Fantasy News & Analysis

NFL Super Wild Card Weekend Injury Report: Updates on Mike Evans, Alvin Kamara, Stefon Diggs and more

Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) works out prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football and DFS — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction and, most importantly, it can determine start-or-sit decisions.

Each week, I will comb through the official injury reports for each game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.

 BLT | BUF | CHI | CLE | IND | LAR | NO | PIT | SEA | TB | TEN | WFT

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Player Pos PFF grade Consensus Rank Injury Status
Robert Griffin III QB 52.9 N/A Hamstring IR
Trace McSorley  QB 57.4 N/A Knee IR
Willie Snead IV WR 71.6 WR32 Ankle Questionable

Mario’s take: Griffin injured his hamstring in Week 13. The Ravens placed Griffin on IR, and he will miss the rest of the season.

McSorely suffered a MCL sprain in Week 14 and was placed on IR, effectively ending his season.

Snead IV did not practice Wednesday but was a limited participant Thursday and Friday. I am optimistic Snead IV returns against the Titans.

BUFFALO BILLS

Player Pos PFF grade Consensus Rank Injury Status
Cole Beasley  WR 84.9 WR23 Knee Questionable
Stefon Diggs WR 89.4 WR1 Oblique Questionable

Mario’s take: Beasley did not practice Tuesday or Wednesday but a limited participant Thursday. I believe Beasley has a shot at playing in the first round of the playoffs.

Diggs was a limited participant Tuesday, did not participate Wednesday, and was a limited participant Thursday. However, I believe he will play in the Bills’ Wild Card game.

CHICAGO BEARS

Player Pos PFF grade Consensus Rank Injury Status
Darnell Mooney WR 68.7 WR20 Ankle  Questionable

Mario’s take: Mooney did not practice= all week and I am not optimistic he will be ready to go for the Bears’ Wild Card game against the Saints.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Player Pos PFF grade Consensus Rank Injury Status
Odell Beckham Jr. WR 75.3 N/A Knee  IR

Mario’s take: Beckham tore his ACL in Week 7, and I believe he also damaged his meniscus. Beckham will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Player Pos PFF grade Consensus Rank Injury Status
Jonathan Taylor RB 83.9 RB3 Shoulder (-)
Philip Rivers QB 77.2 QB9 Toe (-)
Parris Campbell WR 72.8 N/A Knee  IR

Mario’s take: Taylor was a limited participant at practice Tuesday and Wednesday but a full participant Thursday. He will play in the Colts’ Wild Card game.

Rivers did not practice Tuesday but was a full participant Wednesday and Thursday. He will play against the Bills.

Campbell was carted off the field in Week 2 after spraining his MCL and PCL. He was placed on IR and will miss the rest of the season.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Player Pos PFF grade Consensus Rank Injury Status
Cam Akers RB 68.4 RB5 Ankle (-)
Darrell Henderson RB 80.4 N/A Ankle  IR
Jared Goff QB 71.4 QB12 Thumb Questionable

Mario’s take: Akers was limited at practice Tuesday but a full participant Wednesday and Thursday. He will play in the Rams’ Wild Card game. 

Henderson suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 16 and has been placed on IR. He will miss the first round of the playoffs.

Goff suffered a dislocated thumb and fracture in Week 16. He underwent surgery on Monday last week. He was a limited participant all week and I expect him to play against the Seahawks.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Player Pos PFF grade Consensus Rank Injury Status
Alvin Kamara RB 82.1 RB2 COVID-19 (-)
Michael Thomas WR 85.2 N/A Ankle (-)
Tre-Quan Smith WR 59.9 N/A Ankle IR

Mario’s take: Kamara missed Week 17 due to being on the reserve/COVID-19 list but was activated on Wednesday. He will play in Wild Card match-up vs the Bears.

Thomas has been designated for return from IR. I believe he will be ready to go for the Wild Card game.

Smith injured his ankle in Week 15 and was placed on IR. I am not optimistic he will play in the first round of the playoffs.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

N/A

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Player Pos PFF grade Consensus Rank Injury Status
Bo Scarbrough RB 73.0 N/A Hamstring IR
Chris Carson RB 78.1 RB6 Foot  (-)
DeeJay Dallas RB 72.1 N/A Ankle (-)
Greg Olsen TE 62.0 TE17 Foot (-)
Rashaad Penny RB 55.6 RB24 Knee (-)
Travis Homer RB 58.0 N/A Wrist/Thumb/Knee Questionable

Mario’s take: Scarbrough tore his hamstring and will miss the remainder of the season.

Carson was a DNP Tuesday due to maintenance but was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday. He will play in the Seahawks’ Wild Card game.

Dallas was carted off of the field in the second quarter of Week 16 and hasn’t played since. He was a full participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, and I expect Dallas to return to action in the first round of the playoffs.

Olsen left Week 11 after injuring his foot but returned in Week 16. Olsen has been a full participant all week and will play in the Seahawks’ playoff game against the Rams.

Penny was a limited participant Thursday but he will play against the Rams.

Homer did not practice on Wednesday and needs to be monitored as the week progresses.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Player Pos PFF grade Consensus Rank Injury Status
Mike Evans WR 74.1 WR13 Knee Questionable
O.J. Howard TE 80.1 N/A Ankle IR

Mario’s take: Evans did not practice Tuesday or Wednesday but was a limited participant Thursday due to a bone bruise suffered in Week 17. Evans will play in the Buc’s playoff match-up with the Washington Football Team. I would be cautious rolling him out in DFS. I do not believe he is fully healthy.

Howard tore his Achilles in Week 11. He underwent surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Player Pos PFF grade Consensus Rank Injury Status
Adam Humphries WR 69.9 N/A Head IR
A.J. Brown WR 90.1 WR2 Ankle Questionable

Mario’s take: Humphries was placed on IR due to a concussion. 

Brown was a limited participant Wednesday and did not practice Thursday or Friday, but he will play in the Wild Card match-up with the Titans.

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

Player Pos PFF grade Consensus Rank Injury Status
Alex Smith QB 66.0 QB11 Calf Questionable
Antonio Gibson RB 80.9 RB9 Toe Questionable
Kyle Allen QB 68.5 N/A Ankle IR
Terry McLaurin WR 78.0 WR9 Ankle Questionable

Mario’s take: Smith strained his calf in Week 14 and did not play in Week 15 or 16. He was able to tough it out in a must-win Week 17 matchup. He was a DNP Tuesday and was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday. Smith's calf is still causing him issues and I am pessimistic he returns to action against the Bucs.

Gibson suffered a serious turf toe injury in Week 13 and did not play in Week 14 or 15. He returned to action in Week 16. Gibson was a DNP Tuesday but a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday. He will be good to go in the Wild Card game.

Allen is undergoing surgery to repair his fractured dislocated ankle. He will miss the remainder of the season.

McLaurin was a DNP Tuesday but a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday. I expect McLaurin to play in the first round of the playoffs.

Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL level. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.

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