January 9, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren (illness) returned to a full practice on Friday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Warren was under the weather and did not practice on Thursday. Now that he's back, he should be ready to rock by Monday night when the Steelers take on the Houston Texans in a Wild-Card playoff matchup. The 27-year-old back finished as the RB17 in half-PPR scoring during the regular season with 958 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 211 carries. He added 40 receptions on 45 targets for 333 receiving yards and two more TDs. Warren will be splitting the backfield workload with
Kenneth Gainwell, who has become a bigger part of the offense in the second half of the season. Warren should be considered a low-end RB1 during Wild-Card weekend while going up against a Texans defense that allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards to RBs this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
January 9, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard (shoulder) will rejoin the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. Chicago's ascending star has recovered from a shoulder injury, which kept him sidelined for 12 games. Bedard is having a special campaign, scoring 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 31 games. On Friday, Bedard is expected to skate on the first line alongside Ryan Greene and Andre Burakovsky. Additionally, he will reclaim his spot on the first power-play unit. Washington has struggled defensively in recent games and has a 77.2 percent penalty kill, giving Bedard a chance to make a big impact in his return.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 9, 2026
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is considered questionable to play on Sunday against the hosting Philadelphia Eagles in a Wild-Card playoff game, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. The questionable tag leaves the door open for Pearsall to play this weekend, but he's definitely on the wrong side of questionable after missing a full week of practice for the second straight week. The 25-year-old aggravated a PCL sprain in his knee that caused him to miss a big chunk of the regular season as well. Fantasy managers definitely shouldn't expect him to be active on Sunday. If Pearsall is officially out for a second straight game,
Jauan Jennings should operate as the team's clear WR1, with both
Demarcus Robinson and
Kendrick Bourne filling bigger roles behind Jennings. Tight end
George Kittle should also be heavily targeted.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
January 9, 2026
San Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle (ankle) has been cleared from the final injury report and will play on Wild-Card weekend on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Kittle missed Week 17 with a sprained ankle, but he returned to play 95% of the offensive snaps in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks last Saturday. The expectation all along was that the 32-year-old veteran Pro Bowler would be good to go for the first round of the playoffs. The matchup isn't great -- the Eagles' defense allowed the second-fewest half-PPR points to opposing TEs this year -- but Kittle should still be considered one of the best options at the position in fantasy playoff formats. Kittle averaged 12.1 half-PPR points per game (third-most at TE) in his 11 regular-season contests.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
January 9, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles tight end
Grant Calcaterra (ankle) upgraded to a full practice on Friday and has been removed from the final injury report for Sunday's Wild-Card playoff matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Fellow TE
Dallas Goedert (knee) has also been cleared after the Eagles rested him in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders. Calcaterra might have been a TE sleeper worth considering for Wild-Card weekend in fantasy football playoff leagues, but only had Goedert missed a second straight game. The 27-year-old will most likely play a limited role on offense for the Eagles against the Niners, so fantasy managers should ignore him everywhere. Calcaterra had only nine catches in 15 regular-season games for 76 yards and one touchdown.
--Keith HernandezSource: Philadelphia Eagles
January 9, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles tight end
Dallas Goedert (knee) upgraded to a full practice on Friday and has been cleared to play in Sunday's Wild-Card game versus the visiting San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles held Goedert out, as they did most of their starters, during the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders. The 31-year-old is ready to play this weekend, though, and he'll be one of the best choices at the TE position for fantasy managers competing in playoff leagues. Goedert tied for the league lead with
Trey McBride for most touchdowns with 11 during the regular season. San Francisco's defense is also extremely banged up and allowed the eighth-most half-PPR points per game in 2025 to opposing tight ends. Goedert finished as the TE3 overall in half-PPR scoring, behind only McBride and
Kyle Pitts Sr.--Keith HernandezSource: Philadelphia Eagles
January 9, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Keandre Lambert-Smith (hamstring) did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Sunday night's Wild-Card playoff contest against the hosting New England Patriots. Lambert-Smith got more playing time in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos with the Bolts resting some starters, but he injured his hamstring and won't be available for the start of the postseason. The 23-year-old had a very limited role in his first year in the NFL with the Chargers, catching just five passes on 12 targets for 51 yards and one touchdown in 10 games played. Lambert-Smith's absence against the Pats could lead to some more playing time for
Tre' Harris behind
Ladd McConkey,
Keenan Allen, and
Quentin Johnston.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Chargers
January 9, 2026
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) has officially been ruled out for Saturday night's NFC Wild-Card matchup against the divisional-rival Chicago Bears, according to the team. Wicks suffered a concussion in the Week 17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and will now miss a second straight game. Other than a six-catch, 94-yard, two-touchdown breakout in the Thanksgiving Day win over the Detroit Lions, the 24-year-old Wicks did very little for fantasy managers in 2025 in his third year in the league. Wicks found the end zone nine times combined his first two years in the league, but he had just two touchdowns this year while catching a career-low 30 passes for 332 yards. It remains to be seen if he'll clear the league's concussion protocol to play in the Divisional Round next week if Green Bay beats the Bears.
