NFL Week 11 injuries: News on Burrow, Stafford, Watson, more،
One game into Week 11 and already both teams have some dire injury news.
The Baltimore Ravens beat the Cincinnati Bengals 34-20 on Thursday night, but the result took a backseat to the announcement that Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) and Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (ankle) will miss the remainder of the season.
Burrow left in the second quarter and did not return. The exact date of the injury is a matter of conjecture which the NFL is investigating.
Andrews was injured in the first quarter while being tackled after a reception.
There was more bad news in the AFC North earlier in the week, when the Cleveland Browns announced that quarterback Deshaun Watson needed shoulder surgery and would miss the remainder of the season. The Browns will turn to rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson on Sunday as they take on the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
The news was better for the Los Angeles Rams, who will see quarterback Matthew Stafford return to the lineup for the first time since Week 8 after injuring his right thumb.
Here are more injury updates from our NFL Nation reporters as we head into Sunday’s games:
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Injury: Shoulder fracture
The Cleveland franchise QB is out for the season with a broken throwing shoulder that will require surgery. In place of Watson, the Browns turn to rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson over veteran quarterback PJ Walker to start Sunday against the Steelers.
–Jake Trotter
1:39
McAfee explains what Dorian Thompson-Robinson needs to do for the Browns
Pat McAfee and his team weigh in on Dorian Thompson-Robinson getting the starting quarterback nod for the Browns.
Injury: Elbow
Wilson, listed as questionable, said he will play the Buffalo Bills despite discomfort in his right elbow. He said he was “going to rock this weekend”, but acknowledged he would be limited. “Yes, but we will get there,” he said. The 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is a major cog in the offense, as he accounted for 35% of the team’s receiving field.
— Rich Cimini
Injury: Right thumb
Stafford will start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, returning for the first time since injuring his right thumb in Week 8 against the Cowboys. After leaving that game injured, Stafford missed the following week against the Green Bay Packers. Stafford was a full participant in practice all week, and coach Sean McVay said the quarterback “looked really good.”
-Sarah Barshop
Injury: Knee
Achane has missed the Dolphins’ last four games, but is eligible to return this week against the Las Vegas Raiders. Miami’s offense missed the explosive complement of Raheem Mostert and averaged 85 fewer rushing yards per game without him. Achane is scheduled to play on Sunday, but he must be activated by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to do so. If active, he’ll have a juicy matchup against the Raiders’ 29th-ranked run defense.
— Marcel Louis-Jacques
Injury: hamstrings; concussion
Jefferson had a more active week of practice this week than last week, but the Vikings are taking him deliberately and cautiously to ensure he doesn’t suffer a setback by returning too early. So while there’s a chance he could play Sunday night in Denver, it’s more likely he sits out and then focuses on returning for the Vikings’ Nov. 27 game against the Chicago Bears .
Mattison was a full participant in Friday’s practice and was set to test the concussion protocol shortly, coach Kevin O’Connell said. Vikings players have typically missed a game following a stint in the concussion protocol, but Mattison appears to have a quicker recovery timetable. He has a good chance to be on the field with the team Sunday night, with backups Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu ready to step in if the Vikings make the late decision to give him an extra week.
-Kevin Seifert
Injury: Toe
Earlier in the week, Washington was optimistic about Gibson’s chances of playing on Sunday. However, his toe did not improve and he did not practice all week and is now listed as questionable. Washington is going to work him out before the game just to test the toe, but it clearly doesn’t look good for him. Rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. would replace Gibson as the primary backup to starter Brian Robinson Jr. Veteran Derrick Gore would be removed from the practice squad to provide more depth.
-John Keim
Injury: hamstrings
Horn was designated to return from injury this week, but Carolina’s top corner won’t be ready to play Sunday against a Dallas Cowboys offense loaded at receiver. Not having Horn will limit what the Panthers can do.
-David Newton
Injury: Right knee
Jones, who remained on the active roster and practiced this week following his arrest Monday on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge, could attend his first game since Oct. 8. If he plays, the Jaguars hope it will help open things up for Calvin Ridley. Defenses boxed Ridley in and kept a safety on top, but Jones is another downfield threat the defense has to worry about on the other side.
-Michael DiRocco
Injury: Shoulder
After missing last week’s win over the New York Jets — it was just the fourth game the sixth-year veteran was absent — Miller returned to practice Thursday, and his appearance Friday would determine his Status. “He’s a core, he’s a captain, he’s a leader,” Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce said. He’s one of the best left tackles in football, in my opinion. Obviously, when we have him, we’re a better team.” Starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor moved to left tackle in Miller’s absence last week, and Thayer Munford Jr. started at right tackle.
–Paul Gutiérrez
Injury: Forearm fracture
The Eagles will be without their do-it-all tight end in Monday night’s Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs. When Goedert missed time last season, No. 3 receiver Quez Watkins saw the biggest increase in targets. This time around, expect Julio Jones and Olamide Zaccheaus to be more involved.
-Tim McManus
Injury: Concussion
Burks will miss his second straight game with a concussion suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The second-year receiver lost consciousness after the play, but was functional as he was carried off on a stretcher. Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Burks was still in concussion protocol and was not expected to return to the field this week. Burks has not practiced since his injury.
-Turron Davenport
Injury: Shoulder/rib
The Cowboys do not have a player on their roster with an injury designation for the game, meaning Turpin will be back after missing one game. The Cowboys have not made a decision on whether to activate tight end Peyton Hendershot (ankle) from injured reserve. They will also need to create a roster spot for LB Rashaan Evans, as he no longer has elevation to the practice squad.
-Todd Archer
Injury: hamstrings; ribs
Not only are the Steelers missing Fitzpatrick for the third straight week, but they’re also missing another safety in Neal, who suffered a rib injury after throwing an interception late in the win over the Green Bay Packers. That puts second-year guard Trenton Thompson in line for his first career start after playing just a few snaps late against the Packers.
-Brooke Prior
Injury: Shoulder
Alexander missed last week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and when he didn’t practice on Wednesday this week, his chances of returning didn’t seem great. But he practiced the last two days on a limited basis, and if he can return, it would help Green Bay against Los Angeles Chargers WR Keenan Allen and his league-leading 73 receptions. Alexander was officially listed as questionable.
–Rob Demovsky
Injury: Concussion
The Giants’ best player spent the week in the concussion protocol. But he was cleared Friday and did not receive an injury designation for Sunday against the Washington Commanders. That means he’ll be on the field, which is a huge boost for a defense that’s struggling to create pressure without him. Thibodeaux leads the Giants with 8.5 sacks this season and has 3.5 in three career games against Washington.
–Jordan Raanan
