5 NFL Injury Storylines To Watch In Week 18

Will Jalen Hurts Return, Right Philly Ship Ahead of Playoffs?

Since Jalen Hurts suffered a right SC joint sprain, the Eagles have lost two games in a row and will now have to beat the playoff-bound Giants to fend off the approaching 49ers, Cowboys, and Vikings for the NFC No. 1 seed. 

Hurts is reportedly expected to be available for the contest and should be able to play without significant limitations with a pain-killing injection, according to the Pro Football Docs.

Defensive end Josh Sweat was taken to the hospital for evaluation after he appeared to jam his neck in a collision during the Saints’ first drive and will reportedly be discharged in the morning. 

DeVonta Smith limped into halftime after an awkward takedown but returned for a game-high nine receptions for 115 yards.

Will Tua Tagovailoa, Teddy Bridgewater, or Skylar Thompson Start for Dolphins?

For the third time this season, Tua Tagovailoa has missed a game in concussion protocol, and in those games, the Dolphins are 0-3 and the quarterback that started the game wasn’t the one who finished it.

Sunday’s loss was much of the same: Teddy Bridgewater suffered an apparent right ring finger fracture and Skylar Thompson couldn’t complete the comeback, dropping the Dolphins to 8-8 with their fifth-straight loss.

It isn’t immediately clear which quarterbacks will be available for Miami in Week 18 against the Jets, although both Tagovailoa and Bridgewater are both unlikely to play, according to the Pro Football Docs. 

Can Top Wideout Jakobi Meyers Play Through Shoulder Sprain?

Patriots’ wide receiver Jakobi Meyers appeared to suffer a left SC joint sprain when he landed directly on his shoulder on the game-sealing touchdown catch that may have helped propel them to the playoffs.

Meyers, who has lapped the other New England receivers with 64 receptions for 771 yards and five scores this season, has a chance to play in Week 18 with a pain-killing injection, according to the Pro Football Docs.

Seahawks' Star Jordyn Brooks Suffered Significant Knee Injury

Seattle linebacker Jordyn Brooks will reportedly undergo more tests after he suffered what the Pro Football Docs fear was a right knee hyperextension consistent with a torn ACL. 

The 25-year-old would be the second Seahawks' defensive starter to suffer a significant knee injury at Lumen Field, joining safety Jamal Adams, who tore his quadriceps tendon in Week 1.

Seattle still won the game and has an albeit convoluted path to the final NFC Wild Card spot, but will likely have to face the Rams without their leading tackler.

Will 49ers Play Deebo Samuel, Dre Greenlaw in Push For No. 1 Seed?

San Francisco needed a dramatic overtime interception and another dynamic Christian McCaffrey performance to win its ninth straight game and set a straight path to the No. 2 seed.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel missed his third game with a high-ankle and MCL sprain and McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle have proven capable of scoring sufficiently without Samuel, giving him the grace to recover fully for the playoffs. 

Standout linebacker Dre Greenlaw suffered an apparent back injury when he combined with Fred Warner for a tackle, although the issue didn't standout as anything significant, according to the Pro Football Docs, and he will reportedly undergo more tests.