--Keith HernandezSource: Green Bay Packers
January 9, 2026
Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf) missed practice all week and has been ruled out for the Wild-Card tilt on Sunday against the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars. Bernard was also held out of the team's Week 18 regular-season finale against the New York Jets. It's unclear if the Bills will have the 26-year-old available for the Divisional Round if they beat the Jaguars. During the regular season, Bernard finished with 65 tackles (44 solo), seven tackles for loss, one interception, three pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 12 games played after recording back-to-back 100-plus-tackle seasons in 2023 and 2024. Buffalo's defense/special teams unit averaged just 5.2 fantasy points per game during the year, making them a low-upside play this weekend against a Jaguars offense that is peaking going into the playoffs.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buffalo Bills PR
January 9, 2026
Buffalo Bills kicker
Matt Prater (quadriceps) is considered questionable for the Wild-Card playoff game on Sunday versus the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars. Prater aggravated a right-quad injury in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the New York Jets after missing several games due to the injury late in the year. The 41-year-old didn't practice on Wednesday, was a full-go on Thursday, and didn't practice again on Friday. Prater said he felt pretty good about his chances of playing this weekend in Jacksonville, but he's still very much up in the air to play. If the Bills hold Prater out, journeyman kicker
Matthew Wright would do the kicking for the Bills on Sunday. In fantasy football playoff leagues, you're better off ignoring Buffalo's kicking situation this weekend in a bad matchup.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buffalo Bills PR
January 9, 2026
Buffalo Bills running back
Ty Johnson (ankle) returned to a limited practice on Friday but is listed as questionable to play in Sunday's Wild-Card playoff tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Johnson was a DNP on both Wednesday and Thursday. The 28-year-old was considered day-to-day after injuring his ankle in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the New York Jets, a game in which he had a rushing and receiving touchdown. Even if Johnson ends up playing against the Jags, he won't be a realistic starting option in fantasy football playoff formats. Johnson only had 50 rushing attempts during the regular season for 200 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Ray Davis would play a slightly bigger complementary role in Buffalo's backfield this weekend behind starter
James Cook if Johnson is inactive.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buffalo Bills PR
January 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was arguably the best pass-catcher in football in 2025, recording 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns on 163 targets. While Smith-Njigba's overall numbers are dominant, his production dropped off slightly down the stretch of the season. After topping 100 receiving yards in eight out of his first 11 games of the year, he hit the century mark just once over his final six contests. Smith-Njigba was also held out of the end zone in three of his last four games. Still, Smith-Njigba earned at least eight targets and recorded six receptions in five straight outings to close the year, and he logged at least 14.4 PPR fantasy points in all but two regular-season appearances. With the Seahawks earning a bye through the first round of the NFC playoffs, Smith-Njigba's first postseason opponent is not yet known. However, regardless of opponent, Smith-Njigba profiles as a high-end wide receiver option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 9, 2026
New England Patriots running back
TreVeyon Henderson (personal) will not carry an injury designation into his team's Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Henderson's status was called into question after he missed practice on Friday for personal reasons, but it appears as though he will be good to go on Sunday. Henderson played a key role in the Patriots' offense during the regular season, recording 1,132 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns on 215 touches. The 23-year-old emerged as the lead back in New England over the second half of the season, recording four multi-touchdown games from Week 10 onwards. Now that he's active, fantasy managers in playoff leagues should view Henderson as a high-upside RB1 option entering the postseason.
