Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) after the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Super Bowl injury report: Two Eagles upgraded to full participants

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (illness) and running back Kenny Gainwell (concussion, knee) ramped up from limited participants in Wednesday’s practice to full participants on Thursday, according to the penultimate Super Bowl LIX injury report.

Carter popped up on the injury report earlier in the week with an illness that is reportedly going through the Eagles’ locker room. The Pro Bowler had 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in the regular season and added two sacks in the Eagles’ divisional round win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Presuming he plays, this will be the 23-year-old’s first Super Bowl. He was selected ninth overall in the 2023 draft, months after the Eagles fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII.

Gainwell, 25, had 75 carries for 290 yards and one touchdown in a backup role behind Saquon Barkley this season. He’s had seven carries for 32 yards through three playoff games, as well as three receptions for 26 yards.

Defensive end Brandon Graham (elbow) and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) remained limited Thursday. Reserve offensive lineman Nick Gates, who’s yet to be active for a playoff game, was also limited by a groin issue.

The only change on the Chiefs’ side of the report was the addition of punter Matt Araiza (illness), but Araiza was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.

Receiver Skyy Moore (abdomen), who could be activated from injured reserve before the game, was limited for a second straight day. Three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes was a full participant again as he nurses an ankle that he sprained on Dec. 15 against Cleveland. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) also practiced in full.

The final practice report, which comes with game designations for players as applicable, is due out Friday afternoon.

–Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards (57) during the second quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Feb. 12, 2023.

Nfl Super Bowl Lvii Kansas City Chiefs Vs Philadelphia Eagles

Chiefs healthier than Eagles in estimated injury reports

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was listed as a full participant Wednesday in an estimated practice report.

Mahomes has been dealing with a right ankle injury since mid-December while leading the Chiefs to a Super Bowl LIX berth against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Neither team practiced Wednesday so the injury reports are estimations.

Kansas City also listed running back Kareem Hunt (quadriceps), offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee), cornerback Jaylen Watson (ankle) and safety Bryan Cook (quadriceps) as full participants.

Philadelphia receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring), center Cam Jurgens (back) and guard Landon Dickerson (knee) would have missed practice Wednesday due to their injuries.

Tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle), offensive lineman Brett Toth (knee), defensive tackle Moro Ojomo (shoulder) and running back Kenny Gainwell (concussion/knee) also were given the did not practice tag.

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is dealing with a calf injury and receiver A.J. Brown was recently plagued by knee soreness. Both players would have sat out a practice.

Punt returner/receiver Britain Covey (neck) remains on injured reserve but would have been a limited participant on Wednesday. He missed the final two regular-season games and the team’s two postseason victories.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp intercepts a pass during first half action at the Buffalo Bills divisional game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 19, 2025.

Bills S Taylor Rapp (back) misses practice, day-to-day

Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp and offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (illness) were both non-participants in the team’s walkthrough on Wednesday while linebacker Matt Milano (biceps/hamstring) was limited.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Rapp is listed as day-to-day with back and hip injuries.

Cornerback Christian Benford (concussion) was also listed as limited on the estimated practice report.

The Bills play at the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.

Rapp was injured in the second quarter of Sunday’s divisional playoff win over the Baltimore Ravens and initially termed questionable to return. He was ruled out midway through the third quarter.

Rapp was hurt during a play in which he was on the ground when hit by teammate Damar Hamlin. He was carted off the field with 6:13 left in the second quarter. Rapp, 27, intercepted Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson in the first quarter. He had two tackles. In the regular season, Rapp had 82 tackles and two interceptions.

Milano exited the final defensive series on Sunday and did not return.

“There was some soreness afterwards but I don’t know if it’s an injury or not, it’s just what I’m being told is a hamstring soreness and so he’ll be limited today with that,” McDermott said.

Safety Damar Hamlin (rib), cornerback Taron Johnson (neck/shoulder), tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee), defensive back Cam Lewis (shoulder), center Connor McGovern (shoulder), defensive end Greg Rousseau (finger) and linebacker Dorian Williams (elbow) were full participants.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA;  Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) rushes with the football during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Vikings RB Aaron Jones (hamstring) returns to practice

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones returned to practice in limited fashion Thursday as he works his way back from a right hamstring injury.

The Vikings’ leading rusher left their Week 5 win over the New York Jets in London with the hamstring issue. Minnesota had its bye week upon returning to the United States, meaning Jones may not have to miss any game time should he be ready for this Sunday’s home game against the Detroit Lions.

Jones has rushed for 350 yards and one touchdown on 71 carries to go with 17 receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown.

Linebacker Patrick Jones II (shoulder) and defensive lineman Harrison Phillips (shoulder) also returned in limited fashion Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice. Tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), who has yet to play this season, and offensive guard Dalton Risner (back) were also limited.

Linebacker Blake Cashman (toe) and cornerback Akayleb Evans (hip) missed practice for the second straight day.

