The NFL regular season has concluded and now 13 teams will attempt to stop the Kansas City Chiefs from becoming the first team to win three successive football championships as the playoffs begin.
The Chiefs stormed to a 15-2 record despite missing several key players, as injuries to Rashee Rice, Isaiah Pacheco, and Marquise Brown put pressure on head coach Andy Reid to look elsewhere. In the NFC, the Detroit Lions clinched the No. 1 seed, despite also missing major leaders through injury.
The Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Denver Broncos make up the other playoff contenders from the AFC Conference. The Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and Green Bay Packers complete the NFC.
Mirror U.S. Sports brings you all the injury news heading into the wild-card round below…
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Stay tuned to The Mirror US Sports throughout the rest of the week for any and all injury updates and NFL news ahead of wildcard weekend.
Bills-Steelers Wednesday updates
Only three Denver Broncos players didn’t practice fully on Wednesday. Cornerback Damarri Mathis (back) and guard Ben Powers (vet rest day) were limited while offensive tackle Frank Crum (illness) didn’t practice.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills – the AFC No. 2 seed – had just two players who didn’t participate in Wednesday’s walkthrough: returner Brandon Codrington (hamstring) and cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram (personal).
Texans injury updates
Five Houston Texans players didn’t practice fully, and only one player – guard Shaq Mason (knee) – didn’t practice. Four players were limited during Wednesday’s practice: defensive end Denico Autry (knee), linebacker Jake Hansen (ankle), wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder) and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (ankle).
Chargers injury updates
Los Angeles Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston (thigh, illness) and Josh Palmer (foot) joined defensive back Ja’Sir Taylor (oblique) in not practicing on Wednesday. Running back duo J.K. Dobbins (ankle) and Gus Edwards (ankle) were both limited.
The Chargers face the Houston Texans on the road on Saturday.
Patrick Mahomes eyeing history
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is playoff win away from tying Joe Montana for the second-most ever in NFL history. Mahomes has achievede his 15 victories in just seven seasons, compared to Montana’s 16-year career.
Mahomes had struggled with an ankle injury late in the season, but recovered to help the Chiefs clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC. He will enjoy the bye this week before hosting a team at Arrowhead in the Divisional Round,
Double trouble for Green Bay
Green Bay Packers starting quarterback Jordan Love threw on a “limited basis” during Wednesday’s practice as he battles a concerning elbow injury ahead of the playoff clash against the Philadelphia Eagles. But not only is the starter ailing, the backup is too.
Malik Willis was also limited in practice after sustaining a wrist issue of his own in the loss to the Chicago Bears.
NFL confirms contingency plan in place for Vikings-Rams playoff game
The NFL announced the wildcard contest between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings on Monday night is still scheduled to go ahead at SoFi Stadium. However, there is a contingency plan in place in case a change of location is needed amid the Palisades Fire sweeping through the region.
The league confirmed the Rams would clash with the Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ on Monday night instead if necessary.
Eli Apple set to return from IR
The Los Angeles Chargers have been handed a boost to their secondary ahead of the playoff game versus the Houston Texans..
On Wednesday, cornerback Eli Apple was designated to return from injured reserve. Apple has been battling a hamstring issue sustained in the Week 12 clash with the Baltimore Ravens. The No. 10 overall pick of the 2016 draft, Apple recorded two total tackles with one pass defensed in his four games with LA so far.
Jalen Hurts limited participant in Wednesday’s practice
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was a limited participant on Wednesday, due to returning from a concussion sustained in Week 16.
Hurts hadn’t practiced since leaving the Week 16 defeat to the Washington Commanders, but continues to navigate concussion protocol. The Eagles face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, but opposing quarterback Jordan Love was also limited on Wednesday.
In addition to the concussion, Hurts also has a left finger issue.
Terrion Arnold hopes to join David Montgomery in playoffs
Rookie Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold was carted off the field in Sunday’s Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings, after suffering a right foot injury.
Initial X-rays were negative, and Arnold has since been diagnosed with a right foot contusion. Another defensive injury is the last thing that the Lions need, but after the game Arnold said “I’m playing” when being asked about the playoffs.
