In this NFC Wild Card Weekend matchup, the No. 3 seed New Orleans Saints will host the No. 6 seed Detroit Lions in a battle between two high-scoring offenses. While the Lions are looking to win in their first playoff game since 1999, the Saints are hoping to repeat their success in 2009 by winning the Super Bowl. In a game that does not feature too many major injuries, both the Lions and Saints have players injured that may factor into this game.
Out for Lions: None
Out for Saints: LB Jonathan Casillas, TE John Gilmore, WR Lance Moore
Although the Saints offense features plenty of targets for Drew Brees, Moore's absence in this game due to a hamstring injury means wide receivers Marques Colston, Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson will be counted on for more contributions. Gilmore's injury (toe) will leave the team without their best blocking tight end and will make Michael Higgins and Tory Humphrey the backups to starter Jimmy Graham. Backup outside linebacker Casillas will miss this game after aggravating his knee against the Carolina Panthers last week.
Doubtful for Lions: S Chris Harris
The only Lions player who could miss this game is Harris (back), who has 29 tackles and one interception on the season. With Louis Delmas expected back from his knee injury, the loss of Harris is not too critical for a relatively healthy Lions team.
Doubtful for Saints: None
Questionable for Lions: None
Questionable for Saints: None
Probable for Lions: DE Cliff Avril, CB Aaron Berry, S Louis Delmas, DT Nick Fairley, WR Calvin Johnson, CB Chris Houston, CB Alphonso Smith, RB Kevin Smith, DT Corey Williams, DE Willie Young
Offensive starters listed as probable for the Lions are Johnson (Achilles) and Kevin Smith (ankle, knee). Defensive starters listed as probable for the Lions are Avril (back), Delmas (knee), Houston (hand, knee), and Williams (hip). Berry (shoulder), Delmas, Fairley (foot), Houston, Johnson, Alphonso Smith (foot), and Kevin Smith were all limited participants in the team's final practice before the game on Friday, Jan. 6 but should all be available to play.
Probable for Saints: S Jonathon Amaya, S Malcolm Jenkins, WR Robert Meachem, LB Jonathan Vilma
One of the team's leaders on defense, Vilma was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday with his knee injury. After fully participating in practice at the start of the week, Meachem was limited in practice on Friday, also dealing with a knee injury. Despite being inactive for the Saints' regular season finale against the Panthers, Jenkins should play after recovering from a minor neck injury.
Sources:
Detroit at New Orleans Preview, Yahoo! Sports
NFL Injuries, Yahoo! Sports
Jonathan Casillas News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
Chris Harris Profile, Yahoo! Sports
Lions @ Saints: Final Wild Card Game Injury Report, Canal Street Chronicles
Malcolm Jenkins News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
More from this contributor:
2012 NFL Wild-Card Round Playoff TV Schedule
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans Wild Card Weekend Injury Report Assessment: Fan's Preview
2011-12 College Football Bowl TV Schedule
2012 Arena Football League Schedule
Austin Chang is a lifelong football fan, San Francisco 49ers supporter, and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @_austinchang.