Wild-Card Round Injury Report: Hurts Cleared, Johnston Looking Good

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Published on January 10, 2025

Below you'll find four different categories, with our lists including key offensive linemen and defensive players whose presences/absences might impact fantasy decisions. The bottom section — truly questionable — is sorted by kickoff times and can be used as a checklist/cheatsheet for Sunday morning and afternoon when inactives come out. First, let's see who's definitely in and who's definitely out...

Good to Go 💯

QB Jalen Hurts (concussion)
RB Gus Edwards (ankle)
WRs A.J. Brown (knee) & DeVonta Smith (back)
WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring)

Ruled Out/Doubtful 🚑

WR Zay Flowers (knee)
WR Joshua Palmer (foot)
WR Christian Watson (ACL)

Ravens WR Nelson Agholor, Chargers WR DJ Chark and Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks are the main candidates for extra playing time due to the injuries listed above. Other potential beneficiaries in terms of snaps/routes/targets include Ravens WR Rashod Bateman, Ravens TEs Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely and Packers TE Luke Musgrave.

Key Defensive Players + Offensive Linemen

RG Shaq Mason (knee)
CB Ja'Sir Taylor (D - ribs)
S Zayne Anderson (concussion)

Listed as Questionable - Should Play 👍

RB Aaron Jones (quadriceps) - Monday 8:00 ET
WR John Metchie (shoulder) - Saturday 4:30 ET
TE Cade Otton (knee) - Sunday 8:00 ET

Jones played through the same injury last week and likely will avoid an injury designation altogether when the Vikings release their final report Saturday afternoon/evening.

Metchie progressed to full practice participation Thursday, setting him up to play

Good to Go 💯

QB Jalen Hurts (concussion)
RB Gus Edwards (ankle)
WRs A.J. Brown (knee) & DeVonta Smith (back)
WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring)

Ruled Out/Doubtful 🚑

WR Zay Flowers (knee)
WR Joshua Palmer (foot)
WR Christian Watson (ACL)

Key Defensive Players + Offensive Linemen

RG Shaq Mason (knee)
CB Ja'Sir Taylor (D - ribs)
S Zayne Anderson (concussion)

Listed as Questionable - Should Play 👍

RB Aaron Jones (quadriceps) - Monday 8:00 ET
WR John Metchie (shoulder) - Saturday 4:30 ET
TE Cade Otton (knee) - Sunday 8:00 ET

Jones played through the same injury last week and likely will avoid an injury designation altogether when the Vikings release their final report Saturday afternoon/evening.

Metchie progressed to full practice participation Thursday, setting him up to play Saturday afternoon against a Chargers defense that likely will be missing slot corner Ja'Sir Taylor (listed as doubtful with a rib injury).

Todd Bowles says S Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) and CB Jamel Dean (knee) will play against Washington. Adds, TE Cade Otton (knee) is trending in the right direction for Sunday's Wild Card clash.
— Brianna Dix (@briannadixNFL) January 10, 2025

Truly Questionable / Game-Time Decisions 🤔

Saturday

RB J.K. Dobbins (ankle) - 4:30 ET
WR Quentin Johnston (thigh/illness) - 4:30 ET

Dobbins and Johnston both are more likely than not to play, having made it through all of last week's win over Las Vegas without any sign/report of injury. Dobbins was a limited practice participant throughout the week, while Johnston sandwiched limited sessions Tuesday and Thursday around a Wednesday absence. Johnston's missed practice seemingly was due to an illness, not his thigh injury.

#Chargers WR Quentin Johnston (questionable, thigh/illness) is 'good to go' for Saturday vs. Houston, per source. Johnston is coming off a career-high 13 catches for 186 yards.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 10, 2025