NFL teams released their final Week 11 injury reports Friday. The health of several heavy hitters is in question as teams begin the late regular-season push.
The status of running backs Matt Forte and Marshawn Lynch have fans and fantasy owners sitting on edge as kickoffs near, while concerns for receivers John Brown and DeAndre Hopkins are still at a high in Arizona and Houston, respectively.
MORE: Fantasy RB rankings for Week 11 | Packers coach optimistic Lacy will return this week
Here are the five most impactful injuries heading into Week 11:
Matt Forte
Will he or won’t he? That’s what everyone is asking about Forte as the Bears enter a Week 11 showdown with the Broncos.
Forte missed Chicago’s last two games with an MCL sprain and is listed as questionable entering the weekend. He was a limited participant in Friday's practice.
However, Forte's move to sit out practice Thursday is worrisome. If he’s 100 percent, or close to it, such a precaution wouldn’t seem necessary. Jeremy Langford, who has performed incredibly well in Forte’s place, could likely be the feature back again Sunday whether the team is saying so or not.
“This is all tricky,” Bears coach John Fox said Wednesday about his backfield situation. “I don’t like speculating. I know we’re doing everything we can here to create competition amongst our team and learn to enjoy it. So we’ll cross that bridge when it happens.”
MORE: Week 11 picks from the Linemakers | Lines, angles and trends
Marshawn Lynch
The Seahawks (4-5) need a win badly Sunday against the 49ers or they’ll be staring at a playoff-less season after reaching the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons. They may have to do it without Lynch, who is battling an abdomen issue and is listed as questionable.
Lynch had his best game of the season against the 49ers on Oct. 22 with 122 yards rushing and a touchdown on 27 carries, but in last week’s loss to Arizona he managed only eight rushes for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Lynch played the entire game against the Cardinals in Week 10, but had obvious issues with his injury, as illustrated by the modest workload. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Lynch was “a little sore after the game,” but said Friday he expects Lynch to play Sunday.
If Lynch doesn’t progress as expected, Fred Jackson and Thomas Rawls will carry the load against a 49ers rushing defense ranked 20th in the league, allowing 111.9 rushing yards per game.
Carlos Hyde
While the Seahawks deal with backfield issues on their sideline, the 49ers will have problems of their own with Hyde and his never-ending foot injury.
Hyde will sit out Sunday's game. He hasn’t played since Oct. 22, when San Francisco last played Seattle. He looked poised for a impressive season after posting 168 yards and two scores on the Vikings in Week 1, but he has scored only one other touchdown since and hasn’t rushed for more than 100 yards in six games.
Shaun Draughn will line up behind Blaine Gabbert. Draughn had 58 yards on 16 carries and 38 yards receiving in his first game with the 49ers on Nov. 8.
John Brown
The Cardinals own a comfortable three-game lead in the NFC West, but it sure would be nice if Carson Palmer could utilize Brown this week against the Bengals. Brown is officially listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.
Brown missed the Cardinals' game against the Browns before their bye week, and while he played last week against the Seahawks, he didn’t catch a pass.
After sitting out practice Wednesday, Brown was a limited participant Thursday and Friday.
“He’s probably hesitant to let it go,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said. “He’s let it go in practice a few times and it was OK, but I think he’s afraid of tearing it.”
Michael Floyd also missed practice time this week with a hamstring injury, leaving 32-year-old Larry Fitzgerald as the team’s lone healthy starting receiver.
Third-year receiver Jaron Brown could be in line for a handful of targets if Brown and/or Floyd can’t suit up.
DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins has found a way to have a to have a great season despite subpar quarterback play, but he may not be able to help the Texans’ playoff hopes or fantasy owners Sunday as he deals with a knee injury. He’s officially listed as probable.
Hopkins was relegated to working on the sidelines during practice this week, but insisted he would play against the Jets.
“I think he’ll be able to go,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “I think DeAndre’s played a lot of football for us so I think he’ll remember the plays and I think he’ll be ready to go.”
Hopkins ranks third in the NFL with 927 receiving yards and has seven touchdowns. He will likely draw coverage from Darrelle Revis much of the day, making his job — and backup QB T.J. Yates’ job — much more difficult.