NFL Week 7 injury report: Tua Tagovailoa’s return, Russell Wilson, Jonathan Taylor...
From the Packers’ depleted receiving corps, to Russell Wilson’s game time decision status, it’s going to be an interesting Sunday in NFL Week 7.
With the 2022-23 NFL now truly underway, there is as always, the looming specter of injury and unfortunately for some Week 7 is no different. Join us for a look at this week’s injury report in the NFL.
NFL Week 7 Injury report
It all started on Thursday Night Football, with the Arizona Cardinals getting the better of the New Orleans Saints in a contest that they won 42-34 and with that Week 7 in the NFL was off and running. This Sunday it continues with a well packed slate of games. What’s the biggest injury related news? Probably the expected return of the Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, who will start against the Lions after sitting out five games due to a thumb injury. On that note, the Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa is also expected to play, following his terrible concussion. As for the games themselves, keep an eye on the newly fashionable Jaguars who will take on the Giants, then there’s the Colts trying to overtake the Titans and let’s not forget the Chiefs, who will definitely be looking to improve against the 49ers.
With all of that said, teams around the league have concluded their practice sessions for the week and have subsequently released their final injury reports before heading into the weekend. Below you can find the report for each of the teams in action in NFL Week 7. Let’s get into it!
Browns @ Ravens
| Browns | Ravens |
|---|---|
| OUT: Browns: CB Denzel Ward (concussion), OL Wyatt Teller (calf), Joe Haeg (concussion) OUT; DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Isaac Rochell (knee) | OUT: RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) |
| QUESTIONABLE: DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Isaac Rochell (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: TE Mark Andrews (knee), WR Rashod Bateman (foot), OL Ben Cleveland (foot), OLB Justin Houston (groin), OL Morgan Moses (heel), CB Marcus Peters (groin), FB Patrick Ricard (knee) |
If there’s any good news here, it’s that Clowney was limited during the final two practices after not practicing on Wednesday, which is to say: At least he practiced. Where Rochell is concerned, he was limited on Friday after not appearing on the injury report the previous two days. As for the Ravens, reports indicate that Dobbins is expected to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery next week, which would sideline him for 4-6 weeks. Andrews, Bateman, Cleveland, Moses and Peters each practiced on Friday in a limited capacity, while Ricard was a full participant on Friday after missing the previous two practices.
Buccaneers @ Panthers
| Buccaneers | Panthers |
|---|---|
| OUT: TE Cameron Brate (neck), DT Akiem Hicks (foot), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (quad), WR Julio Jones (knee) | DOUBTFUL: TE Cameron Brate (neck), DT Akiem Hicks (foot), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (quad), WR Julio Jones (knee) |
| - | QUESTIONABLE: CB CJ Henderson (concussion), CB Donte Jackson (ankle), S Sean Chandler (hamstring), CB Jaycee Horn (ribs), LB Frankie Luvu (shoulder), WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (hamstring), C Pat Elflein (hip), T Taylor Moton (knee) |
Following his widely publicized trade, the Panthers will be operating without Christian McCaffrey and unfortunately the same applies to Mayfield who continues to struggle with his ankle. PJ Walker will step in at quarterback with Jacob Eason as his backup. Elflein missed his third straight practice with a hip injury, which is to say that he likely won’t play.
Falcons @ Bengals
| Falcons | Bengals |
|---|---|
| OUT: DB Dee Alford (hamstring), WR Jared Bernhardt (groin) | OUT: LB Logan Wilson (shoulder), DT Josh Tupou (calf), DE Jeffrey Gunter (knee) |
| - | DOUBTFUL: WR Stanley Morgan (hamstring) |
There is good news for the Falcons this Sunday. Despite the fact that they’ve lost two players, five of the seven players who appeared on this week’s injury report will be back in action this weekend. That includes cornerback A.J. Terrell (thigh), defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham (knee) and linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji (shoulder). On the other side of the divide, Morgan missed the Bengals’ last two sessions after not appearing on the injury report which is obviously concerning. On the other hand, receivers Ja’Marr Chase (hip) and Tee Higgins (ankle) will return for the Bengals having been limited practice participants earlier in the week.
