2 min read • January 10, 2022
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The following is a ranking of each team's Sports Injury Central overall health score at the start of the playoffs. Subject to change based on new injury information.
1. Dallas Cowboys (92.3)
Running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard have been managing injuries of late, but are ready for the Wildcard Round. Pollard’s plantar fascia injury is the more concerning, but he plays limited snaps.
Left tackle Tyron Smith's ankle is also a concern, but he should play effectively barring reaggravation.
Dallas recently lost wide receiver Michael Gallup to a torn ACL, but have the depth at wide receiver to make up for his absence. The Cowboys defense is especially healthy with its defensive line and linebacking core completely intact.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (88.3)
Miles Sanders is the key injury to watch for the Eagles. He suffered a broken hand Week 16 and missed the final two games of the season.
Philadelphia led the league in rushing this season and have relied heavily on Sanders, Jordan Howard -- who has a history of stinger injuries -- and Boston Scott.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts' right ankle should be near full health and he will have full mobility in the playoffs.
3. Green Bay Packers (86.8)
The No. 1 seed’s main health issue is on the offensive line, but three key starters could be getting healthy at the right time.
The Packers get the benefit of a first round bye and could have left tackle David Bakhtiari, center Josh Myers and right tackle Billy Turner starting together for the first time this season. Bakhtiari played limited snaps Week 18 in his first action since tearing his ACL on New Year’s Eve 2020.
Myers suffered an MCL sprain three months ago that required surgery, but also returned to play limited snaps Week 18. Right tackle Billy Turner has not played since his Week 14 MCL sprain, but should be ready for the Divisional Round.
Green Bay is also without tight end Robert Tonyan, veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb and No. 1 corner Jaire Alexander, but Alexander should be able to return from his shoulder injury for action in the Divisional Round.
Strongside linebacker Za'Darius Smith is also nearing return from a back injury that has kept him out since Week 1.
4. Los Angeles Rams (84.3)
Running back Darrell Henderson Jr. is recovering from an MCL sprain he suffered Week 16, but he should be able to return in the Wildcard Round. Either way he will be in a backup role to Sony Michel and will likely have to beat out Cam Akers to gain that role back.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered a mild right turf toe injury in the Week 18 loss to the 49ers and could have limited mobility against the Cardinals. He's a pocket passer primarily, but will likely be slow when attempting to evade the pass rush.
Los Angeles is without defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and No. 3 cornerback Robert Rochelle, but their defense is otherwise healthy.
5. Arizona Cardinals (84.2)
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is out for the playoffs with an MCL sprain that required surgery. Running back Chase Edmonds missed Week 18 with a toe injury and injured ribs, while James Conner is managing a heel injury.
Conner also suffered a rib cartilage injury late in the Week 18 loss to Seattle, but he should be able to suit up against the Rams on Monday.
Overall, Arizona has a mostly healthy defense, but are down key defensive end J.J. Watt.
6. San Francisco 49ers (80.9)
The 49ers have suffered injuries to key positions throughout the season, but beat the Rams in the final week to secure the No. 6 seed and a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
The latest injury to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is the most limiting. Garoppolo played Week 18 and threw for over 300 yards, but will continue to have trouble throwing deep early in the playoffs.
The 49ers also have limited cornerback depth, with No. 2 corner Jason Verrett out for the season and slot corner K’Waun Williams recovering from COVID-19. Williams should be able to play against the Cowboys, but linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has missed the last two weeks with a knee sprain and may not be available this week.
Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell has stepped in well to fill the void left by the injuries to Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (74.2)
The Buccaneers have endured injuries at key positions on both sides of the ball late in the season.
The team is 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 veteran wide receiver Mike Evans. They will have limited effectiveness early in the playoffs.
Running back Leonard Fournette also suffered a hamstring injury late in the season and may be hampered by the injury if he plays against the Eagles.
Tampa Bay also has issues at linebacker with Lavonte David nursing a foot injury and Shaquil Barrett potentially out for the playoffs with an MCL/ACL sprain to his right knee.
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