January 16, 2026
Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider (illness) missed the morning skate and is considered a game-time decision for Friday's matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. The veteran forward is dealing with an illness and could sit out his fifth game of the season. Kreider has had a tough six-week stretch, finishing 15 of his 20 appearances without a point. He has contributed 15 goals and 10 assists in 42 games during the season. If Kreider isn't ready to play, Anaheim will have to tweak its top line and the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
Anaheim Ducks wingers Troy Terry (upper body) and Cutter Gauthier (illness) will return to the lineup on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. Gauthier missed Tuesday's win over the Dallas Stars due to illness, while Terry has been sidelined for three games with an upper-body injury. The two have combined for over 80 points this season, with Gauthier scoring a team-high 20 goals. They will link up with Ryan Poehling on the third line and could be a big threat on Friday night against a depleted Kings squad.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
The Athletic's James Boyd writes that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Michael Pittman Jr. sits atop the list of potential big names that the Colts could part with this offseason due to salary considerations, mutual decision, or poor performance. Pittman pretty much admitted after the season finale in Week 18 that he could have played his last game with the team. He has a $29 million salary cap hit in 2026, but the Colts would clear $24 million in cap space with only $5 million in dead money if they release him. Boyd thinks Pittman will either have to restructure his contract with Indy or play elsewhere next season. The sense is that Pittman doesn't want to leave, but
Alec Pierce took over as the Colts' top wideout in 2025, with Pittman catching 80 passes for 784 yards (second-fewest of his career), although he did have a career-high seven touchdowns.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - James Boyd
January 16, 2026
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (lower body) won't be available for a second consecutive game on Friday night against the Los Angeles Kings. The young Swedish star has landed on the shelf after posting 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in as many games. With Carlsson unavailable, Mason McTavish has taken over as the first-line center. Mikael Granlund is also currently working in the top six. On Friday, the Finnish forward could match his season-best point streak by getting on the score sheet for a fourth consecutive game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Jordan Whittington (knee) practiced in full all week and has been removed from the final injury report on Friday, per ESPN's Sarah Barshop. Whittington will be active for the NFC Divisional Round on Sunday against the Chicago Bears after missing the Wild-Card win over the Carolina Panthers due to a knee injury he suffered in the Week 18 regular-season finale versus the Arizona Cardinals. The 25-year-old pass-catcher is well off the fantasy radar despite recovering from his knee injury. It's hard to trust any Rams receiver beyond
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams, and all of L.A.'s wideouts will be more risky this weekend with a blizzard expected in Chicago on Sunday. Whittington only caught 18 of his 25 targets during the regular season for 171 yards, and he wasn't able to find the end zone at all.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Rams rookie tight end
Terrance Ferguson (hamstring) practiced in full all week and has been cleared to play in the Divisional Round in the playoffs on Sunday against the hosting Chicago Bears, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. Ferguson suffered a hamstring injury in Week 17 and missed the last two games, including the Wild-Card win over the Carolina Panthers. Since the 22-year-old's injury, the Rams have gotten tight end
Tyler Higbee back from Injured Reserve.
Colby Parkinson also remains involved at the position, which makes Ferguson one to avoid for fantasy playoff lineups this weekend. Ferguson scored in each of his last two games, but he'll be more of a long shot to return any value against Chicago in adverse weather conditions. He had only 11 catches during the regular season for 231 yards and three touchdowns on 25 targets.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
January 16, 2026
The Buffalo Bills announced on Friday that they activated defensive tackle Ed Oliver (biceps, knee) from Injured Reserve. Oliver is still listed as questionable for the Divisional Round game against the Denver Broncos on Saturday, but he's expected to play for the first time since Week 8. The 28-year-old interior defensive lineman suffered a torn biceps back in October and also had surgery on his knee in December. If Oliver is active, as expected, he will probably be on some sort of snap count. However, his presence on the defensive line will be a boost for a banged-up Bills defense. In three games played earlier this season before his biceps injury, Oliver had 12 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. His presence will make it a little more difficult for the Broncos to run the football on Saturday.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buffalo Bills
January 16, 2026
The Buffalo Bills announced on Friday that they elevated wide receiver
Mecole Hardman from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster for Saturday's Divisional Round game against the hosting Denver Broncos. The team also elevated running back
Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad. Hardman will give Buffalo extra receiver depth after
Gabe Davis (knee) and
Tyrell Shavers (knee) both tore their ACLs in last Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs.
