Week 15's biggest injury questions for all 32 NFL teams

— -- NFL Nation reporters assess the biggest injuries across the league for Week 15.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

DT Kyle Williams missed last Sunday's game after his back locked up late in the week, and Williams did not practice Wednesday. Coach Rex Ryan said Williams is improving and that he is "very hopeful" Williams can play against the Browns. Williams is the Bills' third-ranked defender by Pro Football Focus.  -- Mike Rodak

Miami Dolphins

MLB Kiko Alonso said he's doing everything he can to avoid missing his second straight game due to hamstring and thumb injuries. Alonso had a limited practice Wednesday, which is promising. The hamstring is a bigger concern for Alonso than his surgically repaired thumb.  -- James Walker

New England Patriots

CB Malcolm Butler injured his hip late in the third quarter of Monday's win over the Ravens, and he was limited in the team's first practice of the week. Butler had missed four plays in Monday's game before returning, and he walked out of the locker room on Wednesday without a noticeable limp. It also looks like WR Danny Amendola (ankle) will need at least another week until he is ready to return.  -- Mike Reiss

New York Jets

RB Matt Forte has a torn meniscus in his right knee, but he's still hoping to play Saturday against the Dolphins. It will be a game-time decision. Either way, look for Bilal Powell to have a significant role in the backfield. RT Brent Qvale (hamstring) is a question mark, meaning rookie Brandon Shell might have to make his first start. He'd have to block DE Cameron Wake. "It's not scary," coach Todd Bowles insisted. - - Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

CB Jimmy Smith didn't practice Wednesday after spraining his right ankle Monday night. He is one defender the Ravens could not afford to lose. The drop off at cornerback is significant after Smith. If he is sidelined, the Ravens will go with Shareece Wright, who has allowed six touchdowns in nine games, according to Pro Football Focus. -- Jamison Hensley

Cincinnati Bengals

Will A.J. Green play against the Steelers? His status is up in the air, even though he practiced Wednesday. Green wasn't doing much in the open portion of practice, so Thursday's practice will tell more.  -- Katherine Terrell

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are surprisingly healthy for this late in the season. LT Joe Thomas missed practice with a knee issue he has battled all week, but he won't miss the game. Thomas has not missed a down since he was drafted by the Browns in 2007 -- a streak of 9,737 snaps in a row. Thomas won't let that streak end unless it's necessary.  -- Pat McManamon

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are getting healthy for the stretch run. Two starting linemen who missed last week, G Ramon Foster (chest) and NT Javon Hargrave (concussion), practiced Wednesday. The biggest concern remains WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, who hopes to return from a nagging midfoot injury before the season ends. The Steelers need more production from the No. 2 receiver spot and could use him.  -- Jeremy Fowler

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

The Texans have two defensive starters dealing with injuries that could cause them to miss Sunday's game against the Jaguars: veteran CB Johnathan Joseph (ribs) and OLB John Simon (chest). Neither practiced Wednesday, and head coach Bill O'Brien said they are day-to-day with the injuries. If Joseph cannot play again, Robert Nelson will likely get increased playing time for the second straight week. On offense, TE C.J. Fiedorowicz is in the concussion protocol and didn't practice. He is also day-to-day, according to O'Brien.  -- Sarah Barshop

Indianapolis Colts

QB Andrew Luck missed practice Wednesday with an injured right elbow and shoulder, which was sustained against the Texans on Sunday. Coach Chuck Pagano said his quarterback "should be OK," and Luck said he "absolutely" plans to play against the Vikings this weekend. Luck has already missed one game, on Thanksgiving night, with a concussion. - - Mike Wells

Jacksonville Jaguars

RB Chris Ivory has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, but the Jaguars are optimistic he will be able to play against Houston. Things aren't as clear with WR Allen Hurns (hamstring), who hasn't practiced since getting injured against Buffalo on Nov. 27.  -- Mike DiRocco

Tennessee Titans

DL Jurrell Casey missed last week's game against the Broncos with a sprained foot, but he returned to do limited work on Wednesday. Karl Klug, who replaced Casey in the starting lineup, was out Wednesday with an achilles injury. The Titans would have to rely on some talented but inexperienced players if Casey and Klug can't play. Angelo Blackson and Austin Johnson would be in line for many more snaps.  -- Paul Kuharsky

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

As they prepare to host the Patriots on Sunday, the Broncos face the prospect of being without both starting inside linebackers. Todd Davis, who left last week's loss against the Titans with a rib injury, took part in some of the team's walk through Wednesday and did not take part in the full practice. Brandon Marshall, who missed the Titans game with a hamstring injury and said this past Friday he's "not close'' to coming back, didn't practice Wednesday. Tom Brady will almost certainly throw plenty of passes toward his backs and tight ends to isolate the Broncos' linebackers in coverage. The Patriots are also the league's No. 7 rushing team, and LeGarrette Blount is the No. 5 rusher (yards) in the NFL.  -- Jeff Legwold

