Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (hamstring) was limited in practice all week and is questionable to play in the AFC Championship game on Sunday against the visiting New England Patriots. Franklin played only 13 snaps on offense in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills before suffering a hamstring injury and never returning. The 22-year-old second-year wideout will most likely end up suiting up for the big game this weekend, but we won't know officially until 90 minutes before kickoff. Franklin's role has shrunk near the end of this season, so with rookie Pat Bryant cleared from a concussion, he'll be a WR to avoid in fantasy playoff leagues while working with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham. If Franklin is unable to play, Courtland Sutton, Bryant, and Marvin Mims Jr. should operate as the top-three WRs, with Lil'Jordan Humphrey also pitching in.

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Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant (concussion) cleared the league's concussion protocol and was removed from the final injury report on Friday. Bryant will be active for Sunday's AFC Championship tilt against the New England Patriots after suffering a concussion early in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills and never returning. Before leaving last Saturday, the 23-year-old third-rounder from Illinois caught all three of his targets for 32 yards. In his first 15 regular-season NFL games, Bryant had a 31-378-1 line on 49 targets. He has slowly seen more involvement in Denver's offense as the year has gone on, but he'll still be hard to trust for fantasy playoff lineups this weekend with quarterback Jarrett Stidham taking over for the injured Bo Nix (ankle). Bryant will be even more risky if second-year wideout Troy Franklin (hamstring) is active.

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (oblique) was removed from Friday's final injury report and is set to take on the division-rival Los Angeles Rams for the third time this year in Sunday's NFC Championship game. Darnold tweaked his oblique in practice last Thursday and was questionable for the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The 28-year-old ended up playing and going 12-for-17 passing for 124 yards with one touchdown in the 41-6 blowout win over the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks didn't really need Darnold to do much, but that probably won't be the case this weekend against a Rams offense that scored a league-high 30.5 points per game. In the two previous games against L.A. this year, Darnold threw for 549 yards and two touchdowns on 78 total attempts, but he also threw six total interceptions. The volume should be there for Darnold on Sunday, but he'll need to take care of the football if Seattle wants to advance to the Super Bowl.

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Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani (hamstring) was removed from the team's final injury report on Friday and will be active for the NFC Championship game on Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. Holani was placed on Injured Reserve on Nov. 29, but he was activated this week and will help give the Seahawks more backfield depth after Zach Charbonnet (knee) suffered a season-ending torn ACL in last weekend's Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. Kenneth Walker III should handle a big workload as the team's RB1 against the Rams, but Holani could be the RB2 in his first game back. Fantasy managers shouldn't have high expectations for Holani in his first time back on the field, though, and he could even share touches with Velus Jones Jr. He had only 22 carries during the regular season for 73 yards and one TD.

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Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots and will remain on Injured Reserve, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. The Broncos opened Dobbins' 21-day practice window this week, and he was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. While the 27-year-old is making progress from a Lisfranc foot injury that he suffered in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders, he's just not at the point where the Broncos are comfortable putting him back into a game, especially with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. With Dobbins out, rookie RJ Harvey should handle most of the backfield work against New England, with Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie working in complementary roles. If Denver advances to the Super Bowl, Dobbins should be ready to return with an extra two weeks to recover.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be a free agent in March, and the expectation is that he will not return to the Steel City after long-time head coach Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 seasons with the organization. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero believes that if Rodgers does decide to come back to play for a new Steelers head coach, it would be former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who is a native of Pittsburgh. The Steelers are open to the future Hall of Fame QB returning for another year in 2026, but they wouldn't be hiring McCarthy specifically to lure Rodgers back after he led the team to the postseason in 2025. Pittsburgh's ownership isn't interested in rebuilding, so hiring a veteran coach like McCarthy to lead a veteran roster would make a lot of sense. Retirement is very much on the table for Rodgers this offseason, but if the Steelers hire McCarthy as their next head coach, it could push the 42-year-old to return for one last rodeo.

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The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson writes that the Miami Dolphins "almost assuredly" will release wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) before mid-March. Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 and is due to make $29.9 million in 2026. However, none of that money is guaranteed until mid-March, when $11 million of it becomes guaranteed if he's on the team, in addition to a $5 million roster bonus. His contract carries a $51.9 million salary cap hit, so even if he wasn't injured, Hill wouldn't have returned to Miami on that deal. If the speedy wideout is released, as expected, his 2026 cap hit would drop from $51.9 million to $28.2 million. If he's cut after June 1, the team's cap hit would be just $15.9 million. Hill is entering his age-32 season in 2026, and after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee, his trademark speed could be affected going forward. Ultimately, his fantasy stock will depend on where he's playing next season, but his arrow is definitely pointing down.

