The 2020 NFL Playoffs are shaping up to be something we've never seen before. Not only do we have the Cleveland Browns breaking their postseason drought in a record-breaking, 14-team field, but two teams are unsure who will be their starting quarterback and one team will have to make it through the week without their head coach.
Here's a game-by-game breakdown of all the major injury storylines for this weekend's action:
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills, (Sat.) 1:05 PM
Colts
| Player | Position | Injury | Tue | Wed | Thu | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
DeForest Buckner
|
DT | Ankle | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
|
Will Holden
|
T | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
|
Philip Rivers
|
QB | Toe | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Rock Ya-Sin
|
CB | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
|
T.J. Carrie
|
CB | Ankle/Shoulder | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Jonathan Taylor
|
RB | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Khari Willis
|
S | Concussion | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Tavon Wilson
|
S | Not Injury Related | (-) | (-) | DNP | (-) |
Injured Reserve: T Anthony Castonzo, ankle; T La’Raven Clark, Achilles; S Malik Hooker, Achilles; WR Parris Campbell, knee; RB Marlon Mack, Achilles.
- Starting CB Rock Ya-Sin will miss his second-straight game with a concussion. The Temple product has struggled in his second year; his coverage grade on Pro Football Focus has dropped nearly 15 points from his rookie season. TJ Carrie filled in for Ya-Sin in Week 17 and really struggled, allowing five completions for 60 yards and a touchdown on eight targets.
- Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is listed as questionable, but will play on Saturday. Buckner has been dealing with an ankle injury for some time and has been held out of practice recently for rest purposes.
- With Will Holden out, Jared Veldheer will start at left tackle for the second-straight week. The 11-year vet came out of retirement last week to join the Colts practice squad, but was thrust into the starting lineup after just two practices. Veldheer allowed two quarterback pressures in 29 pass-blocking snaps.
Bills
| Player | Position | Injury | Tue | Wed | Thu | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cole Beasley
|
WR | Knee | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
|
Stefon Diggs
|
WR | Oblique | LP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
|
Jon Feliciano
|
G | Knee | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Reggie Gilliam
|
TE | Knee/Hamstring | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Isaiah McKenzie
|
WR | Ankle | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
Injured Reserve: T Cody Ford, knee; LB Del’Shawn Phillips, quadriceps.
- Cole Beasley was inactive in Week 17 and remains “week-to-week,” according to Sean McDermott. Beasley was the NFL's top slot receiver in 2020, but will be replaced by Isaiah McKenzie if inactive. McKenzie had three total touchdowns in and led the team in targets (9) Week 17.
- As for Stefon Diggs, he was pretty adamant he will be ready to go on Saturday despite the questionable designation. Diggs led the NFL with 127 catches and 1535 receiving yards in the regular season, but played a season-low 31 snaps in Week 17. Gabriel Davis and John Brown would be the Bills two outside receivers if Diggs is inactive.
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks, (Sat.) 4:40 PM
Rams
| Player | Position | Injury | Tue | Wed | Thu | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
David Edwards
|
OL | Ankle | DNP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Joe Noteboom
|
OL | Back | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Micah Kiser
|
ILB | Knee | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Jared Goff
|
QB | Right Thumb | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Cam Akers
|
RB | Ankle | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
Injured Reserve: RB Darrell Henderson, ankle; DB Taylor Rapp, knee; DB Terrell Burgess, ankle; LB Travin Howard, knee.
- The biggest question facing the Rams is the health of Jared Goff. The quarterback missed Week 17 after undergoing thumb surgery on his right hand following a Week 16 injury. Despite it being his NFL debut, John Wolford didn't get gun shy in Week 17, attempting 38 passes, eight of which travelled over 20 yards downfield. PFF graded Wolford as the 19th-best quarterback of Week 17.
Seahawks
| Player | Position | Injury | Tue | Wed | Thu | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jarran Reed
|
DT | Oblique | DNP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Chris Carson
|
RB | Foot/Load Management | DNP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Duane Brown
|
T | Knee/Resting Vet | DNP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Jayson Stanley
|
CB | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | (-) |
|
Jamal Adams
|
SS | Shoulder/Hand | DNP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Mike Iupati
|
G | Neck | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
DeeJay Dallas
|
RB | Ankle | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Bryan Mone
|
DT | Ankle | FP | DNP | FP | (-) |
|
Shaquill Griffin
|
CB | Hamstring | DNP | Questionable |
Injured Reserve: T Jamarco Jones, groin; G Phil Haynes, groin; DB Quinton Dunbar, knee; DB Neiko Thorpe, hip; S Marquise Blair, knee; LB Bruce Irvin, knee; WR Phillip Dorsett, foot.
- The Seahawks have had a good week of health as Jamal Adams, Mike Iupati and Greg Olsen will all be available against Los Angeles after not being healthy following Week 17.
