Fantasy Football News

Caleb Williams • QB • Bears

Caleb Williams on the Rise After Leading Another Improbable Comeback

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was a top-10 fantasy signal-caller in his second year in the NFL, and although it wasn't always pretty, he has his team one win away from the NFC Championship. Williams led the Bears back from down 21-3 at halftime to beat the Green Bay Packers on Wild-Card weekend, throwing for a season-high 361 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The 24-year-old has gone over 300 passing yards in two of the last three games and has tossed six touchdown passes to three interceptions in that span. Williams has an uncanny knack for extending plays outside the pocket and finding open receivers down the field in the second half with games hanging in the balance. Even though inclement weather is expected in Chicago on Sunday for the Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Rams, the former first overall pick will have top-three QB upside in fantasy against a Rams defense that has looked a lot more vulnerable late in the year.

Jan 17

A.J. Brown • WR • Eagles

A.J. Brown's Future in Philly Up in the Air?

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said "nothing is impossible" regarding wide receiver A.J. Brown's future with the Philadelphia Eagles. Rapoport adds that if the Eagles want to trade Brown this offseason, they can certainly do so, although they'd be taking a salary cap hit. "It's hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J.'s a great player," general manager Howie Roseman said when asked if he'd be open to trading Brown. The 28-year-old pass-catcher had seven touchdown receptions during the regular season for the third straight year with the Eagles, and he also reached the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth straight season and sixth time in seven NFL seasons. However, he didn't exactly see eye to eye with either quarterback Jalen Hurts or head coach Nick Sirriani, and the Eagles might prefer a divorce as they look to turn around their struggling offense in 2026. Depending on who the team's next offensive coordinator is, Brown's fantasy prospects next year might look better if he's not in Philly.

Jan 17

Jake Tonges • TE • 49ers

Jake Tonges Set for TE1 Duties Against Seattle

San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges will be a legitimate top-five TE option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues for the Divisional Round on Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks, following George Kittle's torn Achilles tendon in the Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The last time Kittle sat out with an injury on Dec. 28 in the win over the Chicago Bears, Tonges had seven catches on nine targets for 60 yards and a touchdown. He also had seven grabs on a season-high 11 targets for 41 yards and a score back in the Oct. 2 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams when Kittle was out due to injury. The Niners will be facing a stout Seattle defense that held them to just three points in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but their D did allow the 11th-most half-PPR fantasy points per game to TEs during the regular season.

Jan 17

Blake Corum • RB • Rams

Blake Corum to Maintain Backfield Split in Divisional Round?

Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum split time more evenly with backfield mate Kyren Williams down the stretch of the regular season, and that near-even timeshare continued in the Wild-Card win over the Carolina Panthers last Saturday. Corum had 11 carries for 45 yards and added two catches on two targets for 13 yards. Meanwhile, Williams had 15 total touches. The 25-year-old Michigan product has had double-digit carries in five of his last six games, and even if Williams is the lead back on Sunday in the Divisional Round against the hosting Chicago Bears, Corum should see enough of a role to make him a low-end starting RB option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues. Expected inclement weather in Chicago could also force both teams to run the ball more, which would lead to more work for Corum. During the regular season, the Bears' defense allowed the 10th-most rushing yards (1,772).

Jan 17

Hunter Henry • TE • Patriots

Hunter Henry Remains One of Top Patriots Pass-Catchers

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry showed up on this week's injury report with a knee injury, but he was ultimately cleared and shouldn't have any limitations in Sunday's Divisional Round matchup against the Houston Texans. Henry finished the regular season as the second-leading receiver for the Patriots with 87 receptions for 768 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns in 17 games. The 31-year-old veteran has developed a nice chemistry with second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Henry has cleared 50 receiving yards in each of the last two games and has scored in three of the last four contests, including last week's Wild-Card win over his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots head into the Divisional Round with a matchup against the top-ranked Texans' defense, though, and could find it difficult to move the ball consistently. The poor matchup makes Henry a midrange TE for fantasy playoff lineups this weekend.

Jan 17

Jalen Hurts • QB • Eagles

Eagles to Draft a QB to Push Jalen Hurts?

