There are several notable injuries to keep an eye on in the days leading up to this weekend’s playoff games. The NFL’s eight remaining teams are trying to stay as healthy as possible ahead of their respective divisional round matchups, with trips to the AFC and NFC title games on the line.
One injury Ravens and Bills fans are specifically paying attention to is Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, who hasn’t practiced since injuring his knee during Baltimore’s Week 18 win over Cleveland. Browns. Flowers was inactive in Baltimore’s 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round. The Ravens would surely love to have him back on the field for Sunday night’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Here’s a look at each team’s latest injury report.
Saturday
Jeans: RB Joe Mixon (ankle), LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), TE Teagan Quitoriano (calf), WR Robert Woods (hip) QUESTIONABLE
Bosses: WR Mecole Hardman (knee) DOUBTABLE; CB Jaylen Watson (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Mixon’s appointment is a surprise; He did not practice Thursday and was limited Wednesday after not having a designation Tuesday. Dameon Pierce is in line to start if Mixon (he had 106 yards and a touchdown in the team’s win against the Chargers) can’t go. Pierce rushed for just 293 yards this season, but averaged an impressive 7.3 yards per carry. He had 176 yards and a touchdown in the team’s Week 18 victory over the Titans.
TE Dalton Schultz (shoulder) was limited to start the week, but did not receive a playing designation after participating fully Thursday.
For the Chiefs, wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) was the only player who did not practice at full capacity this week. Hardman was limited during every practice. Cornerback Jaylen Watson participated fully this week after the Chiefs opened their 21-day practice window earlier this month. Watson hasn’t played since fracturing his fibula in Week 7.
Commanders: LB Jordan Magee (hamstring) OUT; LB Mykal Walker (illness), TE Colson Yankoff (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
Lions: DL Pat O’Connor (calf), G Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) OUT; CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring/illness) QUESTIONABLE
Future Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner will play Saturday despite missing two practices earlier this week with an ankle injury. Wagner picked up a crucial fumble during Washington’s wild-card win over Tampa Bay.
“He’s a rare competitor,” Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said of Wagner after the franchise’s first playoff victory in 19 years. “A lot of his success is invisible work. I got there early. He’s already there. He’ll be the first one there tomorrow. I’m sure of it. He’s that kind of competitor who doesn’t back down.” of it.”
For the Lions, defensive lineman Pat O’Connor and guard Kevin Zeitler did not practice this week. Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was limited Thursday after not practicing the previous two days.
Cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot) and running back David Montgomery (foot) participated fully throughout the week. Montgomery said he feels confident about his knee after missing the Lions’ final three regular-season games.
“It’s refreshing,” Montgomery said via ESPN. “It’s like I’m back in a position where I can help the team, yeah I missed it, I’m really happy to be back.”
Sunday
Tight end Tyler Higbee (chest) was limited for the second straight day after leaving Monday’s game and was hospitalized after coughing up blood. The Rams expect Higbee to play on Sunday.
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (thigh), nose tackle Bobby Brown III (shoulder) did not practice for a consecutive day, while offensive lineman Alaric Jackson (chest) participated fully after not practicing Wednesday.
In Philadelphia, wide receiver AJ Brown (knee/rest) was limited during practice Thursday, while tight end Dallas Goedert (illness) did not practice. Thursday marked the second straight day that Brown did not practice.
Ravens (-1) at Bills
Bills running back Ray Davis (concussion) and offensive lineman Alec Anderson (calf) were the only Buffalo players to practice in a limited capacity the previous two days.
In Baltimore, Zay Flowers (knee) was the only Ravens player who did not practice Thursday. In fact, every other Ravens player practiced at full capacity. While Flowers continuing without practicing is not ideal, CBS Sports NFL senior reporter Tracy Wolfson doesn’t believe Flowers’ practice status necessarily tells the story about his potential availability for Sunday.
“I don’t think I need to practice this week to be there,” Wolfson told CBSSports.com.
If Flowers can’t go, the Ravens’ offense will continue to focus on the career of Derrick Henry, who is coming off his 186-yard, two-touchdown performance in last Saturday’s win over the Steelers. Henry rushed for 1,921 yards during the regular season, the most rushing yards for a player over the age of 30.
“There has to be balance,” Wolfson said of Henry when asked if he has to have a Derrick Henry-like game for the Ravens to win in Buffalo. “You don’t want to put all the pressure on Lamar Jackson to go out and try to do everything himself… He doesn’t have to go out and have 199 yards like he did last time (against the Bills). I think there needs to be a a little bit of balance and keeping the defense honest.
If Flowers can’t go, Wolfson alluded to Rashod Bateman and Justice Hill as players Jackson can continue to lean on in the passing game. Both players caught touchdown passes in Baltimore’s win over Pittsburgh.