NFL Wild Card Round Injuries: Key Players To Note Heading Into The Playoffs
After an injury-riddled NFL regular season, the playoffs are set to begin. NFL injuries continued to pile up in Week 18. Several big-name starters went down for playoff teams that will play this weekend. These injuries are already shifting sportsbook odds at the best sports betting sites. Handicappers must monitor for news before betting on NFL playoff odds. The most notable injured players we must monitor this week are Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, Eagles WR A.J. Brown, Lions TE Sam LaPorta, and many Miami Dolphins.
Keep reading to stay updated on the most significant injuries and which names are in jeopardy of missing this week. Scroll to compare spreads, moneylines, and totals across NFL betting apps, and use our Prop Finder Tool to find the best prices on player props.
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Notable NFL INJURIES To monitor
Here’s a roundup of the most notable NFL injuries heading into wild-card weekend
Buffalo Bills
- OT Dion Dawkins
- LB Tyrel Dodson
- CB Rasul Douglas
- WR Gabe Davis
Davis suffered a PCL sprain that is not considered significant. His status is TBD, but he has not yet been ruled out of anything. Douglas injured his left knee in the second quarter. He said he wasn’t sure exactly when it happened but that they would find out more in the coming days.
HC Sean McDermott says he doesn’t have an injury update on players who left Sunday’s game because he’s still going through things with the athletic training staff and will know more on Wednesday.
Stay tuned to the Bills mid-week practice report for an update on all the Bills injured players’ and their status for this weekend’s game against the Steelers.
Dallas Cowboys
- CB Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore escaped a more severe injury without damage to his rotator cuff. He is believed to be available Sunday and wear a harness for extra support for his right shoulder, per media reports. “It was better than we anticipated,” HC Mike McCarthy said. Gilmore told reporters postgame that he’ll be playing in the wild-card game.
Detroit Lions
- TE Sam LaPorta
- WR Kalif Raymond
A source said LaPorta suffered a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise after the MRI. He’s likely to miss some time, but as coach Dan Campbell said, it’s not as bad as it could’ve been. Campbell did go on to say there is an “outside chance” that LaPorta plays this week.
On Monday, Campell talked about Raymond’s status by saying, “I think (Kalif) is in that boat, maybe a little bit farther away than LaPorta. But it’s very much we’re talking in days and not weeks, which is a good thing.”
Green Bay Packers
- WR Romeo Doubs
- RB A.J. Dillon
- OL Zach Tom
Doubs was evaluated at a local hospital after suffering a chest injury during the Packers Week 18 win. He is considered day-to-day as per HC Matt LaFleur. “It seems to be he’s doing better, but he’ll be day to day, I’d say,” LaFleur said Monday.
Dillon is dealing with neck and thumb injuries that kept him out in Week 18. Stay tuned for the Packers mid-week injury report for a status update on his chances vs. the Cowboys.
Tom left the game against the Bears due to a finger injury and could not return.
Kansas City Chiefs
- OL Wanya Morris
Starting left tackle Wanya Morris is being evaluated for a potential head injury. With Morris out of the game, Lucas Niang came in to play right tackle while Jawaan Taylor shifted from starting on the right side to the left. Unfortunately, shortly after that, Taylor himself went down with a leg injury after taking over on the left side.
The Chiefs are very thin at tackle, with Morris and Taylor potentially injured.
Los Angeles Rams
- LB Troy Reeder
Reeder suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s win. He is considered day-to-day, according to head coach Sean McVay.
Miami Dolphins
- LB Andrew Van Ginkel
- LB Jerome Baker
- LB Cameron Goode
- CB Xavien Howard
- WR Jaylen Waddle
- RB Raheem Mostert
The Dolphins have suffered several injuries to their defense. Star pass rushers Chubb & Phillips are out. Now Andrew Van Ginkel and their signal-calling LB Jerome Baker are both out. Miami is beyond thin in their front 7.
HC Mike McDaniel said Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert wanted to play Sunday vs. Bills, but medical staff determined they were at high enough risk of re-injury & they could miss the following week if it happened. So the decision was made that it wasn’t worth it. Signs point towards both players suiting up in the Wild Card game against the Chiefs.
McDaniel also said they are “not planning” for CB Xavien Howard to play Saturday vs. Chiefs. LB Cam Goode also tore his patella tendon and will be out for the season.
Philadelphia Eagles
- QB Jalen Hurts
- WR AJ Brown
- WR DeVonta Smith
- S Sydney Brown
- OL Cam Jurgens
Hurts underwent X-rays that showed no fracture in the middle finger on his throwing hand that he dislocated Sunday, per sources. Hurts said he’s taking it day-to-day. He has extra rest; Philadelphia visits Tampa Bay on Monday night.
HC Nick Sirianni says he’s “hopeful” injured players A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Cam Jurgens will be available against the Buccaneers. Sirianni also confirms rookie S Sydney Brown is out for the season. He suffered a torn ACL.
The Eagles’ injuries will get as much attention in the NFL as the Dolphins from sharp bettors.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- LB T.J. Watt
Watt is dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Sources say the best-case scenario for this injury is playing in two weeks with a brace. So, to get Watt back on the field, Pittsburgh will likely need to win a few playoff games. If, by some miracle, he suits up, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be effective against Buffalo’s strong offensive line.
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More NFL Injury News and Player Updates
NFL Wild Card Weekend ODDS
Before diving into the NFL injuries, please look at the updated NFL Wild Card Weekend odds below. The point spreads, moneylines, and totals shown here are from the sportsbook in your state and are available to bet on now.
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