January 10, 2026
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring) was a limited practice participant on Thursday and Friday, but the belief is that he is trending in the right direction and has a chance to suit up for Sunday's Wild Card matchup with the Eagles. The future Hall of Famer has been held out of the last two games after injuring his hamstring in a Week 16 win over the Colts. Even with their best offensive lineman sidelined in Week 17, the 49ers managed to put up 200 yards on the ground in a win over the Bears before coming back down to earth to the tune of 53 rushing yards in a Week 18 loss to the Seahawks. Without question, San Francisco's rushing attack is at its best when both Williams and tight end
George Kittle are active, which looks to be the case for Sunday, helping to make
Christian McCaffrey RotoBaller's RB1 for the first week of playoff fantasy leagues.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Jeremy Fowler
January 10, 2026
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Joshua Palmer (ankle) has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday's Wild-Card matchup with the Jaguars. Palmer had been unable to practice this week with an ankle injury and will now miss the team's playoff opener. Palmer's 303 receiving yards across 12 regular-season games were good enough for the third-highest total amongst Buffalo wide receivers. In his absence, second-year wideout
Keon Coleman will be in line for a larger role following a disappointing sophomore season that saw him benched on multiple occasions. Jacksonville has ranked as a middle-of-the-pack unit in terms of defending the pass, but with no obvious superstars in the Bills' wide receiver room,
Josh Allen will again be tasked with putting the offense on his back if Buffalo is to win their first road playoff game since 1992.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Buffalo Bills PR
January 10, 2026
Across 15 games in 2025, Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver
Luther Burden III recorded 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns on 60 targets. The 22-year-old played his best football of the year down the stretch, recording 21 catches for 324 yards and a touchdown on 26 targets over his final four contests. However, all four of those performances came with fellow Bears wideout
Rome Odunze sidelined by a foot injury. Odunze will return for the team's Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Green Bay Packers, which could lead to fewer opportunities for Burden III. The Packers were also one of the NFL's better pass defenses in the regular season, ranking sixth in the league in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.4). However, Burden III's explosive upside is difficult to overlook. Entering the postseason, Burden III profiles as the most attractive wide receiver option on the Bears roster for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Rome Odunze missed the final five games of the regular season due to a stress fracture in his foot. However, the 23-year-old is off the injury report and will play in his team's Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. Across 12 games before getting injured, Odunze recorded 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns on 90 targets. He recorded three or fewer catches in four out of his last five games played, although he still averaged 6.8 targets per game during that stretch. It's difficult to project how involved Odunze will be in the Chicago passing game coming off the long layoff, particularly with Bears rookie wideout
Luther Burden III emerging during Odunze's absence. The Packers also had one of the NFL's better pass defenses during the regular season, ranking sixth among all units in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.4). Given the injury uncertainty and the matchup, Odunze profiles as a difficult player for fantasy managers to trust in the Wild Card round.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
Chicago Bears rookie tight end
Colston Loveland finished his first NFL regular season with 58 receptions for 713 yards and six touchdowns on 82 targets across 16 games. The 21-year-old also closed the year on a tear, hauling in 16 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns on 23 targets across his final two outings. Loveland may see a slightly reduced role in the Bears' first playoff matchup against the Green Bay Packers, as Chicago will get wideout
Rome Odunze back from the foot injury that caused him to miss the team's last five regular-season games. Still, Loveland has proven himself to be a consistent feature in the Bears' passing game, with upside. The Packers were a solid pass defense in the regular season, ranking sixth in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.4) and tied for 12th in passing touchdowns allowed (24). However, Green Bay struggled a bit down the stretch after losing star edge rusher Micah Parsons (knee) to a season-ending knee injury in Week 15. Loveland profiles as a high-end tight end option in the Wild Card round for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
Across 16 games in 2025, Carolina Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young completed 63.6% of his pass attempts for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The 24-year-old proved himself to be an effective game manager, but he struggled to produce consistent fantasy production in Carolina's run-heavy offense. Young topped 200 passing yards in just four games during the regular season. The Panthers' offense will face a tough test in the first round of the NFC playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams. Los Angeles finished the regular season ranked 11th in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.8) and tied for seventh in sacks (47). It's worth noting that Young was highly efficient in the Panthers' Week 13 win over the Rams, completing 15 of 20 pass attempts for 206 yards and three touchdowns without committing a turnover. However, Carolina leaned heavily into the run game in that matchup with 40 total rush attempts. That could be the game plan again in the playoffs, which would limit Young's opportunities for production. All in all, Young profiles as a difficult quarterback for fantasy managers in playoff leagues to trust against the Rams.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
The Green Bay Packers and current head coach Matt LaFleur plan to meet and discuss an extension following the end of the season, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Rapoport reports that there is a "mutual goal of extending (LaFleur's) contract," and that LaFleur is "not coaching for his job" in Saturday night's Wild Card round matchup against the Chicago Bears. LaFleur, who turned 46 in November, has won 65.4% of his regular-season games since taking over as the head coach in Green Bay in 2019. He's led the Packers to playoff appearances in six out of his seven seasons at the helm and reached the NFC championship game twice. If LaFleur were to somehow hit the open market, he'd undoubtedly be an extremely sought-after head coaching candidate. However, it appears as though both LaFleur and the Packers are motivated to make sure he remains in Green Bay long term.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com - Ian Rapoport
