NFL Divisional Spherical Buzz: X-Rays Damaging for Rams QB Stafford; Parsons Again Week 1?

[ad_1] The wild-card spherical remains to be ongoing, however it's not too early to stay up for the divisional spherical.

Each little bit of harm information turns into extra consequential because the postseason progresses. Who's damage? Who's practising? Who's beginning?

Let's check out a number of the most noteworthy updates across the league forward of the divisional spherical.

Headed into their divisional spherical matchup in opposition to the Bears, the Rams can put apart any considerations about quarterback Mathew Stafford's throwing hand. X-rays got here again destructive, FOX Sports activities NFL insider Jay Glazer reported Sunday.

Stafford appeared to injure his proper hand whereas following by on a cross within the first half of L.A.'s win over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. The veteran QB was in ache after his throwing hand hit the arm of a Carolina defensive lineman, however he stayed within the recreation.

Stafford's day took a flip across the identical time as that play — he had a stretch through the center two quarters the place he accomplished simply 4 of 19 passes. He regrouped within the fourth quarter, nonetheless, and had considered one of his greatest quarters of the season. Stafford completed the day 24-of-42 for 304 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

He'll be prepared for the Bears subsequent weekend in Chicago.

49ers LB Warner shares drill footage as he gears up for doable return A dislocated ankle in Week 6 disrupted San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner's season. However, within the star defender's newest replace, the potential for return this yr is showing to be in play.

Warner shared footage on social media Monday displaying his participation in an on-field drill. Warner's lateral motion and quickness appeared encouraging, suggesting that he be inching towards a return. FOX Sports activities NFL Insider Jay Glazer beforehand reported Jan. 10 on the "NFL on FOX Pregame" present that the Niners are "holding out hope" for Warner to have the ability to return in the event that they attain the NFC Championship Sport.

San Francisco will face the Seattle Seahawks on the street within the divisional spherical on Jan. 17.

Is Week 1 a practical 2026 return date for Packers' Parsons, Kraft? The Inexperienced Bay Packers misplaced Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft to torn ACLs this season. As they proceed to get better, nonetheless, each Parsons and Kraft stated on Jan. 12 {that a} return to motion early subsequent season is a practical goal.

Chatting with reporters for the primary time since his Dec. 14 harm, Parsons stated Monday that he hopes to be again for the beginning of the season, however added {that a} extra lifelike objective is "in all probability like Week 3, Week 4."

"I wouldn’t want this on anybody," Parsons stated. "I don’t suppose individuals understand how a lot the knee is. It’s probably the most difficult factor that I believe I’ve ever confronted as a human. Once you speak about ache, can’t sleep, can’t transfer round. … I can’t bear in mind the final time I slept by the evening. My physique’s drained. My thoughts’s drained. I’m exhausted, man. But it surely’s going to be value it as soon as I’m going to have the ability to transfer and play once more."

Kraft, who tore his proper ACL on Nov. 2, in contrast this harm to the torn pectoral muscle that brought about him to spend a part of the 2024 preseason on the bodily unable to carry out checklist. Kraft returned in time to play all 17 video games that season.

"By the point Week 1 rolls round, I’ll be 10 months post-surgery and hopefully bulletproof by then," Kraft stated.

Bears lose beginning linebacker, left sort out for the rest of playoffs On the heels of their historic wild-card win over the Inexperienced Bay Packers, the Bears obtained some dangerous information. Linebacker T.J. Edwards suffered a fractured fibula and beginning left sort out Ozzy Trapilo suffered a patellar harm within the recreation. Each will miss the rest of the season, head coach Ben Johnson introduced.

Edwards was fifth on the workforce in tackles through the common season. The lack of Trapilo signifies that Chicago should in any other case account for quarterback Caleb Williams' blindside safety heading into its first divisional spherical recreation since 2010.

Trapilo, whom the Bears chosen within the second spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, has began at left sort out since Week 12. He is given up three sacks and 22 pressures this season, per Professional Soccer Focus. Trapilo's alternative on Saturday was Theo Benedet, who began eight video games through the common season earlier than being changed by Trapilo. Benedet went undrafted final yr and spent the 2024 season on the apply squad.

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