Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington has been cleared to return to Sunday’s AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, easing fears after a concerning head injury scare in the first half.
Washington went down awkwardly near the Bills’ sideline earlier in the game and was attended to by medical staff before being escorted off the field. Broadcast footage showed him appearing unsteady, prompting immediate concern and speculation that he might be ruled out under the NFL’s concussion protocols.
Parker Washington has been cleared to return.
— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) January 11, 2026
He was initially evaluated in the medical tent and later taken to the locker room, a sequence that often signals a full-game absence. However, that outlook changed late in the first half.
According to a confirmed update from Jaguars reporter Brent Martineau , Washington has now been medically cleared and is available to return to the game. Clearing the NFL’s concussion return-to-participation protocol requires players to pass several neurological and balance tests, suggesting no lingering symptoms were detected.
Watch #11 Parker Washington pic.twitter.com/NuDJ4ptMmT
— 🜲 🜲 🜲 (@fsh733) January 11, 2026
Washington’s clearance is a significant boost for Jacksonville’s offense, which had been bracing for a thinner receiver rotation against a physical Buffalo defense. His availability preserves key depth as the Jaguars continue to battle in a tightly contested postseason matchup.
Latest status
- Status: Cleared to return
- Injury: Head injury / concussion evaluation
- Availability: Active (monitoring ongoing)
You may also like:
Jaguars vs Bills Inactives: Full Wild Card List and Last-Minute Updates
