January 6, 2026
The Los Angeles Rams announced on Tuesday that they activated safety Quentin Lake (elbow) from Injured Reserve. In a corresponding move, inside linebacker Shaun Dolac (knee) was sent to IR. Lake has been out for the Rams since he was hurt in Week 11, but he got in several full practices last week and is expected to play in the Wild-Card game this Saturday on the road versus the Carolina Panthers. The 26-year-old defensive back is a big addition to a strong Rams' defense for what they hope will be a deep playoff run. In 10 starts in his fourth NFL season before going on IR, Lake had 61 tackles (37 solo), one sack, one interception, 10 pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. L.A.'s defense/special teams unit will be one of the most popular plays at the position in fantasy playoff leagues this week while taking on an inconsistent Panthers offense.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Rams
January 6, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves guard
Anthony Edwards (foot) was a late addition to the team's injury report ahead of their Tuesday night matchup with the Miami Heat. The All-Star guard is listed with right foot injury maintenance, which is of note considering he missed three games in December with foot soreness.
Bones Hyland was the biggest beneficiary of Edwards' absence last month, scoring double digits in two of those three starts. He would likely be in the starting five again if Edwards sits this one out.
--Andrew BallSource: Minnesota Timberwolves
January 6, 2026
San Antonio Spurs center
Victor Wembanyama (knee) is a game-time decision Tuesday night when his team visits the Memphis Grizzlies. The French phenom participated in shootaround Tuesday morning and said he feels good. However, the Spurs are on the front end of a back-to-back and notoriously safe with managing injuries. Should he sit,
Luke Kornet will pick up another start, with
Kelly Olynyk operating as the second-string big. If Wembanyama gives it a go, Kornet is likely to move back to the bench, and Olynyk will be out of the rotation.
--Andrew BallSource: Michael Wright
January 6, 2026
The Green Bay Packers released quarterback
Clayton Tune on Tuesday and signed QB
Desmond Ridder to the active 53-man roster in a corresponding move, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Tune made the start in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and went 6-for-11 for 34 yards with no touchdowns and an interception, adding 23 rushing yards on four carries. The 26-year-old won't join the team going into the playoffs this Saturday night against the division-rival Chicago Bears.
Jordan Love (concussion) will return as the starter, but Ridder could serve as his backup in the Wild-Card round if
Malik Willis (shoulder, hamstring) isn't ready to return from a right-shoulder injury that he suffered in the Week 17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Tune's start on Sunday for Green Bay was just the second of his career.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
January 6, 2026
The Memphis Grizzlies may face the San Antonio Spurs without their starting backcourt on Tuesday night. Point guard
Ja Morant (calf) is doubtful with a calf contusion, while
Cedric Coward (ankle) has already been ruled out. If Morant is unable to go, it will be his second consecutive game on the sidelines. This will be the second game Coward has missed this season.
Vince Williams Jr. (knee) is probable to make his return after missing the last eight games. He,
Pat Spencer, and
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be responsible for most of the backcourt minutes tonight, should Morant sit.