–Field Level Media

Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball as Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (98) chases during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Ravens mum on Lamar Jackson missing practice

Lamar Jackson was among a collection of Baltimore Ravens players who missed practice Monday.

Coach John Harbaugh wouldn’t delve into specific reasons why his star quarterback, cornerback Nate Wiggins and receiver/return specialist Deonte Harty were absent from practice, saying some players had physical issues and some had personal reasons.

“Injury report comes out Wednesday afternoon,” Harbaugh said as Baltimore began its preparation for its home opener Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Ravens were on the practice field Monday because they had a long weekend following their 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL season opener Thursday.

Jackson completed 26 of 41 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown and racked up 122 rushing yards on 16 attempts in that game. The Ravens lost after an apparent touchdown on the last play of regulation was overturned, with tight end Isaiah Likely ruled out of bounds on his catch.

Jackson, 27, missed four practice sessions early in training camp due to an illness. The 27-year-old is the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, winning the award for the second time last year.

Linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Adisa Isaac also missed practice, but for reasons that were more obvious. Van Noy injured an eye during the Chiefs game, with reports saying he sustained a fractured orbital bone. Issac has a hamstring strain.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs after a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

49ers WR Deebo Samuel back at practice, but limited

San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Deebo Samuel returned to practice Thursday with the NFC Championship Game looming in three days’ time.

Samuel went down with a left shoulder injury in the first quarter of last Saturday’s 24-21 divisional round win over the Green Bay Packers. After trying to return to the game, he went to the locker room and was ruled out for the rest of the night.

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Samuel has a 50-50 shot to play against the visiting Detroit Lions this Sunday. Though the shoulder was not fractured, Samuel was dealing with a lot of pain, per the coach.

Samuel was limited Thursday. Everyone else on the 49ers was a full participant, including defensive tackles Arik Armstead (foot, knee) and Kalia Davis (ankle), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles), safety George Odum (biceps) and cornerback Ambry Thomas (hand).

Samuel, 28, caught 60 passes for 892 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for 225 yards and five scores in 15 games during the 2023 regular season.

The Lions saw rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) return to practice on a limited basis Thursday. Wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee), guard Jonah Jackson (knee), center Frank Ragnow (ankle, toe, knee, back) and corner Chase Lucas (illness) sat out for the second straight day.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA;New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41)  stiff arms Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Saints’ Alvin Kamara (ankle) game-time decision vs. Falcons

The New Orleans Saints listed running back Alvin Kamara as questionable for the regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons, with coach Dennis Allen calling his availability a game-time decision.

Kamara did not practice all week after suffering a sprained ankle last Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“He’s one of those guys that is so valuable to our team that we’re going to go all the way up to game time to see where he’s at,” Allen said of the five-time Pro Bowl selection. “He’s made improvement throughout the week and we’ll just wait until game time to make a decision on that.”

The Saints are in the running for the NFC South title; they must beat Atlanta and have Tampa Bay lose to or tie with Carolina. The Saints can also make it as a wild card with some external help.

Kamara has totaled 1,160 yards from scrimmage (694 rushing, 466 receiving) and scored six touchdowns this season across 13 games (12 starts). He has caught 75 passes on 86 targets; his career high for a season is 83 receptions in 2020.

New Orleans ruled out tackle Landon Young (knee) and safety Lonnie Johnson (knee) against Atlanta. Joining Kamara as questionable are running back Kendre Miller (ankle, illness), wide receiver A.T. Perry (illness), tight end Juwan Johnson (chest), defensive end Payton Turner (toe), defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (concussion) and safety J.T. Gray (illness).

The Falcons have deemed quarterback Taylor Heinicke questionable due to an ankle injury. He was limited each day in practice, and Desmond Ridder would start if Heinicke cannot.

Cornerback Mike Hughes (concussion) and defensive end Zach Harrison (knee) are also questionable, while center Drew Dalman (ankle), linebacker Troy Andersen (pectoral) and safety DeMarcco Hellams (concussion) were ruled out.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

NFL fines Falcons for violating injury report policy

The NFL fined the Atlanta Falcons $75,000 and head coach Arthur Smith $25,000 on Friday for violating the injury report policy earlier this season.

The violation involved running back Bijan Robinson and his undisclosed illness prior to a Week 7 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 22, a game the visiting Falcons won 16-13.

Smith and the Falcons should have added Robinson to the injury report with the illness. The rookie first-round pick had just one carry for 3 yards and played only 11 snaps in that game.

Robinson, 21, has rushed for 801 yards and four touchdowns and added 41 receptions for 323 yards and three TDs in 14 games (13 starts).

–Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins guard Connor Williams (58) is check out by staff during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla., Monday, Dec. 11, 2023.

Dolphins C Connor Williams out for year, WR Tyreek Hill day-to-day

The Miami Dolphins lost starting center Connor Williams for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

The news was more positive for star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who is considered day-to-day with an ankle injury.