- Shaquill Griffin was a late addition to the injury report with a tight hamstring, but Pete Carroll told reporters Griffin was given a day off for rest and will be available on Saturday. Defensive end Jarran Reed will also play despite being listed as questionable. Reed leads the Seahawks in QB pressures and is second to Adams in sacks.
Tampa Buccaneers at Washington Football Team, (Sat.) 8:15 PM
Buccaneers
| Player | Position | Injury | Tue | Wed | Thu | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Carlton Davis
|
CB | Groin | DNP | LP | FP | Questionable |
|
Mike Evans
|
WR | Knee | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
|
Ronald Jones II
|
RB | Finger/Quad | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Jeremiah Ledbetter
|
DL | Calf | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
|
LeSean McCoy
|
RB | Not injury related/illnes | DNP | FP | DNP | Questionable |
|
Jason Pierre-Paul
|
OLB | Knee | DNP | DNP | LP | (-) |
Injured Reserve: C AQ Shipley, neck; DT Vita Vea, leg; TE OJ Howard, Achilles.
- Linebacker Devin White will miss Saturday's game after testing positive for COVID-19 prior to Week 17. However, LB Shaq Barrett has been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list after missing last week. With White out, expect Lavonte David, who finished the season as the Bucs' third-best defender per PFF, and Kevin Minter to be the main linebackers against Washington.
- Jeremiah Ledbetter has been a steady presence in the Buccaneers' defensive line rotation the last two weeks, but will be out on Saturday.
- Carlton Davis will be a game-time decision after missing the final two weeks of the season with a groin injury. Sean Murphy-Bunting has slid out from the slot to replace Davis and has played well, allowing just 65 yards on 13 targets.
Washington
| Player | Position | Injury | Tue | Wed | Thu | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Thomas Davis Sr.
|
LB | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
|
Antonio Gibson
|
RB | Toe | DNP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Terry McLaurin
|
WR | Ankle | DNP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Alex Smith
|
QB | Calf | DNP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Kevin Pierre-Louis
|
LB | Ankle | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Brandon Scherff
|
G | Shoulder | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
|
Kendall Fuller
|
CB | Knee | LP | FP | (-) |
Injured Reserve: DB Deshazor Everett, chest; QB Kyle Allen, ankle; S Landon Collins, Achilles; RB Bryce Love, knee; DT Matt Ioannidis, biceps.
- Despite playing in Week 17, Alex Smith is questionable with his calf injury again. Smith's calf is “sore” and it looks like Taylor Heinicke, who has just one career start (in 2018 for the Panthers) could find himself thrust into action if Smith doesn't feel better in warmups.
- Antonio Gibson and Terry McLaurin are also questionable, despite both playing in Philadelphia last week. While neither were particularly effective (3.95 yards per carry for Gibson, 5.7 yards per catch for McLaurin), they should both be available on Saturday night.
Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans, 1:05 PM
Ravens
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
D.J. Fluker
|
T | Knee | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
|
Marlon Humphrey
|
CB | Shoulder | DNP | LP | FP | Questionable |
|
Willie Snead IV
|
WR/RS | Ankle | DNP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Patrick Mekari
|
G/C | Back | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
|
Yannick Ngakoue
|
DE | Thigh | LP | LP | FP | Questionable |
|
Jimmy Smith
|
CB | Ribs/Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Ben Bredeson
|
G | Knee | (-) | (-) | LP | Questionable |
Injured Reserve: QB Robert Griffin III, hamstring; TE Nick Boyle, knee; T Ronnie Stanley, ankle; CB Tavon Young, knee.
- Slot cornerback Jimmy Smith has missed the last three games and Marlon Humphrey was limited to 32 snaps in Week 17. Humphrey played 24 of those snaps in the slot so he could be an option there for Baltimore this week if healthy. Anthony Averett and the recently-acquired Nate Brooks are the other two cornerbacks on the Ravens' roster.
- Patrick Mekari was absent in Week 17, but will start at center on Sunday. DJ Fluker is questionable, but split time with Tyre Phillips last week. Phillips has struggled mightily this season, but had his best performance in Week 17, earning a 79.5 pass-blocking grade from PFF.
Titans
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Aaron Brewer
|
C | Not Injury Related | DNP | DNP | (-) | (-) |
|
Dennis Kelly
|
T | Knee | DNP | DNP | LP | (-) |
|
Rodger Saffold III
|
G | Ankle | DNP | DNP | LP | (-) |
|
Daren Bates
|
LB | Hip | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
A.J. Brown
|
WR | Knee/Hand | LP | DNP | DNP | (-) |
|
Darrynton Evans
|
RB | Shoulder | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
|
Adoree' Jackson
|
CB | Knee | LP | DNP | FP | (-) |
|
Ben Jones
|
C | Hamstring | LP | FP | LP | (-) |
|
Geoff Swaim
|
TE | Wrist | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
Injured Reserve: WR Adam Humphries, concussion; DE Jadeveon Clowney, knee; LB Jayon Brown, elbow; T Taylor Lewan, knee.
