NFL injury tracker: Latest injury news, fantasy implications for Week 16 as Rashee Rice ruled out, Tee Higgins expected to play

Gardner Minshew takes over for Patrick Mahomes this week for the Kansas City Chiefs and will be without one of the team’s top offensive weapons.

Receiver Rashee Rice has bee n ruled out after suffering a concussion last week against the Los Angeels Chargers. Rice entered concussion protocol on Monday after reporting symptoms and did not practice. Kansas City visits the Tennessee Titans in Week 16.

Fellow receiver Tyquan Thornton was also ruled out with a concussion.

Rice’s injury occurred in the third quarter of the Chiefs’ 16-13 loss to the Chargers. Rice suffered a brutal blow from Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson, the latest in a series of hard hits the standout wideout has sustained in recent weeks.

Rice stayed down after the play and ultimately went to the Chiefs’ medical tent, where he then emerged with his helmet.

Although Rice went back in the game and finished with seven receptions for 51 yards in the three-point defeat, the symptoms he reported Monday landed him in the concussion protocol.

Rice leads all Chiefs wide receivers with 53 receptions and 571 receiving yards. Plus, his five touchdowns are tied for the team high.

[NFL injury updates live]

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins has been cleared from concussion protocol, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Higgins was a full participant in Friday’s practice and cleared following an evaluation. He had not taken part in practice for two weeks before returning to the field.

Higgins missed Week 13 due to a concussion, cleared protocol but then re-entered protocol after their game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14.

Other notable Week 16 injuries:

Garrett Wilson’s season is over, New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn announced. The receiver has been out since Nov. 13 with a knee sprain, and with the Jets out of playoff contention with a 3-11 record, there’s no reason to risk him over the final weeks. Wilson finishes the season with 396 receiving yards, 36 receptions and four touchdowns.
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is on track to play Sunday as he returns from a concussion. Wideout CeeDee Lamb (illness) is expected to practice Friday. The Cowboys host the Chargers on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt has been ruled out for Week 16 as he recovers from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung suffered during a dry needling treatment at the team facility last week.

Here’s the rest of the Week 16 injury report:

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

No injury designations reported.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

DT Tershawn Wharton (hamstring): OUT
LB Trevin Wallace (shoulder): OUT
WR David Moore (elbow): questionable
LT Ikem Ekwonu (knee): questionable

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

T Christian Darrisaw (knee): OUT
DT Javon Hargave (thigh): OUT
TE Gavin Bartholomew (back): OUT
RB Ty Chandler (knee): OUT
T Brian O’Neill (heel): questionable

NEW YORK GIANTS

WR Beaux Collins (concussion, neck): OUT
G Evan Neal (neck, hamstring): OUT
DT Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (ankle): OUT
LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder): OUT
G Joshua Ezeudu (calf): questionable
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (illness): questionable
CB Art Green (illness, hamstring): questionable
CB Rico Payton (back): questionable

NEW YORK JETS

TE Mason Taylor (neck): OUT
DL Eric Watts (concussion): OUT
LB Francisco Mauigoa (neck): OUT
QB Justin Fields (concussion): questionable
QB Tyrod Taylor (groin, knee): questionable

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

T Asim Richards (ankle): OUT
G Cesar Ruiz (ankle): OUT
RB Alvin Kamara (ankle): OUT
TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (knee): questionable
DT Nathan Shepherd (ankle, knee): questionable
WR Mason Tipton (illness): questionable

CINCINNATI BENGALS

DE Joseph Ossai (ankle): OUT
TE Noah Fant (ankle): OUT
WR Charlie Jones (ankle): OUT
WR Tee Higgins (concussion): questionable
DT B.J. Hill (ankle): questionable
S PJ Jules (ankle): questionable
CB DJ Turner II (illness): questionable

MIAMI DOLPHINS

S Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf): OUT
C Andrew Meyer (triceps): OUT
K Jason Sanders (hip): OUT
LB Jordyn Brooks (foot, knee): questionable
S Elijah Campbell (ankle, knee): questionable
CB Isaiah Johnson (knee): questionable

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

CB Trent McDuffie (knee): OUT
LB Leo Chenal (shoulder): OUT
T Jaylon Moore (knee): OUT
WR Rashee Rice (concussion): OUT
T Jawaan Taylor (elbow): OUT
WR Tyquan Thornton (concussion): OUT
TE Jake Briningstool (hamstring): OUT
CB Nazeeh Johnson (shoulder): OUT
DT Derrick Nnadi (illness): OUT

