There are six games on the Super Wild Card Weekend schedule as NFL The postseason and race opens for power The fifty-eighth begins. Of course, as is the case throughout the regular season, injuries are sure to play a major role in determining who ultimately hoists the Lombardi Trophy when the dust settles. This includes the weekend in which teams advance to the divisional round.
For the Browns, Texans, Dolphins and Chiefs, they began their on-field preparations for Saturday's playoff game on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Bills, Steelers, Packers, Cowboys, Rams and Lions all took the field for the first time on Wednesday with their games scheduled for Sunday. As for the Pirates and Eagles, they officially begin training on Thursday. Below, we'll comb through each injury report and highlight some of the key injury-related events for each club.
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Cleveland Browns (-2.5) at Houston Texans
A number of Cleveland's key players returned to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday after missing Tuesday's session. Pass rusher Myles Garrett (shoulder, hamstring), running back Kareem Hunt (groin), cornerback Greg Newsome (knee), tight end David Njoku (rest), running back Pierre Strong (back), and Juan Thornhill (calf) were all out. Limited after sitting on Tuesday. Wide receiver Amari Cooper (rest and heel) did not practice for the second straight day, and kicker Dustin Hopkins (left hamstring) and receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion) did not practice. The Browns also designated safety Grant Delpit to return from injured reserve.
Houston did not have pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), receiver Noah Brown (back), defensive end Jonathan Greenard (ankle) and defensive end Jerry Hughes (ankle) for the second straight day of practice, putting their availability in doubt. Linebacker Andrew Beck (calf) was held out of practice Wednesday after being limited Tuesday, while defensive tackle Malik Collins (hip) returned on a limited basis after missing Tuesday's session. Centers Michael Dieter (elbow) and Robert Woods (hip) were out wide and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (shoulder) was also limited.
Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs (-4)
For the second straight day, the Dolphins were without three defensive backs: Xavien Howard (foot), Jevon Holland (knees) and Deshaun Elliott (calf). Tackle Tyrone Armstead (knee, ankle, back) is back on a limited basis. Also limited were running back De'Von Achane (toe, ribs), offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg (calf, ankle), Tyreek HIll (ankle, quad), running back Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle), and cornerback Jalen Ramsey (knee). ) and receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle).
Kansas City missed tackle Waniya Morris (concussion) for the second straight day, but everyone was accounted for during Wednesday's practice. After missing Tuesday's session with a hamstring injury, Justin Ross was limited as were Donovan Smith (neck) and receiver Kadarius Toney (hip, ankle). Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (calf) was a full participant after being limited to the start of the week.
Pittsburgh Steelers over Buffalo Bills (-10)
Pittsburgh received some encouraging news as it began the week of practice. Star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was a full participant in the session after missing the final three games of the regular season with a knee injury. The Steelers also activated fellow safety Damontae Kazee to the 53-man roster after he was suspended. Meanwhile, running back Najee Harris (knee) and guard Isaac Simalo (shoulder) did not practice. Neither of them got past pass rusher TJ Watt (knee), who has already been ruled out of this playoff.
Buffalo had a detailed practice on Wednesday, so the opening injury report is an estimate. However, receiver Gabe Davis (knee), cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee), safety Damar Hamlin (shoulder), and safety Taylor Rapp (calf) all did not practice. Tackles Dion Dawkins (hand), linebacker Terrell Dodson (shoulder) and running back Ty Johnson (concussion) were limited. The Bills also gave rest days to veteran Von Miller and Leonard Floyd.
Green Bay Packers over Dallas Cowboys (-7.5)
AJ Dillon (thumb, neck) was held out of Packers practice, but outside of that the roster counted on Wednesday. Cornerback Jer Alexander (shoulder, ankle), Romeo Dobbs (thumb, neck), offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (knee, ankle), running back Aaron Jones (knee, finger), linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (concussion, neck), safety Jonathan Owens (knee), defensive lineman TJ Slaton (knee, foot), linebacker Preston Smith (ankle) and receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) are all limited.
Dallas was without cornerback Stephon Gilmore (shoulder) and defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins (ankle) to start the week. The Cowboys also gave days off to DeMarcus Lawrence, Zack Martin and Tyrone Smith. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks (rest), cornerback Jordan Lewis (rest) and guard Tyler Smith (foot) were limited.
Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions (-3)
The Lions did not have rookie tight end Sam LaPorta during the team's initial practice of the week on Wednesday due to a knee injury. Coach Dan Campbell indicated that there is an outside chance that Laporta will appear in this match, but he did not make the best start here. Meanwhile, center Frank Ragnow (knee, back, toe, rest) did not practice and wide receiver Calif Raymond (knee) did not practice. Offensive linemen Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow were given rest days while cornerback Jerry Jacobs (groin) was limited.
Los Angeles had several notable injuries to start the workweek. Guard Joe Noteboom (foot), safety Jordan Fuller (ankle), linebacker Troy Reeder (knee) and offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (rest) did not practice. Guard Kevin Dotson (shoulder) and tight end Tyler Higbee (shoulder) were participants in the limited-time practice.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Eagles had three players who did not practice Friday: wide receiver AJ Brown (knee), safety Reed Blankenship (groin) and safety Sidney Brown (knee). This is the second straight practice Brown has missed during the injury he suffered in the team's Week 18 loss to the Giants. Sidney Brown will miss the season with an ACL injury, and if Blankenship can't play, the Eagles will likely turn to Tristen McCollum. Quarterback Jalen Hurts was a full participant in practice Friday after being limited Thursday as he dealt with an injury to his right index finger. Wide receiver Britain Coffey (groin) was the only player limited in practice, while cornerback Darius Slay (knee), DeVonta Smith (ankle) and running back DeAndre Swift (illness) were all full participants.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin (knee/rest) was the only Bucs player who did not practice Friday. Quarterback Baker Mayfield (ankle/ribs), offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (illness) and linebacker KJ Britt (calf) all went from not practicing on Thursday to being limited participants on Friday. Defensive tackle Mike Green (calf) was a full participant and defensive back Josh Hayes (quad/knee) was limited.
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