This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 11 AM ET on Saturday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
This year's Wild Card Weekend field features an extra team per conference, giving us a total of six games over two days. Even with just 12 teams in action, there are some big names sporting injury designations, including two quarterbacks, one very prominent COVID-19 case in the form of Alvin Kamara, and a pair of No. 1 receivers. Without further ado, let's dive into the latest as of Saturday morning.:
QUARTERBACKS
The Rams' Jared Goff (thumb) is questionable for Saturday's wild-card game against the Seahawks after managing to practice in limited fashion all week. As per late Friday night reports, John Wolford, who put together an impressive Week 17 start in the win over the Cardinals that clinched Los Angeles' playoff spot, took the majority of snaps in practice and is prepared to start against Seattle. However, Goff threw well during the week as well and is pushing to play, with coach Sean McVay yet to make a decision as of Saturday morning.
Washington's Alex Smith (calf) is questionable for Saturday night's wild-card game against the Buccaneers after finishing the week with a pair of limited practices. As per late Friday night reports, there is a chance Taylor Heinicke, who completed 12 of 19 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown
This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 11 AM ET on Saturday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
This year's Wild Card Weekend field features an extra team per conference, giving us a total of six games over two days. Even with just 12 teams in action, there are some big names sporting injury designations, including two quarterbacks, one very prominent COVID-19 case in the form of Alvin Kamara, and a pair of No. 1 receivers. Without further ado, let's dive into the latest as of Saturday morning.:
QUARTERBACKS
The Rams' Jared Goff (thumb) is questionable for Saturday's wild-card game against the Seahawks after managing to practice in limited fashion all week. As per late Friday night reports, John Wolford, who put together an impressive Week 17 start in the win over the Cardinals that clinched Los Angeles' playoff spot, took the majority of snaps in practice and is prepared to start against Seattle. However, Goff threw well during the week as well and is pushing to play, with coach Sean McVay yet to make a decision as of Saturday morning.
Washington's Alex Smith (calf) is questionable for Saturday night's wild-card game against the Buccaneers after finishing the week with a pair of limited practices. As per late Friday night reports, there is a chance Taylor Heinicke, who completed 12 of 19 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers in Week 16 in emergency duty, starts over Smith versus Tampa Bay. Smith's calf hasn't loosened up and remains sore according to reports, but a final determination isn't likely until closer to game time.
RUNNING BACKS
The Saints' Alvin Kamara remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list as of Saturday morning, but he posted a social media message Thursday indicating he planned to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Bears. Kamara tested positive for COVID on New Year's Day, so Sunday would be the first day he'd be eligible to return after being away from the team the mandatory minimum of 10 days. If Kamara is able to go, it will be his first game since tying an NFL record with six touchdowns against the Vikings on Christmas Day, and it would also restore New Orleans' backfield to full health considering Latavius Murray is also available after missing Week 17.
Washington's Antonio Gibson (toe) is questionable for Saturday night's wild-card game against the Buccaneers after finishing the week with a pair of limited practices. Gibson managed to play through the injury in the last two games of the regular season, netting 150 total yards on 33 touches in that pair of contests. If Gibson were to sit out, Peyton Barber and J.D. McKissic would handle the majority of Washington's backfield work.
The Saints removed Latavius Murray from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday after he missed the Week 17 win over the Panthers because he was a close contact of Alvin Kamara, who'd tested positive. Although Kamara has stated he believes he'll be able to clear COVID protocol to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Bears, Murray stands at the ready to take on lead-back duties should his teammate get ruled out.
The Seahawks' Rashaad Penny (knee) is questionable for Saturday afternoon's wild-card game against the Rams after turning in a limited practice Thursday. Penny logged a season-high 28 snaps in Week 17 against the 49ers, his third game overall after spending the first 13 games of the campaign on injured reserve. If he's unable to suit up Saturday, Alex Collins or DeeJay Dallas would serve as the No. 3 back behind Chris Carson and Alex Collins.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The Saints' Michael Thomas (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday and is expected to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Bears. Thomas was last in action back in Week 14, when he posted an 8-84 line against the Eagles. Thomas' return would be extremely valuable under any circumstance, but even more so if Alvin Kamara (reserve/COVID-19) is unable to suit up for New Orleans.
The Bills' Stefon Diggs (oblique) is questionable for Saturday's wild-card game against the Colts after sandwiching a pair of limited practices around a missed Wednesday session this week. As per Friday reports, Diggs is fully expected to suit up and serve in his voluminous No. 1 receiver role.
The Buccaneers' Mike Evans (knee) is questionable for Saturday night's game against Washington but managed to work back to a limited practice Thursday after missing the first two sessions of the week. Evans suffered the injury in the first quarter of the Week 17 win over the Falcons and beat writer reports indicate the Pro Bowl receiver will be a game-time decision but does have a legitimate chance to play. If he were unable to ultimately suit up, Tampa Bay would rely heavily on Antonio Brown and Chris Godwin, who combined for 16 receptions, 271 yards and four touchdowns versus Atlanta last Sunday, as its top two wideout options.