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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said that wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen), who is still on Injured Reserve, will be questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the hosting Denver Broncos, according to Evan Lazar of Patriots.com. Hollins was originally placed on IR back on Dec. 27, and he returned to practice for the first time on Thursday in a limited session. The 32-year-old must be officially activated from IR by Saturday if the Patriots want him active on Sunday. If he returns, he'll merely be a dart throw in fantasy football playoff leagues after his long layoff. During the regular season in his first year with New England, Hollins was a deep threat for quarterback Drake Maye, catching 46 of 65 targets for 550 yards and two touchdowns. We wouldn't recommend Hollins as a sleeper this weekend in Denver if he's active.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman had a rough year in 2025, recording 38 receptions for 404 yards and four touchdowns on 59 targets across 13 games played. Despite his team desperately needing pass-catching help for much of the season, the 22-year-old was a healthy scratch for multiple games and had his maturity called into question by team officials. The Bills moved on from long-time head coach Sean McDermott after losing to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round. McDermott's firing could mean a fresh start for Coleman with a new coaching staff, which could work to his benefit. However, Buffalo retained general manager Brandon Beane, and Bills owner Terry Pegula recently insinuated that Coleman's selection in the 2024 NFL Draft was more McDermott's call than Beane's. Depending on how Buffalo addresses the wide receiver position during the offseason, Coleman's status with the Bills could be in question heading into 2026.

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To this point in his career, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has spent all eight of his NFL seasons playing for head coach John Harbaugh. However, that is set to change in 2026. Baltimore parted ways with Harbaugh at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season, and the team recently announced the hiring of former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. With 2025 Ravens play-caller Todd Monken likely to follow Harbaugh to his new gig as the head coach of the New York Giants, Jackson appears likely to be working with his fourth different offensive coordinator since the start of his time with Baltimore. After back-to-back first-team All-Pro selections in 2023 and 2024, Jackson battled through injuries in a relative down year in 2025. Even still, the 29-year-old averaged over eight yards per pass attempt while rushing for 349 yards and two scores. Jackson may be rejuvenated by a change of leadership in Baltimore, and he remains a high-end quarterback option for fantasy managers heading into 2026.

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By his own lofty standards, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was held in check by the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional Round, hauling in just five catches for 56 yards on 10 targets. Things may not get any easier for Nacua in the NFC Championship Game, as he will face one of the best pass defenses in the NFL in the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle finished the regular season ranked first in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0) and fifth in interceptions (18). Still, Nacua remains an elite wide receiver option for fantasy managers. Dating back to the regular season, the 24-year-old has earned double-digit targets in seven straight contests, recording seven touchdowns in that span. Nacua also had success in the regular season against Seattle, recording a combined 19 catches for 300 yards and two touchdowns on 24 targets across two matchups. Even against a tough opponent, Nacua carries high-end upside at the wide receiver position. heading into the NFC Championship Game.

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New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas was one of the stars of his team's AFC Divisional Round victory over the Houston Texans, hauling in two receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown on two targets. Douglas remains largely limited to a part-time role in New England. He's played fewer than 33% of the Patriots' offensive snaps in each of the team's two postseason games and averaged just 2.7 targets per contest during the regular season. New England is now preparing to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. Denver fields one of the NFL's most fearsome pass rushes, as they finished the regular season ranked first in the league in sacks (68). With Patriots quarterback Drake Maye struggling to protect the football so far in the playoffs, New England could be looking for Maye to get the ball out of his hands quickly against the Broncos. Douglas is at his most effective as a short-area route runner, so he could be in position to have his second-straight productive outing in the AFC Championship Game.

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The Seattle Seahawks activated rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo (knee) from Injured Reserve ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship contest against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Arroyo missed the last five games due to a knee injury, but he now has a chance to return for this weekend's game against the Rams, where he'll most likely serve in a backup role to AJ Barner. The 22-year-old second-rounder only caught 15 passes on 26 targets for 179 yards and one touchdown in his first 13 NFL games during the regular season, so fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting Arroyo to have a big role on Sunday if he suits up. Arroyo's lone touchdown of his rookie campaign came in the Nov. 2 win over the Washington Commanders, when he caught both of his targets for 29 yards. Arroyo's best game was a four-catch, 42-yard performance on Oct. 20 versus the Texans.

