January 17, 2026
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (biceps, knee) won't be 100% for the Divisional Round game on Saturday against the Denver Broncos and will play limited reps, but the Bills think "a rusty Ed is better than most," according to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network. Oliver could also be wearing a brace on his surgically repaired knee. The 28-year-old interior defensive lineman hasn't played since tearing his biceps muscle back in Week 8, and he also had cleanup surgery on his knee in December. Oliver will be more of a rotational interior D-lineman on Saturday in Denver, but the Bills are hoping his return is a much-needed boost for a banged-up defense that will be without cornerback Maxwell Hairston and safety Jordan Poyer for the Divisional Round. In only three games in 2025 before his injury, Oliver had 12 tackles, three sacks, and seven tackles for loss.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
January 17, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, who will be a free agent in March, is not expected to return to the team next season, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. After the Steelers lost to the Houston Texans on Monday night in the Wild-Card round, long-time head coach Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 years with the organization. It essentially ensures that Rodgers won't return to the Steel City if he decides to play one more season, but the future Hall of Famer may have thrown his last pass in the NFL. The 42-year-old completed 65.7% of his pass attempts in Pittsburgh in 2025 for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while adding 61 rushing yards and one TD on the ground. If Rodgers' career comes to an end, he'll finish with 66,274 passing yards and 527 touchdown passes in 264 regular-season games across 21 NFL seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 17, 2026
Boston Celtics guard
Payton Pritchard (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's matchup against Atlanta after being limited to a season-low workload Thursday and now dealing with left ankle soreness. He has been a steady fantasy contributor this season, averaging 16.6 points, 5.4 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 three-pointers, making any absence notable across formats. If Pritchard sits,
Anfernee Simons is positioned for a larger role after erupting for 39 points last game, with added usage and shot volume boosting his ceiling. Pritchard managers should closely monitor the status, while Simons profiles as a high-upside replacement play.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
The Cincinnati Reds offered star shortstop
Elly De La Cruz a contract extension last spring that would have been the largest contract in franchise history, according to MLB.com's Manny Randhawa, but De La Cruz declined the offer. The largest current contract in Reds history is
Joey Votto's 10-year, $225 million deal in 2012. De La Cruz became the fifth player in MLB history to hit at least 20 home runs (25) and steal at least 60 bases (67) in a single season in 2024. The 6-foot-5, 200-pounder took a step back offensively in 2025, though, hitting 22 home runs and stealing 37 bases in 162 games played. However, a left-quad injury that he played with during the second half of the season may have been to blame. Despite his defensive shortcomings, De La Cruz is an elite athlete who could definitely bounce back offensively in 2026 with better health.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Manny Randhawa
January 17, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Max Christie (illness) is probable for Saturday's game against Utah after missing two contests, setting up a return to a prominent role. Christie has been productive over his last nine games, averaging 15.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.4 three-pointers in 31.7 minutes, production that has held with
Anthony Davis (finger) sidelined. His return could squeeze
Brandon Williams, who started the past two games and played well, back into a bench role. Christie profiles as a strong hold in season-long leagues, with stable minutes and usage supporting streamer value if Dallas manages his workload cautiously.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
The Miami Dolphins are scheduling in-person head-coaching interviews for early this week and will talk with Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley for the second time, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hafley has a head-coaching interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday and is also drawing interest for the same position with the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and Atlanta Falcons. The 46-year-old has a relationship with new Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan from their time together in Green Bay, and he's a highly respected defensive mind, having led strong Packers' defenses in each of the last two seasons. Before he joined the Packers' coaching staff, Hafley was the head coach at Boston College for four seasons. In Miami, he'd be replacing Mike McDaniel.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 17, 2026
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is doubtful for Saturday's matchup against Utah, putting him on track to miss a second straight game with a right ankle sprain. His absence keeps the center rotation thin and points to another start for
Dwight Powell, while
