This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 8 AM ET on Saturday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
We're set for Super Wild Card Weekend, a three-day, six-game extravaganza to kick off the postseason. Naturally, the injury report is significantly pared down compared to any typical regular-season week, and thanks to some well-timed late-season rest weeks, we have a number of players returning from multi-game absences, as well as one from a suspension. Without further ado, let's dive into the latest on who's likely in or out for the first round of the playoffs as of Saturday morning:
QUARTERBACKS
The Packers' Malik Willis (shoulder/hamstring) is questionable for Saturday night's wild-card matchup against the Bears after practicing in limited fashion all week. If Willis can garner active status, he'll return to his usual No. 2 role behind Jordan Love.
RUNNING BACKS
The Chargers' Omarion Hampton (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's night's wild-card game against the Patriots after only getting a limited Friday practice in this week. As per Friday beat writer reports, Hampton is planning to play but still split work with backfield mate Kimani Vidal, who held the No. 1 role in Weeks 6-13 and compiled 587 total yards and four total touchdowns in that span.
The Bills' Ty Johnson (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Jaguars after only putting in a limited Friday practice
This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 8 AM ET on Saturday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
We're set for Super Wild Card Weekend, a three-day, six-game extravaganza to kick off the postseason. Naturally, the injury report is significantly pared down compared to any typical regular-season week, and thanks to some well-timed late-season rest weeks, we have a number of players returning from multi-game absences, as well as one from a suspension. Without further ado, let's dive into the latest on who's likely in or out for the first round of the playoffs as of Saturday morning:
QUARTERBACKS
The Packers' Malik Willis (shoulder/hamstring) is questionable for Saturday night's wild-card matchup against the Bears after practicing in limited fashion all week. If Willis can garner active status, he'll return to his usual No. 2 role behind Jordan Love.
RUNNING BACKS
The Chargers' Omarion Hampton (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's night's wild-card game against the Patriots after only getting a limited Friday practice in this week. As per Friday beat writer reports, Hampton is planning to play but still split work with backfield mate Kimani Vidal, who held the No. 1 role in Weeks 6-13 and compiled 587 total yards and four total touchdowns in that span.
The Bills' Ty Johnson (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Jaguars after only putting in a limited Friday practice this week. If Johnson ultimately can't suit up, Ray Davis, who recorded 151 rushing yards on 21 carries in extended Week 18 action against the Jets, would move into the No. 2 role behind James Cook.
The Texans' Jawhar Jordan (ankle) is questionable heading into Saturday's final practice ahead of Monday night's wild-card matchup against the Steelers, having missed the first two sessions of the week. If Jordan can't play Monday, Dare Ogunbowale would serve in a clear No. 3 role behind Woody Marks and Nick Chubb, the latter who'll be active after he was a healthy scratch in Week 18.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The Rams' Davante Adams is off the injury report ahead of Saturday's wild-card matchup against the Panthers after practicing in full all week following a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury. With Adams back to full strength, he'll slot into his usual role alongside Puka Nacua, bumping Konata Mumpfield down to the No. 3 role.
The Steelers' DK Metcalf has served his two-game suspension and has practiced in full over the first two sessions ahead of Monday night's wild-card matchup against the Texans. In his return, Metcalf will revert to his usual No. 1 receiver role, and the domino effect of such should lead to a reduction in opportunity for Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
The Bears' Rome Odunze is off the injury report for Saturday night's wild-card game against the Packers after putting in a pair of limited practices and a full session following a five-game absence due to a foot injury. In his return, Odunze should revert to his usual No. 1 receiver role, while DJ Moore and Luther Burden will slot into the No. 2 and No. 3 receiver spots, respectively.
The 49ers' Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles after missing practice all week. If Pearsall can't play against Philadelphia, Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson should be set for bigger roles behind No. 1 wideout Jauan Jennings.
The Patriots' Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday night's wild-card game against the Chargers after practicing in limited fashion both Thursday and Friday. If Boutte can't suit up, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams could split No. 2 receiver snaps and most of the downfield work.
The Bills' Joshua Palmer (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Jaguars after missing practice all week. If Palmer ultimately can't play, Tyrell Shavers and Gabe Davis may split No. 3 receiver snaps.
The Packers' Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) remains out for Saturday night's wild-card game against the Bears despite practicing in limited fashion all week. In his absence, Jakobie Keeney-James will likely serve as Green Bay's No. 5 receiver.
TIGHT ENDS
The Eagles' Dallas Goedert is off the injury report for Sunday's wild-card game against the 49ers after putting in a pair of limited practices and a full Friday session following a one-game absence due to a knee injury. In his return, Goedert will slot back into his usual No. 1 tight end role, while Grant Calcaterra will return to No. 2 slotting.
The Steelers' Jonnu Smith (lower body) is questionable heading into Saturday's final practice ahead of Monday night's wild-card game against the Texans, having put in a limited session Friday. If Smith can't play versus Houston, Connor Heyward would step into the No. 2 role behind top tight end Pat Freiermuth.
KICKERS
The Bills' Matt Prater (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Jaguars after sandwiching a pair of absences around a full Thursday practice. If Prater, who exited the Week 18 win over the Jets early because of the injury, can't kick versus Jacksonville, Matthew Wright, who was signed to the practice squad Tuesday and went 5-for-5 on field goals and 4-for-4 on PATs over four regular-season games with the Texans, Titans and Commanders in 2025, would serve as Buffalo's placekicker.
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Cornerbacks
The 49ers' Renardo Green (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles.
The Texans' Kamari Lassiter (ankle) is questionable heading into Saturday's final practice ahead of Monday night's wild-card game against the Steelers.
Safeties
The Packers' Javon Bullard (knee) is questionable for Saturday night's wild-card matchup against the Bears.
The Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson (concussion) is out for Saturday night's wild-card matchup against the Packers.
The Bills' Jordan Poyer is off the injury report for Sunday's wild-card game against the Jaguars following a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury.
The Chargers' Elijah Molden (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday night's wild-card game against the Patriots.
Defensive Linemen
The Bills' Joey Bosa is off the injury report for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Jaguars following a one-game absence due to a hamstring injury.
The Eagles' Jalen Carter is off the injury report for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the 49ers following a one-gamea absence due to a hip injury.
The Bills' DaQuan Jones (calf) is off the injury report for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Jaguars following a two-game absence due to a calf injury.
Linebackers
The Bills' Terrel Bernard (calf) remains out for Sunday's wild-card game against the Jaguars.
The Eagles' Nakobe Dean is off the injury report for Sunday's wild-card game against the 49ers following a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury.
The Patriots' Harold Landry (knee) is questionable for Sunday night's wild-card game against the Chargers.
The Patriots' Robert Spillane is off the injury report for Sunday night's wild-card matchup against the Chargers following a four-game absence due to an ankle injury.
