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NFL injury tracker, conference championship Sunday: Jalen Hurts practices fully, Taylor Rapp out for Bills

Here's everything you need to know injury-wise for the AFC and NFC conference championships.

sean leahy
Contributing writer
·3 min read

After being a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was fully involved on Thursday, putting him in line to start Sunday's NFC championship game against the Washington Commanders.

“I think he’s had a good week of practice," said Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni on Friday.

Over the past month, Hurts has dealt with a concussion that forced him to miss the final two regular-season games and then a knee injury during last week's Divisional Round win over the Los Angeles Rams. But playing banged up in the playoffs is something that he's used to.

Since 2021, Hurts has dealt with late-season injuries to his ankle, shoulder, finger and now knee.

“It's a part of the game,” Hurts said on Wednesday. “It's a part of the game and whatever comes with that comes with that, you know?

“I told you guys I've submitted myself to doing whatever it takes to win and some things come with that. But ultimately just got to make the adjustments you need to make to be able to play at a high level. There won't be any excuses going in or coming out.”

Hurts said on Friday that he anticipates wearing a brace on Sunday.

Of concern for the Commanders heading into Sunday is the status of defensive tackle Daron Payne and linebacker Bobby Wagner. Neither practiced on Wednesday or Thursday, with Payne dealing with issues to his knee and finger, while Wagner has an ankle injury.

Wagner picked up his ankle injury during the wild-card round win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Payne suffered a dislocated finger in the same game and now is working through a knee issue.

The Commanders will definitely be without right guard Sam Cosmi after he suffered a torn ACL during last week's win over the Detroit Lions.

While the Kansas City Chiefs have few injury worries entering the AFC Championship game, the Buffalo Bills are waiting to see if several players will take part on Sunday.

Safety Taylor Rapp is out with a hip injury, according to head coach Sean McDermott. He was hurt during the Bills' 27-25 Divisional Round win over the Baltimore Ravens last week.

Cornerback Christian Benford suffered a concussion in the game and while he was limited this week, he remains in protocol. Linebacker Matt Milano is dealing with hamstring soreness, but McDermott said he will be a full participant in Friday's practice. Before the Ravens game, Milano was dealing with a biceps injury, while Benford had an ailing back.

Here's the rest of the conference championship Sunday injury report. (Players will be added as teams release their reports.)

  • G Sam Cosmi (ACL): out

  • QB Jeff Driskel (illness): questionable

  • DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste (shoulder): questionable

  • DT Daron Payne (knee/finger): questionable

  • DT Byron Young (hamstring): out

  • WR Britain Covey (neck): questionable

  • C Cam Jurgens (back): questionable

  • S Taylor Rapp (hip): out

  • CB Christian Benford (concussion, personal): questionable

  • LB Baylon Spector (calf): questionable

  • No injury designations reported by the team.