NFL playoffs wild-card weekend: Biggest injury questions for all eight teams
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Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty has been slowed by a nagging groin injury, and he is one of seven players who has been limited in practice. If he is cleared, he could prove to be an ideal option against some of the Titans’ multiple-tight-end options.
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Otherwise, the Patriots seem to be in relatively good shape on the injury front, which was a point Bill Belichick echoed earlier in the week. Slot corner Jonathan Jones (groin) played last week and appeared to come out of the game OK. — Mike Reiss
Adoree’ Jackson (foot) was a full participant in back-to-back practices to start the week. On Wednesday, Mike Vrabel said the team will continue to evaluate Jackson, but the coach seemed optimistic about Jackson’s status. Jackson’s return would give the Titans’ secondary a huge boost. Unfortunately for the Titans, wideout Adam Humphries (ankle) missed yet another practice and is likely to be ruled out on Saturday. — Turron Davenport
Will Texans wide receiver Will Fuller V play against the Bills? Head coach Bill O’Brien said it’s too early in the week to tell, but the receiver is making progress toward being on the field against Buffalo. Defensive end J.J. Watt expects to return from a torn pectoral muscle on Saturday but said he isn’t sure how much he will play after missing eight games. — Sarah Barshop
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Watch on ESPN+ » More »Will Levi Wallace play? The Bills’ starting cornerback opposite Tre’Davious White was carted into the locker room last week after injuring his ankle in the first quarter. Although he missed practice Tuesday, he returned to the field Wednesday — a positive sign for his availability Saturday. Kevin Johnson can competently fill in if need be, but Fuller or no Fuller, Buffalo will need all hands on deck against the Texans’ group of receivers. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
The Saints are getting healthier at the right time. Last week, they got their full offensive line back. And now their secondary is healing. Safeties Vonn Bell (knee) and Marcus Williams (groin) practiced on a limited basis last week, though cornerback Eli Apple (ankle) remained sidelined. — Mike Triplett
Tight end Zach Ertz (ribs) hasn’t been cleared for contact. Although he was able to participate in a light practice to start the week, he needs the medical green light before suiting up against the Seahawks, which puts his availability for Sunday in question. Running back Miles Sanders is day-to-day with an ankle injury. The key will be getting the inflammation down. There’s optimism that he’ll play, so long as he continues to show progress in the coming days. — Tim McManus
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All week, Pete Carroll has sounded confident but not quite certain about free safety Quandre Diggs’ returning for the Seahawks’ game at Philadelphia. He missed the past two games with a high-ankle sprain and returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant. Diggs said earlier in the day that he’s “feeling good,” but he gave a “we’ll see” about playing Sunday, noting that he has to avoid setbacks in practice this week. Diggs’ return would be significant. He was a difference-maker once he entered the starting lineup, allowing Seattle to play more Cover 3 with Diggs as the lone deep safety. He had a hand in four takeaways in his five starts. The Seahawks haven’t gotten anything close to that out of his replacement, Lano Hill. — Brady Henderson
