As we enter the final month of the season, not only are most teams dealing with injuries at key positions, but a large portion of the league could be starting backup quarterbacks on Sunday.
With some teams still desperate for a shot at the postseason, here is the biggest injury storyline for every team heading into Week 14:
Arizona Cardinals Injuries
The Cardinals enjoyed their bye this week, but will be without D.J. Humphries after he was ruled out with a back injury last week by Kliff Kingsbury.
Josh Jones started the last three games for the Cardinals at left tackle and allowed six total pressures and zero sacks in that timeframe. In fact, Jones hasn’t allowed a sack all season in 195 pass blocking snaps.
Atlanta Falcons Injuries
Elijah Wilkinson was designated to return from IR last week, but remained on the sideline for the Falcons’ game against the Steelers.
Colby Gossett started his third consecutive game and had his best performance, allowing just one pressure in 25 pass blocking snaps.
Baltimore Ravens Injuries
Lamar Jackson isn’t expected this week after suffering a knee injury in the first half on Sunday against the Broncos. That means Tyler Huntley should get the start against Pittsburgh.
Jackson is considered week-to-week by the team and Huntley completed 27 of his 32 pass attempts against Denver, albeit for only 187 yards. Huntley is 1-3 as a starter in the NFL, but has rushed for 335 yards and three touchdowns over the last two seasons.
The good news in Baltimore is that linebacker Patrick Queen could play next week after being carted off the field. Upon further inspection, he was diagnosed with a thigh bruise.
Buffalo Bills Injuries
The Bills placed Von Miller on IR ahead of their Thursday night win over the Patriots. Miller leads the Bills and ranks 12th in the NFL in quarterback pressures this season.
The former Bronco (and Ram) is eligible to return in Week 17, should his knee feel better by then. The Bills pressured Mac Jones on 15 of his 38 dropbacks Thursday night, and A.J. Epenesa recorded the only sack.
Carolina Panthers Injuries
The Panthers released Baker Mayfield on Monday, clearing the way for P.J. Walker to back up Sam Darnold on Sunday after missing time with an ankle sprain.
D’Onta Foreman is also expected to suit up on Sunday as he deals with foot and rib injuries. The running back has rushed for over 100 yards in four of his last six games.
Chicago Bears Injuries
The Bears were missing both of their starting safeties and a pair of cornerbacks against the Packers on Sunday. Eddie Jackson is on the IR due to a Lisfranc injury and Jaquan Brisker is in concussion protocol.
Rookie Elijah Hicks got his first career start and allowed a 14-yard touchdown in coverage. He has two touchdowns on two targets this season.
Undrafted rookies Jaylon Jones and Josh Blackwell started as well, Jones at outside corner and Blackwell in the slot. They combined to allow six catches for 85 yards on 14 targets in the loss.
Cincinnati Bengals Injuries
Joe Mixon was unable to clear concussion protocol on Sunday and sat out the Bengals’ win over the Chiefs. Samaje Perine rushed 21 times for 106 yards and added 49 yards in the passing game.
Given how close he was to playing, it would be surprising if Mixon isn’t ready to play the Browns next week.
One guy who likely won’t play on Sunday is Hayden Hurst who is dealing with a calf injury. Hurst played just nine snaps against Kansas City before bowing out.
Mitchell Wilcox played a season-high 52 snaps and caught his only target for a gain of 13 yards. In 27 NFL games, Wilcox has 10 catches for 76 yards on 12 targets.
Cleveland Browns Injuries
Linebacker Sione Takitaki suffered a torn ACL on Sunday and will miss the rest of the season. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles and led all linebackers in snaps played this season.
Tony Fields played a season-high 33 snaps against the Texans and forced two turnovers, returning an interception for a touchdown and also recovering a fumble he forced.
Dallas Cowboys Injuries
The Cowboys designated left tackle Tyron Smith to return from the Injured Reserve on Monday. They will have to add him to the 53-man roster within the next 21 days or he will be out for the rest of the season.
Smith underwent knee surgery after suffering a hamstring injury back in training camp and was replaced by rookie Tyler Smith. The rookie has played well recently, allowing just one sack since Week 6. although he did allow seven pressures against the Giants on Thanksgiving.
Tyler Smith will move inside to left guard with Tyron Smith returning, although we still don’t know how soon that will be.
Denver Broncos Injuries
Courtland Sutton popped up on the injury report late last week with an illness, but exited Sunday’s loss early due to a hamstring injury. Sutton was held without a catch on just one target against the Ravens.
