NFL News: Post-Week 15 Injury Notes on Top Stars

Week 16 is primarily going to be about which teams can get closer to locking up spots in the NFL playoffs and which teams can try to secure a first-round bye. Seven teams have already clinched playoff berths, meaning that there are still five spots that will be determined within the next two weeks.

The problem for several franchises still in the hunt is that some of their top playmakers may not be able to go in Week 16—and potentially beyond that.

That being said, here are the injury updates on some of the NFL’s biggest names going into the final two weeks of the regular season.

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins defeated the Cleveland Browns in Week 15 for their fifth consecutive victory, but this win was with backup quarterback Kirk Cousins running the offense instead of Robert Griffin III—the team’s starting quarterback.

Griffin is recovering from a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee that he suffered the previous week against the Baltimore Ravens, keeping him on the sidelines against Cleveland.

When Griffin is cleared to go, however, he’ll get the nod over Cousins, according to Stephen Whyno of The Washington Times:

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Robert Griffin III will play when he’s 100 percent healthy, despite backup Kirk Cousins’ performance in Sunday’s win, Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Monday. It’s unclear whether that will be in time for the Redskins’ Week 16 game at the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Washington is in the driver’s seat right now in the NFC East, holding the tiebreaker advantage over the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. The Eagles are tied for the worst record in the NFC at 4-10 and a Redskins loss could be more than just demoralizing—it could cost them a playoff spot.

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears, currently sitting at 8-6, are one of the teams fighting for a wild card spot. A 21-13 loss on Sunday to the NFC North champion Green Bay Packers didn’t help their playoff hopes, but that may have been because of Jay Cutler.

Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune reported last Thursday that Cutler was suffering from a sprained medial collateral ligament—also noting that the team’s injury report listed a neck injury:

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In the first meeting with the Packers, Jay Cutler was forced to run for his life and was sacked seven times, the second-most in his career. Now, it’s worth wondering if he will have trouble eluding the Packers’ pass rush again as Cutler has a sprained medial collateral ligament, according to an NFL source.

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Cutler did have some issues evading the Green Bay defense, getting sacked four times. Cutler finished the game with 135 passing yards on 12-of-21 attempts, with one touchdown and one interception.

Although Cutler may not be completely healthy for the rest of the season, the Bears have a favorable schedule ahead, facing the Arizona Cardinals (5-9) and Detroit Lions (4-10).

Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Lewis hasn’t played since Oct. 14 against the Dallas Cowboys, when he tore his right triceps. He has recovered remarkably fast and could be ready to go as soon as Week 16.

Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun reports that Lewis is a candidate to be activated for next week’s showdown against the New York Giants:

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The Ravens could use a linebacker on the active roster with Jameel McClain set to go on injured reserve with a spinal cord contusion, but have yet to make a roster move today. The Ravens could also activate middle linebacker Ray Lewis (right triceps surgery) from the injured reserve-designated to return list.

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The Baltimore Ravens have already secured a playoff spot, but winning on Sunday with Lewis on the field would give them a much needed morale boost after losing their last three games.