NFL Playoff Preview: Several Former Cowboys in Action for Wildcard Weekend

The NFL postseason kicks off this weekend and you can expect to see several former Cowboys in action. Here’s a peek at the upcoming Wildcard Weekend slate and which OSU alums you should keep an eye out for.

NFC Wildcard: Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks

Saturday, Jan. 9 at 3:40 p.m. CST on FOX

A pair of Pokes coming back from injury.

Chris Carson (Seahawks): Since returning to the lineup after missing over a month with a midfoot sprain — he’s been hampered all year with several nagging injuries — Chris Carson might finally be healthy for a playoff game.

Carson’s return to the field has made for a tangible boost in Seattle’s offense down the stretch but they have been saving his reps for the postseason.

Here’s an excerpt from a great writeup on the oft-injured Carson who might finally be fresh for a playoff game.

I think Chris feels really good. I think you see the way he’s running,” Seahawks play caller and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said.

“I’ve not seen him run with this much confidence, this much determination. Just pull up some of the runs where we get them to the second level, and see him challenge safeties, see him challenge corners trying to come off blocks at the second level.

“I’ve not seen that consistently from Chris. I think he’s becoming ‘The Punisher.’” [The News Tribune]

Tre Flowers (Seahawks): Flowers made his return in Week 17, just briefly, after missing over a month himself due to injury. He saw all his snaps in the finale come on special teams but he was Seattle’s starting right cornerback when he went down. Expect him to see the field on defense as the Seahawks host the Rams.

AFC Wildcard: Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans

Sunday, Jan. 10 at 12:05 p.m. on ESPN/ABC

A rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional round.

Dez Bryant (Ravens): Dez has seen mostly spot duty since joining up with the Ravens midseason, but when targeted he’s been effective and productive. He caught six of the 11 passes thrown his way and was able to thrown up the X on two of them. He should continue to provide Lamar Jackson with a dependable redzone target as the Ravens try to exact revenge on the team that knocked them out in the divisional round last year.

Justice Hill (Ravens): Hill fell further down the Ravens’ RB depth chart in Year 2 after Baltimore drafted Ohio State rusher J.K. Dobbins. In 12 games this season, Hill has garnered just 12 carries for 60 yards. It seems unlikely that he plays a significant role in the offense outside of an injury occurring ahead of him.

AFC Wildcard: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday, Jan. 10 at 7:15 p.m. on NBC

A rematch of last week.

James Washington (Steelers): Washington’s production has been up and down all year thanks, in part, to the abundance of receiver talent in Pittsburgh. He turned in a season-high 80 yards and a score in Week 13 and then scored again a week later. Since then he’s mustered just two catches in three outings, but a highlight reel-worthy catch is just one play away.

Mason Rudolph (Steelers): Rudolph logged his first start of the year as the AFC North champs rested Ben Roethlisberger against division rival Cleveland. Going toe-to-toe with Baker Mayfield, Rudolph turned in a career game with 315 yards and two scores.

This weekend it’s back to clipboard duty for Rudolph, but QB1 snaps, as always, are also just one play away.

Vincent Taylor (Browns): Taylor spent the season as a rotation player in Cleveland’s defensive front, appearing in 15 games and recording nine solo tackles and a tackle for loss. He tied a season high with two tackles against Pittsburgh last week.

A.J. Green (Browns practice squad): The former OSU cornerback was elevated from Cleveland’s practice squad for the season finale against Pittsburgh — though he didn’t see the field — but appears to be back off the active roster for the time being. He’s appeared in just two games (earlier in the season), with all but one snap coming on special teams.