January 12, 2026
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) won't be available against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. He was a late addition to the injury report and will miss at least one game due to a right ankle sprain. Gafford's exit from the lineup leaves the Mavericks' frontcourt down to bare bones.
Moussa Cisse (shoulder) and
Dwight Powell are the only natural big men left and are set to share the minutes at center on Monday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward
P.J. Washington (ankle) is expected to return in a week, Noah Weber of The Smoking Cuban reports. Washington will miss a fourth consecutive game on Monday night against the Brooklyn Nets. Monday's update suggests that he will sit out at least three more games.
Naji Marshall,
Klay Thompson, and
Caleb Martin will keep logging extra minutes while Washington remains sidelined. Of the trio, Marshall has delivered the steadiest fantasy production.
--Taavi PailkSource: Noah Weber
January 12, 2026
The Chicago Cubs have signed relief pitcher
Corbin Martin to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. Martin is a former second-round pick who hasn't been able to establish himself at the big league level. Last season, Martin registered a 6.00 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, and a 23/9 K/BB ratio across 17 appearances with the Baltimore Orioles. This is a low-risk move by the Cubs to bolster their relief pitching depth ahead of the 2026 season. The Cubs have a good track record of turning around struggling pitchers. Martin figures to spend most of his time in Triple-A, but we'll see what he can do in camp.
--Andy WebbSource: Lance Brozdowski
January 12, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to interview former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon for their open defensive-coordinator position, a source told Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News. The Cowboys will also interview former Baltimore Ravens DC Zach Orr. Gannon will also interview for the Washington Commanders' DC job on Thursday and the Tennessee Titans' head-coaching job on Sunday. During his time with the Cardinals, Gannon went 15-36, including a disappointing 3-14 in 2025. Arizona started 2-0 in 2025, but they lost 14 of their last 15 games, leading to Gannon's firing. Gannon spent two years as the Philadelphia Eagles' DC before getting the head-coaching job in Arizona. If he gets the job in Dallas, he'll be looking to clean up a defense that allowed a league-high 30.1 points per game and the third-most yards per game (377).
--Keith HernandezSource: The Dallas Morning News - Joseph Hoyt
January 12, 2026
Boston Celtics small forward
Baylor Scheierman will make his first start of the season in Monday's contest against the Indiana Pacers.
Sam Hauser will also be a fresh face in the starting five, with
Jaylen Brown (back) unavailable and
Hugo Gonzalez dropping to the bench. Last season, Scheierman made two starts, averaging 11.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 steals. It's a very small sample size, but the Creighton product can make a significant impact in a starting role.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sean Grande
January 12, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons interviewed former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh for their head-coaching position on Monday, according to Tori McElhaney of AtlantaFalcons.com. The Falcons are looking for both a head coach and a new general manager after firing Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot, respectively, following the 2025 season. Reports suggest that Harbaugh could be down to the Falcons and New York Giants as he searches for a new head-coaching gig. Because Atlanta could let Harbaugh in on the decision to hire a new GM, it could be more attractive than the Giants' job. He was with Baltimore for 18 years from 2008-25 and helped take the Ravens to 12 playoff appearances, including four AFC Championship appearances and a Super Bowl win. The Falcons' quarterback situation is unsettled, but they have nice building blocks on offense in running back
Bijan Robinson, receiver
Drake London, and tight end
Kyle Pitts Sr.--Keith HernandezSource: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
January 12, 2026
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
Brandon Ingram (thumb) will rejoin the lineup on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers. He's back after missing two games with a sprained right thumb. Ingram will start the contest alongside
Immanuel Quickley,
Jamal Shead,
Scottie Barnes, and
Collin Murray-Boyles. In two early-season meetings with Philadelphia, Ingram averaged 21.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, shooting an impressive 51.9 percent from the field.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that the team is opening the 21-day practice window for defensive tackle Ed Oliver (biceps, knee) this week, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. In addition to a torn biceps, Oliver is also recovering from meniscus surgery on his knee. The 28-year-old interior defensive lineman will be eligible to come off Injured Reserve to play in the AFC Divisional Round this Saturday against the Denver Broncos. Whether Oliver is actually active this weekend will depend on how he looks in practice this week. Getting Oliver back would be a big boost for the Bills' defense against a Broncos offense that hasn't been great at running the football since the midseason injury to RB
J.K. Dobbins (foot). In just three games played in 2025, Oliver had 12 tackles (10 solo), three sacks, seven tackles for loss, five QB hits, and a forced fumble.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
January 12, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward
Paul George (knee) will play in Monday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. He was a late scratch on Sunday against Toronto due to knee soreness, but luckily, George will make a quick return to the lineup. The veteran has averaged 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.6 steals through his first five outings in 2026.