Joshua Palmer (ankle) is also on Injured Reserve for the Bills, so their depth at the WR position behind
Khalil Shakir will be tested in Denver. The 27-year-old Hardman is unlikely to have a big role on offense this weekend against a tough defense. In just two regular-season games in 2025, he had one target and no receptions.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buffalo Bills
January 16, 2026
The Buffalo Bills announced on Friday that they activated wide receiver
Curtis Samuel (elbow) from Injured Reserve. Samuel is still considered questionable to play on Saturday against the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round. The 29-year-old hasn't played since Week 11 due to an elbow injury, but he's trending toward returning to give the Bills extra WR depth this weekend with both
Gabe Davis (knee) and
Tyrell Shavers (knee) tearing their ACLs in last weekend's Wild-Card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bills also elevated wideout
Mecole Hardman from the practice squad to help make up for the losses of Davis and Shavers. Samuel caught only seven passes on nine targets for 81 yards and one touchdown in six regular-season games, and he's unlikely to have a big role on Saturday if he's active.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buffalo Bills
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo (back) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's Divisional Round contest against the hosting Chicago Bears, according to head coach Sean McVay. Garoppolo was held out of Thursday's practice due to a back injury that he picked up earlier this week. The Rams are being extra cautious with the 34-year-old veteran signal-caller going into the Divisional Round this weekend. If he's active on Sunday, he will continue to serve as the insurance policy for
Matthew Stafford, who is the favorite to win the NFL MVP this year. Jimmy G saw action in only three games during the regular season, but he didn't attempt a single pass with Stafford staying healthy all year.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Times - Gary Klein
January 16, 2026
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah is entering the transfer portal, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. It was announced earlier this offseason that he would return to the Blue Devils for the 2026 season, but it appears that is not the case, as he enters on the final day of the open portal. In one season with Duke, Mensah ranked second in the country in passing yards (3,973). He threw for 34 touchdowns to just six interceptions en route to an ACC Championship Game win. He started as a freshman for Tulane in 2024, totaling 2,723 yards, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Thamel reports that Miami, Tennessee, and Ole Miss are schools to watch in his recruitment, with Miami being the early favorite. The 20-year-old is yet another big-time quarterback to enter the portal in this loaded cycle.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
January 16, 2026
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said the team is "really optimistic" that quarterback
Sam Darnold (oblique) "is going to be able to play" in Saturday night's Divisional Round game against the visiting San Francisco 49ers, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. Macdonald said there's a possibility that Darnold's oblique injury limits him physically, but he also said that Darnold is confident he'll be able to operate normally. The 28-year-old signal-caller felt something in his oblique in Thursday's practice and shut it down early, and he's officially questionable to play this weekend. Darnold became the only QB in history to lead two different teams to 14-win seasons in back-to-back years. However, in two games against the Niners this year, he hasn't gone over 200 yards passing and hasn't thrown a TD pass. With an injury to boot going into the playoffs, we wouldn't blame fantasy managers for passing on Darnold.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Michael-Shawn Dugar
January 16, 2026
Houston Texans wide receiver
Justin Watson (concussion) didn't practice all week and has officially been ruled out for Sunday's Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots. Watson suffered a concussion in Monday night's Wild-Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Texans advance to the AFC Championship next weekend, Watson won't be guaranteed to be ready to return. In addition to Watson being out, the Texans will also be without top receiver
Nico Collins, who also suffered a concussion on Monday against the Steelers. Rookie
Jayden Higgins and
Christian Kirk, who had 144 receiving yards on Monday, should be the team's top two receivers, with rookie
Jaylin Noel and
Xavier Hutchinson also having elevated roles on offense.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Texans PR
January 16, 2026
Houston Texans running back
Jawhar Jordan (ankle) was upgraded to a full practice on Friday and will be active for the Divisional Round this Sunday against the hosting New England Patriots, according to the team. Jordan suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts, didn't practice at all the following week, and was inactive for Monday night's Wild-Card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the 26-year-old second-year back unavailable, veteran
