As fantasy football playoffs kick off for many leagues, the injury report is extensive this week with critical implications for players and their teams. Fortunately, clarity has emerged on various situations as teams finalize their lineups ahead of game day.
Starting with kickers, there are no significant injuries to report. However, several key defensive players are on the injury watch list.
In the cornerback position, the Bills’ Christian Benford is listed as questionable due to a toe injury as they prepare to face the Patriots. Conversely, the Colts’ Sauce Gardner has been ruled out for their matchup against the Seahawks due to a calf issue. The Bears have faced a setback with Kyler Gordon placed on injured reserve, ending his season. The Commanders’ Jonathan Jones will also miss the game against the Giants, dealing a blow to their secondary. Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ Trent McDuffie is questionable, impacting their defense against the Chargers, while the Browns’ Denzel Ward will be sidelined against the Bears.
On the safety front, both Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph from the Lions are facing significant absences, with Branch on injured reserve for the remainder of the season due to an Achilles injury. The Chargers’ Elijah Molden is doubtful, and the Cardinals’ Jalen Thompson is out, affecting their respective matchups. However, on a positive note, the Jets’ Tony Adams and the Jaguars’ Andrew Wingard are set to return after missing previous games.
Defensive linemen also have important updates. The Cowboys’ Jadeveon Clowney is questionable but is expected to play against the Vikings. Meanwhile, the Browns’ Mason Graham and the Steelers’ Cameron Heyward carry questionable labels as they prepare for their games. The Bengals, facing a significant loss, have placed Trey Hendrickson on injured reserve for the rest of the season.
Finally, the linebacker position sees multiple players uncertain for their games. The Bills’ Terrel Bernard is listed as questionable. The Steelers will have to compensate for T.J. Watt, who will not play against the Dolphins. In other updates, the Patriots’ Robert Spillane, the Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux, and several others are also dealing with injuries that could impact the outcomes of their respective games.
As injuries continue to shift the landscape of this critical playoff week, fantasy owners must stay vigilant and adapt to these developments to maximize their rosters.