January 10, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Puka Nacua had a dominant 2025 season, recording a league-leading 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns on 166 targets across 16 games played. Nacua earned double-digit targets in five straight games to finish the regular season and recorded six touchdown grabs in that stretch. The Rams will get wide receiver
Davante Adams back for their Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Carolina Panthers after Adams missed the final three games of the regular season with a hamstring injury. Nacua's red zone usage may drop off with the return of Adams, who had 14 touchdown catches in the regular season. The Panthers were also a solid pass defense in the regular season, ranking 14th in the NFL in passing yards allowed (3,657) and tied for seventh in passing touchdowns allowed (20). Still, Nacua has proven to be one of the most consistent pass-catchers in football and profiles as a must-start wide receiver for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Colby Parkinson scored his seventh and eighth touchdowns of the year in the regular season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, capping a career year for the 27-year-old. Despite the return of top tight end
Tyler Higbee, Parkinson matched a season high with seven targets while playing 84% of the snaps. Higbee also had a strong game in his return from Injured Reserve, catching five of six targets for 91 yards and a score. Parkinson figures to stay involved in Saturday's Wild Card game against the Panthers, though the return of
Davante Adams (hamstring) could reduce his looks in the red zone. Rookie TE
Terrance Ferguson (hamstring) is questionable to play Saturday, which could help Parkinson stay on the field more often. Parkinson was quiet in the Rams' first meeting against the Panthers in Week 13, with four catches for 27 yards. He projects as a touchdown-dependent option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Matthew Stafford delivered an MVP-caliber campaign in his age-37 season, completing 65% of his passes for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 17 games. Stafford became the eighth QB of all time to throw at least 46 touchdowns in a season and the first since
Aaron Rodgers' MVP season in 2020. The veteran signal caller will get one half of his star-studded WR duo back on Saturday's Wild Card game, with
Davante Adams (hamstring) set to return after missing the final three games of the regular season. Stafford had one of his worst games of the year in Week 13's loss at Carolina, completing 18 of 28 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns while matching a season high with three turnovers. Stafford still projects as one of the top QB options for Wild Card weekend and the entire playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum enjoyed a strong season working in tandem with
Kyren Williams. He handled 145 yards for 746 yards and six touchdowns with eight catches (14 targets) for 36 yards as a receiver while suiting up for all 17 games. The second-year back recorded double-digit carries in seven games this season, averaging 65.3 yards per game to go with four touchdowns. With how dynamic Corum has been on his touches, he should continue to split touches with Williams in Saturday's Wild Card game against the Panthers. The Panthers allowed the ninth-highest yards per carry (4.4) this season, and Corum went for 7-81 and a touchdown in the Rams' Week 13 meeting in Carolina. Corum ranks as RotoBaller's RB15 in PPR leagues for Wild Card weekend.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) was cleared from the injury report and will play in Saturday's Wild Card game against the Carolina Panthers. Adams missed the final three games of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 15. Despite missing time, the 33-year-old wideout still led the league with 14 receiving touchdowns. Adams and QB
Matthew Stafford developed an elite connection in the red zone, and the two should pick up where they left off on Saturday in Carolina. The six-time Pro Bowler caught four of five targets for 58 yards and two scores in Week 13's matchup against the Panthers and projects again as a high-end receiver option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
Across 17 games this season, Carolina Panthers running back
Rico Dowdle finished with 236 carries for 1,079 yards and six touchdowns while adding 39 catches (50 targets) for 297 yards and another score as a receiver. Dowdle was producing like a top running back in the league early in the season after taking over lead back duties over
Chuba Hubbard, but his production had slid down the stretch as Hubbard became more involved. The 27-year-old's efficiency has also dipped significantly in the second half, handling 105 carries for 341 yards (3.2 YPC) since Week 10. He notched only nine touches in the regular season finale, his lowest since Week 8. Dowdle profiles as a borderline RB2/RB3 for Saturday's Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, who have allowed the ninth-fewest PPR points per game to running backs this season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan put together an impressive rookie campaign, finishing with 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns while playing all 17 games. McMillan is currently a heavy favorite to take home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award after serving as the engine of Carolina's passing attack. The 22-year-old wideout earned a team high 25.8% target share and recorded at least five receptions in seven games. He caught only one of his two targets in Carolina's Week 13 matchup against the Rams, but he thought it went for a 43-yard touchdown. McMillan is in a good position for a better statistical output in Saturday's rematch, as the Rams have allowed the third-most catches per game (5.4) and third-most yards per game (72.6) to opposing teams' WR1s this season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 10, 2026
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Carolina Panthers are expected to pick up quarterback
Bryce Young's fifth-year option this offseason. All eight quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall since 2011 have had their fifth-year options exercised. Young has had an up-and-down third season in the league, completing 63.6% of his passes for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions to go with 54 carries for 216 yards and two scores on the ground in 16 games. The 24-year-old signal caller has reached extreme heights, throwing for the fifth-most yards in a game this season with his 448-yard performance in Week 11. However, Young has also thrown for under 200 yards in 12 games. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick will look for more consistency in the future as he aims to establish himself as the Panthers' franchise quarterback.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Adam Schefter
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