NFL sources familiar with the Philadelphia Eagles' organizational mindset think that they might draft a quarterback this spring, according to The Athletic's Michael Silver. Current QB Jalen Hurts, who has three years remaining on his five-year, $255 million extension, likely isn't going anywhere anytime soon, especially given owner Jeffrey Lurie's regard for him. After winning Super Bowl MVP honors a year ago, Hurts has been the source of much internal frustration, including from teammates other than receiver A.J. Brown. The 27-year-old ran the ball less in 2025, lessening his impact as a dual threat, and he also has limitations because of his lack of willingness to operate under center, an aversion to pre-snap motion, an inability to make quick post-snap reads, and a reluctance to try intermediate and in-breaking passes. Silver suggests that Hurts needs to be "pushed beyond his comfort zone," which could be done by drafting a QB and with a new voice at offensive coordinator.

Jan 17

Drew Lock • QB • Seahawks

Drew Lock Ready to Go if Needed in Divisional Round

Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback Drew Lock is "ready to go" for the Divisional Round game this Saturday night against the San Francisco 49ers if Sam Darnold (oblique) can't play, according to head coach Mike Macdonald. Darnold popped up on the injury report on Thursday and was limited in practice due to an oblique injury. He is listed as questionable for Saturday's game, but all signs point to Darnold being active this weekend. But for some reason, if Darnold isn't feeling right on Saturday, the Seahawks would roll with Lock and not rookie QB Jalen Milroe. Lock wouldn't be a recommended QB for fantasy playoff lineups if Darnold is inactive. The 29-year-old signal-caller appeared in five games in 2025, going 2-for-3 passing for 15 yards. The Seahawks would most likely lean more on their ground game with running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet if Lock made the start.

Jan 16

Ikem Ekwonu • OT • Panthers

Ikem Ekwonu Undergoes Knee Surgery

Carolina Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (knee) underwent surgery on his right knee this week to fix a ruptured patellar tendon that he suffered in last weekend's Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams, according to Joseph Person of The Athletic. Orthopedist David Chao predicted that Ekwonu will miss the start of next season and might not be fully recovered until 2027. The Panthers already exercised Ekwonu's fifth-year option, guaranteeing the former sixth overall pick in 2022 $17.6 million for 2026. Contract-extension talks with the organization will now take a back seat to the 25-year-old's recovery. Ekwonu's knee will be immobilized for four to six weeks. There's a possibility that Ekwonu will be ready to play again in October, but he might not be back to his normal self until the start of the 2027 season for the Panthers' offensive line.

Jan 16

Anthony Richardson Sr. • QB • Colts

Colts Non-Committal on Anthony Richardson Sr.'s Future

When asked if quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (eye) had a role on the team next season, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen was non-committal while referring to Richardson's eye injury that caused him to end the year on Injured Reserve, according to The Athletic's James Boyd. General manager Chris Ballard also openly theorized about Riley Leonard being the backup in 2026 if Richardson "doesn't get to where we think he can be." Boyd assumes that the Colts won't want to pick up Richardson's fifth-year option, since the former fourth overall pick in 2023 has played in just 15 games in his first three years due to various injuries. The 23-year-old is still recovering from an orbital fracture that affected the vision in his right eye. When healthy, A-Rich hasn't sustained a high level of play for the Colts, which is why they brought in Daniel Jones (Achilles) in 2025.

Jan 16

Michael Pittman Jr. • WR • Colts

Colts to Part Ways With Michael Pittman Jr. This Offseason?

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.

Jan 16

Jordan Whittington • WR • Rams

Jordan Whittington Will be Active Against Bears

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.

Jan 16

Terrance Ferguson • TE • Rams

Terrance Ferguson Ready to Return in Divisional Round

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.

Jan 16

Ed Oliver • DT • Bills

Bills Activate Ed Oliver From Injured Reserve

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.

Jan 16

Mecole Hardman • WR • Bills

Mecole Hardman Joins Active Roster for Divisional Round

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.

Jan 16

Curtis Samuel • WR • Bills

Curtis Samuel Activated From Injured Reserve

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.

Jan 16

Jimmy Garoppolo • QB • Rams

Jimmy Garoppolo Questionable With Back Injury

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.

Jan 16

Sam Darnold • QB • Seahawks

Seahawks "Optimistic" That Sam Darnold Will Play on Saturday

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.

Jan 16

Justin Watson • WR • Texans

Justin Watson Won't Play Against Patriots

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.

Jan 16

Jawhar Jordan • RB • Texans

Jawhar Jordan Cleared to Play in Divisional Round

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.

Jan 16

DJ Moore • WR • Bears

DJ Moore Good to Go Against Rams

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.

Jan 16

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