--Will BradySource: New England Patriots
January 9, 2026
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee) is good to go and will not carry an injury designation into his team's Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 26-year-old was limited in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday due to a knee injury, but he was able to return to full participation on Friday. Kincaid battled through multiple different injuries in 2025, recording 39 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns on 49 targets. The Bills generally split tight end reps between Kincaid,
Dawson Knox, and
Jackson Hawes. However, Kincaid features most heavily among all Buffalo tight ends in the passing game, and he could be the Bills' highest-upside pass-catcher overall. Fantasy managers in playoff leagues should view Kincaid as a solid tight end option entering the postseason.
--Will BradySource: Buffalo Bills
January 9, 2026
Free-agent outfielder
Max Kepler has received an 80-game suspension related to a performance-enhancing drug, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Major League Baseball said that Kepler tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Epitrenbolone. This is obviously a major hit for the 32-year-old's fantasy stock going into the 2026 season, but also for his prospects of signing with a new team moving forward. Kepler spent the 2025 campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies, slashing .216/.300/.391 with a .691 OPS, 18 home runs, 52 RBI, 58 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 127 games played. It was the seventh time in his 10 seasons that he produced a wRC+ under 100. Kepler isn't aging well defensively, and his bat might be even worse. At best, if he lands a contract with another MLB team, he'll be competing for a platoon role in a corner-infield or DH spot against righties.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
January 9, 2026
Across 17 games in 2025, Denver Broncos quarterback
Bo Nix completed 63.4% of his pass attempts for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The 25-year-old also provided value with his legs, rushing for 356 yards and five touchdowns on 83 attempts. However, Nix closed the regular season with two of his least impressive passing performances of the year. Across two games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers, Nix threw for just 323 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Nix was also not particularly efficient throughout the season, averaging 6.4 yards per pass on an NFL-leading 612 attempts. The Broncos have a bye through the first round of the AFC playoffs, so Nix's first postseason opponent is not yet known. However, his poor close to the regular season and season-long inefficiency as a passer could make him tough for fantasy managers in playoff leagues to trust.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 9, 2026
Across 17 games in 2025, Denver Broncos wide receiver
Troy Franklin recorded 65 receptions for 709 yards and six touchdowns on 104 targets. While Franklin's full-season numbers are solid, his production and role in the Denver offense faded over the second half of the year. The 22-year-old recorded just four receptions for 17 yards on five targets across his final two games of the regular season, including a zero-catch performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18. Franklin also played more than 53% of the Broncos' offensive snaps just once in six games following the team's Week 12 bye, losing playing time in favor of rookie wideout
Pat Bryant. Denver has a bye through the first round of the AFC playoffs, so it's not yet clear who Franklin's first matchup will be. However, Franklin's diminished role in the Broncos' passing game could be a reason for fantasy managers in playoff leagues to avoid him.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 9, 2026
Former Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman is on a visit to Alabama on Friday, according to On3Sports. The Alabama native entered the transfer portal following two seasons with the Tigers and has two years of eligibility remaining. Despite Auburn having an inept offense over the last two seasons, Coleman has flashed with 93 receptions for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdown grabs in 23 games. He's been one of the best wide receivers in the SEC since beginning his collegiate career, and the Tide will be tasked with replacing Germie Bernard (NFL) and Isaiah Horton (transfer portal) this offseason. With a big junior campaign, Coleman could be an early-first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. His decision is a big one entering 2026. Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech are considered Alabama's competition to land him.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3 on X
January 9, 2026
Baltimore Orioles shortstop
Gunnar Henderson (shoulder) said on WBAL Radio on Thursday night that he had a shoulder impingement "pretty much for three-quarters of the year," according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Henderson dropped off in the home run department from 37 in 2024 to 17 last year, and also in RBI from 92 to 68. His slugging percentage fell from .529 to .438, and his OPS dropped from .893 to .787. "I just wasn't able to hold the plane, and my body was adjusting to it, not feeling great, so that didn't really set me up in the right spot to leverage the ball like I normally do," Henderson said. "So getting over that and ready to roll this season." An intercostal strain suffered in spring training also got the 24-year-old off to a late start in early April. Fantasy managers might be able to get a slight discount on a player who should be in a great spot to bounce back as one of the best all-around position players in baseball.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN - Roch Kubatko
January 9, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back
Omarion Hampton (ankle), who will reportedly carry a questionable tag into Sunday night's Wild-Card matchup with the Patriots, told reporters on Friday that he plans to play. Along with most of the team's starters, Hampton sat out of the team's Week 18 loss to the Broncos, but he did not practice in the week leading up to that game, and he has been listed as a DNP for the first two practices heading into Wild Card Weekend. Managers participating in fantasy playoff leagues will need to monitor Friday's injury report to see if Hampton can log at least a limited session. The Patriots' run defense struggled down the stretch after a dominant start to the season, but with Milton Williams (ankle) back in the lineup following a five-game absence, the team held Miami to 2.5 yards per carry in a dominant Week 18 showing. With leading tackler Robert Spillane also expected to be available for the playoffs, Hampton could face tough sledding in his first career playoff game.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Ian Rapoport
January 9, 2026
Auburn wide receiver Eric Singelton Jr. has officially entered the transfer portal, and On3's Pete Nakos expects him to land with Florida. The 20-year-old spent just one year at Auburn following two seasons at Georgia Tech. He was coached by offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner with the Yellow Jackets, who is now the Gators' offensive coordinator. In 36 career games, the speedster has collected 162 receptions for 2,002 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has 36 career rushing attempts for 201 yards and one score. This would be a big addition for new head coach Jon Sumrall, and Singleton already has familiarity with the offense Florida will run next season.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3 on X
January 9, 2026
The NCAA denied Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' waiver for a sixth year of collegiate eligibility, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Chambliss spent four seasons at Ferris State before leading the Rebels to the College Football Playoff Semifinals in 2025. The 23-year-old has been seeking a medical redshirt after playing in just two games as a redshirt freshman at the FCS level. Ole Miss can still appeal the NCAA's decision, so there could be more developments ahead on this situation. After beginning the season as the backup to Austin Simmons, Chambliss broke out nationally and became a Heisman Trophy contender. In 15 games, he completed 66.1% of his passes for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He tallied 527 yards and eight scores as a runner. If Ole Miss can't find a way to keep him, they are reportedly the favorites to land Auburn quarterback Duece Knight in the transfer portal.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
January 9, 2026
Seattle running back
Zach Charbonnet will enjoy a well-earned week of rest, with the Seahawks having secured the NFC's top seed, and when he returns to action for the Divisional Round, he will be looking to extend his three-game touchdown streak. Charbonnet found the end zone four times over the final three games of the regular season, finishing no lower than RB17 in Half-PPR formats during that time, including back-to-back top-6 performances to close the season. More impressively, all three games came against NFC teams that qualified for the playoffs. After finishing the regular season with 12 rushing touchdowns in a split backfield, Charbonnet should be viewed as a boom or bust running back option in fantasy playoff leagues, with his recent history suggesting a likelihood to boom.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 9, 2026
Denver Broncos running back
RJ Harvey averaged 2.4 yards per carry over his last two games of the regular season, including a 15-carry, 28-yard Week 18 performance against a Chargers defense resting the majority of its starters. His fantasy value has been buoyed by an above-average touchdown rate and extensive work in the passing game, but dating back to Week 9, Harvey has averaged more than 3.5 yards per carry in only two of his last nine games. Five times in that span, he has been held to less than 2.7 yards per carry. The Broncos earned a first-round bye as the top seed in the AFC, but fantasy managers rostering Harvey in any playoff leagues should be rooting for wins by the Patriots and Bills in Wild Card Weekend, ensuring a Divisional Round matchup between the Broncos and Bills. Buffalo is widely regarded as having the softest run defense in the AFC playoff field and represents the clearest path for Harvey to have an impact performance.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 9, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back