Nick Chubb saw double-digit carries in the blowout win as rookie
Woody Marks' backup. Most of Chubb's action came in garbage time in the second half. Jordan surpassed Chubb as the RB2 in Houston late in the year and will likely be the team's RB2 this weekend in a bad matchup. The Pats allowed the fourth-fewest half-PPR points per game to RBs during the regular season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Texans PR
January 16, 2026
Chicago Bears wide receiver
DJ Moore (knee) upgraded to a full practice on Friday and has been removed from the final injury report for Sunday's Divisional Round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Bears Communications. Meanwhile, fellow wideout
Rome Odunze is questionable as he continues to battle a stress fracture in his foot. Moore played 86% of the offensive snaps in last week's Wild-Card win over the Green Bay Packers and caught six of his seven targets for 64 yards and his seventh touchdown reception of the year. The Rams' defense has been a pretty solid fantasy matchup for opposing receivers this year, but managers must take into account that there are expected to be brutal weather conditions in Chicago on Sunday night that will make it difficult for the passing attack. Moore has been a boom/bust flex option for fantasy managers all year.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bears Communications
January 16, 2026
Houston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz was held in check in his team's AFC Wild Card Round win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording just three catches for 12 yards on four targets. However, the 29-year-old could be in line for a larger role in the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots, as star Texans wideout
Nico Collins (concussion) has been ruled out due to a concussion. Schultz established himself as a trusted option for Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud during the regular season, finishing the year with 82 receptions for 777 yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 106 targets. Outside of Collins and Schultz, no other Houston pass-catcher earned more than 68 targets in 2025. While Schultz may not carry explosive upside, he could be a good bet to function as Stroud's short-area security blanket in a tough matchup against New England. Fantasy managers should view Schultz as a solid tight end option in the Divisional Round, particularly in PPR-scoring formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 16, 2026
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (concussion) will not carry an injury designation into the weekend and is good to go for his team's Divisional Round matchup against the Houston Texans, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. Gonzalez recorded 54 solo tackles and 10 passes defensed across 14 games during the regular season and was named to his first Pro Bowl. Pro Football Focus graded Gonzalez as the 43rd-best cornerback out of 114 qualified players at the position in 2025. While Gonzalez will be able to play, star Texans wideout
Nico Collins (concussion) has been ruled out with a concussion of his own. As a result, Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud will be working with a shorthanded wide receiver corps against a fully-loaded Patriots secondary.
--Will BradySource: Boston Herald - Doug Kyed
January 16, 2026
Houston Texans wide receiver
Nico Collins (concussion) has officially been ruled out for his team's Divisional Round matchup against the New England Patriots, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Collins suffered a concussion during the second half of Houston's Wild Card Round win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and has been unable to clear the NFL's concussion protocol this week. His absence is a huge blow to the Texans' offense. Across 16 games during the regular season, Collins hauled in 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. Without him, Houston will rely more heavily on wide receivers
Christian Kirk,
Jayden Higgins, and
Xavier Hutchinson. Kirk emerged as one of the stars of the Texans' win over the Steelers, recording eight receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown. Houston tight end
Dalton Schultz, who finished second on the team behind Collins in targets during the regular season, could also be called upon to play a larger role.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 16, 2026
After missing his team's final three games of the regular season due to a hamstring injury, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams returned for the Rams' Wild Card Round win over the Carolina Panthers. The 33-year-old immediately re-established himself as a featured piece of the offense, hauling in five receptions for 72 yards on 13 targets. Adams also played 72% of the Rams' offensive snaps, which was largely in line with his pre-injury snap share. While Adams' production against Carolina was more solid than spectacular, his heavy usage suggests that the team views him as fully recovered from his hamstring ailment. In the Divisional Round, Adams gets a favorable matchup against the Chicago Bears. Chicago finished the regular season ranked 26th in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.6) and 28th in the NFL in passing touchdowns allowed (32). Between the matchup and his encouraging health outlook, Adams profiles as a high-end wide receiver option for fantasy managers in the Divisional Round.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 16, 2026