--Andrew BallSource: Memphis Grizzlies
January 6, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals have requested to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for their head-coaching job, a source told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. The Cardinals have also requested an interview for the same position with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, and they plan to interview Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph this week. Saleh was the head coach for the New York Jets for three seasons, but he was fired after going 20-36 in his time at the helm. Saleh returned to San Francisco to coach the defense this year. Given all of the injuries for the 49ers on that side of the ball, Saleh did a pretty remarkable job in 2025 with the team in contention for the No. 1 seed in the AFC going into the Week 18 regular-season finale. It appears that Arizona might be leaning towards a defensive-minded head coach to replace Jonathan Gannon.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
January 6, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have requested to interview Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for their vacant head-coaching job, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Monken received multiple head-coaching requests last cycle, and his name is back in circulation this offseason after the Ravens were eliminated from postseason contention in Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland is looking for a new head coach after firing Kevin Stefanski on Black Monday. The 59-year-old Monken has run the Ravens' offense for the last three years, but he previously worked as the offensive coordinator for the Browns under head coach Freddie Kitchens in 2019. The Ravens have finished sixth, first, and 16th in yards, and fourth, third, and 11th in points in three seasons under Monken. He'd have a considerably bigger challenge in Cleveland, a team that will be going into next year with a QB competition among
Deshaun Watson (Achilles),
Shedeur Sanders, and
Dillon Gabriel.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 6, 2026
In the opinion of The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the odds of the Toronto Blue Jays re-signing shortstop
Bo Bichette are "increasingly unlikely." The Blue Jays signed Kazuma Okamoto to primarily play third base. Rosenthal thinks the big move the Blue Jays are waiting to make is to sign superstar right fielder
Kyle Tucker, which would leave Bichette as the odd-man out. Toronto is planning on moving
Andres Gimenez to shortstop, so if Bichette were to return, he'd primarily play the keystone. If Bichette signs elsewhere, it will open things up at second base for postseason hero
Ernie Clement. If the Blue Jays are indeed moving on from Bichette, his most likely landing spots would be with the Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, or Red Sox. All of those landing spots would be good spots for Bichette, who bounced back nicely in 2025 after an injury-plagued 2024 campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: Ken Rosenthal on Foul Territory
January 6, 2026
ESPN's Buster Olney writes that the Boston Red Sox really want to re-sign third baseman
Alex Bregman and "have signaled a willingness to pay him big money." They could offer Bregman something in the range of the six-year, $171.5 million deal that the Detroit Tigers offered last spring. ESPN's Jesse Rogers adds that there was a feeling in the industry that Bregman was down to the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks, and when Kazuma Okamoto signed with Toronto, it would push Bregman to Arizona. There's a widespread belief that Boston and Bregman "need each other." "If it was down to Toronto and Arizona before, maybe it's now Boston or Arizona," one executive said. Durability is a concern for a player heading into his age-32 season, but Bregman should still be firmly in the fantasy mix at 3B in 2026 after tying for fourth among third basemen in 2025 with a 124 wRC+. Staying in Beantown would be a plus for Bregman's fantasy value, but the hitting environment in Arizona would also be very attractive.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Buster Olney
January 6, 2026
The New York Giants have requested permission to interview Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo for their head-coaching job, a source told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Anarumo is a Staten Island native and a former Giants assistant. He is also expected to interview for the opening at head coach for the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday. Anarumo was the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator for six seasons before joining the Colts in 2025. He was the Giants' defensive-backs coach in 2018 when Pat Shurmur was the head coach. In addition to Anarumo, New York is expected to interview former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph for the head-coaching job. The Giants' head-coaching opening is one of the most attractive jobs around the league, given the intriguing building blocks on offense in quarterback
Jaxson Dart, receiver
Malik Nabers (knee), and running back
Cam Skattebo (ankle).
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
January 6, 2026
Arizona Cardinals rookie cornerback Will Johnson's (knee) MRI results came back clean on Monday, a source told Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. Johnson is good to go after his injury scare in the Week 18 regular-season finale versus the Los Angeles Rams, and he'll have a full offseason of training. The 22-year-old second-rounder out of Michigan ended up playing in 12 games (10 starts) in his first year in the NFL, recording 37 tackles (27 solo), two tackles for loss, 10 pass breakups, and a forced fumble for the Cardinals. Johnson got plenty of playing time in 2025 due to injuries to Sean Murphy-Bunting (knee) and Starling Thomas (knee). Assuming he's fully healthy going into 2026, Johnson should be in line for a starting role in Arizona's secondary.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
