Pitt in the Pros
Pitt in the Playoffs: Panthers Represented in NFL Divisional Round

A few of the big-name Pitt players in the professional ranks dropped out of the NFL Playoffs last weekend, but there are still a handful of former players who have a chance to bring home the Lombardi Trophy.
Pitt is represented in three of the four Divisional round games this weekend, starting with the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday afternoon. And while there aren’t any “star” players on the rosters this weekend, there are some legitimate contributors.
So, here are the Pitt in the Pros this weekend:
No. 4 Houston Texans at No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs — Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN
Texans: wide receiver Jared Wayne
The Kansas City Chiefs are working on a three-peat, and there aren’t many teams left that will stand in the way of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Jared Wayne was signed to the Texans’ practice squad in October and bounced between the practice squad and the roster. He played in three games down the stretch of the season but did not record any stats.
The Texans cut wideout Diontae Johnson this week and brought Wayne up to the active roster. With a depleted wide receiving corps, he has an opportunity to make an impact on the big stage.
It will be the first playoff action for Wayne.
No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 1 Detroit Lions — Saturday at 8 p.m. on Fox
No players on the active roster.
No. 4 Los Angeles Rams at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles — Sunday at 3 p.m. on NBC
Eagles: quarterback Kenny Pickett, cornerback Avonte Maddox
The Los Angeles Rams knocked off the Minnesota Vikings in commanding fashion, perhaps the biggest upset of the playoffs yet, but the Philadelphia Eagles are a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Kenny Pickett is healthy, after dealing with a rib injury that sidelined him in the Eagles’ regular season finale, but he won’t see the field unless starter Jalen Hurts goes down. He completed 25-of-42 pass attempts for 291 yards with three total touchdowns (two passing) and an interception this season.
Avonte Maddox played in all 17 games during the regular season, serving primarily as a reserve corner. He recorded 20 tackles (nine solo) and five pass breakups. He’s also an experienced playoff performer, with a ninth playoff appearance coming against the Rams.
No. 3 Baltimore Ravens at No. 2 Buffalo Bills — Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on CBS
Bills: safety Damar Hamlin
The Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are squaring off in perhaps of the Game of the Year, the MVP favorites squaring off on the field, and it’s a battle with major implications.
Damar Hamlin started all 14 regular games he played this season, bouncing back in a major way following the scary on-field incident that occurred two years ago this month. He racked up 89 tackles (62 solo), two tackles for loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
In the Bills’ Wild Card matchup, Hamlin recorded four tackles (one solo) and had an interception called back after an official review.
