5 NFL Injury Storylines to Watch in Week 13

Is it Jordan Love Time in Green Bay?

Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers sat out the fourth quarter on Sunday after he suffered a right rib injury that he said caused difficulty breathing. 

Rodgers could play next with a painkilling rib block injection but, in Sunday’s loss, backup Jordan Love replaced him and went 6/9 with 113 yards and a 63-yard touchdown to Christian Watson over two drives. 

The 39-year-old played through a right thumb avulsion fracture for the last six games before revealing the injury but the loss drops the Packers to 4-8 and 5.5 games behind the Vikings in the NFC East.

Will Surging 49ers Have Offensive Stars vs. Dolphins?

After multiple clean weeks that helped the 49ers to a four-game winning streak, five different offensive starters suffered injuries on Sunday.

Jimmy Garoppolo, Christian McCaffrey, and Elijah Mitchell each suffered knee injuries, while Deebo Samuel worked through a left hamstring issue and guard Spencer Burford was ruled out with an ankle injury. 

The injuries stalled the 49ers offense: after Garoppolo’s likely left MCL sprain, the quarterback went 3/6 for 13 yards and the team gained 61 yards on 20 plays, most of which came on the clock-burning final drive.

The Dolphins’ offense is facing similarly difficult questions after starting tackles Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson each suffered injuries and led to multiple sacks of Tua Tagovailoa, including a hard hit late in the first half.

Darnell Mooney’s Season Over After Ankle Sprain

In their first game this season without Justin Fields, promising Bears’ wide receiver Darnell Mooney went down with a severe high-ankle sprain that will reportedly need season-ending surgery.

In the last eight games, Mooney brought in 36 of 50 targets for 466 yards and two touchdowns and became Fields’ top receiving target. 

Mooney’s teammate, fourth-year wideout N’Keal Harry, underwent tightrope surgery in mid-August to repair a high-ankle sprain and returned in Week 7.

How Long Will Bucs' Tristan Wirfs Be Out?

Buccaneers’ all-pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs suffered a significant left high-ankle sprain – unrelated to his right ankle sprain in last year’s playoffs – and he will likely miss time.

The x-rays ruled out a fracture, but high-ankle sprains can require up to six weeks to heal and he may end up on the short-term IR. 

Tampa Bay lost to the Browns but remains 5-6 and first in the NFC South. 

Will Starting RBs Michael Carter, Travis Etienne Jr. Play in Week 13?

The Jets and Jaguars each won on Sunday but suffered the loss of their starting running backs. 

Michael Carter suffered an ankle injury while he was caught in a pile and was ruled out, while Travis Etienne Jr. appeared to suffer a left foot sprain that was potentially a Lisfranc aggravation.