NFL Divisional Round Buzz: X-Rays Negative for Rams QB Stafford; Parsons Back Week 1?
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The wild-card round is still ongoing, but it's not too early to look ahead to the divisional round.
Every bit of injury news becomes more consequential as the postseason progresses. Who's hurt? Who's practicing? Who's starting?
Let's take a look at some of the most noteworthy updates around the league ahead of the divisional round.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bills lose WR Davis for rest of season
Josh Allen will continue the postseason without one of his top deep-ball threats. The Buffalo Bills announced Monday wide receiver Gabe Davis will miss the rest of the playoffs after tearing his ACL in Buffalo's wild-card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Davis, who's in his second stint with the team, logged two receptions for 14 yards against the Jaguars after recording 12 receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown in six regular-season games (five starts).
X-rays negative on Matthew Stafford
Headed into their divisional round matchup against the Bears, the Rams can put aside any concerns about quarterback Mathew Stafford's throwing hand. X-rays came back negative, FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer reported Sunday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Stafford appeared to injure his right hand while following through on a pass in the first half of L.A.'s win over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. The veteran QB was in pain after his throwing hand hit the arm of a Carolina defensive lineman, but he stayed in the game.
Stafford's day took a turn around the same time as that play — he had a stretch during the middle two quarters where he completed just 4 of 19 passes. He regrouped in the fourth quarter, however, and had one of his best quarters of the season. Stafford finished the day 24-of-42 for 304 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
He'll be ready for the Bears next weekend in Chicago.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Patriots CB Gonzalez in concussion protocol
New England Patriots star cornerback Christian Gonzalez is in concussion protocol after being ruled out of Sunday’s 16-3 playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter, the team announced on Jan. 12. The Patriots will face the winner of Texans-Steelers in the divisional round.
49ers LB Warner shares drill footage as he gears up for possible return
A dislocated ankle in Week 6 disrupted San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner's season. But, in the star defender's latest update, the possibility of a return this year appears to be in play.
Warner shared footage on social media Monday showing his participation in an on-field drill. Warner's lateral movement and quickness looked encouraging, suggesting that he be inching toward a return. FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer previously reported Jan. 10 on the "NFL on FOX Pregame" show that the Niners are "holding out hope" for Warner to be able to return if they reach the NFC Championship Game.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}San Francisco will face the Seattle Seahawks on the road in the divisional round on Jan. 17.
Is Week 1 a realistic 2026 return date for Packers' Parsons, Kraft?
The Green Bay Packers lost Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft to torn ACLs this season. As they continue to recover, however, both Parsons and Kraft said on Jan. 12 that a return to action early next season is a realistic target.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since his Dec. 14 injury, Parsons said Monday that he hopes to be back for the start of the season, but added that a more realistic goal is "probably like Week 3, Week 4."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I wouldn’t wish this on anyone," Parsons said. "I don’t think people realize how much the knee is. It’s the most challenging thing that I think I’ve ever faced as a human. When you talk about pain, can’t sleep, can’t move around. … I can’t remember the last time I slept through the night. My body’s tired. My mind’s tired. I’m exhausted, man. But it’s going to be worth it once I’m going to be able to move and play again."
Kraft, who tore his right ACL on Nov. 2, compared this injury to the torn pectoral muscle that caused him to spend part of the 2024 preseason on the physically unable to perform list. Kraft returned in time to play all 17 games that season.
"By the time Week 1 rolls around, I’ll be 10 months post-surgery and hopefully bulletproof by then," Kraft said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bears lose starting linebacker, left tackle for remainder of playoffs
On the heels of their historic wild-card win over the Green Bay Packers, the Bears received some bad news. Linebacker T.J. Edwards suffered a fractured fibula and starting left tackle Ozzy Trapilo suffered a patellar injury in the game. Both will miss the remainder of the season, head coach Ben Johnson announced.
Edwards was fifth on the team in tackles during the regular season. The loss of Trapilo means that Chicago will have to otherwise account for quarterback Caleb Williams' blindside protection heading into its first divisional round game since 2010.
Trapilo, whom the Bears selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, has started at left tackle since Week 12. He's given up three sacks and 22 pressures this season, per Pro Football Focus. Trapilo's replacement on Saturday was Theo Benedet, who started eight games during the regular season before being replaced by Trapilo. Benedet went undrafted last year and spent the 2024 season on the practice squad.
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