TENNESSEE TITANS

LB Cedric Gray (concussion): OUT
LB Oluwafemi Oladejo (fibula): OUT
WR Bryce Oliver (knee): OUT
CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Achilles): questionable
TE Gunnar Helm (toe): questionable
WR Van Jefferson (back): questionable
LB Arden Key (illness): questionable
G Kevin Zeitler (groin): questionable

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

WR Derius Davis (ankle): OUT
S R.J. Mickens (shoulder): OUT
DE Bud Dupress (back): questionable
WR Quentin Johnston (groin): questionable
S Elijah Molden (hamstring): questionable
T Trey Pipkins (ankle): questionable
DT Teair Tart (shin): questionable

DALLAS COWBOYS

CB DaRon Bland (foot): OUT
T Tyler Guyton (ankle): OUT
CB Josh Butler (knee): questionable
CB Caelen Carson (shoulder/hamstring): questionable
CB Trevon Diggs (knee): questionable
FB Hunter Luepke (concussion): questionable
RB Phil Mafah (shoulder): questionable
DE Payton Turner (ribs): questionable
DT Quinnen Williams (concussion): questionable

BUFFALO BILLS

LT Chase Lundt (knee): OUT
DT DaQuan Jones (calf): OUT
K Matt Prater (right quad): OUT
DT Jordan Phillips (ankle): OUT
WR Mecole Hardman (calf): questionable
CB Cam Lewis (hamstring): questionable

CLEVELAND BROWNS

T Jack Conklin (concussion): OUT
TE David Njoku (knee): OUT
LB Winston Reid (back): OUT
RB Dylan Sampson (hand): OUT
CB Denzel Ward (calf): OUT
QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles): OUT
DT Sam Kamara (elbow): questionable
G Wyatt Teller (calf): questionable

ATLANTA FALCONS

WR KhaDarel Hodge (shoulder): OUT
CB Mike Hughes (ankle): OUT
DE Brandon Dorlus (illness, shoulder): questionable
OLB James Pearce Jr. (foot): questionable
WR Drake London (knee): questionable

ARIZONA CARDINALS

OT Paris Johnson Jr. (knee): OUT
S Jalen Thompson (hamstring): OUT
LG Evan Brown (personal): OUT
CB Darren Hall (concussion): OUT
CB Max Melton (heel): OUT
DE L.J. Collier (knee): questionable
WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel): questionable
LB Cody Simon (knee, ankle): questionable
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle): questionable
WR Xavier Weaver (hamstring): questionable

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

RB Bhayshul Tuten (finger): OUT
DL Danny Striggow (ankle): OUT
LB Jalen McLeod (ankle): OUT

DENVER BRONCOS

LB Justin Strnad (foot): OUT
LB Karene Reid (hamstring): questionable
G Ben Powers (biceps): questionable

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

T Kolton Miller (ankle): OUT
C/G Jordan Meredith (ankle): questionable

HOUSTON TEXANS

WR Justin Watson (calf): OUT
DE Darrell Taylor (ankle): OUT
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (ankle/knee): questionable
WR Christian Kirk (illness): questionable
RB Woody Marks (ankle): questionable
CB Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique): questionable
RB Nick Chubb (ribs): questionable
LB Jake Hansen (chest): questionable

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

G Isaac Seumalo (triceps): OUT
CB James Pierre (calf): OUT
LB Nick Herbig (hamstring): OUT

DETROIT LIONS

S Kerby Joseph (knee): OUT
T Giovanni Manu (knee): OUT
G Trystan Colon (wrist): questionable
T Taylor Decker (shoulder): questionable
C Graham Glasgow (knee): questionable
G Christian Mahogany (fibula): questionable
CB Amik Robertson (hand): questionable

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

LB Robert Spillane (ankle): OUT
LB Harold Landry III (knee): questionable
DT Christian Barmore (personal): questionable
CB Carlton Davis III (hip): questionable
CB Marcus Jones (knee): questionable

BALTIMORE RAVENS

LB Teddye Buchanan (knee): OUT
LB Jay Higgins (knee): OUT
CB Chidobe Awuzie (foot): doubtful
S Kyle Hamilton (ankle): questionable
DT John Jenkins (illness): questionable
T Ronnie Stanley (knee, ankle): questionable

