NFL Week 6 injury report: Chiefs’ Travis Kelce questionable, Broncos’ Javonte Williams to play Thursday night

Injuries have unfortunately been one of the NFL’s main storylines this season. Just this week alone, Vikings star wideout Justin Jefferson and emerging Dolphins rookie running back De’Von Achane were placed on injured reserve. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is dealing with a bruising around his rotator cuff, Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt plans to continue playing with a mangled finger and Travis Kelce continues to work through an ankle injury that has put his status for Thursday night’s game in question. 

Fortunately for you, we’ve rounded up every NFL team’s latest injury updates and have included them in our Week 6 injury rundown. Here’s a look at each team’s injury situation entering Week 6, starting with the two teams that will face off on Thursday night. 

Broncos: OLB Frank Clark (illness), DT D.J. Jones (knee), OLB Baron Browning (knee) OUT; TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE 

Chiefs: TE Travis Kelce (ankle), DE George Karlaftis (hamstring), P Tommy Townsend (left knee) QUESTIONABLE 

While the Broncos will be without several notable players Thursday night, they will have Javonte Williams in uniform, as the team’s starting running back began the week as a limited practice participant. Safety Justin Simmons will also play despite being limited Monday and Tuesday while dealing with an injured hip. 

Kelce, who is dealing with a low-ankle sprain, was limited the past two days after not practicing Monday. He practiced Wednesday with his right ankle heavily taped as he hopes to suit up on Thursday night.

Ravens linebackers Jadeveon Clowney (illness), Odafe Oweh (ankle) and safety Geno Stone (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday in London. Odell Beckham Jr. was limited after leaving Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh early with an ankle injury. Offensive tackle Morgan Moses (shoulder) was limited after being inactive during last week’s loss to the Steelers. 

For the Titans, wideout Treylon Burks (knee) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (shoulder) were among the five players who did not practice. Simmons told The Tennessean that he plans to play on Sunday. 

Tight end Curtis Hodges (illness) and cornerback Christian Holmes (hamstring) were the only Washington players who did not practice Wednesday. Wideout Curtis Samuel (finger) was a full practice participant. 

Atlanta didn’t have any players not practice due to injury. Pass rusher Bud Dupree (wrist), right tackle Kaleb McGary (knee) and tight end Jonnu Smith (ankle) were limited. 

Vikings at Bears 

Chicago had a whopping 10 players who either didn’t practice Wednesday or did in a limited capacity. Among those who didn’t practice: running back Khalil Herbert (ankle) and wideout Equanimeous St. Brown (hamstring). Defensive back Eddie Jackson (foot) and tight end Cole Kmet (hamstring) were among Chicago’s limited participants.

The Vikings had every player practice in some capacity Wednesday. Rookie wideout Jordan Addison (ankle) was limited as he is expected to receive a bigger workload with Jefferson on IR. 

Seattle held out wideout DK Metcalf (ribs), guard Damien Lewis (ankle) along with corners Coby Bryant (toe) and Artie Burns (hamstring) from Wednesday’s session. Tackle Charles Cross (toe), guard Phil Haynes (calf), safety Jamal Adams (concussion), and linebacker Jordyn Brooks (knee) were limited. 

Tee Higgins, who was inactive during Sunday’s win in Arizona, was a limited practice participant on Wednesday along with starting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (back). Both players have been labeled as day to day by coach Zac Taylor, but the fact that both players practiced Wednesday is an encouraging sign. 

49ers at Browns 

San Francisco gave rest days to linebacker Dre Greenlaw, tight end George Kittle, and left tackle Trent Williams. The only player missing from practice due to injury was running back Elijah Mitchell (knee). Guard Aaron Banks (shoulder) was limited. 

Deshaun Watson again did not practice on Wednesday due to a right shoulder injury. If he is unable to go, it will be P.J. Walker that gets the start for the Browns under center. Meanwhile, guard Joel Bitonio (knee), defensive end Myles Garrett (foot), and tight end David Njoku (face, hand) did not practice. Wideout Amari Cooper was given a rest day while running back Jerome Ford (knee), and center Ethan Pocic (chest, knee, foot) were limited. 

Carolina had 11 players who either didn’t practice or were limited. Running back Miles Sanders (shoulder), defensive end Derrick Brown (knee/ankle) and linebacker Brian Burns (ankle) were among the Panthers player who were limited. Linebacker Chandler Zavala did not practice after sustaining a neck injury during last week’s loss to the Lions. 