Kelly Oubre Jr., who logged 34 minutes as a starter on Sunday, will drop back to the bench with George's return.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Monday against the Toronto Raptors. He missed Sunday's meeting with Toronto to manage a left knee injury, and the team initially listed Embiid as questionable for Monday's tilt. Embiid has averaged 26.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 33.0 minutes per game this month. He's looking to dominate against an inexperienced Raptors frontcourt on Monday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring) is considered week-to-week and will not play on Saturday in the Divisional Round against the hosting Denver Broncos, according to Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News. Poyer won't be available this weekend after injuring his hamstring in Sunday's Wild-Card victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It remains to be seen if the 34-year-old veteran will be able to return for the AFC Championship next weekend if the Bills knock off the Broncos. It's a notable loss for the Bills' defense this weekend, as Poyer has 70 tackles (31 solo), half a sack, three pass breakups, and one interception this year. Jordan Hancock will step into a starting role for Buffalo's secondary against Denver with Poyer sidelined.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Buffalo News - Katherine Fitzgerald
January 12, 2026
Boston Celtics forward
Sam Hauser (hamstring) will return from a one-game absence on Monday against the Indiana Pacers. He makes a timely return, as Boston will be without
Jaylen Brown (back). Hauser could step into Brown's spot in the starting unit. He has been a starter in nine games this season, averaging 9.7 points and 3.2 rebounds. Indiana has limited opponents to 33.8 percent three-point shooting this season, making this a tricky matchup for Hauser.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown (back) has been ruled out for Monday's contest against the Indiana Pacers. This looked likely to happen after Brown was handed a doubtful tag on the injury report. The 2024 Finals MVP is bothered by lower back spasms. Brown's absence will put the ball more in the hands of
Payton Pritchard and
Derrick White. Meanwhile, there will be additional minutes available for
Anfernee Simons,
Hugo Gonzalez, and
Sam Hauser (hamstring), who will return from a one-game absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
The Buffalo Bills are opening the 21-day practice window for wide receiver
Curtis Samuel (elbow) this week, according to head coach Sean McDermott. Samuel has been on Injured Reserve due to an elbow injury since Nov. 28, but he'll be eligible to be activated to play this Saturday in Denver against the Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round game. It's good news for the Bills after
Gabe Davis (knee) tore his ACL in the Wild-Card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, although Samuel isn't guaranteed to play against the Broncos. Wideout
Tyrell Shavers is also dealing with a knee injury and could be questionable this week. If the 29-year-old Samuel returns in the Divisional Round, he'll likely be eased back into action and won't be much of a fantasy football option. In his six games played in 2025, Samuel had seven catches for 81 yards and one touchdown.