Lions @ Cowboys
| Lions | Cowboys |
|---|---|
| OUT: T Matt Nelson (calf), WR D.J. Chark (ankle), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle), DE Charles Harris (groin), CB Bobby Price (knee) | OUT: T Matt Waletzko (shoulder) |
| QUESTIONABLE: CB Will Harris (hip), LB Chris Board (knee), DT John Cominsky (wrist), WR Josh Reynolds (knee), RB D’Andre Swift (ankle/shoulder) | - |
Heading into this one, it would be fair to say that the Lions have some concerns. Swift has been limited all week and Reynolds could only practice in limited capacity on Friday having missed the week’s first two sessions. Harris and Cominsky were also limited throughout the week. The big news for the Cowboys is of course that Dak is back. Though the Dallas’ starter missed the last five games, it has to be said that his team managed to post a 4-1 record without him. In truth the Cowboys come into this game quite healthy and what’s more is that Prescott, who will also see the return of receiver CeeDee Lamb who was limited earlier in the week.
Giants @ Jaguars
| Giants | Jaguars |
|---|---|
| OUT: WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring), WR Kenny Golladay (knee), LB Azeez Ojulari (calf), CB Cordale Flott (calf), LB Oshane Ximines (quad) | OUT: CB Shaquill Griffin (back), WR Jamal Agnew (knee) |
| QUESTIONABLE: C Jon Feliciano (groin), DB Jason Pinnock (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: WR Marvin Jones (hamstring), DT Foley Fatukasi (quad), LB Foye Oluokun (calf), DT DaVon Hamilton (foot) |
Once again, the Giants will be forced to play without Golladay and Toney, which means in the receiving department New York is light. As a result, Richie James, David Sills and Darius Slayton are all expected to fill in out wide on Sunday. Where the Jaguars are concerned, Ojulari has played just two games this year and will miss his third straight game. There was no injury designation for Saquon Barkley (shoulder) after he was a full participant in Friday’s practice. Each of the Jaguars’ questionable players practiced in a limited capacity Friday.
Colts @ Titans
| Colts | Titans |
|---|---|
| OUT: DE Kwity Paye (ankle), WR Keke Coutee (concussion), LB Shaquille Leonard (concussion/nose/back), LB JoJo Domann (abdomen) | OUT: LB Zach Cunningham (elbow), G Nate Davis (foot), LB Joe Jones (knee), FB Tory Carter (neck) |
| - | - |
Though he did clear concussion protocol, the Colts have seemingly taken the wise decision to rest for one more week. Head coach Frank Reich has indicated that Jonathan Taylor (shoulder) will play, and Nyheim Hines has also cleared concussion protocol. To that end, the Colts are optimistic that he will play. The Titans on the other hand, can feel encouraged as once again they have an injury report that is not extensive, with Bud Dupree (hip) likely to play on Sunday having practiced all week. Unfortunately, Cunningham is set to miss his fourth straight game as he fights to recover from an injured elbow.
Packers @ Commanders
| Packers | Commanders |
|---|---|
| OUT: WR Randall Cobb (ankle), OL Jake Hanson (biceps), WR Christian Watson (hamstring) | OUT: WR Dynami Brown (groin), DB William Jackson III (back), TE Logan Thomas (calf), QB Carson Wentz (right finger), RB Jonathan Williams (knee) |
| - | QUESTIONABLE: TE John Bates (hamstring), T Samuel Cosmi (finger), WR Jahan Dotson (hamstring) |
To be frank, Green Bay are going to have some issues with receivers this Sunday. It’s going to be the running game that the Packers are likely to focus on, with the likes of running backs Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillion being leaned on heavily. For their parts, Cosmi was limited all week and Bates practiced in a limited capacity on Friday after missing the week’s first two practices. Dotson missed Friday’s practice after being limited on Wednesday and Thursday.
