5 NFL Injury Storylines To Watch In Divisional Round

How Will Hurts, Johnson Perform In Philly Playoff Debut?

The No. 1 seed Eagles are expected to have right tackle Lane Johnson back from a torn core muscle vs. the Giants but the Pro Football Docs are concerned about how much the injury will limit the durable lineman. 

Johnson will need to undergo surgery in the offseason and could see diminished effectiveness against the talented Giants’ defensive front.

Dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts, SIC score 85, should be a full-go in the passing and running game over a month since his right shoulder sprain. 

Will Williams Play Through Dislocated Knee Once Again?

Bengals’ left tackle Jonah Williams reportedly suffered a left patella subluxation in their Wild Card win over the Ravens when his left leg buckled under his 6-foot-4, 305-pound frame.

The durable third-year starter previously suffered a right kneecap subluxation in Week 5 and played through the issue the next week, but will face a challenge to do the same vs. the Bills in the Divisional Round, according to the Pro Football Docs.

Williams is the third Cincinnati starting OL to go down with a significant knee injury in the last month, following right tackle La’el Collins and right guard Alex Cappa. 

Kearse, Peters Among Cowboys Injured In Wild Card Win

Right Tackle Jason Peters, linebacker Micah Parsons, right guard Zack Martin, safety Jayron Kearse, and defensive end Dorance Armstrong all went down with injuries vs. the Buccaneers.

Kearse (MCL) and Peters (hip) were each ruled out and could be unavailable or limited next week, while Parsons, Martin, and Armstrong returned and shouldn’t experience any issues going forward. 

Dallas’ pass defense entered the playoffs with the pass defense SIC score in the NFC at 82.3, and that number would certainly drop without their starting strong safety. 

Who Will Start In Secondary For Bills vs. Bengals?

Starting Cornerback Dane Jackson is reportedly day-to-day after a knee injury took him out of the Bills’ Wild Card win and rookie Kaiir Elam intercepted a pass and made the game-ending pass breakup in his place. 

Safety Micah Hyde returned to practice last week and could play against the Bengals only four months since undergoing fusion neck surgery. 

Buffalo’s 73.4 pass defense SIC score could see an improvement with the return of Hyde and Jackson and the continued improvement of Tre’Davious White in his return from a torn ACL on Thanksgiving 2021. 

Giants' Overcome More Defensive Injuries In Playoff Win

Oft-injured pass-rusher Azeez Ojulari and defensive back Jason Pinnock were each ruled out after a thigh bruise and abdominal injury, respectively, and are uncertain to play vs. the Eagles next weekend. 

The Giants lost No. 2 cornerback Aaron Robinson for the season, and 24-year-old DBs Darnay Holmes and Nick McCloud logged 38 tackles with eight passes defended and 43 tackles with seven passes defended in the regular season, respectively.