This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 9 AM ET on Saturday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
After an unpredictable and highly entertaining first 18-week season in NFL history, we've finally arrived at the postseason and the first ever Super Wild-Card Weekend. With six games over the next three days, there's a fairly hefty injury report, although only the running backs and receivers are contributing to the walking wounded as far as the skill positions go. There are also a couple of notable potential returns from injured reserve to keep tabs on, and another handful of players whose status could come down to pregame warmups. Without further ado, let's dive into the latest on the injury landscape as of early Saturday morning:
RUNNING BACKS
The Chiefs' Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) is out for Sunday night's game against the Steelers after missing the last two practices of the week. In his absence, Darrel Williams, who's listed as questionable with a toe injury in his own right, would be in line to handle lead-back duties if he's able to suit up. If Williams is also out or is limited, Derrick Gore and Jerick McKinnon will be charged with handling additional volume against a Steelers defense that gave up an NFL-high 164.9 rushing yards per road game this season.
The Chiefs' Darrel Williams (toe) is questionable for Sunday night's game against the Steelers after
This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 9 AM ET on Saturday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
After an unpredictable and highly entertaining first 18-week season in NFL history, we've finally arrived at the postseason and the first ever Super Wild-Card Weekend. With six games over the next three days, there's a fairly hefty injury report, although only the running backs and receivers are contributing to the walking wounded as far as the skill positions go. There are also a couple of notable potential returns from injured reserve to keep tabs on, and another handful of players whose status could come down to pregame warmups. Without further ado, let's dive into the latest on the injury landscape as of early Saturday morning:
RUNNING BACKS
The Chiefs' Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) is out for Sunday night's game against the Steelers after missing the last two practices of the week. In his absence, Darrel Williams, who's listed as questionable with a toe injury in his own right, would be in line to handle lead-back duties if he's able to suit up. If Williams is also out or is limited, Derrick Gore and Jerick McKinnon will be charged with handling additional volume against a Steelers defense that gave up an NFL-high 164.9 rushing yards per road game this season.
The Chiefs' Darrel Williams (toe) is questionable for Sunday night's game against the Steelers after practicing in limited fashion all week. If Williams, who averaged 4.1 yards per carry and 9.0 yards per reception in the seven games during which he logged double-digit carries this season, is able to suit up, he'll be set to handle lead-back duties with Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) ruled out.
The Steelers' Najee Harris (elbow) is questionable for Sunday night's game against the Chiefs after turning in a full Friday practice following two missed sessions to start the week. Harris received a platelet-rich plasma injection in the later part of the week and reported feeling good after Friday's activity, enhancing the chances of the rookie suiting up versus Kansas City. Benny Snell, Kalen Ballage and Anthony McFarland would be in line to handle Pittsburgh's backfield work if Harris were to sit.
The Patriots' Damien Harris (hamstring) is questionable for Saturday night's game against the Bills after practicing in limited fashion all week. If Harris were to sit out, Rhamondre Stevenson would handle lead-back duties.
The Cardinals' James Conner (ribs) is questionable heading into Saturday's final practice ahead of Monday night's game against the Rams and sat out the first two practices of the week. If Conner were to sit out, Chase Edmonds (ribs) would be in line to serve as Arizona's top back if he was able to play, while Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward (knee) would serve as complementary options.
The Cardinals' Chase Edmonds (ribs) is questionable heading into Saturday's final practice ahead of Monday night's game against the Rams and logged limited sessions both Thursday and Friday. Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward (knee) would be in line for significantly expanded roles if James Conner (ribs) joined Edmonds on the inactives list.
The Buccaneers' Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is being labeled as a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Eagles after being designated for a return from injured reserve earlier in the week. If Fournette, who last played Week 15, does suit up, he'll be in line to step right back into a heavy workload with Ronald Jones (ankle) out of action.
The Buccaneers' Ronald Jones (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against the Eagles after missing practice all week. Second-year back Ke'Shawn Vaughn and veteran Le'Veon Bell would be in line to handle the bulk of Tampa Bay's backfield work versus Philadelphia if Leonard Fournette (hamstring) also sits out, while Vaughn would likely serve as Fournette's primary backup if the latter does play.
The Cardinals' Jonathan Ward (knee) is questionable heading into Saturday's final practice ahead of Monday night's game against the Rams and missed the first two practices of the week. Ward would potentially be in line for a role of some significance if he's able to play and at least one of James Conner or Chase Edmonds sits out with their respective ribs injuries.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The Patriots' Jakobi Meyers (thigh) is questionable for Saturday night's game against the Bills after practicing in limited fashion all week. If Meyers suits up, he'll serve in his usual No. 1 receiver role versus Buffalo.
The Rams' Van Jefferson (shoulder) is questionable heading into Saturday's final practice ahead of Monday night's game against the Cardinals. Jefferson notably downgraded to a limited practice Friday following a full Thursday session, and if he were unable to suit up, Ben Skowronek would be line to serve as the No. 3 receiver behind Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham.
The Cardinals' Rondale Moore (ankle) is questionable heading into Saturday's final practice ahead of Monday night's game against the Rams and practiced in limited fashion both Thursday and Friday. If Moore, who last played Week 15, were to sit out, Antoine Wesley would once again bump up to the No. 3 receiver role versus Los Angeles.
The Buccaneers' Cyril Grayson (hamstring) is out for Sunday's game against the Eagles after missing practice all week. The speedster's absence should result in Breshad Perriman bumping up to the No. 3 receiver role.
The Buccaneers' Justin Watson (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles but managed to work back to a full practice Friday. Watson's role would potentially be limited exclusively to special teams if he does play.
The Bengals' Stanley Morgan (hamstring) is questionable for Saturday afternoon's game against the Raiders after finishing the week with two limited practices. Morgan would serve as no better than the No. 4 receiver if he does suit up against Las Vegas.
KICKERS
The Patriots' Nick Folk (knee) is questionable for Saturday night's game against the Bills after practicing in limited fashion all week. Folk is fully expected to continue playing through his season-long injury and carry out his usual placekicking duties versus Buffalo.
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Cornerbacks
The Buccaneers' Sean Murphy-Bunting (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
The Patriots' Jalen Mills remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will not play in Saturday night's game against the Bills.
Safeties
The Patriots' Adrian Phillips (knee) is questionable for Saturday night's game against the Bills.
The Patriots' Kyle Dugger (hand) is questionable for Saturday night's game against the Bills.
The Rams' Taylor Rapp (concussion) is questionable heading into Saturday's final practice ahead of Monday night's game against the Cardinals.
Defensive Linemen
The Cardinals J.J. Watt (shoulder) was designated for a return from injured reserve January 7th and began practicing in limited fashion Thursday, likely setting him up to head into Monday night's game against the Rams with a questionable designation.
The Eagles' Josh Sweat (illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
The Patriots' Christian Barmore (knee) is questionable for Saturday night's game against the Bills.
Linebackers
The 49ers' Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
The Patriots' Dont'a Hightower (knee) is questionable for Saturday night's game against the Bills.
The Patriots' Jamie Collins (ankle) is questionable for Saturday night's game against the Bills.
The Cowboys' Keanu Neal (chest) is out for Sunday's game against the 49ers.
The Buccaneers' Lavonte David (foot) was designated for a return from injured reserve Wednesday but remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
The 49ers' Marcell Harris (Achilles) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
