2 min read • January 10, 2022
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The following is a ranking of each team's Sports Injury Central overall health scores at the start of the playoffs. Subject to change based on new injury information.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (89.5)
The Chiefs are healthy at the right time of year, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the key injury status to watch. The young running back suffered an AC joint sprain Week 16 and missed the final two games of the season, but should be ready for the Wildcard matchup against the Steelers.
Kansas City is thin depth-wise on the offensive line. Starting right tackle Mike Remmers is on IR and backup right/left tackle Lucas Niang is out for the playoffs with a torn patella tendon, leaving only Andrew Wylie at right tackle.
2. New England Patriots (88.8)
Bill Belichick’s bunch doesn’t have many injury issues on either side of the ball. Running back Damien Harris’ hamstring health is something to monitor, but the Patriots are deep at running back.
Left tackle Isaiah Wynn suffered an ankle injury in the season finale and did not finish the game. If he can’t start against the Bills, Yodny Cajuste would start for the first time since Week 6.
3. Buffalo Bills (88.1)
No. 1 cornerback Tre’Davious White is out for the year with a torn ACL, but otherwise the Bills have few health issues.
Veteran wideout Emmanuel Sanders missed Weeks 15, 17 and 18 with a nagging knee issue, but could be available on Saturday.
4. Tennessee Titans (86.1)
The Titans have performed well despite not having stud running back Derrick Henry since Week 8. That will likely change soon with Henry back at practice, but his injured right foot will cause him to start with limited reps.
D’Onta Foreman has proven himself a competent stopgap and will hang on to the lead back role until Henry is capable of handling his usual volume of 20+ carries.
They have some nagging defensive injuries that will benefit from the first round bye, but have lost No. 3 cornerback Caleb Farley to a torn ACL.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (85.8)
Joe Burrow and his surgically repaired left knee are ready for the Bengals first playoff game since 2015. Burrow also tweaked his right knee in the Week 17 win over the Chiefs, but that injury is not a concern after he rested the final game of the season.
Burrow’s protection is a bit of a concern, with three starting linemen potentially out. Right guard Xavier Su’a-Filo and right tackle Riley Reiff are both on IR, plus left guard Quinton Spain is nursing a right ankle injury and missed the final game of the season.
On the defensive end, strongside linebacker Jordan Evans is out for the season with a torn ACL, but the Bengals are otherwise healthy.
6. Las Vegas Raiders (80)
Las Vegas clinched a playoff berth with an overtime field goal to beat the Chargers, setting up a date with the Bengals on Saturday afternoon.
The Raiders have suffered key losses on the defensive end and have been without two projected offensive linemen all season, but tight end Darren Waller returned from his knee and back ailments in the final game of the regular season.
No. 1 corner Trayvon Mullen Jr. and strong safety Johnathan Abram are the biggest losses on defense. Defensive tackles Quinton Jefferson and Darius Philon both suffered injuries Week 18 and may not be available for the game.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (78.7)
The Steelers and ancient quarterback Ben Roethlisberger snuck into the final Wildcard spot with losses by the Colts and Chargers.
Offensive line is the key injury group for Pittsburgh, with left guard Kevin Dotson on IR with an ankle injury and left tackle Dan Moore Jr. struggling with a recent ankle injury.
Rookie running back Najee Harris suffered a right elbow hyperextension in the season’s final game against the Ravens, but returned and finished the game. He may miss practice time, but can play effectively with a brace.
The offense is also down fifth-year wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who suffered a severe shoulder injury Week 5 and is out for the season.
On defense the Steelers are without starting defensive linemen Tyson AluAlu and Stephon Tuitt, but are otherwise healthy. Star pass rusher T.J. Watt has helped fill the void, finishing the year with 22.5 sacks, 59 combined tackles and 21 tackles for a loss. He will have to have a big game for the Steelers to compete with the Chiefs Sunday night.
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