Week 12 of the NFL is upon us! There are plenty of injuries to pay attention to, specifically at the cornerback position. This puts this week’s injury report in a unique spot to be one of the most impactful of the year. Playing the right receiver could majorly impact fantasy football and betting, so pay close attention. As always, check back HERE for future injury reports.
NFL Injury Report Week 12
Cowboys @ Commanders
Cowboys
Jake Ferguson: A concussion will ensure Dallas plays without its starting tight end. He’s been a solid target for the team, with 43 receptions on the year thus far. Luke Schoonmaker looked pretty good last week in reserve, but will have a very tough matchup with Bobby Wagner this week. Look for Schoonmaker to have only a few catches.
Zach Martin: Ankle and shoulder injuries have the Cowboys’ best lineman listed as doubtful. Although he’s not the same All-Pro he used to be, Martin is still an above-average blocker. If T.J. Bass has to step in at left guard, expect Cooper Rush to feel increased interior pressure from Daron Payne.
Commanders
Marshon Lattimore: Lattimore, Washington’s big cornerback acquisition will remain sidelined with a hamstring injury. This would typically ensure CeeDee Lamb had a great game, but his chemistry with Cooper Rush just isn’t there. Expect Lamb to have a good, not great game.
Vikings @ Bears
Vikings
No notable injuries.
Bears
Elijah Hicks: Hicks, Chicago’s strong safety had been stepping in for Jaquan Brisker, however he’ll be out this week due to an ankle injury. Outside of last week’s Packers game, Hicks filled in well with quality grades in all defensive categories. With special teamer Jonathan Owens stepping in, look for the Bears to be more vulnerable to medium passes.
Lions @ Colts
Lions
No notable injuries.
Colts
Bernhard Raimann: The Colts’ starting left tackle will miss another week from a knee injury suffered in week 10. He’s shown to be one of the best at his position, with an overall offensive grade of 82.5 on the season. Matt Goncalves didn’t fill in too badly last week, though he’ll have another tough matchup this week. Look for Goncalves to hold up somewhat, but give up multiple pressures to Za’Darius Smith.
Buccaneers @ Giants
Buccaneers
Mike Evans: After an ankle injury suffered more than a month ago, Evans may be ready to come back this week. If so, he should have a dominant game against either Nick McCloud or Deonte Banks. If not, look for Tampa to win through the ground game.
Tristan Wirfs: Knee and foot injuries have Tampa’s star lineman listed as questionable. Backup Justin Skule isn’t bad, but look for Mayfield to feel increased pressure off the edge from Brian Burns and Azeez Ojulari if Whirfs can’t play.
Tykee Smith: Smith, Tampa’s slot corner has been one of the draft’s biggest surprises, turning out to already be a solid starter as a rookie. Unfortunately, a knee injury has him listed as doubtful this week. If Tavierre Thomas has to play, look for Wan’Dale Robinson to have a good game.
Giants
No notable injuries.
Patriots @ Dolphins
Patriots
Christian Gonzalez: A hip injury has New England’s star corner listed as questionable and he did not fully participate in practice. Without Gonzalez, it will be more difficult to contain Tyreek Hill. CB2 Jonathan Jones isn’t bad, but Tyreek could be due for a great game, though unlikely based on what we’ve seen so far. Expect a good game from Hill if Gonzalez doesn’t play.
Dolphins
Kendall Fuller: Concussion protocol will continue to keep Fuller sidelined. He’s an elite CB2 and has had a solid season through 12 weeks. Backup Storm Duck played below average in relief duty last week, but will have an easier task this week against Kayshon Boutte. Look for Boutte to catch a few balls and not much else.
Titans @ Texans
Titans
L’Jarius Sneed: A quad injury will continue to keep Sneed, the Titans’ CB1 sidelined. He hasn’t been much help when on the field and honestly seems like he’s quit on the team. Regardless, Jarvis Brownlee Jr. will be tasked with guarding Nico Collins. With his 56.3 coverage grade, look for Nico Collins to have a huge day.
