NFL injury updates, latest league news from Thursday, Dec. 16

Lamar Jackson has never missed an NFL start because of injury. Will Sunday be the first?

"That's a hard one, I think it could go down to the wire." Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman said.

The former MVP missed his second practice in a row Thursday, which was the day the Ravens hoped he would conduct field work, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported.

Jackson is dealing with an ankle sprain that sidelined him for the final three quarters of Baltimore's Week 14 loss to Cleveland. Coach John Harbaugh noted the day after that his star quarterback did not suffer a high-ankle sprain and the team was planning for Jackson to play versus the Packers.

That's now looking like an uphill battle, per Garafolo.

"He's getting treatment around the clock," Roman said. "He's a good healer but we'll just have to see what the doctors say."

Wide receiver Marquise Brown (illness) showed up on the team injury report and did not practice Thursday.

Three Ravens starting offensive linemen, Alejandro Villanueva (knee), Patrick Mekari (hand) and Ben Powers (foot), also did not practice Thursday.

The Ravens later announced the safety Chuck Clark has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Injuries/COVID-19

• Arizona Cardinals center Rodney Hudson was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (foot) remained limited in practice.
• Carolina Panthers cornerback A.J. Bouye (foot) did not practice Thursday. Wideout D.J. Moore (hamstring) was limited.
• Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy announced that offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, defensive coordinator Sean Desai and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor have been placed in COVID protocol. Bears later announced that tight end Jesse James, linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe, receiver Allen Robinson, defensive back Eddie Jackson, running back Ryan Nall and wide receiver Isaiah Coulter had been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Offensive tackle Germain Ifedi and defensive back Duke Shelley were designed to return from injured reserve.
• The Cincinnati Bengals placed offensive tackle Riley Reiff on injured reserve and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Quarterback Joe Burrow (right finger), wide receiver Tee Higgins (ankle) and defensive end Trey Hendrickson (back) were back at practice in a full capacity on Thursday.
• The Cleveland Browns activated tight ends David Njoku and Stephen Carlson from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Safety Ronnie Harrison was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list and quarterback Case Keenum tested positive for COVID-19 and Nick Mullens is now in line to start Saturday, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. Coach Kevin Stefanski said he expects defensive ends Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney to play Saturday versus the Raiders. Running back Kareem Hunt (ankle), cornerback Greg Newsome II (concussion) and wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (concussion) have been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Raiders. Tight end Harrison Bryant (ankle) and defensive tackle Malik Jackson (knee) have been designated as questionable.
• Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (foot) returned to practice in a limited capacity. Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence was added to the injury report with a foot injury and was limited in practice.
• Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (knee) did not practice Thursday a day after he was limited. Running back Melvin Gordon (thumb/hip) remained limited.
• The Detroit Lions placed defensive back Jalen Elliott on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Green Bay Packers placed defensive tackle Kenny Clark on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Quarterback Jordan Love was activated off the COVID list. Running back Aaron Jones (knee/illness) joined quarterback Aaron Rodgers (toe) as a DNP on Thursday. Offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) was limited for second straight day.
• The Houston Texans placed defensive backs Terrence Brooks, Terrance Mitchell and Cre'von LeBlanc on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (knee/illness/personal matter) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Patriots.
• Jacksonville Jaguars running backs James Robinson (heel/knee) and Carlos Hyde (concussion) were DNPs on Thursday.
• Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (knee/back) has been ruled out for the team's game Saturday against the Cleveland Browns. Linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle) and cornerback Trayvon Mullen (toe) have also been ruled out, while defensive end Carl Nassib (knee) is questionable.
• Los Angeles Chargers tight end Donald Parham was taken to UCLA Harbor Medical Center to undergo tests, imaging and evaluation for a head injury and is in stable condition, the team announced. Parham hit the back of his head on the turf while attempting to catch a pass in the first quarter of Thursday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Parham was immobilized and carted off the field but had movement in his arms. Chargers safety Derwin James (hamstring) left in the second half of Thursday's loss and did not return. The Chargers activated offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry off the reserve/COVID-19 list and activated defensive back Ben DeLuca from the practice squad.
• The Los Angeles Rams placed linebacker Von Miller, offensive tackle Tremayne Anchrum, defensive back Antoine Brooks Jr., guard Bobby Evans, defensive back Jake Gervase, linebacker Obo Okoronkwo, defensive back Kareem Orr, linebacker Troy Reeder and linebacker Christian Rozeboom on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (knee) was limited in practice Thursday.
• Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward (illness) was added to the injury report and is questionable for Thursday's game against the Chargers.
• The Miami Dolphins announced they are voluntarily entering enhanced COVID protocols, NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported. Additionally, wideout Jaylen Waddle and running back Gerrid Doaks were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he's "hopeful" wideout Adam Thielen (ankle) will be available for Monday against the Bears. Zimmer also said that defensive assistant Paul Guenther and three strength coaches are currently unavailable because of COVID-19. Thielen did not practice Thursday, while Dalvin Cook (shoulder) was a full participant.
• New England Patriots running back Damien Harris (hamstring), kicker Nick Folk (knee), center David Andrews (shoulder), offensive tackle Trent Brown (calf/wrist) and defensive lineman Christian Barmore (knee) are questionable for Saturday versus the Colts. Linebacker Ronnie Perkins (ankle) has been ruled out and was placed on injured reserve.
• New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey (hamstring) and offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (knee) did not practice Thursday. Quarterback Taysom Hill (right finger) was a full participant.
• New York Giants coach Joe Judge said cornerback Adoree' Jackson, who's been out with a quad injury, tested positive for COVID-19. Running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) return to practice in a limited capacity. Kicker Graham Gano (illness) was a full participant after missing Wednesday's practice.
• New York Jets offensive tackle George Fant (knee) remained out of practice. Jets rookie Elijah Moore has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (ankle) was again limited in practice.
• San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (concussion/knee) did not practice Thursday, while tight end George Kittle (knee) and linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) were limited.
• The Seattle Seahawks placed wideout Tyler Lockett and running back Alex Collins on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Wide receiver DK Metcalf (foot/back) did not practice for a second day in a row.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (ankle), along with safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) and cornerback Richard Sherman (Achilles) did not practice Thursday.
• The Washington Football Team placed safety Kamren Curl, center Keith Ismael and center Tyler Larsen on the reserve/COVID-19 list. WFT currently has 20 players on the list.

Roster moves

• The Cleveland Browns added quarterback Nick Mullens and wideout Lawrence Cager to the active roster and cornerback Brian Allen and safety Tedric Thompson to the practice squad.
• The Miami Dolphins signed running back Jordan Scarlett to the practice squad.
• The Washington Football Team signed defensive tackle Akeem Spence.