Luke Gifford Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Panthers vs 49ers game on Monday with our National Football League injury report.Oct 26, 2025
Good to go
Gifford is active for Sunday's game against the Texans.
ANALYSIS
Gifford was a limited participant at practice Friday with a hamstring injury, but has since been cleared of any injury designation and is active for Sunday's contest. The linebacker has been a consistent special teams presence, contributing 144 snaps already this season. His presence will provide added depth to the team in a tough matchup.
Oct 24, 2025
Questionable for Sunday
Gifford (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Houston, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford was a limited participant at practice Friday, so it seems his availability for Week 8 is close to a coin-flip proposition. He's played most of his snaps so far this year on special teams, so the 49ers will have to try to replace his production in that phase if he can't go.
Mar 11, 2025
Heading to Bay Area
The 49ers are set to sign Gifford to a one-year contract when the new league year starts Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford has mostly served on special teams over his six-year NFL career. He started in the Titans' last four regular-season games in 2024 due to injuries to the linebacker corps, and over that span he logged 35 tackles (21 solo) and two pass defenses (including one interception). Gifford will likely revert to his special teams status in San Francisco, though a strong performance in offseason programs and training camp could earn him a rotational role at linebacker.
Feb 6, 2025
Starter in last four games of 2024
Gifford logged 49 tackles (31 solo) and two pass defenses (including one interception) across 16 regular-season games in 2024.
ANALYSIS
Gifford was primarily used on special teams over the Titans' first 12 games of the regular season. He started at inside linebacker over his final four outings due to injuries to Jerome Baker (neck) and Kenneth Murray (hamstring), and Gifford recorded at least eight combined tackles in each of those outings. Gifford enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and will look to sign with a team who can offer him a consistent role on defense.
Dec 30, 2024
Eight tackles in Week 17
Gifford finished Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Jaguars with eight tackles (five solo) and one pass defense.
ANALYSIS
Gifford was sidelined for the Titans' Week 16 loss to the Colts due to a concussion, but he was able to clear the league's five-step protocols ahead of Sunday's contest. He played every single defensive snap and finished as the Titans' co-leader in tackles with Mike Brown. Gifford has started at inside linebacker in each of his last three games and has accumulated 27 tackles (18 solo) and two pass defenses (including an interception) over that span. The 29-year-old will look to finish the season off strong against the Texans next Sunday.
Dec 27, 2024
Set to return in Week 17
Gifford (concussion) does not have an injury designation for Sunday's matchup versus Jacksonville, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford suffered a concussion Week 15 against Cincinnati and didn't play last Sunday versus Indianapolis. However, he was listed as a full participant in practice throughout the week and appears to have cleared the NFL's concussion protocol given his lack of an injury designation heading into the weekend. Gifford played exclusively on special teams over Tennessee's first 11 games of the campaign, but he had taken on an increased role -- including logging all 58 of the team's defensive snaps Week 14 against Jacksonville -- after Jack Gibbens (ankle) landed on IR in late November and Jerome Baker suffered a neck injury in early December.
Dec 25, 2024
Estimated as full participant
Gifford (concussion) was listed as a full participant in Tennessee's practice estimate Wednesday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford is getting closer to making his return to the field after sitting out the team's Week 16 loss versus Indianapolis due to a concussion. However, he will still have to officially clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in order to be cleared to play in Sunday's matchup versus the Jaguars.
Dec 20, 2024
Out vs. Colts
Gifford (concussion) will miss Sunday's game against the Colts, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford will miss his first full game of the season after leaving this past weekend's loss to the Bengals with a concussion. The veteran linebacker will now have to navigate though the NFL's five-step concussion protocol before he can be cleared to return for Week 17 against the Jaguars.
Dec 15, 2024
Ruled out Sunday
Gifford (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's matchup versus the Titans, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford won't return Sunday after suffering a concussion during the first half of the game. He had recorded an interception and racked up eight tackles (five solo) prior to exiting the game and in his absence, James Williams and Cedric Gray should be in line for increased playing time.
