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Week 13 NFL Full Injury Report: How It Impacts Sunday's Slate

by Nick Galaida (nickgalaida) Last Updated 2022-12-04 13:26:36

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In a typical week, NFL players have a game on Sunday, followed by a team workout on Monday, and then an off-day on Tuesday. Assuming that a team has another game on Sunday, everyone returns to practice on Wednesday, and then again on Thursday and Friday. Official injury reports and designations are released to the media and general public heading into the weekend, at which point fans and bettors can sift through the laundry list of names. Hoping to make these reports more digestible, we will be releasing injury reports with key notes and information surrounding each player – helping bettors to understand key injuries and their impact, in addtion to knowing which injuries are unlikely to have a meaningful impact on the outcome of games. Below, let’s take a look at Week 13’s early game to see which injuries could be most important to follow leading up to kickoff.

Let’s take a deeper look at the matchup to see where NFL bettors can find value at sportsbooks in this contest.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons

Witherspoon has been ruled out for Sunday. He last played in Week 8. In his absence the Steelers rank 8th in defensive EPA/play overall and 18th in Dropback/EPA play.

Despite being listed as questionable, there is little concern that Watt will miss this weekend’s action. Pittsburgh is 3-1 in Watt’s four games played in 2022.

Hennessy has played only 50 snaps in 2022. The Falcons are used to playing without him.

Edoga has played in only one game this season, and seems to be trending towards the sidelines again in Week 13. Golby Gossett projects as an ineffectual back-up at left guard if Edoga is unable to suit-up.

Pitts had a disappointing sophomore campaign, but still ranked second on the team in targets and third in receiving yards before suffering a season-ending injury. His absence changes the offense significantly.

In his absence, the Falcons rank 20th in defensive EPA/play after matchups with the Bears and Commanders. Missing one of their better run defenders, Atlanta ranks 23rd in defensive Rush EPA/play in that span.

Ebiketie was limited by a forearm injury leading up to Week 12 as well, and was limited to only nine snaps. The rookie linebacker has been a valued asset against the run this fall. The Falcons allowed 176 rushing yards to the Commanders last weekend, with Ebiketie playing sparingly.

In his absence, the Falcons rank 29th in defensive EPA/play overall and 25th in defensive Dropback EPA/play.

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

Doubs is listed as questionable for Sunday, but has practiced in a limited capacity all week. Zach Jacobson, a beat writer for the Packers, views him being listed as questionable rather than doubtful as a positive development towards him being on the field against the Bears.

Savage is listed as questionable for this weekend, but has been relegated to a specialized role in dime coverage, even if healthy. His potential absence will not have a major impact on this game.

After having an appendectomy on Friday, Bakhtiari will miss Sunday’s game in Chicago. Per Pro Football Focus, Bakhtiari ranks 7th out 75 eligible players at his position this fall in pass-blocking grade and 16th at his position as a run-blocker. His replacement at left tackle, Zach Tom is a significant downgrade. However, Chicago’s defense ranks only 28th in sacks per pass attempt this year, which makes this a less catastrophic loss than it could have been against a more adept pass-rush.

Campbell last played in Week 8 is currently listed as questionable for Week 13. In his absence, Green Bay ranks 26th in defensive EPA/play. Campbell ranks 3rd out of 78 linebackers in coverage grade this season, but has struggled as a run defender. His absence would likely create more opportunities for Chicago’s tight ends in the passing game.

Gary is one of the most capable pass-rushers in the NFL, having amassed six sacks in eight-and-a-half games before being injured. In his absence, Green Bay ranks 28th in defensive EPA/play.

Brisker has been ruled out for Sunday with a concussion. He also missed Week 12, during which the Bears allowed 31 points and 315 passing yards to the Jets. A second-round draft pick from this past summer, Brisker has been skillful in coverage and as a pass-rusher in his rookie campaign. His absence is likely to be felt once again by this secondary unit.

Semien is the backup quarterback for Chicago.

Listed as questionable heading into the weekend, Reiff is one of the better pass-blockers in the league. He appears to be trending positively after logging a full participation in practice on Friday.

Gordon did not play last weekend against the Jets, during which the Bears’ secondary unit was exploited relentlessly. Already ruled out for Week 13, Chicago’s secondary unit will be extremely thin once again.

Larry Borom has been ruled out for Week 13 with ankle and knee injuries. He grades better than the 50th percentile as both a run- and pass-blocker, making his absence noteworthy for this offensive line. 

Victor is listed as questionable after Friday’s practice. Though Victor has struggled mightily in 2022, Chicago can ill-afford to be without him on Sunday, considering the abundance of injuries in this secondary unit.