Linebacker Jaelan Phillips (oblique) and running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (ribs/finger) were among Miami’s players who practiced in a limited capacity. Wilson’s 21-day window was opened on Wednesday, which is good news given Achane’s current status. 

Indianapolis placed rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) on injured reserve on Wednesday, meaning he will miss at least the next four games. Tight end Mo Alie-Cox (concussion) and Braden Smith (foot/wrist) were the only active Colts who did not practice. 

For the Jaguars, wideout Zay Jones (knee) was the only player who didn’t practice. Linebacker Shaquille Leonard (groin) was a full participant after he was inactive in Week 5. 

Quarterback Derek Carr was a full practice participate as he continues to work through a right shoulder injury. Wideout Chris Olave (toe) and defensive end Cam Jordan (back) were limited. 

Wideout Tank Dell (concussion) and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) were among the five Texans who did not practice. Wideout Noah Brown (groin) began his 21-day window on Wednesday to come back from injured reserve. Brown was a full practice participant. 

As expected, linebacker Matthew Judon (elbow) did not practice and is not expected to be back on the field anytime soon. Wideouts JuJu Smith-Schuster and Demario Douglas also didn’t practice as both are in the concussion protocol. Linebacker Josh Uche (knee), defensive end Trey Flowers (foot) and offensive tackle Trent Brown (chest) were among the 11 Patriots were were limited practice participants. 

Las Vegas did not practice on Wednesday, so the initial injury report is an estimation. That said, the club did list wideout Davante Adams as a non-participant due to a shoulder injury. Cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) was also listed as a DNP. Pass rusher Maxx Crosby (knee), corner Jkorian Bennett (shoulder), safety Marcus Epps (knee), corner David Long Jr. (ankle), wideout Jakobi Myeers (wrist), and receiver Tre Tucker (knee) were all limited. 

Marquise Brown headlined the Cardinals players not practicing on Wednesday as he was sidelined due to an illness. Tight end Elijah Higgins (illness) and safety Jalen Thompson (hamstring) were also missing. Running back Keaontay Ingram (neck), defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter (finger), and corner Garrett Williams (knee) were limited. 

The Rams were missing five players from practice: guard Kevin Dotson (ankle), linebacker Ernest Jones (knee), defensive tackle Larrell Murchinson (knee), offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (groin), and linebacker Christian Rozeboom (thigh). Wideout Ben Skowronek (Achilles) was limited. 

Cornerback Darius Slay (triceps) was one of three Eagles who did not practice. Safety Sydney Brown (hamstring), defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (back), linebacker Nakobe Dean (foot) and tight end Jack Stoll (shoulder) were limited. When asked about Cox said, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni “We’ll see” when asked about his status for Sunday. 

For the Jets, cornerbacks/gunners Brandin Echols and Justin Hardee did not practice as both players are dealing with hamstring injuries. Fellow cornerback D.J. Reed was limited Wednesday as he continues to go through the league’s concussion protocol. 

Lions rookie defensive back Brian Branch (ankle) and fellow rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) did not practice. Wideout Amon-Ra. St. Brown (abdomen) was limited. Detroit coach Dan Campbell said he feels “a lot better” about St. Brown after he missed last week’s win over Carolina. Branch did individual work off to the side during practice, which is a positive sign. 

Mike Evans (hamstring) was the only Buccaneers player who did not practice. Rookies Calijah Kancey and SirVocea Dennis (hamstring) — who haven’t played since Week 1 — were both full practice participants. 

Regarding Evans, Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said the veteran is “coming along” and that the team would have a better idea of Evans’ status vs. the Lions on Friday. 

Quarterback Daniel Jones (neck), wideout Wan’Dale Robinson (knee), tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) and tight end Darren Waller (groin) were among the Giants players who didn’t practice. Jones said Wednesday that his plan is to play after sustaining the injury while getting sacked during Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins. Running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) was limited on Wednesday. 

Cornerback Dane Jackson (foot) was the only Bills player who didn’t practice on Wednesday. The team opened the 21-day practice window for linebacker Baylon Spector who was designated to return. Spector (hamstring) was a full practice participant. Tight ends Dawson Knox (wrist) and Dalton Kincaid (concussion) were both limited. 

Analysis to come.