Each week of the NFL season, Yardbarker will be monitoring players who have suffered notable injuries. Here are five we’re tracking after Week 11:
In Pittsburgh’s home game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Rodgers suffered a left wrist injury in the second quarter, and backup QB Mason Rudolph replaced him in the second half. The four-time MVP finished 9-of-15 passing for 116 yards and one touchdown.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the Steelers fear Rodgers, 41, has “a slight break” in his left wrist. He’ll undergo testing on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. People close to Rodgers don’t believe it’s a long-term issue.
“Aaron’s obviously out with a wrist injury,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in a postgame news conference. “He’ll be evaluated [Monday morning], I’ll give you guys more information there.”
If Rodgers misses multiple games, the Steelers can count on a dependable backup in Rudolph. The former Oklahoma State star has a 9-8-1 record as a starter in six seasons with the Steelers and Tennessee Titans. In the 34-12 win over Cincinnati, he completed 12-of-16 passes for 127 yards and one TD.
In the first half of Sunday’s road game against the New York Giants, Jacobs left because of a left knee injury. He rushed for 40 yards on seven carries before exiting.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported that the Packers don’t believe Jacobs’ injury is season-ending, but he will undergo more tests on Monday when the team returns to Green Bay.
“I think anytime a player, especially of his magnitude, but anytime a player doesn’t finish a game, you’re always concerned about the welfare of them,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said of the three-time Pro Bowl RB following Green Bay’s 27-20 win over New York.
The Packers would likely turn to third-year RB Emanuel Wilson, who has rushed for 767 yards and four TDs in three seasons with the team, if Jacobs misses time. Against the Giants, he had 11 carries for 40 yards and one TD.
In Cleveland’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens, the rookie out of Oregon was ruled out in the second half because of a concussion. He completed 7-of-10 passes for 68 yards.
Gabriel is now in concussion protocol. He must clear the five-step program, which includes a clean bill of health from an independent neurologist, to play in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders on the road.
Browns backup QB Shedeur Sanders, another rookie, looked unprepared after replacing Gabriel. The former Colorado Buffaloes star finished 4-of-16 passing for 47 yards and tossed one interception.
With Gabriel’s status unclear, the Browns must give Sanders more reps with the first-team offense. Following Cleveland’s 23-16 loss, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski admitted Sunday was the first time the rookie QB played with the starters. He has been working with the scout team and second-string offense throughout the season.
Penix injured his left knee late in the third quarter of the Falcons’ 30-27 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. The eighth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft completed 13-of-16 passes for 175 yards.
NFL Media insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that the QB is believed to have reaggravated a knee injury suffered in a Week 7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. That injury forced him to miss one game. The former Washington star still needs more testing, but he may miss more time because of the knee issue.
Backup QB Kirk Cousins completed 6-of-14 passes for 48 yards against Carolina. In his postgame news conference, Falcons HC Raheem Morris said the team will tailor the game plan for the four-time Pro Bowler to prevent him from struggling in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints on the road.
In Tennessee’s home game against the Houston Texans, Ridley limped off the field on the Titans’ first play of the game after catching a pass from rookie QB Cam Ward. Following the Titans’ 16-13 loss, interim HC Mike McCoy confirmed the WR broke his fibula in his right leg. Ridley had already missed three games due to a hamstring injury he suffered in a Week 6 loss to the Raiders.
“I feel for him,” McCoy told the media. “He worked so hard to get back where he was, and obviously that happened.”
Ridley logged 17 receptions for 303 yards in seven games this season. Now that he’s out for the rest of the season, Tennessee should rely more on rookie WRs Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike.
