Welcome to week 10 of the NFL! This week’s injury report is relatively light compared to weeks past, however, the absences can make just as big of an impact as usual. With the road to both playoffs and fantasy playoffs heating up, make sure to go through each game and make bets/lineup adjustments accordingly. As always, check back HERE for more weekly injury reports.
NFL Injury Report Week 10
Giants @ Panthers
Giants
Darius Slayton: A concussion will ensure one of New York’s starting receivers doesn’t suit up this week. He’s been arguably the most consistent receiver on the team, with nearly 500 yards on the season. With Slayton’s absence, look for Malik Nabers and Wandale Robinson to see an increased rate of targets.
Panthers
Ikem Ekwonu: Ekwonu, Carolina’s left tackle and possibly best offensive player will miss another week due to an ankle injury. He’s anchored the offensive line for years now. Backup left tackle Brady Christensen played alright last week but moved over from center. With Cade Mays starting at center, look for Carolina’s interior offensive line to struggle against Dexter Lawrence.
Adam Thielen: A hamstring injury sent Thielen to injured reserve while he could’ve returned this week, that won’t be happening. With this and recent trades, Carolina’s receiving depth is shockingly low. Look for an increased target rate for Jalen Coker, Ja’tavion Sanders and Xavier Leggette.
Bills @ Colts
Bills
Keon Coleman/Amari Cooper: Both Buffalo receivers are dealing with wrist injuries, however, Keon Coleman has been ruled out while Amari Cooper is questionable. If Cooper plays, he’ll likely have a big game just based on matchups. If he can’t play, look for Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins and Dalton Kincaid to get more targets than usual.
Colts
Michael Pittman Jr.: Back and finger injuries have ruled out Indianapolis’ top outside target. He’s been extremely disappointing, though quarterback play has definitely played a factor. Buffalo’s rush defense has been awful, which points in the direction of Jonathan Taylor having a big game. Also, look for Josh Downs and Alec Pierce to see increased targets
Broncos @ Chiefs
Broncos
No notable injuries.
Chiefs
Juju Smith-Schuster: A hamstring injury will continue to sideline Smith-Schuster. His absence won’t mean a ton, as DeAndre Hopkins seemed to change the offense for the better last week. Even against a great pass defense, look for Mahomes to find the right receivers at the right time.
Steelers @ Commanders
Steelers
No notable injuries.
Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr.: Washington will be without their starting running back as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. While backup Austin Ekeler filled in well this week, he’ll be going against a much tougher defensive line this week. Look for the Commanders’ offense to be more pass than run this week.
Marshon Lattimore: The Commanders’ big acquisition won’t make his debut just yet this week, but likely will next week. This keeps Benjamin St. Juste at CB1, who has greatly struggled this year. With this, expect a breakout game for George Pickens this week.
Vikings @ Jaguars
Vikings
No notable injuries.
Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence: A shoulder injury is likely to keep Jacksonville’s starting quarterback sidelined. He definitely has not played great, but he hasn’t played as badly as the media suggests. With Mac Jones likely playing, look for the offense to look only slightly worse than usual, relying on the run game with Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby in the lineup.
Ezra Cleveland: Jacksonville will be missing their starting left guard as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. He’s been one of the best pass protectors in the league, with only two games of a sub-70 grade in that category. Blake Hance stepped in last week and looked absolutely horrible. Expect Jacksonville to be inefficient running the ball against one of the league’s better run-stuffing defenses.
Patriots @ Bears
Patriots
Vederian Lowe/Michael Jordan: The worst offensive line in the entire league will likely be playing without their starting left tackle and left guard due to respective injuries. Backups Demontrey Jacobs and Sidy Sowe haven’t looked good in limited action. Even with the Bears being an average run-stuffing team, New England should struggle running the ball this week. The offense will have to run through Drake Maye.
Christian Elliss: An abdomen injury will ensure the Patriots’ starting middle linebacker doesn’t play. He’s been surprisingly effective, with solid grades going back all the way to week five. With Sione Takitaki starting instead, look for the Bears to easily find holes in New England’s mid-zones
Kyle Dugger: Dugger, the leader of the defense and strong safety will miss this week with an ankle injury. He’s been the only player worthy of significant praise on their defense. Backup Jaylinn Hawkins has looked good at times, but is definitely a step down, specifically in coverage. With this, look for Keenan Allen and Cole Kmet to dominate the middle of the field.
