6 NFL Injury Storylines to Watch in Week 14

Jimmy Garoppolo Foot Fractured, Brock Purdy Now QB for 49ers

The 49ers, 8-4, announced that starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will undergo season-ending foot surgery after he suffered a fractured left foot in Sunday’s Week 13 win.

Rookie Brock Purdy, this year’s Mr. Irrelevant, went 25/37 for 210 yards and two touchdowns in the 33-17 win and will take the reins for the remainder of the season.

In five-and-a-half years in San Francisco, Garoppolo suffered a significant injury in four different seasons – including a torn ACL, shoulder sprain, and high-ankle sprain – and the only exception was the 2019 Super Bowl appearance. 

The 49ers have a 38-13 record in games that Garoppolo started and finished and are now 14-35 in all other games.

How Many Games Will Baltimore Miss Lamar Jackson?

Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson left Sunday’s dramatic win in the first quarter after he appeared to suffer a mild left PCL sprain. 

John Harbaugh said that the dynamic quarterback will be out “a number of days to weeks,” but the Pro Football Docs narrowed it down to a likely two-plus week absence.

Jackson suffered a season-ending ankle injury on Dec. 12, 2021, and Baltimore lost its final four games without the 25-year-old.

Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle Both Hurt Ahead of SNF Contest vs. Chargers

The Dolphins’ offense had its worst performance in over a month without both of their starting tackles and saw Jaylen Waddle and Tua Tagovailoa each suffer leg injuries.

Waddle, who dealt with a groin injury earlier this season, was held to one reception for nine yards and briefly left after this fall in the second quarter. 

Tagovailoa threw his first interception since Week 6 and took three Nick Bosa sacks, the last of which ended with a sprained ankle for the third-year southpaw.

Will Trevor Lawrence Play Through Left Knee Sprain vs. Titans?

Second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a gruesome left knee/high-ankle sprain but was able to return after halftime, an indication that Lawrence avoided a potential significant injury. 

The 6’6” signal-caller led a 16-play touchdown drive in the third quarter but was only afforded one more drive in the second half in the 40-14 loss. 

The 23-year-old Lawrence will likely start in Week 14 against the Titans, barring significant swelling in his knee or ankle. 

Top WRs Treylon Burks, Courtland Sutton Both Leave Early In Losses

Rookie wideout Treylon Burks was ruled out after he suffered an apparent traumatic brain injury on his touchdown catch in the first half of the Titans’ blowout loss. 

It is hard to anticipate Burks’ availability in Week 14 vs. the Jaguars, but players typically have increased practice participation throughout the week as they advance the concussion protocol.

Courtland Sutton suffered a hamstring strain on his only target in the Broncos’ loss and will likely have an uphill battle to play in Week 14.

RBs Kenneth Walker, Aaron Jones Limited By Leg Injuries

Packers’ running back Aaron Jones briefly left Sunday’s win over the Bears with a reported shin issue and returned but served mostly as a receiver. 

Jones has been listed on the injury report over the last few weeks with a shin injury but has participated in every practice. 

Seahawks’ rookie Kenneth Walker II suffered what Pete Carroll called a jammed right ankle – followed shortly by a right ankle sprain for Deejay Dallas – and missed the second half.

Seattle has lost three games in a row and faces the Panthers next week.