Read on foxsports.comNFL Week 17 Injury Report & Buzz: Key Updates Shaping the Playoff Picture
As the NFL regular season enters its final two weeks, Week 17 is defined by critical injury updates and roster decisions that will directly impact the playoff race. Key quarterbacks like Jordan Love and Lamar Jackson are sidelined, while stars like Fred Warner and Sauce Gardner eye returns. Teams like the Steelers, 49ers, and Packers navigate significant absences as they fight for postseason positioning. This comprehensive update covers the latest on who's in, who's out, and the ripple effects across the league.
With only two weeks remaining in the 2025 NFL regular season, every practice report, injury designation, and roster move carries immense weight. The holiday schedule features a tripleheader on Christmas Day and additional Saturday games, amplifying the stakes for teams on the playoff bubble or jockeying for seeding. The central questions for Week 17 are clear: Who's hurt? Who's practicing? Who's starting? The answers are shaping the final stretch of the season, with significant updates from key contenders.
Quarterback Carousel: Major Absences Loom Large
The most consequential news revolves around the quarterback position for several playoff hopefuls. The Green Bay Packers will be without starter Jordan Love for Saturday night's crucial game against the Baltimore Ravens. Love, who left last week's game with a concussion and a shoulder issue, has been ruled out, marking the first full game he will miss this season. His backup, Malik Willis, is also questionable with a shoulder injury, creating a potential crisis under center for Green Bay as they try to secure a playoff spot.
Their opponents, the Baltimore Ravens, face a nearly identical dilemma. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful with a back injury that forced him out of last week's loss. The Ravens' playoff hopes are on thin ice, and they will likely turn to Tyler Huntley with their season on the line. Elsewhere, the Washington Commanders, having shut down rookie Jayden Daniels, will start 39-year-old journeyman Joshua Johnson against Dallas after Marcus Mariota was injured. The Kansas City Chiefs, already without Patrick Mahomes, fear an injury to backup Gardner Minshew and have signed Shane Buechele for depth.
Impactful Returns Bolster Contenders
While some teams lose key players, others are set to welcome back major contributors. The Indianapolis Colts' high-profile deadline acquisition, cornerback Sauce Gardner, will return on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars after missing time with a hamstring injury. His presence could be a major factor in the AFC South race. Similarly, the San Francisco 49ers received positive news on linebacker Fred Warner, who is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery from a dislocated and fractured ankle. While a regular-season return is unlikely, there's a remote chance he could be active for a deep playoff run.
In Pittsburgh, star pass rusher T.J. Watt returned to practice as a limited participant just two weeks after surgery for a partially collapsed lung. His availability for a division-clinching game against Cleveland remains uncertain, but his progress is a positive sign for the Steelers' postseason aspirations. The Packers also got good news as running back Josh Jacobs, dealing with knee and ankle issues, was removed from the injury report and is cleared to play.
Significant Losses for Playoff Hopefuls
Several teams absorbed tough blows to their lineups. The Pittsburgh Steelers announced that tight end Darnell Washington suffered a broken arm and will miss significant time. The New England Patriots placed wide receiver Mack Hollins, a key target for Drake Maye, on injured reserve with an abdomen injury. The Cleveland Browns lost rookie running back Quinshon Judkins for the season after he fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle.
Season-ending injuries have also hit other squads. The Las Vegas Raiders placed tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn on IR. The New York Jets placed quarterback Justin Fields on IR, potentially ending his brief tenure with the team. The Kansas City Chiefs placed a slew of starters on IR, including receivers Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton, and cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
Coaching & Roster Decisions in the Spotlight
Beyond injuries, coaching futures and strategic decisions are under the microscope. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh addressed questions about his job security for the first time as Baltimore faces missing the playoffs. He emphasized focusing on the present, stating, "I try to do the job, not try to keep the job." Meanwhile, the Jets have decided to start undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook for their final two games, which could impact the AFC East race.
Other notable updates include the Seattle Seahawks' Derick Hall having his one-game suspension upheld, the Los Angeles Chargers' Denzel Perryman being suspended for the rest of the regular season, and the Minnesota Vikings ruling out quarterback J.J. McCarthy (hand fracture) for their Christmas Day game. The Cleveland Browns also confirmed that quarterback Deshaun Watson will not play at all this season as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury.
As Week 17 kicks off, the injury report is as influential as the game plan. The absence of star quarterbacks, the return of defensive stalwarts, and the loss of key offensive weapons are setting the stage for a dramatic and unpredictable finish to the NFL regular season, where every snap and every substitution could determine who advances to the playoffs.