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy was far from perfect in his team's Wild Card Weekend win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old completed 18 of 31 pass attempts for 262 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions. Dating back to the regular season, Purdy has now thrown an interception in four consecutive games. In the Divisional Round, San Francisco will travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. Seattle completely shut Purdy down in the regular season finale for both teams, holding Purdy to 19 of 27 passing for 127 yards, zero touchdowns, and a pick. The Seahawks defense was dominant throughout the regular season, finishing first in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0) and tied for seventh in sacks (47). Making matters worse for Purdy, he'll be without one of his top receiving weapons in tight end
George Kittle (Achilles), who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in the Wild Card Round. Given the matchup and San Francisco's depleted pass-catching corps, Purdy profiles as a quarterback for fantasy managers to avoid in the Divisional Round.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 16, 2026
Houston Texans wide receiver
Christian Kirk posted an underwhelming regular season in his first year with the team, recording 28 receptions for 239 yards and a touchdown on 52 targets across 13 games played. However, the 29-year-old broke out with a dominant performance in Houston's Wild Card Weekend win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, hauling in eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. With star Texans wideout
Nico Collins (concussion) exiting the game in the second half after suffering a concussion, Kirk stepped into a more prominent role in his team's offense. Collins has not practiced this week and is reportedly trending towards missing Houston's Divisional Round matchup against the New England Patriots. As a result, Kirk could see another week as the primary target-earner from Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud. If Collins is ruled out, fantasy managers should view Kirk as the top wide receiver option in Houston for the Divisional Round.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 16, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher
Brad Keller has decided to join Team USA for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. This should pretty much round out the pitching staff, but it's always possible that someone drops out. This is a nice addition to the roster as Keller experienced a breakout season with the Chicago Cubs in 2025. He posted a 2.07 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 75/22 K/BB ratio across 68 games. That performance earned him a two-year, $22 million deal with the Phillies this offseason. The 30-year-old will now get a chance to shine for his country.
--Andy WebbSource: World Baseball Classic
January 16, 2026
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Rome Odunze (foot) upgraded to a full practice on Friday but is still listed as questionable to play on Sunday in the Divisional Round against the visiting Los Angeles Rams, according to Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune. Odunze missed the final five regular-season games with a stress fracture in his foot, but he returned in last week's thrilling Wild-Card win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers. The 23-year-old second-year wideout played a season-low 69% of the offensive snaps and caught only two of his six targets for 44 yards after the long layoff. Odunze admitted that it was tough to battle through the pain last weekend, and he emerged with soreness in his foot. However, all signs point to him being available on Sunday against the Rams. The Rams' defense hasn't been able to slow opposing offenses down late in the year, but in what are expected to be inclement weather conditions in Chicago that won't make throwing the ball easy, Odunze will be an easy fade in fantasy playoff lineups.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
January 16, 2026
According to Marc Topkin, newly acquired infielder/outfielder
Gavin Lux is going to primarily play second base with the Tampa Bay Rays. It sounds like Lux is going to step in and fill the void left by
Brandon Lowe. Rays' president of baseball operations Erik Neander sounds confident in Lux being an everyday option at the keystone. Lux spent most of his time in left field or as the designated hitter during his time with the Cincinnati Reds last season. He did play full-time at second base during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, so it's not an unfamiliar position to him. Last season, Lux slashed .269/.350/.374 with five home runs and 53 RBI in 140 games with the Reds. The loss of power at the position is significant because Lowe smacked 31 homers with the Rays last season. The front office clearly sees something in Lux, so maybe they can tap into some hidden potential.