Jets @ Broncos
| Jets | Broncos |
|---|---|
| OUT: DE Jermaine Johnson II (ankle), WR Elijah Moore (not injury related) | - |
| QUESTIONABLE: Ashtyn Davis (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: LB Josey Jewell (knee), DT D.J. Jones (ankle), WR Tyrie Cleveland (shoulder), DT DeShawn Williams (back), CB Essang Bassey (hamstring), CB K’Waun Williams (wrist, elbow), G Quinn Meinerz (foot), QB Russell Wilson (hamstring), S Caden Sterns (hip) |
As we now know, Moore wants out and as a result has been excused from this weekend’s game. Johnson did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday. For the Broncos, all eyes will of course be on QB Russell Wilson who has been declared a game-time decision. If it comes to pass that Wilson can’t play, it will be Brett Rypien who steps into the fray to replace him.
Texans @ Raiders
| Texans | Raiders |
|---|---|
| OUT: DE Jonathan Greenard (calf) | OUT: TE Darren Waller (hamstring) |
| QUESTIONABLE: T Austin Deculus (ankle), TE Brevin Jordan (ankle), WR Chris Moore (hip) | QUESTIONABLE: ILB Jayon Brown (hamstring), WR Mack Hollins (heel), WR Hunter Renfrow (hip) |
The good news is that both Jordan and Moore were able to practice in full on Thursday, having been limited on Wednesday. Concerning the Raiders, Brown and Hollis were limited all week, while Renfrow was limited Friday after missing Thursday’s practice.
Seahawks @ Chargers
| Seahawks | Chargers |
|---|---|
| OUT: CB Isaiah Dunn (hamstring) | OUT: K Dustin Hopkins (right hamstring), RB Joshua Kelley (knee), WR Josh Palmer (concussion), TE Donald Parham Jr. (concussion) |
| DOUBTFUL: CB Artie Burns (groin), WR Penny Hart (hamstring), G Gabe Jackson (knee/hip) | - |
| QUESTIONABLE: CB Sidney Jones IV (groin), DE Quinton Jefferson (foot) | QUESTIONABLE: WR Keenan Allen (hamstring), DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (ankle) |
It would be fair to say, that things are a little complicated for Seattle with all of their doubtful players not practicing this week. Indeed, Jones actually appeared on the injury report for the first time on Friday; having been limited after fully participating on Wednesday and Thursday. The Chargers on the other hand, are hopeful where Allen is concerned, but reports suggest they may wait until after their Week 8 bye to bring him back into the fold.
Chiefs @ 49ers
| Chiefs | 49ers |
|---|---|
| OUT: CB Rashad Fenton (hamstring) | OUT: DL Arik Armstead (foot, ankle) |
| QUESTIONABLE: Michael Danna (calf), G Joe Thuney (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: S Talanoa Hufanga (concussion), CB Mooney Ward (groin) |
The Chargers’ Danna and Thuney were actually able to practice in a limited capacity on Friday after not practicing on Wednesday, while Safety Bryan Cook will play after clearing concussion protocol. The 49ers have reason to be positive, following the news that DE Nick Bosa, LT Trent Williams and S Jimmie Ward were not part of Friday’s injury report and will play on Sunday. Kyle Shanahan disclosed that he unsure as to whether or not running back Christian McCaffrey, obtained in a blockbuster trade from the Panthers late Thursday, would play after practicing with his new team for the first time on Friday.
Steelers @ Dolphins
| Steelers | Dolphins |
|---|---|
| OUT: WR Steven Sims (hamstring) | - |
| DOUBTFUL: CB Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) | DOUBTFUL: CB Keion Crossen (knee) |
| QUESTIONABLE: CB James Pierre (hip/knee) | QUESTIONABLE: T Terron Armstead (toe), CB Xavien Howard (groin), CB Kader Kohou (obligue), T Greg Little (Achilles), DE Emmanuel Ogbah (back), TE Durham Smythe (hamstring), QB Skylar Thompson (right thumb), WR Jaylen Waddle (shoulder), DT Christian Wilkins (hand) |
Following his 89-yard kickoff return against the Buccaneers last Sunday, Sims is set to miss Sunday’s game. Witherspoon was limited on Wednesday and Friday after being a full participant during Thursday’s practice and Pierre was limited during the last two practices after not starting the week on the injury report. The Dolphins it has to be said, have an extensive injury report, but there is one notable name that’s not included in it and that’s Tua Tagovailoa. With that said, Armstead was limited Friday but did not practice Wednesday and Thursday. Howard was limited at the start and end of the week while being a full participant Thursday and Waddle was limited all week.