Moussa Cisse (G League) is in line for extended minutes if available. Cisse delivered a strong double-double last game with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks in 23 minutes, but his role has been volatile across recent outings. He profiles as a high-variance deep-league streamer, while Powell offers steadier minutes with limited upside.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
The Green Bay Packers are working on contract extensions for both head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst, each of whom is headed into the final year of his current deal, league sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Sources say they would be surprised if the Packers don't work out extensions with both LaFleur and Gutekunst. President Ed Policy said last June that he would prefer not to have a lame-duck coach. Under LaFleur the last seven seasons, the Packers have gone 76-40-1 in the regular season and have made the playoffs six times. However, they haven't reached the Super Bowl and haven't been to a conference championship game since 2020, the second of back-to-back appearances in LaFleur's first two years at the helm. Gutekunst has worked in Green Bay since 1999 and has been the GM since 2019.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 17, 2026
The New York Giants are still on track to officially hire former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh as their next head coach, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Both sides are still trying to work out what is expected to be a five-year deal worth around $100 million, which would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the league. Rapoport doesn't believe it's about money, but rather about the structure of the chain of command. The Athletic's Dan Duggan reports that Harbaugh didn't report to the general manager in Baltimore, but rather to owner Steve Bisciotti. That hasn't been the Giants' chain of command historically, so the two sides are trying to iron things out before Harbaugh's massive five-year deal becomes official. It should be completed by the end of the weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 17, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward/center
P.J. Washington (personal) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Utah after being downgraded from probable while attending to a personal matter, with Monday against New York up next. His absence leaves Dallas short-handed and opens additional minutes across the forward spots.
Naji Marshall has taken on a larger role and produced 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 23 minutes in the last game, keeping him firmly in the streaming mix.
Caleb Martin added 14 points and six assists in 28 minutes, while
Klay Thompson went for 26 points with six three-pointers in 23 minutes, emphasizing his scoring-first fantasy appeal.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Sam Darnold (oblique) has not thrown a football since he hurt his oblique at practice on Thursday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Seahawks think, but don't know, that he will be fine to start Saturday night's Divisional Round contest against the San Francisco 49ers. Backup
Drew Lock took the reps the last two days in practice and is ready if needed. Head coach Mike Macdonald said the team is optimistic that Darnold will be ready to go this weekend, but there's also a sliver of doubt involved here. Rookie
Jalen Milroe hasn't played since Week 5, so he'd be the QB2 behind Lock if Darnold is inactive. Darnold's oblique injury makes him much more risky for fantasy football playoff lineups in the Divisional Round, especially since he's yet to throw a touchdown in two games this year against the Niners.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 17, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward
Gui Santos (ankle) will not play Saturday against Charlotte after spraining his left ankle in the first quarter of Thursday's win over New York. His absence trims wing depth and opens short-term minutes.
Moses Moody is positioned for a steadier role after scoring 21 points with seven three-pointers in 28 minutes last game, giving him streamer appeal tied to volume.
Brandin Podziemski continues to benefit as a secondary creator after posting 19 points, five rebounds, and two steals in 26 minutes.
De'Anthony Melton and
Al Horford should also see modest bumps in playing time.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Davion Mitchell (shoulder) will miss Saturday's game against Oklahoma City, sitting for a second straight contest with a shoulder bruise and targeting Monday versus Golden State as his next chance to return. His absence shifts ball-handling duties, especially with
Tyler Herro (toe) questionable.
Norman Powell is set up for added usage after scoring 26 points in 32 minutes last game, while
Pelle Larsson logged 30 minutes in a complementary role. If Herro sits,
Dru Smith would be asked to run the offense, though his fantasy value remains tied to minutes and matchups.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
Denver Nuggets guard/forward
Christian Braun (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Washington, continuing a stop-start stretch since returning from a lengthy left ankle injury. Braun appeared in three games earlier this month but never regained traction and will now miss a fourth straight contest, with Sunday against Charlotte next on the schedule. His absence keeps Denver's wing rotation thin.
