyler Murray (hamstring), TE Charles Clay (calf) QUESTIONABLE
- Rams: RB Darrell Henderson Jr. (ankle), CB Jalen Ramsey (knee) OUT; CB Troy Hill (thumb) DOUBTFUL
Cards coach Kliff Kingsbury indicated this week that QB Kyler Murray is a true game-time decision after leaving Week 16 with a tight hamstring. If the No. 1 pick isn't able to go, Brett Hundley would be in line to start in Los Angeles -- a seemingly very favorable matchup for Wade Phillips' defense, even without Ramsey.
Raiders at Broncos (-3.5)
- Raiders: RB Josh Jacobs (shoulder, infection) OUT; OG Richie Incognito (ankle) DOUBTFUL
- Broncos: OT Ja'Wuan James (knee), OT Elijah Wilkinson (ankle), OG Ron Leary (concussion) OUT; DE DeMarcus Walker (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Jacobs was downgraded to out on Saturday, meaning Oakland will be forced to rely on DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard for a spark on the ground in a must-win rivalry game. The former got a season high in carries in Week 16 while filling in for Jacobs, while Richard has been a steady pass-catching option out of the backfield. The Broncos downgraded Walker to questionable on Saturday.
49ers (-3.5) at Seahawks
- 49ers: DT Julian Taylor (knee, elbow), DE Dee Ford (quad, hamstring) OUT; S Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) DOUBTFUL; OL Mike Person (neck) QUESTIONABLE
- Seahawks: WR Malik Turner (concussion), OT Duane Brown (knee, biceps) OUT; OG Ethan Pocic (core), S Quandre Diggs (ankle), TE Luke Willson (hip) QUESTIONABLE
WR Deebo Samuel was limited at practice all week but was nowhere to be found on the report, indicating he'll be just fine for the Niners on Sunday night. Seattle is mightily banged up at some key spots but added a pair of familiar faces at RB this week in Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin. Some good news, however, was the absence of DE Jadeveon Clowney on the injury report, which will help the Seahawks defense at least get closer to full strength. Willson was added to the injury report on Saturday.
















