Injured Players Who Can Have Major Impact on Playoff Races

While the NFL world monitors Odell Beckham Jr. and a few notable free agents, most reinforcements come from within.

More specifically, they are players recovering from injury.

Heading into the final stretch of the 2022 season, NFL teams are awaiting the returns of big-name talents such as Ja'Marr Chase, Joey Bosa and Tyron Smith. Once healthy, they should provide a considerable boost to teams that are chasing trips to the playoffs.

The list is subjective but focuses on accomplished players on teams with a reasonably high chance of making the postseason.

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens

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Football: Baltimore Ravens J.K. Dobbins (27) in action, runs with the football vs Cincinnati Bengals at MT Bank Stadium. Cincinnati, OH 10/9/2022 CREDIT: Simon Bruty (Photo by Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: x164188)

Although the Baltimore Ravens will always lean heavily on Lamar Jackson, the star quarterback could use a little help.

The backfield is constantly a banged-up bunch, and Jackson's only reliable target is tight end Mark Andrews. Running back J.K. Dobbins, though, can contribute in both areas.

As a rookie in 2020, he rushed for 805 yards at a 6.0-yard clip and caught 18 passes before an ACL injury sidelined him last year. Dobbins had a slower start to 2022, but another knee injury shelved him this October.

Dobbins has since returned to practice, suggesting a return to the field will be coming soon. He'll provide a more versatile option to an offense in desperate need of a boost.

Joey Bosa, EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 15: Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers rushes against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 15, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Injuries are once again a thorn for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Among the health setbacks, they're currently down standout edge-rusher Joey Bosa. He's been unavailable since Week 3 because of a groin injury and subsequent surgery.

The bad news, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, is head coach Brandon Staley said it's "still gonna be some time" before Bosa returns to practice. The good news is Bosa, who's produced four 10-sack seasons in his seven-year NFL career, can make an impact right away.

Heading into Week 13, the Chargers are a game behind both the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets in the AFC wild-card race. Cincinnati (fourth) and New York (fifth) have significantly tougher remaining schedules than the Chargers (26th).

Bosa alone won't be the difference of a playoff trip, but even just two strong, late-season games from him could be vital.

Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 09: Bengals wide receiver JaMarr Chase (1) runs after a catch during the Cincinnati Bengals versus Baltimore Ravens NFL game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 9, 2022 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

How about a bit of particularly good news?

Ja'Marr Chase is expected to return in Week 13 following a four-game absence. It's a perfect time for the Bengals, who host the AFC-leading Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of last season's conference title game.

As mentioned earlier, though, this is about more than a single game for Cincinnati. The team still has to navigate a closing run at the New England Patriots and home to the Buffalo Bills and Ravens. If that's not ultimately the toughest stretch in the NFL, it's certainly close.

Chase, the 2021 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, has averaged 86.4 receiving yards in his seven appearances this season. He caught six touchdowns in those contests, too.

Now that he's (theoretically) back, Cincinnati once again has a dynamic trio of receivers with Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

Cam Dantzler, CB, Minnesota Vikings

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 09: Cameron Dantzler Sr. #3 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 9, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Already on the verge of clinching the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings know they're headed to the postseason.

But the team is eager to restock the secondary.

Cameron Dantzler (ankle) hasn't played since Week 9, and rookie Akayleb Evans (concussion) has missed a couple of weeks. Both players will be impactful, although Dantzler is the featured player. He's solid in coverage and a regular contributor in run defense, too.

Given that Minnesota lost Andrew Booth Jr. (knee) for the season, the Vikings are counting on both Dantzler and Evans to bolster the position upon their returns.

Tyron Smith, LT, Dallas Cowboys

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INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 20: Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) during the NFL preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers on August 20, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Injuries have unfortunately been a recurring issue for Tyron Smith, who missed three games in each of the 2016-19 seasons, 14 games in 2020, six in 2021 and all of 2022 so far because of a torn hamstring.

When he's healthy, however, Smith is an elite left tackle. He absolutely excelled last season despite his intermittent availability, helping the Cowboys put up an NFL-high 31.2 points per game and earning his eighth Pro Bowl nod. Smith is a four-time AP All-Pro selection.

Rookie tackle Tyler Smith has done an admirable job in the veteran's place, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed Tyler will shift to left guard when Tyron returns.

Provided he's back for the Dec. 24 showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles, Smith has a great opportunity to help Dallas catch its longtime NFC East rival.

Tre'Davious White, CB, Buffalo Bills

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Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) follows Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Dan Arnold (85) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Tre'Davious White, officially, is back from a torn left ACL. The cornerback logged 16 snaps in Buffalo's win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving and 33 snaps with four tackles against the New England Patriots.

Practically speaking, he's still making his return.

White's role, in all likelihood, will gradually increase during the next few weeks. Buffalo isn't necessarily a playoff lock, but it'd be surprising for a roster with a top-five scoring offense and defense to collapse. For now, at least, White has the luxury of easing into a full-time role.

Once that happens, Buffalo will again have an elite playmaker at corner. Through his first five seasons, the two-time All-Pro snatched 16 interceptions and defended 60 passes.

Considering the firepower of AFC offenses—namely Kansas City, Cincinnati and the Miami Dolphins—White is poised to provide a massive lift at the perfect time.