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Latest on key NFL injuries ahead of division round of playoffs

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The NFL playoffs continue this week with the divisional round in each conference. In the AFC, the No. 1 seed Baltimore Ravens host the No. 4 seed Houston Texans on Saturday and the No. 2 seed Buffalo Bills host the No. 3 seed Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. In the NFC, the No. 1 seed San Francisco 49ers host the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers on Saturday and the No. 3 seed Detroit Lions host the No. 4 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

After 17 regular season games and one playoff game each for the Texans, Bills, Chiefs, Packers, Lions, and Buccaneers, health is crucial for teams looking to make it to the conference championship. Here’s the latest on some of the biggest injury questions heading in to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs:

San Francisco 49ers DL Arik Armstead (foot, knee)

Armstead missed the last five games of the regular season with injuries to his foot and knee. The defensive lineman was a full-go in practice and is likely to play Saturday against the Packers.

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Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder, ankle)

Alexander re-injured his ankle during the third quarter of Green Bay’s 48-32 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the wild card round. He did not practice on Wednesday after being limited on Tuesday. Coach Matt LaFleur said Alexander could practice Thursday but in a limited role.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB YaYa Diaby (shoulder)

The rookie third-round pick led the team in sacks during the regular season but left the Buccaneers’ 32-9 win over the Philadelphia Eagles with a shoulder injury. Diaby did not practice Wednesday and was limited in practice Thursday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin (knee)

Godwin did not practice Wednesday but has been dealing with a knee injury over the season. Coach Bowles did not provide a specific update on Godwin’s status Wednesday.

Buffalo Bills WR Gabe Davis (knee)

Davis missed the Bills’ win over the Steelers due to an injury in the regular season finale against Miami. Davis did not practice Thursday and will be evaluated on a daily basis, according to coach Sean McDermott.

Kansas City Chiefs DL Derrick Nnadi (tricep)

Nnadi left the Chiefs’ 26-7 win over the Miami Dolphins and was the only starter to not practice Wednesday. Coach Andy Reid did not provide any further updates.

Kansas City Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed (calf)

The Chiefs’ top defensive back, according to Sports Info Solutions data, was limited in practice Wednesday. Sneed injured his calf late in the first half of the Chiefs’ wild card round win but was able to walk off the field under his own power.

Houston Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle)

Anderson Jr. had a sack against the Cleveland Browns in the wild card round but did not practice Wednesday and was limited on Thursday. He’s questionable for the Texans’ matchup against the Ravens.

Houston Texans OT George Fant (illness)

Fant’s started at right tackle for the Texans and played a few snaps at left tackle in the win over the Browns. He wasn’t listed on the injury report until Thursday when he did not practice and is questionable for Saturday’s game against the Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (ankle)

Andrews suffered what was initially thought to be a season-ending injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11. But the three-time Pro Bowl tight end practiced Thursday and is questionable to play against the Texans in the divisional round.

Baltimore Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey (calf)

Humphrey’s been out of the lineup since injuring his calf in the Ravens’ win against Dolphins in Week 17. He’s missed eight games this season due to foot surgery and this calf injury. He did not practice Thursday and has been ruled out of Saturday’s game.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY