We’re down to just four teams remaining in the 2020 NFL season and while some are getting key players back at the right time, others have All Pros who may not be available for the biggest game of the season.
With that being said, here’s a breakdown of all the injury headlines heading into Championship Weekend.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers, 3:05 PM
Buccaneers
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Antonio Brown
|
WR | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
|
Mike Evans
|
WR | Knee | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Chris Godwin
|
WR | Quad | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Ronald Jones II
|
RB | Quad/Finger | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
|
Antione Winfield Jr.
|
S | Ankle | (-) | FP | DNP | Questionable |
|
Sean Murphy-Bunting
|
CB | Quad. | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
|
Jason Pierre-Paul
|
OLB | Knee/Not injury related | DNP | DNP | DNP | (-) |
|
Jordan Whitehead
|
S | Knee | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
Injured Reserve: LB Jack Cichy, arm; G Alex Cappa, ankle; C AQ Shipley, neck; DT Vita Vea, leg; TE OJ Howard, Achilles.
- The loss of Antonio Brown is the big news of the week. Brown broke out at the end of the regular season, but has struggled in the postseason, earning just three targets in each game. Scott Miller will take Brown’s snaps in the slot and is more than capable of producing. Miller had 25 catches for 400 yards in the Bucs’ eight games before acquiring Brown.
- Rookie S Antione Winfield Jr. was a late addition to the injury report this week and his “questionable” designation is a bit surprising. Winfield has been one of the NFL’s best run-defending safeties according to Pro Football Focus, but will probably be replaced by Mike Edwards if he is unable to go. Edwards has played sparingly this season, but has excelled in pass coverage, allowing a passer rating of 20.8 when targeted and intercepting two passes.
- Defensive tackle Vita Vea is expected to be activated off the IR prior to Sunday’s game. Vea hasn’t played since fracturing his leg in Week 5. Vea’s 90.1 defensive grade for 2020 makes him the highest-graded Bucs defender on PFF. Vea will be a great addition to a defense that ranked third in the NFL in pressure rate.
Packers
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Krys Barnes
|
LB | Thumb | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Mason Crosby
|
K | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
AJ Dillon
|
RB | Quadricep | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Kingsley Keke
|
DL | Concussion | LP | LP | DNP | Out |
|
Allen Lazard
|
WR | Wrist/Back | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Marcedes Lewis
|
TE | Knee | LP | DNP | FP | (-) |
|
Will Redmond
|
S | Knee | FP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Za’Darius Smith
|
LB | Thumb | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Kevin King
|
CB | Back | (-) | (-) | DNP | Questionable |
|
Rick Wagner
|
T | Knee | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Jamaal Williams
|
RB | Ankle | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
Injured Reserve: T David Bakhtiari, knee; DE Billy Winn, triceps; DT Montravius Adams, toe; G Lane Taylor, knee.
- Defensive end Kingsley Keke is in concussion protocol and will not be ready to play on Sunday. Keke had a season-high five tackles when the Packers played Tampa Bay in Week 6. Kenny Clark has started in Keke’s place on the right side during the past two weeks and he delivered with a pair of sacks against the Rams. Tyler Lancaster could also see an increase of snaps with Keke out, but he has been a non-factor.
- Kevin King was inactive in the Week 6 matchup between these teams and is now listed as questionable after missing Friday’s practice with a back injury. Josh Jackson replaced King in Week 6, but committed a pair of penalties and would probably be supplanted by Tramon Williams if King is out. Williams, whose time with the Packers dates back to 2007, has played mostly in the slot since returning to the team in Week 10.
- Offensive tackle Jared Veldheer will miss his second-straight game after testing positive for COVID-19.
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs, 6:40 PM
Bills
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vernon Butler
|
DT | Quad | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
|
Gabriel Davis
|
WR | Ankle | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
|
Stefon Diggs
|
WR | Oblique | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
|
Tremaine Edmunds
|
LB | Hamstring | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Jake Fromm
|
QB | Not injury | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Quinton Jefferson
|
DL | Ankle | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Darryl Johnson
|
DE | Knee | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
|
Cole Beasley
|
WR | Knee | LP | FP | (-) |
Injured Reserve: RB Zack Moss, ankle; T Cody Ford, knee.
- Vernon Butler has started every game at defensive tackle since Week 7, but is still searching for his sack and has managed just three quarterback hits in 299 pass-rushing snaps. Justin Zimmer could see more snaps if Butler is limited. Zimmer was the Bills highest-graded defender against the Ravens according to PFF.
- Gabriel Davis has seen at least four targets in every game since Week 12, but his loss will be mitigated by Cole Beasley, who is expected to play despite dealing with a knee injury. Beasley was the NFL’s most productive slot receiver in 2020.
- The loss of Zack Moss seemed to really affect the Bills gameplan last week. Josh Allen threw 22 passes and Bills running backs got just one carry in the first half. All told, the Bills ran just 16 times for 32 yards against Baltimore with Devin Singletary and TJ Yeldon combining for 29 yards on 10 carries.
Chiefs
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Willie Gay
|
LB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
|
Bashaud Breeland
|
CB | Concussion/Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
|
RB | Ankle / Hip | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Rashad Fenton
|
CB | Foot | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Sammy Watkins
|
WR | Calf | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
|
Patrick Mahomes
|
QB | Concussion / Toe | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
|
Le’Veon Bell
|
RB | Knee | (-) | DNP | DNP | Questionable |
Injured Reserve: T Mitchell Schwartz, back; DE Taco Charlton, ankle; G Kelechi Osemele, knee.
- Despite being limited in practice all week, Patrick Mahomes is expected to play. He has passed concussion protocol and shouldn’t be limited against Buffalo.
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire was a game-time decision last week and will be again this week. The rookie running back hasn’t played since suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 15. With Le’Veon Bell also questionable with a knee injury, Darrel Williams would be the Chiefs top running back if Edwards-Helaire is out or limited. Williams gained 78 yards on 13 carries last week.
- Bashaud Breeland is questionable, as is Rashad Fenton, leaving the Kansas City secondary in a bit of flux. Antonio Hamilton could start on the outside if Breeland is out. Hamilton has been targeted 10 times in 85 coverage snaps, allowing seven completions, 125 yards and a TD.