Kansas City Chiefs

ILB Derrick Johnson will be difficult if not impossible for the Chiefs to replace. They're merely trying to make the best of a bad situation. Johnson, who tore his Achilles tendon in last week's win over the Raiders, rarely came out of the lineup and was equally productive on running and passing downs. In addition, he relayed the defensive signals and was responsible for making sure the front seven lined up properly pre-snap. The Chiefs have some options for replacing Johnson in Frank Zombo, a veteran who could move from the outside, and D.J. Alexander, a fifth-round pick last year. Whatever they do, the Chiefs don't expect the same level of production from that spot.  -- Adam Teicher

Oakland Raiders

Rookie SS Karl Joseph again missed practice Wednesday. Joseph sat out last Thursday night's game with a left big toe injury and was in a boot after getting hurt against the Bills on Dec. 4. He spent the rest of that week toiling about in a walking boot. That puts the first-rounder's availability for Sunday's win-and-they're-in game at San Diego in serious doubt. Nate Allen should again get the start, but don't be surprised if Keith McGill gets some snaps on passing downs.  -- Paul Gutierrez

San Diego Chargers

RB Melvin Gordon is probably out this week after suffering a hip strain and knee sprain early in last week's game against the Panthers. That means Kenneth Farrow will likely get his first career start. Farrow is an undrafted rookie out of Houston, and he's a bruising runner. However, Farrow's still inexperienced in the offense, and he doesn't offer the explosive playmaking ability of Gordon.  -- Eric D. Williams

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have to manage DE DeMarcus Lawrence's work through practice after he suffered a recent back injury. He went through just one limited workout last week and played in 13 snaps against the Giants on Sunday. It'll be more of the same this week, which is not good news for a pass rush that needs all the help possible. When healthy, Lawrence can provide consistent pressure, but he hasn't been 100 percent this season, even after his return from a four-game suspension. The best the Cowboys can hope for, it seems, is production in spot duty down the stretch.  -- Todd Archer

New York Giants

Keenan Robinson is a big part of the Giants' defense, even if he's not technically a starter. Robinson plays more than half the snaps as a nickel linebacker, and he sat out Wednesday's practice with what coach Ben McAdoo called a "chronic" shoulder issue. It's unlikely Robinson misses Sunday's game, but it is troubling to see him dealing with this again -- this is the same injury that derailed him with the Redskins. How he's able to perform down the stretch with the shoulder potentially bothering him could prove crucial.  -- Jordan Raanan

Philadelphia Eagles

Veteran RB Darren Sproles remains in concussion protocol following a vicious hit while fielding a punt return Sunday against the Redskins. Fellow RB Wendell Smallwood (knee) was recently placed on injured reserve, so Ryan Mathews and Kenjon Barner will likely carry much of the load if Sproles is not available.  -- Tim McManus

Washington Redskins

The Redskins have a handful of injury issues that could impact Monday's game against the Panthers. One big question involves how much TE Jordan Reed can play with the shoulder injury that limited him to 10 snaps last week. Washington didn't have a full workout Wednesday, so more will be known about any increased availability later in the week. The Redskins also have two injured linebackers, Will Compton and Su'a Cravens, who are considered week-to-week with a knee and elbow issue, respectively. Finally, two starting linemen were missing last week: LG Shawn Lauvao (groin) and C Spencer Long (concussion). More will be known about their status Thursday. -- John Keim

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears

The only injury of note is NT Eddie Goldman, who missed practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury. Goldman has dealt with ankle problems much of the season, and he suffered another setback in Chicago's loss in Detroit on Sunday. Goldman is Chicago's best run-stopping defensive lineman and will be missed if he cannot play in Week 15 against the Packers, even though Green Bay does not have much of a ground attack. Veteran receiver Eddie Royal also continues to battle a toe injury. -- Jeff Dickerson

Detroit Lions

The biggest question for the Lions is Matthew Stafford's right middle finger. He wore a semi-covered glove during practice but looked fine throwing the ball and didn't seem to be too bothered by the injury. Stafford said he's planning on taking every practice rep this week and doesn't appear overly concerned. His running backs, though, might be a bigger issue. Theo Riddick didn't practice Wednesday and Zach Zenner is still in the league's concussion protocol, practicing with a red, no-contact jersey. This leaves Detroit with two healthy backs: Dwayne Washington and Joique Bell. Also, starting C Travis Swanson (concussion) missed his fourth straight practice and DE Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) also sat out Wednesday.  -- Michael Rothstein

