There are several notable injuries to watch out for in the days leading up to this weekend’s games. The NFL’s eight remaining teams are trying to stay as healthy as possible ahead of their respective divisional round playoff games, with trips to the AFC and NFC conference title games on the line.
One injury Ravens and Bills fans are specifically paying attention to is the status of Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, who hasn’t practiced since injuring his knee during Baltimore’s Week 18 win over the Cleveland Browns. Flowers was inactive in Baltimore’s 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round. The Ravens, however, would surely love to have him back on the field for Sunday night’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Here’s a look at each team’s Wednesday injury report.
Saturday
The Texans had one player not participate in practice, wide receiver Robert Woods (hip). Woods missed his second consecutive practice. Running back Joe Mixon was added to the injury report with an ankle injury and was listed as limited. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and guard Shaq Mason (knee) went from not practicing on Tuesday to being limited on Wednesday.
For the Chiefs, receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) was the only player who did not practice at full capacity the past two days. Hardman was limited during both practices. Cornerback Jaylen Watson participated fully after the Chiefs opened their 21-day practice window earlier this month. Watson hasn’t played since fracturing his fibula in Week 7.
In Washington, linebackers Jordan Magee (hamstring) and Bobby Wagner (ankle) were the only two players who did not practice the last two days. Wide receiver Jamison Crowder (rest, hamstring), tight end Zach Ertz (rest) and defensive tackle Clelin Ferrell (knee) were limited Wednesday after not practicing Tuesday. Defensive tackle Daron Payne (finger) and tight end Ben Sinnott (shoulder) were limited both days. Kicker Zane Gonzalez (hip) participated fully Wednesday after being limited Tuesday.
For the Lions, defensive lineman Pat O’Connor (calf), cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring) and guard Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) have not practiced the past two days. Offensive tackle Taylor Decker (personal) did not practice Wednesday after not having an injury designation on Tuesday.
Cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot) and running back David Montgomery (foot) participated fully both days. Montgomery said he feels confident about his knee after missing the Lions’ final three regular-season games.
“It’s refreshing,” Montgomery said via ESPN. “It’s like I’m back in a position where I can help the team, yeah I missed it, I’m really happy to be back.”
Sunday
A light injury report for the Rams on Wednesday as they prepare for the Eagles. Tight end Tyler Higbee (chest) was limited after leaving Monday’s game and was hospitalized after coughing up blood. The Rams expect Higbee to play on Sunday.
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (thigh), nose tackle Bobby Brown III (shoulder) and offensive lineman Alaric Jackson (chest) did not practice.
The Eagles had many players on a rest day, which has been the norm for the past few Wednesdays. Running back Saquon Barkley, center Cam Jurgens, tackle Jordan Mailata and outside linebacker Josh Sweat were the players who had a full day of rest. Quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) and defensive tackle Byron Young (hamstring) practiced hard.
Wide receiver AJ Brown (knee) also had a designated day of rest. The Eagles designated him as a knee/rest on the injury report.
Ravens (-1) at Bills
Running back Ray Davis (concussion) and offensive lineman Alec Anderson (calf) were the only Bills players practicing in a limited capacity Wednesday.
In Baltimore, Zay Flowers (knee) was the only Ravens player who did not practice Wednesday. In fact, every other Ravens player practiced at full capacity. While Flowers continuing to not practice isn’t ideal, CBS Sports NFL senior reporter Tracy Wolfson doesn’t believe Flowers’ practice status necessarily tells the story about his potential availability for Sunday.
“I don’t think I need to practice this week to be there,” Wolfson told CBSSports.com.
If Flowers can’t go, the Ravens’ offense will continue to focus on the career of Derrick Henry, who is coming off his 186-yard, two-touchdown performance in last Saturday’s win over the Steelers. Henry rushed for 1,921 yards during the regular season, the most rushing yards for a player over the age of 30.
“There has to be balance,” Wolfson said of Henry when asked if he has to have a Derrick Henry-like game for the Ravens to win in Buffalo. “You don’t want to put all the pressure on Lamar Jackson to go out and try to do everything himself… He doesn’t have to go out and have 199 yards like he did last time (against the Bills). I think there needs to be a a little bit of balance and keeping the defense honest.
If Flowers can’t go, Wolfson alluded to Rashod Bateman and Justice Hill as players Jackson can continue to lean on in the passing game. Both players caught touchdown passes in Baltimore’s win over Pittsburgh.
