The 2021 NFL Playoffs kick off on Saturday, and unsurprisingly, most of the teams that remain in the field of contention stayed very healthy over the course of the season.

As of this writing, there isn’t a single backup quarterback expected to play this weekend and there as some key players, such as J.J. Watt and Derrick Henry (next week), who could make heroic returns.

For all non-roster injuries, be sure to bookmark our Playoff COVID-19 Tracker and the Injured Reserve Tracker. And for this week’s injury reports and analysis on all the game, read on:

Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals; (Sat.) 4:30 PM

Raiders

Player	Position	Injury	Tue	Wed	Thu	Game Status
Divine Deablo	LB	Shoulder/Wrist	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Johnathan Hankins	DT	Back/Knee	DNP	DNP	LP	Questionable
Casey Hayward Jr.	CB	Ankle	LP	LP	LP	(-)
Josh Jacobs	RB	Ribs	LP	LP	LP	(-)
Andre James	C	Foot	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Tre’von Moehrig	S	Shoulder	LP	FP	FP	(-)
Foster Moreau	TE	Abdomen/Ankle	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Denzel Perryman	LB	Wrist	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Hunter Renfrow	WR	Hip	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Darren Waller	TE	Knee	LP	LP	LP	(-)
Quinton Jefferson	DT	Foot	(-)	(-)	LP	(-)
Kendal Vickers	DT	Back	(-)	(-)	LP	(-)

– The interior of the Raiders defensive line is already thin after Darius Philon was placed on the IR this week, but if Johnathan Hankins is unable to play as well, it could be an issue for Vegas.

Joe Mixon had a season-high 30 carries against the Raiders when these teams met in the regular season, rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns. If Hankins can’t go, Las Vegas will rely on Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas and practice squad call-up Damion Square.

Bengals

Player	Position	Injury	Tue	Wed	Thu	Game Status
Ricardo Allen	S	Concussion	DNP	LP	FP	(-)
Josh Tupou	DT	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Doubtful
Jalen Davis	CB	Ankle	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Ankle	LP	FP	FP	(-)
Hakeem Adeniji	G	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Joe Burrow	QB	Knee	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Sam Hubbard	DE	Thigh	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Evan McPherson	K	Groin	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Quinton Spain	OG	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	(-)
C.J. Uzomah	TE	Knee/Hip	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Stanley Morgan	WR	Hamstring	DNP	LP	LP	Questionable
Cam Sample	EDGE	Hamstring	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Tee Higgins	WR	Foot	FP	LP	LP	(-)

– Defensive tackle Josh Tupou is the only starter who is in jeopardy of being inactive on Sunday after he suffered a knee injury in Week 18. The four-year vet has made nine starts this season, but has zero sacks or tackles for loss.

Tupou played only nine snaps the teams’ previous meeting, with Larry Ogunjobi and D.J. Reader handling most of the playing time. The interior of the Raiders offensive line is weak with both guards, Alex Leatherwood and John Simpson, ranking among the top-10 in pressures allowed at their position,

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills; (Sat.) 8:15 PM

Patriots

Player	Position	Injury	Tue	Wed	Thu	Game Status
David Andrews	C	Shoulder	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Christian Barmore	DT	Knee	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Cody Davis	DB	Wrist	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Kyle Dugger	DB	Hand	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Nick Folk	K	Left Knee	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Lawrence Guy	DL	Shoulder	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Damien Harris	RB	Hamstring	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Dont’a Hightower	LB	Knee	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Brandon King	LB	Toe	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Jakobi Meyers	WR	Thigh	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Adrian Phillips	DB	Knee	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Isaiah Wynn	OL	Hip/Ankle	LP	DNP	DNP	Out
Jamie Collins Sr.	LB	Ankle		DNP	LP	Questionable

– The Patriots will be without defensive backs Jalen Mills and Shaun Wade on Saturday as neither was able to clear COVID-19 protocols prior to 4 pm on Friday afternoon.

Mills is a particularly big loss, considering he’s started 16 games at cornerback this season. After a rough start to the season, Mills has played better as of late, allowing just one explosive catch since Week 9.

Joejuan Williams started when Mills was absent in Week 5 and could find himself starting again this week. He allowed two catches for 77 yards and a TD against the Texans, but has improved since, allowing just five completions on his last 11 targets.

– Starting left tackle Isaiah Wynn will be absent on Saturday after the team downgraded him to “out” on Friday afternoon. Justin Herron will get the start after filling in for Wynn against Miami in Week 18.

Herron played well against the Dolphins pass rush, allowing just one hurry on 30 pass-blocking snaps. He did start against Buffalo as a rookie in 2020, allowing two pressures and a sack.

Bills

Player	Position	Injury	Tue	Wed	Thu	Game Status
Efe Obada	DE	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Emmanuel Sanders	WR	Knee	FP	FP	FP	(-)

– The return of Emmanuel Sanders could be a huge boost for the Bills struggling passing attack, especially with Mills sidelined for New England. Sanders has torched the Patriots in his career, averaging over 70 yards per game against them.