UPDATE: Samuel practiced in full in Tuesday's walkthrough.--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
January 12, 2026
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Monday that kicker
Matt Prater (quadriceps) "is in a good spot" going into the Divisional Round of the playoffs this Saturday against the Denver Broncos, according to The Buffalo News' Katherine Fitzgerald. Prater will have a similar practice schedule to last week, but he might do more this week. The 41-year-old veteran placekicker kicked field goals and extra points in Sunday's Wild-Card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he was not available for kickoffs. Prater aggravated a right-quad injury in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the New York Jets, but he was able to play on Sunday against the Jags and made both his field-goal attempts (one from 50-plus yards) and all three of his extra points. Prater will have the altitude on his side in Denver this weekend, making him slightly more attractive to fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Buffalo News - Katherine Fitzgerald
January 12, 2026
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Monday that wide receiver
Tyrell Shavers (knee) is still being evaluated after suffering a knee injury in Sunday's Wild-Card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News. Shavers briefly left the 27-24 win on Sunday before getting back on the field. The 26-year-old pass-catcher had just one catch on two targets for 14 yards. As of right now, Shavers should be considered questionable to play in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Saturday against the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, fellow wideout
Gabe Davis (knee) suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the year. Buffalo's receiving corps could be a little thinned out going into a tough matchup on the road against Denver. If Shavers can't play this weekend,
Keon Coleman and
Brandin Cooks will have elevated roles behind
Khalil Shakir.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Buffalo News - Katherine Fitzgerald
January 12, 2026
Brooklyn Nets point guard
Egor Demin (foot) won't play in the second leg of a back-to-back on Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks. He's managing plantar fasciitis in his left foot and will sit out alongside
Cam Thomas (hamstring). As a result, we will probably see a lot more
Drake Powell and
Tyrese Martin in Monday's game. Meanwhile,
Michael Porter Jr. and
Terance Mann will have more of the ball and are going to dictate the offense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Houston Texans running back
Nick Chubb will have an elevated role as the team's RB2 on Monday night against the hosting Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild-Card playoff game, with
Jawhar Jordan (ankle) ruled out. Chubb was a healthy scratch in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts, with Jordan taking over RB2 duties behind rookie starter
Woody Marks. The 30-year-old should be more involved against Pittsburgh, but he by no means should be considered a standalone starter in fantasy lineups on Monday night. Chubb saw one carry in two of his final three regular-season games. He averaged 4.1 yards per carry on his 122 rushing attempts for 506 yards in 15 regular-season contests.
Dare Ogunbowale may see the field more than Chubb on Monday night. Chubb hasn't seen double-digit carries in a game since Nov. 2 against the Broncos.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 12, 2026
Dallas Mavericks center
Moussa Cisse (shoulder) is considered probable for Monday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. Cisse was previously listed as questionable due to a right shoulder sprain, but it appears that he will likely suit up ahead of tonight's tilt. On Saturday, the 23-year-old big man finished with five points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks across 19 minutes in a 125-107 loss to the Bulls.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Brooklyn Nets guard/forward
Ziaire Williams (illness) will miss a second straight game on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks. He is battling an illness and will end up sitting out both games of a back-to-back set. Williams also didn't play in Friday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, but that was because of a coach's decision. Bizarrely, Williams dropped out of the rotation after being a starter in the previous contest. He will get three more opportunities this week to rejoin the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Pat Freiermuth had very limited fantasy football upside in 2025 while sharing TE duties with both
Jonnu Smith and
Darnell Washington (forearm). He finished as the TE24 in half-PPR scoring in 16 regular-season games, with 41 catches on 54 targets for 486 yards and four touchdowns. Freiermuth and Smith should have slightly bigger roles going into the playoffs on Wild-Card weekend on Monday night against the Houston Texans with Washington out, but the 27-year-old still isn't an ideal option for fantasy managers in a bad matchup. Freiermuth did finish the regular season strong with six catches on 10 targets for 114 yards in the final two games, but he hasn't scored since Nov. 23. The Texans have the No. 1 defense in the league, and they've allowed only 775 receiving yards (seventh-fewest) and eight TDs all year to the tight end position.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 12, 2026
Brooklyn Nets forward
Michael Porter Jr. (rest) will rejoin the lineup on Monday versus the Dallas Mavericks. Brooklyn rested its leading scorer for the first leg of a back-to-back on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Danny Wolf started Sunday's game and will head back to the second unit for Monday's action. Last month, Porter Jr. had 34 points with six triples against Dallas when these teams met for the first time this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Calvin Austin III stepped up with
DK Metcalf on suspension in the team's Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens, which helped them win the AFC North division. Austin caught three of his seven targets for 55 yards and the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was the 26-year-old's third touchdown of the year and his first since back on Sept. 21 in the win over the New England Patriots. The week prior, with Metcalf out due to suspension, Austin caught his only target for an eight-yard gain. His touchdown catch in Week 18 against the Ravens came with help from cornerback Chidobe Awuzie slipping to leave him wide open. Austin had just 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 regular-season games, so he wasn't really on the radar in 12-team fantasy leagues. With Metcalf returning from his suspension in the Wild-Card game on Monday night against the Houston Texans, we aren't expecting much from Austin against the No. 1 defense in the NFL.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 12, 2026
Brooklyn Nets guard/forward
Cam Thomas (hamstring) won't be in the lineup on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks. The Nets are wrapping up a back-to-back, and Thomas will sit out to manage a left hamstring injury. Thomas missed nearly two months because of the injury, and the team is being cautious with him.