Bears
Braxton Jones/Darnell Wright: Both starting tackles will miss this week for Chicago with respective injuries. While both have solid PFF grades, specifically in pass-blocking, reality has been far harsher. Caleb Williams hasn’t had time to throw and backups Larry Borom and Matt Pryor likely won’t help that. However, for this week, they should be able to hold up against one of the worst defenses in the league.
Jaquan Brisker: Brisker remains out in concussion protocol. Elijah Hicks has continued to improve as he spends more time in the starting lineup. With no real outside threats, Hicks should continue to play well in coverage and tackle well in the box.
49ers @ Buccaneers
49ers
Charvarius Ward: Due to personal reasons, San Fransisco’s top cornerback will miss this week and possibly more. The Niners will again input Renardo Green into the lineup. The rookie played extremely well the last few weeks, specifically in week nine where he had a 91.7 converge grade. Green should continue to hold up with the Buccaneers’ receiving corps so injured.
Buccaneers
Mike Evans: A hamstring injury will continue to ensure Evans doesn’t play. While both he and Godwin remain out, look for Cade Otton, Sterling Shephard and Trey Palmer to have an increased target rate.
Falcons @ Saints
Falcons
No notable injuries.
Saints
Chris Olave: Olave’s 5th concussion not only puts his availability for this season in danger, but his career. For the short term, this loss greatly impacts the Saints’ offense. Without their only top-tier target, Derek Carr should continue to look like the slightly below-average quarterback we know him as.
Titans @ Chargers
Titans
L’Jarius Sneed: Tennessee’s top offseason acquisition on defense has been extremely disappointing this year. No. 2 corner Jarvis Brownlee Jr. has been just as bad, with a coverage grade of 61.4. This should lead to another quality game for Quentin Johnston.
Chargers
Kristian Fulton: Fulton, Los Angles’ top cornerback is unlikely to play due to a hamstring injury. While he had been playing well to start the year, he’s reverted back to his old self being just average in coverage. With Cam Hart sliding over to the top spot, Calvin Ridley should have a large advantage. However with Will Levis back in the lineup, Ridley could see few targets.
Jets @ Cardinals
Jets
C.J. Mosley: A neck injury will continue to sideline the Jets’ defensive leader. With Quincy Williams sliding over to his spot, Sam Eguavoen takes over at weakside linebacker. He hasn’t played much, which should point to the Jets’ tackling to be slightly worse this week, especially when James Connor is in.
Cardinals
No notable injuries.
Eagles @ Cowboys
Eagles
No notable injuries.
Cowboys
Dak Prescott: A hamstring injury has landed Dak Prescott on injured reserve, forcing him to miss at least four weeks and possibly the rest of the season. Cooper Rush was shown to be a competent backup, but that was when the Cowboys had much better talent. The Dallas offense will likely struggle to keep up with the Eagles’ offense.
Micah Parsons: Parsons, the Cowboys’ best defensive player could be on the edge of returning from an ankle injury that’s kept him out since week four. The defense has been terrible without him and even with his immense talent, likely won’t be able to turn things around in a major way. If he plays, Jalen Hurts will feel some extra pressure but it won’t impact the game on a large scale.
Lions @ Texans
Lions
Taylor Decker: Decker, Detroit’s stalwart left tackle will miss this week due to a shoulder injury. When filling in, backup Dan Skipper has played largely at a slightly below-average level. Since he’s starting, look for Jared Goff to feel extra pressure from his blindside via Danielle Hunter this week.
Malcolm Rodriguez: Detroit will also be without their starting sub-linebacker as he recovers from an ankle injury. He’s been effective this year in tackling and rush defense. Backup Trevor Nowaske will be stepping in this week. He’s been alright in limited action, but inconsistent at times. With this, look for the second level of Detroit’s defense to be slightly worse at tackling.
Texans
Nico Collins: A hamstring injury has kept Collins on the sideline for more than a month now and he may be able to return Sunday night. If he can play, look for the Texans’ offense to open up significantly. If he can’t go, expect C.J. Stroud to remain in his sophomore slump with fewer yards per attempt.
Will Anderson Jr.: One of Houston’s top defensive players will be out this week while he recovers from an ankle injury. He’s played incredibly well in his second year, with eight sacks to date. Backup Derek Barnett is a quality rotational piece but lacks the high-end motor that Anderson is known for. With this, Penei Sewell will have no issue protecting Jared Goff this week.
Main Image: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
