January 11, 2026
Carolina Panthers running back
Rico Dowdle, who will be a free agent in March, said his decreased number of carries at the end of the season will impact his thinking in free agency, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Dowdle said he wants to go somewhere "where he can get the bulk of the carries." The 27-year-old was an unquestioned RB1 during the 2025 season when
Chuba Hubbard missed time with an injury. However, Dowdle was involved in more of a timeshare late in the year following Hubbard's return, and he watched Hubbard score twice in the Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. He had only five rushing attempts for nine yards while adding one catch on two targets for six yards. In the final four regular-season games, Dowdle averaged only 3.3 yards per carry as his role shrank. It sounds as though Dowdle doesn't plan on signing in Carolina, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to land a lead-back role elsewhere in free agency.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Joe Person
January 11, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Jonnu Smith (glute) was a full participant in practice on Saturday and was cleared from the final injury report, according to Adam Caplan of Sirius XM NFL Radio. Smith will be active for the Wild-Card matchup against the visiting Houston Texans on Monday night. Even though
Darnell Washington (forearm) is done for the year due to injury, Smith is a hard sell for starting fantasy football lineups in playoff formats, especially with receiver
DK Metcalf returning from a two-game suspension. The 30-year-old Smith had only one catch on two targets for two yards in the team's Week 18 regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens, and he caught only 38 passes during the regular season for 222 yards and two touchdowns. If you are going to use a TE from Pittsburgh this weekend, it should be
Pat Freiermuth.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sirius XM NFL Radio - Adam Caplan
January 11, 2026
Houston Texans running back
Jawhar Jordan (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday night's Wild-Card contest against the hosting Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Adam Caplan of Sirius XM NFL Radio. Jordan suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday and was unable to practice all week. If the Texans advance past the Steelers and to the Divisional Round next weekend, the 26-year-old Jordan still might not be ready to go. With Jordan sidelined against the Steelers, veteran
Nick Chubb should be active to help give the Texans some backfield depth behind rookie
Woody Marks. Before Jordan's injury in the season finale, he had taken over RB2 duties from Chubb, with Chubb being a healthy scratch last Sunday. Chubb shouldn't be in any starting fantasy lineups on Wild-Card weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sirius XM NFL Radio - Adam Caplan
January 11, 2026
The Buffalo Bills announced on Saturday that they placed wide receiver
Joshua Palmer (ankle) on Injured Reserve. Palmer will not play in Sunday's Wild-Card playoff tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars and will not be available for the rest of the postseason if the Bills advance. The 26-year-old did not practice at all this week and will end what has been a disappointing first season in Buffalo in 2025. In 12 games, Palmer caught only 22 of 37 targets for 303 yards and no touchdowns. His absence on Sunday might mean more involvement from the likes of
Brandin Cooks,
Gabe Davis, and
Tyrell Shavers, although all three of the receivers should still be considered deep sleepers in fantasy football playoff formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buffalo Bills PR
January 11, 2026
As expected, Buffalo Bills kicker
Matt Prater (quadriceps) is officially active on Sunday to take on the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars on Wild-Card weekend, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Prater aggravated a right-quad injury last weekend that had sidelined him for a few games late in the season, but he will give it a go in the first round of the playoffs. The 41-year-old veteran won't be a great kicking option in fantasy playoff formats while likely operating at less than 100 percent. During 15 games in the regular season for the Bills while filling in for the injured
Tyler Bass (hip, groin), Prater made 18 of his 20 field-goal attempts and 46 of his 49 extra-point opportunities. The Jaguars' defense allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing kickers during the 2025 regular season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
January 11, 2026
Buffalo Bills running back
Ty Johnson (ankle) is officially inactive for Sunday's Wild-Card matchup against the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Johnson injured his ankle in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the New York Jets last Sunday and will not be available for the first round of the postseason. The 28-year-old wouldn't have been on the fantasy football radar as the RB3 if he was active, but his absence means that
Ray Davis should see a bigger complementary role behind starter
James Cook in a tough matchup against the Jaguars, a team that allowed the fewest rushing yards per game in 2025. The 28-year-old Johnson had 50 carries for 200 yards and three touchdowns while adding 24 catches for 263 yards and two more scores as a pass-catcher in 17 regular-season games for the Bills.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
January 11, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Parker Washington emerged as one of the top fantasy threats over the final three weeks of the regular season, and he'll look to carry that momentum into the opening round of the playoffs against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Even though Washington is listed as the Jaguars' No. 3 receiver behind
Brian Thomas Jr. and
Jakobi Meyers, he was their most productive pass-catcher from Week 16 through Week 18. During that span, he ranked as the overall WR3 in full-PPR leagues, trailing only
Puka Nacua and