Omarion Hampton (ankle) will be listed as questionable for the team's Sunday night Wild-Card matchup with the Patriots. Hampton was unable to practice on Wednesday or Thursday after a week of missed practices leading up to the team's Week 18 loss to the Broncos. Hampton had seen his usage steadily increasing from Weeks 14 through 17 after missing two months of action with an ankle injury, so his lack of practice over the past two weeks is concerning. Fantasy managers participating in playoff leagues will need to monitor the Chargers' Friday practice report to see if he can at least log a limited session before the primetime playoff game. If active, Hampton faces a challenging New England front that appears to be getting healthier at the right time.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Adam Schefter
January 9, 2026
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers interviewed former Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan for their offensive-coordinator job on Friday, according to Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times. The Buccaneers are looking for a new offensive coordinator after firing Josh Grizzard this week. Callahan was hired as the Titans' head coach in 2024, but he was fired midway through the 2025 campaign. He was the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals for five seasons from 2019-23 before getting the head-coaching gig in Tennessee. In Cincy, Callahan helped the Bengals to two AFC North titles, two AFC Championship appearances, and a Super Bowl berth. In three seasons, the Bengals offense ranked in the top 10 in scoring, passing yards, red-zone efficiency, third-down percentage, and time of possession. Quarterback
Baker Mayfield would be in good hands in 2026 if Callahan is hired.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
January 9, 2026
Former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is likely to interview for the New York Giants' head-coaching job in the middle of next week, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "Everything I've heard is the Giants want Harbaugh badly," Raanan writes. The presence of quarterback
Jaxson Dart makes the Giants' head-coaching job one of the most attractive this cycle. Despite the Miami Dolphins' expected pursuit of Harbaugh after firing Mike McDaniel on Thursday, Harbaugh has interest in the Giants' job. NFL insider Josina Anderson said that the Giants are "hovering over Harbaugh in an effort to ensure they get to make their pitch before another organization can swoop in and whisk him away." The biggest threat to the Giants landing Harbaugh as their next head coach is most likely the Dolphins. Miami's new general manager doesn't have any ties to Harbaugh, though, which is a good thing for the Giants.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
January 9, 2026
Green Bay Packers tight end
Luke Musgrave has not scored double-digit fantasy points in any game this season, failing to register a single reception in four different games, including Weeks 17 and 18. Musgrave was a popular waiver wire add following
Tucker Kraft's (knee) season-ending injury in Week 9, but he failed to capitalize on the expanded role, and he should be viewed as an afterthought in most fantasy playoff formats. Musgrave finished the 2026 season with 24 catches for 252 yards and no touchdowns, and he is RotoBaller's TE12 for a Wild Card Weekend that sees 12 teams in action.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 9, 2026
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said that he won't be back with the team going forward, especially after head coach John Harbaugh was fired this week after an 18-year run with the organization, according to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Banner. "At the end of the day, it was a great three-year run," and "I wish them nothing but the best," Monken said. The well-respected OC also pushed back on reports that suggested there was a disconnect between him and quarterback
Lamar Jackson. The Ravens had one of the best offenses in both 2023 and 2024, but they struggled with injuries and inconsistency in 2025, eventually leading to the firing of Harbaugh and the exit of Monken. His run appears over in Baltimore, but reports have suggested he could follow Harbaugh to his new destination to remain as his offensive coordinator.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Banner - Jonas Shaffer
January 9, 2026
The Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly open to signing free-agent third baseman
Alex Bregman, the New York Post's Jon Heyman reports. The Diamondbacks pulled their star second baseman,
Ketel Marte, off the trade market on Friday after not receiving a return package that they desired, and they appear to be in the mix to sign the highly sought-after Bregman. The 31-year-old has a robust market, with the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Cubs all among the reported teams that are interested in signing him. The former Astros third baseman put together an impressive campaign in his first year in Boston, slashing .273/.360/.462 (125 wRC+) with 18 homers in 114 games.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jon Heyman
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