Carlton Davis Injury Update
Carlton Davis is currently in the league’s concussion/head-injury evaluation process after exiting the Patriots–Texans divisional-round game on January 18, 2026, in the fourth quarter.
On X, NFL reporter Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) noted that the Patriots have officially ruled out cornerback Carlton Davis III with a head injury, casting doubt over his availability for a likely AFC Championship Game next Sunday.
He took a blow to the head in the second half, was checked in the sideline tent, then taken inside the stadium for further assessment before being ruled out for the rest of the game.
Charles Woods finished the game in his spot, which is notable because Davis has been one of New England’s ironman defenders this season, logging over 1,000 defensive snaps across the regular season and playoffs.
It is the kind of situation where teammates usually talk after the game about “hoping he’s good” more than about coverages or blitzes, because everyone knows how serious head injuries can be.
What Happened to Carlton Davis?
Carlton Davis suffered a head injury after a hit in the second half against the Texans, which forced him out of the divisional-round playoff game.
Reports out of the game noted that he went from the field to the blue tent and then back inside for further testing, a pretty familiar pattern now for any possible concussion.
For a cornerback who loves to tackle and play physical at the line, the risk of these collisions is always there, and sometimes it is not even a highlight play just a routine snap where helmet meets helmet at the wrong angle.
There was a small, telling detail: once Davis was ruled out, the Patriots did not shuffle their whole secondary, they simply dropped Woods straight into his role, which shows how defined his responsibilities in this defense have become.
When Will Carlton Davis Return?
There is no confirmed return date yet, and his status for the Patriots’ next playoff game will depend on how he progresses through the NFL’s concussion protocol over the coming days.
On X, the official account @PatriotsComms shared a brief update stating that Carlton Davis III has a head injury and is questionable to return for the Patriots.
The league’s process usually requires players to pass multiple steps from symptom checks to light workouts to full-contact practice before being cleared, so a short-week turnaround would be tough, while a normal week at least gives him a real chance.
Given how important he has been as a full-time starter all season, the Patriots will likely be cautious but hopeful; fans know that sometimes these things resolve quickly, and other times a player sits an extra week even when everything “looks fine” on the surface.
In practical terms, New England is already preparing as if Woods and the rest of the corner group must hold up on their own, then treat any early clearance for Davis as a bonus rather than a guarantee.
Carlton Davis Stats
Carlton Davis put together a strong 2025–26 campaign for the Patriots, starting all 17 regular-season games and both playoff contests so far while piling up tackles and key pass breakups.
Across the regular season he consistently posted solid tackling numbers multiple games with five or more combined stops and added double-digit passes defensed, showing the classic “sticky coverage” reputation that followed him from his earlier stops in Tampa Bay and Detroit.
In this postseason alone, he already delivered a standout performance with two interceptions of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, including a toe-tapping sideline grab that quickly made the highlight shows and reminded everyone why New England invested in him on a three-year, $54 million deal back in March.
For anyone tracking his career arc, it is a familiar pattern: physical press corner, high snap counts, plenty of passes broken up, and now unfortunately a late-season injury story that will shape how this Patriots playoff run is remembered.
Disclaimer: This Carlton Davis injury update is based on publicly available reports from reputable sports news and team sources as of January 18–19, 2026, and details can change quickly as new medical information is released. For the most accurate and up-to-date status before any game, fans should always check the New England Patriots’ official injury reports, league announcements, or trusted NFL reporters on game day.
