January 22, 2026
Denver Broncos running back
J.K. Dobbins (foot) was limited in practice again on Thursday for the second straight day this week, according to DenverBroncos.com's Aric DiLalla. Dobbins' 21-day practice window was opened on Wednesday, but he would need to be activated to the 53-man roster to play in the AFC Championship game on Sunday against the New England Patriots. The Broncos are holding out hope that Dobbins can return this weekend for the first time since suffering a Lisfranc foot injury back in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, it may not be realistic to expect Dobbins to play against the Patriots unless he upgrades to a full practice on Friday. And even if Dobbins does return against the Pats, Denver may not feel comfortable using him as the lead back right away over rookie
RJ Harvey. Before his injury, Dobbins was on pace for a career year, rushing for 772 yards and four touchdowns on 153 carries in 10 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla
January 22, 2026
Denver Broncos rookie
Pat Bryant (concussion) improved to a full participant in practice on Thursday ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots, according to Aric DiLalla of DenverBroncos.com. Bryant had three catches for 32 yards in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills despite only playing three snaps on offense before suffering a concussion. The rookie out of Illinois was limited in practice on Wednesday, so an upgrade to full on Thursday suggests he's on the right path to clear the NFL's concussion protocol in time for Sunday's big game. Bryant, who became a bigger part of Denver's passing attack late in the season, could be in line for a bigger role if he's active and
Troy Franklin (hamstring) is not. However, with backup quarterback
Jarrett Stidham starting this weekend, Bryant will be even more volatile in fantasy lineups if he's active.
--Keith HernandezSource: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla
January 22, 2026
The Baltimore Ravens are hiring Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as their head coach on Thursday, signing him to an undisclosed five-year contract, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Minter visited with the Ravens on Wednesday and will now reunite with the team he coached for from 2017 to 2020. The 42-year-old was the defensive coordinator for Jim Harbaugh in L.A. for the last two seasons, and he also coached the offense for Michigan under Harbaugh from 2022 to 2023. Minter will have giant shoes to fill following the departure of long-time head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons in Baltimore. With Minter now the lead man in Baltimore, the team's hiring of an offense coordinator will be important as the franchise looks to get quarterback
Lamar Jackson going after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 22, 2026
The FBI is investigating the death of Jim Irsay, the former owner of the Indianapolis Colts. Irsay died on May 25, 2025, due to cardiac arrest while vacationing in Beverly Hills at the age of 65. The FBI recently began investigating the cause of his death after obtaining a federal grand jury subpoena requesting records on his death, substance use, and his relationship with his addiction recovery specialist, Dr. Harry Haroutunian. Haroutunian oversaw Irsay's health before his passing. Haroutunian has assisted Irsay with his many battles with substance abuse and was responsible for giving him opioid prescriptions and a ketamine injection shortly after his relapse, which he suffered months before his death. Irsay's father, Robert Irsay, became the owner of the Colts in a trade in which he sent the Rams' ownership rights to Carroll Rosenbloom in exchange for the Colts. Currently, Irsay's daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson, serve as co-owners of the franchise, with Carlie serving as CEO.
--Andy SmithSource: The Washington Post
January 22, 2026
Across 17 games in the 2025 regular season, Seattle Seahawks tight end
AJ Barner set career-highs across the board with 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns on 68 targets. However, the 23-year-old was held without a catch and earned zero targets in Seattle's NFC Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. Barner may also see a drop in playing time in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams. Seahawks tight end
Elijah Arroyo (knee), who has been on Injured Reserve since Week 14 due to a knee injury, has returned to full practice participation and may be nearing his return. It's worth noting that Barner performed well in the regular season against the Rams, hauling in 14 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets across two matchups. Still, it may be difficult for him to repeat his success, given that Seahawks quarterback
Sam Darnold (oblique) will likely be playing through an oblique injury. Given his underwhelming outing in the Divisional Round and the uncertain situation around him in Seattle, Barner may be a player for fantasy managers to avoid on Sunday.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 22, 2026
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Cooper Kupp had one of the least impactful regular seasons of his career in 2025, recording 47 receptions for 593 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets across 16 games. However, the 32-year-old had one of his better performances in Seattle's NFC Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers, hauling in five catches for 60 yards on five targets. Kupp's numbers may not jump off the page, but they are made more impressive when considering that Seahawks quarterback
Sam Darnold (oblique) threw for just 124 yards on 17 pass attempts in the team's 41-6 win. In the NFC Championship Game, Kupp will face the organization he spent the first eight years of his career with in the Los Angeles Rams. Kupp was held in check by the Rams in the regular season, recording six catches for 62 yards on 11 targets across two matchups. Still, Kupp played his highest snap share of the season (93% of offensive snaps) in the most recent meeting between the two teams in Week 16. Between the revenge-game motivation and Kupp's encouraging Divisional Round performance, he could be in for a big game in the NFC Championship.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 22, 2026
New England Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye has led his team to victory in each of his first two postseason starts, completing 58.9% of his pass attempts for 447 yards and four touchdowns along the way. However, ball security has been a major concern for the 23-year-old, as he has taken 10 sacks, thrown two interceptions, and fumbled six times (three of which were lost). Maye will now face a difficult matchup in the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos. Denver's defense finished the regular season ranked second in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.1) and first in sacks (68). In the Divisional Round, the Broncos' defense forced Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen to commit four turnovers. Additionally, Denver's offense is working with backup quarterback
Jarrett Stidham, which could lead New England to lean into a run-heavy and conservative offensive approach. As a result, Maye could be a player for fantasy managers to avoid on Sunday.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 22, 2026
Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Matthew Stafford did enough to lead his team to victory, but did not have his best performance in the Divisional Round against the Chicago Bears. The 37-year-old completed 20 of 42 pass attempts (47.6%) for 258 yards without finding the end zone, and also took four sacks. However, it's worth noting that Stafford was playing through a sprained right index finger. The veteran quarterback has been removed from the injury report heading into his NFC Championship Game matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, so he may now be feeling closer to 100%. The Seahawks fielded one of the NFL's best pass defenses during the regular season, but Stafford was the one quarterback they seemingly could not contain. Across the two regular-season matchups between the two teams, Stafford completed 44 of 77 pass attempts for 587 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Particularly given his improved health status, Stafford profiles as a high-end quarterback option for fantasy managers on Sunday.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 22, 2026
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Sam Darnold (oblique) is currently battling an oblique injury as his team prepares to host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. The 28-year-old reportedly plans to play through the ailment, just as he did in Seattle's Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. However, Darnold did not have to do much in the 41-6 win over San Francisco, completing 12 of 17 pass attempts for 124 yards and one touchdown. Darnold struggled in his two regular-season matchups against the Rams, throwing a combined six interceptions and taking four sacks. Dating back to the regular season, the dominant Seahawks' defense has held six of its last seven opponents to 16 points or fewer. Given Darnold's health status, Seattle may look to lean on its defense and run game to get past Los Angeles. Fantasy managers may want to avoid starting Darnold against the Rams.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 22, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Mack Hollins (abdomen) returned to practice on Thursday, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. Head coach Mike Vrabel said the team wouldn't open Hollins' 21-day practice window on Wednesday, but they did so a day later. It's good news for the veteran 32-year-old pass catcher, who has been on Injured Reserve since Dec. 27, but it doesn't mean he'll officially be activated and play in the NFC Championship game this Sunday versus the hosting Denver Broncos. In his first year with the Patriots in 2025, Hollins served as a deep threat for young quarterback
Drake Maye, hauling in 46 of his 65 targets for 550 yards and only two touchdowns in 15 regular-season games. If Hollins returns this weekend, his snap count could be limited, making him hard to trust for fantasy purposes against a strong Denver defense.
UPDATE: Hollins was limited in his return to practice on Thursday.--Keith HernandezSource: Boston Herald - Doug Kyed
January 22, 2026
Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons to become their offensive coordinator, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. New Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski didn't waste much time bringing of play-caller from the Browns over to the NFC South. To begin the 2025 season in Cleveland, Stefanski called the plays for the Browns' offense, but Rees was allowed to take over once the team went with rookie quarterbacks
Dillon Gabriel and
Shedeur Sanders. It's unclear at this time who will call plays to start the year in Atlanta next season. The lack of success from Cleveland's offense under Rees wasn't a huge surprise, given the lack of experience in the room, but in Atlanta, Rees and Stefanski will have a lot more to work with on offense with running back
Bijan Robinson, receiver
Drake London, and tight end
Kyle Pitts Sr.--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
January 22, 2026
The Miami Dolphins have requested to interview Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson for their offensive-coordinator role, a source told Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Quarterback
C.J. Stroud thrived while working with Johnson in his rookie campaign in 2023, but he's regressed in each of the last two seasons. If Johnson were to land in Miami, it's unclear who he'd be working with at the QB position, with the Dolphins likely to move on from
Tua Tagovailoa now that previous head coach Mike McDaniel is no longer in town. Johnson was a candidate to replace former OC Bobby Slowik in Houston, but the job eventually went to Nick Caley, who is expected to stick around for a second season in 2026. The 37-year-old has also been an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, and Minnesota Vikings.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
January 22, 2026
The Philadelphia Eagles requested to interview Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle for their offensive-coordinator position, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Doyle was hired last offseason as the league's youngest offensive coordinator, and he previously coached under head coach Sean Payton with the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos. With a move to Philly, Doyle would be able to call the plays for the first time in his career. Under Doyle in 2025, Chicago's offense finished ninth in points per game and made it all the way to the Divisional Round, where they nearly beat the Los Angeles Rams in overtime. Quarterback
Caleb Williams also showed marked improvement in his second NFL season under Doyle and first-year head coach Ben Johnson. If Doyle joins the Eagles, he will be looking to spark an Eagles offense that became stagnant this past season.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 22, 2026
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that quarterback
Jarrett Stidham's football IQ and his composure/calmness are "elite," according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Payton continues to build up Stidham's confidence as the 29-year-old backup prepares for his first NFL start since 2023 in the AFC Championship this Sunday against the New England Patriots. Stidham will be the No. 4 fantasy QB going into this weekend's action after starter
Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills. Stidham has a strong arm, is accurate, and knows Payton's system well, so he might not be much of a downgrade over Nix if he performs up to his capabilities against New England. It won't be easy, though, against a Patriots defense that has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to QBs over the last five weeks.
--Keith HernandezSource: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
January 22, 2026
NC State tight end Justin Joly has been one of the most productive players at the position over the last three college football seasons. The 21-year-old New York native began his career at UConn before spending his junior and senior seasons with the Wolfpack, hauling in 92 receptions for 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns. He enjoyed great success at NC State, but his breakout campaign came as a sophomore with the Huskies in 2023, when he tallied 56 catches for 578 yards and two scores. The 2025 first-team All-ACC selection is viewed as one of the top five tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft class, and he's currently projected to be a third-round selection in April. Joly thrives running intermediate and deep routes, making him a strong TE2 and second tight end in 12-personnel at the next level. His landing spot will determine his upside and placement in dynasty rookie drafts as part of a shallow incoming rookie tight end class.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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