Sims: NFL Divisional Playoff Injury Report
By Abby Sims
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I'm hoping that future Hall of Famer Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens safety, isn't too banged up to put on a show Sunday in New England.
Reed was a difference-maker in this weekend's matchup against the Texans but landed hard on his left hip in the first half, and in the next to last play of the game rolled his left ankle. Though x-rays of the ankle were negative, and Reed claims he'll be good to go, he isn't likely to be feeling too great about now… hopefully only a Grade I ankle sprain and a mild hip contusion.
Giants safety Deon Grant passed concussion tests after leaving the field in the third quarter in the contest against Green Bay. Awaiting further reports…
John Kuhn, Packers' fullback, suffered an unspecified knee injury in the third quarter and did not return. Unfortunately for Green Bay, he will have plenty of time to recover. A less than impressive performance by a team that deserved the spotlight all season long, and a surprising demonstration by the Giants, a team that has been peaking at the perfect time…
A healthy New England put the clamps on Denver, and the absence of the Broncos' prized wide receiver, Eric Decker, (knee) wasn't likely the cause. Some reports claim the loss was in part due to the fact that starting safety Brian Dawkins was out with a neck injury, while other starting safety, Quinton Carter, left the game in the first half, also with a neck injury. Denvers' strong safety David Bruton and DT Brodrick Bunkley exited mid-game as well (in the third), both with concussions. The game was long over by then… The number of concussions in the NFL remains a particularly scary issue.
The Patriots suffered fewer in-game losses, with only TE Aaron Hernandez leaving the game in the fourth, also with a head injury after absorbing a hard hit.
Somehow, I don't think an intact Broncos team would have had a chance against the Pats the way New England played on Saturday. A disappointing game, especially after all the hype that preceded it…
What drama in San Francisco - the game was riveting! Niners' TE Delanie Walker didn't play against the Saints because of a fractured jaw, sustained in late December. AP reports he is hoping to play for the NFC Championship. As with other playoff teams, several players were inactive or questionable at game time. Those suffering mid-game injuries included Niners' center Jonathan Goodwin who hurt his left lower leg in the second quarter but returned to the game shortly thereafter. Receiver and kick-return man Ted Ginn Jr. wasn't certain to start due to a prior ankle sprain. Though he was out there, he was hurting enough by mid game (with either an ankle flare-up or a new ankle injury) to merit some time on the bench. Though Ginn returned for a brief time, he was removed again in the third quarter after sustaining a knee injury. I would be very surprised to see him return for the NFC Championship.
New Orleans was missing WR Lance Moore, who was inactive due to a hamstring injury, and had several other players dealing with prior injuries not thought serious enough to keep them from playing. In-game losses included Saints RB Pierre Thomas who had a head injury in the first quarter and Jimmy Graham, who scored a touchdown after returning to the game in the second quarter after suffering a lower extremity injury earlier in the game. The injured Saints, along with those banged up on the Packers, Broncos and Texans will have the next six months to heal.
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