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In snowy conditions in last week's Divisional Round win over the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams was quiet, catching only two of his six targets for 24 yards. The week prior in the Wild-Card victory over the Carolina Panthers, the 33-year-old veteran caught five of a season-high 13 targets for 72 yards. Adams hasn't exactly been a beast for fantasy managers in two playoff games, but we must remember that he missed the final three regular-season games due to a balky hamstring. He was briefly examined in the medical tent against the Bears, but he returned to the game. The six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro wideout had a league-high 14 touchdown catches in 14 regular-season games, but he has only seen double-digit targets in three of 16 games this year. Adams will still be a top-five fantasy WR this weekend, but teammate Puka Nacua definitely has more upside and a higher floor.

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The Seattle Seahawks activated running back George Holani (hamstring) from Injured Reserve on Friday ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship game versus the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Holani originally landed on IR on Nov. 29, but after practicing in full on Wednesday and Thursday, he's trending in the right direction to be active for this weekend's big game. It's great timing for the 26-year-old, too, as he could operate as Seattle's RB2 behind starter Kenneth Walker III if he's active after Zach Charbonnet (knee) tore his ACL in the Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. Even though Holani is trending up going into the NFC Championship, he won't be recommended for starting lineups in playoff leagues if he suits up. Holani last played on Nov 23, and he had 22 carries for 73 yards and one touchdown in his 11 regular-season games in 2025.

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Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers and current St. Michael Catholic High School coach Philip Rivers is interviewing on Friday for the Buffalo Bills' head-coaching job, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Rivers surprisingly came out of retirement to play for the Colts again in 2025 after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. The 44-year-old eight-time Pro Bowler threw for 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions in his three starts, but he was unable to help the Colts get into the playoffs before retiring for the second time. Rivers is now interested in coaching at the NFL level, although he feels like more of a long shot to land the Bills' head-coaching job with zero prior coaching experience in the NFL. However, maybe there's a chance he wins over quarterback Josh Allen, who is going to have significant say in who the next head coach in Buffalo is.

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen will have "significant say" on the next head coach of the team, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. The Bills are ensuring that Allen is a significant part of the hiring process, following the firing of Sean McDermott on Monday after nine years at the helm. Buffalo has already met with a few head-coaching candidates, and Allen has been sitting in on everything. The Bills are interviewing a wide range of coaches for the head-coaching vacancy, but reports have suggested that they will probably prefer an offensive-minded individual who can develop strong chemistry with Allen. Despite having one of the weaker receiver rooms in the league in 2025, Allen finished as the QB1 in overall fantasy points, although most of it came because of his rushing prowess. The Bills need to get him more help if they are going to get over the hump in the playoffs.

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Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox said that TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) played this season with a torn PCL in his knee, according to Ryan Talbot of Syracuse.com. A source close to Kincaid confirmed what Knox said, saying that Kincaid played the entire 2025 campaign with a torn PCL. The 26-year-old did miss several games late in the season due to knee and hamstring injuries, and he played in a career-low 12 contests in 2025 in his third year in the league, catching a career-low 39 passes on 49 targets for 571 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in the regular season. The fact that he even played as many games as he did on a torn PCL is a minor miracle, and Kincaid had nine catches on 11 targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns in two playoff games. With better health in 2026, Kincaid will be a no-doubt TE1 in fantasy football.

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Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram was a disappointment during the regular season in his first year with the Broncos, catching 50 of his 76 targets for 461 yards and only one touchdown in 16 games played. That continued in the Divisional Round overtime win over the Buffalo Bills last Saturday, as Engram caught just one of three targets for seven yards. The 31-year-old veteran just did not live up to the expectations that Denver's coaching staff placed on him during training camp. Perhaps Engram will be a favorite target for quarterback Jarrett Stidham in the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots in place of the injured Bo Nix (ankle), but it's probably unlikely. Engram went over 45 receiving yards just once during the regular season, and his lone TD on the year came way back on Oct. 5 in a win over the Eagles. Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting a sudden breakout for Engram in the AFC Championship.

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New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry let fantasy managers down in the 28-16 Divisional Round win against the Houston Texans, catching just one of two targets for a five-yard gain. Henry played 72% of the offensive snaps, but it was his worst performance of the season against the top defense in the league. Despite his rough showing last weekend, it shouldn't scare fantasy managers away for the AFC Championship this Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Denver's D was one of the better units in the league during the regular season, but they also allowed the ninth-most receiving yards (1,015) to opposing tight ends. Before Henry's dud against Houston, the 31-year-old veteran had three touchdowns in the previous four games for New England. There aren't a lot of sure things at the position at this stage, with only four teams alive, making Henry the No. 1 TE option in most fantasy leagues this week.

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