David Chao, MD
2 min read • January 23, 2024
Posted in
Despite losing wide receiver Deebo Samuel to a shoulder injury in the first quarter, the 49ers pulled out a divisional round victory over the Packers. Samuel’s X-rays did not show a fracture and our panel of docs expect he has a good chance to play in the Conference Championship round.
By video, the hit on Samuels left shoulder was not consistent with a fracture and was to the opposite side as the Week 6 hairline fracture that caused him to miss two games. Wednesday will be key to see Samuel's practice activity. However, even if he’s listed as questionable our panel of docs expect he will be active and have a role on Sunday against the lions.
Detroit emerged from the victory over the Buccaneers with two key injuries on the offensive line. Left guard Jonah Jackson was ruled out with a knee injury that will likely keep him out for the remainder of the playoffs. Veteran center Frank Ragnow also suffered a knee injury and a separate ankle injury on the same side during the game. Ragnow played through, but had limited effectiveness with a brace on his left knee and his left ankle heavily taped. He is likely to play through again, but will have limited effectiveness primarily while run blocking.
Speedster Kalif Raymond is likely to miss the Conference Championship game with a right knee PCL sprain he suffered in Week 18. Rookie wide out Jameson Williams should be at full health from his left high ankle sprain in Week 17. The defense is likely to get a role player back in defensive lineman James Houston. He has missed the second half of the season after suffering ankle fracture while on special teams.
Tight end Mark Andrews is likely to re-join the active roster for the Conference Championship matchup against the Chiefs. He was listed as questionable last week before being ruled out for the game against the Texans.
Andrews should be closer to full effectiveness this week, but Isaiah likely will remain the main receiving option at tight end. Another key player to watch for Baltimore is cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who has not appeared in the playoffs after reaggravating a calf injury in Week 18.
The Chiefs triumphed over the Bills in the Divisional Round, but lost three key players to injury during the game. All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney got good news upon MRI that he is dealing with a pec strain rather than a pec tendon tear.
However, the left guard will miss at least the Conference Championship round and will be limited in the Super Bowl if he were to play. Back up free safety Mike Edwards is in concussion protocol after leaving in the first quarter against the Bills. Our data suggests he has a roughly 22% chance to clear concussion protocol within the week, although no two concussions are the same.
The Chiefs could also be without middle linebacker Willie Gay, who left the game with a neck injury that he aggravated on Sunday. Gay tweeted that he will be ready to play Sunday against the Ravens, but his neck injury is a cause for concern. Drue Tranquill is likely to fill in if Gay is unable to play.
Written by David Chao, MD