Jackson left last week’s contest against the New York Jets with a foot injury and has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Jackson was tied for third in the NFL with four interceptions this year and graded 19th out of 88 safeties in coverage, per Pro Football Focus. He is a big loss for a Chicago secondary unit that already ranked 31st in Dropback/EPA in 2022.

Herbert led all Chicago running backs in rushing yards, averaging 6.0 yards-per-carry before being placed on injured reserve. David Montgomery has been the unambiguous leader of this backfield in Herbert’s absence. Justin Fields could also see an increase in rushing in his return to the field in Week 13.

Prior to landing on injured reserve, Mooney led all Chicago pass-catchers in receptions, targets, and receiving yards. His absence likely opens up more opportunities for tight end Cole Kmet and running back David Montgomery, in addition to other receivers, who have been lower on the depth chart.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions

Jones is listed as questionable, but appears likely to play on Sunday. He leads the team in receptions, and ranks 2nd in both receiving yards and targets behind Christian Kirk.

On Friday, Jaguars’ Head Coach Doug Pederson communicated to the media that Etienne is “good to go” for Sunday. 

Cisco has been one of the better safeties in the NFL in 2022, ranking 14th out of 88 in coverage grade at his position, per Pro Football Focus. He is trending towards playing, but his absence would be a big loss for this secondary unit.

Brown missed Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day matchup in Week 12 and has been ruled out again for this weekend. Brown is one of the most talented run-blockers in the league when healthy. His replacement, Kayode Awosika is a major downgrade in terms of production.

Okwara has been ruled out for this weekend with an elbow injury, but he will not be missed too much by this defense. Per Pro Football Focus, he ranks significantly worse than league average against the run, as a pass-rusher, and in coverage in 2022.

Since he last played, the Lions’ defense ranks 31st in defensive EPA overall and 29th in Dropback EPA/play. 

New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings

Davis will not play on Sunday against the Vikings, but he has not played since Week 9, and has not played more than five snaps in any game this season, per Pro Football Focus.

Carter is doubtful for this weekend after not practicing at all during the week. Zonovan Knight led the New York backfield in Week 12, with 14 carries for 69 rushing yards. He should see a minimum of 30 snaps on Sunday. 

Ogbuehi is officially listed as doubtful for Week 13 after not practicing on Friday. He has been one of the worst right tackles in the NFL this fall, meaning that New York’s offensive line might actually be better with him on the sidelines.

Brown is questionable heading into the weekend. Per Pro Football Focus, Brown ranks 33rd out of 75 tackles in pass protection in 2022, but only 69th at his position in run-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus. Against a capable Minnesota pass-rush, the Jets can ill-afford to be without their starting left tackle.

Vera-Tucker was one of the best run-blocking guards in the NFL prior to landing on injured reserve. His replacement, Nate Herbig has been a significant downgrade in production, particularly as a run-blocker. New York is 2-2 since Vera-Tucker last played. 

Per Pro Football Focus, Darrisaw has graded as the second-best run-blocker and ninth-best pass-blocker out of all tackles in the NFL this fall. Darrisaw has been ruled out again in Week 13 after missing Week 12 with a concussion. His replacement at left tackle, Blake Brandel played 68 snaps on Thanksgiving, allowing a sack and two quarterback pressures. The Jets defense ranks 5th in sacks per pass attempt in 2022, making this an area of concern for the Vikings’ offensive line once again.

Ellefson has been ruled out for Week 13, but he has only three catches on four targets this year. His absence is not significant.

Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants

Gibson is listed as questionable for Sunday’s action. He did not practice in any capacity on Wednesday or Thursday, but managed to be limited on Friday. He leads the Commanders in rushing attempts and yards this fall. If he is unable to go, Brian Robinson Jr. would likely see the vast majority of snaps out of the backfield.

Young is officially questionable for Week 13. The former first round draft pick practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday – usually a positive development for a player who is hoping to return to the field on Sunday. Young has not played in a regular season contest since November 2021 due to injury.

Milne has been ruled out for Sunday’s action with a foot injury. He has only six catches on seven targets in 11 games in 2022.

St-Juste will not play this weekend. He also missed Washigton’s Week 12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, during which the Commanders allowed only 13 points in a winning effort. St-Juste has been a replaceable player for the majority of the year, with only serviceable production in coverage.

Turner is listed as out for Sunday’s action, which could hurt Washington’s passing attack more than people realize. Turner has graded as better than league average in pass protection this year, per Pro Football Focus, and the team is 5-3 when he played more than 11 snaps. 

Bellinger is listed as questionable with an eye injury for Week 13. However, he has only 16 catches on 18 targets in 2022. Still, Head Coach Brian Daboll said that he is “optimistic” about Bellinger suiting-up on Sunday.