Jalen Pickett has started the past four games and delivered nine points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 28 minutes last time out, making him a steady deep-league streamer.
Tim Hardaway Jr. logged 36 minutes off the bench and knocked down four three-pointers en route to 12 points, while
Bruce Brown chipped in seven points and five rebounds in 24 minutes, offering low-end streaming value.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Zaccharie Risacher (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Boston, extending his absence to five straight contests with a left knee issue and setting up Monday against Milwaukee as his next possible return. His absence opens short-term rotation minutes, though the fantasy upside remains modest.
Vit Krejci has started the past four games and is averaging 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 22.7 minutes, offering limited deep-league value tied mostly to playing time.
Corey Kispert logged three points and two rebounds in 13 minutes last game and remains a situational flyer. Neither option provides stable fantasy value, keeping Risacher's absence more relevant to real-life depth than most fantasy formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
Atlanta Hawks center
Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) will miss Saturday's game against Boston, extending his absence to five straight contests with left Achilles tendinitis and leaving his return timeline unclear. His continued absence keeps
Onyeka Okongwu locked into heavy minutes and strong fantasy value across formats, averaging 16.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 2.6 three-pointers in 34.9 minutes over his last five games, making him a must-start in season-long and a high-floor DFS option.
Mouhamed Gueye continues to fill backup minutes, posting six points, three rebounds, and two steals in 21 minutes last game, but remains a low-ceiling, matchup-dependent deep-league play.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder center
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's matchup against Miami, marking his 11th straight absence with a lingering right soleus strain and leaving his status uncertain until at least Monday. His continued absence keeps
Chet Holmgren anchored in a stable frontcourt role, averaging 13.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks over his last two games while maintaining strong DFS appeal through minutes security and defensive production.
Jalen Williams continues to benefit from consistent usage, while
Jaylin Williams and
Kenrich Williams see extra run as volatile deep-league and daily-league streamers dependent on matchup and game flow.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward
Patrick Williams (ankle) will not return to Friday's game against Brooklyn after spraining his right ankle late in the third quarter, leaving his status for Sunday's rematch uncertain. Williams logged seven points, three rebounds, and one assist in 12 minutes off the bench. Chicago should continue to lean heavily on
Matas Buzelis, who is locked into a starter's workload and is averaging 15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 three-pointers, and 2.0 blocks in 29.1 minutes. If Williams sits, the Bulls would lean even more on that frontcourt, with
Jalen Smith continuing to see steady run after posting 11.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 three-pointers, and 1.8 blocks in 24.0 minutes, keeping him viable in deeper formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: K.C. Johnson
January 17, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Ja Morant (calf) has a good chance to return Sunday in London after missing six games with a calf contusion, with coach Tuomas Iisalo noting Morant completed a full practice and handled full-speed stretches. His return restores Memphis' offensive engine and elite assist upside, although workload monitoring remains a possibility.
Cam Spencer started during Morant's absence and averaged 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in 29.7 minutes. He should remain serviceable even with Morant active, albeit with reduced usage and minutes. Spencer profiles as a lower-ceiling streamer, while Morant immediately reclaims primary creation duties.
