Bodog Beat

Injuries in the NFL are never more scrutinized or as important as they are in the playoffs. Most guys will play through things they wouldn’t normally do in the regular season. But a key player sitting out or not being 100 percent could be the difference between a team advancing or beginning to focus on the following season.

With that said, here are a few key injuries for the opening round of the NFL playoffs:

Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots: The Patriots have made nothing official yet, but all reports are that Welker tore the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in last week’s loss to Houston and will not only miss the playoffs but possibly some of the 2010 season. Welker is Tom Brady’s security blanket and helps open up the field for both the running game and those deep throws to Randy Moss. Welker had an NFL-leading 123 catches (30 percent of Brady’s completions) for 1,348 yards despite missing basically three games this season. Brady’s completion percentage with Welker in the lineup is more than 11 points higher this season (68) than it is without him (56.3). Rookie Julian Edelman likely would start for Welker. New England is still a 3.5-point favorite for Sunday’s game against Baltimore on Bodog’s NFL odds.

David Harris, LB, New York Jets: Harris sprained his ankle in the second quarter of last week’s win against the Bengals and is very much in question for the rematch with Cincinnati this weekend. Harris leads the NFL’s top-rated defense in tackles to go along with 5.5 sacks and two interceptions. "I'm definitely concerned. Absolutely," Coach Rex Ryan said. Harris is not expected to practice early in the week but Ryan is hopeful Harris can play Saturday. Journeyman Ryan Fowler is Harris’ backup, but he suffered a head injury against the Bengals although he did finish the game. The Jets have opened as 3-point dogs on Bodog’s NFL odds.

Chad Ochocinco, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: Ochocinco hurt his knee during warm-ups before last week’s loss to the Jets but is expected to play in the rematch after an MRI showed nothing serious. Ochocinco’s pride also was hurt after star Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis held him catchless in the game during the half that both were on the field — Ochocinco had caught a pass in 120 straight games.

Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers: Woodson, arguably the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year this season, suffered a shoulder strain in last week’s win over Arizona and didn’t return. But Woodson is “fully expected” to play for the rematch with Arizona on Sunday. Woodson intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown last week against the Cards – he has nine picks and three returns for TDs this season. His cover skills will be key against Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald. The Packers are 3-point dogs on Bodog’s NFL odds.

Anquan Boldin, WR, Arizona Cardinals: Boldin’s health was a big question mark in last year’s playoffs for Arizona and it is again this season. This time, Boldin has a sprained left ankle, and he may not practice at all this week ahead of Sunday’s game with Green Bay. He had an MRI on the ankle and will be evaluated as the week progresses, although Boldin, who had at least 1,000 yards receiving for the fifth time in his career, said he expected to play. He did, however, miss a divisional round game last season against Carolina because of an injury.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Arizona Cardinals: The Cards’ top cover guy, Rodgers-Cromartie left last week’s loss to Green Bay early with a bruised left knee. But the second-year player, who leads Arizona in interceptions with six and was selected to the Pro Bowl, is expected to play Sunday in the rematch with Green Bay.

Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona Cardinals: Certainly no team is more banged up than the Cards heading into the playoffs, as Campbell also was hurt last week against the Packers. He suffered a fractured left thumb and had surgery Monday but still could play with a cast on in the rematch with Green Bay on Sunday. Campbell had 47 tackles and seven sacks this season. Despite all the injuries, Arizona is a 3-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds.

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