NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend Injury Reports & Inactives for All 6 Games
By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Published:
- All of the injury reports & inactives for the NFL’s Wild Card Weekend playoff games are outlined in the story below
- See who’s in and who’s out for each of the AFC and NFC postseason games
- Read on to find out how injuries might be affecting all of the Wild Card Weekend NFL playoff games
Some prominent NFL players are back, a few others are out and the status of some remains uncertain as we delve into this weekend’s Wild Card Playoffs injury reports.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will go to Buffalo to face the Bills without sack machine TJ Watt. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year is out with a knee injury.
Sam LaPorta is another key absentee. The Detroit Lions rookie TE who’s scored 10 TDs this season hurt his knee last week against Minnesota.
On the other side of the coin, Cleveland will be welcoming back WR Amari Cooper. A heel injury kept him out for the last two regular-season games.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty of unknowns as the Philadelphia Eagles travel to Tampa Bay. The status of QB Jalen Hurts (finger), RB D’Andre Swift (illness) and CB Darius Slay (knee) remain up in the air.
Check out all the latest NFL Wild Card Weekend injury reports and inactives below.
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Browns’ Cooper Good to Go for NFL Playoffs
The big news for Cleveland is that WR Amari Cooper, who’s missed the past two games with a heel injury, is going to play. In his last game, he went for a franchise-record 265 yards in receptions against the Texans.
There are no positive reports coming about kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring). He’s expected to miss his his third straight game. Hopkins has hit 33-of-36 field goals this season and is eight-for-eight from 50+ yards. Former Detroit Lions K Riley Patterson will continue to fill in for Hopkins.
The Brown are activating S Grant Delpit (groin) for IR. He’s been out since December 10.
Browns vs Texans Injury Report
Player-Position-Team | Injury | Game Status |
---|---|---|
Kareem Hunt-RB (Cle) | Groin | Questionable |
Amari Cooper-WR (Cle) | Heel | Questionable |
Cedric Tillman-WR (Cle) | Concussion | Questionable |
Myles Garrett-DE (Cle) | Shoulder/Hamstring | Questionable |
Ethan Pocic-C (Cle) | Stinger | Questionable |
Pierre Strong Jr-RB (Cle) | Back | Questionable |
Juan Thornhill-S (Cle) | Calf | Questionable |
Greg Newsome II-DB (Cle) | Knee | Questionable |
Dustin Hopkins-K (Cle) | Hamstring | Doubtful |
Noah Brown-WR (Hou) | Back | Questionable |
Robert Woods-WR (Hou) | Hip | Questionable |
Andrew Beck-FB (Hou) | Calf | Questionable |
Will Anderson Jr-DE (Hou) | Ankle | Questionable |
Maliek Collins-DT (Hou) | Hip | Questionable |
Sheldon Rankins-DT (Hou) | Shoulder | Questionable |
Jonathan Greenard-DE (Hou) | Ankle | Questionable |
DE Jonathan Greenard (ankle), who leads the Texans with 12.5 sacks, is trending toward playing against Cleveland. Greenard has missed the past two games. DE Will Anderson Jr (high ankle sprain) has been held out of practice this week as a precaution. He played the last two weeks on snap counts.
WR Robert Woods (hip), who missed last week’s game at Indianapolis, was back practicing this week and is expected to play. There’s less certainty about the status of WR Noah Brown (back). He also missed last week’s game and hasn’t returned to the practice field yet this week.
[doe id=”594706″]Dolphins Defensive Depth a Wild Card
Already without five LBs on IR, Miami might be going up against Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes minus three of the club’s four starters in the secondary.
The right foot of CB Xavien Howard remains in a cast and he’s listed as doubtful. Safety Jevon Holland left last week’s loss to Buffalo with knee soreness. He and fellow S DeShon Elliott (calf) are both showing as questionable for Wild Card Weekend.
Dolphins vs Chiefs Injury Report
Player-Position | Injury | Game Status |
---|---|---|
Xavien Howard-CB (Mia) | Foot | Doubtful |
Tyreek Hill-WR (Mia) | Ankle/Quad | Questionable |
Jaylen Waddle-WR (Mia) | Ankle | Questionable |
De’Von Achane-RB (Mia) | Toe-/Ribs | Questionable |
Raheem Mostert-RB (Mia) | Knee/Ankle | Questionable |
Terron Amstead-T (Mia) | Knee/Ankle/Back | Questionable |
Liam Eichenberg-C (Mia) | Calf/Ankle | Questionable |
Jalen Ramsey-CB (Mia) | Knee | Questionable |
DeShon Elliott-S (Mia) | Calf | Questionable |
Jevon Holland-S (Mia) | Knee | Questionable |
Kadarius Toney-WR (KC) | Hip/Ankle | Questionable |
Donovan Smith-T (KC) | Neck | Questionable |
Wayna Morris-T (KC) | Concussion | Questionable |
Justyn Ross-WR (KC) | Hamstring | Questionable |
Chiefs WR Justyn Ross (hamstring) returned to limited practice on Wednesday. Starting LT Donovan Smith (neck) is expected to play. That’s important, because his backup Wayna Morris remains in NFL concussion protocol.
Steelers Watt Out for Wild Card Weekend
Pittsburgh will be going up against elusive Buffalo QB Josh Allen minus the team’s elite pass rusher. Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year WLB TJ Watt has been ruled due to a knee injury.
TJ Watt ends the 2023 season with:
19.0 sacks (1st in NFL)
4 forced fumbles
3 fumble recoveries
1 interception
68 tackles
1 defensive touchdownAnother dominate year from one of the best defensive player in the world. pic.twitter.com/BY5ZWLTDts
— Baku 🐧 (@Mazursky8895) January 7, 2024
On the flip side, S Minkah Fitzpatrick was back this week as a full participant in practice. A knee injury kept him out the last three games of the regular season.
Steelers vs Bills Injury Report
Player-Position | Injury | Game Status |
---|---|---|
TJ Watt-LB (Pit) | Knee | Out |
Isaac Seumalo-G (Pit) | Shoulder | Questionable |
Najee Harris-RB (Pit) | Knee | Questionable |
Elandon Roberts-LB (Pit) | Pectoral | Questionable |
Gabe Davis-WR (Buf) | Knee | Questionable |
Dion Dawkins-T (Buf) | Hand | Questionable |
Rasul Douglas-CB (Buf) | Knee | Questionable |
Tyrel Dodson-LB (Buf) | Shoulder | Questionable |
Taylor Rapp-S (Buf) | Calf | Out (IR) |
Buffalo WR Gabe Davis, CB Rasul Douglas and S Taylor Rapp have all been held out of practice this week but all are expected to play. Allen, who’s been nursing neck soreness and a finger ailment, does not show up on the injury report and hasn’t been limited in practice this week.
Packers Getting Healthier Entering NFL Playoffs
Green Bay was among the hottest teams in the NFL over the second half of the season. As they arrive at Wild Card Weekend, the Pack is also getting back to health.
WR Christian Watson (hamstring) and Romeo Doubs (neck) were both full participants in practice this week. Watson missed the regular-season finale against Chicago, while Doubs was hurt in that game.
Packers vs Cowboys Injury Report
Player-Position | Injury | Game Status |
---|---|---|
Aaron Jones-RB (GB) | Knee/Finger | Questionable |
AJ Dillon-RB (GB) | Thumb/Neck | Questionable |
Christian Watson-WR (GB) | Hamstring | Questionable |
Romeo Doubs-WR (GB) | Ankle | Questionable |
Elgton Jenkins-G (GB) | Thumb/Neck | Questionable |
TJ Slayton-NT (GB) | Knee/Foot | Questionable |
Preston Smith-LB (GB) | Ankle | Questionable |
Jaire Alexander-CB (GB) | Knee/Ankle | Questionable |
Jonathan Owens-S (GB) | Knee | Questionable |
Isaiah McDuffie-LB (GB) | Concussion/Neck | Questionable |
Tyler Smith-G (Dal) | Foot | Questionable |
Jonathan Hankins-DT (Dal) | Ankle | Questionable |
Stephon Gilmore-CB (Dal) | Shoulder | Questionable |
Cowboys CB Stephon Gilmore suffered a dislocated shoulder in their Week 18 win over Washington. Still, he’s remaining confident of playing in this game. Inactive last week, LG Tyler Smith (foot) returned to practice this week.
Rookie Sensation LaPorta Doubtful for Lions
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell inists that there’s an outside chance that rookie TE Sam LaPorta (knee) will play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. However, that seems unlikely at this point. LaPorta, scorer of 10 TDs this season, was hurt last week against Minnesota.
"He's improving"
DC on Sam LaPorta's status pic.twitter.com/rt1NL6aLLi
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 10, 2024
WR Kalif Raymond (knee), Detroit’s key return man on special teams, has also been held out of practice.
Rams vs Lions Injury Report
Player-Position | Injury | Game Status |
---|---|---|
Tyler Higbee-TE (LAR) | Shoulder | Questionable |
Joe Noteboom-T (LAR) | Foot | Questionable |
Kevin Dotson-G (LAR) | Shoulder | Questionable |
Jordan Fuller-S (LAR) | Ankle | Questionable |
Troy Reeder-LB (LAR) | Knee | Questionable |
Sam LaPorta-TE (Det) | Knee | Questionable |
Kalif Raymond-WR (Det) | Knee | Questionable |
Rams TE Tyler Higbee (shoulder), who missed last week’s game against the 49ers, returned to practice this week. There’s concern along the OL as tackle Joe Noteboom (foot) has been missing from practice, while G Kevin Dotson (shoulder) has seen limited practice time.
Extra Day’s Rest Beneficial to Eagles
Playing on Monday night could prove vital to the chances of the Philadelphia Eagles winning at Tampa Bay. QB Jalen Hurts (finger) left last week’s game against the Giants and is listed as day-to-day. There’s also uncertainty regarding RB D’Andre Swift (illness) and CB Darius Slay (knee). Both sat of the regular-season finale.
The Eagles confirmed that WR AJ Brown (knee), WR DeVonta Smith (ankle) and G Cam Jurgens (eye) would all be playing against the Buccaneers. Safety Sydney Brown is out for the season with an ACL injury.
Eagles vs Buccaneers Injury Report
Player-Position | Injury | Game Status |
---|---|---|
Jalen Hurts-QB (Phi) | Finger | Questionable |
DeVonta Smith-WR (Phi) | Illness | Questionable |
AJ Brown-WR (Phi) | Knee | Questionable |
D’Andre Swift-RB (Phi) | Ankle | Questionable |
Cam Jurgens-G (Phi) | Eye | Questionable |
Reid Blankenship-S (Phi) | Groin | Questionable |
Darius Slay-CB (Phi) | Knee | Questionable |
Sydney Brown-S (Phi) | Knee | Out |
Rakeem Jarrett-WR | Quad | Questionable |
KJ Britt-LB | Calf | Questionable |
Though he doesn’t show up on the Buccaneers injury report, it’s known that Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield is dealing with a rib ailment. He also hurt his ankle in last week’s 9-0 win over Carolina.
[doe id=”594706″]Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.