--Brian DailisanSource: Marc Stein
January 17, 2026
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Toronto Blue Jays offered superstar outfielder
Kyle Tucker a massive 10-year, $350 million contract before he chose to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday evening. Tucker opted to ink a four-year, $240 million contract with the two-time reigning World Series Champions. Throughout the winter, the Blue Jays were viewed as favorites to land the star outfielder. While they were unable to land him, they have enjoyed a productive offseason, signing infielder
Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract and starting pitcher
Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $120 million contract. Additionally, they could still look to pursue
Cody Bellinger in free agency if they are looking to further bolster their outfield. Tucker, who carries five-category potential, holds high-end OF1 value heading into 2026 as he is joining the best lineup in the sport.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
January 17, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez is expected to remain on the Dodgers but will shift to left field following the signing of
Kyle Tucker. On Thursday night, the Dodgers signed Tucker to a four-year, $240 million contract. While Hernandez spent time in left field during his first season in Los Angeles in 2024, he shifted to right field last summer. However, given Tucker's lack of experience in left field, the Dodgers will look to keep their newly-acquired superstar in right field to begin the 2026 season. Last summer, Hernandez took a slight step back and remained a productive power hitter, posting a .247/.284/.454 line with 25 home runs. Given that he will continue to bat in the heart of one of the most potent lineups in baseball, Hernandez remains a viable OF2 in all formats as he should provide high-end power production with elite counting stats.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 17, 2026
Several teams have reached out to the Cincinnati Reds in hopes of acquiring one of their top pitchers, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. While a source noted that teams doubt the Reds would entertain a trade offer for their top arms like
Hunter Greene,
Nick Lodolo, or
Andrew Abbott, a depth pitcher like
Brady Singer could very well be on the trade block. Currently, the Reds have several budding arms in their system who appear poised to take on a full-time role on the MLB roster in the near future. Last season, Singer struggled in his debut campaign in Cincinnati, posting a 4.03 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP across 1692/3 innings of work. While former top prospect
Chase Burns appears poised to earn a spot in the starting rotation, Singer could block other young arms like
Rhett Lowder and
Chase Petty. Managers should pay close attention to the Cincinnati rotation in spring training, as many roles appear up for the taking.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 17, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Baltimore Orioles are among the clubs that have shown interest in free agent right-handed pitcher
Justin Verlander. Rosenthal noted that the 43-year-old is still receiving interest from several clubs, but given his connection with Orioles GM Mike Elias, the Orioles appear to be among the favorites to land him. However, given that the Orioles are still actively pursuing starting pitching, they could look to pivot to an option with more upside, according to Rosenthal. Last season, Verlander logged 152 innings with the San Francisco Giants and held a 3.85 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP. He struck out only 137 hitters and generated a 37th percentile 4.24 xERA under the hood. Given his decreasing strikeout production and high ratios, Verlander would only be worth targeting in deep 15+ team/AL-only formats if he were to sign with the Orioles.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 17, 2026
Cincinnati Reds second baseman
Matt McLain has added 12 pounds in the offseason as he has focused on getting stronger. The former 17th overall pick has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his two-year MLB career and is eyeing a "fresh start." McLain made his debut in 2023 but missed the entire 2024 campaign due to a rib and shoulder injury. In 2025, McLain appeared in a career-high 147 games but struggled at the plate, posting a .220/.300/.343 line with 18 doubles, 15 home runs, and 18 stolen bases. Under the hood, he generated a low .290 xwOBA. This was a stark drop from the promising .290/.357/.507 line he held during his debut campaign in 2023. Managers should keep a close eye on his status during camp, as the young infielder does possess five-category upside when on the field.