Without Sanders the last two weeks, Josh Allen completed less than 50 percent of his passes and threw three interceptions. Gabriel Davis was targeted 13 times in Week 18, but caught only three passes. His time on the field should diminish with Sanders healthy.

– Backup left guard Ryan Bates has played well since taking over for Ike Boettger in Week 16. He has allowed just three pressures in those games, including one on 52 pass-blocking snaps against New England in Week 16.

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 1:00 PM

Eagles

Player	Position	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Game Status
Shaun Bradley	LB	Stinger	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Fletcher Cox	DT	Rest	DNP	FP	FP	(-)
Landon Dickerson	OL	Thumb	LP	FP	FP	(-)
Andre Dillard	T	Knee	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Nate Herbig	G	Ankle	LP	LP	DNP	Questionable
Jalen Hurts	QB	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Lane Johnson	T	Rest/Knee	DNP	LP	LP	(-)
Jason Kelce	C	Rest	DNP	FP	FP	(-)
Miles Sanders	RB	Hand	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Josh Sweat	DE	Illness	DNP	DNP	DNP	Questionable
Kary Vincent Jr.	DB	Foot	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Greg Ward	WR	Back	LP	FP	FP	(-)
Patrick Johnson	LB	Back			LP	(-)

– Miles Sanders is expected to play on Sunday with zero limitations after suffering a broken hand in Week 16. He was enjoying the best stretch of his career prior to the injury, averaging over 90 yards per game and six yards per carry over a five week stretch.

– Josh Sweat didn’t practice all week due to an illness, but is still considered “questionable.” The Eagles pass rush has struggled all season, ranking 31st in blitz rate and 23rd in pressure rate across the NFL.

Sweat has been the most productive pass rusher on the Eagles in recent weeks, earning four sacks and 15 pressures in the last four games. If he’s out, Ryan Kerrigan will be inserted into the starting lineup.

Kerrigan has been a huge disappointment with the Eagles after a stellar career in Washington. Outside of his lone quarterback hit against Detroit, Kerrigan hasn’t touched a quarterback all season, ranking as one of six edge rushers this season to not record a sack.

Buccaneers

Player	Position	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Game Status
Shaquil Barrett	OLB	Knee	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Jamel Dean	CB	Hamstring	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Mike Evans	WR	Hamstring	LP	FP	FP	(-)
Cyril Grayson Jr.	WR	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Ryan Jensen	C	Shoulder	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Ronald Jones II	RB	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Sean Murphy-Bunting	CB	Hamstring	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Anthony Nelson	OLB	Ankle	DNP	LP	FP	(-)
Breshad Perriman	WR	Hip	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Bradley Pinion	P	Right hip	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Jason Pierre-Paul	OLB	Shoulder/Knee	LP	LP	DNP	(-)
Rashard Robinson	CB	Groin	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Ke’Shawn Vaughn	RB	Ribs	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Justin Watson	WR	Quadricep	LP	LP	FP	Questionable
Carlton Davis III	CB	Back	(-)	(-)	LP	Questionable

– The Buccaneers running game will be short-handed on Sunday with Leonard Fournette remaining on the IR.  Playoff Lenny carried the load for Tampa Bay last year, averaging over 20 touches per game and gaining 448 yards from scrimmage during their Super Bowl run.

With Ronald Jones also expected to be out due to an ankle injury, Ke’Shawn Vaughn and the recently-activated Giovani Bernard will split time in the backfield. Vaughn averaged 3.3 yards per carry in the Bucs last two games and Bernard hasn’t had more than five touches in a game since Week 5.

– Linebacker Lavonte David was activated from the IR on Saturday and is expected to start against the Eagles top-ranked rushing attack.

The Buccaneers run defense has struggled without David, allowing 327 yards and nearly five yards per carry over their last three games against the Panthers (twice) and the Jets.

San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys; 4:40 PM

49ers

Player	Position	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Game Status
Trent Williams	T	Elbow	DNP	LP	FP	(-)
Elijah Mitchell	RB	Knee	DNP	LP	FP	(-)
Azeez Al-Shaair	LB	Knee	LP	LP	DNP	Questionable
Jimmy Garoppolo	QB	Right Thumb	LP	FP	FP	(-)
Dre Greenlaw	LB	Groin	LP	FP	FP	(-)
Marcell Harris	LB	Achilles	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Jaquiski Tartt	S	Groin	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Mitch Wishnowsky	P	Concussion	LP	LP	FP	Questionable
Talanoa Hufanga	S	Knee	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Maurice Hurst	DL	Calf	FP	FP	FP	(-)

– Trent Williams doesn’t have an injury designation this week after being inactive in Week 18 due to an elbow injury. The 2021 All Pro left tackle allowed just one sack and 16 pressures all season.

– Linebacker could be an area of concern for San Francisco come Sunday with both Azeez Al-Shaair and Marcell Harris listed as questionable. Al-Shaair has been inactive for the past two games, but John Lynch said on Thursday he expects him to join Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner in the starting lineup on Sunday.

Al-Shaair could be a huge part of stopping the Cowboys rushing attack. He ranks third on the team in stops with an average depth of tackle of just 1.9 yards downfield.

