Playoffs start tomorrow, the eight first-round participants have submitted their injury reports, and there are some notable names on there. A team-by-team rundown:
Kansas City:
Center Mitch Morse (concussion) is out. He started 15 games in the regular season. That’s a concern, with Kansas City dealing with a really good defense.
Jeremy Maclin landed hard on his hip in the Oakland game, but he’s fine – practiced fully on Thursday and Friday.
Tamba Hali (thumb, knee) is questionable. He didn’t practice at all on Wednesday or Thursdau and was limited today. He’ll likely play but it looks like he’s not healthy. This is a notable injury, with Hali being their pass-rushing threat from the right side. With Houston losing it left tackle last week, we were thinking Hali might have big game.
Houston:
Jadeveon Clowney (foot) is questionable. He didn’t practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday. (The team didn’t practice today).
The Texans don’t have anyone else listed beyond probable. That includes Nate Washington (hip), who sat out practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday.
Pittsburgh:
DeAngelo Williams (foot) is out. Nobody else is listed beyond probable.
Note that they’ll likely get some rain for the Steelers-Bengals game. They’re expecting rain, and it should show up about when the game is starting. Temperatures should be around 40 degrees, with winds under 10 mph.
Cincinnati:
Andy Dalton (thumb) and tight end Ryan Hewitt (knee) are both out. Hewitt operates as more of a fullback in that offense.
Seattle:
The Seahawks are calling Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) questionable, but he practiced fully all week. I think he’s fine.
Seattle will go without Luke Willson (concussion). I don’t think that’s necessarily a big deal. They were fine last week with Cooper Helfet and Chase Coffman both playing extensive. Helfet has caught 4 passes in back-to-back games – he might be better than Willson now.
Weather could play a big role in this game. Current forecasts call for a high of 3 degrees, with wind chill values perhaps getting as low as minus-24.
Minnesota:
Adrian Peterson (back) didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, but he’s fine. He practiced fully Friday and is probable.
Green Bay:
Cornerback Sam Shields (concussion) is apparently out. He’s doubtful. That helps put Kirk Cousins in play to perhaps be the most most productive quarterback this week. The other main quarterback options, I think, are Russell Wilson and Ben Roethlisberger. Wilson could be slowed by rugged weather conditions. Roethlisberger doesn’t tend to be nearly as good on the road.
Green Bay’s left tackle, David Bakhtiari (ankle) is questionable but was able to do limited work at practice on Thursday. That offensive line has been a disaster recently.
Weather could be a slight factor for this game, with forecasts indicating winds possibly reaching 25 mph. But temperatures should be in the 50s, and any rain during the game should only slight and temporary.
Washington:
Matt Jones is questionable. He was limited in practice all week.
