NFL Injury Updates: Sam Darnold Questionable, Fred Warner Remains on IR

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Seattle Seahawks signal-caller Sam Darnold has been placed on the injury report with an oblique issue, rendering him “questionable” for Saturday’s playoff divisional-round game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Darnold participated in all 17 regular-season matchups, marking his inaugural season with the Seahawks.

Warner has been unavailable for play since Week 6, following an ankle dislocation. The 49ers initiated his 21-day practice period this week, with an eye towards his potential participation in the NFC Championship Game if San Francisco triumphs over the Seahawks this week.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was reported as a full participant in practice on Thursday, notwithstanding several injuries he has been managing this week. The Bills aim to secure a spot in their second consecutive AFC title game with a victory in Denver on Saturday.

Gonzalez entered concussion protocols on Sunday night after the Patriots secured a win against the Chargers during the wild-card round. Following limited participation in Wednesday night’s practice, the team received positive news as the cornerback was a full participant on Thursday, no longer wearing a red non-contact jersey.

Khyiris Tonga, a defensive lineman for the New England Patriots, feels positive about his ability to participate in the team’s divisional round game against the Houston Texans. Tonga has been out of action because of a foot injury.

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is still undergoing concussion protocol and was absent from Thursday’s media briefing, according to Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.

It is improbable that Collins will play in Sunday’s divisional round game against the New England Patriots, given the necessary steps to be cleared from concussion protocol.

Collins sustained the concussion during Monday’s 30-6 wild-card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Prior to his exit, Collins recorded 3 receptions for 21 yards in the game.

If Collins is unavailable, Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, and Dalton Schultz are anticipated to receive a greater share of targets. Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, and Cade Stover might also see expanded roles.

Unavailable: Safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring), Cornerback Maxwell Hairston (ankle)

Uncertain: Wide Receiver Curtis Samuel (elbow), Safety Damar Hamlin (pec), Defensive Tackle Ed Oliver (biceps)

Samuel and Hamlin are expected to engage in full practice on Thursday. Oliver, along with running back Ty Johnson and linebacker Terrel Bernard, will be limited.

Quarterback Josh Allen and kicker Matt Prater, both of whom had health concerns entering this week, were full participants on Wednesday.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen participated fully in practice on Wednesday, despite his ongoing battles with foot, knee, and finger injuries. Running back Ty Johnson (ankle), safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring), cornerback Maxwell Hairston (ankle), and wide receiver Tyrell Shavers (knee) were all marked as Did Not Participate (DNP) on Wednesday.

Seattle Seahawks tackle Charles Cross’s participation in practice was reduced to limited on Wednesday, with a knee injury added to his existing hamstring issue. Tackle Josh Jones did not partake in practice due to a knee problem. Linebacker Tryice Knight also skipped Wednesday’s practice.

Pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence’s participation in Wednesday’s practice was limited due to an Achilles injury, but he is still expected to play in Saturday’s playoff game.

San Francisco and Seattle have released their injury status reports for Wednesday, in preparation for their divisional round playoff match scheduled for Saturday.

The 49ers surprisingly reported only two players as DNPs on Wednesday: safety Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring) and linebacker Luke Gifford (quad). Linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) was a limited participant in practice for the second consecutive day. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) and tackle Trent Williams (hamstring) also had limited involvement.

Denver appears to be in strong condition heading into this divisional round week, with no DNPs reported for Wednesday’s practice.

Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers has been managing a hip injury but was a full participant in practice on Wednesday.

Linebackers Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) and Drew Sanders (ankle) were both limited in practice, as was tight end Lucac Krull (foot).

Chicago Bears safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was noted as a full participant in practice on Wednesday, recovering from a concussion.

Wide receivers D.J. Moore (knee) and Rome Odunze (foot) were both limited in their practice involvement. Cornerback Nick McCloud did not attend practice due to a groin injury.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, despite managing a sprained right index finger.

Nose tackle Poona Ford was limited due to an elbow injury, and guard Kevin Dotson also had limited participation with an ankle injury. Dotson has not played since December 18th.

Houston Texans wideout Nico Collins (concussion), tackle Trent Brown (ankle), defensive end Denico Autry (knee), and wide receiver Justin Watson (concussion) were all absent from Wednesday’s practice.

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez took part in practice on Wednesday, albeit wearing a red non-contact jersey, after entering concussion protocol earlier in the week.

Linebacker Anfernee Jennings, offensive lineman Morgan Moses, offensive lineman Thayer Munford, and tight end Hunter Henry were all absent from Wednesday’s practice session.

Running back Terrell Jennings also sported a red non-contact jersey during practice.

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver returned to the practice field on Wednesday, marking his first appearance since Week 8 of the regular season. Oliver had been recovering from knee and biceps injuries.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s participation in practice on Tuesday was restricted due to reported foot, knee, and right finger injuries. Despite these limitations, Allen informed reporters that he feels well as the team readies itself for its divisional round matchup against the Denver Broncos on Saturday.

The Chicago team moved linebacker T.J. Edwards and offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo to injured reserve while simultaneously activating offensive lineman Braxton Jones from the same list.

Additionally, the organization signed linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to their active roster and linebacker Nephi Sewell to the practice squad.

Shavers sustained an injury during Sunday’s wild-card round triumph over the Jaguars while returning a punt. After initially being listed as questionable to return, he subsequently re-entered the game.

The 26-year-old, a product of San Diego State, appeared in all 17 regular-season games for the Bills, securing 15 receptions from 23 targets for 245 yards and a single touchdown. Before his exit from the Jaguars game, he had recorded one catch for 14 yards.

Following the departures of Gabe Davis and Joshua Palmer in the past week, the only healthy wide receivers remaining on the roster are Khalil Shakir, Brandin Cooks, and Keon Coleman.

Warner has been sidelined since Week [missing number in original text] after fracturing and dislocating his ankle. The four-time first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler could rejoin the 49ers’ roster if the team advances to the NFC Championship Game.

“I am prepared whenever they are ready. Do you understand what I mean?” Warner stated last week on “The Ryen Russillo Show.” “Some formalities need to be completed, and details finalized. If it were solely up to me, I would be competing this weekend, but unfortunately, that is not the case. I must ensure all requirements are met, and everyone provides their approval before I am permitted to play.

“However, I am pressing forward, actively training. I am back to performing full football drills and everything, so time will reveal the outcome. We first need to secure the win.”