The NFL injury report heading into Week 17 has updates for Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Andy Dalton, Tyler Eifert, Jonathan Stewart, Alshon Jeffery, Brian Hoyer and LeSean McCoy. Manning remains out for the Denver Broncos and Dalton is out for the Bengals, but both players could potentially return for the playoffs.
Manning has been dealing with a foot injury for the Broncos and that has kept him off the field for a stretch, but he could be back in the postseason. Brock Osweiler has continued to start and helped clinch a playoff spot for Denver, but Manning could return if he gets healthy enough. Dalton remains out with a finger injury, but the Bengals are hoping he can return for the playoffs. Drew Brees is dealing with a foot injury, but the quarterback said that he will try and play again in Week 17.
Manning is looking to start practicing with more football-related activities and according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Manning is "rapidly improving" heading into Week 17. While it's unlikely that Manning will play this week, the Broncos could end up with a first round bye and that would give the quarterback even more time to heal up. Manning has only played in nine games this season and has put up 17 interceptions, but he is likely to get his starting job back once he is healthy.
Andy Dalton is dealing with a broken throwing thumb and while he could return for the playoffs, he might not be ready if the Bengals have to play on wild card weekend. The Broncos won over the Bengals on Monday and that puts Cincinnati in a tough spot, as NFL.com reports that Dalton likely will not be healthy enough to play in the first round of the playoffs. AJ McCarron also suffered an injury and that could leave the Bengals with their third string quarterback for the playoffs.
Drew Brees is dealing with a torn plantar fascia, but he was able to play in Week 16 and is expected to suit up for the Saints in Week 17. Brees was in pain during the game, but the quarterback said that he should be able to play this week. Brees threw for over 400 yards and had three touchdowns against the Jaguars last week. Tyler Eifert was out on Monday with a concussion, but the tight end could return for the Bengals in the playoffs.
Marshawn Lynch could return soon for the Seattle Seahawks, as the team is looking to try and get Lynch back in practice this week. According to head coach Pete Carroll, the team is planning to test Lynch this week following his abdominal surgery earlier in the season and if he is healthy, he could play on Sunday. Lynch is likely to return for the playoffs, but the team may want to get him some reps before the postseason.
Jonathan Stewart "might be" ready to play in Week 17, according to Panthers head coach Ron Rivera. Brian Hoyer is dealing with a concussion and could be cleared out of the protocol this week, which would put him in line to start for the Texans after being inactive last week. Alshon Jeffery is dealing with a hamstring injury and could be out for Week 17.
