Gamecocks in the NFL: Conference championship guide
Then there were four. The NFL Playoffs rolls on this weekend with a pair on conference championship games. Since last week, there’s been some movement involving one former Gamecock who unfortunately won’t be playing this weekend now. Nonetheless, there’s still a trio of USC players left in the hunt to win Super Bowl LVII.
Here’s a look at which former South Carolina players to keep an eye on this weekend, as well as any injury updates.
Note: The Gamecocks in the NFL weekly guide won’t always include game day injury statuses. Players who are placed on IR (+) or on practice squad (*) will have marks next to their names. (q) are for players who are questionable, (o) are for players who are out.
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AFC Championship
Bengals vs Chiefs – 6:30 pm (CBS)
Hayden Hurst – TE #88 (CIN)
- Hurst is coming off an impressive game against Buffalo in which he scored just his second career postseason touchdown. But he’s dealing with a calf injury. While the injury shouldn’t prevent the TE from playing it’s something to keep an eye on. The Bengals have used Hurst in the passing game a good bit through their first two playoff games. He has nine catches for 104 yards on 12 targets to go along with last week’s touchdown. Hurst has also been a key part to the Bengals blocking game, which is something he’s demonstrated going back to his days at USC.
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NFC Championship
49ers vs Eagles – 3:00 pm (FOX)
Deebo Samuel – WR #19 (SF)
Javon Kinlaw – DT #99 (SF)
- Despite suffering injuries (both in his ankle and knee) towards the end of the regular season Samuel has been locked in this postseason. That image of Samuel coming up short a year ago to reach the Super Bowl is one that I’m sure is on his mind and should serve as added motivation today.
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Notable transactions:
Chris Lammons – CB
- After mainly playing on special teams this season for the Chiefs, Lammons was released by KC this past week. The DB was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the Bengals will defer the waiver claim until the day after Super Bowl LVII. This means Lammons won’t be able to play for Cincinnati this postseason but he can help provide intel to the team. It also prevented the Chiefs from being able to bring Lammons back for the rest of the postseason, someone who has been a core piece to their special teams.