Green Bay Packers

Mike McCarthy said QB Aaron Rodgers told him not to hold anything out of the game plan because of his injured right calf. But it has to be concerning that Rodgers didn't practice Wednesday, and he isn't expected to be on the field Thursday, according to McCarthy. Rodgers had been limited in practice the past two weeks because of a left hamstring injury, but his mobility didn't seem to be as bad as it was after he hurt his calf on the third play from scrimmage last Sunday against the Seahawks. Rodgers will play this Sunday at Chicago, but it's worth wondering how he'll be able to move, especially in what's expected to be sub-zero temperatures.  -- Rob Demovsky

Minnesota Vikings

QB Sam Bradford showed up on the Vikings' injury report as a limited participant with a right shoulder injury, but if the Vikings were concerned that Bradford might be at risk of not playing Sunday against the Colts, they likely would have held him out of practice Wednesday. Bradford's status will be worth monitoring this week, but he'd seem like a good bet to play against Indianapolis.  -- Ben Goessling

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

WR Julio Jones' status remains in limbo as coach Dan Quinn changed the definition of Jones' injury from turf toe to a toe sprain. Quinn said he wasn't medically informed when he first referred to the injury as turf toe. Whatever the case, Jones did not practice Wednesday. Quinn said the injury is not a long-term issue, but it wouldn't be shocking to see the Falcons rest Jones for the second consecutive week.  -- Vaughn McClure

Carolina Panthers

MLB Luke Kuechly is back practicing after failing to pass the final stage of the concussion protocol for Sunday's game against San Diego. He'll go through the same routine this week to see if he'll be cleared for Monday's game against Washington after missing three straight games. Something to keep an eye on is QB Cam Newton, who got the first rest day of his career when healthy on Wednesday. He said it was to give his body a break, but he didn't throw, so it seemed like it was more to give his arm a break. He has completed 42.8 percent of his passes in the past four games. Newton doesn't anticipate this is anything that will impact him playing against Washington.  -- David Newton

New Orleans Saints

It's hard to keep up with the Saints' injury report as they limp to the finish line in yet another non-playoff season. The good news is that three key players who missed last Sunday's game all practiced on a limited basis Wednesday: WR Michael Thomas, C Max Unger and LB Craig Robertson. However, the Saints placed standout LT Terron Armstead on injured reserve with his lingering knee and quad issues, and CB Delvin Breaux and RB Mark Ingram also missed practice. Ingram still seems likely to play since he played through the same issues after missing practice time last week. LT Andrus Peat has done a nice job filling in for Armstead at times this season. Breaux seems less certain, though -- and he'll be missed since he would've been a good matchup against Larry Fitzgerald.  -- Mike Triplett

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

S Chris Conte was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, a good sign for his return after missing two games with a chest injury. Slot receiver Adam Humphries also continues to practice, suggesting he could be soon cleared from the concussion protocol. RT Demar Dotson still hasn't returned to the field since missing last week's game due to a concussion. Considering how the Saints' defensive line overpowered the Bucs' ground game at times, that's a big concern heading into Dallas.  -- Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals will be keeping a close eye on how S Tyrann Mathieu's injured shoulder responds Thursday. If it reacts positively, his odds of playing Sunday against New Orleans go up. And with the amount of injuries in the secondary -- S Tyvon Branch was put on IR on Tuesday and CB Marcus Cooper is limited this week with a back injury -- Mathieu's presence is needed. He said Wednesday that his injured shoulder is stronger and has more motion, but not being able to go to the ground or shed blocks in practice will make it tough for him to know how far he has come.  -- Josh Weinfuss

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams recently had an uncommonly healthy stretch, but the quick turnaround for Thursday's game helped ruined that. S Maurice Alexander (concussion) and third-down RB Benny Cunningham (neck) are doubtful for the game, while starting DE Robert Quinn (concussion) and No. 2 CB E.J. Gaines (thigh) are doubtful. Cody Davis would step in for Alexander, and Eugene Sims will get a lot more snaps in place of Quinn. With Cunningham out, Malcolm Brown will get additional carries and Mike Thomas, who fumbled the opening kickoff Sunday, will be a major factor on special teams. Troy Hill, previously demoted to the practice squad in the wake of his DUI arrest, could start on the outside if Gaines can't go. "I'm trying to come out very vicious," Hill said. "I've got a chip on my shoulder."   -- Alden Gonzalez

San Francisco 49ers

Where do we begin? The Niners were hit hard by injuries last week against the Jets, but none were scarier than the concussion suffered by WR Torrey Smith when he landed hard on his head in the second half. He was taken to the locker room on a cart with a towel over his head. Smith is in the concussion protocol, so it's possible he'll progress enough to return this week, but it's not pleasant to think about considering how bad the injury looked.  -- Nick Wagoner

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are a healthy squad as they face the Rams in Thursday night's matchup. The only players who are questionable are backup linebackers Brock Coyle (foot) and Dewey McDonald (illness). The Seahawks will have 21 of their 22 regular starters available. The only exception is S Earl Thomas, who is out for the season with a fractured tibia. Steven Terrell will take his place for the second straight week.  -- Sheil Kapadia