- The Titans are the healthiest team this week. Zero players have an injury designation, however DT Teair Tart and C Aaron Brewer are on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints, 4:40 PM
Bears
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Darnell Mooney
|
WR | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Questionable |
|
Cordarrelle Patterson
|
WR | Personal | DNP | DNP | FP | (-) |
|
Buster Skrine
|
CB | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
|
Roquan Smith
|
ILB | Elbow | DNP | DNP | DNP | Questionable |
|
Jaylon Johnson
|
CB | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Allen Robinson II
|
WR | Hamstring | FP | DNP | LP | (-) |
|
Duke Shelley
|
CB | Knee | FP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Kindle Vildor
|
CB | Ankle | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Josh Woods
|
ILB | Toe | FP | LP | LP | Questionable |
Injured Reserve: WR Dwayne Harris, triceps; T Bobby Massie, knee; G James Daniels, pectoral; RB Tarik Cohen, knee; CB Artie Burns, knee.
- Buster Skrine is the only Bear ruled out for Sunday. Skrine has been out since Week 13 due to a concussion. Duke Shelley has filled in for Skrine as the nickel back and has struggled, yielding a passer rating of 114.6 when targeted. Kindle Vildor, who has been filling in for Jaylon Johnson since Week 14 has been even worse, allowing a passer rating of 131.9 on 15 targets.
- Roquan Smith has been the Bears top-graded linebacker on PFF this year, but is questionable after suffering an elbow injury last week. Josh Woods filled in for Smith in Week 17 and will be the Bears second inside linebacker behind Danny Trevathan, should Smith be inactive on Sunday.
Saints
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nick Easton
|
C/G | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
|
J.T. Gray
|
DB | Shoulder | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
|
Trey Hendrickson
|
DE | Neck | LP | DNP | DNP | Out |
|
Josh Hill
|
TE | Hand | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
|
Taysom Hill
|
QB | Concussion | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Marcus Williams
|
S | Ankle | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
Injured Reserve: LB Kwon Alexander, Achilles; WR Michael Thomas, ankle; WR Tre’Quan Smith, ankle; CB Patrick Robinson, hamstring.
- Trey Hendrickson played through his neck injury in Week 17, but will be out on Sunday night. Marcus Davenport will start in his place. Hendrickson has been one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL this year while Davenport ranks 14th among edge defenders in QB pressures since Week 13. Davenport hasn't recorded a sack since Week 7.
- The Saints playing on Sunday has saved them from disaster as the extra day allows Alvin Kamara to be activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to kickoff. Wide receiver Michael Thomas has also been designated to return from the IR, so Drew Brees should have both of his top weapons available against Chicago.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15 PM
Browns
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jack Conklin
|
T | Knee | LP | LP | DNP | Questionable |
|
Myles Garrett
|
DE | Shoulder | FP | FP | LP | Questionable |
|
Donovan Peoples-Jones
|
WR | Concussion | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
|
Sheldon Richardson
|
DT | Neck | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
M.J. Stewart Jr.
|
CB | Calf | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Wyatt Teller
|
G | Ankle | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
JC Tretter
|
C | Knee | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Terrance Mitchell
|
CB | Not Injury Related | (-) | (-) | DNP | Questionable |
Injured Reserve: C Nick Harris, knee; DE Olivier Vernon, Achilles; T Chris Hubbard, knee; WR Odell Beckham Jr., knee; CB Greedy Williams, shoulder; WR Jojo Natson, knee; S Grant Delpit, Achilles.
- The Browns will play their first playoff game in 17 years without head coach Kevin Stefanski, who is out due to COVID-19. The Browns are in the midst of an outbreak of COVID-19 with CB Denzel Ward, CB Kevin Johnson, G Joel Bitonio, WR KhaDarel Hodge, S Ronnie Harrison and S Jovante Moffatt all on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Steelers
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chris Boswell
|
K | Groin (Right) | LP | FP | LP | (-) |
|
Steven Nelson
|
CB | Knee | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Tyson Alualu
|
DE | Ankle | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Vince Williams
|
LB | Quadriceps | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
JuJu Smith-Schuster
|
WR | Knee | DNP | FP | (-) | |
|
Isaiah Buggs
|
DE | Illness | DNP | FP | (-) |
Injured Reserve: LB Ulysees Gilbert, ankle; LB Robert Spillane, knee; LB Bud Dupree, knee; RB Trey Edmunds, hamstring; LB Devin Bush, knee; T Zach Banner, knee.
- Robert Spillane returned to practice this week and could be activated off the IR prior to Sunday's game. Spillane was starting at middle linebacker before getting hurt in Week 13. Neither Avery Williamson nor Vince Williams have played well recently, so Spillane should have a big role when he returns.
- Someone who won't be playing on Sunday night is CB Joe Haden, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Usual slot corner Cameron Sutton filled for Haden last week and should again on Sunday night. Sutton's 73.9 coverage grade on PFF is the highest among all Steelers cornerbacks this season, barely edging out Haden's 69.6 grade.
