Three games down, 13 to go, as all 32 NFL teams are in action this week — and the big question is just how healthy Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and the New England Patriots might be.
New England's not alone when it comes to potential health woes. Here are the 20 biggest injuries you need to keep an eye on before your favorite team (or your fantasy squad) takes the field. Keep checking back right until kickoff for your live updates.
(Note: If a high-profile player does not appear below, that means he was not listed on his team's injury report and should be expected to play — or is on injured reserve. The NFL also removed the “probable” designation from injury reports this year; players are either “out,” “doubtful” or “questionable.”)
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Tom Brady, QB, Patriots (knee): Questionable
Brady was back at practice on Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday's sessions. In typical Patriots fashion, Bill Belichick didn't offer much of an update, and Brady himself simply said, “We'll see,” when asked if he'll play Sunday against the Jets. However, there are no indications Brady will be unable to go on Sunday. — FOXSports.com
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Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots (lung):
The Patriots were preparing to face the Jets without Gronkowski, who is dealing with a perforated lung. On Friday, New England received some good news, as Gronk reportedly is healing quickly and should be a game-time decision. — Dianna Russini, ESPN.com
LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills (thumb): Questionable
Despite an official designation of “questionable,” McCoy is expected to get the “majority of the reps” Sunday against the Jaguars, according to coach Rex Ryan: “I think his thumb's fine.” — Nick Veronica, Buffalo News
Getty ImagesBrett Carlsen
Jay Cutler, QB, Bears (shoulder): Doubtful
Cutler did not practice this week, and the Bears are ready for Matt Barkley to make his first career start Sunday vs. the Titans. “We really haven’t seen [Barkley] in this role in our offense as a starter with a full week of preparation, so there’s always a little bit of uncertainty,” offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. “But we’re very confident that he’s going to go out and perform well.” — Adam L. Jahns, Chicago Sun-Times
Getty ImagesJonathan Daniel
Mark Ingram, RB, Saints (concussion): Questionable
Ingram was still in the NFL's concussion protocol as of Saturday, but he told reporters earlier this week that he is symptom-free and expects to play Sunday against the Rams. — Josh Katzenstein, Times-Picayune News
USA TODAY SportDerick E. Hingle
Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders (ankle): Questionable
Murray was limited in practice this week, although that appears to have been a matter of rest more than an aggravation of his injury. He should be ready to play Sunday against the Panthers, but leaving him in your fantasy lineup could be a risk with the 4:25 p.m. ET start. — Jimmy Durkin, San Jose Mercury News
Ryan Mathews, RB, Eagles (knee): Out
After he missed practice all week with a sprained MCL, Mathews was ruled out on Saturday for Monday night against the Packers. “There is a concern that it could linger because now we will be coming off a Monday night game into a short week and going back on the road, so we've just got to find out next Wednesday where he's at,” coach Doug Pederson told reporters. — Tim McManus, ESPN.com
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Luke Kuechly, LB, Panthers (concussion): Out
As expected, Kuechly will miss Sunday's game against the Raiders. He will travel with the team, however, as Carolina will fly from Oakland to Seattle for Week 13's meeting with the Seahawks. “We’ll see how each day progresses,” head coach Ron Rivera said. — Bryan Strickland, Panthers.com
USA TODAY SportsJerome Miron
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars (ankle): Questionable
Yeldon did not practice this week and could miss Sunday's game against the Bills with a sprained right ankle he suffered in Week 11 against the Lions. Denard Robinson would fill in for Yeldon if he's unable to play. — Phillip Heilman, Florida Times-Union
Getty ImagesAlan Crowhurst
Michael Floyd, WR, Cardinals (hamstring): Questionable
Coach Bruce Arians told reporters on Friday that Floyd will be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Falcons. The Cardinals WR missed practice on Thursday and Friday with a sore hamstring. — Kent Somers, Arizona Republic
Bruce Yeung
Martellus Bennett, TE, Patriots (ankle): Questionable
While Bennett missed Thursday's practice, he sounded optimistic he'll be available on Sunday. “The best players are the ones that are available,” he said. “If you're not on the field, you're not really doing much for the team. I try to be dependable and durable most of my career.” — Mike Reiss, ESPN.com
Joe Robbins
Earl Thomas, FS, Seahawks (hamstring): Out
Earl Thomas started 106 consecutive games heading into Week 12, but that streak ends on Sunday. The Seahawks announced Friday that Thomas is officially out against the Eagles. — Mike Coppinger, USA Today
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Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills (foot): Questionable
The Bills activated Watkins from injured reserve on Saturday, and coach Rex Ryan told reporters that Buffalo's No. 1 wide receiver “definitely” will play against the Jaguars. How heavily involved Watkins will be depends on how he feels on game day. — Chris Brown, BuffaloBills.com
Getty ImagesRob Leiter
Matt Bosher, P, Falcons (hamstring): Questionable
It's not often we include a punter on our list of the week's most important injuries; in fact, this might be the first time we've done so this year. Bosher's one of the best in the business, though, and his absence would be a significant factor for the Falcons against the Cardinals on Sunday. He will be a game-time decision. — Jess Root, USA Today
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Laremy Tunsil, OL, Dolphins (shoulder): Questionable
Coach Adam Gase told reporters that Tunsil's status for Sunday against the 49ers will be a game-time decision, as the Dolphins lineman participated in practice this week with a brace on his injured shoulder. “It’s going to be a game time decision. We’ll have to work him out on Sunday and see how he feels,” Gase said. “It’s going to be a mobility issue, and going to be a pain tolerance issue…He’s got to feel good about it.” — Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
USA TODAY SportsSteve Mitchell
Todd Gurley, RB, Rams (illness): Questionable
Gurley missed Friday's practice with an illness that coach Jeff Fisher said was going around the team. Fisher told reporters he expects Gurley to be “just fine,” and the Rams running back should be ready to play against the Saints on Sunday. — Gary Klein, LA Times
USA TODAY SportsJoe Camporeale
Aaron Lynch, LB, 49ers (ankle): Questionable
San Francisco's defense is in desperate need of help, and both Lynch and CB Jimmie Ward (concussion) could return on Sunday against the Dolphins. Lynch missed the previous three games with a sprained left ankle and will be a game-time decision after practicing on a limited basis this week. — Cam Inman, San Jose Mercury News
Julius Thomas, TE, Jaguars (back): Out
The Jaguars ruled out Thomas on Friday, one day after TE Marcedes Lewis (calf) was ruled out for the season. “We will just move on. Guys will step up – they’ll have their opportunities. Like always, you feel like when guys get their chance, they get a chance to shine, they’ll get it,” coach Gus Bradley told reporters. — John Oesher, Jaguars.com
APSeth Wenig
Jimmy Smith, CB, Ravens (back): Doubtful
Smith is likely to miss his second consecutive game with a lingering back injury as the Ravens face the Bengals on Sunday. Cincinnati, meanwhile, will be without top wideout A.J. Green (hamstring). — Jeff Zrebiec, Baltimore Sun
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Tyrann Mathieu, S, Cardinals (shoulder): Questionable
Mathieu missed the past two games with a shoulder injury but is expected to return this week, according to coach Bruce Arians. The Cardinals will need all the help they can get in the secondary against Matt Ryan and the Falcons. — Kent Somers, Arizona Republic
Getty ImagesNorm Hall