Arnold is considered ‘day-to-day’ but believes that God will ensure he returns. “I had my moment where I talked to God,” Arnold said. “I just put it in his hands. And we got a bye week. We got the best trainers in the NFL, and I feel comfortable. And I feel like they can get me back. We are just going to put it in God’s hands.”
Terrion Arnold ‘spoke to God’ after being carted off (
2024 Kevin Sabitus)
Other notable injury updates on Wednesday
David Montgomery expected back next week
The Detroit Lions managed to secure a first-round bye without running back David Montgomery, but he’s set to re-join the roster just in time for the playoffs.
The Lions were handed a major blow when Montgomery suffered an MCL injury in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills, with it initially feared as season ending. In his absence, Jahmyr Gibbs set a new franchise record with 20 regular-season touchdowns.
But Gibbs is set to be reunited with his running back partner, after head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that Montgomery should return for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. The Lions will face the winner from Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings.
Gus Edwards battling for Saturday return
Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards was a limited participant in Tuesday’s practice, but hopes to return to full practice by Thursday.
The Chargers have only just welcomed back starting running back JK Dobbins, but Edwards missed the final two games of the season. In order to not be left short in the playoffs, the Chargers reacted and signed former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Elliott requested his release after the Cowboys missed out on the playoffs, in the hopes of joining a championship contender. Elliott has since ended up on Jim Harbaugh’s roster, and may feature against the Houston Texans on Saturday.
Ezekiel Elliott has been released by the Dallas Cowboys for the second time (
2024 Cooper Neill)
Jordan Love ‘hopeful’ he will play against Eagles
Jordan Love was a limited participant on Wednesday, but is still hopeful he will start against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
“We’ll see. Yeah. I’m hopeful,” Love said when being asked about his chances of playing in the Wild Card game. The Green Bay Packers quarterback also said he has no more numbness in his hand but feels some soreness in his throwing elbow, which was the reason for his limited participation.
Jordan Love limited in Wednesday’s practice
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love did practice with the team on Wednesday, but head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that he was a limited participant.
LaFleur confirmed that Love did some throwing, which is an encouraging sign after hurting his elbow in Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears. LaFleur expects both love and backup Malik Willis to be okay on Sunday, when they face the Philadelphia Eagles.
It remains to be seen how involved Love is tomorrow.
Blake Corum to miss remainder of Los Angeles Rams season
Rookie running back Blake Corum has been denied a first participation in the NFL Playoffs, after he suffered a fractured forearm during Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Corum has been placed on IR, marking the end of his rookie season and forcing the Rams to sign running back Royce Freeman to the practice squad. Corum acted as a backup to Kyren Williams, who has starred this season.
As a member of Michigan’s national championship roster, Corum was a third-round pick in the 2024 draft, and rushed for 207 yards and caught seven passes for 58 yards as a rookie.
Blake Corum’s prediction that the Los Angeles Rams will have a successful season is coming to fruition (
Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Zay Flowers not in practice on Wednesday
For the second straight day, wide receiver Zay Flowers was absent from Baltimore Ravens practice.
Flowers suffered a knee injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. His injury isn’t expected to be season-ending, but Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers may come too soon for the second-year receiver.
For Flowers to have a realistic chance of playing he will need to be a limited participant by the end of Thursday. All eyes are on tomorrow’s session.
Zay Flowers a ‘long-shot’ for Saturday’s game
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers suffered a knee injury early in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns in Week 18, and was the only player that didn’t practice on Tuesday.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that Flowers is “day-to-day” and that his knee injury isn’t being treated as season-ending. However, per NFL Media, it’s looking less likely that Flowers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.
It would be a major miss for the Ravens, and for quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Zay Flowers left Sunday’s game with a knee injury (
2025 Getty Images)Don’t Miss
Jordan Love practicing for Green Bay Packers on Wednesday
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that it would take two days to find out whether quarterback Jordan Love would be ready for Sunday’s playoff clash against the Philadelphia Eagles.
On Wednesday, fans got a good indication that he will play as Love practiced with the team, as did backup Malik Willis.