Cowboys

Player	Position	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Game Status
Francis Bernard	LB	Groin	LP	FP	FP	(-)
Sean McKeon	TE	Neck	LP	FP	FP	(-)
Israel Mukuamu	S	Hamstring	LP	LP	(-)	Moved to IR
Keanu Neal	LB	Chest/Elbow	LP	DNP	DNP	Out
Tony Pollard	RB	Foot	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Tyron Smith	T	Knee/Ankle	LP	FP	FP	(-)

– Keanu Neal is the only key Cowboy who will be absent on Sunday. The linebacker has been a key part of the Dallas defense when Micah Parsons slides over to edge rusher.

The Cowboys don’t have much depth at linebacker with Luke Gifford and Francis Bernard listed as the next two guys on the depth chart. The duo has played just 42 combined snaps all season.

Expect San Francisco to run the ball a lot against a Cowboys defense that has allowed 4.5 yards per carry this season, 23rd in the NFL.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs; 8:15 PM

Steelers

Player	Position	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Game Status
Ben Roethlisberger	QB	Pectoral/Right Shoulder	LP	FP	FP	(-)
Najee Harris	RB	Elbow	DNP	DNP	FP	(-)
Arthur Maulet	CB	Concussion	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Dan Moore Jr.	OT	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Trai Turner	G	Knee	(-)	DNP	FP	(-)

– Najee Harris was upgraded from “questionable” on Saturday with his elbow healed enough for him to shed that injury designation. The rookie played a season-low 40 snaps against the Ravens last week and ran 11 times for 28 yards.

Against the Chiefs earlier in the season, Harris racked up 93 yards on 19 carries and also added five catches for 17 yards in the passing game. He will once again be the focal point of the Steelers offense.

– This is a longshot, but Juju Smith-Schuster was designated to return from the IR on Friday and rejoined his team at practice just three months after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Mike Tomlin down-played Smith-Schuster’s participation in practice as just a part of his rehab process, but there could be some optimism, considered the receiver is a pending free agent and might not be a Steeler come next season.

Smith-Schuster averaged nearly seven targets per game prior to his Week 5 injury, catching 15 passes for 129 yards.

Chiefs

Player	Position	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Game Status
Darrel Williams	RB	Toe	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Clyde Edwards-Helaire	RB	Shoulder	LP	DNP	DNP	Out
Orlando Brown	T	Calf	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Willie Gay	LB	Wrist	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Tyreek Hill	WR	Heel	FP	LP	FP	(-)
Travis Kelce	TE	Hip	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Tyrann Mathieu	S	Knee	FP	FP	FP	(-)
L’Jarius Sneed	CB	Knee	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Andrew Wylie	G	Glute	FP	FP	FP	(-)

– Clyde Edwards-Helaire has already been ruled out, leaving Darrel Williams as the top back going into Sunday, provided he is active with his toe injury. Williams had a lot of success against Pittsburgh back in Week 16, gaining 55 yards on 11 carries and catching three passes for 30 yards.

Another guy to monitor is Derrick Gore, who has worked himself into a decent role during Edwards-Helaire’s absence. Gore has 22 carries for 110 yards and four catches for 69 yards in the Chiefs last three games.

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams; (Mon.) 8:15 PM

Cardinals

Player	Position	Injury	Thu	Fri	Sat	Game Status
Zach Allen	DE	Ankle	DNP	LP	FP	(-)
James Conner	RB	Ribs	DNP	DNP	LP	Questionable
Antonio Hamilton	CB	Tooth	DNP	LP	FP	(-)
Jonathan Ward	RB	Knee	DNP	DNP	LP	Questionable
Chase Edmonds	RB	Ribs/Toe	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Rondale Moore	WR	Ankle	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Jordan Phillips	DE	Knee	LP	LP	FP	Questionable
Marco Wilson	CB	Shoulder	LP	LP	FP	Questionable
Demetrius Harris	TE	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Justin Pugh	OL	Calf	(-)	LP	DNP	Questionable
Isaiah Simmons	ILB	NIR – Personal	(-)	DNP	(-)	(-)

– J.J. Watt will return on Monday night. The former two-time Defensive Player of the Year has been absent since Week 7 due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Watt was having a monster season as a pass-rusher prior to the injury, despite recording only one sack. He had 28 pressures and his 11 quarterback hits led the NFL at the time of his injury.

Rams

Player	Position	Injury	Thu	Fri	Sat	Game Status
Taylor Rapp	S	Concussion	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Buddy Howell	RB	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Doubtful
Leonard Floyd	OLB	Back	DNP	FP	FP	(-)
Matthew Stafford	QB	Toe	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Van Jefferson	WR	Shoulder	FP	LP	LP	Questionable
Darious Williams	CB	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	(-)

– With both Jordan Fuller (IR) and Taylor Rapp out for Monday night, the Rams signed veteran safety Eric Weddle off the street to play next to Nick Scott on the back end of their defense.

The six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro hasn’t played since 2019 when he suited up for all 16 games for the rams and contributed four passes defended.