With a series of intense matchups in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, a few teams will be shorthanded on the injury front.
The Baltimore Ravens are set to face the Buffalo Bills in a high-stakes divisional game — and they’ll likely do so without their star receiver. Zay Flowers, Pro Bowl wide receiver missed workout again on Friday and was deemed questionable for Sunday’s game.
Flowers injured his knee during the regular season finale two weeks ago, and has not returned to practice since. He missed all of last week, including the Ravens’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, due to his injury, and he appears ready to do it again this week.
The Ravens were initially optimistic about Flowers’ injury, with head coach John Harbaugh tell the journalists initially that the injury was “everyday” but not season-ending.
Although Harbaugh told reporters Friday, “I think he’ll have a chance,” it appears they will be without Flowers for a second straight playoff game.
Sean McVay expects CB Ahkello Witherspoon to play
Rams cornerback and defensive playmaker Ahkello Witherspoon participated in Friday’s practice on a limited basis after missing Thursday’s session. He was listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.
However, head coach Sean McVay expects the eight-year veteran to play in Sunday’s divisional game against the Eagles.
Witherspoon, 29, injured his thigh in the third quarter of the Rams’ playoff game against the Vikings. He stopped while chasing Minnesota’s TJ Hockenson on a 26-yard touchdown run.
Before leaving the game, Witherspoon forced a fumble and recorded three tackles including one for loss and a quarterback hit. The Rams recently named him the starter in place of Cobie Durant over Darious Williams in the secondary.
In the regular season, Witherspoon had 31 tackles with one interception and nine passes defensed in 13 games (five starts). He is in his second season with the Rams.
Here is the rest of the injury report from the divisional round.
Inactive for Saturday’s matches
HOUSTON TEXANS
-
TE Teagan Quitoriano
-
RB JJ Taylor
-
LB Devin Blanc
-
BY Jerry Hughes
-
C/G Kendrick Green
-
G Nick Broeker
-
Kurt Hinish
KANSAS CITY LEADERS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
DETROIT LIONS
-
G Kevin Zeitler (hamstring): absent
-
DL Pat O’Connor (calf): absent
-
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring/illness): out
LOS ANGELES RAMS
-
DE Larrell Murchison (foot): absent
-
ILB Troy Reeder (hamstring): absent
-
OL Alaric Jackson (chest): questionable
-
NT Bobby Brown III (shoulder): questionable
-
CB Ahkello Witherspoon (thigh): questionable