Roger McCreary: Tennessee will also be without their slot corner in McCreary, as he recovers from a knee injury. He’s been slightly above average at times this year. Though the matchup favors John Metchie III, he hasn’t been getting many targets so don’t expect that to change a ton.
Texans
Folorunso Fatukasi: Fatukasi, Houston’s top defensive tackle will be out this week with a foot injury. Although he starts, he’s been largely ineffective in all facets of the game. With the undersized Mario Edwards Jr. starting now, look for Tennessee to let Tony Pollard tote the rock more than usual.
Chiefs @ Panthers
Chiefs
No notable injuries.
Panthers
Adam Thielen/Jalen Coker: Respective hamstring and quad injuries have this duo of Panthers’ receivers listed as questionable for this week. If either or both of these guys can’t play, Carolina will have to depend on practice squad receivers. If this is the case, expect the Panthers to score no more than 10 points.
Broncos @ Raiders
Broncos
No notable injuries.
Raiders
Zamir White/Alexander Mattison: Due to respective quad and ankle injuries, both Raiders’ top running backs are listed as doubtful. This should mean in increased volume of snaps for Ameer Abdullah, whether only one or neither of White and Mattison play.
Jakorian Bennett: Bennett, one of the Raiders’ starting cornerbacks will miss this week due to a shoulder injury. He’s been a solid starter for Vegas, though he hasn’t been anything special. Decamerion Richardson didn’t look great in his only major action last week, which should bode well for Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
Nate Hobbs: An ankle injury will ensure Vegas is without their starting nickelback for a consecutive week. Backup slot Darnay Holmes has a 49.1 coverage grade, which gives Devaughn Vele a quality matchup this week.
Cardinals @ Seahawks
Cardinals
Jalen Thompson: Arizona will be missing their starting strong safety as he recovers from an ankle injury. He’s been one of the best in the league at his position, with quality rush defense and tackling grades. While Dadrion Taylor-Demerson played well in his only significant action last week, continued success isn’t guaranteed. With this, look for the Cardinals’ to have worse run-stuffing from the second level of their defense.
Seahawks
No notable injuries.
49ers @ Packers
49ers
Brock Purdy: An injury to his throwing shoulder will ensure San Fransisco plays without their starting quarterback. Many might not know about Brandon Allen, though he can run Kyle Shanahan’s offense well. Still, expect the offense to run through Christian McCaffrey and for Shanhan to dial up mostly scripted plays.
Nick Bosa: Hip and oblique injuries will keep the Niners’ star pass rusher out this week. He’s been good this year, but not great for his standards. Robert Beal Jr., who has no sacks and no weeks without a quality pass rush, will start in his place. Expect Jordan Love to be well-protected on the exterior this week.
Charvarius Ward: Ward remains out due to personal reasons. While CB2 Lenoir has held up, backup Renardo Green will be forced into the lineup. He’s played well, but has been a bit fluky. Don’t be surprised if Green gets worked by Romeo Doubs this week.
Packers
Jaire Alexander: A knee injury will hold out Green Bay’s star cornerback this week. He’s enjoyed another great year, cementing his status as one of the best in the league. With Keisean Nixon in at CB1, look for Deebo Samuel Sr. to have one of the best games of his season.
Edgerrin Cooper: Cooper, the rookie starting linebacker has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. While inconsistent, he’s definitely shown promise as a starter. Backup Eric Wilson has been just as good as Cooper, if not better. His absence won’t be felt too much this week.
Eagles @ Rams
Eagles
Devonta Smith: Philadelphia will be without their WR2 as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Although he’s been ineffective recently, Smith is still one of the best WR2s in the league. Though Jahan Dotson is upgraded to WR2, it’s unlikely he gets many targets. Instead, look for the Eagles’ offense to be even more concentrated on A.J. Brown and Saquon Barkley.
Rams
Rob Havenstein: An ankle injury has the Rams’ right tackle listed as doubtful. He’s been an above-average option at the position, being a consistent pass-blocker. If Joe Noteboom has to play, expect a downgrade in play at the position. In his only significant action of the season, he finished with 57.0 offensive grade. Expect increased pressure from Josh Sweat.
Main Image: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
