The NFL regular season is by far the most intense one in the world of sport, and amid the juicy dramas that are sure to abound come the end of the month, there is a shortlist of players in America’s professional league who are likely to watch the rest of the season from the couch.
Injuries, suspension and tiredness see seven players – four quarterbacks, two defensive linemen and one wide receiver – inactive for week 12 of the season.
Joe Flacco
Baltimore Ravens – START
The 33-year-old Ravens quarterback hasn’t been in great form of late, having completed just 51.8% of his passes in his past four games. However, despite the slumps, he is fourth in the NFL in passing yards this season with 2,134.
The Ravens will need Flacco in their line-up against the Panthers, with their key playmaker, wide receiver John Brown, out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury.
The injury
The former number one selection, Flacco, underwent season-ending back surgery in February and he could miss up to three months.
Graham Gano
Carolina Panthers – SIT
The 29-year-old Panthers kicker will sit out for the remainder of the season, as well as the rest of the Panthers’ playoff run, after he re-injured his foot against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Gano had previously dislocated his foot last season and sat out the rest of the Panthers’ march to Super Bowl LIII.
The injury
The Panthers won’t have Gano kicking the game winner against the Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday.
The Panthers drafted their kicker, Garrett Hartley, this season in the fifth round, and he may well get the job in the future, depending on how the team goes.
The injured player
Gano will be expected to do plenty of kicking for the Panthers this season, with wide receiver Devin Funchess sidelined for up to six weeks with a groin injury.