Prior to the injury, Sutton had amassed 221 yards over his previous three games with Jerry Jeudy out. Jeudy had four catches for 65 yards in his return.
However, the Broncos’ offense continued to struggle, scoring just nine points on three field goals and never even making it into the red zone.
Detroit Lions Injuries
The Lions activated veteran edge rusher Romeo Okwara from the PUP list last week, but he was still inactive against the Jaguars. He hasn’t played since tearing his Achilles early last season.
According to Dan Campbell, they decided to give the veteran a little more time before he returns to the field. Now that he’s on the 53-man roster, Okwara will have to be listed on all injury reports moving forward.
Also activated this week was 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams. Despite some rumors that he would be active to play special teams, Williams played only eight offensive snaps and didn’t see a pass thrown his way.
It was the first live action Williams has seen since tearing his ACL during the College Football Playoffs back in January.
Green Bay Packers Injuries
David Bakhtiari was a late scratch this week after undergoing an emergency appendectomy on Friday. Matt LaFleur told reporters that his left tackle could miss “a while,” but the Packers have a Week 14 bye so we won’t get any update until next week at the earliest.
Rookie Zach Tom started at left tackle against the Bears and allowed just one pressure all game.
Houston Texans Injuries
Despite Derek Stingley Jr.’s mild hamstring injury improving, Lovie Smith still doesn’t have a timetable for the rookie’s return to the field. He’s now missed three games with the injury.
Smith also said both Jonathan Greenard’s calf and Rex Burkhead’s head injury are improving and there’s a shot both guys return to the field this week.
Indianapolis Colts Injuries
With Kenny Moore out against the Cowboys, safety Julian Blackmon slid down to fill his role as the slot cornerback on Sunday.
Blackmon was targeted just twice in 31 coverage snaps, allowing one catch for nine yards.
With Blackmon in the slot, Rodney Thomas II got extended time at free safety and was the team’s second-highest graded defender on Pro Football Focus.
Jacksonville Jaguars Injuries
Trevor Lawrence suffered a scary-looking foot injury on Sunday, but was able to return later and will undergo an MRI this week. After three stellar performances, Lawrence struggled against the Lions, posting a passer rating of 82.6 in the loss.
The Titans are next on the schedule for the Jaguars. Lawrence threw three interceptions in a shutout loss to Tennessee the last time these teams met. The Jaguars’ backup quarterback is CJ Beathard.
Kansas City Chiefs Injuries
Joe Thuney was out for the second straight game due to an ankle injury. Replacement Nick Allegretti struggled against the Bengals, allowing three pressures and a pair of quarterback hits.
Kadarius Toney was inactive again as he recovers from the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 11. Considering he still hasn’t returned to the practice field since going down, his status for Week 14 is probably questionable at best right now.
Las Vegas Raiders Injuries
Current NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs was considered a limited participant in Monday’s estimated practice report ahead of the Raiders Thursday night game against the Rams.
Jacobs was dealing with a calf issue last week, but finished the game with 144 yards and a touchdown. He should be active for Week 14.
Los Angeles Chargers Injuries
Brandon Staley expects Mike Williams to return to practice this week after missing multiple games with an ankle sprain. He had three 100-yard games in the first five weeks of the season, but has played only six snaps since Week 7.
Right tackle Foster Sarell struggled to replace Trey Pipkins against the Raiders, allowing five total pressures and one sack. Backup center Will Clapp fared better, allowing only two pressures.
Los Angeles Rams Injuries
Matthew Stafford is eligible to return in Week 17, but he is dealing with a spinal cord contusion that is expected to end his season. Stafford has missed three of the last four games due to the neck injury and a concussion.
John Wolford really struggled in his second start of the season, completing just 53 percent of his passes and tossing two interceptions in the loss. Bryce Perkins started in Week 12 and could remain an option as a weapon in run packages.
Miami Dolphins Injuries
The Dolphins struggled to protect Tua Tagovailoa on Sunday, allowing 10 pressures and three sacks while missing both starting tackles. Unfortunately, right tackle Austin Jackson was moved to IR on Monday.
Miami signed former first-overall pick Eric Fisher to bolster their offensive line depth with Jackson out and Terron Armstead still dealing with a toe injury.
Fisher was the left tackle in Indianapolis last year and allowed seven sacks in 15 starts.
Minnesota Vikings Injuries
Rookie cornerback Akayleb Evans is in concussion protocol after suffering his second concussion of the season. The first one occurred in Week 10.
Duke Shelley filled in for Evans and was targeted eight times on 25 coverage snaps. However, Shelley allowed three completions for 41 yards and recorded a pair of pass breakups. Shelley could start against the Lions on Sunday, although Cameron Dantzler is available to return from the IR.
