NFL Week 10 injuries – Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, more

Week 10 of the NFL season is here, and some teams are grappling with big injury questions.

The struggling Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) put Darren Waller and receiver Hunter Renfrow on injured reserve Thursday. Waller has been struggling with a hamstring injury since Week 5 while Renfrow has injuries to his ribs and a hamstring. Both players will miss at least four games.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jason Verrett, who was about to return after tearing his cruciate ligament, suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury on Thursday. Verrett has not played since September 2021.

The biggest injury question of the weekend continues to be Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. He missed his second straight practice session on Thursday. Allen is dealing with a right elbow injury to the ulnar collateral ligament and associated nerves, sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen on Monday. Allen is “literally in an hour-by-hour situation,” according to Bills coach Sean McDermott. If Allen can’t play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Case Keenum gets the start.

Here are more Week 10 injury updates from our NFL Nation reporters:

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injury: elbow

The Bills’ injury situation is one of the biggest questions in the league this week as Allen is a doubt for Sunday’s game against the Vikings. Allen attended limited practice on Friday after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He was seen running off the field at the end of Friday’s practice session – as the media kicked in – wearing his training jersey and no sleeve on his right arm as he had earlier in the week. If he can’t leave, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum will start. Allen has not missed a game since his rookie season in 2018, when he also grappled with a UCL right elbow injury.

– Alaina Getzenberg

injury: knuckles

Njoku will miss his second straight game with a high ankle sprain. The tight end had a stellar season with 34 catches and 418 receiving yards before the injury. Cleveland will again have to rely on Harrison Bryant against Miami.

– Jake Trotter

injury: Knee

Elliott completed his normal turns in Thursday’s big practice of the week. He wears a brace to prevent further hyperextension, but he’s thinking more about the big picture – a long playoff run – this year than he did last year, when he was recovering from a partial cruciate ligament tear that limited his ability to perform. Another week of rest could help long-term, especially as the Cowboys start a three-game-in-12-day stretch. Tony Pollard could be called up again for the top back order if the decision is made to ensure Elliott gets as close to 100% as possible.

– Todd Archer

injury: ankles, knees

The Packers have already lost fullback Rashan Gary for the season after he tore his cruciate ligament in Detroit on Sunday. There is concern that Stokes could meet the same fate. Manager Matt LaFleur said on Friday it was unlikely Stokes could return this season but couldn’t say for sure. That likely means Rasul Douglas will replace Stokes as outside cornerback and the Packers will have a new player covering slot receivers. There’s a chance they’ll finally get Darnell Savage to safety at this point.

– Rob Demovsky

Taylor returns to the lineup in Las Vegas on Sunday after missing three of the Colts’ last five games with a sore ankle. Taylor has been training well this week, according to interim head coach Jeff Saturday, but how much of a burden he carries has yet to be determined. “Of course we have to evaluate how the game went,” said Saturday. “But I felt like I was in training… JT looked good and I’m thrilled with him.”

– Stephen Holder

injury: Belly

Hardman will miss a game on Sunday for the first time in his career after not training all week. He’s been a big-play producer lately with five touchdowns in his last three games. His absence is likely to mean a bigger role for newly acquired Kadarius Toney than last week.

– Adam Teicher

injury: hamstring or oblique

The Raiders were hit by a double whammy on Thursday when the two Pro Bowlers who catch the pass both went on IR with their respective hamstring and oblique injuries. Still, the Raiders have an All-Pro wideout in Davante Adams, who had a first-half for the ages in Jacksonville last week before disappearing after halftime. And as Adams said this week, “In the Saints game, I’m not here if I catch another catch. I’m here to help this offensive move the ball. And if we can move it any other way, then that’s nice and I don’t have to do it. I can have a catch if we move it. But if we don’t move it, obviously that’s going to be a problem.

– Paul Gutierrez

injury: hamstring or ankle

The Chargers will be without their two top receivers for the second year in a row. Allen is struggling with a nagging Achilles tendon injury that has sidelined him to just 1½ games this season, and Williams is recovering from a high ankle sprain he sustained in Week 7. The Bolts will again rely on Joshua Palmer and DeAndre Carter for a lead position.

– Lindsey Thiry

injury: concussion

There’s a question as to whether Stafford will play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but he’s making “good progress and making steady progress” through concussion protocol, coach Sean McVay said. If Stafford is unable to play — a decision McVay said could be made up to 90 minutes before kickoff — backup quarterback John Wolford is expected to start for Los Angeles.

– Sarah Barshop

injury: Knee

Golladay is finally making a return save for a late setback. The well-paid Giants wideout has missed the last four games with a sprained MCL. But he will play an essential role on the field against the Texans. What matters now is what he can do when he’s healthy. Golladay has two catches for 22 yards this season and has not caught a touchdown pass since signing with the Giants.

–Jordan Raanan

injury: hamstring

Maddox, the team’s seed, missed the first two days of practice this week, threatening his availability for Monday’s game against the Washington Commanders. His backup, Josiah Scott, is restricted with an ankle injury. It could prove a vulnerable position for a defense facing a talented group of Washington receivers.

– Tim McManus

injury: ACL

Young was cleared for practice on Nov. 2, but doubts remain about a potential return Monday in Philadelphia. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said Young is still not doing everything at full speed. If that’s the case, it’s hard to imagine him playing. Young sustained a knee injury on November 14, 2021, so the team has been slow with his recovery. There is no reason to change this approach now.

injury: hamstring

Dotson was a full participant in Friday practice for the first time since hurting a hamstring in Week 4. But there is still uncertainty as to whether he will play Monday night. Washington went into the week upbeat, so a lot will depend on how Dotson feels after a full week of training. Also, he aggravated the injury again during practice on October 20, so Washington needs to be careful with him or he could be lost for much longer.

injury: Foot

Holcomb has yet to train since suffering a foot injury in an Oct. 23 win against Green Bay. If he doesn’t play Philadelphia, Washington would have to field a combination of David Mayo and Jon Bostic alongside Jamin Davis. Commanders can also use five-man fronts with a linebacker and safety Kamren Curl in the box.

– John Germ