January 18, 2026
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is a finalist for the Cleveland Browns head coaching job. He will receive a second interview along with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Los Angeles Rams passing coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase next week. McDaniel was fired by the Dolphins after the regular season ended, following a 7-10 season and a missed playoff berth. He was Miami's coach in 2022, leading the team to back-to-back winning seasons and two consecutive playoff berths. The 42-year-old is also being considered as an offensive coordinator for the Eagles, Chargers, and Lions. If hired by the Browns, McDaniel would take over from Kevin Stefanski and look to revamp Cleveland's offense that finished near the bottom of the league last season. The Browns will continue their second set of interviews this week and look to find their new head coach.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network
January 18, 2026
Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo (back) is officially active for Sunday's Divisional Round contest against the Chicago Bears. He had been listed as questionable after missing back-to-back practices. The veteran signal-caller has spent the entire season backing up
Matthew Stafford, which means he only plays when Los Angeles has a blowout lead or can kneel out the remainder of the clock. As a result, he has zero pass attempts and nine kneel-downs this year. Garoppolo should occupy a similar role on Sunday and can be left on waivers in all fantasy leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: Gary Klein
January 18, 2026
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Rome Odunze (foot) is officially active for Sunday's Divisional Round contest against the Los Angeles Rams. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after logging a full practice on Friday. The second-year receiver missed the final five games of the regular season, and the foot injury has lingered throughout the playoffs, but it hasn't yet forced him to miss a playoff game. It's been an ugly few months for Odunze, who started the season hot but has been hindered by injuries or poor performance ever since the Week 5 bye. There's an argument to be made that he's now below
Colston Loveland,
DJ Moore, and
Luther Burden III in the pecking order. The Rams are a mediocre matchup for the young receiver. They ranked near the middle of the league in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers and are the 10th-best defense in terms of scoring. Odunze ranks as the overall WR10 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy rankings for the Divisional Round.
--Andersen PickardSource: Brad Biggs
January 18, 2026
Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase is a finalist to be the next head coach for the Cleveland Browns. The 35-year-old is set to have a second interview, along with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, next week. Under the Sean McVay coaching tree, Scheelhaase has been a name to watch for a head-coaching role. Along with Rams OC Mike LaFleur, Scheelhaase has helped the Rams rank among the NFL's top offenses. Scheelhaase would have
Shedeur Sanders and
Dillon Gabriel to work with as Cleveland's starting quarterback unless the Browns select one in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. If hired, he would take over for Kevin Stefanski and look to jumpstart a Browns offense that ranked third-worst in the league in total yards per game in 2025.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network
January 18, 2026
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson (eye) is questionable to return in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans with an eye injury. Stevenson got poked in the eye during the second quarter and exited Sunday's game early. He is getting drops in his eye and could potentially return before the end of the first half. The 27-year-old rushed for 25 yards on three carries while catching one pass for nine yards before leaving. Look for
TreVeyon Henderson and
D'Ernest Johnson to see an uptick in carries with Stevenson out.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: New England Patriots
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans rookie running back
Woody Marks (shoulder) has returned to Sunday's Divisional Round contest against the New England Patriots. Marks had exited during the second quarter and was initially listed as questionable, but he returned to the game just a few minutes later. The Texans trailed by two possessions late in the second quarter, so they'll benefit from getting their No. 1 ball-carrier back as they look to mount a comeback. At the time of his departure, though, Marks had just seven rushing yards on eight carries, plus a six-yard reception. He and the Texans' offensive line will need to play better for the rushing attack to find more success in the final 30-plus minutes of game action.
--Andersen PickardSource: Aaron Wilson
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans running back
Woody Marks (shoulder) exited during the second quarter of Sunday's Divisional Round contest against the New England Patriots. He is officially listed as questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had just seven rushing yards on eight carries, plus a six-yard reception. The rookie has dealt with a variety of minor injuries throughout the regular season and playoffs, and now, he's on the sideline again.
Nick Chubb has taken over as Houston's primary running back in his absence, leading a backfield that also features
Dare Ogunbowale and
British Brooks. The Texans will need more production from both their rushing attack and passing attack as they look to come back from an 11-point deficit late in the first half.
--Andersen PickardSource: Morgan Weaver
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz (calf) won't return in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots after suffering a calf injury. Schultz exited the first quarter with a calf issue and has been ruled out for the rest of the game. The 29-year-old caught two passes for 47 yards before leaving.
Cade Stover and
Harrison Bryant will handle tight end duties and will see an uptick in targets with Schultz sidelined.
