NFL Playoffs Injury Tracker: Latest updates on Zay Flowers, Joe Mixon and David Montgomery for divisional round
There are several notable injuries to keep an eye on in the days leading up to this weekend’s playoff games. the NFL The remaining eight teams are trying to stay as healthy as possible ahead of their divisional round matchups, with trips to the AFC and NFC title games at stake.
One injury that Ravens and Bills fans are specifically concerned about involves Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, who has not practiced since he injured his knee during Baltimore’s Week 18 win over the Cleveland Browns. Flowers was inactive for Baltimore’s 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild card round. The Ravens would sure love to have him back on the field for Sunday night’s showdown with the Buffalo Bills.
Here’s a look at the latest injury report for each team.
Saturday
Texas: RB Joe Mixon (ankle), RB Aziz El-Shaer (knee), TE Teagan Quitoriano (calf), WR Robert Woods (hip) are questionable.
Bosses: WR Mecole Hardman (knee) is questionable; CB Jaylen Watson (ankle) is questionable
Mixon’s appointment is a surprise. He did not practice Thursday and was limited Wednesday after not getting any assignment on Tuesday. Dameon Pierce is in line to start if Mixon (he had 106 yards and one touchdown in the team’s wild-card win against the Chargers) can’t go. Pierce ran for just 293 yards this season, but averaged an impressive 7.3 yards per carry. He had 176 yards scoring in the team’s Week 18 win over the Giants.
TE Dalton Schultz (shoulder) was limited for the start of the week, but was not given a designation for the game after becoming a full participant on Thursday.
For the Chiefs, 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 was a full participant this week after the Chiefs opened his 21-day practice window earlier this month. Watson has not played since suffering a broken fibula in Week 7.
Leaders: LB Jordan Magee (hamstring) out; LB Mykal Walker (illness), TE Colson Yankoff (hamstring) are questionable
Black: DL Pat O’Connor (calf), G Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) out; CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Hamstring/disease) Doubtful
Future Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner will play on Saturday despite missing two practices earlier this week with an ankle injury. Wagner picked up a pivotal foul during Washington’s win over Tampa Bay.
“He’s a rare competitor,” captain coach Dan Quinn said He said about Wagner After the franchise’s first playoff win in 19 years. “A lot of his success is an unseen act. You’re early. He’s already there. He’ll be first tomorrow. I’m sure of it. He’s just the kind of competitor that doesn’t back down.” “from him.”
For the Lions, defensive lineman Pat O’Connor and guard Kevin Zeitler did not practice this week. Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has been restricted. Thursday after not practicing for the past two days.
Cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot) and running back David Montgomery (foot) were full participants all week. Montgomery said he feels confident in his knee after missing the Lions’ last three regular-season games.
“It’s refreshing,” Montgomery said. Via ESPN. “Kind of getting back into a position where I can help the team, yeah, I missed that, very happy to be back.”
Sunday
A minor injury was reported for the Rams on Wednesday as they prepared to face the Eagles. Tight end Tyler Higbee (chest) was limited after leaving Monday’s game and was taken to the hospital after spitting blood. The Rams expect Higbee to play on Sunday.
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (groin), nose tackle Bobby Brown III (shoulder), and offensive lineman Alaric Jackson (chest) did not practice.
The Eagles had a lot of players on an off day, which has been the norm over the past few Wednesdays. Running back Saquon Barkley, center Cam Jurgens, tackle Jordan Mailata, and outside linebacker Josh Sweat are the players who had a full day of rest. Both quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) and defensive tackle Byron Young (hamstring) practiced fully.
Wide receiver AJ Brown (knee) also had a scheduled rest day. The Eagles described it as knee/rest in the injury report.
Ravens (-1) at Bills
Bills running back Ray Davis (concussion) and offensive lineman Alec Anderson (calf) were the only Buffalo players who practiced in a limited capacity the past two days.
In Baltimore, Zay Flowers (knee) was the only Ravens player who did not practice Thursday. In fact, all of the other Ravens players practiced at full capacity. Although Flowers not coaching isn’t ideal, CBS Sports says NFL Lead reporter Tracy Wolfson doesn’t feel Flowers’ training status will necessarily tell the story regarding his potential availability for Sunday.
“I don’t think he needs to practice this week to be able to participate,” Wolfson told CBSSports.com.
If Flowers can’t go, the Ravens’ offense will continue to center around running back Derrick Henry, who is coming off of his 186-yard, 10-yard performance in last Saturday’s win over the Steelers. Henry ran for 1,921 yards during the regular season, the most rushing yards ever by a player over 30 years old.
“There’s got to be a balance,” Wolfson said of Henry when asked if he had 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 there and try to do everything himself. … He doesn’t have to go out and get 199 yards like he did last time (against the Bills). I think there’s got to be a little bit of balance and staying honest Defense.”
If Flowers can’t leave, Wolfson hinted at Rashod Pittman and Justice Hill as players Jackson can continue to rely on in the passing game. Both players caught touchdown passes in Baltimore’s win over Pittsburgh.
