Jacob Sisneros
2 min read • January 08, 2024
Posted in
The defending champions enter the postseason with a relatively clean bill of health. The main issue to watch will be on the offensive line, where starting left tackle Donovan Smith has missed significant time with a neck injury. It’s no guarantee the veteran can return in time for the matchup against the Dolphins. His backup Wanya Morris suffered a concussion in Week 18 and has a roughly 22% chance to clear concussion protocol before the Wild Card round. If neither can play, that would move Jawaan Taylor over from right tackle to left, forcing Lucas Niang into a starting role. Several skill position players are nursing injuries but should all be available for the opening round. That includes: Rashee Rice (hamstring), Isaiah Pacheco (shoulder) and Kadarius Toney (hip).
On defense, starting free safety Brian Cook is the only key absence.
Despite injuries at several key defensive positions, the Bills won five games to close out the regular season and capture the AFC East title. After losing top CB Tre’Davious White, veteran linebacker Matt Milano and playing a majority of the season without Von Miller, Buffalo allowed the fourth least points in the league and was ranked seventh and 15th in passing yards allowed and rushing yards allowed respectively. Cornerback trade acquisition Rasul Douglas injured his left knee in the second quarter, but said he would be available in the Wild Card round.
In Week 18, wideout Gabe Davis exited with an injury to his left knee and was ruled out. By video, Davis’ injury did not appear severe and he should not miss much time. His availability in the opening round is yet to be determined. If Davis is not available for the Wild Card round, it could open up more opportunities for Khalil Shakir, who had 6 catches for 105 yards in the final week of the regular season.
With C.J. Stroud back from his concussion absence, the Texans are hitting stride at the right time from a health perspective. His left tackle Laremy Tunsil is nursing a groin injury that he suffered in Week 17, but should be able to push through in the Wild Card round against the Browns. Rookie wideout Tank Dell is out for the season with his ankle fracture, while Noah Brown and Robert Woods have missed time recently with back and hip injuries respectively.
On the other side of the ball, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. looks to be past the high ankle sprain that sapped some of his effectiveness late in the season.
Despite starting five different quarterbacks due to injury or coaching decision this season, the Browns clinched their first playoff berth since 2020. The team also lost starting running back Nick Chubb in Week 1, but Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt have combined to rank 12th in rushing offense this season. Now that Joe Flacco has solidified the quarterback position in the absence of Deshaun Watson, the team’s safety situation is the key to watch heading into this matchup against the Texans. Starting free safety Juan Thornhill missed Weeks 14-16 with a calf injury but returned to play in Week 17 before getting a rest ahead of the playoffs. Starting strong safety Grant Delpit is on IR with a groin injury he suffered in early December. Star defensive end Myles Garrett has been nursing a shoulder injury for the second half of the season, but it should not limit his effectiveness in the postseason.
Miami has two glaring weaknesses due to injury: the offensive line and the outside linebacking core. After losing Jaelan Phillips to an Achilles tendon tear in late November, the team also lost Bradley Chubb to an ACL tear in Week 17. Their main replacements, Andrew Van Ginkel and Cameron Goode, also suffered injuries during Week 18 and will likely be unavailable for the opening postseason round. Inside linebacker Jerome Baker is back from his knee injury but played limited snaps in Week 18. Van Ginkel has 6 sacks this season, while Goode has 4 combined tackles while playing mostly special teams. Chubb and Phillips combined for 17.5 sacks this season.
On the offensive line, Tua Tagovailoa will be without starting center Connor Williams and starting left guard Isaiah Wynn. Both are on IR and unlikely to return at any point in the playoffs. Left tackle Terron Armstead has battled numerous injuries for multiple years, but has been solid of late.
Key wideout Jaylen Waddle should be healthy enough to play through the left ankle sprain that kept him out the past two weeks, while running back Raheem Mostert should return from left knee/ankle injuries to split snaps with DeVon Achane.
Now in the playoffs for the first time since Ben Roethlisberger’s last season, the Steelers will have to overcome several key defensive injuries to beat the Bills in Buffalo. They emerged from their Week 18 with big question marks surrounding the availability of T.J. Watt – who led the NFL with 19 sacks this season. Watt suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee when he collided with a teammate in the third quarter. That injury will more than likely cause him to miss the opening round and likely the division round if the team can advance. Pittsburgh will also be without linebackers Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander after they suffered season-ending leg injuries during the regular season. They could potentially get strong safety Damontae Kazee back from suspension and free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back from a knee injury that caused him to miss Week 18. Pittsburgh is healthy on the offensive side of the ball, but that group ranked 27th in points scored this season with a combination of three starting quarterbacks.
Written by Jacob Sisneros
