Finally, we’ve settled on the final four teams for the 2022 NFL season, and now it’s time to decide which teams will play in Super Bowl LVII. The San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs are entering Week 21 of the season, with all four teams dealing with injuries.
Below, we break down injury updates for Sunday’s conference champions. who’s in there Who is out? Who is moving in the right direction? It’s your one-stop shop for all things injury-related in the NFL.
All NFL odds from Caesars Sportsbook.
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs (-1.5)
- Chief: TE Travis Kelce (back), WR Justin Watson (illness), WR Mecole Hardman (pelvis)
- Bengal tiger: G Alex Cappa (ankle), T Jonah Williams (knee) out
All eyes were on Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes this week as he suffered a sprained ankle in Saturday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite the injury, head coach Andy Reid told reporters Friday that Mahomes will start Sunday, noting that “he’s in great shape.” Mahomes practiced all week, as did running back Jerick McKinnon (ankle) and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. . (Then). With Mahomes starting, the Chiefs’ biggest injury concern involves Travis Kelce. The first-team All-Pro was added to the injury report after his back was locked out on Friday. Kelce is listed as real game time decision Sunday’s game, but He is very active and can play. Wide receivers Mecole Hardman (pelvis) and Justin Watson (illness) also have issues.
Meanwhile, the Tigers added Hayden Hurst to the team’s injury report ahead of Sunday’s AFC Championship Game rematch with the Chiefs. Hurst, who was not on the injury report Wednesday, was limited in Thursday’s practice with a calf injury. On Friday, Hurst announced he will play for the Bengals’ game against Kansas City on Sunday. Not all the injury news was good for Cincinnati, as starting offensive linemen Alex Capa (ankle) and Jonah Williams (knee) were both ruled out for the second straight game. Capa has been sidelined since injuring his ankle against the Ravens in Week 18, while Williams sat out last week after dislocating his knee in the Tigers’ playoff win over Baltimore. Jackson Carman and Max Scharping are again expected to replace those two players in the starting lineup.