Ja'Marr Chase. That three-week window saw him catch 19 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns. Still, Washington's path to success on Sunday won't come without some difficulty. The Bills have allowed the third-fewest receiving yards and seventh-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025. Fortunately, the threat of Thomas and Meyers gives the Jaguars three impressive receiving threats, allowing them to create mismatches against Buffalo's secondary. As it stands, Washington remains capable of handling double-digit targets while pushing for close to 100 yards. Plus, he's as much of a touchdown threat as any other pass-catcher on this team. Bettors and DFS players should remain excited about his upside in a potential pass-heavy game against Buffalo.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 11, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers' future is uncertain, but the team views the 2025 season as a success and would welcome his return in 2026, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Steelers finished the regular season with a 10-7 record for the third year in a row, largely thanks to Rodgers' steady quarterback play. At 42 years old, Rodgers could retire, and his future might depend on how far the Steelers advance in the playoffs this month, as well as whether head coach Mike Tomlin returns for the 2026 campaign. However, if he does commit to another season, it sounds like the Steelers would like to bring him back. Rodgers is an impending free agent, so Pittsburgh might have to bid against other NFL teams for his services. He has shown that he's capable of continuing to start in the NFL, as he completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions this year. Pittsburgh faces the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs on Monday night.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
January 11, 2026
Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Matthew Stafford (finger) underwent additional testing after Saturday's Wild Card win over the Carolina Panthers, but his X-rays came back negative, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Additionally, medical personnel confirmed that Stafford did not suffer a dislocated finger. Stafford played through the injury and finished the game with 304 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Given that Stafford essentially had his finger bent further than normal and didn't suffer any fracture or dislocation, he should be good to play next weekend against the Chicago Bears or the Seattle Seahawks. Even if he's limited in practice this week, bettors and DFS players shouldn't worry about his availability or effectiveness for the playofs.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
January 11, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence was one of the top-scoring fantasy players during the second half of the regular season, and he carries tremendous momentum into Sunday's Wild Card matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Lawrence has 18 passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns over his last seven games, ranking as the highest-scoring fantasy quarterback during that span. Although he has been playing at a high level, he'll run into a difficult matchup this weekend. The Bills have allowed the fewest passing yards and fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2025. On a more positive note, Buffalo has surrendered the fifth-most rushing yards to the position. That bodes well for Lawrence, who has shown a tendency to use his legs, especially against tougher passing defenses. Sunday's game won't be easy, but the former No. 1 pick from Clemson is up for the challenge. His rushing and touchdown upside make him an intriguing DFS play in what could be a higher-scoring game.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 11, 2026
Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (leg) suffered a fractured fibula during Saturday's Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers, head coach Ben Johnson announced. He will miss the remainder of the NFL playoffs. Edwards was carted off during the second quarter with his leg in an air cast. The 29-year-old was an impact defender during the regular season, amassing 67 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and half a sack through 10 games (10 starts). Going forward, he'll likely be replaced on defense by D'Marco Jackson, a 2022 fifth-round pick who made four tackles (including one tackle for loss) on Saturday night.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
January 11, 2026
Chicago Bears left tackle Ozzy Trapilo (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs, according to head coach Ben Johnson. Trapilo suffered a patellar injury during the fourth quarter of Saturday's Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers, but not before recovering a Bears fumble. The 24-year-old is a Boston College product who was selected in the second round of the 2025 draft. He played in 14 games during the regular season, making six starts and playing 50% of the offensive snaps. He also started Saturday's playoff game. Candidates to replace Trapilo on the offensive line include Theo Benedet, who lost his job to Trapilo earlier in the season, and Braxton Jones (knee), who is currently on injured reserve.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
January 10, 2026
Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (groin) was activated from Injured Reserve ahead of Saturday night's Wild-Card game against the Green Bay Packers, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gordon practiced in full on Thursday after being limited the first two days of practice this week. The 26-year-old cornerback has appeared in just three games this season due to calf, hamstring, and groin injuries, last playing in Week 13 before being placed on IR for a second time. In the three game Gordon has played, the Bears have allowed just 18 points per game, compared to their season average of 24.4. Gordon will make his return on Saturday night and provide a major boost to the Chicago secondary.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Adam Schefter
January 10, 2026
Green Bay Packers quarterback
Jordan Love managed to stay off the injury report a week after clearing the league's concussion protocol, and he heads into Saturday night's Wild Card matchup against the Bears with no limitations. In his only full game against Chicago this season, Love threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns, finishing as the QB10 on the week. The Bears have been one of the most favorable defenses for opposing quarterbacks this season, and with Green Bay's injury-stricken defense struggling to keep points off the board down the stretch, this should be a matchup to target in fantasy playoff leagues. Love is RotoBaller's QB9 for Wild Card Weekend, but he could easily outperform that projection in a game that might see fireworks.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
Chicago Bears quarterback
Caleb Williams will get his first taste of postseason action in Saturday night's Wild Card matchup with the Packers, and it appears he will do so with his full complement of wide receivers. After missing the past five games with a foot injury, second-year wideout
Rome Odunze (foot) carried no injury designation after managing a full practice on Thursday.
Luther Burden III, who missed Week 16 with an ankle injury and popped up on the Week 18 injury report with a quad issue, enters the playoffs having stayed off the injury report for the first time in weeks. With his offense as healthy as it's been in weeks, and facing a Green Bay defense that can not make the same claim, Williams is RotoBaller's QB6 for the first week of fantasy playoff leagues.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
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