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

WR Ricky Pearsall (ankle, knee): OUT
CB Renardo Green (neck): OUT
DL Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring): questionable

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

CB Sauce Gardner (calf): OUT
WR Anthony Gould (foot): OUT
QB Anthony Richardson (eye): OUT
S Daniel Scott (knee): OUT
DT DeForest Buckner (neck): questionable
T Bernhard Raimann (elbow): questionable

NFL injury updates liveLive12 updates

Sun, December 21, 2025 at 6:00 AM PST

Sean Leahy

The Eagles clinched back-to-back NFC East titles, but now eye the overall No. 1 seed if they can catch the Seahawks. If not, they will be one of the NFC’s top seeds and have home field for their first playoff game.

Getting Johnson and Carter back on their respective line will go a long way in helping them go for their goal of a second straight Super Bowl title.
Sat, December 20, 2025 at 12:44 PM PST

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The 36-year-old was signed to the Tampa practice after trying out earlier this month.

A member of the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV team in 2020, Pierre-Paul last played in the NFL in 2023 with the Saints and Dolphins.
Sat, December 20, 2025 at 7:47 AM PST

Sean Leahy

Diggs has been out since late October with a concussion and knee injury. He’ll be an added boost for the Dallas secondary with DaRon Bland out for the season.

In six games this season, Diggs has recorded 18 total tackles.

The Cowboys host the Chargers in Week 16.
Fri, December 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM PST

The Chicago Bears are expecting to get linebacker Tremaine Edmunds back from injured reserve Saturday against the Green Bay Packers, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Edmunds was placed on IR with a groin injury on Nov. 22. He has piled up four interceptions and nine pass deflections, as well as 46 solo tackles, this season.
Fri, December 19, 2025 at 1:27 PM PST

Andy Backstrom

Pittsburgh Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt is still recovering from a lung injury that required surgery last week.

Watt, who will miss his second consecutive game when Pittsburgh plays the Detroit Lions Sunday, suffered a partially collapsed lung after undergoing a dry needling treatment session at the team’s practice facility, according to his brother J.J. Watt.

Additionally, the Steelers will be without cornerback James Pierre (calf) and guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps) versus the Lions. They’ve listed linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) as doubtful for the matchup.
Fri, December 19, 2025 at 11:10 AM PST

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London has missed the past four weeks with a PCL sprain.
Fri, December 19, 2025 at 11:07 AM PST

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Lamb has not practiced this week due to an illness. Williams left Sunday’s loss to the Vikings with a concussion.
Fri, December 19, 2025 at 11:06 AM PST

Sean Leahy

Higgins was limited in Thursday’s practice and has not been a full participant in over two weeks. The receiver missed Week 13 due to a concussion, cleared protocol but then re-entered protocol after their Week 14 game against the Bills.
Fri, December 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM PST

Wilson hasn’t played since Week 10, and will end the season with 36 catches for 395 yards and 4 touchdowns in eight games.
Fri, December 19, 2025 at 7:15 AM PST

Sean Leahy

The 26-year-old Bland played 12 games this season with Dallas, recording 73 total tackles and one interception.

He will miss the rest of the season.

“He understands the journey that he has to go upon again, but he’s gonna do a great job and come back better than before,” said Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer. It’s one of those situations where it comes and goes, and at the end of the day, when you go and look at it, you see there’s something we need to go in and fix surgically. That starts the process of a long rehab, but he’ll do a great job with i
Fri, December 19, 2025 at 5:52 AM PST

Sean Leahy

Marks is nursing an ankle injury and did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The Texans did get Nick Chubb back on the field following a rib injury.

Jawhar Jordan, who ran for 101 yards in his NFL debut last week, was promoted to the 53-man roster this week.
Fri, December 19, 2025 at 5:48 AM PST

Sean Leahy

Geno Smith looks like he will return for the Las Vegas Raiders for Sunday’s game against the Texans.

The Raiders quarterback was back at practice on Wednesday after sitting out last week’s 31-0 loss to the Eagles with a right shoulder and back injury.

“I’m just taking it day by day, trying to see how I feel today after practice, and then we’ll move on from there,” Smith said.

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NFL injury tracker: Latest injury news, fantasy implications for Week 16 as Rashee Rice ruled out, Tee Higgins expected to play