NFL injury updates, latest league news from Monday, Dec. 13

Kareem Hunt's recent return from injured reserve has encountered another interruption.

Hunt suffered an ankle injury in the Cleveland Browns' 24-22 win over Baltimore on Sunday, and coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday the team does not expect Hunt to play in Saturday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Hunt missed each of Cleveland's games from Weeks 7-11 due to a calf injury that landed him on IR, but he was able to return in time for the first half of the Browns' two-game set with the Ravens. He saw a total of 11 touches between the two games, gaining 38 yards in the process before an awkward tackle on a catch and run Sunday sent him back to the trainer's table.

Cleveland has struggled to run the ball effectively in its last two games, gaining a total of 140 yards on the ground combined. Hunt carried the ball just twice Sunday before exiting, gaining five yards.

With Hunt not likely to play Saturday, the Browns will again turn to D'Ernest Johnson for carries when Nick Chubb is not involved. Cleveland appears headed for an advantageous matchup against the 6-7 Raiders, who rank 26th in rushing yards allowed per game (125.3).

Injuries/COVID-19

• Thirty-six players went on the COVID-19 list today because of positive tests, the highest number since that list was created in 2020, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported.
• The Arizona Cardinals activated long snapper Aaron Brewer and defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence from the injured reserve/designated for return list. However, running back Chase Edmonds remains on IR.
• Atlanta Falcons safety Erik Harris is out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn pec against Carolina, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source. The team also placed outside linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee, defensive back Cornell Armstrong and outside linebacker Quinton Bell on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday that quarterback Josh Allen is dealing with a foot sprain and will be day to day. Linebacker Tyrel Dodson has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Carolina Panthers receiver D.J. Moore (hamstring) is day-to-day. Coach Matt Rhule said that quarterback Sam Darnold (shoulder) remains out and that Carolina will continue to play both Cam Newton and P.J. Walker at QB. Newton played 47 snaps in Carolina's loss Sunday, while Walker played 15.
• Chicago Bears linebacker DeAndre Houston-Carson suffered a fracture forearm against Green Bay and will need surgery, coach Matt Nagy told reporters. He will be placed on injured reserve. Defensive end Mario Edwards was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Clay Johnston was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive
• Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith aggravated his left ankle injury and will not play Sunday against the Giants. Smith missed three games earlier this year with the injury. The team also announced that wide receiver Cedrick Wilson was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon suffered a sprained thumb against Detroit, but the injury doesn't figure to limit his playing time going forward, Rapoport reported, per a source.
• Detroit Lions rookie cornerback Jerry Jacobs suffered a ACL injury against Denver.
• The Houston Texans activated running back David Johnson from and placed linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Indianapolis Colts placed linebacker Zaire Franklin on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Kansas City Chiefs wideout Josh Gordon has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Los Angeles Chargers placed rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Coach Brandon Staley said there's a chance Slater will be able to play Thursday versus the Chiefs. Staley said running back Austin Ekeler's ankle injury is "nothing major" and he's expected to practice this week. Staley added that safety Derwin James, who missed Sunday's game due to a hamstring injury, is day to day.
• The Los Angeles Rams placed cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Tyler Higbee, offensive tackle Rob Havenstein and defensive back Donte' Deayon on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Monday night's game against Arizona. L.A. also activated linebacker Justin Hollins from injured reserve.
• Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores said wideout Will Fuller won't practice this week but declined to go into specifics, per NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. The veteran has missed 11 games this season due to injury, suspension and personal reasons. Defensive back Jevon Holland and and running back Phillip Lindsay were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Minnesota Vikings have claimed running back Wayne Gallman off waivers and placed running back Alexander Mattison and wide receiver Dan Chisena on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Guard Kyle Hinton was placed on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list. Linebacker Ryan Connelly was placed on injured reserve.
• New England Patriots tight end Dalton Keene was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive.
• New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (neck) is back in the New York area undergoing medical tests and further evaluation, coach Joe Judge told reporters. Jones was with the team in Los Angeles on Sunday but has not played the last two weeks. Defensive end Leonard Williams suffered an elbow injury Sunday versus the Chargers that is feared to be significant, per Rapoport. Williams, who's set to undergo further tests, will miss time and might not return this season, Rapoport added. Wideout Kadarius Toney was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• New York Jets defensive back Justin Hardee was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Philadelphia Eagles placed receiver Quez Watkins and running back Jason Huntley on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Joe Haeg was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said linebacker Fred Warner suffered an ankle injury but is OK. Shanahan said cornerback Ambry Thomas is in the concussion protocol.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Giovani Bernard is expected to miss some time after suffering an MCL injury in addition to a hip strain in Sunday's win over the Bills, Pelissero reported.
• The Washington Football Team placed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, linebacker David Mayo, defensive end William Bradley-King and tight end Temarrick Hemingway on the reserve/COVID-19 list. A Tier 3 staffer with the Washington Football Team tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Pelissero reported. It is the first known case of that variant in the NFL. Tier 3 staffers are not allowed around players, Pelissero added.

Roster moves

• The Baltimore Ravens signed safety Tony Jefferson to the practice squad.
• The Cleveland Browns waived wideout Ja'Marcus Bradley.
• The Dallas Cowboys waived defensive tackle Justin Hamilton.
• The Detroit Lions claimed defensive back Brady Breeze off waivers from the Titans.
• The Green Bay Packers cut quarterback Danny Etling from the practice squad.
• The Las Vegas Raiders waived defensive tackle Damion Square.
• The Los Angeles Rams activated six players from the practice squad for Monday Night Football: defensive back Grant Haley, running back Javian Hawkins, guard Jeremiah Kolone, defensive back Kareem Orr, tight end Jared Pinkney and receiver Brandon Powell.
• The New Orleans Saints waived center Will Clapp.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers signed defensive end John Simon to the practice squad and released kicker Sam Sloman from the practice squad.
• The San Francisco 49ers waived cornerback Saivion Smith.
• The Washington Football Team claimed offensive lineman Jamil Douglas off waivers from the Bills.

News

• Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle La'El Collins, who was ejected Sunday against the Washington Football Team for throwing a punch at William Bradley-King, will not be suspended, Rapoport reported. His actions will be reviewed and a fine is likely, however.