2 min read • January 18, 2022
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The following is a ranking of each remaining playoff team's overall health. Subject to change based on new injury information.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (89)
The Chiefs enter the divisional round as the healthiest team. The sole questionable starting player is running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who has not played since Week 16 with an AC joint sprain. If Edwards-Helaire can’t return against the Bills, Darrel Williams and Jerrick McKinnon would likely split touches out of the backfield. Star wideout Tyreek Hill and Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce look fully healthy after suffering injuries in Week 18.
2. Green Bay Packers (87.9)
The bye week certainly improved the Packers overall team health and Green Bay could have several key players back from injury against the 49ers. Left tackle David Bakhtiari played limited snaps Week 18 in his first action since tearing his ACL on New Year’s Eve 2020. He will likely start, but won’t be 100%. Linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus also returned to practice last week and have a solid chance to return against San Francisco. No. 1 cornerback Jaire Alexander will also have a role this Sunday for the first time since Week 4.
3. Buffalo Bills (87.9)
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 played well in Saturday’s win over the Patriots. Backup defensive lineman Mario Addison suffered a shoulder injury Saturday, but has a chance to play against the Chiefs.
4. Tennessee Titans (86.1)
Derrick Henry will make his much anticipated return against the Bengals this Saturday. Henry has not played since breaking his foot on Halloween and the ProFootballDocs don’t expect him to look 100% or have his usual amount of carries. However, he can still be effective because of his hulking frame. D’Onta Foreman has proven himself a competent stopgap and will likely get half or more of the carries against Cincinnati. Nose tackle could be an issue on defense, as Teair Tart and backup Naquan Jones are both battling injuries. The Titans are also down slot cornerback Caleb Farley, who suffered a torn ACL in October.
5. Los Angeles Rams (83.5)
The Rams running back room keeps getting healthier, but they have significant issues in the secondary. Sony Michel and Cam Akers did a good job against the Cardinals defense and running back Darrell Henderson Jr. should be recovered from an MCL sprain he suffered Week 16. Los Angeles is without defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and No. 2 cornerback Robert Rochelle, plus strong safety Jordan Fuller is out for the playoffs with an ankle injury. Free safety Taylor Rapp has a chance to return this Sunday against the Buccaneers, but must pass concussion protocol.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (82.1)
The Bengals have dropped in the rankings because two key defensive linemen were injured in the win over the Raiders. Larry Ogunjobi is done for the season with a foot injury, while Trey Hendrickson must clear concussion protocol to play against the Titans. B.J. Hill is a competent replacement for Ogunjobi, but Hendrickson’s absence would be a huge blow for the defense. He led the team with 14 sacks during the regular season. On the offensive end, right guard Xavier Su’a-Filo and right tackle Riley Reiff are both on IR, but left guard Quinton Spain is back playing after suffering a right ankle injury Week 17.
7. San Francisco 49ers (79.6)
Jimmy Garoppolo has played the last two games with an injured throwing thumb and suffered a right shoulder sprain in the win over the Cowboys. He seems to be managing the thumb injury well, but the shoulder injury adds a new wrinkle to the saga. The 49ers rely primarily on versatile wideout Deebo Samuel for offense and Elijah Mitchell has proved himself a consistent ball carrier, but the question of the week is who will start at quarterback. The ProFootballDocs believe Garoppolo can play and manage the swelling with an anti-inflammatory injection.
On the defensive side, Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are the key questionables and would be big losses if they aren’t available. Warner should be able to play through his inversion, basketball-type right ankle sprain, while Bosa must clear concussion protocol to play.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (75.8)
The Buccaneers have the worst SIC health score after suffering injuries to two key offensive linemen in the Wildcard win over the Eagles. All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs is unlikely to play with his right high ankle sprain, while center Ryan Jensen will likely have limited effectiveness with his left ankle injury. Star running back Leonard Fournette missed the Wildcard game with a Week 15 hamstring strain and backup Ronald Jones II is dealing with an ankle injury that has kept him out the past two games. The team is also notably thin at wide receiver, having lost Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown and Cyril Grayson late in the season. Grayson is dealing with a hamstring strain, as is No. 1 cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting. Buccaneers linebackers Lavonte David and Shaquil Barrett are playing through injuries, but look far from 100%.
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