Biggest NFL injury questions for Week 14

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The Packers have all kinds of issues at cornerback. On the day they put their top draft pick, Kevin King, on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, they also did not have Davon House or Demetri Goodson for practice. House banged his shoulder in last week’s win over Tampa Bay. Goodson, who took King’s roster spot after being activated off the PUP list, looked on track to play for the first time since his knee injury 13 months ago, but is now dealing with a hamstring injury. — Rob Demovsky

At some point, the length of Mike Remmers’ stay on the weekly injury report has to be a concern. The right tackle was in the concussion protocol from Weeks 9 to 12. Then last week he sustained a lower back injury during practice that kept him sidelined against the Falcons. Rashod Hill has been excellent in Remmers’ place, but Minnesota has been down its starting right tackle since five minutes into its win over Cleveland. Tight end David Morgan sustained a concussion in Atlanta and did not practice Wednesday, though coach Mike Zimmer said he was doing better earlier in the week. Center Pat Elflein (shoulder), fullback C.J. Ham (neck), defensive tackle Linval Joseph (knee), safety Andrew Sendejo (shoulder) and linebacker Eric Kendricks (hip) were also on the injury report, with everyone but Elflein a full participant. The rookie center was limited in practice. — Courtney Cronin

NFC SOUTH

The Falcons already ruled out left guard Andy Levitre for Thursday night’s game against the Saints with a triceps injury. The question is when Levitre will return. According to medical sources, a partial tear that doesn’t require surgery typically involves two to four weeks of recovery, and there has been no indication that Levitre needs a procedure. The Falcons, with three more games after Thursday, have a chance to make the playoffs. If Levitre doesn’t return, then Ben Garland, a solid run-blocker who needs to show he can pass-protect consistently, has to hold up at the position. — Vaughn McClure

Coach Ron Rivera isn’t optimistic that outside linebacker Shaq Thompson will play Sunday against the Vikings after re-aggravating a foot injury against the Saints last week. That means more playing time for nickel corner Captain Munnerlyn, a former Minnesota player who believes he can help with his knowledge of the Vikings. Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen was also a full participant in practice on Wednesday and appears set to play Sunday without what Rivera called a “pitch count.” — David Newton

Running back Mark Ingram is questionable for Thursday night’s game at Atlanta after he was held out of team drills this week with a toe injury. It’s possible the Saints were just limiting his workload since it’s a short week, but they obviously have a capable alternative in Alvin Kamara, who has shown the ability to be an every-down back if needed. They already ruled out starting left guard Andrus Peat with a groin injury, but the Saints will still be in good shape if left tackle Terron Armstead can return this week from thigh and shoulder injuries. New Orleans is also hoping to get two standout rookie starters back in its secondary — cornerback Marshon Lattimore (ankle) and free safety Marcus Williams (groin) — to help protect against Falcons receiver Julio Jones. — Mike Triplett

Running back Doug Martin and defensive end Robert Ayers are still in the concussion protocol, but both were practicing Wednesday. They must still be cleared by an independent neurologist before they can officially clear the concussion protocol. Safety T.J. Ward remains in the protocol and has not resumed practicing. Defensive tackle Clinton McDonald continues to be out with a back injury, and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves is still out with a hamstring injury. The big issue is not being able to generate a pass rush with so many players up front injured. The Bucs need it going up against a quarterback like Matthew Stafford. — Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

While left tackle Jared Veldheer’s elbow injury is a major source of concern for the Cardinals, the unknown status of running back Adrian Peterson’s neck injury that kept him out of a fourth straight practice on Wednesday is a bigger issue. Coach Bruce Arians didn’t have an explanation for what the injury was beyond a neck injury. The longer Peterson is out, the more the Cardinals will rely on running back Kerwynn Williams, who has played through cracked ribs. — Josh Weinfuss

The Rams had to cancel their typical Wednesday practice due to the effect local wildfires had on the air quality at their facility, opting instead for a walk-through. But coach Sean McVay said inside linebacker Alec Ogletree, who exited last week’s game early because of a hyperextended left elbow, is “making good progress” and “putting himself in position to be able to go this week.” Outside linebacker Connor Barwin (forearm) is not expected to play. Wide receiver Robert Woods (shoulder) is “making progress,” McVay said, but his status for Sunday’s game against the Eagles remains uncertain. — Alden Gonzalez

Coach Kyle Shanahan said his team emerged from last week’s game the best it had in terms of injuries all year. So, for the second week in a row, the most important injury question is right tackle Trent Brown’s shoulder. Brown played through the injury against Chicago, but Shanahan indicated he would need to be monitored throughout the week, and Brown did not practice on Wednesday. Having him available is crucial for the offense and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as San Francisco seeks its third victory of the season. — Nick Wagoner

For as many injury hits as the Seahawks have taken this season, the players they still do have are in relatively good shape. They made it out of last week’s win over Philadelphia without suffering any injuries of note. Two players to watch this week are Dion Jordan (neck) and Nazair Jones (ankle), important rotational players along Seattle’s defensive line. Jordan’s chances of playing Sunday at Jacksonville seem much better than Jones’ based on what coach Pete Carroll has said about their respective situations. — Brady Henderson

AFC EAST

A starting quarterback has yet to be named for Sunday’s game against the Colts because Tyrod Taylor’s status is uncertain after bruising his knee in last week’s loss to the Patriots. Taylor did not practice Wednesday and declined interviews with reporters in the locker room afterward. Coach Sean McDermott, who said Taylor was day-to-day on Monday, added Wednesday that there is “no timetable” for Taylor to return from injury. If he cannot play, rookie Nathan Peterman will make his second career start. — Mike Rodak

Starting center Mike Pouncey did not finish last week’s game against the Broncos due to a hamstring injury. Pouncey is the most consistent player on a very inconsistent offensive line. He hasn’t missed a start all season, and the extra time should help with Miami hosting the Patriots on Monday. — James Walker

Kyle Van Noy, who has played a high of 88 percent of the defensive snaps for Patriots linebackers, is in jeopardy of missing Monday night’s game in Miami with a calf injury. Van Noy had attempted to play through the injury last week against the Bills, but was only used in a limited role (15 snaps) in obvious passing situations. With the Patriots signing free-agent linebacker Jonathan Freeny, it’s a sign the team is prepared to be without Van Noy against the Dolphins. — Mike Reiss

Running back Matt Forte, who is trying to manage a chronic knee injury, is on his usual regimen: No practice on Wednesday and Thursday, then limited work on Friday. The Jets hope the scaled-back program can get him to the finish line. They play this week in the Denver altitude, which makes it imperative to have Forte as part of their three-man rotation. — Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Inside linebacker C.J. Mosley missed Wednesday’s practice with a neck injury, the latest issue for the two-time Pro Bowler. He has dealt with an ankle injury recently and has passed the concussion protocol in the past two games. But Mosley has hardly missed any time, and it doesn’t sound like he’ll sit out Sunday’s game at the rival Steelers. “I feel like it’s Week 14,” Mosley said Wednesday. “As long as I’m ready by Sunday, that’s all that matters.” –– Jamison Hensley