--Andy SmithSource: Charlie Goldsmith
January 17, 2026
According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, New York Mets third baseman
Brett Baty is expected to play numerous positions, including left field. On Friday, the team signed infielder
Bo Bichette, who is now slated to take over the everyday role at third base, shifting Baty into a super-utility role. While Baty may struggle to find at-bats in the infield, he could carve out a role in the New York outfield that traded
Brandon Nimmo this offseason and failed to sign
Kyle Tucker. Throughout his MLB career, Baty has only made one appearance in left field, but is expected to earn opportunities there during camp. Last season, the 26-year-old held a .254/.313/.435 line with 13 doubles and a career-best 18 home runs across 130 contests. While Baty's short-term fantasy value did take a hit following Bichette's signing, he could eventually carve out a role in the outfield. For now, he is best left for deeper redraft formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
January 16, 2026
Buffalo Bills veteran wide receiver
Brandin Cooks was traded from the New Orleans Saints to Buffalo late in the 2025 season. In his five regular-season games with the Bills, Cooks caught five of 11 targets for 114 yards. The 32-year-old deep threat has seven receptions on 11 targets for 159 yards in the last two games against the Eagles and Jaguars, though. He caught three of five targets for 58 yards in the Wild-Card win over the Jaguars, with most of his yardage coming on a 36-yard pickup. Cooks relies on chunk gains deep down the field, which could be a problem against a solid Denver Broncos' defense in the Divisional Round on Saturday. The Bills will need Cooks to step up, though, with both
Gabe Davis (knee) and
Tyrell Shavers (knee) out with torn ACLs. Denver's defense gave up the fifth-fewest half-PPR points per game to WRs during the regular season and tied with the Eagles for the fewest TDs allowed at six.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver
Jayden Higgins could be the team's leading receiver and target earner in their Divisional Round matchup on Sunday versus the New England Patriots, with top wideout
Nico Collins (concussion) sidelined by a concussion that he suffered in Monday night's Wild-Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 23-year-old was Houston's third leading WR during the regular season with 41 catches, 525 yards, and six touchdowns on 68 targets over 17 games. Higgins was tied for the team lead in TDs with Collins. He was outside the top-50 wideouts in half-PPR fantasy points per game in his first NFL regular season, but the bump in role against New England should be enough to make Higgins a more attractive fantasy streamer in postseason leagues. The Patriots' defense isnt' the greatest matchup, but Higgins has scored in two of the last three games.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Troy Franklin took a pretty big leap forward in his second NFL season in 2025, catching 65 passes on 104 targets for 709 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games after posting a 28-263-2 line in 16 games as a rookie in 2024. Franklin was the team's second leading receiver this year behind
Courtland Sutton, and his six TDs also ranked second. The 22-year-old was tied for 46th among all WRs at 8.3 half-PPR fantasy points per game, though, and he wasn't as productive late in the year when rookie
Pat Bryant began to see a bigger role next to him in the passing game. In the last two regular-season games, Franklin caught only four passes for 17 yards, although the Broncos' offense didn't have to do much to handle KC and L.A. with most of their starters resting. Against the Bills in the Divisional Round, a defense that allowed the seventh-fewest half-PPR points per game to receivers, Franklin will be a low-cost, low-end fantasy WR in playoff formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Denver Broncos quarterback
Bo Nix set a new career high with 3,931 passing yards in his second year as the Broncos' full-time starting QB, but he had four fewer touchdown passes in the same number of games (17). The 25-year-old ran for fewer yards (356), too, while scoring one more TD (five). Nix heads into the playoffs after a first-round bye in the Wild-Card round to face the Buffalo Bills, and he does so with little momentum after two vanilla performances to close out the regular season in wins over the Chiefs and Chargers, in which he didn't go over 182 passing yards with one total touchdown. The Oregon product had back-to-back 300-yard games before that, though, and Denver will most likely be forced to open up their offense on Saturday. Nix finished as the QB7 in overall fantasy points in 2025, but he'll be on the lower end of QB options in playoff formats against a Bills defense that allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing passers during 17 regular-season games.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Chicago Bears rookie running back
Kyle Monangai had a strong first year in the NFL despite being a seventh-round selection out of Rutgers. Monangai had 169 rushing attempts for 783 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games, adding 18 catches for 164 yards on 30 targets through the air. The 23-year-old was at his peak in 2025 from Weeks 9-13, going for 405 rushing yards and four TDs on 79 carries. Since then, though, Monangai has double-digit carries in just two of six contests, and he has had single-digit carries over the last four games. He had eight carries for only 27 yards in the Wild-Card win over the Green Bay Packers, and he had only six carries for 14 yards in Week 18 against Detroit. Monangai has been on the field for 40-45% of the offensive snaps the last six games, but he'll be a low-end RB option in fantasy playoff lineups this weekend against a Los Angeles Rams' defense that allowed the third-fewest rushing TDs (six) to RBs all year.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
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