Updating our [2026 NFL Divisional Round preview], teams head into this weekend's four divisional playoff games hampered by key injuries from wild-card weekend and practices. Houston Texans WR Nico Collins is out (concussion), Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is questionable (oblique), and San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle's Achilles tear ends his season—among many others that could sway outcomes in Bills-Broncos, 49ers-Seahawks, Texans-Patriots, and Rams-Bears.
The divisional round features high-stakes matchups, but evolving injury reports—confirmed from team updates Wednesday through Friday—underscore the postseason's toll.
Saturday, Jan. 17
4:30 p.m. ET: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos. Buffalo activated DT Ed Oliver (biceps, out since Week 8) and WR Curtis Samuel (elbow), both questionable; miss S Jordan Poyer (hamstring), CB Maxwell Hairston (ankle); LB Terrel Bernard (calf), RB Ty Johnson (ankle) questionable. QB Josh Allen (foot/knee/finger) is fully practiced, no designation. Denver rules out TE Lucas Krull (foot), LB Drew Sanders (ankle); LB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) fully practiced.
8 p.m. ET: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks. 49ers lose TE George Kittle (season-ending Achilles tear from wild-card win) and LB Fred Warner (ankle, out since Week 6; possible NFC title return). WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) questionable; LT Trent Williams (hamstring) cleared. Seahawks' QB Sam Darnold (oblique from Thursday practice) is questionable but confident to play per himself and coach Mike Macdonald; backup Drew Lock ready. Out: TE Elijah Arroyo (knee), T Josh Jones (knee), LB Chazz Surratt (ankle).
Sunday, Jan. 18
3 p.m. ET: Houston Texans at New England Patriots. Texans without WR Nico Collins (concussion in wild-card win vs. Pittsburgh; 71 rec., 1,117 yds., 6 TDs regular season), shifting to WRs Christian Kirk (144 yds., TD last game), Jayden Higgins, Xavier Hutchinson. Patriots: CB Christian Gonzalez cleared concussion; LB Harold Landry III (knee) questionable; RT Morgan Moses (knee) cleared.
6:30 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears. Rams get back RG Kevin Dotson (ankle, missed 3 games), fully practiced. Bears out CB Nick McCloud (groin); WR Rome Odunze (foot) questionable but full Friday practice; WR DJ Moore (knee) expected after full session.
These developments could shift the close contests projected in our preview as teams battle for conference championship berths.