More football, more injuries. It's quite hard to believe that this will be the last time we say that for about seven months, but here we are. Super Bowl 50 is on deck, and at this time next week, most, if not all of us will be firmly entrenched in draft mode. Until then, there's an important game to be played, with fans of both the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers chomping at the bit to see their team claim the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday evening in Santa Clara.
Super Bowl 50
Sunday February 7, 2016 5:30 p.m. CST on CBS
Fortunately, there are not many major injury concerns heading into the big game. There are, however, several minor ailments to monitor with kickoff just three days out. Most of the problems lie on the defensive side, with some key players planning on shaking off their knocks in an attempt to play on the game's absolute biggest stage.
Super Bowl 50 Injury Report
- The Carolina Panthers will be able to call upon RB Jonathan Stewart without hesitation on Super Bowl Sunday. J-Stew has been battling an ankle injury for a few weeks, but was able to turn in a full workload against Arizona in the NFC Championship game, totaling 88 total yards on 21 touches. He and fellow running backs Fozzy Whittaker (ankle) and Mike Tolbert (knee) were all slapped with questionable tags last week after the Arizona win, but Carolina expects all of them to be available. On the defensive side, LB Thomas Davis (arm) will play despite undergoing surgery to repair the broken arm he sustained against the Cardinals. DE Jared Allen (foot) will also play after missing the NFC title game. Allen got a rest day at practice this week, but was not even listed on last week's initial injury report, a sign that the team has been expecting him to be available. S Roman Harper, who won a Super Bowl against the Peyton Manning led Indianapolis Colts as a New Orleans Saint six years ago, will also play despite concerns over an eye problem.
- The Denver Broncos are expecting to have the services of safeties Darian Stewart (knee) and T.J. Ward (ankle) for Super Bowl 50. Both players returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, and are on track to play barring any setbacks. Their workload could increase as we head towards Sunday, with coach Gary Kubiak insisting the pair are "right where they need to be in their recoveries." The team will be without S Omar Bolden (knee) after he was injured in their AFC Divisional playoff win over Pittsburgh. Bolden sustained a partial tear of his PCL, and was placed on season-ending injured reserve ahead of the AFC Championship game win over New England. Fellow safety David Bruton (broken leg) was placed on IR after the week 15 loss at Pittsburgh, leaving the Broncos' safety depth stretched thing. Having Stewart and Ward available will be a major boost to their hopes of winning the Super Bowl two years after that disappointing showing against the Seattle Seahawks.
We hope to have been of assistance to you throughout the season with our weekly fantasy football injury report. Enjoy Super Bowl 50. We'll see you next year. Insert football emojis.