Key Injuries Heading into Week 16 of the 2023 NFL Season

The action filled Week 15 of the 2023 NFL season was accompanied by yet another rash of injuries. Players were forced off the field because of one medical concern after the other. Being this far into the regular season, teams are looking to strengthen their positions and an injury ridden roster is the last thing anyone wants. As heartbreaking as it is, it has only made the NFL season more exciting and dramatic. Fans are here for it and the games won’t be any less interesting either from here on out. Here is a roundup of all the notable names that went down in the last week:

•         Trevor Lawrence:

The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has now faced another issue after suffering from an ankle injury just two weeks ago. He seemed to have sustained a head injury at some point during the game against the Baltimore Ravens. The player did however manage to play the entire game. It is still uncertain which play led to the injury but head coach Doug Pederson thinks it may have been on one of the scrambles in the fourth quarter. It was later revealed that Lawrence was in concussion protocol.

•         Brock Purdy:

The quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, Brock Purdy, absorbed quite a violent hit to the head from the opposition’s pass rusher during the second quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals. He remained on the ground for a while but was eventually able to walk to the sidelines to be examined. Sam Darnold took over under center but not long after, Purdy returned to the field. He seems to have avoided a serious injury but is dealing with a left shoulder stinger.

•         Keaton Mitchell:

The Baltimore Ravens rookie running back was doing quite well against the Jacksonville Jaguars when he suffered a season-ending knee injury during the fourth quarter. He landed awkwardly on his left leg and had to be carted off the field. It has now been reported that what seemed to be just a knee injury is in fact an ACL tear. There may not be any cartilage damage but the injury is long term. Sadly, this means that the player is out for the rest of the season.

•         Jaylen Waddle:

The wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, Jaylen Waddle, exited the game against the New York Jets quite early on after facing a chest injury. He took quite a hard fall in the first quarter on a long connection with the quarterback. He visited the sideline tent to be examined and was seated on the bench, being ruled questionable to return. Despite this, the player returned to the field to finish the game and seemed to be doing okay.

At this point in the 2023 NFL season, so close to the playoffs, these injuries will definitely change the course of events for all the teams and fans are eager to see how they plan to work to save themselves.