Both Williams and Hill were hurt Monday night in the first quarter of a 28-27 defeat to the visiting Tennessee Titans.

Williams, 26, is in his second season in Miami and sixth in the NFL. He has made 77 starts across 83 career games with the Dallas Cowboys (2018-21) and Miami.

“You don’t directly replace him, necessarily,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “I’d love to take the time right now to speak to the regard that this team has for Connor Williams and what he was doing this year, playing some excellent ball … You don’t necessarily replace that directly. However, you also prepare a lot for contingencies for these types of scenarios.”

Liam Eichenberg filled in at center Monday night and is expected to start at the position going forward.

As for Hill, he was injured with 2:50 left in the first quarter while being tackled. Tennessee’s Sean Murphy-Bunting brought down Hill with the latter’s lower left leg getting stuck underneath the left side of the cornerback’s body.

Hill was able to run off the field, from the Titans’ sideline to the Dolphins’, but he stayed out of the game till midway through the third quarter. He finished the night with four catches for 61 yards on just 34 snaps (47 percent of the offense’s plays).

“When it happened, like my first reaction was like, man, my ankle is gone,” Hill said postgame. “My adrenaline kicked in, I ran off the field, then I sat for a while and it got stiff and I was going through a lot of pain. Then I just made up in my mind, I came in at halftime, I texted my wife, I was like, ‘This (expletive) hurt.’ I need an ankle massage tonight, and she’s like, ‘You’d better get your ass back in that game, dawg.’ I was like, ‘All right.’”

Come Tuesday, McDaniel called it too early to be confident about Hill’s status for Sunday’s home game against the New York Jets.

“It was a painful ankle. Until he flat-out tells me there’s no doubt he’s going to play, you always have to plan for everything,” McDaniel said.

Hill is attempting to be the first 2,000-yard receiver in league history. He leads the NFL with 1,542 yards and 12 touchdown catches and ranks second with 97 receptions.

–Field Level Media

December 19, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews (70) during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons try to regroup following slew of injuries to key players

The good news for the Atlanta Falcons is that they remain in the hunt to win the NFC South with four games left to play in the 2023 season.

The bad news for Arthur Smith’s team is that it’s now dealing with a rash of injuries to key players at a particularly important point in the playoff race.

Atlanta (6-7, 3-1 NFC South) entered Sunday’s matchup with Tampa Bay without five starters: right tackle Kaleb McGary, center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle David Onyemata, linebacker Nate Landman and cornerback Jeff Okudah. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (torn ACL) and linebacker Troy Andersen (pectoral) are both already out for the year.

But in the 29-25 loss to the Bucs, the Falcons also lost left tackle Jake Matthews, right guard Chris Lindstrom and defensive tackle Kentavius Street, leaving the team decimated in the trenches prior to a crucial upcoming road game against the Carolina Panthers (1-12, 0-4).

Smith seemed optimistic about the return of Matthews and Lindstrom for this week’s upcoming game, but he wasn’t as confident when asked about the availability of Onyemata, Landman, McGary, Dalman and Okudah.

“I think (Matthews and Lindstrom) have a real chance to play this week,” Smith said. “We’ll know more later in the week on the others.”

Atlanta is still awaiting the results of a second opinion on Street, who suffered a pectoral injury. Street stepped into Jarrett’s spot along the defensive front after the Pro Bowler went down.

“It may not be as bad as we thought,” Smith said. “But we’ll see.”

Storm Norton started in place of McGary and Ryan Neuzil took by far his most snaps of the season Sunday in place of Dalman.

Tyler Vrabel, who was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday, filled in for Matthews when he went down. Kyle Hinton stepped up and replaced Lindstrom when he exited, which left the Falcons with just one regular starting O-lineman, left guard Matthew Bergeron, in the game in the second half.

Defensively, Andre Smith started in place of Landman and had eight tackles and a forced fumble. Rookie Clark Phillips III got the start in place of Okudah and was credited with five tackles and two passes defended. But he had a costly holding penalty on Tampa Bay’s game-winning drive shortly after Atlanta took a 25-22 lead with 3:23 left to play.

Two weeks ago, Phillips filled in for A.J. Terrell when he was ruled out with a concussion.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had a run these last two weeks with injuries,” Smith said. “A lot of different O-linemen are playing, some D-linemen are playing and it’s our job to problem-solve and find ways to go win. We got to regroup and try to get back on track this week because we still have of opportunities ahead of us”

–Matthews has made a franchise-record 157 consecutive starts at left tackle. It is the longest active streak in the NFL. That streak could be in jeopardy if he is unable to play against Carolina.

–Drake London set career highs in catches (10) and yards (172) in the loss to the Bucs. It was the most yards by an Atlanta wideout since Julio Jones had 173 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018.

–Field Level Media