The Friday injury reports are out, so we have some final information about five of the six games this weekend. (Eagles-Bucs is Monday and we won’t know until tomorrow what's up with guys like A.J. Brown.) But here's what we have on the eve of tomorrow's games.
No surprises for Cleveland-Houston, although one negative development for Cleveland's prospects. WR Cedric Tillman (concussion), S Grant Delpit (groin) and K Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) are all out. The negative development is that cornerback Denzel Ward (knee) is questionable after injuring his knee in practice on Thursday. We don't really know how serious it is, but if he's limited or absent, it's a blow to Cleveland's pass defense. We were already thinking Houston would win this game and their offense would be solid. That feeling is only strengthened by Ward's possible absence.
For Houston, the main injury concern is WR Noah Brown (back). He didn't practice at all on Tuesday or Wednesday, then got in a limited practice on Thursday. Can't be used without first confirming he's active. Next in line, Robert Woods, has a hip concern, but he got in limited practices on both Wednesday and Thursday; should play (but a low-upside type of choice). The Texans also list a bunch of defensive players as questionable, including Will Anderson; all of those guys were at least able to get in limited practices on Thursday. Similar to Brown, it's not certain they'll play.
Miami-Kansas City on Saturday night has some concerns, most notably weather. Starting with the injuries, we know Miami is short-handed defensively, with a couple of their best pass rushers on IR. They also won't have CB Xavien Howard (foot), and they also might not have safety Jevon Holland (knee). Howard has been ruled out, while Holland is questionable but didn't practice all week. Nor did safety DeShon Elliott (calf). So their defense will be short-handed, a plus for Kansas City. Miami should have Jaylen Waddle (ankle), who was able to get in limited practices all week (although only Thursday was actual practice; the first two were estimated). And they'll probably also have Raheem Mostert (questionable with knee and ankle injuries, but getting in limited practices). Kansas City is pretty much healthy. Kadarius Toney (hip, ankle) might not play. Toney playing isn't usable, so whatever.
Weather is the big issue. Turns out our initial expectations of single-digit temperatures might have been optimistic. Temperature is expected to be minus-1 degrees at kickoff, dropping as low as minus-4 during the game. No precipitation, and winds not terrible (12 mph), but very cold, which should definitely have an impact on both offenses. Running games seem a little more promising than passing games.
Gabe Davis (knee) has been ruled out of the Steelers-Bills game. This was the expectation; with him out, Khalil Shakir is viable. Pittsburgh won't have T.J. Watt (knee), which we knew already, but they do get back safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, a big plus. Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee) is questionable; didn't practice this week.
The real concern is that there's a blizzard hitting Buffalo this weekend. It does seem like the worst of the snow might be over with by gametime, but it will be snowing all Saturday night, Sunday morning and possibly into the start of the game. If you're planning on going, leave a little extra time to warm up your car. Temperature will be in the low 20s. The big concern, as discussed in the Weekly, is that winds will be up to 27 mph during the game, making conditions difficult for both passing and kicking games. It's enough that I'm not sure whether I'm going to use Josh Allen in a couple of playoff leagues where rosters lock tomorrow. He might not be great in those conditions, and it seems like the kind of thing that could level the playing field, perhaps enabling Pittsburgh to steal a low-scoring, run-dominated game.
Packers-Cowboys has no weather concerns of course. AJ Dillon (thumb) is doubtful, a plus for Aaron Jones. Green Bay removed Romeo Doubs and Luke Musgrave from the injury report; those guys are fine. Christian Watson (hamstring) is questionable, which with the Packers could mean anything from he's good to go or there's zero chance of him suiting up. I'm not counting on Watson being in the lineup and you shouldn't either, but it's possible. Dallas is healthy.
Lions-Rams has a couple of pieces of injury news. Biggest is that Sam LaPorta (knee) is questionable, but he was listed as a full participant in practice on Friday -- he's playing. On Wednesday, we didn't think he'd play. Now, unless the Lions are messing around with the injury report, he should be out there in close this usual capacity. Should be 1st or 2nd at TE this week, up there with Njoku, albeit with a degree of risk (let's see what the talking heads are saying on Sunday). Kalif Raymond, though, has a knee injury and didn't practice all week; he’s out. That's a negative for Detroit, but a plus for Josh Reynolds and Jameson Williams; they won't lose any snaps or targets to Raymond. For the Rams, Tyler Higbee (shoulder) is questionable. Limited practices. Higbee not a great option regardless, but with him probably playing, the sleeper appeal of Davis Allen is gone.
Playing on Monday night, Eagles-Bucs won't release its final injury report until tomorrow. Bucs are healthy. Looks like the Eagles will have DeVonta Smith (ankle), who's been practicing fully. Uncertain is A.J. Brown (knee), who hasn't practiced the first two days of the week. Jalen Hurts was limited with a finger injury on Thursday, but upgraded to a full practice on Friday. He'll play, but we'll see if the finger is an issue. Oh yeah, it's expected to be raining in Tampa on Monday night (60-70 percent chance). Slick conditions seemingly not great for a quarterback with a finger injury, but at least he practiced fully on Friday.
Last but not least, the Ravens have opened up the practice window for Mark Andrews (ankle/leg). This doesn't mean he's playing in the Divisional Round, but it suggests the team thinks he might be able to return before the Super Bowl. I was going to use Isaiah Likely at tight end in a league where rosters lock tomorrow. Now I'm not so sure. If Andrews is back for say the AFC Championship, Likely probably won't be usable.
--Andy Richardson