January 6, 2026
The Chicago Bears announced on Tuesday that they designated cornerback Kyler Gordon (groin) and offensive tackle Braxton Jones (knee) to return from Injured Reserve. Gordon and Jones will have their 21-day practice window opened, which means they will practice this week and will be eligible to come off IR to play on Saturday evening against the division-rival Green Bay Packers on Wild-Card weekend. Gordon, 26, played in only three regular-season games in 2025 due to groin and hamstring ailments. If Gordon is active for the first round of the playoffs, the Bears will likely ease him back in the secondary. Jones, 26, injured his knee in the Week 7 win over the New Orleans Saints and has missed the last 11 games. If Jones is activated from IR and is active this weekend, he'll serve as a backup tackle for Chicago's offensive line.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chicago Bears
January 6, 2026
Green Bay Packers quarterback
Jordan Love (concussion) will start on Saturday in the Wild-Card playoff game against the division-rival Chicago Bears after missing more than two and a half games due to a concussion, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. "There's nobody else I'd rather have than Jordan," head coach Matt LaFleur said. Love has not played since suffering a concussion in the second half of the Week 16 loss to the Bears. The 27-year-old mostly had a normal week of practice last week before being held out of the Week 18 regular-season loss to the Minnesota Vikings, so he shouldn't have any limitations this weekend on the road. In the first meeting with Chicago on Dec. 7, Love threw for 234 yards, three touchdowns, and one pick. Chicago's defense allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to QBs in 18 weeks, so Love, coming off injury, will be in play as a QB sleeper play in the first round in fantasy playoff leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
January 6, 2026
Buffalo wide receiver
Joshua Palmer took 84% of his team's offensive snaps in a Week 18 win over the Jets that saw most of the Bills' starters rested for the playoffs. He caught his only target for one yard, closing out his first season in Buffalo with 303 receiving yards and no touchdowns. In fantasy playoff leagues, he belongs far down the list of wide receivers worth starting. The obvious counterpoint is that a
Josh Allen-led offense with no obvious go-to weapons outside of running back
James Cook could potentially make an unexpected playoff hero out of anyone on the roster. Still, with so many other sure things in a wide-open playoff field, Palmer can be left off of fantasy rosters.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dawson Knox caught his fourth touchdown of the season in a Week 18 win over the Jets, which saw most of the team's starters relegated to the sidelines. He now has three touchdowns in his last four games after a two-score performance against the Patriots in Week 15. Heading into the postseason, he should be viewed as nothing more than a touchdown-dependent dart throw for fantasy playoff leagues. Outside of a Week 14 win over the Bengals that saw him explode for 93 yards, Knox hasn't topped 37 receiving yards in any other game. With
Dalton Kincaid able to fight through a knee injury to suit up for the regular season finale, Knox's role also becomes more difficult to predict with both tight ends presumably set to play in a road game against Jacksonville.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
Bills wide receiver
Khalil Shakir was rested for Buffalo's Week 18 win over the Jets, along with most of the team's starters, officially closing the regular season with 719 receiving yards and four touchdowns. After cracking double-digit fantasy points in four of his first 11 games of the year, he has not hit that mark since a Week 12 loss to the Texans, and he heads into the playoffs having topped 35 receiving yards only once in his final five games. With only one touchdown since Week 9, Shakir is a low-floor, low-ceiling play in fantasy playoff leagues and does not need to be heavily rostered. He is RotoBaller's WR13 in a week with 12 teams in action.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
Buffalo Bills running back
James Cook took two carries for 15 yards in an abbreviated appearance in the team's Week 18 win over the Jets. It was enough to keep distance between him and a surging
Derrick Henry, with Cook ultimately securing his first regular-season rushing crown with 1,621 yards. Heading into the postseason, he should be viewed as one of the highest upside running backs in fantasy playoff leagues. Buffalo currently holds the fourth-highest Super Bowl odds in a wide-open AFC and is a slight road favorite over a 13-4 Jacksonville team that has been a headache for fantasy running backs throughout most of the season. Despite the tough matchup, Cook is RotoBaller's RB2 for the week, and he could be in line for a massive postseason if Buffalo can advance.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen followed up his 2024 MVP campaign with another strong showing, finishing 2025 with 3,668 passing yards, 25 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, and an additional 579 yards and 14 scores on the ground. In a wide-open AFC playoff bracket, he heads into Wild Card Weekend as one of the highest upside plays in fantasy playoff leagues. The Jaguars have been a plus-matchup for fantasy quarterbacks, and surrounded by one of the weaker supporting casts of his career, Allen will be tasked with putting the team on his shoulders if he hopes to take advantage of a field missing
