January 7, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers tight end
Oronde Gadsden has been inconsistent down the stretch, but he still exceeded expectations as a fifth-round rookie. Gadsden brought in 49 catches (69 targets) for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. The Syracuse product had a historic stretch early in the season once he earned a full-time role in Week 6, posting his most receiving yards ever by a rookie tight end over a four-game span. He also became the first rookie tight end with four straight games of 65 or more receiving yards. Gadsden's production faded down the stretch, as he averaged just two catches (3.3 targets) for 26.2 yards per game with one touchdown over the final six weeks. Gadsden is a risky option for Sunday night's Wild-Card game against the New England Patriots, with New England being a slightly favorable matchup for opposing tight ends, allowing the 11th-most catches per game (5.7) and the 12th-most yards (57.1).
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 7, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte finished his third season with 33 catches (46 targets) for 551 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games. The 23-year-old wideout was one of the most explosive receivers in the league and had a dynamic downfield connection with quarterback
Drake Maye, leading the league with 12.24 yards per target (minimum 40 targets). With how well-distributed New England's passing attack has been this season, Boutte's target volume hasn't been high enough for consistent fantasy production, with eight targets being his season high, which occurred back in Week 1. He projects as a boom-or-bust option in a tough matchup in Sunday's Wild-Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers, who allowed the ninth-fewest PPR points to receivers in the regular season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 7, 2026
Across 16 games this season, Chicago Bears tight end
Cole Kmet hauled in 30 of his 48 targets for 347 yards and two touchdowns. Kmet has taken a back seat to rookie
Colston Loveland as the primary receiving tight end, posting his fewest catches and yards since his rookie season. Still, the 26-year-old remains a key piece of Chicago's dynamic offense this season, logging the third-highest snap share (70.4%) on the team. Kmet has recorded two receptions in five straight games to close the season, and he remains a low-ceiling option for Saturday's Wild-Card game against the Green Bay Packers. The impending return of receiver
Rome Odunze (foot) won't be good news for Kmet's potential target share on Saturday night.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 7, 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs have issued a statement regarding allegations posted on Instagram about wide receiver
Rashee Rice, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports. "The club is aware of the allegations on social media and is in communication with the National Football League. We have no further comment at this time." These allegations could result in a second significant off-field suspension for Rice, who served a six-game suspension to open the 2025 season following a hit-and-run incident in April of 2024. The 25-year-old was highly productive as the Chiefs' clear WR1 in eight games this season before being placed on Injured Reserve due to a concussion. Rice ranked 11th in the league in receiving yards per game (71.4) and finished with 53 catches (78 targets) for 571 yards and five touchdowns while adding five carries for 20 yards and another score on the ground.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Matt Derrick
January 7, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have requested permission to interview Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher for their head-coaching job, a source told Mark Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns have also requested to interview Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde as they look to replace Kevin Stefanski, who was fired on Black Monday. The soon-to-be 39-year-old Pitcher started his coaching career with the Colts from 2012-15, where he worked under Browns current general manager Andrew Berry. The former college quarterback at Colgate and Cortland, Pitcher became Cincy's offensive coordinator in 2024 after previously being an offensive assistant since 2016. In Cleveland, Pitcher's first order of business would be deciding the team's starting QB going into 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
January 7, 2026
Former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has generated interest from at least nine NFL teams after being fired by the Ravens on Tuesday, a well-placed league source told FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano. Harbaugh, who won a Super Bowl in his 18 seasons in Baltimore, has quickly emerged as the top name on the open market for a head-coaching opening. Only six teams are currently looking for a head coach, so there are at least three teams (and possibly more) that are now considering firing their current coach to replace him with Harbaugh. The Miami Dolphins are believed to be one of those teams despite standing by Mike McDaniel at the end of the season. At least one of the expected suitors is playing in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs this weekend. Reports suggested on Wednesday morning that the New York Giants are "all-in" on trying to make Harbaugh their next head coach.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Ralph Vacchiano
January 7, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that he will return to the team for a fifth season in 2026, according to Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times. Bowles won't be fired after the Bucs finished 8-9 in 2025 and outside of the playoff picture, but he did acknowledge that there will be some changes to the coaching staff going into next season. In his four seasons as the head coach in Tampa, Bowles has gone 35-33. He helped lead the team to three straight NFC South titles in his first three seasons at the helm. The Bucs started 6-2 this year before losing seven of their last nine games to miss out on the playoffs. Bowles' teams have finished under .500 twice, with his best season coming in 2024 with a 10-7 record. Team brass expressed frustration with Tampa's offense under offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, so he could be on his way out.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
January 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Jordan Whittington (knee) missed practice again on Wednesday due to a knee injury, per Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Whittington was injured in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals and is looking unlikely to be available to play in the Wild-Card playoff matchup on Saturday on the road against the Carolina Panthers. The 25-year-old hasn't been a fantasy asset all year, though, catching only 18 passes for 171 yards and no touchdowns on 25 targets for the Rams. If Whittington is unable to play this weekend in Carolina, it could open up a few more snaps on offense for the likes of receivers
Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpford, and
Tutu Atwell behind top wideouts
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams (hamstring).
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
January 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams rookie tight end
Terrance Ferguson (hamstring) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Daily News' Adam Grosbard. Ferguson injured his hamstring in practice late last week and didn't play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. The 22-year-old has scored in each of his last two games played with five grabs on eight targets for 87 yards, but he's trending in the wrong direction to suit up on Saturday versus the hosting Carolina Panthers on Wild-Card weekend. Even if Ferguson somehow plays this weekend, he'll be hard to recommend as a TE streamer in playoff formats with
Tyler Higbee (ankle) now back from Injured Reserve. Higbee scored and nearly hit the century mark in his return from IR in the Week 18 season finale.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
January 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Tyler Higbee (ankle) was listed as a limited participant again in practice on Wednesday, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Higbee missed six games while on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury before he was activated and played in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. The 33-year-old veteran played 64% of the offensive snaps and caught five of his six targets for 91 yards and a touchdown. While Higbee saw fewer snaps than fellow TEs
Colby Parkinson and
Davis Allen, it was, all in all, a very successful return. The Rams are likely just managing Higbee's ankle this week, and he should be active on Saturday to face the Carolina Panthers in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs. Higbee could be on the field more this weekend for a high-scoring Rams offense, putting him in play as a low-end TE1 option in fantasy playoff formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
January 7, 2026
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said on Wednesday that tight end Tasom Hill's shoulder injury that he suffered in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons was "just an AC" joint sprain, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. It means that Hill should be fully ready in advance of the 2026 season, whether it be back in New Orleans or somewhere else. The 35-year-old Swiss Army Knife offensive weapon is headed for unrestricted free agency when the calendar flips to March. There's also a chance that Hill decides to hang up his cleats after nine years in the NFL with the Saints. In 13 games played (five starts) in 2025, Hill had 52 rushing attempts for just 114 yards (2.2 yards per carry) and one touchdown on the ground. He added 11 receptions for 91 yards through the air. Hill's fantasy outlook will depend on what team he's playing for if he decides to return for a 10th season, but he'll most likely be off the fantasy radar in 12-team leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
January 7, 2026
Detroit Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta (back) said earlier this week that he's entering the next stage of his rehab from back surgery, and he plans to be fully cleared before the start of training camp at the end of July, according to Richard Silva of The Detroit News. LaPorta played in only nine games in 2025 before suffering a herniated disc in his back against the Washington Commanders on Nov. 9. In addition to his rehab, the 24-year-old will be focused on trying to ink a contract extension with the Lions this offseason. LaPorta burst onto the scene in his rookie year in 2023 with 86 receptions, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. He wasn't quite as good in 2024, but he still had a 60-726-7 line in 16 games. Obviously, LaPorta's production suffered in 2025 due to injury, but he'll be a prime bounce-back candidate at the TE position in 2026 for the Lions.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Detroit News - Richard Silva
January 7, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Keandre Lambert-Smith (hamstring) did not take part in Wednesday's practice, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Lambert-Smith's status for the Wild-Card playoff tilt on Sunday night against the New England Patriots is in question after the 23-year-old pass-catcher hurt his hamstring in Sunday's 19-3 loss to the Denver Broncos. He never returned to the contest. If Lambert-Smith isn't cleared to play this weekend,
Tre' Harris and
Derius Davis could see more time on the field as WR depth behind
Ladd McConkey,
Keenan Allen, and
Quentin Johnston. Lambert-Smith, a fifth-rounder out of Auburn back in April, saw action in only 10 regular-season games in 2025 and caught just five passes for 51 yards and one touchdown for the Bolts. He'll be off the fantasy radar if he's active for the postseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
January 7, 2026
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) continued to be limited in practice on Wednesday, according to Packers.com. Wicks suffered a concussion in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens, didn't practice at all last week, and was inactive for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. The good news is that the 24-year-old has advanced through the league's concussion protocol, but he still has more boxes to check to be cleared to play on Saturday night against the division-rival Chicago Bears on Wild-Card weekend. How much he's able to do in practice on Thursday could determine Wicks' status for Saturday's playoff game. Wicks has been a boom/bust fantasy wideout all season long, with one really true boom performance in the Thanksgiving Day win over the Lions, when he caught six passes for 94 yards and his only two TDs of the year. If he's active against Chicago, fantasy managers should focus on more reliable options.
--Keith HernandezSource: Packers.com
January 7, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles tight end
Grant Calcaterra (ankle) could be in danger of missing Wild-Card weekend and Sunday's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers after missing Wednesday's practice with an ankle injury. Calcaterra saw the field a bit more in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, with
Dallas Goedert (knee) being rested, and he caught two of his three targets for a season-high 21 yards and his only touchdown of the year. The 27-year-old was injured in the season finale, though, and he'll need to get back on the practice field over the next two days if he wants to be active for the playoff opener as the Eagles look to defend their title. With Goedert most likely returning this weekend, Calcaterra won't be in play as a TE option in fantasy playoff leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Philadelphia Eagles
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