Week 11 of the NFL season is on the horizon as teams prepare for the playoff push and the stretch run of games heading into late November. The injury reports are starting to pile up as teams with early bye weeks are getting banged up while the teams with late bye weeks are seeking the extra week to recover for the final few weeks.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray says he's "pretty close" toward making a return after missing the past two games (ankle) while Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder/knee) missed Wednesday practice saying it was "the most beat up I've been" this year. New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas and Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders were also designated to return from injured reserve, paving the way for a potential return in Week 11.
Here's the first injury report from what is to be an exciting Week 11 in the NFL. All odds come courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Patriots: P Jake Bailey (knee), LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (ribs), running back Brandon Bolden (hip), offensive tackle Trent Brown (calf), defensive back Kyle Dugger (ankle), kicker Nick Folk (knee), wide receiver N'Keal Harry (knee), linebacker Dont'a Hightower (ankle), offensive lineman Shaq Mason (abdomen), cornerback Jalen Mills (forearm), tight end Jonnu Smith (shoulder), linebacker Kyle Van Noy (groin), DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (illness) QUESTIONABLE Falcons: TE Hayden Hurst (ankle), LB Daren Bates (groin), DB Kendall Sheffield (hamstring) OUT; RB Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle), S Jaylinn Hawkins (ankle) QUESTIONABLEAccording to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Patriots running back Damien Harris cleared concussion protocol and will play Thursday night while pass-rusher Josh Uche was placed on injured reserve. New England has 13 players questionable to play Thursday night, but in good news, all 13 were present at practice Wednesday as limited participants.
The real headline of the Falcons' injury report is Swiss Army Knife Cordarrelle Patterson, who head coach Arthur Smith said will be a game-time decision with an ankle injury. He's Atlanta's most important weapon, recording 776 yards and seven touchdowns from scrimmage this season.
Star running back Alvin Kamara returning to practice as a limited participant with a knee injury was the headline for the Saints on Wednesday. Wide receiver Ty Montgomery (hand), quarterback Taysom Hill (foot), offensive tackle Terron Armstead (knee/shoulder), offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (knee), defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (knee) and defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (ankle) did not participate in practice.
The Eagles have tight end Dallas Goedert in concussion protocol, so his status for Sunday won't be unveiled until later in the week. Starting linebacker Davion Taylor also sat out Wednesday's walk-through practice with a knee injury. Miles Sanders (ankle) was labeled designated to return from injured reserve.
Analysis to come
Washington Football Team at Carolina Panthers (-3.5)Running back Antonio Gibson (shin) and wide receiver Terry McLaurin (shoulder) were limited Wednesday. McLaurin dealt with lower-body injuries earlier this season, making this injury something to monitor. He missed a few plays with a collarbone injury in Sunday's win over the Buccaneers.
Light injury report for the Panthers, as defensive end Marquis Haynes was the lone player who did not practice Wednesday.
The Bills had four players sit out of practice Wednesday: wide receiver Cole Beasley (ribs), linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (hamstring), running back Taiwan Jones (illness) and linebacker Matt Milano (shoulder).
For the Lions, keep an eye on starting quarterback Jared Goff, who sat out of practice Wednesday with an oblique injury. Joining him as absent were pass-rusher Trey Flowers (knee), running back Jermar Jefferson (knee/ankle) and offensive tackle Matt Nelson (ankle). Running back D'Andre Swift (shoulder), safety Tracy Walker III (concussion) and running back Jamaal Williams (thigh) were limited participants.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said he believes Elijah Mitchell (finger) will be available to play against Jacksonville. Mitchell did not practice Wednesday with a fractured finger, but it appears the starting running back won't miss time. Deebo Samuel (shin) was limited in Wednesday's practice.
James Robinson did not practice Wednesday as he's still resting up the heel injury that has plagued him over the last several weeks. Add a new knee injury to the mix and Robinson's process is worth monitoring. Robinson did not start Sunday's loss to the Colts but recorded 16 touches. Carlos Hyde (shoulder) was limited in Wednesday's practice, so Jacksonville's top two backs are banged up.
Linebacker Hardy Nickerson was the only player who did not practice Wednesday for the Texans due to a concussion. Tight end Pharaoh Brown (thigh) and defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard (foot) were limited
