As the NFL enters Week 16, several star players face uncertainty due to injuries, with some expected to return and others ruled out for the season. Updates on wide receivers Drake London and Tee Higgins suggest possible comebacks, while edge rusher T.J. Watt and quarterback Patrick Mahomes will miss significant time. These absences could impact crucial playoff-contending matchups across the league.
The NFL's Week 16 injury reports reveal a mix of optimism and concern for teams vying for postseason spots. Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London, sidelined for the past four games with a PCL sprain in his knee, is listed as questionable but head coach Raheem Morris stated he is "fully expected to play" against the Arizona Cardinals. Similarly, Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins, who has been in concussion protocol after re-entering following a Week 14 game against the Buffalo Bills, participated fully in Friday's practice, positioning him well to return versus the Miami Dolphins.
On a more somber note, Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt will miss his second consecutive game after undergoing surgery for a partially collapsed lung sustained during a dry needling treatment at the team facility last week. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, who leads the Steelers with 7.0 sacks this season, did not practice this week. In Green Bay, running back Josh Jacobs is questionable with knee and ankle issues after missing all practices, while wide receiver Christian Watson, who suffered a chest injury in the Packers' loss to the Denver Broncos, was limited but avoided a major setback.
Season-ending blows include New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, shut down for the remainder of 2025 due to a knee sprain that placed him on injured reserve in November; he finishes with 36 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15, ruling him out for the year and eliminating Kansas City from playoff contention. Packers linebacker Micah Parsons also suffered a torn ACL last week, ending his season with 12.5 sacks. Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice is out with a concussion, while Arizona Cardinals' Marvin Harrison Jr. is questionable with a heel injury but told reporters he's "good enough to go."
Other notables include Philadelphia Eagles' Lane Johnson (foot) and Jalen Carter (shoulder) ruled out, Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels shut down with an elbow injury, and Chicago Bears' Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) sidelined. These updates, confirmed across multiple reports, underscore how injuries could reshape the playoff picture in the final weeks.
