The NFL playoff picture has largely taken shape, with 11 of the 14 playoff berths clinched. And the other three playoff berths could all be clinched by Sunday.
We already know that six of the NFC playoff teams will be the Seahawks, Bears, Eagles, 49ers, Rams and Packers. The seventh NFC playoff team will be either the Panthers or Buccaneers.
And we know that five of the AFC playoff teams will be the Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Chargers and Bills. One of the two remaining spots will go to either the Steelers or Ravens, and the other will go to either the Texans or Colts.
The Panthers can clinch the seventh and final NFC playoff berth if they win and the Buccaneers lose on Sunday.
The Steelers will clinch one of the AFC playoff berths if they win or the Ravens lose, and the Texans will clinch the other AFC playoff berth if they win or the Colts lose.
Knowing all 14 playoff teams wouldn’t render Week 18 totally meaningless, as there would still be jockeying for playoff seeding, but it would mean a lot of teams won’t have anything to play for in the final weekend of the season. Week 18 could be a rather anticlimactic conclusion to the regular season, and a slow week before the start of the playoffs.
The Texans will be missing at least one of their starting offensive tackles when they face the Chargers on Saturday.
Right tackle Trent Brown was ruled out on the team’s final injury report before the game. Brown missed practice all week with ankle and knee injuries.
They could also be without left tackle Aireontae Ersery. The rookie is listed as questionable with a thumb injury that kept him out of practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cornerback Ajani Carter (hamstring), defensive lineman Darrell Taylor (ankle), and wide receiver Justin Watson (calf) are all listed as questionable to be activated from injured reserve.
Linebacker Jamal Hill (calf, wrist) has been ruled out along with Brown.
The Chargers have listed three players as questionable for Saturday’s game against the Texans.
Running back Kimani Vidal is part of that group. Vidal is dealing with a neck injury that kept him from practicing on Tuesday and Wednesday. He was estimated to be a limited participant on Thursday.
Right guard Mekhi Becton (knee) and defensive tackle Teair Tart (groin) are also carrying questionable designations into the game.
The Chargers ruled out wide receiver Derius Davis (ankle), safety RJ Mickens (shoulder), offensive lineman Jemaree Salyer (hamstring), and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder). Quarterback Justin Herbert (left hand) and edge rusher Bud Dupree (back) are among other players on the report who have no injury designations.
The current AFC defensive player of the week was back at practice for the Texans on Wednesday.
Cornerback Derek Stingley sat out on Tuesday because of an oblique injury, but the team’s injury report shows that he was back to work in a limited capacity. Stingley has not missed any games this season.
Safety Kamari Lassiter (foot, knee) also returned for a limited practice. Lassiter has also started all 15 games for the Texans.
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (ankle, knee), defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (knee), and defensive end Dylan Horton (hip) were the team’s other limited participants. Linebacker Jake Hansen (chest), linebacker Jamal Hill (calf, wrist), right tackle Trent Brown (ankle, knee), left tackle Aireontae Ersery (thumb), and defensive lineman Denico Autry (knee) did not practice.
Running back Woody Marks (ankle), cornerback Ajani Carter (hamstring), long snapper Austin Brinkman (knee), defensive lineman Darrell Taylor (ankle), wide receiver Justin Watson (calf), and tight end Dalton Schultz (knee) were full participants. The Texans will issue injury designations for Saturday’s game against the Chargers on Thursday.
The Texans offense had a rough day against the Raiders in Week 16, but cornerback Derek Stingley and the defense helped them escape with a win.
Stingley opened the scoring with a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter of what would go in the books as a 23-21 Texans victory. Stingley also had two tackles and he forced a fumble by tight end Michael Mayer, but the ball wound up bouncing out of bounds.
Stingley was named the AFC defensive player of the week in recognition of his performance. It’s the third time that Stingley has received that award in the last three seasons.
The Texans will be trying to clinch a playoff spot by beating the Chargers on Saturday and Stingley will be front and center to that bid.