Dec 15, 2024
Being evaluated for concussion
Gifford is being evaluated for a possible concussion during Sunday's game against the Bengals, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The linebacker led the Titans with eight tackles (five solo) before exiting, and he also picked off a pass. Gifford started for the second game in a row Sunday in place of Jerome Baker (neck). James Williams or Cedric Gray might be the next man up at inside linebacker.
Dec 10, 2024
Leading tackler in loss
Gifford totaled 11 tackles (eight solo) during Tennessee's loss versus Jacksonville on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Gifford got the start at linebacker Sunday as Kenneth Murray (hamstring) and Jerome Baker (neck) were both out and managed to record a season-high 11 tackles, which were also the most on the team. He could get the chance to start again during the Titans' Week 15 matchup versus the Bengals if both Jerome and Baker are out again.
Dec 8, 2024
Gets starting opportunity Week 14
Gifford is starting at linebacker in Sunday's matchup against Jacksonville, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford has been relegated primarily to work on special teams throughout his career, and he hadn't logged any defensive snaps this season until playing on nine of them last Sunday against the Commanders. However, he'll get a big opportunity to show off his skill set Sunday. Gifford's move into a starting role comes as a result of Kenneth Murray (hamstring) and Jerome Baker (neck) both being out against the Jaguars.
Sep 3, 2024
Let go by Titans
Gifford was released by the Titans on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford has played almost exclusively on special teams since entering the league in 2019. He posted just six tackles last season, and he'll likely land on the team's practice squad if he clears waivers.
Aug 10, 2024
In concussion protocol
Gifford exited Saturday night's preseason game against the 49ers with a head injury and is in concussion protocol, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford made a tackle on the exhibition's opening kickoff. The special teams specialist will now need to advance through the league's protocol before being allowed back on the field. Turning 29 later this month, Gifford is entering his second season in Tennessee after spending the first four years of his career in Dallas.
Jun 5, 2024
Returns for minicamp
Gifford (hamstring) was spotted participating at Tennessee's minicamp Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
The 28-year-old linebacker seems to have moved past the hamstring issue that forced him to miss the Titans' final three games in 2023. Gifford appeared in 11 games last season, playing almost strictly on special teams (259 of 267 total snaps on special teams), and he's expected to compete for a similar role as the offseason progresses.
Dec 23, 2023
Done for year with hamstring injury
The Titans placed Gifford (hamstring) on injured reserve Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Gifford's season is now over with the move. The 28-year-old played in 11 games this year, seeing action on just eight defensive snaps while doing most of his work on special teams for Tennessee.
Dec 22, 2023
Won't play Week 16
Gifford (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford wasn't able to participate in practice all week and will held out for Sunday's contest. He's played all but eight of his 267 snaps on special teams and has six tackles (three solo) over 11 games this season.
Nov 26, 2023
Set to play Week 12
Gifford (shin) is active for Sunday's game against the Panthers.
ANALYSIS
Gifford has been nursing a shin injury but managed a full practice Friday and is set to play in Week 12. He's played almost exclusively on special teams this season.
Nov 19, 2023
Active for Week 11
Gifford (shin) is active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
ANALYSIS
Gifford picked up the shin injury during the week, and despite not practicing Friday, he'll suit up in Week 11. He's played almost exclusively on special teams this season and is likely to stick in that role against the Jaguars.
Nov 17, 2023
Questionable Sunday
Gifford (shin) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The 28-year-old linebacker seems to be trending in the wrong direction to play this Sunday, as he went from limited participation in Thursday's practice to a DNP on Friday. Gifford has played almost strictly on special teams thus far for the Titans, recording four total tackles on the year.
Oct 25, 2023
Returns to practice Wednesday
Gifford (hamstring) participated fully in Tennessee's practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford has missed the team's past three games after injuring his hamstring but is now healthy again. The 28-year-old should be good to go for this week's game versus the Falcons where he'll look to contribute on special teams.
Oct 12, 2023
Missing another week
Gifford (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against Baltimore, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford is one of three players that will not travel with the Titans to London, as he'll be missing his third consecutive game with a hamstring issue. The veteran linebacker has mostly been limited to special teams this year, as he's played on 85 percent of the club's special teams snaps and recorded three total tackles.
