David Chao, MD
2 min read • January 09, 2024
Posted in
Quarterback, Baker Mayfield emerged from Week 18 with a right ankle sprain, although it appeared mild in nature.
It helps that Mayfield suffered a right ankle sprain also suffered a right ankle sprain in late November, which likely limited the new damage done by this injury. Mayfield should be able to play through and be effective from the pocket despite the ankle injury.
On offense, the Buccaneers are down center Ryan Jensen and Russell Gage, but have had an entire season to adjust to those losses. Their defense is entirely healthy and boasts an overall SIC score of 92.7.
Los Angeles enters the playoffs with a relatively clean bill of health. Their main office of injury comes at tight end, where Tyler Higbee is dealing with a right shoulder injury. He suffered during week, 17. Higbee dislocated his shoulder in week 17 and missed week 18. It remains to be seen if he will practice and play in the opening round, but our panel of Docs have optimism he can be effective.
Another injury to note is at defensive tackle, where, in injury to Bobby Brown has create an opportunity for rookie Kobie Turner. Despite concerns from our panel of doctors, entering the season, quarterback, Matthew Stafford has been durable and did not aggravate his previous neck injury that ended last season. He has returned to form since suffering a right thumb UCL tear in late October. No. 1 receiver Cooper Kupp is also healthy, despite dealing with several minor ankle sprains this season.
The number seven seed Green Bay packers. Enter the postseason with several several key question marks healthwise.
No. 2 running back AJ Dillon suffered a stinger in week 17 that caused him to miss week 18. He is also recovering from a broken right thumb he suffered in Week 14.
The good news for Jordan Love and Co. is he will likely have Christian Watson back at full strength for the opening round. Watson missed five games after suffering a hamstring stream late in the season.
The rest of the wide receiver group is beat up with Jaden Reed and Romeo Doubs dealing with chest injuries. Rookie tight and Luke Musgrave made it back for Week 18, but is still getting up to speed from his lacerated liver that landed him on IR.
On defense, number one cornerback Jaire Alexander missed a long stretch of the season with a right shoulder injury, but is back and playing now.
The Cowboys main health issue comes at cornerback where no. 2 corner Stephon Gilmore is nursing a right shoulder injury he suffered during Week 18. Gilmore should be able to play with a harness in the wildcard round, but will have limited ability to wrap up and tackle. No. 1 CB Trevon Diggs suffered an ACL tear in practice prior to the midway point of the season. Dallas is also without middle linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who suffered a season-ending neck injury in early October.
On offense left guard Tyler Smith is the main injury to watch. He suffered a full plantar fascia tear in week 17, which is good for his long-term health, but is more painful in the short term. he can opt for a pain numbing injection to play through and likely will against the Packers.
With the No. 3 seed already locked up the Lions unfortunately lost Sam LaPorta and week 18 to a knee hyperextension/bone bruise. By video his injury appeared significant, and it would be a surprise to see him return prior to the Super Bowl. With Laporta out the lions will have to rely more heavily on Amon-Ra St. Brown and slot receiver Josh Reynolds. Speedy wideout Kalif Raymond also left Week 18 with a knee injury, his status for the opening round is also in doubt. Despite suffering a left high ankle sprain in Week 17, rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams should return in the opening round of the playoffs.
On defense, their health has slightly improved with the return of safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The former Saint suffered a pec tendon tear early in the season, but was able to rehab to make it back to the playoffs. Detroit is down No. 1 cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who suffered a torn ACL in early October.
Philadelphia has several glaring offensive health issues entering the playoffs starting with quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Alabama product suffered a middle finger injury known as a swan neck deformity during Week 18. He was able to return and continue playing but will likely have to wear a splint and deal with pain management going forward.
His index dominant index finger dominant grip helps him play through effectively, but this is an issue to watch for the young QB.
A.J. Brown, by video, suffered a mild right knee MCL sprain during Week 18. He did not return to the game, but will likely play in the opening round. Given his play style, he can be effective on straightforward routes, but will have limited ability to cut number to white out.
DeVonta Smith did not play in Week 18 with a ride home ankle sprain he suffered Week 17 his status for the opening round is up in the air, if he does play, he will be limited and have difficulty creating space on routes.
On the other side of the ball, the Eagles main issue is at middle linebacker where they have signed Shaq Leonard to fill a gap left by injury. Leonard has not looked like his former all pro self after undergoing two back surgeries this off-season.
The Eagles are also down slot cornerback Zech McPhearson, but should get Darius Slay back for the first round of the playoffs. Slay has not played since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in mid-December.
Starting free safety Reed Blankenship suffered a groin injury in Week 18 and it will be tough for him to play effectively if he suits up against the Buccaneers.
Written by David Chao, MD
