J.J. Russell Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Rams vs Cardinals game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Aug 27, 2025
Placed on IR
Russell was placed on injured reserve by the Cardinals on Tuesday, Darren Urban of the team's official website reports.
ANALYSIS
Russell suffered a concussion at practice in late July, ultimately remaining sidelined throughout the entirety of the preseason. The linebacker is now set to miss the entirety of the 2025 campaign while on IR, unless he's able to reach an injury settlement with the team.
Jul 25, 2025
Enters concussion protocols
Russell was placed in concussion protocol Friday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Russell suffered a head and neck injury during Thursday's practice which led to him being carted off the field. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, but he was cleared to re-join training camp after undergoing tests. Russell will be limited in his activities until he is able to clear the league's five-step concussion protocol.
Jul 24, 2025
Released from hospital
Russell (head) has re-joined the Cardinals at training camp after being released from the hospital.
ANALYSIS
In a scary moment during practice Thursday, Russell suffered a head and neck injury and was taken to a local hospital for testing and evaluation. The 26-year-old reportedly had movement in all his extremities following the collision that caused the injury, and further testing indicated that he was okay to return to camp. It's not yet clear how long, if at all, Russell will need to be held out of practice moving forward.
Jul 24, 2025
Carted off practice field
Russell was transported to a local hospital after injuring his neck and head during Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Russell suffered the injury after a hard collision with Kitan Crawford during team drills. Russell was eventually carted off the field but was alert and had movement in his extremities. He'll undergo further testing to determine the severity of his injury, but he appears to be in jeopardy of being sidelined for an extended period of time.
May 21, 2025
Arriving in Arizona
Russell signed with the Cardinals on Wednesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The Memphis product spent the first three years of his career with the Buccaneers but has now found a new home in Arizona. Russell appeared in 16 regular-season games for Tampa Bay in 2024, tallying 33 total tackles and one pass defended across 568 total snaps (236 defensive and 332 on special teams). With the Cardinals, the 26-year-old is expected to compete for a depth spot in the team's linebacker corps.
Jan 23, 2025
Best season yet in '24
Russell registered 33 tackles (20 solo), one defensed pass and one fumble recovery across 16 regular-season games in 2024.
ANALYSIS
After playing on 44 and 68 defensive snaps in his first two seasons, Russell was in on 236 plays from scrimmage in 2024 while also seeing his most extensive involvement yet on special teams (332 snaps). Russell filled a rotational role in the linebackers corps behind Lavonte David, and he was at his best down the stretch while recording between three and five tackles in eight of his last nine contests. Russell will be a restricted free agent come the new league year in March, meaning the Buccaneers will have the ability to match any offer put in front of him by another team.
Dec 15, 2024
Will suit up Sunday
Russell is considered active ahead of Sunday's game versus the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
Russell missed last week's win against the Raiders due to a hamstring injury. The third-year pro suited up for the previous 12 games for Tampa Bay, totaling 22 tackles. He's also seen increased playing time on defense recently, peaking at 60 percent of defensive snaps played Week 13 versus Carolina.
Dec 7, 2024
Ruled out for Week 14
Russell (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Las Vegas, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Russell and outside corner Josh Hayes both popped up on Friday's injury report due to hamstring injuries, and both players will be sidelined Sunday. With K.J. Britt (ankle) also ruled out for Sunday's contest, Antonio Grier is set to start at inside linebacker alongside Lavonte David.
Aug 28, 2023
Stands out in preseason finale
Russell recorded 11 tackles (nine solo) in the Buccaneers' 26-20 preseason win over the Ravens on Saturday night.
ANALYSIS
The reserve linebacker comfortably led the Buccaneers in tackles while logging a unit-high 48 snaps on defense. Russell was able to make his first six NFL regular-season appearances as an undrafted rookie a year ago, recording six tackles across 44 snaps from scrimmage while also seeing another 145 snaps on special teams. Russell recorded 15 tackles overall this preseason and may have certainly earned his way onto the roster again as a rotational option with a chance to see more playing time this coming season.
Nov 24, 2022
Good to go
Russell (hamstring) is not listed on the Buccaneers' injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.
ANALYSIS
Russell did not travel with the team to Germany for its victory over the Seahawks due to a groin injury. His absence from Wednesday's injury report indicates he is on track to return for Week 12.
Nov 10, 2022
Not traveling to Germany
Russell (hamstring) won't travel to Germany for Sunday's game against the Seahawks in Munich, effectively ruling him out for Week 10 action, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Russell, who played in each of Tampa Bay's previous two games strictly on special teams, will be held out of the team's Week 10 contest versus Seattle due to an apparent hamstring issue. His next chance to suit up won't come until after the Buccaneers' Week 11 bye, when the team travels to Cleveland the following Sunday.
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