The Bills' Cole Beasley (knee) is questionable for Saturday's wild-card game against the Colts after only managing a limited Thursday practice this week. Beasley missed the Week 17 win over the Dolphins, and if he were to sit out again, John Brown, who posted a 4-72-1 line in his return from injured reserve in that contest, would potentially see additional targets, while Gabriel Davis would once again fill the No. 3 role.
The Rams removed Cooper Kupp on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, clearing him to return for Saturday's wild-card game against the Seahawks after a one-game absence.
Washington's Terry McLaurin (ankle) is questionable for Saturday night's game against the Buccaneers but finished the week with two limited practices. McLaurin toughed out the same designation in Week 17 to log 51 snaps and produce a 7-40-1 line in the playoff-clinching win over the Eagles.
The Bears' Darnell Mooney (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Saints after missing practice all week. Anthony Miller would bump up to the No. 2 receiver role should Mooney be unable to play.
The Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones (concussion) is questionable for Sunday night's wild-card matchup against the Steelers after only managing a limited Friday practice. Peoples-Jones did officially clear concussion protocol late Thursday according to reports, but if he's still not well enough to suit up Sunday, Marvin Hall would step into the No. 3 receiver role behind Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins.
The Browns placed KhaDarel Hodge on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, likely sidelining him for Sunday night's game against the Steelers.
The Ravens' Willie Snead (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Titans but finished the week with two limited practices. Dez Bryant and rookie Devin Duvernay would be in line for a bigger roles should Snead be forced to sit out.
TIGHT ENDS
The Steelers activated Eric Ebron on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, making him available for Sunday night's wild-card game against the Browns.
The Browns' Harrison Bryant remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list heading into the weekend ahead of a Sunday night wild-card matchup against the Steelers. David Njoku will see a bump in snaps behind starter Austin Hooper should Bryant miss the contest.
KICKERS
The Titans activated Stephen Gostkowski from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday after he missed the Week 17 win over the Texans.
The Steelers' Chris Boswell (groin) is off the injury report ahead of Sunday night's wild-card game against the Browns after sandwiching two limited practices around a full Thursday session this past week. Boswell missed the final two games of the regular season with the injury.
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Cornerbacks
The Browns' Denzel Ward remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list heading into the weekend, keeping his availability for Sunday night's wild-card game against the Steelers in question.
The Steelers' Joe Haden remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list heading into the weekend, keeping his availability for Sunday night's wild-card game against the Browns in question.
The Buccaneers' Carlton Davis (groin) is questionable for Saturday night's wild-card game against Washington but finished the week with a full practice Thursday.
The Seahawks' Shaquill Griffin (hamstring) is questionable for Saturday's wild-card game against the Rams after missing practice Thursday.
The Ravens' Marlon Humphrey (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Titans but managed to finish the week with a full practice Friday.
The Bears' Jaylon Johnson (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Saints after practicing in limited fashion all week.
The Browns' Terrance Mitchell (personal) is questionable for Sunday night's wild-card game against the Steelers after missing Friday's practice.
The Bears' Buster Skrine (concussion) is out for Sunday's wild-card game against the Saints after missing practice all week.
The Ravens' Jimmy Smith (ribs) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Titans after practicing in limited fashion all week.
Safeties
The Saints' Marcus Williams (ankle) is off the injury report ahead of Sunday's wild-card game against the Bears after finishing the week with two full practices. Williams missed New Orleans' Week 17 win over the Panthers.
The Colts' Khari Willis (concussion) is off the injury report for Saturday's wild-card game against the Bills after practicing in full all week. Willis missed Indianapolis' Week 17 win over the Jaguars.
The Steelers' Terrell Edmunds (shoulder) is off the injury report ahead of Sunday night's wild-card game against the Browns after practicing in full all week. Edmunds missed Pittsburgh's Week 17 loss to the Browns.
Defensive Linemen
The Browns' Myles Garrett (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday night's wild-card game against the Steelers after downgrading to limited participation Friday following full sessions the first two practices of the week.
The Colts' De'Forest Buckner (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's wild-card game against the Bills but managed to work to a limited practice Thursday after missing the first two sessions of the week.
The Seahawks' Jarran Reed (oblique) is questionable for Saturday's wild-card game against the Rams but finished the week with two limited practices.
The Browns' Sheldon Richardson (neck) is questionable for Sunday night's wild-card game against the Steelers after practicing in limited fashion all week.
The Saints' Trey Hendrickson (neck) is out for Sunday's wild-card game versus the Bears after missing the last two practices of the week.
The Buccaneers activated Shaquil Barrett from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday after he missed the Week 17 win over the Falcons.
The Rams activated Michael Brockers from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday after he missed the Week 17 win over the Cardinals.
Linebackers
The Rams' Micah Kiser (knee) is questionable for Saturday's wild-card game against the Seahawks after practicing in limited fashion all week.
The Bears' Roquan Smith (elbow) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Saints after missing practice all week.
The Buccaneers' Devin White (reserve/COVID-19) will remain out for Saturday night's wild-card game against Washington.
The Ravens' Yannick Ngakoue (thigh) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Titans but managed to work back to a full practice Friday.
Washington's Kevin Pierre-Louis (ankle) is questionable for Saturday night's game against the Buccaneers after practicing in limited fashion all week.
