This season’s playoffs have been heavily influenced by injuries, and will be even moreso in the Divisional Round. No team has escaped casualties so far, so below you’ll find each team’s major injuries, and how each will affect them on a scale of 1-5, with five being critical.
Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Questionable: Roethlisberger played the hero last week in leading the Steelers to a game-winning field goal attempt (with big assists from out-of-control Bengals) despite nursing an injured shoulder. It turns out he has a sprained AC joint as well as torn ligaments.
Antonio Brown 'Not Looking Good' For Broncos Game
As crazy as it sounds, Big Ben could still play through that injury, and he hopes to practice Wednesday. If he’s out, losing him is arguably the most damaging injury in the playoffs. If he’s severely limited, however, it may be just as bad. There’s no way around this injury handicapping Pittsburgh’s offense. Effect: 3
Antonio Brown, WR, Doubtful: Brown was accused of faking his head injury by Bengals CB Pacman Jones, but he definitely wasn’t. Brown was knocked out by Vontaze Burfict, and doesn’t look like he’ll suit up Sunday. Brown was the NFL’s leading receiver, so the Steelers passing attack is going to take a huge hit. This is potentially worse than Big Ben’s injury, because he won’t even be on the field. Effect: 4
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Questionable: Williams is still in a walking boot with his ankle injury, and looks very unlikely to play. RB is a position that most teams can withstand injuries, but Williams was a replacement himself for Le’Veon Bell. Fitzgerald Toussaint is passable, but not the same. Effect: 3
Lynch Must Accept Backseat To Russell Wilson If He Returns
Seahawks
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Questionable: Lynch was fully expected to play last week before bizarrely ruling himself out on Friday. There are inklings of a non-injury related dispute brewing here between Lynch and the team, so it’s tough to handicap what will happen. So far Christine Michael has been adequate, but Lynch would come in handy vs. Carolina’s staunch run defense. Effect: 3
Packers
David Bakhtiari, LT, Questionable: No team wants to lose their left tackle, especially against a defense like Arizona’s. Bakhtiari may play in this one, but he’ll be limited even if he’s out there. The Packers got on track without him last week so it’s possible they can survive, but the Redskins and Cardinals pose different threats. Effect: 3
Davante Adams, WR, Questionable: Adams hurt his foot yet again, and looks unlikely to play vs. the Cardinals. The good news is that Adams hasn’t done much all year, and Rodgers’ weaponry isn’t significantly downgraded. Effect: 2
Chiefs
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Questionable: Maclin reportedly suffered a “mild, high ankle sprain” even though it seemed worse when he went down. Maclin is incredibly important to the Chiefs’ offense, because he takes pressure off TE Travis Kelce and demands attention from his opponents’ top DBs. If he can’t go, KC could be done before the opening kickoff. Effect: 4
Patriots
Dont’a Hightower, LB, Questionable: Hightower is essential to the Pats’ D, and he will be especially useful in dealing with Kelce. He’s missed the last few weeks, but is expected to return this week. Effect: 2
Chandler Jones, DE, Questionable: Jones was hospitalized last week, reportedly after overdosing on pills of some kind. He’s back at practice, so it seems like he will play, but it’s near-impossible to predict the effect this could have. Being that he is on track to play, the Pats’ D shouldn’t miss a beat. Effect: 1
Julian Edelman, WR, Questionable: Edelman is expected to be back as Tom Brady’s security blanket, and the effect will be massive. However this is measuring negative impact, so in that regard it’s non-existent. Effect: 1
Panthers
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Questionable: Stewart is expected to practice Wednesday, putting him on track to play vs. the Seahawks. That’s great news for Carolina, who will find it tough sledding with or without him against the Seattle run defense. Effect: 1
Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Questionable: Ginn is expected to play in this game with a banged-up knee, but that’s a tough one for Ginn to gut through. He is completely reliant on his blazing speed, and his main value to Cam Newton is torching defensive backs deep. He could be a non-factor this week if he’s not right. Luckily the Panthers have been able to withstand games in which Ginn has done nothing before. Effect: 2
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