This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play during the Divisional Round. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
PLACED ON INJURED RESERVE THIS PAST WEEK: Gabe Davis, WR, Bills (knee); Tyrell Shavers, WR, Bills (knee); George Kittle, TE, 49ers (Achilles)
After an exciting Wild Card Weekend, we're set for the four-game divisional round beginning Saturday. We have a light injury report overall, but there are several big names who are either already confirmed out or in danger of sitting out. Without further ado, let's dive into the latest on who's likely in or out for the second round of the playoffs as of Saturday morning:
QUARTERBACKS
The Seahawks' Sam Darnold (oblique) is questionable for Saturday night's divisional-round matchup against the 49ers after suffering his injury in Thursday's practice. As per Saturday morning reports, Darnold hasn't attempted any throws since, but the team remains optimistic he'll be available to suit up. No. 2 quarterback Drew Lock took first-team reps both Thursday following Darnold's exit from practice and Friday, and he'd step into the starting role should the latter ultimately not be able to go. Lock has attempted only three passes this season – all back in Week 3 – but he appeared in eight games with the Giants during his sole season in New York in 2024 and completed 59.1 percent of his passes for 1,017 yars with a 6:5 TD:INT while adding
This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play during the Divisional Round. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
PLACED ON INJURED RESERVE THIS PAST WEEK: Gabe Davis, WR, Bills (knee); Tyrell Shavers, WR, Bills (knee); George Kittle, TE, 49ers (Achilles)
After an exciting Wild Card Weekend, we're set for the four-game divisional round beginning Saturday. We have a light injury report overall, but there are several big names who are either already confirmed out or in danger of sitting out. Without further ado, let's dive into the latest on who's likely in or out for the second round of the playoffs as of Saturday morning:
QUARTERBACKS
The Seahawks' Sam Darnold (oblique) is questionable for Saturday night's divisional-round matchup against the 49ers after suffering his injury in Thursday's practice. As per Saturday morning reports, Darnold hasn't attempted any throws since, but the team remains optimistic he'll be available to suit up. No. 2 quarterback Drew Lock took first-team reps both Thursday following Darnold's exit from practice and Friday, and he'd step into the starting role should the latter ultimately not be able to go. Lock has attempted only three passes this season – all back in Week 3 – but he appeared in eight games with the Giants during his sole season in New York in 2024 and completed 59.1 percent of his passes for 1,017 yars with a 6:5 TD:INT while adding a 18-133-2 rushing line.
RUNNING BACKS
The Bills' Ty Johnson (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Broncos after only getting in a limited Thursday practice in this week. If Johnson ultimately can't suit up, Ray Davis, would remain in the No. 2 role behind James Cook.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The Texans' Nico Collins (concussion) is out for Sunday's divisional-round clash against the Patriots after missing practice all week. Collins averages 7.9 targets per game, so his absence will create plenty of extra opportunity for the likes of Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel and tight end Dalton Schultz.
The Bears' Rome Odunze (foot) is questionable for Sunday's divisional-round matchup against the Rams but finished the week with a full practice after a pair of limited sessions to start the week. If Odunze, who returned from a five-game absence due to the foot injury in the wild-card win over the Packers, isn't able to play, DJ Moore and Luther Burden would move into the No. 1 and No. 2 receiver spots, respectively.
The 49ers' Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) is questionable for Saturday night's divisional-round game against the Seahawks after practicing in limited fashion all week. If Pearsall can't play against Seattle, Demarcus Robinson, who broke out for a 6-111-1 line on seven targets in the wild-card win versus the Eagles, will remain the No. 2 receiver alongside wideout Jauan Jennings.
The Bills' Curtis Samuel (elbow) was activated from injured reserve Friday and is listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Broncos after practicing in full all week. If Samuel is unable to suit up, Mecole Hardman will move into the No. 4 receiver role since both Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers will placed on injured reserve earlier in the week due to the torn ACL each suffered in the wild-card win over the Jaguars.
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Safeties
The 49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown (hamstring) is out for Saturday night's divisional-round matchup against the Seahawks.
The Bills' Jordan Poyer (hamstring) is out for Saturday's divisional-round clash against the Broncos.
Defensive Linemen
The Bills' Ed Oliver (biceps) is questionable for Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Broncos.
Linebackers
The Bills' Terrel Bernard (calf) is questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Broncos.
The 49ers' Luke Gifford (quadriceps) is questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Seahawks.
The 49ers' Dee Winters (ankle) is questionable for Saturday night's divisional-round matchup against the Seahawks.
The Patriots' Harold Landry (knee) is questionable for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Texans.
