Baker Mayfield, Tee Higgins and others

Happy Thanksgiving! The transition between Weeks 12 and 13 always seems a little rushed in the NFL. Playing on Thanksgiving is technically the same for NFL teams as playing on Thursday Night Football. However, with three games on the same day, that means injuries from Week 12 could play a huge role.

The Week 12 injury report does not include as many serious injuries as we saw in Week 11. But these injuries still matter, especially since six teams must play on limited rest.

Below, we’ll explore the top injuries from Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season.

Buccaneers KB Baker Mayfield (left shoulder)

Mayfield suffered a serious injury to his non-throwing shoulder, spraining it on Sunday Night Football against the Rams.

Initially, he was expected to return to the field after the injury. However, he never returned to the game and was eventually sent off.

It should be noted that the Rams dominated the Buccaneers, so it made little sense to put Mayfield back on the field.

Mayfield had an MRI on Monday and has a low sprain in his left shoulder, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. That leaves the door open for Mayfield to potentially return in Week 13.

The Buccaneers play at home on Sunday, giving Mayfield regular time to get healthy and ready.

Buccaneers fans should keep an eye on the team’s practice squad and injury reports throughout the week to learn more about Mayfield’s availability.

Bengals VR Tee Higgins (concussion)

The Bengals received more bad injury news in Week 12.

Tee Higgins is sent off during the fourth quarter after suffering a concussion. He did not return to the game.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for Higgins’ injury.

Cincinnati faces Baltimore in the third and final Thanksgiving game on Thursday. Joe Barrow is expected to return for the Bengals, so we’d like him to have all of his weapons at his disposal.

Unfortunately, head coach Zac Taylor made the announcement on Monday Higgins is already out for Thanksgiving. It will be impossible for him to pass the NFL’s concussion protocol in time to play Thursday.

That will put pressure on Ja’Marr Chase and the rest of Cincinnati’s pass catchers to step up Thursday.

Patriots T Will Campbell (knee)

Campbell’s injury might be the most significant of all Week 12 injuries.

Opening match suffered an injury to his right knee during the second half against the Bengals. He was helped off the field and headed for the blue medical tent. Then Patriots fans saw what you never want to see.

New England carted Campbell back to the locker room, the rookie with a towel over his head. This is often a sign of a significant injury, and the player becomes emotional about it in real time.

That was hinted at by Patriots coach Mike Vrabel Campbell’s injury could see him miss several games. He noted that Campbell likely won’t play in Week 13.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen,” Vrabel told ESPN’s Mike Reiss on Monday. “That injury will probably last more than a week or two.”

Backup Vederian Lowe may be forced into the left tackle for the 10-2 Patriots.

Vikings QB JJ McCarthy (concussion)

McCarthy continues to pitch for the Vikings. The sophomore quarterback was 12 of 19 for 87 yards and two touchdowns in Week 12.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell made the announcement Monday McCarthy is in the concussion protocol after losing on Sunday.

Apparently McCarthy reported the symptoms to team officials during the flight back to Minnesota.

The specific symptoms and severity of McCarthy’s concussion are not yet known. But that’s a bad sign for the young quarterback, especially considering how he’s struggled so far this season.

Maybe another soft bench is in order for McCarthy.

Meanwhile, to make matters worse, Minnesota’s offensive line is broken again.

Both Christian Deriso (foot) and rookie Donovan Jackson (ankle) were ruled out during the Week 12 loss to Green Bay.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara (knee)

Kamara left the Week 12 game against the Falcons with a knee injury. He was later sent off for the rest of the game.

The Saints need all the firepower they can get on offense, so losing a returning veteran is a big deal.

Fortunately, it appears that Kamara could be back in action soon.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Kamara is believed to have suffered a sprained knee early on. New Orleans will perform more tests, including an MRI, to determine the full extent of the damage. But at this point, Kamara appears to have avoided serious injury.

Kamara’s return in Week 13 seems the most likely outcome.

If Kamara is unable to play, it will mean a lot of work for rookie Devin Neal.

Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (thigh)

Philly’s defense has been dominant over the past few weeks. But they suffered several injuries in Week 12 that could leave their secondary vulnerable.

Veteran safety Reed Blankenship suffered a thigh injury against Dallas and did not return to the game. Meanwhile, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson was evaluated for a concussion.

But the most serious injury was rookie Andrew Mukuba. He suffered a calf injury during the fourth quarter and was seen wearing a boot after the game.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Monday Mukuba suffered a fractured ankle it will require surgery to repair it. Now the rest of his rookie season is in serious jeopardy, even if the Eagles make a deep playoff run.

All of this leaves Sidney Brown as the Eagles’ only fully healthy safety.

The affiliate secondary will be under the microscope in Week 13 against Chicago.