NFL

2024 NFL playoff injuries: Packers’ Jaire Alexander questionable, Bills’ Gabe Davis out, Dolphins banged up

by
SaC Bot
January 12, 2024

The NFL playoffs are here, and Super Wild Card Weekend is chock full of intrigue: the Packers visiting old friend Mike McCarthy in Dallas, Matthew Stafford versus Jared Goff in Detroit, the Chiefs and Dolphins rematching in frigid weather, and on and on.

Some matchups may be especially dictated by the health of contending teams, however. Several big names are part of this weekend’s final injury reports, which are listed — and analyzed — below:

Saturday games

Browns: WR Cedric Tillman (concussion), S Grant Delpit (groin), K Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) OUT; RB Pierre Strong Jr. (back), CB Denzel Ward (knee, shoulder), CB Mike Ford (calf), S Juan Thornhill (calf) QUESTIONABLE
Texans: DE Jerry Hughes (ankle) OUT; FB Andrew Beck (calf), WR Noah Brown (back), WR Robert Woods (hip), DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), DE Jonathan Greenard (ankle), DT Maliek Collins (hip) QUESTIONABLE

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud could have a chance to pick on a banged-up secondary, with Delpit seemingly not ready to return from injured reserve and Thornhill iffy on the back end. Ward is expected to suit up, per NFL Media, while former Lions kicker Riley Patterson is set to replace Hopkins, who went 33 of 36 on field-goal tries this year. Houston may be getting reinforcements in the trenches, where Greenard has been absent for two straight games but leads the club with 12.5 sacks.

Dolphins at Chiefs

The good news for Miami is that Tua Tagovailoa’s offensive line is intact (for now), with Terron Armstead and Liam Eichenberg returning to full practice participation. De’Von Achane is also available as the top ball carrier in the event Mostert can’t go. But the defense is a concern, with top pass rushers Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Andrew Van Ginkel all on IR. Kansas City should have Donovan Smith back at left tackle, while Toney hasn’t played since mid-December. Rashee Rice and Justin Watson figure to remain Patrick Mahomes‘ top targets other than Travis Kelce.

Sunday games

Watt has been officially ruled out for the Steelers, which is something we knew was coming. Offensive guard Isaac Seumalo did not practice all week with a shoulder injury, but has no game designation. Running back Najee Harris did not practice Wednesday due to a knee injury, but was a full participant Thursday and Friday. Expect him to receive plenty of work this weekend. Star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was listed on the injury report with a knee issue, but was a full participant all week.

Josh Allen may lean even more on Stefon Diggs with Davis sidelined out wide, leaving Khalil Shakir, Trent Sherfield and Deonte Harty as WR alternatives. Douglas would be just as, if not more, pivotal an absence if he can’t go as he’s been one of Buffalo’s top defensive playmakers since arriving via trade. Dane Jackson and Christian Benford are available along with Taron Johnson at CB.

With Dillon banged up, Aaron Jones is on track to receive another heavy workload out of Green Bay’s backfield. Watson has missed five straight games, so if he sits again, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks will headline Jordan Love’s pass targets. Alexander, who’s missed 10 games, rolled his ankle during practice, putting his status in question.

The Cowboys injury report is a promising one, as cornerback Stephon Gilmore (shoulder) and offensive guard Tyler Smith (foot), who were both limited in practice early in the week, have no game designations.

Rams at Lions

Both teams have their big-name tight ends on the mend. Higbee is expected to suit up, but if he can’t, Davis Allen would be next in line for snaps for the Rams despite catching just 10 passes this year. Alaric Jackson is Los Angeles’ emergency left tackle behind Noteboom.

The big news for the Lions is that LaPorta was a full participant in practice on Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday. He’s officially listed as questionable to play with his knee injury, but Lions fans have reason to be hopeful. The young pass rusher Houston is not yet ready to return to the lineup despite being a full participant in practice all week. He has been ruled out.