--Andy WebbSource: Marc Topkin
January 16, 2026
Houston Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver
Nico Collins (concussion) is missing practice for the third straight day this week on Friday and remains in the league's concussion protocol, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. The expectation is that Collins will be officially ruled out for Sunday's Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots. Collins suffered a concussion in the second half of Monday's Wild-Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and was carted to the locker room. He never returned. Fantasy managers in playoff leagues need to avoid the 26-year-old this weekend. In his absence, the Texans will be looking for receivers
Jayden Higgins,
Christian Kirk (over 100 yards last week), and
Xavier Hutchinson to step up in the passing game. Rookie
Jaylin Noel could see more targets as well.
--Keith HernandezSource: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
January 16, 2026
The Houston Astros have signed free-agent pitcher
Cody Bolton to a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training. Bolton only pitched in one game for the Cleveland Guardians last season. That was his lone big league appearance in 2025, but he did pitch 17 games with the Seattle Mariners in 2024. Bolton is a former sixth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates from the 2017 draft. He began his career as a starter, but has converted into a bullpen arm. He'll likely serve as organizational depth and start the season in Triple-A.
--Andy WebbSource: Garrett Greene
January 16, 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies have reached an agreement to bring back free-agent catcher
J.T. Realmuto. They've agreed on a three-year, $45 million deal, which could total to $60 million with incentives. A deal between the two seemed inevitable as a return to Philly makes sense for both sides. The 34-year-old has seen a regression in production in recent years, but still offers around a 3.0 WAR. Last season, Realmuto slashed .257/.315/.384 with 12 home runs, 52 RBI, and eight steals in 134 games with the Phillies. Realmuto has spent the last seven years with the Phillies organization. He's familiar with their pitching staff and is a trustworthy option behind the plate.
--Andy WebbSource: Robert Murray
January 16, 2026
Detroit Tigers infielder
Colt Keith could be primed to "lock down a large share of playing time at third base," per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. The 24-year-old has spent time at every infield position other than shortstop so far in his big league career, but saw more appearances as a designated hitter than anywhere else in 2025. Stavenhagen notes that Detroit has a multitude of options at the hot corner, namely, veterans
Javier Baez,
Zach McKinstry, and
Matt Vierling, as well as prospects
Kevin McGonigle and
Max Anderson. As such, Keith is not guaranteed to hold the job throughout the season, but he may enter Spring Training as the favorite to start at third base on Opening Day. Across 468 plate appearances for Detroit in 2025, Keith posted a .256/.333/.413 slash line with 13 home runs, 45 RBI, 65 runs scored, and one stolen base. He's been significantly better against right-handed pitching (.731 OPS) than left-handed pitching (.610 OPS) so far in his career.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
January 16, 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies offered infielder
Bo Bichette a seven-year, $200 million contract before he signed with the New York Mets, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Bichette's reported agreement with New York is worth $126 million over three years, so the 27-year-old is apparently prioritizing a higher average annual value and the chance to get back on the open market more quickly. Nightengale reports that the Phillies "believed they would sign (Bichette) until the Mets swooped in." Bichette has almost exclusively played shortstop as a big leaguer, but he's set to move to third base with the Mets and likely would have done the same in Philadelphia. With Bichette now in New York, Philadelphia's opening day third baseman currently projects to be
Alec Bohm. Bohm posted a .287/.331/.409 slash line with 11 home runs, 59 RBI, 53 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 504 plate appearances with the Phillies in 2025.
--Will BradySource: USA Today - Bob Nightengale
January 16, 2026
Free-agent outfielder
Michael Conforto is drawing interest from the Chicago White Sox, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Conforto, who is entering his age-33 season, is coming off a brutal 2025. Across 466 plate appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he posted a .199/.305/.333 slash line with 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 54 runs scored, and one stolen base. The rebuilding White Sox would presumably be able to offer Conforto significant playing time in their corner outfield spots, which would allow the veteran an opportunity to get his career back on track and re-establish his market. Conforto posted a .759 OPS across 488 plate appearances with the San Francisco Giants in 2024, so he's not too far removed from providing above-average production at the plate.
--Will BradySource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
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