Drake Powell and Tyese Martin could see more playing time on Monday night, especially with
Egor Demin (foot) also missing from the backcourt.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
Anthony Edwards (foot) will sit out Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks due to right foot injury maintenance. Edwards will have the night off after playing in 13 straight games. He should be back in the lineup for Friday's clash with the Rockets in Houston. While the 24-year-old franchise cornerstone is sidelined, veteran guard
Mike Conley and
Bones Hyland will receive extra minutes during tomorrow evening's contest.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver
Jayden Higgins comes into Monday night's Wild-Card playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a touchdown in each of his last two games. The matchup against Pittsburgh is a good one, as the Steelers' defense has allowed the eighth-most half-PPR fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts. The 23-year-old second-rounder from Iowa State only caught two passes for 23 yards in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts despite playing a season-high 81% of the offensive snaps with
Nico Collins resting, but the rookie still managed to find the end zone for the second straight week. It's worth noting that he had another long touchdown catch called back due to a penalty. Higgins figures to be the WR2 behind Collins on Monday, where he'll be a boom/bust WR2 for fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 12, 2026
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
RJ Barrett (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, missing a second consecutive game. Barrett sprained his left ankle last week, and it might take a while until he's ready to play again. With Toronto battling injuries,
Jamal Shead has joined the starting five, and he made a big impact in Sunday's overtime win against Philadelphia, scoring 22 points and delivering six assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired infielder
Brett Wisely and left-hander
Ken Waldichuk from the Atlanta Braves on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Wisely has played parts of three seasons in the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants and Braves, posting a .214 batting average and .584 OPS in 168 games. He'll serve as a utility infielder for the Rays in 2026, with the ability to play second base, shortstop, third base, and center field. Waldichuk, 28, pitched in 42 games over 2022-23 with the Athletics before missing 2024 and some of 2025 after having Tommy John surgery. He has mostly been a starter in his career, going 6-11 with a 5.28 ERA in 42 major-league games. Wisely is out of minor-league options, which should help his chances of winning an Opening Day roster spot as a bench player.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
January 12, 2026
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
Ja'Kobe Walter (hip) won't be in the lineup on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers. He will sit out at least one game due to a hip injury sustained in Sunday's win over Philadelphia.
RJ Barrett (ankle) will also be sidelined on Monday, opening the door for additional minutes for
Jamal Shead,
Gradey Dick, and
Ochai Agbaji. Shead started on Sunday and stands out as the best fantasy option of the trio.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 12, 2026
The New York Mets have met with free-agent outfielder
Kyle Tucker, multiple sources told Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated. The meeting reportedly went well, and the Mets are cautiously optimistic about their chances of landing the All-Star outfielder. The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers have also met with Tucker, either in person or via Zoom. If the Mets were to sign Tucker, he could take over as the primary right fielder, which would push
Juan Soto to left field. Tucker would provide plenty of lineup protection for Soto and shortstop
Francisco Lindor after the team lost
Pete Alonso and
Brandon Nimmo in the middle of the order. The 28-year-old Tucker missed more time late in 2025 due to injuries, and he finished with a .266/.377/.464 slash line, .841 OPS, 22 home runs, and 73 RBI with the Chicago Cubs. When healthy, Tucker is one of the best all-around hitters in baseball, having posted a .273/.358/.507 slash line with an .865 OPS, 147 homers, and 490 RBI in eight big-league seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Pat Ragazzo
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