2022 NFL Wild Card Round Key Injuries
The 2022 NFL Wild Card round is just around the corner. Both coaching staff and players are hard at work preparing for the upcoming matches. We expect high-intensity action from start to finish that will get NFL fans and bettors on the edge of their seats.
But before all that, NitroBetting tackles one of the main concerns of the postseason: player injuries. Missing key players can hold back the potential and affect the overall chemistry of a lineup. Injuries can also trigger a shift in the NFL betting odds. A missing starting quarterback can restrain the offensive abilities of a team and benefit an opponents’ defense. That said, we list down the injuries to watch out for in the 2022 NFL Wild Card Round.
2022 NFL Wild Card Round Key Injuries Review
READ MORE: 2022 NFL Wild Card Round Betting Advice
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals’ starting lineup looks good. Key players such as Quinton Spain, Joe Burrow, and Hakeem Adenji were full participants in the last practice. Tee Higgins had limited time in practice with a foot injury, while defensive tackle Josh Tupou sat out the session due to an injured knee. Corner Ricardo Allen and receiver Stanley Morgan participated in practice but were on a limited basis to allow more recovery time. Additionally, cornerback Jalen Davis was another player that had limited minutes on the field during the session.
However, the Raiders do face defensive line issues. Starting nose tackle Jonathan Hawkins missed practice after suffering back and knee injuries in his previous appearances. Another player who missed practice was Darius Philon who is enduring a torn patella tendon. Nevertheless, we see improvement from the player after he was placed on the IR list following this weekend’s game with a knee injury.
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
The Patriots might come in shorthanded with 13 players on their injury list. Left tackle Isaiah Wynn (hip, ankle) and linebacker Jamie Collins (ankle) did not participate in the Pats’ latest practice session. The rest of the names on the injury list were on limited participation, including the following key players: defensive lineman Christian Barmore (knee), safety Kyle Dugger (hand), wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (thigh), Damien Harris (hamstring), linebacker Dont’a Hightower (knee).
Buffalo might enter the weekend’s matchup with a healthier starting lineup. Only three players are on the injury list, featuring Emmanuel Sanders (knee) and Efe Obada (ankle), but found their way to the most recent practice session. Meanwhile, seasoned receiver Cole Beasley was allowed to get more rest with limited time in practice.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Eagles have a handful of players on the injury report. Four players did not take part in the practice session. The trio of Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, and FLetcher Cox were given time to recover. Defensive end John Sweat missed the session due to an illness. Running back Miles Sanders was the only running back limited in practice following a hand injury. Linebacker Shaun Bradley (neck), tackle Andre Dillard (knee), and offensive lineman Landon Dickerson (thumb) are also part of the limited players. Starting quarterback Jalen Hurts starts to look better from an ankle injury he sustained as he fully participated in the practice session.
The Buccaneers have the duo of pass rushers Jason Pierre and Shaq Barrett back in action last Wednesday. They both sat the past two games due to a shoulder and knee injury, respectively. The limited list features receiver Breshad Perriman (hip), cornerback Jamel Dean (hamstring), center Ryan Jensen (shoulder), receiver Mike Evans (hamstring), and cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (hamstring). Starting receiver Anthony Nelson did not practice due to an ankle injury and is listed doubtful for the upcoming Wild Card contest.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Two injured players had to sit out the 49ers’ latest practice session, containing tackle Trent Williams (elbow) and running back Elijah Mitchell (knee). Seven other players, including starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb), were in but had limited practice minutes. Meanwhile, tight end George Kittle, defensive lineman Nick Bosa, and center Alex Mack had some downtime after a relatively busy regular season.
Over at the Cowboys’ side, left tackle Tyron Smith and linebacker Micah Parson were called into action once again after enduring the COVID-19 list for several days. However, Smith had more time to recover from a knee and ankle injury he recently sustained. The limited list also adds Sean McKeon (neck), Israel Mukuamu (hamstring), Keanu Neal (chest, elbow), and Francis Bernard (groin). Tony Pollard looks to be better from his recent foot injury while running back Ezekiel Elliott and cornerback Trevon Diggs are now firing on all cylinders.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Rookie running back Najee Harris is taking things slow after sustaining an elbow injury. Despite appearing in the Steelers’ most recent game, he did not participate in the most recent practice session. The team needs him to be 100% for this one, so this might just be a case of the coaching staff giving him more time to rest. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) and defensive back Arthur Maulet (concussion) were limited in practice. Additionally, tackle Dan Moore Jr. looks to have improved from his recent ankle injury and had full participation.
Even though nine players were listed on the Chiefs’ injury report, seven of them joined the practice session. Star receiver Tyreek Hill (heel), tackle Orlando Brown (calf), and tight end Travis Kelce (hip) looked healthy during practice. However, a pair of running backs that involved Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrell Williams (toe) both had limited practice minutes.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Cardinals face injuries that could hold the squad’s offensive ceiling. Running back James Conner was out of practice and dealing with a rib injury. But, backup Chase Edmonds is in better shape and ready to go should Conner require more recovery time. J.J. Watt gives more hope to the Cardinals as they try to secure more pass-rush opportunities with him in the upcoming game. This also suggested a possible return on Monday night.
For the Rams, starting safety Taylor Rapp is in concussion protocol while left cornerback Darious Williams deals with a shoulder injury. Jordan Fuller is also ruled out for the rest of the postseason. We find all three players on the injury report, though Williams did participate in practice. Furthermore, three other names were held back from taking part.
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