C.J. Stroud is already without top wideout
Nico Collins (concussion) and will now be without his starting tight end. If the Texans advance to the AFC Championship versus the Denver Broncos, Schultz will have a week to recover, but is considered day-to-day for now.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network
January 18, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is a finalist to be the next head coach for the Cleveland Browns. Minter is set for a second interview with the Browns next week. Rams passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase and former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel are also finalists for the position. Minter has been the Chargers' DC the past two seasons and has become a hot name in the head coaching circle after his defense has helped lead the Chargers to back-to-back playoff appearances. He will have some challenges at quarterback, but he would be taking over a Browns' stout defense led by superstar defensive lineman Myles Garrett. Minter would take over as the newly hired Atlanta Falcons head coach, Kevin Stefanski, after he was let go by the Browns after six seasons as Cleveland's head coach. Look for the Browns to make a decision soon as they go through their second round of interviews.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz (calf) is questionable to return in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots with a calf injury. Schultz headed to the locker room during the first quarter after being forced out of the game. He caught both of his targets for 47 yards before exiting early.
Cade Stover and
Harrison Bryant should see an uptick in targets and have an expanded role while Schultz is sidelined. Stay tuned for more updates.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Houston Texans
January 18, 2026
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton praised quarterback
Jarrett Stidham on Sunday. Stidham is "very accurate, and has a lot to his ball," said Payton. Stidham will start in the AFC Championship game vs. either the New England Patriots or the Houston Texans after
Bo Nix (ankle) was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs due to a broken bone in his ankle. Stidham has been under Payton's offensive system for three years and has shown great strength and mental aptitude. The 29-year-old is a serviceable option for the Broncos with Nix out, but hasn't started a game since Week 18 of the 2023 season. Stidham would be a risky option in playoff leagues and a GPP play in DFS for Championship week, as he will face a brutal matchup against the Patriots or Texans, whichever team advances.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: James Palmer
January 18, 2026
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers are open to quarterback
Aaron Rodgers returning to the team in 2026. "The Steelers players are more than open to Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh; they want the four-time league MVP back and conveyed as much to various members of the Steelers organization during their exit meetings last week," per Schefter. Although it was reported on Saturday that a reunion was unlikely because Mike Tomlin was leaving the Steelers after 19 seasons as Pittsburgh's head coach. However, despite Tomlin's resignation, Pittsburgh hasn't shut the door on Rodgers returning. The veteran quarterback will be a free agent in March and will decide to either retire or return for another year in 2026. In his first year with the Steelers, Rodgers led them to the playoffs and threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while rushing for 61 yards and one score through 16 games. Rodgers likely won't make a decision anytime soon. If he does decide to hang up his cleats, Rodgers will finish with 66,274 passing yards and 527 touchdown passes across 21 NFL seasons. Stay tuned.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter of ESPN
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans running back
Jawhar Jordan is a healthy inactive for the Divisional Round contest on Sunday against the New England Patriots, according to the team's official website. Jordan suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts and didn't play in the Wild-Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. The 26-year-old returned to practice this week, though, and was eventually removed from Friday's final injury report. Jordan took over RB2 duties from veteran
Nick Chubb late in the year, but Chubb will handle backup duties behind rookie
Woody Marks in New England on Sunday. Chubb had double-digit carries (10) against the Steelers for the first time since Nov. 2, but a lot of his work came in garbage time in the second half in the 30-6 blowout win. Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting Chubb to handle much volume against the Pats.
--Keith HernandezSource: HoustonTexans.com
January 18, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have requested a second head-coaching interview with Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. Udinski would become the youngest NFL head coach ever hired if he lands the Browns' job at just 30 years old. Cleveland is also scheduled to have second interviews with Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Despite his age, Udinski is very well respected around the league and is credited with quarterback
Sam Darnold's resurgence last year with the Minnesota Vikings. Jaguars QB
Trevor Lawrence also threw for a career high in touchdowns in 2025 under Udinski's watch. The Browns are looking to replace Kevin Stefanski, who was hired as the next head coach for the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 18, 2026
The Tennessee Titans have a second head-coaching interview scheduled with Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Titans also have a second interview scheduled with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy could also be a finalist. Hafley is considered the front-runner for the head-coaching job with the Miami Dolphins because of his relationship with new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who was previously in Green Bay's front office. There seems to be a pretty good chance that Hafley will be a head coach in 2026 with either the Dolphins or Titans. If he were to be hired in Tennessee, Hafley would need to carefully select his offensive staff to help develop young quarterback
Cameron Ward, who was the first overall pick last April.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
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