Sirianni isn’t worried about Hurts being rusty
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed that quarterback Jalen Hurts will practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a concussion in Week 16.
Sirianni hasn’t opened up on what type of work Hurts will be doing, but the fact he is out there is a major boost. “He’ll be out there today,” Sirianni said Wednesday. “We’ll get you the injury report after practice. We’ll see how it goes. But we’ll get you the injury report after practice today.”
The Eagles face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, who are dealing with injury issues of their own. Despite no reps in several weeks, Sirianni is confident should Hurts start against Green Bay.
“This is why you practice,” Sirianni said. “This is why you go through the process of practicing and all the things that you do in practice to get on the same page to do everything there. We feel like we practice at a very high intensity level. This is why you go out there and do these things.”
Packers without Christian Watson for ‘foreseeable future’
While Jordan Love is looking to bounce back from an elbow issue in time to face the Philadelphia Eagles, wide receiver Christian Watson’s season is over.
Watson has torn his ACL, in what’s been described as a major loss by head coach Matt LaFleur. “It’s a big-time loss. Just his presence on the field alone — he’s so versatile in his ability to play multiple positions. “[Y]ou can move him all over the place.
“Obviously, he’s got an element in terms of his size and speed that’s tough to replicate. There’s not many built like him around the league. And I just, I hurt for him. I obviously hurt for our team, but just more for him, just because I know how much he’s put into this thing — just like all our guys. You never want to see that. It’s an unfortunate part of our game.
“But, like I told him, I know he’ll attack it the right way. He’ll handle the adversity. It’ll just be a bump in the road for him and I think he’ll come back better. That’s just how he is built, that’s how he’s wired. And so, I do think that there will be good. It’s just going to be down the road.”
Jordan Love’s current status for Sunday
The Green Bay Packers lost to the Chicago Bears in Week 18, but were also hurt in the quarterback position.
Jordan Love left the game after hurting his elbow, and backup Malik Willis was also shaken up during the contest. Head coach Matt LaFleur sparked further concern when stating on Monday that he wasn’t sure if either quarterback will be limited in practice.
LaFleur thinks that Love will be okay, but will know more by the end of Thursday. “I talked to both of those guys. They seem to be doing alright,” LaFleur said. “But as far as their limits — I think they’re going to be OK, but we’ll find out over the next two days.”
Jalen Hurts injury update
The Philadelphia Eagles have been without quarterback Jalen Hurts since he suffered a concussion in Week 16 against the Washington Commanders.
After being rested in Weeks 17 and 18, fans were convinced that he’d be back ready for the playoffs, but Hurts is set to practice for the first time on Tuesday. Head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed on Monday that Hurts remains in concussion protocol, but failed to specify which stage the quarterback finds himself in.
Per the NFL concussion protocol, all players must complete these five stages before returning:
- Symptom limited activity
- Aerobic exercise
- Football specific exercise
- Club-based non-contact training drills
- Full football activity/clearance
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Getty Images)
NFL Wild Card schedule
Saturday, Jan. 11
AFC: No. 4 Houston Texans vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers – 4:30 p.m. ET
AFC: No. 3 Baltimore Ravens vs. No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers – 8 p.m. ET
Sunday, Jan. 12
AFC: No. 2 Buffalo Bills vs. No.7 Denver Broncos – 1 p.m. ET
NFC: No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles vs. No. 7 Green Bay Packers – 4:30 p.m. ET
NFC: No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. No. 6 Washington Commanders – 8 p.m. ET
Monday, Jan. 13
NFC: No. 4 Los Angeles Rams vs. No. 5 Minnesota Vikings – 8 p.m. ET
Welcome!
The NFL Playoffs begin on Saturday with six wild-card matchups to be completed before Tuesday morning.
The qualifying 14 teams will soon be reduced to eight, when conference champions Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions come into the equation during the divisional round. Although the top-seeded teams are heavily favored to make a deep run, some major injuries in recent weeks have complicated things.
The Baltimore Ravens are waiting to learn more on an injury sustained by wide receicver Zay Flowers, and ahead of the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, both quarterbacks aren’t guaranteed to start.
For all injury-related news, follow the live blog here…
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