NFL playoffs 2015 injuries: Eugene Monroe questionable, Julian Edelman probable
A quick look at the notable injuries for the two playoff games on Saturday.
The 2015 NFL playoffs are in full swing, and the divisional round is set to get underway on Saturday. The Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys were all victorious in the wild card round and will now face the top two seeds in either conference.
Saturday’s slate of games will feature the top seeds themselves, as the No. 6 Ravens will travel to take on the No. 1 New England Patriots in the AFC, while the No. 4 Panthers will travel to take on the No. 1 Seattle Seahawks in the NFC. Obviously, the home teams are favored big time, but they should be good games regardless.
The official injury reports for all teams involved are out there, and there’s few surprises. Rather than a ton of big name players being out, most teams are primed to get back multiple players. Notably, the Patriots and Seahawks are expecting multiple players back after an extra week of rest. Here’s a look at the injury situations of all four teams:
- LT Eugene Monroe, questionable
- TE Owen Daniels, probable
- DT Timmy Jernigan, probable
- LB Daryl Smith, probable
- LB Terrell Suggs, probable
The only player questionable is Monroe, who hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury in Week 16. Although he’s optimistic that he’ll be healthy enough to take the field, he admitted earlier this week that it’s far from a certainty.
“I’m not going to press too much,” Monroe told the Baltimore Sun on Friday. “If I’m not ready, I’m not. I’m doing everything in my power to be back.”
The good news is that rookie backup James Hurst has experience, starting four games early in the season while Monroe recovered from knee surgery. The bad news is that in those four starts, Hurst allowed three sacks, three quarterback hits and five hurries. Hurst was abused again in the Wild Card game last week by James Harrison, giving up five quarterback hurries.
- QB Tom Brady, probable
- WR Julian Edelman, probable
- RB Jonas Gray, probable
- WR Brandon LaFell, probable
The Pats are rested and healthy coming out of their first-round bye. The only player to really discuss here is Edelman, who hasn’t played in nearly a month after a concussion ended his regular season in Week 15. Edelman has been cleared to play and is working overtime with Brady after practices this week to knock off the rust.
As for Brady, don’t sweat it. He’s been on the injury report every week this season. He’ll play.
- DT Star Lotulelei, out
- WR Philly Brown, questionable
- S Thomas DeCoud, questionable
- LB A.J. Klein, questionable
- CB Melvin White, questionable
The Panthers could be without two major contributors on the defensive interior -- not something you want against Marshawn Lynch. Lotulelei is likely done for the season after fracturing his foot last week against the Arizona Cardinals. A space-eating defensive tackle who can also push the pocket, he combined for 10 run stops, two sacks and five quarterback hurries during the Panthers' last two games. Klein, the starting strong side backer, hasn't played since injuring his ankle in Week 15. He's practiced fully all week, but he did the same last week only to sit against the Cardinals.
An offense already razor-thin in the receiving corps could be without second-stringer Brown, who injured his shoulder against Arizona. If he can't go, the Panthers may have to turn to practice squad player Stephen Hill.
- S Jeron Johnson, out
- TE Tony Moeaki, questionable
- DE Michael Bennett, probable
- DE DeMarcus Dobbs, probable
- TE Cooper Helfet, probable
- WR Jermaine Kearse, probable
- RB Marshawn Lynch, probable
- CB Byron Maxwell, probable
- CB Tharold Simon, probable
- C Max Unger, probable
After an extra week of rest, the Seahawks are expecting to get back five players who sat out the regular season finale: Kearse (hamstring), Unger (knee/ankle), Helfet (ribs), Simon (shoulder) and Dobbs (ankle).
The only real question mark is Moeaki, who is expected to be a game time decision after injuring his calf earlier this week. He doesn’t play much of a role in the passing game, but he does provide solid blocking in the Seahawks’ frequent run-heavy sets.
See More:
