January 12, 2026
Seattle Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle (upper body) will return from a two-game absence on Monday versus the New York Rangers. The Kraken captain will rejoin the first line and the top power-play unit. Before suffering an upper-body injury, Eberle was playing great hockey. He has averaged a point per game over his last eight appearances. Eberle leads Seattle with 15 goals and is tied for first with 28 points. Jared McCann had a larger role during Eberle's absence and will drop back to the third line on Monday. However, McCann still has fantasy appeal, recording 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 18 outings this campaig.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 12, 2026
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) will remain sidelined on Monday against the New Jersey Devils. The Swedish forward suffered a lower-body injury last week and will be out for a second consecutive game. With Eriksson Ek out of commission, Ryan Hartman has joined the top six, while Danila Yurov continues to center the first line. Both players were kept off the score sheet in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. However, Hartman, who is also part of the first power-play unit, has seen some offensive success lately. Prior to Saturday night, he had scored in back-to-back games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 12, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) is considered questionable for Monday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. The former MVP remains on the injury report as he continues to manage a left knee injury. Embiid sat out Sunday's game against the Raptors for maintenance, and he may be held out again tonight. If the 31-year-old big man is unable to suit up for the second consecutive contest,
Andre Drummond and
Adem Bona are in line to see extra minutes this evening.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand (undisclosed) will remain out on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. The veteran star skated on Monday morning but will be unavailable for a third straight game. Matthew Tkachuk (groin) isn't quite ready to play either. However, Paul Maurice told reporters that both Marchand and Tkachuk would participate in Wednesday's practice. Getting the two back into the lineup would be huge for the Panthers, who have been slumping lately. A.J. Greer will continue in a second-line role on Monday, but he isn't worth adding to fantasy rosters.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 12, 2026
Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (nose) will rejoin the lineup on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The Stars captain has been out of action for three games after injuring his nose on a fall. Benn has offered modest production during the 2025-26 campaign, notching seven goals and 14 points in 23 games. Over his last four appearances, Benn hasn't added any points to his tally. On Monday, Benn will skate on the third line alongside Matt Duchene and Justin Hryckowian. Additionally, he will be on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 12, 2026
The Cleveland Browns requested an interview with Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski for their head-coaching job, a source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Udinski is only 30 years old but has been rapidly rising through the coaching ranks at the NFL level. He will get his first look for a head-coaching job with Cleveland, which is looking to replace Kevin Stefanski. Udinski just completed his first year as Jacksonville's OC after the team lost to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs on Sunday. The 30-year-old did not call plays for the Jaguars offense in 2025. Udinski began his NFL coaching career as an assistant with the Carolina Panthers from 2020-21 before joining the Minnesota Vikings' staff in 2022 under head coach Kevin O'Connell. With no play-calling experience yet, Udinski is probably a long shot to land the Browns' job.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 12, 2026
The Baltimore Ravens have requested an interview with Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for their head-coaching job, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Schwartz has also interviewed for the Browns' head-coaching job, and Cleveland doesn't want to lose him after they fired former head coach Kevin Stefanski. Schwartz was hired by the Browns as their DC back in 2023, and he's been responsible for an elite defensive unit the last couple of years. In addition to being one of the brightest defensive minds in the game, the 59-year-old has previous head-coaching experience. Schwartz was the Detroit Lions' head coach from 2009-13, going 29-52 with one playoff appearance in 2011, three seasons after they were the first team in NFL history to go 0-16. His defense in Cleveland led the NFL in total defense in 2023 and was ranked fourth in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 12, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders are requesting to interview Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter for their head-coaching job, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Tennessee Titans are other teams that have already requested to interview Minter for their vacant head-coaching positions. In addition to Minter, the Raiders have also requested interviews with Vance Joseph, Klint Kubiak,
Davis Webb, Matt Nagy, Kevin Stefanski, Jeff Hafley, Nate Scheelhaase, Mike LaFleur, Chris Shula, and Ejiro Evero. Minter has been the Chargers' DC for the last two years, and he has six seasons of NFL coaching experience. He could be a favorite to take over for John Harbaugh in Baltimore, where Minter was an assistant coach for four seasons. In Vegas, Minter would be taking over for Pete Carroll, who lasted just one season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 12, 2026
There is a belief among other coaching candidates that it will be either the New York Giants or Atlanta Falcons for former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. The loser of the Harbaugh sweepstakes is expected to land former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. The Giants are "all-in" on Harbaugh as the culture-first leader the team is seeking with a proven track record. Harbaugh reportedly values the Giants' opening because of the franchise's history and quarterback
Jaxson Dart, but New York has stiff competition around the league. The Falcons could offer Harbaugh influence over the choice of general manager, which is something the Giants are not currently willing to entertain. The Miami Dolphins are also a strong suitor for Harbaugh, but they have already hired a new GM with no real ties to the former Ravens coach.
--Keith HernandezSource: SNY - Connor Hughes
January 12, 2026
Less than a month after departing LIV Golf, Brooks Koepka has announced via social media that he will return to the PGA Tour for the 2026 season. His reinstatement to the PGA Tour is part of a new "Returning Member Program" that includes several stipulations for qualified players. Under the terms of the agreement, the five-time major champion must make a $5 million donation to charity, as well as forfeit any shares in the Tour's Player Equity Program for the next five years. Koepka will also be ineligible for the FedEx Cup Bonus Program this season and can only earn entry into 2026 Signature Events via on-course performance. He is expected to begin his 2026 campaign at the Farmers Insurance Open, followed by the WM Phoenix Open.
--Joe Nicely - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
January 12, 2026
Green Bay Packers center Sean Rhyan (knee) said that he suffered a bone bruise after getting hit in the side of the knee this year, and tests showed no ligament damage, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Rhyan was consistently on the team's injury report late in the season, but the 25-year-old offensive lineman played the final eight regular-season games and Saturday night's Wild-Card loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears in the playoffs. Other than being scheduled for free agency when the new league year begins in March, Rhyan should have a normal offseason in terms of training. The former third-round pick out of UCLA in 2022 has spent the first four years of his career in Green Bay. Rhyan played in 13 games in his first two years but has started 28 of the 34 games that he's appeared in over the last two seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Silverstein
January 12, 2026
Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (ankle, leg) said he broke his fibula and tore a ligament in his ankle this year, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The ligament injury in Wyatt's ankle is the worst of the two injuries, but he said that he would "definitely be ready for training camp." The 27-year-old defensive lineman was placed on Injured Reserve back on Dec. 5, and he wasn't available to the Packers the rest of the way. When healthy, Wyatt, a former 28th overall pick in 2022 out of Georgia, will be a key interior-line presence for the Packers' defense. He'll be playing on his fifth-year option in 2026. In 10 games before his injury in 2025, Wyatt had 27 tackles (15 solo), four sacks, six tackles for loss, seven QB hits, and two pass breakups. He's had at least four sacks in each of the last three seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Silverstein
January 12, 2026
Green Bay Packers tight end
Tucker Kraft (knee) said on Monday that he's targeting a Week 1 return for the start of the 2026 season this fall, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. "By the time Week 1 rolls around, I'll be 10 months post-surgery and hopefully bulletproofed by then. I already feel pretty good. My progress so far has been great. Some would say even ahead of schedule," Kraft said. The 25-year-old tore his ACL in the Week 9 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Before the season-ending injury, Kraft was well on his way to a breakout campaign in his third year in the league, as he caught 32 of his 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight starts. In 2024, he had a 50-707-7 line in 17 regular-season games. Kraft's 2026 fantasy value will mainly be tied to whether he's ready for the season opener, and if he is, he should be considered a strong TE1 target.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
January 12, 2026
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Monday that he's optimistic that rookie tight end
Terrance Ferguson (hamstring) will play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, according to Gary Klein of The Los Angeles Times. Ferguson suffered a hamstring injury in Week 17 and has missed the last two games, including Saturday's Wild-Card victory over the Carolina Panthers on the road. The 22-year-old rookie tight end scored touchdowns in each of the last two games that he played in against the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks, but that was also when
Tyler Higbee was still on Injured Reserve. Higbee is now back in the fold, and the Rams also have
Colby Parkinson at the position, which will likely leave a very small role for Ferguson if he returns in the Divisional Round this Sunday in Chicago.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Times - Gary Klein
January 12, 2026
Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud averaged 234 passing yards per game in his five full starts since returning from the mid-season concussion that cost him three games. In that time, he threw six touchdowns to two interceptions while adding 169 yards and a score in a Week 18 win over the Colts that saw most of the team's starters pulled early. On Monday night, the Texans travel to Pittsburgh to face a Steelers defense that ranked 30th out of 32 teams against fantasy quarterbacks in the regular season. While Stroud doesn't offer the ceiling of some of the other quarterbacks in the playoff field, he is a smart, reliable passer with an underrated stable of pass catchers. He is RotoBaller's QB10 for the weekend, but given the plus-matchup, he makes for a smart start in any fantasy playoff format that allows players to be used only once.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 12, 2026
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton has been added to the roster for Team USA in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic, according to Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com. The 32-year-old Buxton will join a talented group of outfielders for Team USA that includes
Aaron Judge,
Corbin Carroll, and
Pete Crow-Armstrong. The former second overall pick by the Twins back in 2012 is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro in 2025, when he slashed .264/.327/.551 over 126 games. Buxton set career highs in home runs (35), RBI (83), and runs scored (97) while also stealing 24 bases despite missing some time with a concussion and rib-cage inflammation. He played more than 125 games for the first time in eight years. We always knew Buxton had the ability to put up these kinds of numbers, but durability has been his biggest issue. Buxton showed elite hard-hit rates, exit velocity, and speed, but fantasy managers probably shouldn't be banking on another fully healthy season in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Thomas Harrigan
January 12, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers returns to the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season, and on Monday night, he faces a Texans defense that has given quarterbacks fits all year long. Houston has held opposing quarterbacks 4.1 fantasy points below their season-long average, topped only by the Minnesota Vikings. The 42-year-old Rodgers started the season strongly but has thrown multiple touchdowns in a game only once since Week 9. While it's unlikely he will see anything on Monday night that he isn't mentally prepared for, his physical shortcomings and lack of a supporting cast could leave the Steelers up against it early. In a Wild Card Weekend with 12 teams in action, Rodgers is RotoBaller's QB12 for fantasy playoff leagues.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 12, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
DK Metcalf returns from his two-game suspension, and on Monday night, he faces a Texans defense that finished the regular season as the fourth most difficult matchup for fantasy wide receivers. On average, the Texans held opposing wide receiver rooms 4.4 points below their season-long average in half-PPR formats. With Metcalf the only true outside threat on the Steelers' roster, he is likely to see a fair share of coverage from recently named First Team All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. In a Wild Card matchup that sees them as three-point underdogs at home, Metcalf is RotoBaller's WR18 in fantasy playoff leagues and should be plugged into lineups on an emergency basis only.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 12, 2026
Houston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz closed the year as a top-12 fantasy tight end in four of the last six weeks of the regular season, and in Monday night's Wild Card matchup in Pittsburgh, he faces a Steelers defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points above expectation to the position. With Schultz earning at least four targets in every game this season, while topping a 20% target share seven different times, he has established himself as a critical piece of the Texans' passing offense and one of
C.J. Stroud's most trusted weapons. Schultz entered the weekend as RotoBaller's TE6 in fantasy playoff leagues, but he could be in line for a high-ceiling game against an opponent that has struggled to defend the position all year long.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 12, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren finished the regular season with 1,291 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns, but in Monday night's Wild Card finale, he faces a Texans defense that has been among the most punishing all season long. Houston has been the 8th most formidable fantasy defense in terms of limiting opposing running backs, holding lead backs 2.4 points below their season average. With Warren already working as part of a committee with
Kenneth Gainwell, neither player boasts a particularly high ceiling, though both are buoyed by their steady work in the passing game. Warren is RotoBaller's RB9 for Wild Card Weekend and will likely need to see a strong target share to make good on that projection.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 12, 2026
Former Kentucky running back Dante Dowdell is signing with Georgia, according to On3Sports. The 20-year-old will be at his fourth school in as many years, entering 2026. Dowdell began his career at Oregon (2023) before transferring to Nebraska (2024) and then playing one season at Kentucky (2025). Overall, he's tallied 272 rushing attempts for 1,264 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 14 receptions for 51 yards through the air. Dowdell is a bruising back at 225 pounds, and he figures to work in a committee in the Bulldogs' offense. Georgia ranked fourth in rushing yards per game (182.1) in the SEC in 2025.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Transfer Portal on X
January 12, 2026
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green finished his collegiate career with 9,962 passing yards, 2,405 rushing yards, 94 total touchdowns, and 35 interceptions in 53 games with the Razorbacks and Boise State Broncos. Green is arguably the most physically gifted quarterback in the upcoming rookie class, but his turnover issues and lack of consistency as a passer will prevent him from being a top signal-caller prospect overall. That said, Green has a cannon of an arm and likely possesses 4.4 speed at 6'6", 215 pounds. He's rushed for at least eight touchdowns in all four seasons as a starter. While Green is highly unlikely to earn a starting job early, or at all, in his NFL career, he's an enticing stash in deep dynasty superflex leagues thanks to his physical tools. If he makes a few spot starts in the case of an injury to a starter, his rushing skills alone give him at least QB2 upside. Green is currently expected to be a Day 3 pick in April's 2026 NFL Draft.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Sports Reference CFB
January 12, 2026
Baylor tight end Michael Trigg is coming off the most productive season of his career, setting career highs in receptions (50), receiving yards (694), and touchdowns (six) in 11 games. The 6'4" pass-catcher is an explosive athlete with contested catch ability, and he fights for extra yards after the reception. With many NFL teams moving back to using a lot of 12-personnel, Trigg could be an early contributor as a rookie if he lands inside the top four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, as expected. The 23-year-old spent one season at USC, two seasons at Ole Miss, and two seasons at Baylor, totaling 108 catches for 1,419 yards and 14 touchdowns in 38 career games. The upcoming tight end class isn't as strong as years past, so a team in need of a big-bodied tight end could pull the trigger on him earlier than expected. Trigg is currently a third-round value in dynasty rookie drafts.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Sports Reference CFB
January 12, 2026
Green Bay Packers right tackle Zach Tom (knee) had a partially torn patellar tendon and tried to come back with a platelet-rich plasma injection, but he ultimately didn't feel that he could pass block with it, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Tom will undergo surgery soon and will be facing a six-month recovery in the offseason. The 26-year-old was also dealing with a pectoral injury. Tom was unable to play in Saturday night's Wild-Card loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears, and now he'll get his knee injury taken care of. Before getting hurt, he started all 12 regular-season games that he appeared in. Tom signed a four-year, $88 million contract extension with Green Bay and is under contract through the 2029 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Silverstein
January 12, 2026
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said he's "optimistic" that right guard Kevin Dotson (ankle) will be able to play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday in the Divisional Round of the postseason, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Dotson has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury against the Seattle Seahawks back in Week 16 on Thursday Night Football. The 29-year-old's availability for this weekend will ultimately depend on how he looks in practices this week, but Dotson's return would be good news for a Rams offense that is already one of the most potent in the league. Justin Dedich has been stepping up in a starting role on L.A.'s offensive line since Dotson's late-season ankle injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
January 12, 2026
Green Bay Packers All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons (knee) said he knows a Week 1 return in 2026 is probably unrealistic, but he thinks he can return from a torn ACL within the first month of the season, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Parsons has an expected recovery time of nine months after having surgery to fix a torn ACL in his left knee at the end of December. The good news is that the 26-year-old defensive end suffered a clean tear of his ACL in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos, and he didn't sustain any further damage to other ligaments in his knee. Before his season-ending injury in his first year with the Packers, Parsons collected 41 tackles (19 solo), 12.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 14 games. Parsons' IDP stock will obviously be down in 2026 since he won't play a full season, but the three-time All-Pro will have the ability to be a game-changer once again as soon as he returns.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
January 12, 2026
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (shoulder) is going on Injured Reserve after aggravating and re-breaking his scapula injury from earlier this year, according to head coach Sean McVay. The Rams will not have Witherspoon in their secondary for the rest of the postseason after he was injured in Saturday's Wild-Card win over the hosting Carolina Panthers. It's a tough break for the 30-year-old defensive back, who will become a free agent when the new league year begins in March. Witherspoon finished his third year in L.A. with just eight tackles (six solo), one interception, and two pass breakups in his six regular-season games played due to his shoulder injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Associated Press - Greg Beacham
January 12, 2026
Houston Texans backup quarterback
Davis Mills (personal), whose wife recently gave birth, will travel to Pittsburgh and be available for the Wild-Card game on Monday night against the Steelers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Mills stayed an extra night at home to be with his family. The 27-year-old signal-caller will be active on Monday night as the backup to starter
C.J. Stroud against Pittsburgh. If Mills hadn't been available for this game,
Graham Mertz would have been in line to serve as Stroud's backup against Pittsburgh. Mills performed admirably for Houston this year when Stroud was unavailable due to a concussion. He appeared in six games (three starts), going 91-for-159 passing for 915 yards with five touchdowns and just one interception to go 3-0 for the Texans.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 12, 2026
This time last year, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was projected by many to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The signal-caller who took over for
Jayden Daniels in Baton Rouge had a prolific first year as a starter, passing for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. However, his redshirt senior season was a letdown, as the Tigers' offense crumbled, and Nussmeier was only able to rack up 1,927 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions in nine games. The 23-year-old worked with shaky offensive line play and a lack of a rushing attack in 2025, which can excuse some of the regression, but his draft stock has undoubtedly taken a hit. Once viewed as a first-round prospect, Nussmeier will likely be selected between rounds two and four in April's draft. This means he's unlikely to see a starting role right away, but he'll be an interesting later-round rookie pick and stash candidate in deep dynasty superflex leagues.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Sports Reference CFB
January 12, 2026
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said that cornerback Christian Gonzalez (head) is in the league's concussion protocol after getting injured in Sunday night's Wild-Card victory over the visiting Los Angeles Chargers, according to Mark Daniels of Mass Live. "How long that lasts, I don't know," Vrabel said. Gonzalez's status for the Divisional Round is now up in the air, and he'll have to pass through the NFL's five-step protocol to be cleared to play on Sunday against either the Pittsburgh Steelers or Houston Texans. New England's defense was firing on all cylinders against a banged-up Bolts offensive line on Sunday night and held the Chargers to just one field goal. If the Patriots don't have Gonzalez in the fold this weekend, though, it will be a big downgrade for their secondary against either Pittsburgh or Houston.
--Keith HernandezSource: Mass Live - Mark Daniels
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