Blake Brandel struggled in his second consecutive start at left tackle. Playing for Christian Darrisaw, who is also dealing with a concussion, Brandel allowed two sacks and four total pressures.
New England Patriots Injuries
Jalen Mills was out on Thursday night due to an illness and was replaced by Marcus Jones at cornerback.
Jones played 30 snaps on defense, but he also added two catches for 51 yards and a touchdown on the offensive side of the ball.
Jakobi Meyers left the game with a head injury, but there has been no update on his condition. He may be in concussion protocol.
New Orleans Saints Injuries
Mark Ingram had 12 touches on Monday night, but injured his knee late in the game and was unable to pick up a first down which helped kick-start the Buccaneers’ comeback win.
Ingram later tweeted an apology to his teammates and fans. Even with the injury, Ingram still out-gained Alvin Kamara who had just 37 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches.
New York Giants Injuries
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams played just 35 snaps on Sunday due to a neck injury. Vernon Butler made his first appearance of the season and played 12 snaps, missing two tackles.
The Giants could get Adoree’ Jackson back after he missed a pair of games due to a knee injury. Xavier McKinney is also nearing a return after breaking his wrist while riding an ATV in Cabo.
Nick McCloud has struggled in the past two weeks, allowing eight catches for 93 yards on 12 targets.
New York Jets Injuries
Running back Michael Carter was inactive on Sunday due to an ankle injury and Zonovan Knight got the start, rushing for 90 yards on 15 carries.
James Robinson added 10 yards on four carries.
Slot corner Michael Carter II left after 31 snaps due to his own ankle injury. Brandin Echols played a season-high 18 snaps and was targeted four times in coverage, allowing three catches for 20 yards.
Philadelphia Eagles Injuries
Quez Watkins will undergo an MRI this week after he suffered an AC joint sprain against the Titans. Watkins had a season-high five catches in the game, but managed just 37 yards.
If Watkins misses time, it would be another tough blow to a passing offense that is already missing Dallas Goedert. Outside of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, Zach Pascal is the only other receiver on the team that has been targeted.
Pascal has 13 catches for 139 yards on the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Injuries
The Steelers moved Ahkello Witherspoon to the team’s Injured Reserve last week. He’s played just one game since Week 3 due to a hamstring injury.
Levi Wallace has enjoyed the best season of his career, tying his career-high in interceptions and allowing a passer rating of 76.9 when targeted.
San Francisco 49ers Injuries
Jimmy Garoppolo will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a broken foot in Sunday’s win over the Dolphins. The team signed veteran Josh Johnson, but it will be Brock Purdy making his first NFL start against Tampa Bay next week.
Purdy threw 37 passes against the Dolphins, completing 25 for 210 yards and two touchdowns. The final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy’s last start came in the Cheez-It Bowl against Clemson in December of 2021.
Edge rusher Nick Bosa is also dealing with “hamstring irritation” that could cause a lighter workload ahead of Week 14.
Seattle Seahawks Injuries
Kenneth Walker III has a strained ankle and hasn’t been ruled out for Week 14 just yet. Pete Carroll told reporters on Monday that with any running back, he won’t really know the extent of Walker’s condition until later in the week.
After breaking out in his first two NFL starts, Walker has struggled in recent weeks, averaging just 3.37 yards per carry over his last five games, although he does have five rushing touchdowns.
DeeJay Dallas was the Seahawks’ leading rusher against the Rams, rushing 10 times for 37 yards in the win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injuries
The Buccaneers got Leonard Fournette and Luke Goedeke back on Monday night for the comeback win over the New Orleans Saints.
Fournette had 16 touches for 81 yards, including a key 10-yard run on the game-winning drive.
Tennessee Titans Injuries
Treylon Burks is in concussion protocol after taking a vicious hit on his touchdown catch in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss.
The rest of the Titans’ wide receivers combined for three catches and 16 receiving yards. Burks will have to progress through concussion protocol if he wants to return this week. We won’t know more about his condition until Thursday.
Washington Commanders Injuries
Center Tyler Larsen could miss the remainder of the season after suffering a dislocated kneecap against the Giants. He took over the starting job for Chase Roullier in Week 6 after he was also lost for the season.
It’s been an uneven season for Larsen, who has allowed 20 pressures in his eight starts and has the second-lowest pass blocking grade among centers on Pro Football Focus.
Nick Martin will step into the starting role after previously starting two games earlier this season. Martin previously spent four seasons as the Texans’ starting center.