Patrick Mahomes,
Lamar Jackson, and
Joe Burrow. Allen is RotoBaller's QB1 for the week in what will be his first playoff-opening road game since the 2019 season.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
Penn State running back Kaytron Allen is viewed as a fringe top-five running back prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class despite overtaking Nicholas Singleton as the top Nittany Lions running back in 2025. After a 1,100-yard, eight-touchdown season as a junior in 16 games, Allen rushed for 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior in 12 games. Allen finished his collegiate career with 4,670 scrimmage yards and 43 touchdowns in 54 contests. He's been a big-time producer throughout his career, so his performance at the 2026 NFL Combine could determine whether he's a Day 2 or Day 3 pick. His 70 career receptions demonstrate his ability to play on all three downs at the next level, and in a running back class that is not as deep as last year's, so there is a wide range of outcomes in April's draft at the RB spot.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Sports Reference CFB
January 6, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets have been the two teams that are most connected to signing free-agent starting pitcher
Framber Valdez, according to MLB Network Insider Mark Feinsand. Valdez has a history with both operations executives for the Orioles and Mets, with Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias serving as the Astros' scouting director when they signed Valdez in 2015. Mets' president of baseball operations, David Stearns, was the Astros' assistant general manager at that time. The 32-year-old lefty is one of the top starting pitchers on the free-agent market and has been one of the most consistent starters in baseball over the past six seasons. He's thrown at least 175 innings in four consecutive years, holding a 3.21 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 16% K-BB%, and a league-high 60% ground-ball rate in that time. Valdez would remain a high-end starter in fantasy baseball despite a less-than-stellar strikeout rate with a move to either of these teams.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Mark Feinsand
January 6, 2026
When asked if quarterback
Justin Fields would be back with the team in 2026, New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said, "He's under contract," according to Antwan V. Staley of the New York Daily News. The Jets brought Fields in as a free agent last offseason to be their starter under center, but the plan backfired. Fields, a former first-rounder, went 2-7 as a starter and was eventually benched for veteran backup
Tyrod Taylor late in the season. The 26-year-old ended the season on Injured Reserve with a knee injury. Fields limited turnovers, but he completed 62.7% of his pass attempts for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. He also didn't run very much, carrying the ball 71 times for 383 yards and four TDs. At best, Fields will likely be competing for a starting role if he stays with the Jets in the second year of his two-year, $40 million deal.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Daily News - Antwan V. Staley
January 6, 2026
Key Washington Commanders offensive players, including quarterback
Jayden Daniels, are disappointed with the team's decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Daniels vouched for Kingsbury during his season-ending press conference on Monday and was among those "blindsided by the move." Commanders players figured the only way Kingsbury would leave is if he got a head-coaching job, and that's what he's seeking to do this offseason. The 25-year-old Daniels was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 under Kingsbury, throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while also rushing for 891 yards and six more TDs in 17 regular-season games. While Washington's offense was still efficient in 2025, Daniels' season was a disappointment after playing in only seven games due to injuries. His fantasy stock is now trending down because of his injuries and the fact that he'll be learning a new offense heading into Year 3.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
January 6, 2026
The Detroit Tigers have traded outfielder
Justyn-Henry Malloy to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations, according to Tigers PR. Malloy was recently designated for assignment following the Tigers re-signing reliever
Kyle Finnegan. The 25-year-old appeared in 52 games for Detroit last season, slashing .221/.346/.308 (92 wRC+) in 127 plate appearances. The former sixth-round pick in 2021 has below-average power and speed with poor defensive metrics, but he has posted a double-digit walk rate at every stop of his career. Malloy could have an opportunity for playing time in the Rays' outfield if his defense can hold up, while he also has two minor-league options remaining, giving Tampa Bay some flexibility with their roster.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Tigers PR
January 6, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was sentenced to five days in jail after he pleaded guilty to reckless driving and driving without a license on Jan. 6. Taylor-Britt was placed on Injured Reserve in November due to a foot injury that he suffered in the Week 11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he didn't play the rest of the season. In his eight games played for the Bengals in 2025, the 26-year-old defensive back had a career-low 21 tackles (12 solo) and five pass breakups in his fourth year in the league. Marco Wilson took on an expanded role in Cincy's secondary the rest of the way after Taylor-Britt was placed on IR.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Cameron Knight and Kelsey Conway