Slayton is questionable for Sunday’s action with an illness.

James is listed as questionable for Week 13. He is second on the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2022, and is tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns. 

Jackson has been ruled out for this weekend with a knee injury. Jackson also missed New York’s Week 12 matchup against Dallas – a game in which the New York defense allowed 28 points and two touchdowns through the air. Jackson has been one of the better cover cornerbacks in the NFL this season, making this is a noticeable loss for this unit.

Feliciano is listed as questionable for this weekend. He has not performed well in 10 games, but has played 656 snaps for this offensive line – and continuity counts for something.

Moreau is another member of this New York secondary unit that is hobbled heading into the weekend, officially listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week. Moreau has been a league average cornerback according to most advanced metrics. His absence could be a big blow to a group that will already be without their top cornerback on Sunday.

Brightwell is listed as questionable, but has only received nine rushing attempts in 11 games this year. 

Ezeudu has been ruled out for this weekend, marking his second consecutive game missed. His absence is not particularly noteworthy, considering that he has been one of the worst guards in the entire NFL this year, per Pro Football Focus. Replacement level production will not be a major drop-off, and it might even be an improvement.

Coughlin is listed as questionable with a thigh injury, but has played only one snap in 2022.  

Belton is listed as questionable with a collarbone injury, but it is debatable as to whether or not New York even wants him on the field. Per Pro Football Focus, Belton ranks 87th out of 88 players at his position this year in coverage grade.

Holmes is one more player on the laundry list of players in New York’s secondary unit who are dealing with injuries this week. Holmes has been a liability in coverage in 2022, but the Giants will need at least a few experienced bodies on Sunday if they want to slow down Washington’s passing attack.

Lemieux has a shoulder injury that has him listed as questionable for Sunday’s action. He has played only 39 snaps this fall on the offensive line.

Glowinski’s absence could be a big deal for an offensive line that is already dealing with a number of injuries. Glowinski has been a strong run-blocker and a serviceable pass-blocker this fall. Facing a strong Washington pass-rush, this unit needs Glowinski to be on the field.

Tennessee Titans vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Hollister has been ruled out for Sunday. He has only three catches for five yards in 11 games in 2022.

Molden has been ruled out for Week 13 with a groin injury. He was a third-round draft pick in 2021, but has played fewer than 100 snaps total this fall. 

Simmons is listed as questionable, but it would be surprising if he did not play on Sunday. The lack of practice participation on Wednesday and Thursday is likely attributable to maintenance at this point in the season for a star who is dealing with back problems.

Autry has been ruled out for Sunday. Per Pro Football Focus, he ranks in the top-25 percentile as both a run defender and a pass-rusher in 2022, making his absence particularly noteworthy against an elite Philadelphia offense. Last week, Tennessee managed only one sack against Joe Burrow with Autry on the sidelines.

Gardner-Johnson has been ruled out for Week 13 with a kidney injury and has been placed on injured reserve, meaning that he will miss at least four games. Gardner-Johnson was having a league average season, judged by his performance relative to his peers.

Quinn has been ruled out with a knee injury. Though Quinn has strong name recognition as a former first round draft pick, he has not been productive in 2022. Since Week 8, he has played less than 25 snaps in each game. This is a loss that the Philadelphia defense will be able to absorb without major consequences. 

Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans

Njoku has been ruled out for Sunday’s action. In his place, Harrison Bryant will handle the bulk of the receiving role at tight end. Bryant has 23 receptions on 33 targets for 179 receiving yards in a backup role this year.

Stingley Jr. has been ruled out for Sunday. Stingley Jr. has struggled mightily in his rookie campaign after being selected with the 3rd overall pick in this past summer’s draft. Since he last played in Week 10, Houston’s secondary unit ranks 22nd in Dropback EPA/play.

Burkhead was listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week. The running back has been dealing with a concussion. Even if he returns to action, he has not seen more than three carries in a game since Week 1. 

Cooks has been ruled out for Sunday. He leads the Texans in receptions, targets, and receiving yards this season, despite playing only 10 games. In his absence, Houston could spread the wealth to a number of different pass-catchers.

Image Credit: Imagn

About the Author

nickgalaida
Nick Galaida (nickgalaida)

A failed high school pitcher, Nick Galaida discovered that he has a higher aptitude for analyzing and writing about sports than he does playing them. To his friends, he is better known as “The Commish.” When he’s not organizing a fantasy league, placing a bet, or writing an article, he’s probably nose-deep in a book—further illustrating the point that his niche in this world is as a nerd rather than an athlete. Follow Nick on Twitter – @CommishFilmRoom