At this stage of any NFL season, the teams preparing for the Super Bowl are beat up and likely dealing with numerous injuries. That is certainly true for the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, and some of their most noteworthy players are dealing with injuries that could become a problem during the big game and could be something their opponent tries to exploit.
For the Patriots, that will be Drake Maye and the shoulder problem he's been dealing with. For the Seahawks, QB Sam Darnold has been recovering from an oblique injury, but the reported low ankle sprain to Nick Emmanwori might be the more problematic.
The rookie safety suffered the injury at practice late last week and was noticeably limping in the days that followed. Although he's been officially cleared to play and removed from the injury report, the Patriots will need to monitor his status during the game.
#Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald to @kalynkahler, the pool reporter: “No designation for Nick. Turns out he's alive." https://t.co/xtJAkQb6D2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 6, 2026
Considering the role he has played on their defense this season and his rise to household-name status, it would be devastating if he makes his injury worse while simultaneously giving the Patriots a boost on offense if he leaves the field at any point.
The Patriots might get a big boost if Nick Emmanwori isn't playing up to his usual standard
While there's no need to ever hope for a player to suffer an injury of any kind, there is a need to pay attention to how a player is performing coming off an injury, especially since Emmanwori hurt his ankle just a few days ago.
Although a low ankle sprain isn't considered particularly serious, he clearly hurt it enough to limp after the practice and at media availability the following day, which is significant for the Seahawks' defense.
The Patriots were already walking into a tough situation against Seattle's defense, but if Emmanwori is even a little bit off his game, that swings some momentum in their favor.
According to the vast majority of those who have made their picks known for the game, the Patriots will need all the help they can get to take down the apparently explosive Seahawks, who are predicted by many to blow them out on the biggest stage of all.
There doesn't seem to be much evidence to support that claim, but if that is plausible, Emmanwori not being 100% is a significant factor that could alter the course of the game.