January 6, 2026
Florida rising junior running back Jadan Baugh has agreed to a new deal with the program to stay for the 2026 season, according to On3Sports. Despite the Gators having immense offensive struggles during his two seasons in Gainesville, Baugh has been a bright spot. In 25 career games, he's tallied 353 carries for 1,843 yards and 15 touchdowns. He's a capable receiver, too, with 37 career receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns. This is a significant win for new head coach Jon Sumrall, as the Georgia native projects to be one of the best returning offensive players in the SEC. With a big 2026 campaign, Baugh could play his way into being a top running back prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3 on X
January 6, 2026
Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is expected to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans for their head-coaching openings in the coming days, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Broncos hold the top seed in the AFC and will have a first-round bye in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs this week, thus freeing Joseph up to talk with teams seeking a new head coach. Joseph went 11-21 as the Broncos head coach in 2017 and 2018 and also has previous head-coaching experience with the Cardinals. He will get another chance at a head-coaching job going into the 2026 season after doing a remarkable job running Denver's stout defense this year. The Broncos allowed the third-fewest points per game (18.3) under Joseph, while also giving up the second-fewest total yards per game (278.2).
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 6, 2026
The Boston Red Sox and starting pitcher
Kutter Crawford have agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract to avoid arbitration, according to the Washington Times Sports. Crawford did not pitch last season after beginning the year on the injured list with a knee injury, and he underwent surgery on his wrist in July. The 29-year-old led the Red Sox with 183 2/3 innings in his breakout 2024 season, pitching to a 4.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 16.3% K-BB%. Crawford has experience as both a starter and a reliever, and it remains to be seen how Boston will deploy him in 2026.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Washington Times Sports
January 6, 2026
Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is expected to interview with the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans, among others, for their open head-coaching positions, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. The Commanders and Kingsbury "mutually" agreed to part ways on Tuesday so that Kingsbury can pursue another head-coaching opportunity. After the success that Kingsbury had with quarterback
Jayden Daniels in his impressive rookie season in 2024, it's clear why teams searching for a new head coach who also have young QBs (like the Giants and Titans) would be interested in hiring Kingsbury. Despite all of the injuries to Washington's skill players on offense in 2025, Kingsbury kept the boat afloat with backup QB
Marcus Mariota. QBs
Jaxson Dart and
Cameron Ward would definitely benefit from the addition of Kingsbury.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
January 6, 2026
Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee) had successful surgery on his torn ACL on Tuesday, according to Giana Han of The Baltimore Banner. Buchanan was impressive in his first year in the NFL before injuring his knee, as the fourth-rounder out of California totaled 93 tackles (49 solo), half a sack, five tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble in his 14 games (13 starts). The 23-year-old tore his ACL in the Week 15 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Given the timing of his injury late in the year, Buchanan's recovery could cause him to miss the start of the 2026 season next fall. But when he returns to full health, Buchanan will once again be a key linebacker for Baltimore's defense, and one that will attract attention in fantasy IDP leagues after his strong rookie showing.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Banner - Giana Han
January 6, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons and quarterback
Kirk Cousins agreed to tweak the final two years of the QB's contract on Tuesday, setting the stage for a decision on his future to be made by the third day of the new league year on March 13, a source told ESPN's Field Yates. Cousins now has a guarantee for $67.9 million for the 2027 season that will vest on March 13. The restructure also includes reducing Cousins' 2026 base salary from a non-guaranteed $35 million to just $2.1 million. Atlanta's front office is in flux following the firing of general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday, but the Falcons could still move on from Cousins before March 13 as a post-June 1 release. A release of that kind would split the dead money on Cousins' contract over 2026 and 2027, as opposed to the team taking on the full amount in 2026. The 37-year-old played in 10 games this season, including starting the final seven following
Michael Penix Jr.'s season-ending knee injury. Cousins was serviceable, throwing 10 TDs and five interceptions, but he probably isn't in the team's long-term plans at the position.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Field Yates
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