Oct 6, 2023
Out Sunday
Gifford (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against Indianapolis, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford has been ruled out for the second consecutive week, as he continues to recover from a hamstring issue. The 28-year-old linebacker has played primarily on special teams for Tennessee this year, recording three tackles on 85 percent of the special teams snaps.
Sep 29, 2023
Not playing Sunday
Gifford (hamstring) will not be active for Tennessee's game against Cincinnati on Sunday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford has played mainly on special teams through three games this year but will now be inactive for the team's Week 4 matchup. The 28-year-old will now look to get healthy and return to action against the Colts next week.
Sep 6, 2023
Cleared for Week 1
Gifford was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford underwent core-muscle surgery in February after playing in 18 games (including playoffs) for the Cowboys last season. He signed with the Titans in March and will play key roles on special teams and as a depth piece for a linebacker corps headlined by Harold Landry, Arden Key and Azeez Al-Shaair.
Feb 1, 2023
Receives core muscle surgery
Gifford recently underwent core muscle surgery, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
Although Gifford showed no signs of any sort of core injury throughout the 2022-23 season considering the 18 games he played in primarily as a special-teams contributor, it's been reported that he's addressed an unspecified issue following the Cowboys' loss to the 49ers in the divisional round. The 243-pound linebacker will now aim to make a full recovery by the time Dallas' offseason program begins.
Sep 28, 2022
Full participant Wednesday
Gifford (hamstring) was a full participant in Dallas' walkthrough practice Wednesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford did not suit up for Monday's win over the Giants after being added to the team's injury report with a hamstring issue Sunday. The fourth-year linebacker recorded 11 tackles as a core special teamer for the Cowboys last year, and he has yet to play a defensive snap this season.
Sep 26, 2022
Won't play Monday
Gifford (hamstring) is inactive Monday against the Giants.
ANALYSIS
Gifford was a late add to the injury report this week, not showing up until Sunday. The fourth-year linebacker hasn't played any defensive snaps this season. However, his absence will impact the Cowboys on special teams.
Sep 25, 2022
Added to injury report
Gifford (hamstring) is questionable to play in Monday's game against the Giants, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford was limited during Dallas' practice Sunday after participating in full throughout this week. The fourth-year linebacker tallied one tackle while playing exclusively on special teams (44 snaps) over the first two games this season. However, Gifford's potential absence would leave the Cowboys shorthanded behind starting weakside linebacker Anthony Barr.
Sep 8, 2022
Absent from injury report
Gifford (groin) isn't listed on the injury report for Wednesday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford battled a groin injury during the preseason but is now healthy heading into Week 1. The 27-year-old primarily played special teams for Dallas last year and totaled 11 tackles in 16 games.
Aug 9, 2022
Likely out for preseason opener
Gifford (groin) is unlikely to participate in Thursday's joint practice or Saturday's preseason opener against Denver, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford has been sidelined at practices recently due to a groin injury, and it appears like his absence will continue for at least a week, though the issue isn't expected to be severe. In his absence, rookie sixth-round pick Devin Harper should garner increased opportunities against the Broncos.
Aug 8, 2022
Not present at practice
Gifford (groin) was not practicing Monday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The nature of Gifford's injury isn't clear at this point, and there's no concrete timetable for his recovery. As Dallas awaits the return of the 26-year-old special-teams contributor, his absence should create an increase in opportunities for 2022 sixth-rounder Devin Harper at linebacker.
Dec 10, 2020
Suspension comes to end
Gifford's two-game suspension was lifted Thursday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford was forced to sit out two weeks for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, however, his official return appears to be on the horizon. The Nebraska product currently has a roster exemption, but it likely won't be long before he is cleared to return to team activities. He's appeared in six contests this season for the Cowboys, garnering just one defensive snap compared to 121 on special teams.
Nov 24, 2020
Suspended two games
Gifford has been suspended for two games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing drugs, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford will be eligible to return to the active roster on December 4 following the team's Week 13 matchup with the Ravens. The linebacker has only taken snaps in six games this season, with all his reps coming on special teams, so his absence won't have a major impact on Dallas' defense.
Sep 13, 2020
Inactive for season opener
Gifford (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Rams.
ANALYSIS
Gifford dealt with a hamstring injury earlier this week but was cleared on Friday's injury report, so his absence comes down to a coach's decision. As a depth linebacker, Gifford's lack of availability shouldn't have a noticeable impact on Dallas' defense.
Sep 11, 2020
Good to go
Gifford (hamstring) has been cleared to play in Sunday's season opener against the Rams, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford was limited at practice earlier in the week due to a hamstring issue but logged a full workload Friday with no setbacks. He is expected to provide depth at linebacker heading into the season.
Mar 5, 2020
Set for expanded role?
Gifford (arm) is a candidate to see increased playing time during the 2020 season, Nick Eatman of the Cowboys' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford appeared in six contests as a rookie in 2019, during which he handled a role on special teams. Undergoing surgery to address a fractured left arm cut the Nebraska product's debut campaign short, but he's expected to make a full recovery this offseason. With Sean Lee's future in Dallas uncertain and Leighton Vander Esch recovering from neck surgery, Gifford could realistically carve out a rotational role on defense in 2020 if he's able to get back to full health and take a step forward in his development.
Dec 15, 2019
Done for day
Gifford won't return to Sunday's game against the Rams due to an arm injury, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
The Cowboys entered the contest shorthanded with Leighton Vander Esch (neck) inactive, and now both Gifford and Joe Thomas (knee) -- who could return -- have left the contest. That leaves just Sean Lee and Chris Covington to work at outside linebacker, although Justin March is available to bump over from the interior.
Oct 2, 2019
Practices fully Wednesday
Gifford (ankle) was a full participant at practice Wednesday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford missed the first four games with the ankle issue after being as listed as questionable, but he should be good to go for this week. The undrafted rookie out of Nebraska is primed to make his NFL debut Sunday against the Packers, assuming he's selected for the active roster.
Sep 29, 2019
Held out Week 4
Gifford (ankle) is listed as inactive Sunday in New Orleans, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
A 2019 undrafted free agent, Gifford has yet to be included on the Cowboys' game-day roster through four regular-season games. His continued absence isn't a surprise, as he hasn't logged a full practice since suffering a severe ankle sprain in the preseason opener.
Sep 27, 2019
Deemed questionable
The Cowboys have listed Gifford (ankle) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford's status is unlikely to be confirmed until closer to kickoff. Should he ultimately be sidelined, look for Joe Thomas to see an increased workload providing depth at both outside linebacker positions.
Sep 20, 2019
Can't go Week 3
Gifford (ankle) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford will miss a third consecutive regular-season game due to his lingering ankle injury. He did not practice all week, and a timetable for his recovery remains undisclosed.
Sep 18, 2019
Not practicing Wednesday
Gifford (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford has missed the first two weeks of the regular season while nursing what is being considered a significant ankle injury, so it's no surprise to see him absent from practice Wednesday. Gifford's timetable for a return remains unknown at this time.
Sep 13, 2019
Ruled out for Sunday
Gifford (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Redskins, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford didn't practice all week, and it has already been reported that he has a "significant injury." However, the undrafted rookie wasn't placed on injured reserve, signalling his absence should only be a few more weeks at most.
Sep 7, 2019
Officially out
Gifford (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Giants, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
The initial report on Gifford's ankle called it a "significant" injury, so this was the expected outcome. Still, the Cowboys clearly like what they have with the undrafted rookie, as he made enough of an impression to land on their final roster.
Sep 4, 2019
No practice Wednesday
Gifford (ankle) won't participate in Wednesday's practice, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
Owner Jerry Jones has previously called Gifford's ankle injury "significant". Combine that with his missed practice Wednesday, and he's trending toward sitting out the season opener versus the Giants. Still, the undrafted rookie made enough of an impact to be kept on the 53-man roster despite the injury, and the Cowboys hope he returns soon to back up the oft-injured Sean Lee.
Download the app